In Trump Call, Putin Notches a Diplomatic Win, With an Economic Caveat

world/europe | By Anatoly Kurmanaev | 20:05:2025

The Kremlin has withstood pressure for an immediate cease-fire as a precondition for peace talks, but the Russian president’s push for normalizing relations with the United States appears in limbo.

Ukrainians Brace for a Longer War as Trump Backs Off Cease-Fire Call

world/europe | By Marc Santora, Maria Varenikova and Liubov Sholudko | 20:05:2025

President Trump appears to be stepping back from trying to end the war in Ukraine. Many in the country see little choice but to battle on.

U.S. Says It Wants Trade, Not Aid, in Africa. Cuts Threaten Both.

world/africa | By Elian Peltier | 20:05:2025

President Trump’s slashing of foreign assistance threatens road and energy projects that diplomats and experts say align with U.S. priorities.

Israel’s Allies Condemn Expansion of Gaza War

world/middleeast | By Aaron Boxerman and Stephen Castle | 20:05:2025

Britain, France and Canada called the Israeli plans for escalation “disproportionate” and “egregious” at a time when the U.N. is warning the population is at risk of famine.

The E.U. Is Still Ramping Up Sanctions on Russia. Here’s How.

world/europe | By Jeanna Smialek | 20:05:2025

The European Union has now targeted Moscow’s fleet of covert oil tankers and plans more restrictions, as the Trump administration’s approach to the war shifts.

Gulf Deal-Making Spree Also Benefited Elon Musk and His Family

world/middleeast | By Mara Hvistendahl, Rebecca R. Ruiz and Ryan Mac | 20:05:2025

The world’s richest man inked new deals as he tagged along on President Trump’s tour of the Gulf.

China’s Fighter Jets and Missiles Get a Boost From the India-Pakistan Clash

world/asia | By Vivian Wang | 20:05:2025

The reported success of Chinese-made fighter jets and air-to-air missiles in the conflict has fed nationalist pride in China, and has renewed warnings to Taiwan.

Network Outage Hits Spain, Weeks After Extensive Blackout

world/europe | By Lynsey Chutel, Qasim Nauman and Rachel Chaundler | 20:05:2025

The outage Tuesday knocked out emergency phone lines in several parts of the country for several hours.

2nd Man Charged Over Fires at Homes Linked to U.K. Prime Minister

world/europe | By Lizzie Dearden | 20:05:2025

The British police said they had charged a Romanian national, Stanislav Carpiuc, with conspiracy to commit arson. Fires struck two buildings and a car linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

U.K. Trade Deals Bare the Reality: It’s a Midsize Economy Among Giants

world/europe | By Mark Landler | 20:05:2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government had to make some politically fraught concessions to eke out trade deals with the E.U. and the U.S.

U.S. Bill Named for Iranian Deported to Panama Aims to Shield Asylum Seekers

world/middleeast | By Farnaz Fassihi and Hamed Aleaziz | 20:05:2025

A lawmaker is introducing a bill named for Artemis Ghasemzadeh, an Iranian Christian convert, that seeks to stop the expedited removal of people fleeing countries that persecute religious minorities.

Modi’s Government Cracks Down on Dissent Over Pakistan Conflict

world/asia | By Alex Travelli and Suhasini Raj | 19:05:2025

The arrest of a political science professor shows Indian leaders’ sensitivity to the political fallout from the military flare-up.

In Eastern Europe, Centrists Hold Off 2 Nationalist Challenges

world/europe | By Andrew Higgins | 19:05:2025

Presidential elections on Sunday in Romania and Poland halted, or at least slowed, hard-right breakthroughs that many liberals had feared. But discontent with mainstream parties lingers.

South Africa’s President to Challenge Trump on Afrikaner Refugees

world/africa | By John Eligon | 19:05:2025

In a visit to the White House, President Cyril Ramaphosa will also highlight business opportunities for Elon Musk.

Wednesday Briefing

briefing | By Natasha Frost | 21:05:2025

A rebuke from Israel’s allies.

A Tech Hub’s Plan to Upgrade for the A.I. Age Runs Into Trump’s Tariffs

world/asia | By Zunaira Saieed | 21:05:2025

A crucial cog in the global semiconductor industry, Malaysia aims to build high-end chips. It will have to contend with President Trump’s trade policy first.

A Perrier Clash Has People Asking: Is ‘Natural’ Water Even Possible Anymore?

business | By Jonathan Wolfe | 21:05:2025

An inquiry accused Nestlé and French officials of hiding the company’s practice of filtering Perrier water it labels “natural.” The head of Nestlé has suggested that human activity is making pure water scarcer.

From Oregon, a Chocolate Cake That Changes Hearts and Minds

climate | By Cara Buckley and Will Matsuda | 21:05:2025

The Portland area is a hot spot for vegans, who have the most environmentally friendly diets. It has also yielded a game-changing dessert.

Virginians Are Restoring a Forest Economy Built on Herbs and Tradition

climate | By Austyn Gaffney and Morgan Hornsby | 21:05:2025

Farmers have banded together to make the market for herbal supplements and remedies, part of Appalachia’s cultural heritage, more sustainable and more profitable.

Minnesota Teens Are Fighting Climate Anxiety With Shovels

climate | By Kate Selig and Tim Gruber | 21:05:2025

Run by teenagers, for teenagers, the Green Crew helps students get their hands dirty with projects like tree planting, trail restoration and invasive species removal.

What Helped Clean Up Oklahoma Waters? Getting Cows to Use a Different Washroom.

climate | By Cara Buckley and Nick Oxford | 21:05:2025

Haunted by memories of the Dust Bowl, Oklahoma farmers have adopted conservation practices that have helped to revive about 100 streams.

An Illinois Building Was a Bird Killer. A Simple Change Made a World of Difference.

climate | By Catrin Einhorn and Vincent Alban | 21:05:2025

Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States for migrating birds, and a glassy lakefront conference center was especially lethal.

Wednesday Briefing: Israel’s Allies Tell It to Stop

briefing | By Justin Porter | 20:05:2025

Plus, the International Booker Prize.

Trump’s New Position on the War in Ukraine: Not My Problem

us/politics | By David E. Sanger, Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman and Michael Schwirtz | 20:05:2025

In a reversal, President Trump appears to have backed off joining a European push for new sanctions on Russia, seemingly eager to move on to doing business deals with it.

Venezuela Frees an Air Force Veteran the U.S. Says Was Wrongfully Held

world/americas | By Genevieve Glatsky | 20:05:2025

The family of Joseph St. Clair confirmed his release. The move comes as the United States threatens to choke off Venezuela’s critical oil revenue.

E.U. to Lift Economic Sanctions on Syria in a Bid to Bolster Stability

world/europe | By Jeanna Smialek | 20:05:2025

European Union foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed to lift the remaining economic curbs on the war-torn country, amid concerns it could slip back into conflict.

Kennedy’s Allies Against Pesticides: Environmentalists, Moms and Manly Men

climate | By Hiroko Tabuchi | 20:05:2025

An unlikely group is coalescing around the health secretary’s drive for restrictions on atrazine, which is linked to cancer, birth defects and low sperm counts.

Global Economic Officials Gather Amid Headwinds From Trump’s Trade War

us/politics | By Alan Rappeport and Ana Swanson | 20:05:2025

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet his international counterparts at a G7 finance ministers meeting in Canada.

Creator of ‘Dilbert’ Says He Has the Same Cancer as Biden

us | By Claire Moses | 20:05:2025

Scott Adams shared the news on his podcast and expressed sympathy for the former president. “My life expectancy is maybe this summer,” he said.

Tuesday Briefing

briefing | By Natasha Frost | 20:05:2025

President Trump’s conversation with Vladimir Putin.

The Inside Story of Trump’s Search for a New Air Force One

us/politics | By Eric Lipton, Maggie Haberman, Adam Rasgon and Eric Schmitt | 20:05:2025

Qatar had been trying to sell off a luxury jet for years, with no luck. Then President Trump’s team set its sights on it.

Trump Backs Off His Demand That Russia Declare a Cease-Fire in Ukraine

us/politics | By Erica L. Green and Anton Troianovski | 19:05:2025

President Trump once vowed to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. Now he says the two sides should work it out themselves.

Tuesday Briefing: A Trump-Putin Phone Call

briefing | By Emmett Lindner | 19:05:2025

Plus, the return of a spy’s archives.

Israel Recovers Troves of Documents Belonging to Its Most Famous Spy

world/middleeast | By Claire Moses | 19:05:2025

Israel has long sought to bring home from Syria the remains of Eli Cohen, whose spying work is credited with helping Israel win the Arab-Israeli War of 1967.

Prominent Anti-Corruption Lawyer Is Arrested in El Salvador

world/americas | By Annie Correal | 19:05:2025

Ruth López was detained Sunday in what rights groups say represents a ‘dangerous escalation’ in President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown on dissent. The attorney general confirmed the arrest.

What to Know About Israel’s Expanding Offensive in Gaza

world/middleeast | By Aaron Boxerman and Samuel Granados | 19:05:2025

The announcement of an escalation in the war came after a particularly deadly week for Palestinians in Gaza. Some of Israel’s allies denounced the move.

A Scientist Fighting Nuclear Armageddon Hid a 50-Year Secret

science | By William J. Broad | 19:05:2025

Richard Garwin’s role in designing the hydrogen bomb was obscured from the public, even his family, as he advised presidents and devoted his life to undoing the danger he created.