Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Monday.
Trump proposes suspending the federal gas taxPresident Trump said today that he wants to suspend the federal gasoline tax of 18 cents per gallon until prices, which have climbed roughly $1.50 since the war began, start to fall. That would require congressional approval. Trump indicated today that the conflict in the Middle East, which has fueled a rise in energy prices globally, is still far from over. He said that the cease-fire in Iran was on “life support,” and he called the latest offer from Iranian officials a “piece of garbage.” Talks between the two sides stumbled again over the weekend after Iran called for U.S. war reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Those demands would almost certainly be nonstarters for the American negotiators. For more:
Supreme Court extends access to abortion pill for a few daysMifepristone, a widely used abortion medication, will continue to be available by mail nationwide until at least Thursday at 5 p.m., the Supreme Court said today. Justice Samuel Alito temporarily extended the pill’s access as the justices consider a request to halt a lower-court ruling that would make it more difficult for women throughout the country to access the medication mifepristone. Louisiana had sued the federal government, arguing that mailed drugs had allowed abortions to continue in the state despite its near-total ban. In other court news: Virginia officials asked the justices to allow the use of a congressional map drawn by Democrats and approved by voters.
Behind the scenes, Kennedy is investigating vaccinesAt the behest of the White House, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has toned down his public criticism of vaccines. But behind closed doors, he is spearheading a vast inquiry examining his long-held theory that vaccines are helping to fuel an epidemic of chronic disease. The effort is being led by Martin Kulldorff, a vaccine safety expert who rose in prominence during the pandemic as a critic of vaccine mandates. It has raised alarms among some vaccine scholars, who fear that Kennedy will use the findings to further erode confidence in vaccines, which the W.H.O. estimates to have saved 154 million lives over the past half-century. In other health news:
A Colombian town is divided over Pablo Escobar’s hipposThousands of miles from their native Africa, hippopotamuses are multiplying in the heart of Colombia. They began as a group of four, brought as exotic pets for the drug lord Pablo Escobar. Now, roughly 200 hippos roam freely in the otherwise quiet village of Doradal. A new plan by Colombia’s government — to euthanize dozens of the hippos and try to relocate the rest — is dividing locals. Some consider the animals invaders who are threatening the livelihoods of fishermen. Others see the hippos as a lucrative tourism engine and part of the town’s identity. More top newsTrump Administration
Other Big Stories
A polar scientist led a team to Antarctica to drill through the Thwaites Glacier: 3,280 feet of ice. A reporter and photographer from The Times were there.
The 100 best restaurants in New York CityOur critic Ligaya Mishan is out today with her list of the best places to eat in the city, based on each spot’s food, ambience, service, technique, passion and, most important, New York-iness. (A young rapper known as Mr. Cardamom recorded his first solo video at No. 100; now he’s the city’s mayor.) “It is an argument,” Ligaya said. “Cue the debate.” Leave a comment to weigh in on the first 90 restaurants, and check back tomorrow to see who made the top 10. For more: See what trends stood out at the best spots.
Grab some seeds and relaxGardening can be challenging, time-consuming and rewarding. Or it can be a piece of cake. Some novices are embracing chaos gardening, which involves grabbing a bunch of seeds, throwing them into the ground and hoping for the best. The results are unlikely to be perfect, but that’s not the point. It’s an entryway into plants that allows us all to turn a patch of ground into a riot of color. Want to spend more time outdoors? My colleagues are about to start a four-week challenge to help readers disconnect from their phones. Join in.
Dinner table topics
Cook these halloumi and sweet potato tacos, which are perfect for a busy night. Watch “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” and eight other shows on TV this week. |
