The Evening: Chris Christie drops out

Also, the U.S. is considering retaliation after Red Sea attacks.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story January 10, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Wednesday. Chris Christie's exit Violence in Ecuador Plus, the Sopranos' New Jersey Chris Christie made the announcement at an event in Windham, N.H., today. Sophie Park for The New York Times Chris Christie ended his presidential bid Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor who positioned himself as the Republican candidate for president most willing to attack Donald Trump, dropped out of the race today after months of campaigning failed to secure him more than a sliver of support in polls. In the end, Christie's attacks against Trump, whom he called unfit for office, appear to have distanced him from the party's base. "It's clear to me tonight that there isn't a path for me to win the nomination," Christie said. "I'm going to make sure that in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again, and that's more important than my personal ambition." Ahead of Christie's announcement, he was caught on a hot microphone candidly discussing two rivals, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis. "She's going to get smoked, and you and I both know it," he said of Haley. "She's not up to this." He added of DeSantis: "DeSantis called me, petrified." Haley and DeSantis, who are virtually tied for a distant second place behind Trump in national polls, will take the stage tonight in Iowa for a one-on-one debate. The event will be a prime opportunity for one of them to pull ahead as the party's clear alternative. Trump, who has skipped any debate in which his front-runner status could be challenged in person, will instead appear in a town hall on Fox News. A ship transits the Suez Canal toward the Red Sea, today. Sayed Hassan/Getty Images The U.S. is considering retaliation after Red Sea attacks The U.S. and its allies are weighing how to put an end to attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia against commercial ships in the Red Sea, after American and British officials said yesterday that they intercepted one of the largest barrages of missiles and drones yet. The Houthi attacks, in solidarity with Hamas in its war against Israel, have forced the world's largest shipping companies to reroute vessels away from the Red Sea, creating delays and extra costs felt around the world through higher prices for oil and other imported goods. The Biden administration said last week it would hold the Houthis responsible for the attacks, a warning that some military officials interpreted as the government possibly considering retaliatory strikes on Houthi territory in Yemen. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on a tour through the Middle East, said today that "there'll be consequences for the Houthis' actions," but declined to elaborate. Soldiers patrolling Independence Square in Quito, Ecuador, today. Rodrigo Buendia/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Violence took hold in Ecuador Across Ecuador today, major streets were empty, school classes were canceled, and many residents were afraid to leave their homes after the disappearance of two gang leaders this week set off prison riots, police kidnappings and shootings across the country. The violence, which prompted the president to authorize the military to take on the powerful gangs, has left the South American country on edge. "I feel like the world I knew before is gone," a schoolteacher said. Neptune's Fix, a product that contains tianeptine. Hannah Beier for The New York Times Health officials warn against 'gas-station heroin' In many American gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops, you can find small bottles containing an ingredient called tianeptine, popularly known as gas-station heroin. It is often sold as a dietary supplement and promoted as a mood booster and focus aid. But its effects can be similar to an opioid's. The F.D.A. recently issued a nationwide alert telling people not to take tianeptine and warning that it had been associated with overdoses and deaths. But the agency's enforcement powers are sharply limited by law, and many tianeptine products have long skirted labeling requirements. More top news Business: Regulators approved a new product for investors that tracks the price of Bitcoin, a landmark moment for cryptocurrency. I.R.S.: Despite a multibillion-dollar effort to modernize the agency, it is still struggling to answer telephones and process amended tax returns, the agency's watchdog reported. Hunter Biden: The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to hold President Biden's son in contempt, hours after he appeared unannounced at the Capitol. Congress: Republicans began formal impeachment hearings against Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary. Somalia: A U.N. helicopter carrying nine passengers was captured by the Al Shabab terrorist group. Two of the passengers escaped and one was killed. California: An avalanche closed a popular ski resort in Lake Tahoe, but it was not immediately clear whether there were any injuries or people missing. Health: Wastewater data suggests Covid is more prevalent than it has been since early 2022. But severe outcomes are now rarer. Climate: A study found that parts of the Northern Hemisphere are warming enough that their prospects of future snow are rapidly declining. Insurance: The Biden administration said that a record number of Americans signed up for 2024 coverage through the Affordable Care Act's marketplaces. New Jersey: Newark, the state's largest city, granted 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections, starting in April. TIME TO UNWIND The Soprano family in their home in "The Sopranos." HBO/Photofest Revisiting the Sopranos' New Jersey "The Sopranos," one of the most beloved television series of all time, debuted on HBO 25 years ago on this day. The show about Italian American mobsters, centered on the life of Tony Soprano, was also about New Jersey. The setting is a big part of what made it feel authentic. For the anniversary of its premiere, we visited some iconic "Sopranos" locations to see what they look like now and talked to the show's creator and location manager about why those spots were chosen. Cayce Clifford for The New York Times Strength training isn't just for athletes Most people know that exercise is hugely beneficial for health. Yet the vast majority of American adults, including many who frequently run or walk, do not regularly train their muscles. They are missing out on a brief activity that can help improve cardiovascular health and even extend life. Luckily, it doesn't take much to get started — two 15- to 20-minute sessions weekly are enough. Here's how you can work strength training in. The ice skating rink in Brooklyn Bridge park in New York City. Maansi Srivastava/The New York Times Dinner table topics Put a rink on it: These picturesque ice skating rinks are popping up all over America. Wedding content creators: Brides and grooms are hiring content creators to film and produce Instagram and TikTok posts. The trees saved me: In Romania, a walk in the woods blossomed into a mission to safeguard centuries-old beeches. Looking forward: Our columnist picked out three technologies that ought to be fixed this year. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT WHAT TO DO TONIGHT David Malosh for The New York Times Cook: Roasted honey nut squash and chickpeas with hot honey is sweet, fiery and meatless. Watch: "American Fiction," which earned a top SAG Award nomination, is in theaters now. Read: Yaroslav Trofimov grew up in Kyiv. "Our Enemies Will Vanish" records his experience as a journalist covering the war. De-stress: Here's how to confront your fears and seek out new perspectives this year — no therapist required. Test: Here's how to make the most of your at-home Covid test kit. Gawk: Here's what $1.3 million homes look like in Florida, Georgia and Delaware. Stay dry: Wirecutter has tested 48 umbrellas. This one is their favorite. 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 Jeenah Moon for The New York Times Inside a mayor's closet New York City's mayor, Eric Adams, is considered somewhat of a fashion plate. He can often be seen in tailored suits and crisp shirts, sometimes adding his signature pin collar. My colleague Sarah Maslin Nir examined pictures of Adams over 30 days to get a sense of his style. During that time, she cataloged at least 19 ties and 24 suits or suit jackets, including a floral number available at Walmart and a custom three-piece suit from a Manhattan-based brand called BMC. Have a dapper evening. Thanks for reading. 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