Europe Didn’t Want War With Iran. But So Far, It Can’t Stay Out of It.

From London to Rome and beyond, leaders are facing diplomatic headwinds and criticism at home as they take part in a conflict they did not seek.President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France is not at war. But he ordered the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

M Mark Landler

How Good Intentions Helped Pave Trump’s Road to Iran

Humanitarians proposed a loophole in international law. Decades later, Trump is jumping through it.Iranian expatriates around the world urged the Trump administration to intervene in Iran as the death toll from the protests rose in January.

A Amanda Taub

Kristi Noem Survived Many Crises. Then She Crossed a Trump Red Line.

President Trump, who values loyalty, has at times tried to distance himself from his administration’s own actions when they become politically toxic.Kristi Noem testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, where her comments led the president to fire her later in the week.

Z Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Hamed Aleaziz

Justice Dept. Denounces Federal Judges in Fight Against Law Firms

The Trump administration had signaled earlier this week that it was ready to abandon four executive orders seeking to punish law firms, but abruptly reversed course the next day.The Justice Department is accusing federal judges of undermining President Trump’s authority.

C Chris Cameron and Jonah E. Bromwich

How Talarico Won Texas Democrats With Love, Luck and a Little Restraint

A carefully disciplined campaign that capitalized on viral media, months of organizing and strong outreach to Latino voters helped propel James Talarico to the center of Texas politics.Texas State Representative James Talarico at his victory party after securing the Democratic nomination for the U.S

J J. David Goodman, Shane Goldmacher and Reid J. Epstein

Ahead of Midterms, Economic Warning Signs Pile Up for Republicans

With employers cutting jobs and gas prices rising amid the war in Iran, Democrats see an opportunity to press their advantage.The oil and manufacturing industries have cut thousands of jobs since President Trump returned to office.

R Reid J. Epstein and Ben Casselman

Brandon Herrera’s YouTube Gives Democrats More Hope in West Texas Race

What had been a safe G.O.P. seat was looking more attainable for Democrats after Representative Tony Gonzales bowed out in favor of a hard-right candidate.Brandon Herrera had forced a run-off with the incumbent, the Republican Tony Gonzales, before Mr. Gonzales ended his re-election bid.

L Lauren McGaughy

Hanging Up

If decreasing dependence on our phones feels impossible, we might benefit from considering what we’d want to fill the space that they occupy.

M Melissa Kirsch

Russia Attacks Kharkiv and Kyiv in Ukraine

At least 10 people were killed when a Russian missile hit a five-story apartment building in the city of Kharkiv, and Kyiv and several other regions also came under attack.Emergency workers removing the body of a victim from the site of an overnight strike on an apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukrain

C Cassandra Vinograd

Historic District Rules May Keep NoHo Parking Lot From Becoming Housing

Some residents in the Manhattan neighborhood are fighting the construction of two apartment towers, which could rise up to 19 stories on the site of a parking lot.Developers want to turn a parking lot on Lafayette Street in NoHo in Manhattan into apartment housing, but neighbors say it would threate

M Mihir Zaveri

Mamdani Defends Wife Amid Criticism of Her Support for Palestinian Cause

Rama Duwaji, Mr. Mamdani’s wife, had liked Instagram posts related to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his wife, Rama Duwaji, is a “private person” who does not have a responsibility to answer for her thoughts the way that he does.

J Jeffery C. Mays and Sally Goldenberg