The Evening: Israel hints it will retaliate against Iran

Also, the House is set to vote on aid for Ukraine and Israel this weekend.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story April 17, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Wednesday. Israel's plan to respond to Iran's attack An upcoming vote on aid to Ukraine Plus, Taylor Swift's new album Iran's leaders have said they will react to any Israeli strike with "more deadly weapons." Menahem Kahana/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Israel signaled that it would retaliate against Iran Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, emerged today from talks with European diplomats resolute that his country would not bow to outside pressure in responding to the recent attack by Iran. Britain's foreign secretary acknowledged after the meeting that an Israeli reprisal seemed inevitable. "It is clear that the Israelis are making a decision to act," David Cameron, the British foreign secretary, said. "We hope that they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible." The British were not alone in urging Israeli restraint after Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend. The leaders of the U.S., Germany and other nations denounced Tehran's attack but pressed Netanyahu to avoid taking any action that could spur a wider war. A spokesman for the State Department said today that the U.S. was pushing for a "unified diplomatic response" to the Iranian attack. But the spokesman added, "These decisions are for Israel to make as a sovereign, democratic country." Israel has considered a range of options, including a direct strike on Iran and a strike on an Iranian target elsewhere, such as an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps base. Israeli officials said they had also considered a cyberattack or assassinations. Iranian leaders have warned that the country will react forcefully to any Israeli strike. Speaker Mike Johnson also announced that he would hold a separate vote on a border security bill. Michael Mccoy/Reuters The House is set to vote on aid for Ukraine and Israel Speaker Mike Johnson announced today that the House would vote on Saturday evening on a foreign aid package for Israel and Ukraine. Johnson, a Republican, will need Democrats to help him pass the legislation and also possibly save his job. His attempt to advance the bill has put him in confrontation with his party's right flank. The legislation includes $60 billion for Kyiv; $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza; and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. President Biden has already endorsed it and urged its swift passage. In Ukraine, at least 17 people were killed in a Russian missile strike north of Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said yesterday that Ukraine stood "no chance of winning" without more Western aid, blamed the country's lack of air defenses for the loss of life. Pro-life prayer vigil in front of the Statehouse in Phoenix on Wednesday. Cassidy Araiza for The New York Times Republicans blocked move to repeal Arizona abortion ban Republican leaders in the Arizona State Legislature successfully prevented a vote to repeal the state's 1864 law banning abortion, on procedural grounds. In doing so, they defied pressure from prominent Republicans, including Donald Trump, who had urged them to toss the ban, which many voters view as extreme and archaic. The Civil War-era law, which the state's Supreme Court reinstated last week, allows exceptions only to save the life of the mother. Doctors prosecuted under the law could face fines and prison terms of two to five years. Meanwhile, abortion clinics in Arizona are left uncertain of whether they will soon be put out of operation. Kenneth Davis, a patient in an H.I.V. treatment trial, undergoing a routine exam in Seattle. Grant Hindsley for The New York Times Long-acting drugs could revolutionize H.I.V. treatment In the next five to 10 years, long-acting therapies to prevent or treat H.I.V. may rid the need for patients to take a daily pill. Drugs currently in development could usher in a future in which H.I.V. may require attention just twice a year, inconceivable in the darkest decades of the epidemic. For some patients, the new regimens may ease the stigma of the disease, itself an obstacle to treatment. Doctors also expect the new treatments to be a boon in populations that have long been hard to reach, like patients who have spotty access to health services, are mentally ill or face discrimination. More top news Education: At a House committee hearing on antisemitism, Columbia University's president called some faculty comments "unacceptable" and said one professor would never teach at the school again. Congress: The Senate dismissed the impeachment case against Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, a move that skips a trial altogether. Labor: Around 4,300 workers at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee will vote on whether to join the United Automobile Workers union. Trade: In a speech to steelworkers in Pittsburgh, President Biden called for major increases to some tariffs on steel and aluminum products from China. Tesla: The company's directors asked shareholders to again approve Elon Musk's $47 billion pay deal and to move the company's registration to Texas from Delaware. Boeing: A company whistle-blower detailed his concerns about safety to a Senate panel. Hawaii: After the state passed a law banning donations from government contractors, politicians raked in money with late-night fund-raising parties. Media: Uri Berliner, the NPR editor who accused the broadcaster of liberal bias in an online essay, resigned. Sports: The N.B.A. barred Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors for betting on the league's games. TIME TO UNWIND Taylor Swift performing in Arizona in 2023. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management Taylor Swift knows how to roll out an album Taylor Swift will release "The Tortured Poets Department" on Friday. This probably isn't news if you're a fan: Swift announced the album months ago. In doing so, she also avoided a chart collision with Beyoncé. (It wasn't the first time that pop's two reigning queens spaced out their releases.) Swift has also found huge success selling collectible vinyl albums. Her last studio album sold about 2.5 million physical copies — 35 percent of the album's total consumption. Experts and couples have been gradually dismantling some commonly held views. Tonje Thilesen for The New York Times Can a sexless marriage be happy? We've come a long way from the idea that marital sex is primarily a way to bear children. More recently, frequent sex was believed necessary for a happy union, and some have questioned the established norm of monogamous sex as they explore open relationships. Others are challenging the idea that sex is essential: We spoke to couples for whom the role of sex within a marriage has changed. It's all part of our magazine's special Modern Love Issue, which takes a hard look at the conventional wisdom we take for granted. Maybe it could use an update. The looks that the French Olympic delegation will wear during the opening ceremony. Kacper Kasprzyk Dinner table topics Stylish Olympians: Will the French team take fashion gold at the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics? Here's the verdict. Big sister burnout: Social media coined the term "eldest daughter syndrome." But does birth order really shape who we are and how we act? A social pharmacy: The U.S. is exploring prescriptions for social activities, exercise and the arts, but the health care system may get in the way. All about betrayal: As "The Traitors" sharpens its knives for Season 2, reality stars and other minor celebrities are clamoring to join the cast. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Sautéed salmon with leeks and salmon. Romulo Yanes for The New York Times Cook: The hardest part of cooking this speedy salmon dish is prepping the veggies. Read: Accra, Ghana's capital, is rich with stories. Here's how you can read your way through the city. Plan: Sober — or sober-curious — travelers can still enjoy wine country. Save: A few basic smartphone tricks will keep your photos, videos and other files safe in case of an emergency. Protect: Here's how to avoid melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. Cultivate: These are the newsletters that gardening experts turn to for advice. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT ONE LAST THING Caroline Tompkins for The New York Times A little bit of dirt is good for you Go ahead, grab a handful of soil. That might sound like kooky advice, but decades of research have made it clear: Spending time in nature, especially surrounded by dirt, can have benefits for mental and physical health. You could garden, hike, cycle, camp or try a little forest bathing (which is really just a walk in the woods). These activities expose you to soil-dwelling microbes, which benefit children and adults alike. Have a healthy 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