Today’s Headlines: Israel Says It Killed Hezbollah Commander in Airstrike Near Beirut

How a Sugar Industry Stamp of Approval Hid Coerced Hysterectomies

View in browser July 31, 2024, 4:00 a.m. Eastern time Top News Israel Says It Killed Hezbollah Commander in Airstrike Near Beirut The strike was in retaliation for a deadly rocket attack this weekend in the Golan Heights. At least three civilians were killed and 74 others wounded on Tuesday, Lebanese officials said. How a Sugar Industry Stamp of Approval Hid Coerced Hysterectomies Much of what consumers buy is marked "sustainable," "humane" or "green." In the sugar cane fields of India, that papered over the worst abuses. Olympic Surfing Comes to a 'Poisoned' Paradise In 1974, a radioactive cloud from a French nuclear test drifted over Teahupo'o, Tahiti, now the surfing venue for the Paris Games. Villagers still feel the effects. Editors' Picks How Team U.S.A. Won the Olympic Women's Gymnastics Gold See frame-by-frame analyses of the skills that allowed Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles to claim the top of the podium in Paris with a combined 171.296 points. Opinion | Erin Brockovich: What's at Stake in November Americans' health is at risk. Today's Videos Video | Heavy Rain Triggers Deadly Landslides in Southern India A major search-and-rescue operation is underway after days of torrential rain caused landslides in Kerala, India. Video | 'Say It to My Face': Harris Rallies in Georgia with Challenge to Trump The vice president, speaking to thousands in Atlanta, poked fun at the former president's reluctance to commit to a debate with her. Jon Stewart Recaps a Pretty Eventful Week in Politics "In the span of a week, Democrats have gone from the despair of a certain Trump presidency to the joy of a statistical tie," Stewart said on "The Daily Show." World Street Clashes Turn Deadly as Venezuela's Power Struggle Deepens The fatal violence comes as both President Nicolás Maduro and the opposition claimed victory in the presidential election. More protests were taking place on Tuesday. After Furious Battles, Ukraine Loses a Pair of Hard-Won Villages "It was like a fight between two packs of dogs," said an officer, describing the struggle for one of the areas, Urozhaine. But "there came a moment when it made no sense to keep people there." The Israeli military sends troops to protect a base against attacks by angry citizens. See more world news U.S. Acting Secret Service Chief Admits Security Failures Before Trump Shooting Ronald Rowe Jr. said communications problems between the Secret Service and local law enforcement led to a failure to protect former President Donald Trump during a shooting on July 13. Nearly 1,000 Native Children Died at Boarding Schools, Interior Dept. Finds An investigative report, which also documents widespread sexual and physical abuse in a program of forced assimilation, calls on the federal government to apologize and "chart a road to healing." After Dramatic Surrender, Son of El Chapo Pleads Not Guilty to Drug Charges Joaquín Guzmán López gave himself up to U.S. authorities last week along with a former associate of his father's. See more U.S. news Politics Project 2025 Director Steps Down Amid Trump Criticism Paul Dans oversaw the project for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank behind the proposal to reshape the federal government. Democrats have used the plans to attack Donald Trump, who has sought to distance himself from it. Trump Declines to Back Away From 'You Don't Have to Vote Again' The former president, in an interview on Fox News, declined to back away from his comments and repeated his argument that if he's elected, "the country will be fixed" and their votes won't be needed. Kari Lake Wins Senate Primary to Face Ruben Gallego in November The Republican firebrand and fierce Trump ally prevailed over Mark Lamb, while Representative Ruben Gallego was unopposed in the Democratic primary. See more political news Business Japan Raises Interest Rates for Second Time Since 2007 The closely watched move by the Bank of Japan could bolster the country's beleaguered currency. U.S. Accuses Norfolk Southern of Delaying Amtrak Trains A complaint filed in federal court said Norfolk Southern had "regularly" failed to follow federal law requiring that it give preference to Amtrak passenger trains. Ackman Scales Back Multibillion-Dollar I.P.O. An investment fund from William Ackman aims to raise around $2 billion, according to a regulatory filing, a fraction of what was originally envisioned. See more business news Technology Senate Passes Child Online Safety Bill, Sending It to an Uncertain House Fate The legislation would impose stricter privacy rules and safeguards for children on the internet and social media, but concerns about free speech and fierce industry lobbying pose challenges. How YouTube Took Over Our Television Screens The platform first known for viral videos now attracts more viewers on TVs than Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video. Meta Reaches $1.4 Billion Settlement With Texas Over Privacy Violations The parent company of Facebook and Instagram faced allegations that it had collected facial identification information on millions of users in violation of a state law. See more technology news Sports No, You Can't Beat an Olympic Table Tennis Player An N.B.A. star's trash talk was good-natured but typical, elite players said. They say they play along with it … to a point. Antidoping Agency Acknowledges Concern Over Use of Tainted Food as Excuse After a spate of positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs by athletes, the World Anti-Doping Agency is investigating why China and other countries are citing contaminated food as an explanation. In the 1,500, There's Katie Ledecky and Then There's Everyone Else Ledecky has not lost a 1,500-meter freestyle race in 14 years. Even her rivals admit they hit the water knowing they're racing for second. See more sports news Arts Books by Rachel Kushner and Richard Powers Are Among Booker Prize Nominees There are six American novels in the running for the prestigious British literary award, but only two by U.K. authors. A New Path in Tuscany Offers Rest, Beauty and an Escape from the Crowds The Sentiero dell'Arte e dell'Anima, or Path of Art and Soul, in Pienza, is lined with 28 benches created by well-known artists where visitors can take in the countryside of the Val d'Orcia. 'Job' Review: The Psychopath Will See You Now A patient, a shrink and a gun are the raw ingredients of a chic, sadistic Broadway thriller. See more arts news New York Sex Harassment Suit Is Fourth This Year for a Top Adams Adviser The latest allegations against Timothy Pearson, a confidant of Mayor Eric Adams, were made by a high-ranking official in the New York Police Department. Brad Lander, New York City's Comptroller, Will Run Against Mayor Adams Mr. Lander, a progressive Democrat from Brooklyn, is the most prominent candidate to challenge Mayor Eric Adams in next year's primary. Hochul Allocates $54 Million to Continue Work on Second Avenue Subway Gov. Kathy Hochul said she had found the money to restart some work on the project. It had been expected to be funded by the congestion pricing program, which she suspended. See more New York news Media & Advertising Norah O'Donnell to Step Down as Anchor of 'CBS Evening News' Ms. O'Donnell told colleagues that she had signed "a long-term commitment" to CBS News involving a new role conducting "big interviews." Trump Invitation to Conference for Black Journalists Sets Off Intense Debate The National Association of Black Journalists has a history of inviting presidential candidates to speak, but many of its members are bristling at Donald Trump's scheduled session. The Stranger in Seattle Gets a New Owner, With Plans for Expansion Noisy Creek, a new media company, has bought The Stranger and The Portland Mercury, two of the country's best known alternative weeklies. See more media & advertising news Food Restaurant Review: This Outstanding Yemeni Kitchen Began With an Escape From War Yemenat, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, offers Yemeni delights rarely found in New York City. After Days Lost at Sea, They Needed a Pastrami Sandwich A pair of scuba divers were dramatically rescued from the Gulf of Mexico. They knew what their first stop after the ordeal would be. When It Comes to Food and Politics, Kamala Harris Is Riffing on the Recipe From giving turkey-roasting advice to making dosa with Mindy Kaling, Ms. Harris has leaned into cooking in a way no other candidate has. See more food news Science How Did the Park Fire Get So Big, So Fast? The blaze, now the fifth-largest in state history, has been fed by exceptionally dry vegetation following more than a month of extreme heat in California. Robots Are Coming, and They're on a Mission: Install Solar Panels Energy companies say a labor shortage is one big obstacle to installing more solar power. They're turning to machines to speed things up. This Is What Happens When Tigers Try to Sneak Up on Small Bears Videos in India show that sloth bears seem unaware of being stalked by the ferocious felines. When the tigers try to strike, the bears often get the better of them. See more science news Well How to Optimize Your Workout to Boost Your Mood Physical activity can brighten your outlook and calm your nerves — if you do it strategically. Why, Exactly, Are Ultraprocessed Foods So Hard to Resist? This Study Is Trying to Find Out. Understanding why they're so easy to overeat might be key to making them less harmful, some researchers say. Is Decaffeinated Coffee Bad for You? Some worry that a chemical used to strip caffeine from coffee beans can increase the risk of cancer. Experts explain if you should be concerned. See more on Well Obituaries William L. Calley Jr., Convicted in My Lai Massacre, Is Dead at 80 Hundreds of Vietnamese civilians died at the hands of American soldiers, but Lieutenant Calley was the only one found guilty. Francine Pascal, Creator of 'Sweet Valley High' Book Series, Dies at 92 The series and its many spinoffs have sold more than 200 million copies and revolutionized the world of young adult publishing. Wolfgang Rihm, Prolific Contemporary Classical Music Composer, Dies at 72 Likened to a "court composer" for Germany, he wrote more than 500 pieces and was considered one of the most original and independent musical voices in Europe. See more Obituaries Opinion Brian Wharton, Kirk Semple and Adam Westbrook 'I Am So Sorry': Meeting the Man I Put on Death Row The case that a former police detective regrets. Guest Essay What the Polls Tell Us About Harris vs. Trump There are two things giving the vice president a lift in the short term: unity and energy. Jamelle Bouie Kamala Harris Can't Escape Gaza Any More Than Joe Biden Can The rapid transformation of the Democratic Party's attitude toward Israel is forcing a reckoning. Bret Stephens Israel's Five Wars Whatever comes next in Lebanon is a piece in a much larger battle. Guest Essay The Election Is Crucial to the Supreme Court's Future. Biden's Reform Plans Are Not. His proposals are important but have little chance of being enacted. Guest Essay Fine Dining Can't Go On Like This The days of growing thirsty crops in a dry land may be coming to an end. See more Opinion Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Today's Headlines from The New York Times. To stop receiving Today's Headlines, 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 Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018