The Evening: Donors turn up the pressure on Biden

Also, the finalists to be Donald Trump's running mate.

View in browser|nytimes.com July 12, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Friday. A blow by donors to Biden Trump's pick for a running mate Plus, Wimbledon excitement President Biden speaking at a news conference in Washington yesterday. Eric Lee/The New York Times Democratic donors froze pro-Biden contributions Some major Democratic donors told the largest pro-Biden super PAC that their pledged contributions, worth about $90 million, were on hold while President Biden remains on top of the ticket, according to two people briefed on the conversations. The decision to withhold such enormous sums of money offered one of the most concrete examples yet of the concerns many Democrats have about Biden's candidacy. Two weeks after the president's poor debate performance, several elected leaders and party strategists have grown increasingly alarmed that Biden's presence on the ticket could transform some blue states into contested battlegrounds. But Biden has been adamant that he will remain in the race. He tried to use a nationally televised news conference last night to convince the American electorate — and Democratic leaders — that he can and will defeat Donald Trump in the November election. During the event, he demonstrated a grasp of the issues and seemed comfortable during a long discourse on foreign policy. He was mostly steady, if not exactly compelling. Still, a few more Democrats and a major environmental group today made public their calls for Biden to step aside. In total, 19 House Democrats have called for a new nominee, and more were expected to come out of the woodwork. Tonight, Biden is holding an event in Detroit, where he will attempt to turn attention back to Trump's policies. From left to right, Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida  Todd Heisler/The New York Times; Nic Antaya for The New York Times; Scott McIntyre for The New York Times Who will be Trump's running mate? The Republican Party will officially nominate Donald Trump for president at its convention next week in Milwaukee. But whom the party will nominate on the ticket alongside Trump is still an open question. The former president is expected to announce his vice-presidential pick in the next few days. The final three contenders are Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Trump said six months ago that he had already made the decision, but he is famously mercurial. He recently shifted his focus, from someone who could govern, to someone who could help him win the election, his allies said. For more: Milwaukee's mayor is no fan of Trump, but he's thrilled to host the convention. Nurses and aides are burning out in short-staffed nursing homes. Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News Why nursing homes still fail their residents Many of the nation's 1.2 million nursing home residents have suffered festering bedsores, devastating falls and other troubles in large part because of an acute shortage of nurses and aides. The Biden administration is trying to fix the staffing issues by setting stringent new federal standards. But states already have strict laws that have failed for years to solve the problem, an examination by the Times found. Considering a nursing home? Here's how to find a good one with ample staff. More top news Weather: The heat wave scorching the West will push into the Midwest and Northeast by early next week, forecasters said. Gaza: Residents and rescuers said they found dozens of bodies and destruction when they returned to a Gaza City neighborhood after Israeli troops pulled out. Trade: China's exports surged to record levels, alarming many countries that are worried about a flood of goods that could hurt their own trade output. Drugs: Experts say that counterfeit versions of Ozempic are spreading and may contain dangerous substances or entirely different drugs altogether. Court: A judge dismissed Rudy Giuliani's bankruptcy case, allowing his creditors to pursue $153 million that he owes them. Gaming: Saudi Arabia said it would invest $38 billion in video games by 2030. Space: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket malfunctioned and was unable to deploy a batch of Starlink internet satellites. Energy: Marathon Oil agreed to pay a record penalty of $242 million for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. TIME TO UNWIND Carlos Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev today. Henry Nicholls/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images It's Alcaraz vs. Djokovic at Wimbledon, again The Wimbledon men's singles champion will be decided in a rematch on Sunday between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. And just like last year, it's the title match many tennis fans were hoping for. Djokovic is the legend, with the most Grand Slam titles of any men's player in history. Alcaraz is the young and dominant star. Last year, Alcaraz won; but anything could happen this time around. On the women's side: A first-time winner will be crowned tomorrow. More sports excitement: Either Spain or England will take home the Euro 2024 trophy on Sunday. Here's what to watch for. Julia Gartland for The New York Times Who is Elena Ferrante, really? The best book of the 21st century, according to a survey of literary giants conducted by my colleagues at the Book Review, is "My Brilliant Friend" by the Italian author Elena Ferrante. Two of Ferrante's other novels were also ranked among the top 100. But her real identity is secret to almost everyone, including her English translator. Ferrante is a pseudonym, originally used as a shield from publicity and later as an artistic choice. But that hasn't stopped her devoted fan base from trying to guess who she really is. Here's what we know. For more: Check out the full list of the 100 best books of the century so far. The Chrysler Building opened in 1930. Frederic Lewis/Getty Images Dinner table topics Lost luster: The Chrysler Building — a jewel of New York City's skyline — is starting to feel the hand of time. A Hollywood test: "Fly Me to the Moon" is the kind of movie that isn't supposed to succeed in theaters anymore, but it's going to try anyway. Build it small: Building a stylish little home in front of the main house helped unite several generations of one family. A style commitment: For many Black women, summer calls for braids. The process can be pricey and time-consuming. WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND Rachel Vanni for The New York Times Cook: The appeal of curry tomatoes and chickpeas with cucumber yogurt lies in the contrasts. Watch: A new documentary about Brian Eno is different every time you watch it. Here's how that effect is achieved. Read: A Czech-born author shares a list of books that can bring you to Prague. Remember: In an emergency, seconds count. Paramedics shared one tip that might save your life. Look: Manhattanhenge is back. We've got all the details for you. Brush: Charcoal toothpaste has to go, and other tips from dentists. Compete: Take this week's news quiz. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here. ONE LAST THING Anant Ambani and his fiancée, Radhika Merchant. Ashish Vaishnav/SOPA Images, via LightRocket, via Getty Images Weddings don't get more lavish than this No expense has been spared to celebrate the marriage of Anant Ambani, the son of India's richest man, and Radhika Merchant, the daughter of another tycoon. Their wedding invitations were made of gold and silver, and millions have been spent on enormous jewels and designer outfits. Bill Gates attended their prewedding bash, and Rihanna performed. This weekend, the monthslong extravaganza will reach its lavish finale in front of a crowd of billionaires and celebrities, officially establishing a new power couple in India. Have an opulent weekend. Thanks for reading. I'll be back on Monday. — Matthew Jill Foley 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. 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The Age of Biden

A look at Biden's performances, onstage and in office, plus: France's real winner?; and an EV trade war is underway …

View this email in your browser  Insights, analysis and must reads from CNN's Fareed Zakaria and the Global Public Square team, compiled by Global Briefing editor Chris Good   Seeing this newsletter as a forward? Sign up here.   July 12, 2024 The Age of Biden President Joe Biden's press conference last night was fine, but it will not allay ongoing Democratic fears about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in November, writes Wall Street Journal senior political correspondent Molly Ball. It was sad to watch the truth unfold that Biden probably will not relinquish his position as the party's candidate, David Frum writes for The Atlantic.  At The New Yorker, Susan Glasser sums up the viewpoint of some Biden supporters: "[I]t was hard to imagine what the President could say that would satisfy nervous Democrats who are wondering whether he needs to pull the plug on his reelection campaign: I'm sorry? I'm going to do better? I quit? … [Biden] clearly still knows what he's talking about … He did not seem confused. Or dangerous. He digressed. He offered mini-lectures on investing in China, on the need for a new industrial policy in the West, and on the evils of trickle-down economics. But it is not what America needed to hear from him." Well before the disastrous debate performance, polling had already indicated many Americans thought Biden was too old to serve another four years, Glasser notes. "In other words, Biden and his party do not have a debate problem; they have a Biden problem, which the debate finally forced his party to confront." The contrast between Biden's knowledgeable substance and digressive style was sharp, Glasser writes. On the substance of Biden's presidency, a London Review of Books essay by Christian Lorentzen reprises three books about it: Franklin Foer's "The Last Politician," Chris Whipple's "The Fight of His Life," and Alexander Ward's "The Internationalists." The portrait Lorentzen draws is largely positive: Aside from the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan—a "lonely" policy position Biden had supported during the Obama presidency—Biden's Covid-19 rescue plan was "generous"; his infrastructure spending ambitiously incorporated ideas from the Democratic Party's left wing; and Ukraine's early, Western-backed defense against Russia was a success. "Whereas accounts of the Trump White House varied from clown show to cesspool, with backstabbing among hacks, mercenaries and scumbags, the histories of the Biden administration present a succession of earnest and credentialled professionals lining up to help the president better the country and the world," Lorentzen writes. The books don't really delve into Biden's age, Lorentzen writes, but he offers an original insight: "In retrospect Biden's advanced age was a political asset in 2020. By contrast with the sneering and erratic Trump, given to mocking the disabled and insulting anyone unlucky enough to be in his vicinity, here was a kindly and familiar old man who had suffered terrible personal tragedies … Broadcasting a socially distanced campaign from his Delaware basement, he appeared gentle and forgiving … just the man to heal the country after the devastation of the pandemic and the four-year reign of the American berserk." Judging by the new skepticism of Democrats and liberal commentators, Lorentzen hints, the advantage has reversed. France's Real Winner? Who won France's recent snap legislative election? President Emmanuel Macron claims no one did, Le Monde's Claire Gatinois and Nathalie Segaunes report dubiously, after a leftist coalition came in first, Macron's own centrist coalition in second, and the far-right Nationally Rally (RN) in third, none of them securing a majority. Macron's claim exacerbates France's political crisis over the muddled results and the resultant prospect of deadlock, Gatinois and Segaunes write. After the election, the dominant reaction appeared to be surprise and relief that the far right didn't surge ahead as predicted. In that way, one might say the winner was everyone but Marine Le Pen's RN, and in a Foreign Policy op-ed, Emile Chabal writes that the most important part of France's election was the apparent revival of the "front républicain," the term for disparate parts of the political spectrum uniting to block the far right. That was seen most notably in 2002, when voters rallied against far-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen and converged on right-leaning candidate Jacques Chirac, but Chabal notes that the "anti-fascist" force in French politics had seem to erode. With French voters having rejected the far right in multiple elections this century, Chabal writes, the latest proves the front républicain is back. After the RN succeeded in mobilizing some young people in its support, Chabal writes: "The struggle to contain the far-right in France is not an intergenerational clash between youthful liberals and reactionary boomers. If anything, old people are the least likely to vote for Marine Le Pen and her acolytes. In fact, young people are fighting for the political soul of their own generation." EV Showdown China is making electric vehicles cheaply, prompting fears in the West that those cars will flood markets. In a New York Times guest opinion essay in May, Gernot Wagner and Conor Walsh argued against steep new US tariffs on them, as "wealthy Americans are the only ones who can afford the electric vehicles currently on the market. … Low-cost Chinese models that lower- and middle-income Americans could afford—like BYD's Seagull, which runs for less than $10,000—aren't currently sold here largely because of tariffs over 25 percent. The new tariffs of 100 percent will make it even harder for these cars to compete in the U.S. market." Nikkei Asia's CK Tan reports that Chinese EV exports slid in June after the EU enacted new tariffs of up to 37.6%, and The Economist writes that the EV trade war "has begun. … On July 10th, days after the symbolic swipe of opening an anti-dumping probe into European brandy, China's ministry of commerce signalled it will not take the assault lying down. It says it will study whether the EU's tariffs create barriers to free trade. Western car companies with large Chinese businesses fear getting caught in the crossfire." Tesla faces the biggest risk, but so far it has been spared, The Economist writes—and that points to a conundrum facing China's leadership in Beijing: "On the one hand, it must appear tough on hostile foreign powers accusing Chinese companies of flooding markets with subsidised products. On the other, as China's economy slows, it is trying to signal that it remains open to foreign investment. In this context, a crackdown on one of the most prominent outside investors would send the wrong message." What did you think of today's newsletter? Send ideas, questions and feedback to globalbriefing@cnn.com   You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for Fareed's Global Briefing. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or sign up to manage your CNN account   Learn more about the CNN app |  Get CNN web alerts  |  Sign up for a free CNN account   ® © 2024 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. 1050 Techwood Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318