The Evening: U.S. wants Israel to scale down war

Also, children risk their lives building America's roofs.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story December 14, 2023 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Thursday. What the U.S. wants in Gaza Trump's trial dates in limbo Plus, a sweeter Willy Wonka Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, today. Mahmud Hams/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The U.S. asked Israel to scale down its war effort President Biden's national security adviser urged Israel today to end its large-scale ground and air campaign in the Gaza Strip and transition to a more targeted phase in its war against Hamas, American officials said. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, did not specify a timetable during his meetings with top Israeli officials. But four American officials said that Biden wanted Israel to switch to more precise tactics in around three weeks or soon thereafter. The new phase that the Americans envision would involve the use of smaller groups of elite Israeli forces that would move in and out of population centers in Gaza, carrying out more precise missions to find and kill Hamas leaders, rescue hostages and destroy tunnels. But it's not clear when, or if, Israel would agree to move to lower-intensity fighting. In response to the American advice, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel released a statement saying that "Israel will continue the war until we complete all of its goals." The Biden administration has said in recent weeks that it wants to take steps to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza. Life there has been very grim for Palestinians, our Middle East correspondent Raja Abdulrahim told us. "Some people have told me that they would rather just have a nuclear bomb come and take them all out because the situation has gotten so desperate, and they don't see any light at the end of the tunnel," Raja said. "They also feel like the entire world has abandoned them." Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, center, with European officials in February. Virginia Mayo/Associated Press The E.U. agreed to discuss membership with Ukraine European Union leaders agreed today to officially open negotiations for Ukraine to join the bloc, an important breakthrough for the country as it tries to bolster support from its allies. The move comes at a crucial time for Ukraine. The country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, just finished a bruising visit to the U.S., where he was unable to secure an agreement for desperately needed aid that is threatened by political divisions in Congress. Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to fast-track an appeal of Donald Trump's claims of immunity. Kenny Holston/The New York Times Trump's trial dates are in limbo The Supreme Court is now entangled in the federal criminal case accusing Donald Trump of plotting to overturn the 2020 election, and it could have serious implications for the trial's timing. On Monday, the special counsel leading the prosecution, Jack Smith, asked the justices to fast-track an appeal of Trump's claims of immunity. Then, last night, the court announced that it would review an obstruction charge in a case that is separate but that sits at the heart of the election case against Trump. The justices' decisions on both questions could help determine whether the trial is able to move forward before next year's presidential election. For more, read my colleagues Alan Feuer and Maggie Haberman in their Trump on Trial newsletter. A 16-year-old from Honduras working in South Carolina. Gustavo Acosta for The New York Times Children risk their lives building America's roofs Federal law bars anyone under 18 from roofing because it's so dangerous. But across the U.S., migrant children do this work anyway. Some wake before dawn to be driven to distant job sites and work through heat waves on black-tar rooftops that scorch their hands. My colleagues spoke with more than 100 child roofers in nearly two dozen states. Read our full story, which found that U.S. enforcement of child labor laws was almost nonexistent in the roofing industry. More top news Congress: The House passed an $886 billion defense bill, clearing it for President Biden's signature. The legislation directed the government to eventually release what it knows about U.F.O.s. Russia: During a four-hour news conference, President Vladimir Putin underscored his determination to outlast Ukraine and the West. Inflation: Many economists are now predicting a soft landing in the U.S.: the lowering of inflation without a recession. Politics: Republicans chose Mazi Melesa Pilip, an Israeli military veteran, to run for George Santos's House seat. Climate: California is re-examining claims to its water that have gone unchallenged for generations. Missing person: A British boy who disappeared while on vacation six years ago in Spain has turned up in France, prosecutors there said. Law enforcement: Police body cameras were supposed to be a revolution in accountability. What went wrong? Commutes: New Jersey Transit service was delayed today because there was a long-horned bull on the tracks. TIME TO UNWIND Timothée Chalamet delivers an enthusiastic performance as a young Willy Wonka. Jaap Buittendijk/Warner Bros. A younger, sweeter Willy Wonka When "Wonka" arrives in theaters tomorrow, Timothée Chalamet will take center stage as a significantly less weird chocolate mogul than the character's prior screen incarnations. The film is a bright and light take on the first business ventures of a young Willy Wonka — without a hint of the misanthropy that bursts through Roald Dahl's 1964 best seller, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," on which it's based. Our critic Manohla Dargis wrote that the film was overly busy, "and at two hours it overstays its welcome." However, she wrote, "it embraces niceness with unforced sincerity as it invites you to let your imagination run loose." Plumes emanating from Enceladus, the moon of Saturn, in 2011. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute A poison hints at a potential for life near Saturn A team of scientists announced today that it had identified hydrogen cyanide emanating from an icy moon of Saturn. Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless, odorless gas that is deadly to many Earth creatures. But it could have played a key role in chemical reactions that created the ingredients that set the stage for the advent of life. The finding added to the belief among some scientists that the small moon, known as Enceladus, is among the most promising places to look for life elsewhere in the solar system. Dinner table topics Miami fashion: When the art world arrives for annual fairs, the sidewalks become catwalks. Body studies: Thousands of fitness professionals and massage therapists have participated in cadaver workshops, which they say help them become better at their jobs. I — untz untz — do: It's out with the hotel ballrooms and in with the raves as the popularity of electronic music at weddings grows. Fitness fad or not? Five-minute workouts might provide some benefits, but don't cancel your gym membership just yet. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini. Cook: This baked spinach gratin is great with turkey, steak or white beans. Watch: In "American Fiction," an author becomes a success by writing a potboiler he loathes. Read: We looked back at memoirs by the superrich who wrote like they had nothing to lose. Plan: There are cheap ways to vacation in Key West. Cope: Getting an IUD can be excruciatingly painful, but there are options for relief. Pack: Wirecutter has tested 47 carry-on suitcases. This one is their favorite. Hunt: Which Upper East Side apartment would you buy with a $1 million budget? Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini. Find all our games here. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT ONE LAST THING Javier Trueba/MSF, via Science Source Morning person? It might be the Neanderthal genes For those of you who naturally wake up early or enjoy starting your day before the sun rises, you might have more in common with Neanderthals than you think. They, too, were early risers. A study published today found that morning people may have inherited genes from their Neanderthal ancestors that affect their body clocks. Research suggests that when the Neanderthals moved to higher latitudes, their circadian clocks were forced to adapt to longer days in the summer and shorter in the winter. Have a restful evening. Thanks for reading. Sarah Hughes was our photo editor today. I'll be back tomorrow. — Matthew We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com. Continue reading the main story Writer: Matthew Cullen Editorial Director: Adam Pasick Editors: Carole Landry, Whet Moser, Justin Porter, Jonathan Wolfe Photo Editor: Brent Lewis Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Evening from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Evening, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018