Today's Headlines: ‘Flying Blind’: Trump Strips Government of Expertise at a High-Stakes Moment

Newsom Signs California Redistricting Plan to Counter Texas Republicans

View in browser August 22, 2025, 4:10 a.m. Eastern time Top News 'Flying Blind': Trump Strips Government of Expertise at a High-Stakes Moment President Trump has few sources of independent advice just as he is trying to broker an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, perhaps the trickiest negotiation of his presidency. Newsom Signs California Redistricting Plan to Counter Texas Republicans Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic state lawmakers moved quickly to create new districts that could help their party flip five congressional seats. Their plan still requires voter approval. Noem's Spending Rule Causes Delays at Homeland Security Dept. The secretary's requirement that she personally approve any expense over $100,000 has created a backlog of "mission critical" contracts, records show. Editors' Picks Peace Changed the Village Where War Changed Me Fifteen years after a combat photographer lost his legs to a land mine, he returned to the place in Afghanistan where it happened. Opinion | I'm a Conservative. My Disabled Son Needs Medicaid to Live. The uncertainty around the future of Medicaid is paralyzing for families like mine. World Trump's Bold Talk Aside, Russia and Ukraine Remain Miles Apart on Peace Nearly a week after President Trump's Alaska summit, his suggestions of imminent breakthroughs have not come to pass. U.S. Kills Islamic State Operative in Rare Raid in Syria The Pentagon provided few details about the operation. But counterterrorism raids — as opposed to airstrikes — typically involve helicopter-borne commandos. He Asked Tiffany Trump to Marry Him. Then the Deals Started Coming. A Times investigation found that Michael Boulos and his family benefited financially from proximity to his in-laws for years. See more world news U.S. After being denied parole, Erik Menendez still has other pathways to freedom. One legal avenue the Menendez brothers have pursued remains open to them: a habeas petition, which is a vehicle for challenging unlawful detentions. Hurricane Erin Is Heading Out to Sea. People Are Riveted Anyway. The Category 2 hurricane isn't expected to make landfall. Still, it's drawing notice as the first named storm to reach hurricane strength this year. Judge Orders That 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Center Be Shut Down for Now A judge ruled that the state and federal governments acted illegally by not conducting an environmental review before building the center in the Florida Everglades. See more U.S. news Politics Divided Court Eliminates Trump's Half-Billion-Dollar Fine in Fraud Case New York appeals judges said that the judgment was excessive, but agreed to uphold the case so the appeal could continue. Trump's Attacks on Fed Overshadow a Critical Moment for the Central Bank The president's calls for Lisa Cook, a Fed governor, to resign are diverting attention from economic issues as top central bankers from around the world gather in Jackson, Wyo. Taking on the Fed, Trump Combines Retribution Tactics With a Power Play The president's second term has been marked by his eagerness to go after his foes and his assertions of presidential authority. Both traits are on display as he seeks control over the central bank. See more political news Business Powell Is on the Cusp of Taking a Big Gamble With the U.S. Economy Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, is managing a high-stakes balancing act as he grapples with a cooling labor market, rising inflation and White House pressure to cut interest rates. The Trade That Binds the Indian and American Economies President Trump focuses on the trade in manufactured goods, where India sells more to the U.S. than it buys. But the countries share a balanced trade in services. Walmart Sees Sales 'Momentum' Despite Tariffs After mixed reports from retail rivals, Walmart reported better-than-expected quarterly results and raised its sales forecast for the year. See more business news Technology Apple Fitness Chief Accused of Toxic Workplace Culture and Harassment Workers say the executive was volatile and retaliated when they cooperated with an investigation. Apple denies the claims. What Matters More to the Stock Market? The Fed or Nvidia? When Nvidia, the chip producer, reports earnings next week, investors expect the S&P 500 to have a bigger reaction than when the Fed chair delivers a big speech on Friday. See more technology news Arts At First, It Was Beachy. Then It Became a New York City Dance. The choreographer Kim Brandt brings "Wayward," an expansive new dance, to Rockaway (the beach and the town) as part of Beach Sessions. A Giant Wyeth Mural Comes Out of the Vault, Bearing Family Stories N.C. Wyeth's colossal 1932 mural, "Apotheosis of the Family," re-emerges in a gleaming new round barn after years in storage. 'The Beatles Anthology' Expands With a 9th Episode and 4th Volume This episode goes behind the scenes of the 1995 documentary; new mixes of "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" are coming out; and an updated book is due. See more arts news New York As Adams Tries to Run on His Record, Scandals Keep Swirling Around Him Mayor Eric Adams of New York has sought to argue that his first-term wins have earned him the right to serve a second. But he cannot shake the stench of corruption around his administration. Across 5 Indictments, Prosecutors Paint a Picture of a City for Sale Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the former chief adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, is accused of taking bribes in exchange for acting on behalf of favor-seekers across New York City. Judge Says Habba Has Served as U.S. Attorney Without Legal Authority Defense lawyers had questioned whether Alina Habba, a Trump loyalist, was legally authorized to run the U.S. attorney's office in New Jersey. See more New York news Food Pretty Peach Ricotta Cake, Please Yossy Arefi's simple but stunning cake has peaches both on the top and scattered throughout the batter (because peaches). You Say Tomato, I Say Bingo Tomato Cheddar toasts, dumpling tomato salad, best gazpacho — you can't lose with these tomato dishes. See more food news Well What Sport Psychologists Want You to Know About Mental Toughness These coaches help professional athletes achieve their goals through mental preparation — and they could help you, too. 4 Surprising Ways Healthy Heart Habits Benefit Your Whole Body A new review shows that the benefits of cardiovascular health extend from head to toe. See more on Well Real Estate Spike in Florida Condo Supply Is Creating a Buyers' Market Inspections mandated after a 2021 building collapse have led to expensive repair costs, forcing many to list their units. Homes for Sale in New York and Connecticut This week's properties are a five-bedroom 1920 house in Hastings-on-Hudson, and a four-bedroom farmhouse in Redding. Making the Most of Their Second Chance in the Bay Area After the pandemic forced them to leave Oakland, Calif., a couple returned five years later to realize their dream of owning a home there. Would $600,000 be enough? See more real estate news Fashion & Style They're Rich, They Travel and They Love to Complain A Birkin bag overnighted to Capri. A pink Brabus sports car for a Gen Z birthday party. Olivia Ferney, a travel agent to the ultrawealthy, has heard it all. How Fast Should Your 12-Year-Old Throw? It's a paradox that parents of talented kids face. Their children could become really good at something they love. They could also get hurt. See more fashion news T Magazine Bright Tiles Inspired by Cities Around the World Plus: cinnamon buns in New York's East Village, the Athens neighborhood attracting artists and more recommendations from T Magazine. A Painting That Captures London at Dusk Cece Philips discusses works by Barkley L. Hendricks and Edward Hopper, as well as one of her own new pieces, which depicts a solitary moment at the end of the day. A Coney Island Fixture, With Baked Clams and Housemade Mozzarella For nearly 120 years, Gargiulo's has attracted those in search of classic southern Italian cooking and a festive, familial atmosphere. See more on T Magazine Obituaries James Dobson, Influential Leader of the Religious Right, Dies at 89 The founder of the evangelical group Focus on the Family, he spent decades denouncing what he saw as the unraveling of the social order. Sonallah Ibrahim, Egyptian Novelist of Irony and Dissent, Dies at 88 Starting with "That Smell" in 1966, he wrote with stark power about themes of repression in the Egyptian police state. Frank Caprio, Kind Judge of 'Caught in Providence,' Dies at 88 Judge Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode Island, became a social media star for courtroom videos that viewers said showed his compassion in the courtroom. See more Obituaries Opinion David Brooks The Rise of Right-Wing Nihilism Rather than conserve or build, some people just want to destroy. Lydia Polgreen Israel Says It Killed a Hamas Commander. It Killed a Pulitzer-Winning Journalist. The killing of Anas al-Sharif marks an ominous new phase of the war in Gaza. Guest Essay 3 Experts on What Trump Is Doing to the Economy What do data integrity, tariffs, inflation and debt add up to? Guest Essay Here's What Happened When I Made My College Students Put Away Their Phones Let's go back to the good old days when students had only flip phones and were learning more. Guest Essay The Folly of Trump's Cartel-Bombing Fantasy A U.S. strike on cartels in Mexico won't fix the deep problems that allow organized crime to flourish. Guest Essay How We Got Young People to Like Theater Williamstown Theater Festival gets a reboot. See more Opinion If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Today's Headlines from The New York Times. To stop receiving Today's Headlines, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. 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