Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Wednesday.
A feud between Trump and Ukraine's leader escalatedPresident Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine traded barbs today in a demonstration of the remarkable deterioration of the U.S.-Ukraine alliance. First, Zelensky summoned reporters to his office in Kyiv in part to reject Trump's false claim that Ukraine had started the war. The Ukrainian leader offered some of his most overt criticism yet of the U.S. president, saying that Trump was living in a "web of disinformation." In a social media post littered with falsehoods, Trump responded that Zelensky was a "dictator without elections" who took money from the U.S. to go to war with Russia and "has done a terrible job." He also suggested that Ukraine's future security would not be the America's problem. "We have a big, beautiful Ocean as separation," Trump said. The comments were the latest move in what Peter Baker, our chief White House correspondent, described as "one of the most jaw-dropping pivots in American foreign policy in generations." Trump, as Peter explained, has made clear that he is essentially done viewing Russia as a adversary. In Ukraine, Trump's comments have left many people stunned and disillusioned. In Russia, residents expressed optimism — even glee — that their country's shunning would soon end.
Trump moved to end New York's congestion tollsLikening himself to a king on social media, Trump declared this afternoon that "congestion pricing is dead" after his administration said that it intended to revoke federal approval of New York City's new tolls. The president had campaigned on ending the program, which for the last month has charged drivers $9 to enter Manhattan's busiest streets. In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the president's transportation secretary outlined Trump's objections to the program, including the cost to working-class motorists. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority immediately challenged the move in federal court.
A judge weighed dropping Adams caseA federal judge in Manhattan asked a top Justice Department official during a hearing today to defend the Trump administration's decision to dismiss corruption charges against Eric Adams, the New York City's mayor. The official, Emil Bove III, said it was "a standard exercise of prosecutorial discretion," and that the charges impeded Adams's ability to aid Trump's program of mass deportation. The judge, Dale Ho, asked for patience as he considers the request to drop the case. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams, said she would wait for the judge to make a decision before determining whether to act. For more: Many New Yorkers have soured on Adams.
Microsoft said it created a new state of matterMicrosoft is on a mission to make a powerful quantum computer that could accelerate the development of batteries, medicines, artificial intelligence and more. As part of that quest, the company's scientists announced today that they had created a new state of matter which is not solid, liquid or gas. Using that new state of matter, they constructed a "topological qubit," which is a combination of a semiconductor and a superconductor. Our tech reporter Cade Metz explained how that works. More top news
'The Pitt' is the talk of real-life hospital breakroomsMost nurses and doctors learned long ago not to expect reality from medical dramas, which tend to go heavy on the drama, and light on the medicine. That's exactly why so many of them can't stop talking about "The Pitt." The show, streaming on Max and starring the "ER" veteran Noah Wyle, has broken away from the pack largely because of its unusual accuracy. Some doctors love it; others say the realism can be overwhelming. "There are moments when I literally feel like I'm watching a shift at work," one physician said. "Sometimes I have to turn it off and put on 'Lost.'"
Is there a perfect effort level for exercise?Some health and longevity enthusiasts swear by "Zone 2" training — which typically involves long and relatively easy workouts. They argue that it's the perfect level to boost mitochondrial health, but many experts dispute that. The real magic of Zone 2 is less scientific and more psychological: If slow and steady is more enjoyable for you, you're more likely to exercise on a regular basis.
Dinner table topics
Cook: You can transform a store-bought rotisserie chicken into a healthy dinner. Here are 10 ways. Watch: "Pedro Páramo" is one of this month's best under-the-radar streaming picks. Listen: Our critic made a playlist inspired by Lucy Sante's latest book. Design: Upgrade your living space by mixing styles. Consider: It is safe to eat runny yolks? We asked experts. Compete: How many hidden book titles can you find in this puzzle? Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here.
These shiny socks have attracted a cultlike followingThey look like deflated foil balloons, they make a crackling sound when slipped on and they cost about $50 a pair. But Maria La Rosa's ribbed laminated socks have converted many wearers into devotees. The colorful socks are made of silk and coated with foil, which makes them somewhat stiff until they are broken in. "They're socks you want to be noticed," said Eliza Rauscher, a real estate agent who likes to wear them while showing properties. Have a lavish 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. A correction: Yesterday's newsletter misstated the weather forecast in the Northern Plains. Wind chills as low as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit were expected, not 60 degrees.
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