Politics

At the climax of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music," the orchestra reaches what Sondheim called its Max Steiner moment, evoking the great scores of "Casablanca" or "Gone with the Wind." During a pivotal scene, Désirée and Fredrik, former lovers on the verge of losing their happiness, meet and kiss as the orchestra swells to a stirring reprise of "Send in the Clowns." Jonathan Tunick’s new orchestration premiered Thursday at David Geffen Hall with the 53-piece St. Luke’s Orchestra. Strings and winds soared, supported by rich, staggered chords and flourishing counterpoint, creating a moment fit for both film and opera.…

On Monday, Israel released Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the head of Gaza’s largest hospital, after holding him for more than seven months without charge. The move sparked immediate protests in Israel, highlighting the polarized views on the ongoing conflict. Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, was arrested in late November during an attempt to evacuate patients while the hospital was under siege by the Israeli army. The military said he was being questioned about Hamas activities at the hospital. His release has amplified differing perspectives on the war. Human rights groups have criticized his continued detention without charge…

For the Golden State Warriors, this marks the end of an era. Klay Thompson is set to sign a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, ending his 13-year tenure with the Warriors, 12 of which he spent alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Together, they built a dynasty, reaching six NBA Finals and winning four championships in eight years. They formed one of the league’s longest-tenured trios, anchoring one of the greatest teams ever, which set an NBA record with 73 wins in the 2015-16 season. In a league known for constant change, the Warriors’ Big Three were…

The New York Times editorial board on Friday called on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race against Donald Trump, citing his poor performance in the debate the night before. “The president appeared on Thursday night as a shadow of a once-great public servant,” the Times editorial said. “He struggled to articulate what he would accomplish in a second term. He struggled to respond to Trump’s provocations. He struggled to hold Trump accountable for his lies, his failures and his chilling plans. More than once, he struggled to finish a sentence.” “Biden has claimed that he is the…

When French filmmaker Catherine Breillat was 40, her husband left her for a much younger woman. Soon after, she began dating a man 12 years her junior. “Men often dismiss their older wives, claiming that they can no longer be loved,” Breillat said in a recent interview, through an interpreter. "But it's not true. I want to tell other women that there is no reason to despair." In his new film Last summerwhich opens in theaters on Friday, explores this concept through a provocative plot. Since the 1970s, the acclaimed director, now 75, has focused on the troubled sexual awakening…

The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam will return a Henri Matisse painting that has been part of its collection since 1941 to the heirs of its original owner, a German-Jewish textile manufacturer and art patron who sold it to finance his family’s escape from Nazi-occupied Holland. The museum announced Tuesday it was returning the artwork, titled "Odalisque," following the "binding opinion" of the Dutch Restitution Commission, a government body that deals with cases of artworks looted by the Nazis. The heirs described the decision as symbolic justice. “Matisse made the same journey from Berlin to Amsterdam as our grandparents,” they said.…

In an engaging sports discussion, prominent sports personalities Skip Bayless, Rachel Nichols and Keyshawn Johnson delve into the latest headlines, delving into various topics, including JJ Redick's highly anticipated introductory press conference with the Los Angeles Lakers. As the conversation continues, Skip Bayless, known for his in-depth analysis, provides his unique perspective on adding Redick to the Lakers roster. With his sharp wit and deep knowledge of the game, Bayless explores the potential impact that Redick's shooting ability and veteran experience can bring to the team. He raises questions about how Redick's presence will complement the Lakers' current star-studded lineup…