Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Wednesday.
Biden told allies that he was weighing his optionsPresident Biden called into his campaign's all-staff meeting today and unequivocally declared that he was "in this race to the end." His press secretary also told reporters that Biden was "absolutely not" considering withdrawal. But Biden has privately confided to key allies that he knows he may not be able to salvage his campaign if he cannot convince the public in the coming days that he is up for the job after his disastrous debate performance. A new Times poll showed that the president's support slipped in the days after the debate. Nationally, Donald Trump now leads Biden 49 percent to 43 percent among likely voters, a three-point swing for Trump from just a week ago. The poll also found that 74 percent of voters now view Biden as too old for the presidency. Tonight, Biden is scheduled to meet at the White House with more than 20 Democratic governors in an effort to reassure them that he can still win in November. In the coming days, the president is looking to prove his acuity by sitting down for an interview on Friday with ABC News and holding campaign events in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The president knows the appearances must go well. "He knows if he has two more events like that, we're in a different place" by the end of the weekend, one of the allies said, referring to Biden's showing in the debate. Democrats, meanwhile, are weighing the potential risks and rewards of a new candidate.
Hurricane Beryl caused floods in JamaicaJamaica was lashed today with a surge of water, damaging winds and flooding rainfall from Hurricane Beryl, the strongest storm the island has experienced in over a decade. A Category 4 storm with sustained wind speeds of 140 miles per hour, Beryl passed just south of the island this afternoon, knocking out power for thousands and causing all three of the country's international airports to close. We're following the storm live. For more: Scientists captured video while flying inside the storm.
Britain is heading to the polls for a major electionTomorrow's general election in Britain could bring a fundamental realignment to the country's politics. Voters are expected to oust the Conservative-led government after 14 years in power and elect the center-left Labour Party, which has maintained a double-digit lead in polls for more than a year and a half. This is what to watch for. For more: My colleagues examined what worked, and what didn't, under Conservative leadership.
America's vacation wealth gapThe travel industry is in the midst of another hot summer, with more travelers expected to pass through airports this holiday week than ever before. But the 2024 vacation outlook isn't all sunny: Like the rest of the American consumer experience this year, it is sharply divided. Surveys show that richer households have become more optimistic about their ability to take trips, and services that they are more likely to use, like full-service hotels, are flourishing. Budget hotel chains, by contrast, are expected to report a pullback. More top news
Make a perfect hot dog this July 4Millions of Americans will be eating hot dogs this week, and social media is full of tricks to improve on the classic Independence Day recipe. We tried them out, and found that they weren't worth it. As it turns out, perfecting the normal method works best. First, don't let your grill get too hot (you should be able to hold your hand four inches above the grill for several seconds). Then, pat dry your dogs and lay them parallel to the grates. Also crucial for Fourth of July celebrations: a playlist. This independence-themed one was curated by our pop music editor.
The power of 'Ode to Joy,' 200 years laterEven if you're not familiar with Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, you probably know its finale, the famous "Ode to Joy." Written 200 years ago, it still is played in movies and at the Olympics — and you could probably hum it right now, because Beethoven knew what he was doing. He intentionally made it easy to hum and hard to forget, using the same techniques you may hear in a Taylor Swift hit today. The tune is in common time, with four beats per measure, unfolding in neat, four-bar phrases. Even people with no musical training can learn it almost immediately. My colleague Joshua Barone broke it down piece by piece.
Dinner table topics
Cook: This bacon-Cheddar dip is sure to delight a crowd. Watch: Check out these five great international movies. Read: "Truth Be Told" is one of the best new crime novels. Listen: These five minutes will make you love the composer and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Pack: We asked King Charles's former suit maker for tips on folding suits. Learn: Here are our favorite nutrition lessons from the year so far. Stay cool: Humidity makes us irritable and exhausted, but there are ways to cope. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here.
He's a virtuoso of hedge trimmingAbout 15 years ago, an architect in north London was asked by his wife to cut an overgrown hedge in their front yard into the shape of a cat. He ended up carving it into the shape of a train, but it inspired him to start a hedge-cutting hobby that has turned him into a local celebrity. The architect, who is fittingly named Tim Bushe, now has a hedge menagerie that includes two gigantic elephants, two cats, a squirrel, a hippo and a fish. There is also, experimentally, a reclining nude woman. He hopes a giant rabbit will join them this summer. Have a masterful holiday. Thanks for reading. We'll be off tomorrow for Independence Day. Justin Porter will be here on Friday. — Matthew Emree Weaver was our photo editor today. We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com.
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