Blanche Defends Pirro but Says Trump Can Fire Her at Any Time

The head of the Justice Department praised the U.S. attorney in Washington after her tense meeting with the president.

Trump Seeks a Boost for Hemp That Would Benefit a Top Aide’s Family

At the White House’s request, senators tucked a change sought by the hemp industry into a crucial spending bill. It would benefit the son-in-law of Susie Wiles, the president’s chief of staff.

El-Sayed’s Win in Michigan Sets Up the Left’s Biggest Test of the Fall

Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate candidacy poses a critical challenge for Democrats’ ascendant progressive wing: Can an insurgent candidate, with unabashedly liberal positions, win a general election in a moderate state?

Why Congress Wants a Closer U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership

A proposal making its way through Congress would integrate the U.S. and Israeli defense and intelligence apparatuses more tightly. Some worry that it is a bad idea.

Israel Strikes Lebanon After Accusing Hezbollah of Cease-Fire Violation

At the same time, Israeli and Lebanese negotiators were holding talks in Rome aimed at fostering a long-term diplomatic settlement.

Iran Says It Is Nearing Final Agreement With Oman on Strait of Hormuz

The agreement on an acceptable route for ships to pass through the strait would effectively ratify Tehran’s control over the crucial waterway.

U.S. Cuts Ties With Organ Donor Group After Reports of Abuses

The federal government is ending its contract with a Kentucky nonprofit that it says pressured medical workers to remove organs from patients who were getting better.

The 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century

Hundreds of novelists, librarians, editors and other book lovers voted. See how their ballots stack up.

China’s A.I. Is Surging Across Africa. That Should Worry Silicon Valley.

In African tech hubs, developers are picking China’s cheap, freely available artificial intelligence models over more powerful U.S. ones.

Trump’s Vision for A.I. Dominance Comes With Major Air Pollution

In Death, a Tibetan Activist Finally Got the World’s Attention

No one doubted the intensity of Lobga Rangzen’s commitment to a Tibet free of Chinese control. But they were not prepared for what he did next.

The War That’s Happening Above Russia and Ukraine

The combatants are producing ever larger numbers of innovative aerial weapons, hoping for a breakthrough as ground combat is largely frozen.

Deadly Missile Attack on Kyiv Exploits Ukraine’s Depleted Air Defenses

At least 17 people were killed, officials said, as the country runs desperately low on interceptor missiles that could fend off Russian bombardments.

Crocs Has a Trick for Dodging Taxes: a Tiny Office in Malta

The Mediterranean archipelago is a hot destination for U.S. companies seeking to shield profits from income taxes.

Perez Hilton Is Hospitalized After Appearing to Harm Himself on Livestream

Law enforcement and emergency workers responded to Mr. Hilton’s house after he appeared to hurt himself on a TikTok stream Tuesday.

Breezy Weather to Challenge Firefighting Efforts in the Pacific Northwest

Forecasters expect winds to pick up in eastern Washington and Oregon on Friday and Saturday, but not to be as strong as last weekend’s were.

Extreme Weather Brings Fierce Winds, and Gentle Hugs, to Sesame Street

An episode this week focuses on the dangerous effects of warming, without mentioning climate change.

Butterflies Take Flight in Face of Climate Change and Extreme Weather

In 32 of the countries included in a recent study, at least a quarter of the native butterfly species had moved to new areas.

It’s the Summer of Soundwalking. He Is Your Sherpa.

“We may be hearing but not listening,” Jacek Smolicki said, showing a reporter how sound travels through tree roots in Central Park and amplifying the scraping of aquatic snails.

The Populist Left Has a Theory. We’re All About to Test It.

Abdul El-Sayed is quick, magnetic, overflowing with infectious confidence. But he also has a blind spot endemic to his movement.

Always Late? TikTok Thinks You Have A.D.H.D.

We’ve reached peak self-diagnosis culture.

Tell Us Your Connections Tips

We’re also looking to find out what questions solvers have about the game.

A Four-Ton SpaceX Rocket Stage Hit the Moon, but Almost No One Saw It

Amateur and professional astronomers pointed their telescopes at the impact site. Most did not detect anything.