The Evening: Trump makes his first moves

Also, attacks on Israeli soccer fans.

View in browser|nytimes.com November 8, 2024 By Jonathan Wolfe Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Friday. Changes under Trump Attacks on Israeli soccer fans Plus, the Grammy nominations Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times Signs of change under Trump Early signs emerged today of how quickly President-elect Donald Trump's second administration would shift the government's legal positions on a wide range of issues facing the Supreme Court, as speculation swirled about whom Trump would tap for critical positions in the government. Legal experts said they expected the Justice Department under Trump to rapidly reverse its position on a transgender rights case pending before the court. People who follow the court are also bracing for a flip in the positions taken under President Biden on environmental issues, gun rights, criminal sentencing and employment discrimination. Trump's transition team for climate and the environment is considering relocating the E.P.A. out of Washington and other drastic changes. In his first job announcement, Trump last night named Susie Wiles, the Florida strategist who has run his political operation for nearly four years, as the White House chief of staff for his incoming administration. Trump has said he wants Elon Musk to play a role in recommending ways to slash government spending. On Wednesday, during a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, he put Musk on the phone. It is not clear what the three men discussed, but Musk has been a vital supplier of communications capability to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Several names began circulating today as possible candidates for attorney general, including a former national intelligence director, John Ratcliffe, and Senator Mike Lee of Utah. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine and science denier, has said he believes he will have a big role in shaping health policy. In other political news: A judge granted a request for a pause in the case accusing Trump of plotting to overturn the 2020 election. Stocks rallied to the market's best week in over a year, pushed by Trump's win and a quarter-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve. In an interview with The Times, Nancy Pelosi lamented President Biden's late exit from the race and the lack of an open primary to replace him. What's next for Kamala Harris? Here are six options. The biggest names in entertainment backed Harris for president. But in the end, it did not seem to matter much. An anti-U.S. and anti-Israel banner in Tehran, Iran. Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times Iranian agents plotted to kill Trump, U.S. said Federal prosecutors said today that Iranian plotters had discussed a plan to assassinate Trump before he could be re-elected. One of the plotters said that he was assigned in September to carry out the plan by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the prosecutors said in a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan. The man prosecutors said was tasked with the plot to kill Trump is Farhad Shakeri, who is believed to reside in Iran. Two other men from New York were arrested in the case and face conspiracy charges. Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters at a match in Amsterdam yesterday. Robin Van Lonkhuijsen/ANP, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam The authorities in Amsterdam are investigating violence tied to a soccer game last night between the Dutch club Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, an Israeli team. Israeli and Dutch officials said the attacks were antisemitic. Five Israelis were hospitalized and later discharged, and between 20 and 30 others sustained light injuries. The police said the violence, which unfolded over two tense days, included assaults on Israeli fans by people, some riding scooters, who kicked and beat them. In all, 62 people were arrested. Ten remained in custody as of this afternoon. More top news Ukraine: Russia's overnight missile and drone attacks killed 11 people, including a 1-year-old boy. China: The government approved a $1.4 trillion plan to revive the economy. California: Slower winds were expected to help firefighters battle the Mountain fire, which has already destroyed over 130 structures. Tech: A House committee has asked chip-making firms about their business ties to China as the U.S. weighs further export restrictions. Gaza: The lack of emergency responders in the north means residents are rushing casualties to hospitals in private vehicles or on donkey carts. New York: A former aide to Mayor Eric Adams is in talks about a guilty plea — raising the possibility that he might help prosecutors. Lithuania: A new governing coalition will include a party led by a politician notorious for antisemitic remarks. Argentina: President Javier Milei's austerity measures have slashed aid programs for women, including one that drove down teen pregnancy. France: The bells of Notre-Dame Cathedral pealed throughout Paris for the first time since the fire in 2019. TIME TO UNWIND Kevin Winter/Getty Images Beyoncé and young women lead the Grammy nominees Beyoncé is the top nominee for the 67th annual Grammy Awards with 11 nods for her genre-crossing "Cowboy Carter." The nominees also featured buzzy young female stars, including Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan — two of this year's fresh pop sensations. Billie Eilish picked up seven nominations and Taylor Swift six. Here's a full list of the nominees. The Times's pop music team took a look at the snubs and surprises. MGM; Warner Bros; Universal Pictures The Clint squint Many actors have distinguishing features — sunburst smiles, rolling walks — that become their trademarks. But few performers have held our gaze as powerfully as Clint Eastwood, with his big guns, tough lines and an indelible signature: the Clint Squint. Our film critic Manohla Dargis explored Eastwood's signature squint through the years. Dinner table topics Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas. Vesa Laitinen for The New York Times A floating building: We got an inside look at one of the world's largest cruise ships while it was being finished. Lost law: India lifted a 36-year-old ban on Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" because officials could not find the original order. Wellness Lollapalooza: Thousands of health seekers made a pilgrimage to Florida to commune with their favorite self-proclaimed healers. How to love winter: Our writer explored how to open yourself up to the delights of the season. WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Cook: There are no rules on Friendsgiving. Here's a menu that breaks with tradition. Read: Rapunzel has nothing on the African heroines in these picture books. Watch: Stream these five great movies for kids. Laugh: Here's who to see at the New York Comedy Festival. Travel: These luxury apartments let you enjoy the Swiss mountains in style. Play: Today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. For more, find all our games here. ONE LAST THING Dustin Milligan in "Hot Frosty." Netflix When Christmas movies get sexy Christmas romances often follow a well-worn script: A city slicker returns to her immaculately decorated small hometown, a local guy sweeps her off her feet, and the characters all wear cozy sweaters. This year, however, some holiday films are stripping down. Literally. "Hot Frosty" and "The Merry Gentlemen" on Netflix and "A Carpenter Christmas Romance" on Lifetime are going for steamy visuals. Men are often shirtless and on display to be ogled by the female townsfolk. Such scenes can feel downright verboten in a family-friendly arena where any suggestion of eroticism has long been off-limits. Have an alluring weekend. Thanks for reading. We're off Monday for Veterans Day. Matt will be back Tuesday. Have a great weekend. — Jonathan Scott Nelson was our photo editor. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at evening@nytimes.com. And follow The New York Times on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and TikTok at @nytimes. 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. 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