The Evening: The Senate prepares to pass Ukraine aid

Also, the F.T.C. banned noncompete clauses.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story April 23, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Tuesday. A Senate vote on Ukraine aid A tabloid publisher's testimony Plus, what Taylor Swift is telling her fans Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region last month. Nicole Tung for The New York Times Ukraine could receive some U.S. aid 'within days' The Senate today overwhelmingly approved a critical procedural move to tee up the final passage of the long-stalled $95.3 billion package of aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Senators are expected to pass the package as early as tonight, and President Biden said he would quickly sign it. After the bills become law, shipments of American weapons could begin flowing to Ukraine, including air-defense missiles and artillery ammunition that Ukrainian officials say are badly needed. Some of the aid could be sent from the Pentagon's stockpiles in Germany and shipped by rail to the Ukrainian border. "We can move within days," a Pentagon spokesman said. The anticipated aid — the first significant new U.S. package for Kyiv in 16 months — was celebrated in Ukraine. Lawmakers in the Ukrainian Parliament held up American flags inside their chamber. Our Kyiv bureau chief, Marc Santora, talked to troops who described a teary response to the news. "What this has done is provided a much-needed boost for the morale of both Ukrainian soldiers on the front and civilians living under the threat of near-nightly Russian drone and missile bombardments," Marc said. However, he added, military analysts think it will take a month or two before Ukraine receives enough new supplies to change the dynamic of the war. Donald Trump's trial will resume Thursday. Pool photo by Brendan Mcdermid A publisher testified that Trump asked for campaign help A witness in Donald Trump's criminal trial pulled back the curtain today on what prosecutors claim was a conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election. The witness, David Pecker, the ex-publisher of The National Enquirer, described a 2015 meeting with Trump and his fixer, Michael Cohen. Pecker said the men had asked him what he and his magazines could do "to help the campaign," which the prosecution could use to convince the jury that Trump's hush-money payments were meant to help his presidential bid. Also at the trial, Trump's lead lawyer and the judge clashed over a gag order prosecutors said he had violated. The judge did not rule, but he questioned the credibility of Trump's lawyer. Lina Khan, the F.T.C. chair. Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times The F.T.C. banned worker noncompete clauses The Federal Trade Commission announced today that it would ban employers from using so-called noncompete clauses, which limit their workers' abilities to work for rivals. The agency argued that the sweeping change, which would take effect in about four months, could help raise wages by forcing companies to compete harder for talent. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce vowed to sue the F.T.C. to block the proposal, calling it "an unlawful power grab." Employers have argued that the noncompete clauses help protect trade secrets. From left: The gymnasts Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman. Pool photo by Saul Loeb D.O.J. to pay $139 million for failures in Nassar case The Justice Department said today that it would pay $138.7 million to resolve 139 claims by young women who were abused by the former U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor Lawrence Nassar. The settlement stemmed from the F.B.I.'s failure to promptly investigate credible claims that Nassar had sexually assaulted many women and girls under the guise of treatment. The settlement is most likely the end of a yearslong effort by the gymnasts — including the Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman — to achieve a measure of justice and public recognition that the institutions entrusted to protect young female athletes failed them. More top news Education: Columbia University said students would have the option to attend the rest of the semester's classes online, after pro-Palestinian protests continued to disrupt its campus. Politics: President Biden gave a speech in Florida condemning the state's six-week abortion ban and blaming the ban on Trump. Business: Tesla's profits fell by 55 percent in the first quarter, reinforcing concerns that it is losing ground in the market for electric vehicles. Britain: Parliament passed a bill that was intended to override the Supreme Court and allow the country to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Elections: Pennsylvania holds its primaries today. Representative Summer Lee, who is part of the House's progressive "Squad," faces a centrist challenger. Trump: The former president's stake in Trump Media is set to jump by more than $1 billion. Labor: A judge ordered Starbucks to reinstate workers who were trying to unionize. In a challenge, the Supreme Court appeared inclined to side with the company. Tech: General Motors essentially tricked a privacy reporter at The Times — and millions of other drivers — into being spied on. Sports: A study financed by the International Olympic Committee contradicted a broad claim that transgender women have disproportionate advantages in women's sports. Belgium: A 40-year-old man was acquitted of a drunken driving offense after doctors confirmed he had a rare condition in which his body brews alcohol. TIME TO UNWIND Caroline Brehman/EPA, via Shutterstock 'Tortured Poets' shifted the Taylor Swift discussion Taylor Swift's newest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," is a 31-song excavation of her recent relationships seemingly tailor-made for her most obsessive fans. But it has proved less universally loved than some of her previous work. Our music writers discussed their views of the album, and how Swift's narrative continues to change. "Swift is someone who thrives off feeling underestimated and misunderstood, so maybe the mixed reception of this album will be the creative rocket fuel that launches her into her next era," our music critic Lindsay Zoladz said. The shop was inspired by the museum's Idea House concept of the 1940s.  Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; Photo by Neal Reiter An art exhibit disguised as a gift shop The Walker Art Center, a contemporary art museum in Minneapolis, has a new gift shop. But instead of selling trinkets or T-shirts, the store aims to contribute to the world of modern design and show how artistic objects can fit in anyone's home. The store, called Idea House 3, includes classics such as Frank Gehry's Wiggle Side Chair and glossy Panton chairs, and creations from emerging Midwest designers such as the Ghost Garden table from Ayako Aratani (of Detroit) and the octopuslike home objects of Daniel Shapiro (of St. Louis). For more: My colleagues put together a guide of exhibitions to visit this year at museums across the country. Porgy's Seafood Market in New Orleans, which buys its seafood from local boats. Emily Kask for The New York Times Dinner table topics Ocean to table: The best fish is also the most local. So why is it so hard to find seafood caught in nearby waters? Against the odds: The rom-com "Anyone but You" became a surprise hit. The actors have some theories as to why. What are they thinking?: Animal-welfare researchers are trying to get inside the minds of many species, in order to help improve their lives. Ask Well: Is nasal spray addictive? Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Kelly Marshall for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. Cook: The secret ingredient for well-balanced cookies: piloncillo. Watch: Our columnist recommends Netflix's "Baby Reindeer," which is based on a true story. Read: Emily Schubert shares her movie makeup tricks in her new book. Budget: Save money at the grocery store by first taking stock of your pantry. Renovate: We have some tips for updating your shower. Hustle: Doing a few sprints can quickly level up your workout. Compete: Take our quiz to test your knowledge of films adapted from biographies. 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 The building thought to be Shakespeare's birthplace before it was renovated in the late 1800s. Chronicle/Alamy Shakespeare's birthplace? 'Tis possibly true. Today was the biggest day of the year for the English town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Legend says that on this day — or at least this month — 460 years ago, William Shakespeare was born there. A building in the town thought to be Shakespeare's exact birthplace has become one of Britain's most popular tourist destinations, drawing up to three million visitors a year. The issue: No one really knows where Shakespeare was born. Still, the town relies heavily on maintaining the legend, which is based in part on the location of a dung heap. We traveled there and heard what experts had to say. Have a poetic evening. Thanks for reading. Daniel E. Slotnik contributed to this newsletter. 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