The Evening: Israel launches airstrikes on Hezbollah

Also, new polls were Trump's best in weeks.

View in browser|nytimes.com September 23, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Monday. Israeli strikes in Lebanon Good polls for Trump Plus, Sally Rooney's new novel An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon today. Aziz Taher/Reuters Israel launched intense airstrikes on Hezbollah Dozens of Israeli fighter jets bombed Hezbollah targets in Lebanon today, killing hundreds of people, Lebanese officials said. The strikes, which included an attempted assassination of a top Hezbollah commander, were the deadliest in Lebanon since 2006, during the last Israel-Hezbollah war. Here's the latest. The attacks were the latest in a series of attempts by Israel to break the resolve of the Iranian-backed militant group. It controls scores of villages across southern Lebanon and has been firing rockets and drones at Israel since last October, in support of its ally, Hamas. But so far, Hezbollah has vowed to continue its attacks: The group fired about 165 rockets and other munitions into Israel today, according to the Israeli military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Israeli public to expect "complicated days" ahead, as Israel seeks to "change the balance of security" along its northern border with Lebanon. The Pentagon also said it would send additional U.S. troops to the region because of the rising tensions. The bombardments came a day before world leaders were to gather in New York for the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, where Israel's conflicts with both Hezbollah and Hamas are expected to be major topics of debate. Donald Trump in Mosinee, Wis., earlier this month. Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times New polls were Trump's best in weeks The latest polls from The New York Times and Siena College found Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris in Georgia, Arizona and North Carolina. The results suggested a notable uptick in support for the former president, who is trailing Harris in Northern battlegrounds and national averages. If Trump sweeps the Sun Belt states, he won't need to win many more to take back the White House. The polls offer further evidence that the election is shaping up to be one of the tightest in history. On the campaign trail The presidential election is 43 days away. A key Nebraska Republican rejected Trump's push to change the state's electoral system to winner take all. Trump, who is 78, said he wouldn't run for president in 2028 if he loses this year. My colleague Matt Flegenheimer wrote about the long, strange rivalry between Harris and Kimberly Guilfoyle, a conservative firebrand. Prosecutors will pursue a charge of attempted assassination against the suspect. Saul Martinez for The New York Times Suspect in Trump assassination attempt planned for months The 58-year-old man accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump last week acknowledged in a prewritten note that he had planned the attack, and even predicted his failure, according to a new court filing. The suspect, Ryan Routh, left the note inside a box at a friend's home months ago, indicating that he had been planning the assassination for a long time. In court today, prosecutors said they were seeking a charge of attempted assassination, which would carry a maximum possible penalty of life imprisonment. Administration officials said that national security concerns, not politics, drove the ban. Qilai Shen for The New York Times The U.S. proposed a ban on Chinese car software The Biden administration announced today a new federal rule to ban Chinese-developed software from internet-connected cars in the U.S. Officials justified the move by arguing that it would help prevent China's intelligence agencies from monitoring the movements of Americans, or using the vehicles' electronics as a pathway into the U.S. electric grid. In related news, House Republicans released a report today arguing that U.S. federal research funding had helped to advance Chinese military technologies. More top news Environment: California sued Exxon Mobil, arguing that it carried out a "decades-long campaign of deception" that overhyped the promise of recycling. Court: The gunman who killed 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021 was found guilty of murder, after jurors rejected his mental illness defense. Missouri: The execution of Marcellus Williams for a 1998 murder is scheduled for tomorrow. His lawyers are making a last-ditch effort to halt it. Religion: For the first time in modern American history, young men are more religious than young women. Entertainment: Activists and survivors of sexual violence expressed hope that Sean Combs's arrest may lead to lasting change in the music industry. New York: The Police Department has failed to punish officers who have violated the rights of people with stop-and-frisk, according to a new report. Books: Local governments are banning books at rates far higher than before the pandemic, according to two advocacy groups. TIME TO UNWIND Sally Rooney Ellius Grace for The New York Times Sally Rooney is back with 'Intermezzo' One of the biggest literary moments of the season is nearly upon us: Sally Rooney's new novel, "Intermezzo," will be released tomorrow. The book, about two grieving brothers and their experiences with love, is sure to face backlash, just like Rooney's other wildly popular books — especially among publishing's smart young crowd. But our critic Dwight Garner writes that the backlash shouldn't scare you away. He called "Intermezzo" "wise, resonant and witty," and "a mature, sophisticated weeper." For more: In an interview, Rooney explained why career growth is overrated. Keith Lee is easily the most successful of a new generation of restaurant reviewers on social media. Katherine Tyler/NBAE, via Getty Images The internet's food critic fuels excitement and drama Keith Lee, a vastly influential social media food critic, can change a restaurant's fortunes overnight. After his recent rave review of Rooted Rotisserie in Baltimore, the spot was suddenly booked out for weeks. His influence has become so profound that it has become known as the "Keith Lee effect." But as his profile has grown, some viewers and members of the food media have questioned his methods and credibility as a critic. Lee has drawn criticism for how he picks restaurants and how he tastes — generally taking just one bite of a takeout dish in his car before declaring a score from 1 to 10. Jack Roe for The New York Times Dinner table topics Conjuring soccer memories: Vintage jerseys have become a streetwear staple, and a target of major investors. An improbable machine: A teacher in Canada spent nearly 2,000 hours building an operational hovercraft with no blueprint. Compact color: This tiny apartment proves that you don't need to stick with white paint to make a space feel larger. Classic American fruit: How healthy are apples, really? WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Julia Gartland for The New York Times Cook: Celebrate fall with these pumpkin maple muffins. Watch: Here are five international movies to stream right now. Read: Domestic drama runs high in "A Reason to See You Again." Listen: Bad Bunny's "Una Velita" is one of several new songs worth checking out. Pick: Deciding between hybrid and electric? Here's what to consider. Compete: Take this week's Flashback history quiz. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here. ONE LAST THING Roberto Cornacchia/Alamy A quest to find all the bananas You probably know just one type of banana, the Cavendish: It's long, yellow and is the world's most-eaten fruit. But out in the wild there are hundreds — perhaps even thousands — of other varieties, and Gabriel Sachter-Smith has made it his mission to find them. Sachter-Smith has identified some 500 varieties, and his global quest has introduced him to bananas that are egg-shaped and orange, a foot long and pale yellow or even sausage-stubby and green. "It's like collecting Pokémon," Sachter-Smith said. Have an adventurous evening. Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Matthew Sean Kawasaki-Culligan 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