The Evening: Under pressure, Biden hosts NATO summit

Also, Middle America is paying more for home insurance.

View in browser|nytimes.com July 9, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Tuesday. Biden at the NATO summit Distorted home insurance rates Plus, Hollywood's new mogul Thirty-eight world leaders are in Washington for the NATO summit. Eric Lee/The New York Times At the NATO summit, the attention is on Biden NATO leaders gathered in Washington today for a summit organized to celebrate the alliance's 75th anniversary and emphasize the members' long-term commitment. The three-day event is designed in large part as a show of strength meant for Russia. American officials have assessed that Russia is unlikely to gain much, if any, territory in the coming months, a significant change in the dynamic of the war. Western leaders believe that their efforts in Ukraine are working. But overshadowing the display of unity and optimism is uncertainty about the future of American leadership. President Biden, who is perhaps NATO's most vocal advocate in Washington, has faced intense scrutiny about his age, acuity and ability to campaign after his disastrous debate performance last month. Biden encouraged voters to watch him closely and judge his ability to lead on the world stage for themselves. On Thursday, at the end of the summit, the president is scheduled to hold a news conference — his first full, solo face-off with reporters in the U.S. since November 2022. His troubles have spurred conversations among European allies about what another Donald Trump presidency would mean for the alliance. The former president, who once declared NATO "obsolete" and threatened to exit the alliance, was leading Biden by a significant margin in several post-debate polls. What to watch: At the top of Ukraine's wish list are more air defenses, more air defense missiles and a timeline for NATO membership. Members of the alliance are worried that Russia could increase covert actions in Europe to disrupt the summit. Senator Tom Carper, Democrat of Delaware, supports President Biden staying in the race. Cheriss May for The New York Times Democrats appeared unwilling to break with Biden Several congressional Democrats have over the last few days raised grave fears about President Biden's ability to win re-election in November. But when the party's House and Senate contingents emerged today from crucial meetings, neither group appeared willing to push Biden aside. House Democrats' closed-door meeting over Biden's path forward wrapped seemingly without any real consensus. Based on the responses from senators leaving the weekly Democratic conference meeting, it is clear that they are not unified about how to proceed. The mood was dour, with many lawmakers staring grimly as reporters asked questions. His most vocal backers were eager to fill the void. "We are ridin' with Biden," Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina proclaimed nine times. In related news, Black women, the Democratic Party's most loyal voting bloc, remained Biden's firewall of support. Jerome Powell testified before the Senate Banking Committee today. Cheriss May for The New York Times Powell said that inflation is on the right track Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, testified to senators today that recent economic data had given the central bank more confidence that inflation was returning to normal. He said that continued progress would allow the Fed to feel more comfortable about reducing borrowing costs. Powell avoided zeroing in on a specific month for when the Fed might cut interest rates, but did little to push back on expectations that a reduction could come in September. In related news, a new study found that the reliability of U.S. economic data is in jeopardy. The New York Times Middle America is paying more for home insurance Increasingly damaging weather caused by climate change is driving home-insurance rates higher. But risk does not fully explain the rising costs: Some Americans, especially in the middle of the country, pay far more for home insurance than others with similar levels of risk, an examination by The New York Times found. Research suggests that higher premiums are being charged in states where regulators apply less scrutiny to requests for rate increases. Check out how your area compares. More top news New Jersey: Prosecutors in the bribery trial of Senator Robert Menendez targeted his blame-the-wife strategy in closing arguments. Health: The Federal Trade Commission criticized pharmacy benefit managers in a scathing report, ramping up its scrutiny of the industry. New York: Manhattan prosecutors said they were "actively pursuing" a fresh prosecution of Harvey Weinstein on sex crimes charges. India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited President Vladimir Putin of Russia, angering Ukraine. Russia: A court ordered the arrest in absentia of Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Aleksei Navalny, accusing her of "participating in an extremist community." Weather: Tropical Storm Beryl left millions in Houston without power. Tesla: The auto maker's share of the electric vehicle market fell below 50 percent in the second quarter. Immigration: The Times followed one Venezuelan family across eight countries and 5,000 miles, all the way to Times Square. TIME TO UNWIND David Ellison, the tech scion behind Skydance. Jessica Chou for The New York Times There's a new mogul in Hollywood David Ellison ascended to movie mogul status when he agreed this week to take control of Paramount Pictures, once among the most cherished assets in Hollywood. But Ellison, 41, bears no resemblance to the robber barons who came before him, partly because there is precious little left to rob. Movies no longer tower over entertainment, many streaming services are financial disasters, and almost everyone is trying to cut costs or change strategies. That includes Ellison, who acknowledged that his legacy at Paramount could be defined by his skills as a fix-it man. His plan: remake its assets into a "tech hybrid." Joyce Lee for The New York Times Are fiber supplements worth it? Fiber slows the movement of food through the digestive tract, helping to reduce blood sugar spikes and lower cholesterol. If that's what you're looking for, then fiber supplements can help improve your bowel movements or reduce some digestive symptoms. But experts we spoke to recommend trying to get most of your daily fiber through fiber-rich foods. Those deliver the benefits in addition to a host of vitamins and minerals. The statue may depict the god Hermes.  Vassil Donev/EPA, via Shutterstock Dinner table topics Accidental find: Archaeologists in Bulgaria made an unexpected discovery in an ancient Roman sewer: a well-preserved marble statue. Sloth hugging? Attractions allowing visitors to interact with animals have surged. Many experts are worried. Behind "The Bear": Will Guidara used to run an acclaimed restaurant. Now he's helping replicate one on television. Slap fighting: In Las Vegas, a new and violent sport is causing controversy. WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Julia Gartland for The New York Times Cook: For a light dinner, add prosciutto and roasted peppers to caprese antipasto. Watch: Here are five science fiction movies to stream right now. Read: Aysegul Savas's new novel celebrates the unremarkable grace of a couple's ordinary days. Listen: These songs make for an excellent beach playlist. Garden: Weeds are worth reconsidering. Spin: You probably don't need a Lazy Susan, but they make meals a lot more fun. Chop: Wirecutter tested 23 chef's knives. This one is the best. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here. ONE LAST THING Dana Golan for The New York Times Wigs that don't look wiggy Wigs might not seem as popular as they were in the 1960s or '70s, but they're still out there. Today, many wigs and toppers go undetected on red carpets, at galas, in movies and on magazine covers. One of the wig makers who specialize in the natural look is Shani Lechan, whose clients include cancer patients, neighborhood moms and supermodels. Lechan first got into the industry because she wanted better wigs for herself: As a married Orthodox Jew, she covers her hair in public to adhere to religious customs. Have a luxurious evening. Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Matthew Emree Weaver was our photo editor today. 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