Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Friday.
Justice Dept. drops its criminal investigation of the Fed chairJerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair and frequent target of President Trump’s scorn, is no longer under federal criminal investigation, the Justice Department announced today. The move could clear the path for Powell’s Trump-appointed successor, Kevin Warsh, to win confirmation in the Senate. The president had pushed for the investigation, which focused on whether Powell lied to Congress about costly renovations of the Fed’s headquarters. But a top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, vowed to block any nominee until the legal threats against Powell were dropped. It is not yet clear, however, if today’s news will be enough to satisfy Tillis: The U.S. attorney who closed the case said she would “not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so.” In other Trump administration news:
U.S. is sending top envoys to Pakistan for Iran peace talksThe White House announced today that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would be traveling tomorrow to Pakistan to hold discussions with Iranian negotiators. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, will meet with Kushner and Witkoff in Islamabad and present a new written response to the U.S. proposal for a peace deal, senior Iranian leaders said. For now, the two sides remain at a standoff in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said today that the U.S. would continue to block Iran’s ports until Iran agreed to a deal — a position that clashes with the Iranian demand that the blockade be lifted before peace talks are held. My colleague talked to a fleet manager who was trying to figure out when it would be safe enough to send her ships through the strait. For more:
Elon Musk has used SpaceX as a piggy bankSpaceX is the jewel of Elon Musk’s business empire, a dominant force in the private space industry. It has also lent Musk hundreds of millions of dollars, and injected funds into his other struggling businesses, often with tiny interest rates. While legal, the moves benefited Musk to an unusual degree, even in the opaque world of private companies. Some SpaceX investors were concerned that he was prioritizing himself over other shareholders.
To save the climate, these scientists suggest a giant damScientists have long worried that global warming could collapse a network of ocean currents that regulates the climate. A team of Dutch scientists published a study today demonstrating that a 50-mile-long dam across the Bering Strait, between Russia and Alaska, could potentially preserve the currents. The scientists say that cutting carbon emissions is a better solution, but they wanted to publish the study to show that such a dam might help “in a worst-case scenario.” In other news from the ocean: After three years, researchers have figured out the identity of a mysterious, soft golden blob found two miles under water. More top news
‘Michael’ has big box-office hopes, despite terrible reviewsThe biggest new movie in theaters this weekend is “Michael,” a musical biopic produced by the estate of Michael Jackson. The singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, a first-time actor, pulls off his uncle’s dance moves, but the movie flattens its subject. Our review, like many others, was sharply critical. Production faced many issues, including how to portray the child molestation accusations against Jackson. The film addressed one accusation — until lawyers realized the estate was barred from mentioning the accuser. After $40 million to $50 million in reshoots, it ends in 1988, before any accusations were made against him. For more: The biopic is packed with famous musical figures. See who is in it.
The Padilla pause is elevating ‘S.N.L.’Ashley Padilla is having a breakout year on “Saturday Night Live,” specializing in ordinary types like teachers and office workers. What really distinguishes her is finely honed timing, our critic Jason Zinoman writes. Many times this year, Padilla has managed to transform routine jokes into something stranger and more absurd by deploying the comic pause — sometimes to ludicrous lengths. See how she does it.
Dinner table topics
Cook: Chocolate and raspberry make a perfect pair in this luxurious layer cake. Read “Transcription” with our Book Review Book Club. Shower at an airport without breaking the bank in these foreign cities. Get outside and lay some pavers. Here’s how. Learn from small changes Times readers made to improve their health. |
