Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Tuesday.
U.S. and Iran tamp down heated rhetoricPresident Trump said today that he hoped the war with Iran would soon be in the “rearview mirror.” He described the new Iranian leadership as “very rational,” and promised to release the still-secret terms of the U.S.-Iran agreement within days. A top Iranian official also called on Iranians to respect the outcome of the talks, an apparent effort to contain hard-line opposition. The two sides are set to gather at the lakeside resort of Bürgenstock in Switzerland on Friday to sign their initial deal, which starts a 60-day cease-fire. Iran said it would then immediately begin negotiating a comprehensive agreement, which would include plans for Iran’s nuclear program. It is unclear whether Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia in Lebanon, will complicate the talks. Iran says that Israel’s forces are supposed to withdraw from Lebanon under the deal, but Israel has said it would not do so. Trump said today that Israel was being overly aggressive and that “too many people are being killed.” For more:
Today’s primaries will test Trump’s sway in the SouthRepublican voters in Georgia went to the polls today to select between an immigration hard-liner backed by Trump and a former football coach supported by the state’s popular governor. The primary runoff, to run for a U.S. Senate seat, is the marquee contest of the day; the winner will challenge Senator Jon Ossoff, who was once considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent but has proved to be a formidable candidate. Voters in Alabama and Oklahoma are also voting today in contested primaries where the president endorsed a candidate. We’re tracking the results from all of the key races here. In other politics news: Vice President JD Vance, who is presumed to be an early front-runner in the 2028 presidential race, is out today with a new memoir. In it, he discusses his criticisms, regrets and guiding principles. Here are our takeaways.
Judge blocks a law criminalizing transgender bathroom useIdaho cannot immediately enforce a new state law that makes it a crime for people to use restrooms that do not match their sex at birth in public buildings or private businesses. A federal judge blocked the law, which was set to go into effect in July, ruling today that the law was likely to be unconstitutional because it would require individual officers to make subjective decisions. The Idaho statute had been seen as the most restrictive measure on this issue in the country. People faced up to five years in prison for violating it.
Did Jeffrey Epstein kill himself?Today, The Times published the fullest investigation to date into the death of Jeffrey Epstein. It’s a subject that has fueled intrigue and suspicions for years; many people do not believe the official account that Epstein had killed himself in federal custody. A team of Times reporters sought out every bit of evidence they could. They obtained documents; interviewed inmates, jail employees and federal officials; and digitally reconstructed Epstein’s cell. Their new reporting points to suicide. Read it all here. More top newsTrump Administration
Other Big Stories
The most interesting fashion choices at the World Cup, so farThe Congolese national team caught the fashion world's attention when members showed up in Houston wearing leopard-embellished suits and carrying leopard bags. My stylish colleague Jacob Gallagher also pointed out the impressive three-piece suit Japan’s manager wore despite the sweltering Texas heat. And, of course, there’s Merlin the Duck, who wears a Mexico jersey. On the field, I was intrigued by how many players are wearing pink cleats. It turns out, nearly every major brand chose the color for the tournament, in part because they hope the bright color will boost player confidence. For more:
Young travelers are flocking to UzbekistanCentral Asia has emerged in recent years as a popular destination for travelers looking to go on a relatively affordable vacation with fewer crowds and tourist traps. Nowhere in the region has gained more attention than Uzbekistan, which has been making it easier for Americans to visit. To see whether it’s worth the hype, my colleague Gabe Castro-Root took the 12-hour flight from New York to Uzbekistan and spent nine days exploring the country. He was welcomed into a stranger’s home in the ancient city of Khiva, and he learned how to weave a rug in Bukhara. Read more about how it went.
Dinner table topics
Cook: The comedian Bowen Yang shared his mom’s recipe for mapo tofu. Enjoy Ellen Reid’s “Earth Between Oceans” and other great new classical music. |
