Today's Headlines: Ukraine’s Incursion Into Russia Reveals a Dramatic Shift

He Still Thought He Could Win: Inside Biden's Decision to Drop Out

View in browser August 16, 2024, 4:00 a.m. Eastern time Top News Ukraine's Incursion Into Russia Reveals a Dramatic Shift The offensive was developed in secret, devised to divert Russian troops away from the front lines in Ukraine and seize territory to use as a bargaining chip. He Still Thought He Could Win: Inside Biden's Decision to Drop Out People close to President Biden say he believes he could have won a second term. But he came to realize that the fight would rip apart the Democratic Party that he had served his whole life. U.S. Unveils Price Limits for 10 Costly or Common Medications The Biden administration said it would have saved $6 billion had the new prices been in effect last year. Editors' Picks The Filipinos Living in the Shadow of China's Military Might More than 200 civilian settlers on a contested island in the South China Sea find themselves on the frontier of a possible conflict with China. Opinion | The Intensification of JD Vance There's been so much said about Mr. Vance's conversion from Trump hater to Trump loyalist, but at times he can sound like a millennial who, disillusioned, becomes more radical. Today's Videos Video | Bangladeshi Students Took Down the Government. Then They Took Over. Just weeks ago, young protesters who opposed the prime minister were clashing with the police. Now, in effect, they are the police. Video | Authorities Charge Five People For Giving Matthew Perry Ketamine Matthew Perry's personal assistant, two doctors and two others have been indicted and charged with providing the ketamine that caused his death. Video | Young Humpback Whale Spotted in Boston Harbor A juvenile humpback whale has been splashing in Boston Harbor. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority warned that ferry service could be delayed because of the whale's presence. World On Anniversary of Taliban Takeover, Glee, Mourning and an Embrace of Jihad Celebrations marking the third year since the U.S. withdrawal are amplifying a divide in Afghanistan over what principles it should be governed by. Russia Sentences U.S. Citizen to 12 Years in Prison on Treason Charges Ksenia Karelina is accused of donating $52 to a New York-based nonprofit that sends assistance to Ukraine. Gaza Cease-Fire Talks Resume, but Hopes Are Muted Amid Fears of Wider War Negotiators met in Qatar for the latest round of negotiations on a deal that would end the fighting and perhaps reduce escalating regional tensions, but Hamas did not send representatives. See more world news U.S. Half Their Land Burned in a Decade: The California Counties Constantly on Fire Park fire became California's fourth largest this month. It erupted in a part of the state that is increasingly covered with the scars of wildfires. Arizona Court Sides With G.O.P. Over Abortion Language in Voter Pamphlets The court ruled that informational brochures the state sends to voters can use the term "unborn human being" to describe an embryo or a fetus. Judge Who Had Teenager Handcuffed on Field Trip Is Temporarily Removed From Docket Detroit Judge Kenneth King said he had acted after the girl, 15, responded with "attitude" when he scolded her for dozing off in court. See more U.S. news Politics Democrats Lean Into Liberty and the Language of Republicans Kamala Harris and her allies are using traditionally right-leaning messaging to argue that Republicans threaten fundamental freedoms. "Mind your own damn business!" Tim Walz recently said. At Mar-a-Lago, Extremism Is Good for Business President Donald J. Trump's residence and private club has become an oasis for the MAGA wing of the Republican party, according to a Times analysis — and its transformation has been tremendously profitable for Mr. Trump. Tim Walz's Bumpy Road to Gun Control The vice-presidential candidate wasn't always tough on firearms. When he ran for Minnesota governor, he tried to recast a legislative record that had gotten high marks from the N.R.A. See more political news Business To Solve Its Housing Crisis, Britain Turns to an Old Idea: New Towns By reviving an idea from the 1940s, the Labour Party government is hoping to overcome the development hurdles that have plagued previous efforts with a plan to build new communities. Harris Plans to Ban Grocery 'Price Gouging.' What Does the Evidence Say? Price increases when demand exceeds supply are textbook economics. The question is whether, and how much, the pandemic yielded an excess take. Walmart Sees Higher Sales From Picky Shoppers The retail giant raised its forecasts as it attracted bargain-hunting shoppers strained by inflation, drawing in high-income households in particular. See more business news Technology A Chinese Self-Driving Start-Up Is About to Go Public in the U.S. WeRide, a $5 billion software maker, is set for an I.P.O. amid geopolitical risks and a rush by Chinese automotive tech firms to raise money in the United States. California A.I. Bill Is Amended; Vote Is Expected by End of August Silicon Valley companies still worry that state lawmakers are jumping the gun on regulating a still-unproven technology. San Francisco Moves to Lead Fight Against Deepfake Nudes City Attorney David Chiu has filed a lawsuit seeking to permanently shutter 16 popular websites that turn images of real girls and women into pornography. See more technology news Arts Sydney Lemmon Puts the Twisted Humanity Behind Tech on Broadway After a small part in "Succession," the actor has a breakout role in "Job," in which she plays a content moderator having a mental breakdown. From Here to Eternity, a Choreographer Sinks Into the Sea Faye Driscoll uses the ocean as her collaborator in a sunset dance celebrating the 10th anniversary of Beach Sessions. An Artist Faces Climate Disaster With Hard Data and Ancient Wisdom Research meets poetry in Imani Jacqueline Brown's exploration of oil extraction and its consequences for her native New Orleans — and for the planet. See more arts news Movies 'Alien: Romulus' Review: Go Ahead, Scream (No One Can Hear You) The seventh installment of the series centers on Rain (Cailee Spaeny), a contract worker in an outer-space mining colony, and her friend Andy (David Jonsson), an android. 'Jackpot!' Review: Dystopia, Hollywood Style Awkwafina and John Cena star in a fitfully funny near-future comedy with strangely mixed metaphors. 'Red Island' Review: Madagascar Is Shifting Beneath Their Feet Robin Campillo relies on the power of suggestion to sketch life in this former French colony, filtering it obliquely through a young white boy's eyes. 'Caligula: The Ultimate Cut' Review: The Emperor's New Clothes With the belief that a masterpiece lurks within the mangled original 1980 release, Thomas Negovan has patched together a new version (with less skin) from the Penthouse archive. 'The Union' Review: Old Flames and Spy Games When a mission goes pear-shaped, a covert operative (Halle Berry) turns to a secret weapon: her high school boyfriend (Mark Wahlberg). 'In the Rearview' Review: Shuttling Ukrainians to Safety Maciek Hamela's documentary offers a compelling perspective on the Russian invasion of Ukraine through the stories of people fleeing the country in a van. A Must-See Film About a Terribly Difficult Subject "Sugarcane" follows survivors and investigators after the horrifying treatment of Indigenous Canadians was discovered at residential schools. See more movies news New York Columbia Remains Divided but Cautiously Optimistic as President Departs The resignation of the Columbia University president, Nemat Shafik, was met with mixed reactions, but some on campus are optimistic for a fresh start. Plan to Build Thousands of Apartments Will Transform the East Bronx The New York City Council approved a rezoning plan that will produce nearly 7,000 housing units, some of which will be offered at below-market rents, near four new commuter rail stations. N.J. Transit Says Thank You, and Sorry, With a Week of Free Rides After a spate of breakdowns that caused long delays, an unscheduled "fare holiday" on the statewide transit network will start on Aug. 26. See more New York news Media & Advertising F.B.I. Resumes Flagging Foreign Disinformation to Social Media Giants The Justice Department set new guidelines for agents to share tips with Facebook, X and other platforms after a legal challenge prompted a suspension of that communication. A Hulk Hogan-Jesse Ventura Grudge Match, in the Political Arena Hogan supports Donald J. Trump. Mr. Ventura is backing Kamala Harris. But their beef is more complicated than that. Bowling, Selfies and the 'Dougie': Biden Woos Influencers at the White House For its first conference on the creator economy, the Biden administration celebrated social media creators. The president lauded them as a "breakthrough in how we communicate." See more food news Science How Did Mpox Become a Global Emergency? What's Next? The virus is evolving, and the newest version spreads more often through heterosexual populations. Sweden reported the first case outside Africa. Wind Beat Coal Two Months in a Row for U.S. Electricity Generation The shift occurred as the cost of wind power and other renewable energy is rapidly declining and coal is being pushed out by natural gas. Unusual Origin Found for Asteroid That Killed the Dinosaurs A study adds strong evidence to the hypothesis that the deadly rock came from a family of objects that originally formed well beyond the orbit of the planet Jupiter. See more science news Obituaries Gena Rowlands, Actress Who Brought Raw Drama to Her Roles, Dies at 94 Known for playing on-the-verge characters, she twice earned Oscar nominations for her work in films directed by John Cassavetes, her husband. Watch One Heartbreaking Scene to Understand Gena Rowlands's Genius In "A Woman Under the Influence," her gloriously, terrifyingly imperfect Mabel was emblematic of the actress's work, especially with John Cassavetes. Wally Amos, Creator of Famous Amos Cookies, Dies at 88 With a background as a talent agent, his aunt's recipe and a winning personality, he built one of the world's best-known brands of baked goods. Frank Selvy, 91, Dies; Scored 100 Points in a College Basketball Game The feat, a collegiate record, came in 1954 in South Carolina. As a pro, he missed a shot that would have given the Los Angeles Lakers a championship. See more Obituaries Opinion Paul Krugman Is It Morning in Kamala Harris's America? The good news may finally be breaking through to voters. David Brooks You're Only as Smart as Your Emotions We now understand that our emotions are often wise. The problem is that our culture and our institutions haven't caught up with our knowledge. Pamela Paul It's Too Late for Summer Now This season is so pushy, so insistent that it be reveled in. Guest Essay I Wrote 'Friday Night Lights.' Here's Why Coach Tim Walz Stands Apart. No one can resist the inspiring allure of "clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose." But politics can require a different skill set. Guest Essay Democrats Are Missing Out on a Big Opportunity on Abortion Rights Kamala Harris should show voters what Donald Trump could do in a second term. Guest Essay Want to See Coral Reefs Grow? Freeze Them. We have to buy time while we wait for the world to slow, and hopefully, one day reverse climate change. 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. 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