Tuesday Briefing: The Ukraine War’s 3rd Anniversary

Uncertainty on the Ukraine war’s anniversary President Trump met with President Emmanuel Macron of France at the White House yesterday at a head-spinning time for Western alliances. It was the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, and peace talks with Russia have sidelined Kyiv and European leaders. Here’s the latest. Trump told reporters while … Read more

As Trump Courts Putin, China’s Leader Xi Emphasizes Close Ties With Russia

China’s leader said his country and Russia were “true friends who have been through thick and thin together” after a video call with President Vladimir V. Putin on Monday, according to Chinese state media. The warm words attributed to Xi Jinping were clearly intended to dampen speculation that the Trump administration might succeed in driving … Read more

Monday Briefing: Conservatives Near Victory in Germany

Merz appeared poised to be Germany’s next leader The conservative Christian Democrats appeared to be on the cusp of victory in Germany’s parliamentary elections yesterday, exit polls show. The country’s next chancellor will almost certainly be Friedrich Merz, a businessman who has promised to crack down on migrants, and slash taxes and business regulations in … Read more

Catholics Pray for Ailing Pope Francis at Sunday Mass

Roman Catholics worldwide prayed for Pope Francis, who is hospitalized in critical condition, at Mass on Sunday after the Vatican announced that he was “not out of danger.” The 88-year-old pontiff went into the hospital on Feb. 14 with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He had a long “asthmatic respiratory crisis” … Read more

The Battle of Iwo Jima: A Photo History

Iwo Jima has always been beautiful, a volcanic chunk of rock surrounded by cobalt sea. But a World War II battle 80 years ago this month turned the Japanese island into a byword for desperate, deadly combat — and for American triumph. On Feb. 23, 1945, a contingent of American Marines climbed to the top … Read more

U.S.A.I.D. Appointees Fire Hundreds Working on Urgent Humanitarian Aid

Trump administration appointees running the main United States aid agency have in recent days fired hundreds of employees who help manage responses to urgent humanitarian crises around the world, according to two U.S. officials and four recent employees of the agency. The firings add to doubts raised about whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio is … Read more