Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Thursday.
Intel agencies are racing to evaluate Iran’s nuclear programThe Pentagon’s top leaders held a news conference today to celebrate the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, said it took 15 years of planning to execute the strikes, which were carried out by pilots in seven B-2 bombers that launched 30,000-pound weapons down Iran’s ventilation shafts. When asked whether the military believed that the nuclear sites had been obliterated, as President Trump has repeatedly claimed, Caine said he would leave that to the intelligence community. Standing beside Caine, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the initial assessment from his department’s intelligence agency, which suggested that Iran’s program was set back only a few months, was a “low confidence” report. Hegseth instead highlighted comments from the head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, who said that the centrifuges at the Fordo uranium enrichment plant in Iran are “no longer operational.” In a video message that appeared to be his first public statement since the strikes, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, congratulated Iranians for what he called a victory over Israel and the U.S. Khamenei, 86, had not been heard from publicly in a week, raising questions about his health and whereabouts.
Justices made it easier for states to defund Planned ParenthoodThe Supreme Court ruled today that Planned Parenthood cannot sue South Carolina over its effort to deny Medicaid funding to the group. The decision — backed by all six conservative justices and opposed by all three liberals — could make it easier for other states to follow South Carolina. The justices also sided today with a Texas death row prisoner who has sought DNA testing to try to prove he did not kill an 85-year-old woman. For more: Tomorrow is the final day of the court’s term. It still has several major cases to decide. Looking back: Today marked 10 years since the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationally, and there are signs that it could come under legal attack. We talked to people whose lives were changed by the decision.
Violence has frequently erupted near aid sites in GazaA month after the launch of a new Israeli-backed aid system for Gaza, reaching the heavily guarded distribution points has become a life-risking endeavor for Palestinians. The Gaza Health Ministry said that hundreds of people have been killed near the aid hubs. Witnesses have reported that Israeli troops opened fire near the aid hubs, which are part of a new system that Israel has said is necessary to prevent Hamas from benefiting from the distribution of food and aid. The Israeli military has said repeatedly that its forces fired “warning shots” when people approached in a threatening manner.
The trial of Sean Combs is coming to a closeA prosecutor used her closing argument today to portray Sean Combs, the famed music producer, as the leader of a criminal enterprise that carried out a series of crimes over more than a decade, including sex trafficking, drug distribution, arson, bribery and kidnapping. Combs has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers are expected to deliver their defense tomorrow. Here’s what we learned from the closing argument. More top news
Cars The U.S. government subsidizes cars with stop-start features, which save 5 to 10 percent on fuel use. But a lot of people hate them. In this video, Ben Blatt explains why.
Faith Kipyegon took a shot at historyThe four-minute mile was once an unimaginable feat. Then, in 1954, Roger Bannister broke the barrier and nearly 2,100 men have since followed him. No woman has ever run that fast. Today, the Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon sought to change that. She teamed up with Nike — who made her bespoke running spikes, a speed suit and a 3D-printed bra — and she ran for the history books. Kipyegon came up short, but her time, 4:06.42, was the fastest mile ever run by a woman. And after the race, Kipyegon seemed happy. Perhaps her accomplishment was proving that it was possible, she said. The Athletic looked at the science behind her attempt.
A secret weapon for Frank Lloyd Wright’s biggest fansAs the pre-eminent American architect of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright designed many famous buildings, including the Guggenheim Museum. But he is also responsible for hundreds of lesser-known works that serve as privately owned residences. And while it’s easy to see the appeal in owning a Wright home, there are challenges. For example, it’s always difficult to find someone who can faithfully repair such heavily custom structures. Luckily, there’s a conservancy whose job it is to preserve the buildings and to serve as a support group of sorts for Wright owners.
Dinner table topics
Cook: This chocolate chia pudding is an ideal grab-and-go breakfast. Watch: In “My Mom Jayne,” Mariska Hargitay sets out to learn about her mother, Jayne Mansfield. Read: Want to escape reality? Try one of these books. Listen: On our critic Wesley Morris’s new podcast, “Cannonball,” he argues that we don’t talk enough about Bruno Mars. Snack: These are the 21 best croissants in New York City. Exercise: We asked fitness experts whether weighted vests are worth the hype. Hunt: Which New Mexico home would you buy with an $800,000 budget? Play: Here are today’s Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. |
