The Evening: Judge challenges Trump’s Harvard cuts
Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Monday.
A judge questioned Trump's Harvard cutsA federal judge voiced deep skepticism today of President Trump's efforts to strip Harvard of billions of dollars in research funding. The judge, Allison Burroughs, did not issue a ruling during a court hearing today in Boston. But she seemed far more receptive to Harvard's arguments, suggesting that the school might prevail in its legal battle against the government. Burroughs, for example, demanded to know how the Trump administration could reasonably tie withdrawal of medical research funding to concerns about the civil rights of Jews. She also appeared bothered by the administration's hurried approach, suggesting there were potentially "staggering" constitutional consequences if the government could punish a university without due process. In other Trump administration news:
Deadly shootings highlight the dangers of Gaza's power vacuumTwo separate episodes of Israeli soldiers firing on Palestinians at aid sites in Gaza over the weekend highlighted the accuracy of what experts have long predicted: that Gaza would descend into anarchy as long as there's a power vacuum. On Saturday, there was a deadly shooting at an Israel-backed aid site. On Sunday, there was another near a U.N. aid convoy. Dozens were killed in each incident, Gazan health authorities said. Backers of each system pointed to the other shooting as evidence of why that system didn't work, but experts said those arguments skirted a larger issue: Israel's leaders have refused to allow new governing structures to emerge. For more: About 700 people have been killed since May while trying to get aid from sites run by the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Here's what to know. In related news, Israel refused to renew the visa of a senior U.N. official who oversees humanitarian affairs in Gaza.
Disabled Americans fear what Medicaid cuts could doMedicaid is best known as a program for low-income people, but it is also a key vehicle by which many disabled Americans of varying income levels receive health care that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive. Now many of these Americans, and their families, fear that the services could be at risk because of the roughly $1 trillion in federal Medicaid spending cuts to come over the next 10 years, part of the sweeping policy bill that Trump signed into law this month. The White House insists that people with disabilities would not be affected, but health care experts disagree.
Japan's anti-establishment parties are resonatingIn yesterday's parliamentary elections in Japan, the biggest winners were two far-right parties that did not exist five years ago. In a humiliating defeat — and a sign of a growing generational gap — the long-governing broad-tent conservative Liberal Democrats lost its majority in both houses. Younger voters, in particular, seemed to embrace calls for lower taxes, restrictions on immigration and a break with the political status quo. More top news
Tennessee is always ready to celebrate Dolly PartonNashville might seem like an unusual place for a theater production, already aiming for a 2026 opening on Broadway, to hold its world premiere. Unless, of course, that show is the story of Dolly Parton. Few other artists have nurtured such a deeply personal relationship with their home state — or attained such levels of mythology. So when swarms of fans braved the city's steamy heat to witness the first public performance of "Dolly: A True Original Musical," they turned out in sparkling boots, sequined jackets, butterfly accessories and a blonde wig or two.
Mavis Pusey is not forgottenIn the 1970s and '80s, Mavis Pusey was a pioneer of abstraction and a full-fledged participant in New York City's milieu of Black innovators. Her work was inspired by the city's ever-changing condition. But then, in 1988, she left for rural Virginia and was nearly forgotten. No longer. "Mavis Pusey: Mobile Images," a survey of her work, is now on view at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia. The exhibition caps a decade of sleuth work through court files, eBay and antique dealers by curators who, starting with few leads, succeeded in locating her artwork.
Dinner table topics
Cook: Cool off with this tomato, olive and feta salad. Read: "Mailman" is a warm and lively memoir about working for the postal service. Listen: On Popcast, my colleagues discussed Justin Bieber's experimental seventh album. Wear: Our critic has tips for the perfect capsule wardrobe for traveling. Consider: Do you need to drink electrolytes? Test yourself: Take this week's Flashback history quiz. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Connections. Find all our games here.
A crossword for GoldilocksIn the classic fable "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," the fair-haired heroine enters the home of three bears and samples three bowls of porridge. One is too hot, one is too cold, but one is just right. We'd like to offer you a similar experience: a crossword that is just right. It's not too small, not too big, not too easy, not too hard. It's called the Midi, and it's designed to be more substantial than the incredibly popular Mini Crossword, but faster and less intimidating than the classic daily puzzle. Try out today's Midi. Have an accomplished evening. Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Matthew Philip Pacheco was our photo editor. We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com.
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