The Evening: The House targets TikTok

Also, Biden proposed new taxes and larger social programs.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story March 11, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Monday. A new push to ban TikTok Biden's budget proposal Plus, memorable Oscar moments After the bill sailed through a House committee last week, Donald Trump lashed out on social media. Scott McIntyre for The New York Times Republicans threaten to ban TikTok, despite Trump's dissent House Republican leaders said today that they were planning to vote this week on legislation demanding that the video app TikTok cuts ties with its Chinese parent company or face a ban in the U.S. Lawmakers in both parties have described the app as a national security threat. The House majority leader, Steve Scalise, said the chamber would try to quickly approve the bill through special procedures that are reserved for noncontroversial legislation. That approach reflected the effort's growing momentum during an election year in which both Republicans and Democrats are eager to show they're willing to be tough on China. President Biden has committed to signing the bill if it passes. But the Republican push flies in the face of the party's de facto leader, Donald Trump. Trump had pushed to ban TikTok while he was in office, but he has recently reversed course. Today, he said a ban would make young people "go crazy," and also benefit Facebook, which he called an "enemy of the people." The House vote will test Trump's ability to use his influence to help tank legislation in Congress, as he recently did with a bipartisan immigration bill. In the Senate, the majority leader has not yet committed to holding a vote. The U.S. is not alone: My colleagues explained why countries are pushing to ban TikTok. President Biden spoke in Goffstown, New Hampshire, today. Maansi Srivastava/The New York Times Biden proposed new taxes and larger social programs President Biden sent to Congress today a $7.3 trillion budget for the next fiscal year. It included increased government aid for workers, parents and students, offset by tax increases on corporations and high earners. Biden's plan reiterated his request for about $100 billion for border security and aid to Israel and Ukraine. But it stands almost no chance of becoming law, given that Republicans control the House. Instead, the document serves as a draft of Biden's policy platform as he campaigns for re-election in November. It includes principles, such as cutting taxes for people earning less than $400,000 and covering the cost by raising taxes on corporations, that are intended to draw a distinction with his presumptive Republican opponent, Donald Trump. Here's a look at what else is in Biden's proposal. A photo released by Catherine, Princess of Wales, alongside a version highlighting several inconsistencies. Prince of Wales/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images A doctored image fueled royal speculation Catherine, the Princess of Wales, apologized today for doctoring a photograph of her with her three children, which was recalled by several news agencies after they determined the image had been manipulated. In a statement, she chalked up the alteration to an innocent desire to retouch the image. If the photograph was meant to quell speculation about Catherine's health after abdominal surgery in January, it instead achieved the opposite, fueling the spread of rumors and conspiracy theories. More top news Court: Senator Robert Menendez and his wife pleaded not guilty to obstruction of justice. Jan. 6: A newly released transcript fleshed out an account of Donald Trump's demand to go to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Ukraine: The country could deploy F-16s as soon as July, but it might only have as few as six by then, out of about 45 pledged from other countries. Politics: Democrats are hopeful about Biden's chances in North Carolina, and nervous in Georgia. Washington: Marcia Fudge, the secretary of housing and urban development, said she would resign this month. Trump: The writer E. Jean Carroll suggested that she is considering suing Trump for defamation again over comments he made on the campaign trail. A.I.: Covariant, a robotics start-up, is designing technology that lets robots learn skills much as chatbots do. Middle East: The Yemen-based branch of Al Qaeda said that its leader, Khaled Batarfi, had died. Health: Wegovy, the blockbuster weight loss drug, is now approved for a new use: reducing the risk of heart attacks. TIME TO UNWIND Ryan Gosling led a rousing rendition of "I'm Just Ken." Amir Hamja/The New York Times A glamorous evening at the Oscars The big winner of last night's Academy Awards was Christopher Nolan's biopic "Oppenheimer," which took home seven Oscars, including best picture. The most competitive race of the night, best actress, was won by Emma Stone of "Poor Things." The night's most memorable moments included Ryan Gosling's bring-the-house-down performance of the song "I'm Just Ken," from "Barbie"; a naked John Cena; and a warm reception for Messi, the Border collie from "Anatomy of a Fall." And, as always, there was a healthy dose of fashion, both during the Oscars and at the after-parties. Our photographer got an inside look at Vanity Fair's. Still need to catch up? Here's how to stream this year's winners. Henri Campeã  Avoid the multitasking trap Many of us try to do two or more tasks at once: chatting with colleagues while checking emails, or cooking dinner while watching TV. But the fact is, we're not great at multitasking, and it's also not great for us. Some studies have found that multitasking can make our hearts race, raise our blood pressure and anxiety, and dampen our mood. It can also negatively affect our perception of the work at hand. Experts recommend doing one thing at a time, or monotasking. Here are their tips. Two couples who divorced, reconciled and remarried their previous spouses.  Dinner table topics Reconciliation: We talked to five couples who married, divorced and then married their ex-spouses again. Where art comes first: A couple redesigned a loft in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Manhattan to reflect their many decades of art collecting. No makeup: The actress Pamela Anderson has embraced a barefaced look in Hollywood and at fashion week. An interview: Jeremy Strong, the "Succession" star, isn't sure he knows who he is. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Christopher Testani for The New York Times Cook: This chicken biryani works for entertaining or a family meal. Watch: "Kuessipan" is one of the best international movies to stream right now. Read: A new novel amended Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn." Our critic called it majestic. Listen: We're enjoying new tracks by Salt Cathedral and 4batz. Dress up: Follow the lead of Oscar hopefuls and embrace the black tuxedo. Squeeze: Wirecutter tested 19 juicers. This one is their favorite. Compete: Take this week's Flashback history quiz. 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 Peter Kaestner in the Philippines after snapping a photograph of his record-breaking bird. Peter Kaestner Breaking a birding record Peter Kaestner now stands alone at the top of birding's "big listers," the small group of people who travel the world in an effort to document as many different species as possible. He cemented that position last month when he spotted an orange-tufted spiderhunter, a banana-loving songbird in the Philippines. The spiderhunter was the 10,000th bird that Kaestner documented — an achievement once considered unreachable. Have an unrivaled 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? 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