Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Wednesday.
Democrats won big in last night's electionsAbortion rights and marijuana legalization prevailed in Ohio. Democrats held the governor's mansion in Kentucky, took full control of the General Assembly in Virginia and won a Supreme Court election in Pennsylvania. They were even competitive in Mississippi. In other words, Election Day 2023 was one for Democrats to celebrate. Abortion rights emerged yet again as a reliable tool for Democrats to garner widespread support, even in states that typically vote for Republicans, and they will be sure to emphasize the issue in 2024. However, as my colleague Nate Cohn said, "Tuesday's results don't change the picture for President Biden heading into 2024." Nate explained that Democratic candidates and liberal causes have won with support from the kinds of voters who have soured on Biden in recent polls. Those issues could ultimately help Biden win again, but the party may still have a Biden problem. In local news, conservative activists for parental rights lost in several school board races.
The F.D.A. approved a new obesity drugThe Food and Drug Administration announced today that it had approved a drug that was shown in trials to reduce patients' weight by as much as one-fifth. The drug, which will be sold under the name Zepbound, is already sold as the diabetes treatment Mounjaro. Here's how it works.
Ukraine is seeking more female troopsAfter 20 months of full-scale war, the fighting in Ukraine has bogged down in vicious battles of attrition. To replenish its troops, the Ukrainian Army is taking steps to recruit more women, such as introducing a uniform designed specifically for them. In related news, the E.U.'s executive arm recommended that the bloc open membership talks with Ukraine.
What's next for Israel and Gaza?As the Israeli military pushes further into Gaza, Antony Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, said today that the enclave should be unified with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority after the war. When and if that could happen remains unclear, so we asked Patrick Kingsley, The Times's Jerusalem bureau chief, what he is expecting. Here's what Patrick said: If Israel continues as planned with its invasion, the next few weeks could be the bloodiest of the war so far. Already, roughly 1,400 Israelis and over 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza. That death toll could rise once Israel starts fighting in earnest within the urban warren that is Gaza City, which is Hamas's stronghold and the primary target of Israel's invasion. Once Israeli forces enter Gaza City en masse, we will see very intense urban warfare, in part because this is Hamas's home turf. It's where they have built and dug hundreds of miles of tunnels from which they can emerge and launch ambushes that will stymie the Israeli army's progress. The biggest question is what Israel's army will do once they reach the hospitals in central Gaza City, which they claim are the headquarters of Hamas's military command. Hamas denies that claim, but Israel is adamant that is where Hamas's leadership is hiding. While Israel hasn't clearly said this, the implication is that it is going to have to take over these hospitals to complete its goal of removing Hamas from the Gaza Strip. Doing so would involve fierce fighting in a location that is supposed to be off limits during a war. For more, here are Patrick's full comments on what might lie ahead. Also, my colleagues Ben Hubbard and Maria Abi-Habib explained why Hamas carried out its bloody Oct. 7 attack. More top news
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The easiest houseplantBromeliads can adapt to low light and don't require frequent watering, but will flower anyway. They derive sustenance not from the ground but from the atmosphere, and from other living organisms. Many plant experts say they are the easiest houseplants. And there's no shortage of bromeliads to choose from: There are roughly 3,500 species, and probably 100,000 hybrids. If you're new to houseplants, Angel Lara, a tropical plant expert, suggests ones that are neither too big nor too prickly, like the pink quill bromeliad.
How to understand the youngest generationAs Gen Z did before them, members of Gen Alpha (those born around 2010 and later) have come up with their own slang, often derived from what's popular on social media. My colleague Madison Malone Kircher talked to several youths to help us translate. For example, when 11-year-olds say rizzler, they're talking about someone who is good at flirting.
Dinner table topics
Cook: This baked salmon is an easy weeknight hit. Watch: The Country Music Awards are tonight. Here's what else is on TV this week. Read: "What's Cooking in the Kremlin" explores Russian history through its food. Listen: Our music critics picked seven new songs worth listening to. Refrigerate: Pasta and rice may be healthier as leftovers. Here's why. Plan: Consider a trip to a historic observatory — many still have wonders to share. Warm up: As chilly weather approaches, we picked gifts for people who are always cold. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all our games here.
The pandas leave WashingtonThe National Zoo has panda posters, panda ice cream and a team of employees dedicated to panda care. But as of today, the zoo no longer has any giant pandas. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who had lived there since 2000, and their 3-year-old cub, Xiao Qi Ji, left Washington today with 220 pounds of bamboo on a 19-hour journey to China. Their departure could be the end of 50 years of panda diplomacy, which began in 1972 when Patricia Nixon, the first lady, mentioned her fondness for pandas and China quickly sent two to Washington. Many American fans are saddened by the pandas' departure, but zoo officials said they were at ages (25 and 26) that were appropriate for them to return to China, where they will join about 150 other pandas in a lush nature preserve. Have a cute evening. Thanks for reading. James Gregg was our photo editor today. I'll be back tomorrow. — Matthew We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com.
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Wednesday, November 8, 2023
The Evening: A big night for Democrats
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