Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday.
Comey pleaded not guiltyJames Comey, the former F.B.I. director, pleaded not guilty today to charges he lied to Congress. His lawyer said he would move quickly to dismiss the case, calling it a “vindictive” and “selective” prosecution. The judge set a trial date of Jan. 5. The entire arraignment lasted less than half an hour. But the scene this morning at a courthouse in Alexandria — in which Comey stood up to respond to criminal charges that President Trump all but ordered his aides to file — was the latest example of the president’s attempts to use the Justice Department to target his political enemies. Comey, 60, faces up to five years in prison if convicted, though many current and former prosecutors believe the case will be difficult to prove. Comey’s lawyers said they would file two motions to dismiss the case: one accusing the government of “vindictive” and “selective” prosecution, and another challenging the appointment of the U.S. attorney who filed the charges.
Troops assembled near Chicago and PortlandAbout 500 National Guard troops, including 200 sent from Texas, are expected to begin operations today in the Chicago area. Another group, from Oregon and California, was assembled near Portland, Ore. Trump ordered their deployment to the cities he has described as out of control and in need of order. Officials in Illinois and Oregon have sharply criticized the move in public statements and in the courts. Oregon’s lawsuit was able to halt the deployment there, at least temporarily. Illinois’s challenge will be considered tomorrow in federal court. Early today, Trump called for the Democratic mayor of Chicago and governor of Illinois to be jailed. Trump’s homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, also criticized officials in Oregon and threatened to increase the number of federal agents in Portland. Before Trump ordered troops there, federal officials described protests in the city as “low energy.” For more: The president said the troops would help enforce immigration law. In a new Times poll, voters favored deporting those in the U.S. illegally, but said Trump has gone too far.
Arab mediators said Hamas could be open to compromiseSome Arab leaders engaged in negotiations to end the war in Gaza believe that they can persuade Hamas to partially disarm. Such a move has long been ruled out by the Palestinian group, which views its armed struggle against Israel as central to its ideology. Three people familiar with knowledge of the talks taking place this week in Egypt told our reporters that Hamas may agree to hand over some of its weapons if Trump can guarantee Israel will end its assault on Gaza. At an event this afternoon, Trump said the cease-fire negotiations were “going very well” and that he might go to the Middle East this weekend. At Harvard, a so-called die-in held by pro-Palestinian students in 2023 set off a debate over campus demonstrations. Two years later, it is often cited as evidence that the school permitted a hostile atmosphere for Jews. In New York City, the Palestinian cause was a galvanizing force that helped propel Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for mayor — and has become one of his biggest vulnerabilities.
The cost of driving depends on where you parkMost electric cars cost more than their gas alternatives, especially after the expiration last week of a $7,500 federal E.V. tax credit. But many battery-powered vehicles make up for their higher sticker price by costing less to keep on the road over time. Whether and how much drivers can save with an E.V. depends in large part on where they live. Some places have high electricity costs; others have high fuel prices. Use our tool to see what an E.V. would cost to drive in your area. More top news
Fra Angelico made faith visibleA once-in-a-generation exhibition is now on display in Florence, Italy. It unites over 140 religious artworks by the Renaissance painter Fra Angelico, whose work integrates the themes of life, death and life everlasting. Our critic called the show “momentous and inexpressibly beautiful.” To assemble this many Fra Angelicos was almost a miracle. Among the masterpieces are seven major altarpieces whose panels were reassembled for the show after they were dismantled centuries ago and sold to art collectors around the world. Have a look for yourself.
Embrace the potato dinnerSince Pete Wells stepped down as The Times restaurant critic last year, he’s been on a journey to get healthy. That included swapping foods like beef, pork, cheese and potatoes for vegetables. Eventually, though, Pete missed his potatoes. So he reframed his thinking on their role in a meal. He now sees them as the star, baked with chermoula or chimichurri instead of sour cream and Cheddar. Or perhaps tossed in a curry powder. “Not long ago, I would have told you that this was a side dish,” Pete said. “Today, I’d say that the side dish is a social construct.”
Dinner table topics
Cook: This recipe pairs simple arctic char fillets with a bright and delicious horseradish crema. Read: A 1992 cult novel grew into a genre called dark academia. Here’s where to begin. Watch: Fall is the best time to revisit “Gilmore Girls,” which debuted 25 years ago this week. Treat: Here’s how to ensure that shin splints don’t derail your exercise goals. Consider: Doctors want us all to cool it on the supplements. Give: Struggling to find the right gift? Ask us for help. Play: Here are today’s Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all our games here. |
