Today's Headlines: A Vice Presidential Learning Curve: How Kamala Harris Picked Her Shots

Harris Puts Four Sun Belt States Back in Play, Times/Siena Polls Find

View in browser August 18, 2024, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time Top News A Vice Presidential Learning Curve: How Kamala Harris Picked Her Shots As President Biden's understudy, Ms. Harris did not often get to lead on signature issues. But she found roles to play on abortion rights, gun safety and a Supreme Court appointment. Harris Puts Four Sun Belt States Back in Play, Times/Siena Polls Find Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in close races across Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina, crucial swing states that Mr. Trump had seemed en route to run away with just a few weeks ago. Deploying on U.S. Soil: How Trump Would Use Soldiers Against Riots, Crime and Migrants The former president's vision of using the military to enforce the law domestically would carry profound implications for civil liberties. Editors' Picks 'There Is No Childhood in Gaza' A 9-year-old Palestinian boy lost his mother, father and two siblings in an Israeli airstrike early in the Gaza war. Within months, he, too, was killed. Opinion | The Dems Are Delighted. But a Coup Is Still a Coup. After the bloodletting, Democrats are parading to their convention. Today's Videos Video | Israeli Settlers Attack a Palestinian Village in the West Bank Dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the West Bank village of Jit, killing one person and leaving another one critically injured, according to Palestinian officials. Video | Daughter of Thailand's Ex-Prime Minister to Be Next Leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra was chosen by lawmakers on Friday to be the country's next leader, two days after a court ousted the previous prime minister. Video | Fact-Checking Harris and Trump Linda Qiu, a New York Times reporter who fact-checks statements made by politicians and public figures, looks at how Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have attacked each other and assesses whether those claims are true or not. World A Family Flees and a Mother Mourns After Israeli Settlers Attack a Palestinian Village Residents of the village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank say one Palestinian man was killed by rampaging settlers. Israel's military confirmed the village was attacked. Ukraine Destroys Key Russian Bridge as It Presses On With Offensive The bridge's destruction is a setback for Russian supply lines as Ukraine seeks to consolidate its territorial gains in the Kursk region of western Russia. Doubting America's 'Nuclear Umbrella,' Some South Koreans Want Their Own Washington says it would defend the South against North Korea with nuclear arms, if need be. But more and more people in the South think it should rely on itself. See more world news U.S. The Next Stop for Denver Campus Protesters Is the Democratic Convention Students in Denver behind one of the longest-running encampments in protest of the Israel-Hamas war disbanded the camp in May. They spent the rest of the summer planning for what comes next. Kamala Harris and the Return of 'Tough on Crime' Over her career, her rhetoric has tracked the national mood. So do Americans now want a prosecutor-in-chief? Supreme Court, for Now, Blocks Expanded Protections for Transgender Students in Some States The order maintained halts by lower courts on federal rules prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in schools. See more U.S. news Politics Urged to Focus on the Economy, Trump Leans Into Attacks of Harris At a rally in Pennsylvania, former President Donald J. Trump vacillated between criticisms of the economy and immigration and personal attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris. The Confidants Guiding Harris for the Most Important Days of Her Life The vice president's brain trust is younger, more racially diverse and larger than President Biden's. Her advisers can expect a lot of phone calls in the coming weeks. Willie Brown to Donald Trump: Mention My Name Again and Get Sued The former president has falsely claimed that he nearly died in a helicopter ride with Mr. Brown, and that Mr. Brown said "terrible things" about Kamala Harris. See more political news Business For Abortion Providers, a Tough Business Gets Even Tougher After the fall of Roe v. Wade, some clinics thought they could expand their businesses in states that still allowed them to operate. It hasn't quite worked out that way. New Real Estate Rules Sow Confusion, at Least in Short Term Changes in how real estate commissions are advertised and paid went into effect this weekend. Buyers and even some agents aren't sure what they mean. Revenues Down and Stock Battered as Data Firm Faces Scrutiny MultiPlan has helped big health insurers make billions by reducing reimbursements for medical bills, but its business model is now being questioned. See more business news Technology Alex Karp Has Money and Power. So What Does He Want? In a rare in-depth interview, this billionaire man of mystery, the head of Palantir Technologies, talks about war, A.I. and America's future. Parents Rage Against New Fee to Keep Their Smart Bassinets Smart The maker the Snoo, a popular high-tech bassinet, touched off a firestorm of outrage after requiring a paid subscription to use several key features. With Purple Gold and Bouncy Metal, a Canadian Chemist Shines on YouTube Disillusioned with grad school, Nigel Braun dropped out to film chemistry videos in his parents' garage in Montreal. Then millions began viewing his whimsical and occasionally dangerous experiments. See more technology news Sports When N.F.L. Dreams End, NASCAR's Pit Crews Beckon In NASCAR, victory — and money — is often determined by seconds, one reason car racing teams are increasingly looking to hire former college athletes. See more sports news Arts As California Clears Homeless Camps, Two Projects Point a Way Forward While L.A. County grapples with homelessness, elegant new housing projects in Long Beach and Venice signal the solutions — and challenges — ahead. How Tau Lewis Channels the Spirit World Her first solo museum exhibition, at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, is full of towering, mysterious beings. The exhibit is "all grief work," she said. Esa-Pekka Salonen: A Conductor at the Top, and at a Crossroads Salonen, who will soon be a free agent for the first time in decades, could do pretty much anything at this stage. What will it be? See more arts news New York George Santos Is Expected to Plead Guilty, People Close to the Case Say Mr. Santos could change his mind, but witnesses in his campaign fraud case were told by federal prosecutors that he intends to plead guilty on Monday. Behind the Pageantry of Shen Yun, Untreated Injuries and Emotional Abuse As the popular dance show grew into an international juggernaut, some of the group's young performers paid a steep price. Diving Into New York's Murky Green Waters, Searching for Treasure It's hard to see through the water, and too easy to find trash, but divers are finding joy in exploring New York. See more New York news Media & Advertising 'It Ends With Us': The Press Tour Drama, Explained What's happening onscreen has become secondary to the conversation about differences between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director. Trump's Media Blitz: Talk Radio, a Video Game Celebrity and Elon Musk A whirl of appearances in media venues large and small have defined Donald Trump's past four weeks, as he tries to wrest attention from his new opponent, Kamala Harris. A 481-Year Age Difference? For Some Readers, That's Hot. Disappointed by swipe culture and, perhaps, reality, some readers pine for the much (much) older "shadow daddies" of romantasy novels. See more media & advertising news Science Stranded in Space? NASA Doesn't See the Starliner Astronauts That Way. NASA doesn't say the Boeing Starliner astronauts are 'stranded' on the space station, but it's a word that a lot of people are using. Beware the Toxic and Explosive Blue Backpack This Termite Carries Scientists studied the unusual chemical reaction used by a species of the insect in an act of self-sacrifice to save nests from invaders. How Your Cat or Dog Could Warn of a Bird Flu Outbreak Like most countries, the U.S. has no comprehensive national system for monitoring disease in companion animals — which leaves pets and people at risk. See more science news Magazine The Activist Left Doesn't Want a Hero. But Does It Need One? For years, America's left has been wary of charismatic figureheads. But a movement without leaders has its limits. Audio | The Man Who Tried to Solve Immigration for the G.O.P. The senator discusses how political calculations killed his border bill, the evangelical Christian vote and preparing for life after Trump. 43 MIN LISTEN Audio | Jelly Roll Cannot Believe How His Life Turned Out From jail and addiction to music stardom, the singer says he's living a "modern American fairy tale." 37 MIN LISTEN See more magazine news Well The Painkiller Used for Just About Anything In huge numbers, older people are taking gabapentin for a variety of conditions, including itching, alcohol dependence and sciatica. "It's crazy," one expert said. Are Nonalcoholic Beverages Good for You? Sales of NA beer, wine and spirits are soaring. Here's what to know before you take your next sip. A Virtuoso Cellist's Painstaking Path From Long Covid Back to the Stage For over three years, long Covid has presented Joshua Roman with health challenges — and has indelibly shaped the music he makes. See more on Well Travel Not Hollywood Royalty? Here's How to Enjoy Lake Como on the Cheap. Stars like George Clooney frequent this scenic corner of northern Italy, but you might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Here's an insider's guide. Roam With Cowboys and Flamingos in France's Wild, Wild South Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped by the relentless push and pull of sea and river. From Nova Scotia to Montreal: Driving Solo (and on a Budget) in a 'Relocation' R.V. Rental When rental companies need to move their vehicles, they frequently offer one-way trips at a steep discount. Our Frugal Traveler snapped up a deal that took her through eastern Canada. See more travel news Real Estate A Three-Bedroom House in the Bay Area for Under $1 Million? Here Were Their Options. After six years in the desert of Palm Springs, a retired couple headed north in search of new construction in Sonoma County. She Suspected She Was Adopted. It Turned Out She Was Right. A Florida woman was determined to find the birth family she never knew she had. The trail led to the New York area, where she and her girlfriend now live. In Brooklyn, a Pink Building Stands Out A new building in Fort Greene was designed to encourage a more intimate living space, according to the builders. See more real estate news Fashion & Style Paying More Attention to His Appearance Than Hers They're the same age, but pundits and voters can't stop talking about how much older Tim Walz looks than Kamala Harris. It's not the only way her running mate seems to be absorbing some of the scrutiny usually heaped on female candidates. One Man's Quest to Make Luxury Sunblock Dermatologist Antony Nakhla created a beauty brand for his clients who include some of Southern California's most pampered people. But he wondered: Could he also get them to use sunscreen? They're Putting Some Fun in Funerals Modern, even hip, mortuaries around the world are hoping to answer one question: How do we commemorate death in 2024? See more fashion news T Magazine A Hollywood Producer's Home That Would Make a Perfect Movie Set The former studio head Amy Pascal's house needed a change. Maybe she did, too. They Gave a Home on Long Island a New Life. Then It Changed Theirs. How the reimagining of a Hamptons house turned into a business partnership between a couple and their designer. The Artist Tackling One of Our Last Taboos Camille Henrot has filled a gap in the canon by investigating the labor of motherhood. See more on T Magazine Obituaries Charlie Moss, Whose Ads Spread Love for a Battered New York, Dies at 85 As a pioneer of Madison Avenue's creative revolution, his "I ♥ NY" tourism pitches helped pump new life into a city deflated by the turmoil of the 1970s. Betty A. Prashker, 99, Who Pushed Boundaries in Book Publishing, Dies A top editor and executive at two publishing houses, she was an advocate for women in publishing, and for equal pay in an industry that had long been male-dominated. Rabbi Shmuel Butman, 81, a Brooklyn Voice of Ultra-Orthodox Jews, Is Dead He was the public face of the Chabad-Lubavitch sect during the Crown Heights riots in 1991 and for decades lit its giant menorah in Manhattan every Hanukkah. Jerry Fuller, Songwriter of 'Young Girl' and 'Travelin' Man,' Is Dead at 85 He found a musical sweet spot between romance and "out of line" desire for recordings by Ricky Nelson, Johnny Mathis and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. See more Obituaries Opinion Guest Essay I Knew What My Enablers Were Doing. It's Murkier With Matthew Perry. Sometimes the most dangerous people are the ones who tell themselves they're actually helping. Guest Essay Democrats Have a Josh Shapiro Problem If having a "commitment" to Israel is a barrier to the Democratic presidential ticket, then it bodes ominously for future Jewish participation in Democratic Party politics. Guest Essay Trump Is Losing the Humor War Admit it: Donald Trump is funny. Or, at least, he used to be. Losing his sense of humor may well lead to his losing this election. Ross Douthat Masculinity Is on the Ballot Has liberalism perfected a model of modern masculinity while conservative culture slouches somewhere far behind? Mara Gay The 'Unusual' Strategy That Might Help Democrats Win Back the House Long Island is an increasingly Republican stronghold, but Democrats believe they have a chance to win key House races there this year. Jamelle Bouie Are We Ever Going to Get a Civil War Film That Tells the Truth? A few thoughts on the movie "Gettysburg." Guest Essay The Electric Grid Is a Wildfire Hazard. It Doesn't Have to Be. We can expect added strain on the system as weather turns more extreme and demand for electricity rises. 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 Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018