Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Thursday.
Mexico released dozens of cartel figures into U.S. custodyThe Mexican government sent nearly 30 significant cartel operatives to the U.S., where American authorities have been seeking to charge them in federal courts. Among those flown to the U.S. today was Rafael Caro Quintero, a founding member of the Sinaloa drug cartel who was convicted in Mexico of having masterminded the 1985 murder of the D.E.A. agent Enrique Camarena. For decades, American officials have obsessed over getting hold of him. The transfer came as a high-level delegation from Mexico arrived in Washington to meet with senior U.S. officials on a security agreement at a moment of tension between the nations. It was hailed in American law enforcement circles as a major victory and a clear signal that Mexico's president planned to cooperate with the Trump administration in cracking down on the cartels. Inside the White House, there are also tensions. Some U.S. officials have pushed for unilateral military action against the cartels. Others have argued for increased partnership with the Mexican government, in part to ensure cooperation on migration.
The Pentagon said it would push out transgender troopsThe Trump administration released a memo last night declaring that transgender troops would be forced out of the military. An earlier executive order by President Trump had asserted that being transgender "conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful and disciplined lifestyle." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described trans troops as "weird" and "a distraction." Some service members are challenging the policy in court. My colleague Dave Philipps interviewed dozens of transgender service members — three pilots, an explosives expert, a special operations officer, a nuclear reactor supervisor and others — who said their military experience looked nothing like the portrayal of them in the political arena. Read about their experience.
Southeast Asia's scam centers keep flourishingHundreds of people were rescued in recent days from forced-labor facilities in Myanmar that were dedicated to a multibillion-dollar industry of online scams. Tens of thousands more remain imprisoned in the fraud factories, many lured by false promises of good-paying jobs in I.T., engineering or customer service. The rescue missions were described as a major blow to the industry. But as Hannah Beech, our correspondent in Thailand, reported, the enormous business of grift keeps growing. For more: One of the rescued workers described being tortured for not reaching targets. "All I did was scam and sleep," he said.
New A.I. tools can turn anyone into a coderOver the last couple of years, I've heard from readers who question the significance of artificial intelligence: Sure it's powerful, but when would I use it? If that might be you, our tech columnist Kevin Roose recommends "vibecoding" — a word for the way relatively new A.I. tools can allow just about anyone to build fully functioning apps and websites. For example, one A.I. tool built Kevin an app to help him decide what to pack for his son's school lunch. Here's how to get started. More top news
Remembering Gene HackmanGene Hackman, who never fit the mold of a Hollywood movie star but became one all the same, has died at 95. Authorities found the bodies of Hackman; his wife, Betsy Arakawa; and a German shepherd at their home in New Mexico. Here's what we know about the circumstances of their deaths. Onscreen, Hackman could be both paternal and terrifying, and had the ability to almost goad you into liking otherwise despicable men. He won two Oscars, and he was hailed for his performances in films like "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven." Here's where you can stream some of his hits. Also, check out his life in images.
Original looks in MilanSo far, this fashion season has seemed to be as much about the designers as it has been about the clothes. Gucci just showed off a collection without a designer, and another pair of creative directors — the husband-and-wife team at Jil Sander — just announced their departure. Luckily, my colleague Vanessa Friedman said that there had been at least two fresh ideas at Milan Fashion Week. Diesel's show was an inventive view of the classics, Friedman said in a review, and Marni riffed on the building blocks of wardrobe. Both took risks and let their imaginations go. The big talker: Diesel presented rear-end-revealing men's jeans. Would you wear them?
Dinner table topics
Cook: Celebrate Mardi Gras with homemade beignets. Watch: Here are three great documentaries to stream. Read: Our critic picked 10 books to help you get through winter, including "Every Summer After." Listen: Check out these five new classical music albums. Exercise: The run-walk method can benefit people of all fitness levels. Clean: Letting go of sentimental objects is hard. Here's how to start. Hunt: Which New Orleans home would you buy with a budget of $1 million? Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here.
She helped Japanese food flourish in AmericaWhen Saori Kawano arrived in New York City in 1978, most Americans' ideas of Japanese food ended at instant ramen and onion volcanoes. Since then, if you've enjoyed hand-cut soba noodles or an omakase dinner, or stocked your kitchen with a Japanese knife, you can probably thank her. Kawano has been teaching American chefs about the precise pleasures of Japanese cuisine for decades. She began by cold-calling buyers and insisting that they order authentic bowls and plates. Now, she's the main supplier of Japanese knives and tableware for several of New York's finest restaurants. Have an influential 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.
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