The Evening: A landslide for Labour in Britain

Plus, President Biden says he'll stay in the race.

View in browser|nytimes.com July 5, 2024 By Justin Porter Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Friday. Labour takes power in Britain President Biden vows to stay in the race Plus, a new theory for an ancient computer Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center, at No. 10 Downing Street in London. Andrew Testa for The New York Times Britain's Conservative Party was routed Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office after his center-left Labour Party won a landslide election victory that decisively swept the Conservatives out of power. It was the worst defeat for the party in its nearly 200-year history. Labour's more than 410 seats in Parliament ensured the party a robust majority. But a glance past the win reveals signs that point to a dissatisfied and fragmented nation. The voter turnout was close to a record low, hinting that some voters had checked out after years of political dysfunction. Despite Labour's gains in Parliament, the BBC estimated that the party had garnered only 35 percent of the votes nationwide, while smaller parties and independent candidates saw their support surge. Reform U.K., the new anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, who is a Trump ally and Brexit champion, won just five Parliament seats but became the third-biggest party by vote share, with about 14 percent. A veteran political disrupter, Farage could try to poach the remnants of the debilitated Conservatives. Starmer and Labour will have to act fast, which Starmer seemed to acknowledge in a speech outside No. 10 Downing Street: "Our work is urgent, and we begin it today." For more: These maps show how the vote changed, and in this video, Mark Landler explains what the results mean. President Biden at Sherman Middle School in Madison, Wis., today. Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times A defiant Biden pledged to stay in the race President Biden just wrapped up a brief but animated speech at a campaign event in Wisconsin, asserting that he would continue his election effort and describing Donald Trump as a liar and a threat to democracy. "I'm staying in this race," Biden told the crowd. "I'm not letting one 90-minute debate wipe out three and a half years of work." But top allies of Biden and even, privately, the president himself have acknowledged that he must salvage his candidacy. The weekend could make or break his campaign. Biden's speech in Wisconsin is the first of two closely watched appearances today. The second is a sit-down with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, Biden's first major interview since his disastrous debate performance. That will air at 8 p.m. Eastern. Here's how to watch. In related news, Trump is campaigning on escalations of economic policies he tried before. But the economy is very different now. Voting in Tehran today. Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times Iran headed to the polls Iranians are voting for the country's next president in a runoff that has turned into a fierce competition. For the first time in more than a decade, the outcome is difficult to predict, and the vote will hinge on whether those who sat out the first time decide to participate today. They have two choices: an Islamic hard-liner who rejects any accommodation with the West and promises to double down on social restrictions, and a reformist who has vowed to fix the economy by making peace with the U.S. and to ease stifling rules for women and young people. Major policy is still ultimately up to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But the president sets the domestic agenda and can exert some influence. A street flooded by Hurricane Beryl in Tulum, Mexico, today. Fernando Llano/Associated Press Hurricane Beryl is expected to head north from Mexico Hurricane Beryl made landfall today at the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, just northeast of Tulum, as a Category 2 storm. More than 2,100 people were taking refuge in shelters. Beryl weakened slightly as it moved inland, but it could strengthen back into a Category 1 storm over the Gulf of Mexico. It is forecast to move toward northeastern Mexico and southern Texas, bringing strong winds, storm surge and heavy rain, by the end of the weekend. More top news Employment: The U.S. added 206,000 jobs in June, while the unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, up from 4 percent the month before, the Labor Department reported. Wisconsin: The liberal majority on this swing state's Supreme Court said that ballot drop boxes could be used again. Politics: Allies of Donald Trump are proposing that the U.S. restart the testing of nuclear weapons. Brazil: Police accused Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, of embezzling Saudi jewels he received as gifts. Health: The first malaria vaccine received major regulatory approval in 2015. It became part of vaccination programs in Africa only this year. New York: Moped-riding thieves have stolen watches worth tens of thousands of dollars from diners at upscale restaurants. Soccer: Lionel Messi missed his penalty kick, but Argentina's keeper saved two shots to send his team to the Copa América semifinals. TIME TO UNWIND Mia Goth said she would like to produce more films. Amy Harrity for The New York Times Don't call her a scream queen Mia Goth has amassed a filmography dominated by horror films like "A Cure for Wellness," "Suspiria" and "Infinity Pool." The "X" trilogy is no exception. Directed by Ti West, the films follow the crimes of Pearl and Maxine, both played by Goth. The third, "MaXXXine," is in theaters now. All are anchored by Goth's sincere and delightfully unhinged performances. Goth spoke with us about filming shortly after the birth of her daughter, now about two years old, with Shia LaBeouf. She also discussed Joan Jett, taco stands and why she doesn't want to be "boxed in" by the horror genre. Read the interview here. "Sudden Shower Over Shin-Ohashi Bridge and Atake (Ohashi Atake no Yudachi)," No. 58. via Brooklyn Museum Dazzled by Hiroshige's Edo If you want to understand the visual language of Instagram, cinema, Tintin comics, modern poster design or Vincent van Gogh, the quickest thing to do would be to ride out to the Brooklyn Museum, where, for the first time in 24 years, you can see every one of Utagawa Hiroshige's "100 Famous Views of Edo" (the city now known as Tokyo). Technically there are 118 prints on display. Maybe "100 views" wasn't meant literally, or brisk sales convinced Hiroshige to issue extras. But why quibble over more of a good thing? Dinner table topics Couture week streets: Fashion fans in Paris peacocked with industry fixtures in a whirl of formal attire and street wear. A path less traveled: Grégory Milan's dance career was "a series of failures of sorts," but he's found success training Simone Biles and the French gymnastics team. Still shaking it: Here's the story of how Juvenile's 1999 hit "Back That Azz Up" took twerking mainstream and became an enduring sensation. WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Johnny Miller for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Vivian Lui. Cook: One-pot chicken meatballs with greens can streamline the night's meal for busy cooks. Shop: Fourth of July sales are here. These deals are worth your time. Decorate: This is the cheapest and simplest way to spruce up your home with flowers. Primp: Jenna Lyons shares her favorite beauty products, from eyeliner to body oil. Watch: Here are five children's movies to stream now, including a superhero adventure and a dark fantasy. Laugh: These three sharp stand-up specials bring some chuckles to your weekend. Play: Today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. For more, find all our games here. ONE LAST THING A piece of the Antikythera mechanism. Louisa Gouliamaki/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The secrets of an ancient computer The Antikythera mechanism, an ingenious calculator made 2,200 years ago, was recovered from a shipwreck near a Greek island in 1901. The artifact, which calculated the movements of the cosmos and the timing of athletic games, has evoked awe ever since — it even inspired the "dial of destiny" in the latest Indiana Jones movie. But it still has secrets. Scientists now argue that its calendar ring tracked a lunar calendar, not a solar one. The theory would invalidate decades of research and has provoked pushback. Regardless, it shows that the Antikythera mechanism is no static relic, but a dynamic puzzle with missing pieces yet to be found. Have a wondrous evening. Have a good weekend. — Justin Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at evening@nytimes.com. And follow The New York Times on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and TikTok at @nytimes. 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