Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday.
Obamacare prices are set to increase significantlyNext year’s Obamacare prices are now public. For many of the 20 million Americans who are covered by the health insurance plans, they will cost a lot more. But the most consequential factor in what most people covered by Obamacare will pay is the expiration of generous subsidies at the end of the year. The funding helped make insurance effectively free for poorer Americans, and offered financial help for people earning more than four times as much as the federal poverty level. The vast majority of those insured by Obamacare — everyone except a small group of higher earning ranchers, farmers, entrepreneurs and early retirees — will still qualify for some federal help, but most at a lower level than they have for the last few years. Now, those subsidies are at the center of the standoff over the government shutdown. Democrats say they will only vote to reopen the government if it is paired with an extension of the Obamacare subsidies. Republicans say they are open to discussion an extension, but only after the government is reopened. As the shutdown heads into its fifth week, Democrats are betting that Republicans will be shaken from their position by the increasing health care costs. Republicans are hoping that the impending expiration of food stamps will force Democrats to vote to reopen the government. Right now, it’s not clear if either side will end the impasse.
Trump will soon meet with XiLate tonight, President Trump is scheduled to sit down with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, for the most significant meeting of his six-day trip across Southeast Asia. (See photos of the trip.) The talks, which will take place on Thursday morning in South Korea, are expected to focus on the U.S.-China trade relationship, which has further deteriorated since Trump took office. They may agree on a truce that their aides hammered out a few days ago. Earlier today, after Trump met with South Korea’s leader, Lee Jae Myung, South Korean officials said they had reached a trade agreement with the U.S., securing concessions on tariffs and American investments. In other Trump administration news:
After deadly strikes, Israel said it will resume cease-fireIsraeli strikes killed at least 100 people across Gaza overnight, including 35 children, according to local officials. The strikes began after Israel accused Hamas of violating the truce by failing to return the bodies of dead hostages and killing one of its soldiers. Hamas denied the accusations. By today, Israeli officials said the cease-fire was back on. In related news: Footage analyzed by my colleagues showed what appeared to be Hamas members staging the recovery of a hostage’s remains.
The Caribbean begins to assess damage from MelissaHurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica and Cuba with high winds and heavy rain. It has now been downgraded to a Category 1 storm, but it still has the strength to do significant damage as it heads north toward the Bahamas. Damage has been difficult to assess, though initial images show widespread destruction. In Jamaica, four people died in St. Elizabeth Parish, one of the hardest-hit areas; officials said they were working to restore power and telecommunication to better evaluate the aftermath. In Haiti, the storm flooded more than 160 homes and killed about 20 people. Follow here for the latest updates, and track where Melissa is headed. More top news
Helen DeWitt’s new book almost drove her to despairAbout 25 years ago, Helen DeWitt started writing a highly anticipated book. She had just dazzled the literary world with her debut, “The Last Samurai,” which critics consider among the best books of the century. But soon after, DeWitt disappeared from the literary scene, had a breakdown, attempted suicide and entered into a psychiatric ward. Eventually, DeWitt teamed up with a former tabloid journalist to finish her book. The result, “Your Name Here,” almost defies description. It is a needling satire of consumerism; a self-referential work of autofiction about art and language; and a collagelike homage to iconoclasts like Italo Calvino. Ahead of its release this week, DeWitt talked to my colleague Alexandra Alter about why she still can’t tell if the book is genius or a mess.
What can we learn from very old whales?Bowhead whales are incredible animals. They inhabit the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean, they weigh as much as 88 tons and they can live as long as 268 years. Today, scientists published a new study offering a clue as to why they live so long: They are extraordinarily good at fixing damaged DNA. Now, those researchers are investigating whether a certain protein in bowhead whales could help extend human longevity.
Dinner table topics
Cook: This vibrant green rice dish delivers layers of flavor. Watch: The strange but enchanting “Practical Magic” is the perfect good-bad movie for October. Travel: Some guides are adapting their offerings to allow you to feel like less of a tourist. Wear: Our critic has costume tips for those of us who hate dressing up. Consider: We asked experts for tips for healthy snacking. Move: This yoga routine offers a boost. |
