https://www.nytimes.com en-us Copyright 2026 The New York Times Company Wed, 20 May 2026 23:16:15 +0000 Wed, 20 May 2026 23:09:17 +0000 https://static01.nyt.com/images/misc/NYT_logo_rss_250x40.png https://www.nytimes.com https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/trump-fund-legal-questions.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/trump-fund-legal-questions.html The deal the president reached with his own subordinates relies on a mechanism created by Congress that legal experts had warned was subject to manipulation. Adam Liptak Wed, 20 May 2026 19:57:13 +0000 United States Politics and Government Federal Aid (US) Compensation for Damages (Law) Federal Budget (US) Law and Legislation Suits and Litigation (Civil) Presidential Power (US) Courts and the Judiciary Trump Tax Returns Internal Revenue Service Justice Department Supreme Court (US) Trump, Donald J Eric Lee for The New York Times The addendum to the federal government’s settlement with President Trump flirted with a grave question: Can the president pardon himself? https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/trump-fund-explainer.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/trump-fund-explainer.html The fund that could offer payouts to Trump allies who accuse the government of mistreatment is not only highly unusual but also appears to violate the administration’s own policies. Devlin Barrett Wed, 20 May 2026 22:41:44 +0000 United States Politics and Government Suits and Litigation (Civil) Compensation for Damages (Law) Justice Department Treasury Department Adams, Eric L Blanche, Todd (Attorney) Bondi, Pamela J Hoft, Jim Trump, Donald J Eric Lee/The New York Times On Pam Bondi’s first day as attorney general in February 2025, she signed a directive that appeared to prohibit the kind of fund the Trump administration established this week. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/jan-6-officers-lawsuit-trump-fund.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/jan-6-officers-lawsuit-trump-fund.html The two officers accused the administration of creating a “slush fund” to reward rioters and groups that committed violence on behalf of President Trump. Luke Broadwater Wed, 20 May 2026 19:46:25 +0000 United States Politics and Government Attacks on Police Storming of the US Capitol (Jan, 2021) Suits and Litigation (Civil) United States Capitol Police Dunn, Harry (1983- ) Trump, Donald J Blanche, Todd (Attorney) Kenny Holston for The New York Times Officer Daniel Hodges of Washington’s Metropolitan Police, left, and Harry Dunn, then an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police, at a congressional hearing in 2022. The two filed suit on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/briefing/us-charges-raul-castro.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/briefing/us-charges-raul-castro.html Also, Jan. 6 police officers sue to block Trump’s new fund. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday. Matthew Cullen Wed, 20 May 2026 21:58:48 +0000 Ismael Francisco/Associated Press https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/americas/guzman-cuba-us-negotiations-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/americas/guzman-cuba-us-negotiations-trump.html Cuba’s ambassador to the United Nations said in an interview that Havana wanted to talk but the Trump administration was creating pretexts for military action. Jack Nicas Wed, 20 May 2026 20:00:13 +0000 United States International Relations Politics and Government Economic Conditions and Trends Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline Shortages Central Intelligence Agency State Department United Nations Ratcliffe, John Lee (1965- ) Castro, Raul Rubio, Marco Trump, Donald J Cuba Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Cuba’s ambassador to the U.N., in New York on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/rubio-cuba-us-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/rubio-cuba-us-trump.html In a rare direct address, Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed the former leader Raúl Castro for the country’s longstanding electricity and resource shortages. Ali Watkins Wed, 20 May 2026 20:02:21 +0000 Rubio, Marco Cuba Trump, Donald J Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline internal-open-access-from-nl Eric Lee for The New York Times Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a message directed to the Cuban people. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/us/politics/iran-israel-us-leader-ahmadinejad.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/us/politics/iran-israel-us-leader-ahmadinejad.html An Israeli strike designed to free Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from house arrest in Tehran, U.S. officials said, was part of an effort to bring about regime change and put him in power. Mark Mazzetti, Julian E. Barnes, Farnaz Fassihi and Ronen Bergman Wed, 20 May 2026 18:44:28 +0000 US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) Iran Ahmadinejad, Mahmoud Khamenei, Ali Defense and Military Forces Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Israel Mossad Espionage and Intelligence Services Netanyahu, Benjamin United States International Relations Trump, Donald J internal-open-access-from-nl Arash Khamooshi/Polaris for The New York Times Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran registering as a candidate in the presidential election in Tehran in 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/middleeast/iran-threat-us-attacks-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/middleeast/iran-threat-us-attacks-trump.html The warning was issued as President Trump and Vice President JD Vance say progress is being made toward a deal, while keeping open the threat of renewed strikes. Euan Ward and Jenny Gross Wed, 20 May 2026 14:43:51 +0000 US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Trump, Donald J Iran War and Armed Conflicts Iran-Israel Proxy Conflict Ships and Shipping Houthis Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcaster Middle East Red Sea Strait of Hormuz Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline Saudi Arabia internal-open-access-from-nl Arash Khamooshi/Polaris for The New York Times Members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stand near a drone display at a government-organized march in Tehran last month. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/technology/elon-musk-spacex-ipo.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/technology/elon-musk-spacex-ipo.html Mr. Musk’s rocket and satellite maker disclosed its financial performance as it prepares to go public in what is set to be one of the largest offerings to date. Ryan Mac and Lauren Hirsch Wed, 20 May 2026 22:02:26 +0000 Space Exploration Technologies Corp Musk, Elon X.ai Inc Initial Public Offerings Private Spaceflight Artificial Intelligence Space and Astronomy Social Media Satellites Government Contracts and Procurement Computers and the Internet Starlink Satellite Constellation (SpaceX) X (Formerly Twitter) Meridith Kohut for The New York Times A successful SpaceX offering would bring riches to Wall Street, the company’s employees and, of course, Elon Musk, who is already the world’s richest person. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/europe/timmy-whale-dead-denmark-rescue.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/europe/timmy-whale-dead-denmark-rescue.html A humpback that became stuck in the Baltic seemed to unite a nation in hope. Rescue efforts followed, and then finger-pointing. Jim Tankersley and Jenny Gross Wed, 20 May 2026 14:33:22 +0000 Whales and Whaling Fish and Other Marine Life Rescues Environment Bild (Newspaper) Baltic Sea Denmark Lubeck (Germany) Jens Büttner/DPA, via Associated Press The humpback whale, nicknamed Timmy, trapped near the island of Poel, Germany, in April. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/senate-gop-ballroom-funds.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/senate-gop-ballroom-funds.html Several Republicans had balked at including the money in an immigration enforcement measure that the party plans to push through on a party-line vote. Michael Gold Wed, 20 May 2026 22:46:25 +0000 United States Politics and Government Law and Legislation Federal Budget (US) Immigration Detention White House East Wing and Ballroom (Washington, DC) White House Building (Washington, DC) Cassidy, Bill (1957- ) Trump, Donald J Collins, Susan M Doug Mills/The New York Times President Trump gave reporters a tour Tuesday of the White House ballroom construction project. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/housing-bill-house-senate-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/housing-bill-house-senate-trump.html The legislation, which had been stalled amid Republican divisions, passed overwhelmingly, signaling an eagerness in both parties to address affordability in an election year. Ronda Kaysen Wed, 20 May 2026 19:38:37 +0000 United States Politics and Government Law and Legislation Cost of Living and Affordability Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) Affordable Housing Real Estate and Housing (Residential) House of Representatives Republican Party Senate Trump, Donald J Sean Rayford for The New York Times The first major housing legislation in 36 years passed in the House, 396 to 13, on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/trump-republicans-congress.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/trump-republicans-congress.html Republican senators are angry the president is working to unseat their colleagues. But he is also creating more free agents in his own party in Congress willing to defy him. Carl Hulse Wed, 20 May 2026 22:12:36 +0000 United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Primaries and Caucuses House of Representatives Republican Party Senate Cassidy, Bill (1957- ) Collins, Susan M Cornyn, John Murkowski, Lisa Paxton, Ken Thune, John R Tillis, Thomas R Trump, Donald J Kenny Holston/The New York Times After losing his primary race to a Trump-backed challenger, Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, voted with Democrats in support of a measure to limit the war in Iran. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/massie-tel-aviv-israel-republicans-democrats.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/massie-tel-aviv-israel-republicans-democrats.html In primary races across the country, debates over Israel are taking center stage, dividing Democrats and Republicans alike. Lisa Lerer and Jennifer Medina Wed, 20 May 2026 22:13:59 +0000 Israel Massie, Thomas H Anti-Semitism Jews and Judaism American Israel Public Affairs Committee Kentucky Galindo, Maureen (1987- ) United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Jon Cherry/Getty Images “I would have come out sooner, but I had to call my opponent and concede, and it took a while to find Ed Gallrein in Tel Aviv,” Representative Thomas Massie said in his concession speech on Tuesday night, referring to his Republican opponent. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/technology/openai-ipo.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/technology/openai-ipo.html OpenAI would be one of the most highly anticipated potential initial public offerings, in what is set to be a major year of I.P.O.s for Silicon Valley. Mike Isaac and Cade Metz Wed, 20 May 2026 18:41:52 +0000 Artificial Intelligence Initial Public Offerings Computers and the Internet OpenAI Labs Morgan Stanley Goldman Sachs Group Inc internal-open-access-from-nl Jason Henry for The New York Times Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief executive. The company is facing challenges from the tech giant Google and an A.I. rival, Anthropic. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/technology/meta-layoffs-ai.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/technology/meta-layoffs-ai.html Employees have signed petitions against being tracked by A.I. and were trying to figure out who had been let go on Wednesday, as the Silicon Valley giant tries to transform into an A.I.-first company. Eli Tan, Kalley Huang and Mike Isaac Wed, 20 May 2026 21:56:06 +0000 Meta Platforms Inc Layoffs and Job Reductions Social Media Artificial Intelligence Computers and the Internet Facebook Inc Instagram Inc WhatsApp Inc Zuckerberg, Mark E internal-open-access-from-nl Ian C. Bates for The New York Times Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. The company, which renamed itself for the metaverse, is transforming itself for the era of artificial intelligence. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/business/nvidia-earnings.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/business/nvidia-earnings.html The chip maker said its profit in its most recent quarter jumped 211 percent from a year earlier thanks to extreme demand from other big technology companies. Tripp Mickle Wed, 20 May 2026 22:54:31 +0000 Computers and the Internet Computer Chips Artificial Intelligence Company Reports Data Centers NVIDIA Corporation China Manuel Orbegozo for The New York Times Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s chief executive, made a bet years ago on computer chips that would be useful for building artificial intelligence. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/business/economy/1991-graduates-job-hunting-advice-children.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/business/economy/1991-graduates-job-hunting-advice-children.html The New York Times profiled young job seekers in 1991. Today, their own children are entering a work force in flux. Sydney Ember Wed, 20 May 2026 17:38:10 +0000 Hiring and Promotion Careers and Professions Labor and Jobs College of New Jersey Arizona State University Australian National University New York Times Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey via Sharon Dilling; Michelle Gustafson for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/health/ebola-congo-united-states-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/health/ebola-congo-united-states-trump.html Aid cuts by the Trump administration have shut down crucial disease surveillance networks and medical supply chains in East Africa. Apoorva Mandavilli and Stephanie Nolen Wed, 20 May 2026 20:43:46 +0000 Foreign Aid Humanitarian Aid Ebola Virus United States Politics and Government Medicine and Health Epidemics Protective Clothing and Gear Centers for Disease Control and Prevention State Department United States Agency for International Development World Health Organization Africa Uganda Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) Jospin Mwisha/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images Monitoring visitors in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Ebola cases have been confirmed, on Monday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/africa/ebola-virus-outbreak-africa.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/africa/ebola-virus-outbreak-africa.html To some Africans, the claim that the continent’s largest health agency had already bungled its response scratched a familiar wound. Matthew Mpoke Bigg Wed, 20 May 2026 21:14:28 +0000 Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) Medicine and Health Disease Rates Ebola Virus Deaths (Fatalities) Epidemics Quarantines Marburg Virus International Relations Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention World Health Organization Moses Sawasawa/Associated Press Red Cross workers carry the coffin of a person who died of Ebola at a health center in Rwampara, the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/realestate/return-to-the-land-discrimination-lawsuit.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/realestate/return-to-the-land-discrimination-lawsuit.html Return to the Land, a 160-acre development requiring members be white and heterosexual, is breaking fair housing and civil rights laws, according to a lawsuit. Debra Kamin Wed, 20 May 2026 16:11:04 +0000 Real Estate and Housing (Residential) Ozark Mountains Arkansas Discrimination Fair Housing Act (1968) Civil Rights and Liberties Suits and Litigation (Civil) Race and Ethnicity Fringe Groups and Movements Whites Whitten Sabbatini for The New York Times The founders of Return to the Land, a whites-only community in Arkansas, say they aren’t breaking any laws. A new lawsuit will test that argument. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/travel/tsa-airport-security.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/travel/tsa-airport-security.html Driven in part by the chaos of the last shutdown, the government is expanding efforts to use private security staff instead of federal employees at more airports. Christine Chung Wed, 20 May 2026 21:00:32 +0000 Airports Airport Security Privatization Regulation and Deregulation of Industry Transportation Security Administration United States Megan Varner/Getty Images After the last government shutdown caused long lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Atlanta City Council moved to study a private screening model. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/travel/thailand-visa-rules-americans.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/travel/thailand-visa-rules-americans.html The country had loosened entry requirements after the pandemic to attract visitors, but will now limit many travelers to 30 days without a visa. Gabe Castro-Root Wed, 20 May 2026 21:52:50 +0000 Travel and Vacations Visas Coronavirus Reopenings Politics and Government Thailand Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times The new visa policy affects citizens of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and other countries. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/larry-bushart-charlie-kirk-facebook-settlement.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/larry-bushart-charlie-kirk-facebook-settlement.html Larry Bushart sued a Tennessee sheriff who claimed he wanted to incite hysteria with a post after Mr. Kirk’s killing and jailed him for 37 days. Rick Rojas Wed, 20 May 2026 16:53:52 +0000 Right-Wing Extremism and Alt-Right Freedom of Speech and Expression Kirk, Charlie (1993- ) Tennessee Charity Rachelle for The New York Times Larry Bushart at his home in Linden, Tenn. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/nyregion/hawks-fifth-avenue-pale-male.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/nyregion/hawks-fifth-avenue-pale-male.html The last mate of Pale Male, a celebrity hawk, has returned to their Upper East Side address with a new partner, and a baby chick has been seen. James Barron Wed, 20 May 2026 14:04:45 +0000 New York City internal-storyline-no Hawks (Birds) Reproduction (Biological) Railroads Birdwatching Wages and Salaries Long Island Rail Road Co NYC Audubon Fifth Avenue (Manhattan, NY) via @BirdCentralPark https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/books/review/zayd-ayers-dohrn-harriet-clark-weather-underground.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/books/review/zayd-ayers-dohrn-harriet-clark-weather-underground.html Zayd Ayers Dohrn and Harriet Clark on activism, violence, guilt and trying to make sense of their “incomprehensible” early days. John Leland Wed, 20 May 2026 11:24:04 +0000 Books and Literature Content Type: Personal Profile Writing and Writers Demonstrations, Protests and Riots Fugitives Weather Underground Weathermen Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young: A Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground (Book) Ayers Dohrn, Zayd Ayers, William C Dohrn, Bernardine The Hill (Book) Clark, Harriet (Author) Clark, Judith Sara Messinger for The New York Times Zayd Ayers Dohrn and Harriet Clark, writers with new books, meeting for the first time in New York. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/books/review/dangerous-dirty-violent-and-young-zayd-ayers-dohrn.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/books/review/dangerous-dirty-violent-and-young-zayd-ayers-dohrn.html Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s parents were leaders of the Weather Underground. His new book traces how their revolutionary ideals collided with their family life. Dana Spiotta Tue, 19 May 2026 18:14:57 +0000 Books and Literature Weather Underground Content Type: Personal Profile Federal Bureau of Investigation Ayers Dohrn, Zayd Ayers, William C Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young: A Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground (Book) Dohrn, Bernadine David Handschuh/Associated Press Zayd Dohrn, age 4, with his parents, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, outside federal court in New York in May 1982. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/opinion/trump-doj-slush-fund-criminals-corruption.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/opinion/trump-doj-slush-fund-criminals-corruption.html The president’s corruption and subversion of democratic tradition risk becoming the norm. The Editorial Board Wed, 20 May 2026 16:34:44 +0000 United States Politics and Government Corruption (Institutional) Justice Department Blanche, Todd (Attorney) Trump, Donald J Ethics and Official Misconduct Presidential Power (US) Appointments and Executive Changes Storming of the US Capitol (Jan, 2021) Flynn, Michael T Comey, James B Federal Budget (US) Internal Revenue Service Photo Illustration by Philotheus Nisch for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/opinion/e-jean-carroll-documentary-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/opinion/e-jean-carroll-documentary-trump.html It’s not easy to make an anti-Trump documentary right now. Ivy Meeropol Wed, 20 May 2026 17:04:42 +0000 Carroll, E Jean Documentary Films and Programs Ask E Jean (Movie) Libel and Slander Sex Crimes Trump, Donald J United States Politics and Government #MeToo Movement Suits and Litigation (Civil) Compensation for Damages (Law) Telluride Film Festival Justine Kurland for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/san-diego-islamophobia-violence.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/san-diego-islamophobia-violence.html Muslims pointed to a rise in overt hatred online, political attacks and harassment in the months before the killing of three people outside an Islamic center. Shaila Dewan and Jill Cowan Wed, 20 May 2026 18:15:26 +0000 Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) Discrimination Muslim Americans Colleges and Universities Hate Crimes Muslims and Islam Council on American-Islamic Relations Islamic Center of San Diego Shooting (2026) John Francis Peters for The New York Times Families outside the Islamic Center of San Diego where shooters killed three people this week. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/asia/north-korea-soccer-south-naegohyang.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/asia/north-korea-soccer-south-naegohyang.html While diplomatic relations between the two Koreas are near a historic low, a rare trip by athletes from the North triggered intense emotions in some older South Koreans. Choe Sang-Hun Wed, 20 May 2026 21:38:02 +0000 Soccer Politics and Government Athletics and Sports International Relations Korean War South Korea North Korea Asian Football Confederation Naegohyang (Soccer Team) Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Chung Kyung-jo, center, waving, supported the visiting team in the match between two Korean teams, in Suwon, South Korea on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/nyregion/coney-island-drownings-children-mother-sentenced.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/nyregion/coney-island-drownings-children-mother-sentenced.html Erin Merdy, 34, pleaded guilty to murder in the 2022 killings of her children, ages 7, 4 and 3 months. Chelsia Rose Marcius Wed, 20 May 2026 21:24:43 +0000 Drownings Murders, Attempted Murders and Homicides Child Abuse and Neglect Merdy, Erin Coney Island (Brooklyn, NY) Brighton Beach (Brooklyn, NY) Dave Sanders for The New York Times Erin Merdy was in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband when she drowned her children. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/middleeast/israel-minister-taunts-pro-palestine-activists-video.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/middleeast/israel-minister-taunts-pro-palestine-activists-video.html The national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, posted a video in which he is seen with handcuffed activists forced to kneel on the deck of a ship. It drew a rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Natan Odenheimer Wed, 20 May 2026 19:25:36 +0000 Ben-Gvir, Itamar Israel Palestinians Demonstrations, Protests and Riots Gaza Strip Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) Amir Levy/Getty Images Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, in the Israeli parliament, on Wednesday.