The Evening: Zelensky pleads for U.S. aid

Also, Biden and Netanyahu disagree over the war's next steps.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story December 12, 2023 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Tuesday. Zelensky's plea for U.S. aid U.S. and Israeli divisions over the war Plus, L.A. celebrates Shohei Ohtani Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, at the Capitol today. Kent Nishimura for The New York Times In Washington, Zelensky faces Republican intransigence Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, trudged across Washington today, making urgent pleas for quick approval of more aid for his country's war against Russia. But in the meetings that mattered most — with Republican leaders whose allies hold the decisive votes — Zelensky's pitch appeared to hit a brick wall. After House Speaker Mike Johnson and several Senate Republicans met with the Ukrainian leader, they reiterated their stance that they would not agree to any new aid for Ukraine unless President Biden and Democrats in Congress bowed to their demands to clamp down on migration at the southern border of the U.S. Biden, who also met with Zelensky this afternoon, said he was negotiating with Republicans and hopeful that they could come to an agreement over Ukraine aid. He warned Republicans that "Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine." Passing an aid package for Ukraine before the end of the year has become "practically impossible," Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, said. And as my colleague Julian Barnes points out, Ukraine has been forced to persuade that the aid is needed and that it won't go to waste on another failed counteroffensive. "Vladimir Putin's strategy was to outlast the West," Julian said. "In some ways, this entire funding debate is about whether Putin's theory of the case is correct." Buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardment in the Gazan city of Rafah, today. Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Biden and Netanyahu disagree over the war's next steps A divide between Israel and the U.S., its closest ally, burst into the open today as President Biden warned that Israeli leaders were losing international support for their war in Gaza. He said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should make changes, but that Israel's right-wing government was "making it very difficult." Biden's remarks came hours after Netanyahu pledged to defy weeks of American pressure to put the Palestinian Authority in charge of Gaza once the fighting ends. Netanyahu ruled out any role there for the body, which now governs parts of the West Bank. "There is disagreement about 'the day after Hamas,'" Netanyahu said. He added that he hoped the two governments could reach an agreement about what happens after the war ends, but he vowed not to allow threats to Israel's population to continue. In Gaza, Israeli strikes have flattened much of the north. Here are before and after images. New York State's new top judge, Rowan Wilson, in June. Hans Pennink/Associated Press Democrats can redraw New York maps, top court rules Powered by a new liberal majority, New York State's highest court today ordered the state to redraw its congressional map, reopening a process with sweeping national implications. Democrats could shift anywhere from two to six Republican-held House seats toward their party. Republicans vowed to challenge any new map that they believe violates the gerrymandering ban, and it could take several months for New York to adopt new district lines. Claudine Gay, Harvard's president, on Capitol Hill this month. Will Oliver/EPA, via Shutterstock Harvard's board says that its president will stay Claudine Gay will remain president of Harvard University, the school's governing board announced this morning, despite an uproar over her evasive answers at a congressional hearing about campus antisemitism. One of Gay's loudest critics was the billionaire investor Bill Ackman, an alumnus who has donated tens of millions of dollars. By his own admission, he resents that Gay and other Harvard officials have not heeded his advice on a variety of topics. More top news Economy: U.S. consumer prices rose 3.1 percent in the year through November, holding relatively steady from the previous month. Energy: Gas prices are falling fast, helping to tame inflation. Climate: At COP28, negotiations over a unanimous agreement that charts a course forward on climate policies are heading into overtime. Politics: Chris Sununu, the governor of New Hampshire, said that he would endorse Nikki Haley for the Republican presidential nomination. Abortion: The Texas Supreme Court ruled against Kate Cox, whose fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition and who had asked a lower court to authorize an abortion. Health: Many Black women report feeling ignored or dismissed by doctors. The consequences can be deadly. International: The U.N. ordered a former official to repay $63.6 million after he lost a vast amount of U.N. funds by entrusting them to a businessman he met at a party. Business: Microsoft announced that it would stay neutral if any group of U.S.-based workers sought to unionize. Music: The final two members of the K-pop band BTS began their mandatory 18-month military duty in South Korea. Some fans say they should have been exempt. Sports: The president of a Turkish soccer team was arrested after punching a referee, in a blow that shook the nation. TIME TO UNWIND Shohei Ohtani in July. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press L.A. can't stop talking about Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles is a city so full of celebrities that many residents go about their lives without being star struck. But Shohei Ohtani is no ordinary star; he has often been called the modern incarnation of Babe Ruth. So, when it was announced this weekend that he would sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, residents celebrated. "I screamed in my car," one fan said. Ohtani's talents — which unusually combine superior hitting with the arm of an All-Star pitcher — will cost the Dodgers. His $700 million contract is the largest in sports history, though he is expected to defer most of that amount for at least a decade. The golden prawn toast at Yangban in Los Angeles. Stan Lee The best dishes in America this year Throughout this year, my colleagues who report and edit our Food coverage have dined at some of the most talked-about restaurants across the country. Now they want to share their favorites meals with you. Check out their list, which stretches across thousands of miles and several cuisines. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU In case you missed yesterday's newsletter, we're asking readers to share advice: Do you have a unique way of unwinding during the holidays? If so, let us know. We may publish your response in an upcoming newsletter. Simon Elkaim's apartment features sculptural furniture in bold colors. Chris Mottalini Dinner table topics Bold color: Simon Elkaim designed his New York apartment with unusually striking and vibrant shades. The reason: He is colorblind. Evolving French: More than 60 percent of French speakers now live in Africa, where the language is spreading and changing all the time. Japanese wrestling: Can Sukeban — which mixes wrestling, fashion and theatrics — become a hit in the U.S.? Cookeez Makery: It's part Build-A-Bear, part Easy-Bake Oven, and it just might be the strangest toy on wish lists this year. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT WHAT TO DO TONIGHT David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Cook: This raisin cinnamon roll wreath will wow your visitors. Watch: "Wintertide" is one of the five best horror movies to stream right now. Read: These are the best cookbooks of 2023. Listen: My colleague Caity Weaver curated an epic soundtrack for any holiday party. Clear up: Acne can happen at any age, experts say. But at-home treatments can help. Give: Wirecutter has a list of the 31 best gifts for people who work from home. Compete: What's the best Wheel of Fortune strategy? Play and find out. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all our games here. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT ONE LAST THING Alamy Ecologists prefer indoor cats Free-ranging domestic cats are skilled hunters, and they eat more than you might think: birds, reptiles, butterflies, sea turtles and cows (probably scavenged). The problem, scientists say, is that humans have brought cats into ecosystems that aren't equipped for such predators. A study published today found that cats eat more than 2,000 species. A researcher wrote that they "are beloved companions for many people, but they are also invasive predators that have been linked to numerous birds, mammals and reptiles going extinct." Have a voracious 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. 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