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European Leaders Split Over Phone Call to Putin

The diplomatic outreach was part of an effort to push talks to end the war in Ukraine, though it was not welcomed by all European leaders.

© Pool photo by Maxim Shipenkov

President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Moscow on Friday.
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Trump Explores Lifting Sanctions on Russia’s Flagship Investment Fund

The move would be the latest U.S. concession to Moscow as President Trump pursues economic incentives he hopes will secure an end to war in Ukraine.

© Ramil Sitdikov/Reuters

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s envoys, with Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, in Moscow last month.
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Trump-Appointed CDC Deputy Director Jennifer Shuford Resigns After 4 Months

Dr. Jennifer Shuford, a respected former Texas health official, had been appointed by President Trump to help steady the agency.

© Melissa Golden for The New York Times

News of Dr. Jennifer Shuford’s exit comes as the C.D.C. faces criticism over its response to measles outbreaks around the country.
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Election Officials Fear Trump Administration’s Interference in Midterms Voting

State and local plans for Election Day include how to react to potential ICE raids, misbehavior by federal election monitors and attempts to seize votes or machines.

© John Locher/Associated Press

State and local election officials across the country have been redoubling training efforts to prepare for the potential for federal interference.
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Judge Temporarily Blocks Further Alterations at D.C.’s East Potomac Park

A federal judge stopped the Trump administration from cutting trees and prohibited other changes at the park where the president has sought to overhaul a golf course.

© Kenny Holston/The New York Times

Trees that have been cut down at East Potomac Golf Links are seen earlier this month in Washington. The Trump administration and the National Park Service moved to cut down up to 529 trees at East Potomac Golf Links.
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Book Review: ‘Princes and Thieves,’ by Matthew Cole

The new book by the reporter Matthew Cole connects $2 billion in slush funds from gulf state leaders to Trump’s son-in-law in an effort to influence U.S. policy.

© From left: Maxim Shipenkov/Pool via Reuters; Kylie Cooper/Reuters

The U.A.E. president Mohammed bin Zayed and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, in 2026.
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Appeals Court Declines to Intervene in California Ballot Lawsuit

By a 2-1 vote, a federal appeals court panel denied the Trump administration’s request that it immediately order the state to set aside 20,000 mail-in ballots.

© Philip Cheung for The New York Times

Ballots being processed in City of Industry, Calif., during last year’s election.
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Machado’s Return to Venezuela Tests Limits of U.S. Sway

Seeking new elections, María Corina Machado will need to tread carefully to avoid offending the Trump administration, while also asserting her own leadership.

© Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado greeting supporters in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Sunday.
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Justice Dept. Brings More Charges Against Comey, Accusing Him of Leaks

Lawyers for James B. Comey said the case centered on an issue that had already been investigated and had not led to charges, of a purported leak of national security information to The Times in October 2016.

© Doug Mills/The New York Times

James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2017.
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