Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Friday.
The government is partially shutting down, againFunding for much of the Department of Homeland Security will very likely lapse just after midnight tonight. In fact, many lawmakers have already left Washington, apparently accepting that Democrats and Republicans will not soon compromise. The blasé attitude in the Capitol is a significant change in tone from past shutdowns, but it reflects the conviction of both parties that they are in the stronger political position. Democrats have insisted that the federal government place meaningful new limits on immigration officers — including an end to wearing masks — before they vote to fund D.H.S. They point to polls that show broad disapproval of ICE’s tactics, and some of their voters are demanding that they not back down. Republicans have roundly rejected many of their demands. They argue that voters support President Trump’s broader immigration plans, and that the White House’s plan to end its Minneapolis surge shows that the president is being responsive. Either way, the single-agency shutdown, which affects about 4 percent of the government, is not likely to notably affect ICE or Border Patrol, which received a huge amount of funds from an earlier bill. Instead, less controversial parts of D.H.S. could face challenges, like T.S.A., the Coast Guard and FEMA. In other immigration news:
Inflation eased more than expectedU.S. consumer prices were up 2.4 percent last month compared with the same time last year, according to a new government report. That was down from the previous 2.7 percent annual pace, offering an unexpectedly encouraging inflation signal. In other economic news, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, might not face criminal charges. He is pushing for the confirmation of Trump’s pick to replace Powell, Kevin Warsh.
Ocasio-Cortez looks for a bigger stage in MunichAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the House Democrat from New York, might seem like an odd fit for the Munich Security Conference, a gathering of foreign leaders focused on international security. But she spoke on a panel there today, tying worsening income inequality to the rise of authoritarianism. Other potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates traveled to Germany for the event, including the governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer and the senators Chris Murphy and Ruben Gallego. For more: The leaders of France and Germany spoke at the conference, delivering sweeping criticisms of Trump’s treatment of the trans-Atlantic alliance.
Gisèle Pelicot shares her storyGisèle Pelicot was at the center one of the most heinous sexual abuse trials in history. She was drugged and raped repeatedly by her husband, who invited dozens of other men into their bedroom to assault her. Pelicot could have kept the trial private, but she decided to forgo anonymity and became a feminist icon. Last month, in her first interview with an American media outlet, Pelicot sat down with my colleague Lulu Garcia-Navarro in Paris and gave a candid and emotional account of her marriage, the trial and the impact of the revelations on herself, her family and the world. Watch it here or read the biggest takeaways from the conversation. (The paywall for the interview was removed for readers of this newsletter.) More top news
Amtrak trains have long been criticized for slow, outdated cars. In the video below, my colleague Gabe Castro-Root took an inside look at the new fleet that’s supposed to change that.
She wants to dress the new New York womanEuropean fashion brands like Chanel often outlive their founders, but not so much in the U.S. So when the founders of Proenza Schouler left after two decades, it gave Rachel Scott, the feted young designer behind Diotima, a rare chance to make it her own. It’s also a chance for Proenza Schouler to expand beyond its reputation as a New York art-set darling. Will it work? Vanessa Friedman reviewed her first show. Who’s got next?: These five women lead independent labels that center handicraft.
The magic of a grand romantic gestureRelationships are built on the little things: a quick peck, a brief apology, engaged listening. But on occasion, a big romantic gesture can feel especially thoughtful. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked Times readers to share moments when they felt truly swept off their feet. Here are excerpts from some of our favorites: Every year for 57 years, he sent me flowers. She had me close my eyes and came back with a simple rocking chair. We sat on the snow and had a picnic in the glow of moonlight and candles. Check them all out here, or read about the unofficial love languages that we use to show our partners that we care.
Dinner table topics
|
