The Evening: Biden calls for changes to Supreme Court

Also, Maduro was declared the winner in a disputed election.

View in browser|nytimes.com July 29, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Monday. 99 days before Election Day Venezuela's flawed election Plus, the science behind the Olympics The Supreme Court. Tierney L. Cross for The New York Times Biden pushed for major changes to the Supreme Court This year's presidential election has been transformed by the events of the last few weeks. For the next 99 days, until Election Day on Nov. 5, this newsletter will dedicate a section to the 2024 election, keeping you up to speed. Today, President Biden, in his first major event since opting out of his re-election run, called on Congress to impose 18-year term limits on Supreme Court justices and create an enforceable code of ethics on the justices. He also proposed a constitutional amendment that would reverse the court's recent ruling giving presidents broad immunity from criminal conviction. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the proposal "dead on arrival." Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said she supported Biden's effort. Here's what else to know: Harris could formally become the Democratic nominee as soon as this week. She's trying to maintain her momentum as the honeymoon phase of her campaign winds down, but may struggle to explain some progressive positions she embraced during the 2020 race. Donald Trump will speak to supporters in Harrisburg, Pa., on Wednesday. His events this weekend with religious leaders and Bitcoin enthusiasts demonstrated how he code switches as he campaigns. Trump's running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, will appear at events in Nevada and Arizona after drawing criticism for mocking "childless cat ladies." The Times also obtained correspondence between Vance and a law school classmate in which he expressed views sharply different from those articulated in his public statements. Tech billionaires, many of whom are part of the "PayPal Mafia," are openly brawling with one another over the presidential race. Stay up-to-date: Live coverage | Poll tracker | The "Run-Up" podcast | On Politics newsletter Opposition supporters during a protest today in Caracas, Venezuela. Alejandro Cegarra for The New York Times Maduro was declared the winner in a disputed election Venezuela's election authority said today that the country's authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, won yesterday's presidential election, despite enormous momentum from an opposition movement. The tally, however, was riddled with irregularities, and the result was immediately called into question by the U.S. and countries around the world. Maduro's government has reported false election results before, and some officials refused to release printouts of the electronic vote count, leaving the country without a way to verify the result. Here's what we know. Residents of Majdal Shams at the soccer field that was hit by a rocket from Lebanon. Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for The New York Times Israel approved retaliation for a deadly strike from Lebanon Israel's security cabinet authorized its leaders to decide the nature and timing of a response to a deadly rocket attack from Lebanon on Saturday, which killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. "Our response is coming, and it will be severe," Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, said today. Israeli analysts said Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia group, was most likely aiming at a nearby army base and did not intentionally target the village, but its use of inaccurate rockets in an area dotted with civilian communities led to an unintended consequence that could spark all-out war. Barry Heitin, a retired lawyer, in Arlington, Virginia. was the victim of a sophisticated online scam. Hailey Sadler for The New York Times Scammers are increasingly targeting older Americans Americans lost at least $12.5 billion to cybercriminals last year, more than triple the losses in 2019. People over 60 are particularly at risk because they are viewed as having the largest piles of savings. One man we spoke to lost all of his retirement savings — roughly $740,000 — after falling victim to a sophisticated online scam. More top news U.K.: Two children were killed and nine more were injured, plus two adults, in a knife attack on a dance class near Liverpool, England. A 17-year-old was arrested. Economy: America's national debt topped $35 trillion for the first time. Trump: The former president agreed to be interviewed by the F.B.I. as part of its investigation into the motives of the man who tried to assassinate him. South Africa: The African National Congress expelled former President Jacob Zuma after he helped form a rival political party. Abortion: Iowa's six-week abortion ban took effect this morning. Health: The Food and Drug Administration approved a new screening test for colorectal cancer. Park fire: Many who fled a wildfire in California are anxiously waiting to hear whether their houses are still standing. Casinos: Oregon officials worry that an expansion in tribal casino operations could upend the gambling economy. Tennessee: Rainstorms caused significant floods at Dollywood, Dolly Parton's theme park. At least one person was injured. TIME TO UNWIND The New York Times Science is everywhere at the Olympics In some ways, the Paris Games are just a big display of physics at work. The athletes become the best in the world at running, jumping, twisting, lifting and gliding through water by mastering the biomechanics of their events. A prime example: The U.S. rowing team aims to row in a 90-degree arc to reach maximum force when the oars are perpendicular to the boat. We talked to other Olympic competitors about the delicate mechanics behind their sports. More on the Olympics: The American gymnast Sunisa Lee overcame personal strife, family expectations and serious illness to get to Paris. She could leave the Games with a move on the uneven bars named after her. Edna O'Brien in 1971. Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive, via Getty Images Remembering Edna O'Brien Decades before Elena Ferrante wrote her Neapolitan novels, the Irish writer Edna O'Brien — who died on Saturday at 93 — provided her own searing portraits of an oppressive society through the prism of female friendship. O'Brien's first novel, "The Country Girls," sent shock waves through Ireland and made her the country's foremost chronicler of female experience. James Baldwin in 1964. Jean-Regis Rouston/Roger Viollet, via Getty Images Dinner table topics Baldwin on Broadway: On the centennial of James Baldwin's birth, we looked at one of his most monumental accomplishments: "Blues for Mister Charlie." The "fairy godmother" of dance: A jeweler's dance program is wielding major influence over New York City's scene. How much impact is too much? Shark season: Here's what to know about the true risks of an attack. Car talk: Are electric vehicles worth the money? WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Christopher Testani for The New York Times Cook: Turkey is a flavorful alternative to beef in this easy meatloaf. Watch: Check out these five great international movies now available to stream. Read: "The Deading" is a dystopian eco-horror novel that perfectly balances social critique, lyricism and ghastliness. Consider: Dentists are skeptical that oil pulling is actually good for your teeth. Save: Don't make these mistakes with your 401(k). Adjust: Our bodies can adapt to searing summer heat. Here's how. Compete: Take this week's Flashback history quiz. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here. ONE LAST THING Hugh, played by Kieran Bew, meets the dragon Vermithor in "House of the Dragon." HBO Making digital dragons amazing The creators of the "Game of Thrones" prequel series, "House of the Dragon," faced a daunting challenge heading into the show's second season: The dragons were about to become central characters, so the producers needed to find a way to make the fictional creatures believably spectacular. To do that, the showrunners built distinct personalities for each dragon and elaborate physical sets that allowed actors and camera operators to respond in the moment. When filming flight scenes, the actors sat on moving rigs akin to enormous mechanical bulls. For scenes on the ground, the creatures were played by puppeteers who manipulated dragon heads attached to the ends of broomsticks. Have an imaginative evening. Thanks for reading. I'll be back on Monday. — Matthew Bryan Denton was our photo editor. We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com. Writer: Matthew Cullen Editorial Director: Adam Pasick Editors: Carole Landry, Whet Moser, Justin Porter, Jonathan Wolfe 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