What Putin Gains From Releasing an American Prisoner

After Russia released an American prisoner, President Trump’s special envoy praised President Vladimir V. Putin as “a humanitarian.” Our White House and national security correspondent, David E. Sanger, describes how the release comes amid Mr. Trump’s broader shift toward Russia and away from Ukrain

D David E. Sanger, Nikolay Nikolov, Paul Abowd, Alexandra Ostasiewicz, Jon Miller, Rafaela Balster, Stephanie Swart and Whitney Shefte

When Starshield Cut Out, Ukrainian Drones Fell From the Skies

Ukraine says it still doesn’t know why the military satellite internet service, a sister to Starlink, was abruptly throttled, leaving troops vulnerable to Russian attacks.A Ukrainian soldier flying a drone in the Donetsk region last week. Members of the military have reported issues with drone conne

S Siobhán O’Grady, Carlotta Gall and Anton Troianovski

Abdul El-Sayed Confronts Attacks on His Faith and Family Ties

In the final weeks of Michigan’s Senate race, the Democratic nominee finds himself facing both ugly attacks and pointed questions about family members. He has pushed back forcefully.Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, if he wins Michigan’s Senate race, would become the nation’s first Muslim senator.

R Reid J. Epstein, Brian M. Rosenthal and Michael Kruse

Meta Ordered to Pay $25 Billion for Deceiving Users on Privacy

The penalty, one of the largest levied against the tech giant, stemmed from a lawsuit by New Mexico claiming the social media company had misled users about their data privacy.Meta’s annual Meta Connect event at the company’s Menlo Park, Calif., campus.

E Eli Tan and Cecilia Kang

Macron Says Trump Does Not Like France and Distorts Its Troubles

Speaking in Qatar, President Emmanuel Macron railed against foreign leaders who he said had made false claims about unrest in France for their own political ends.President Emmanuel Macron of France in Lusail, Qatar, on Wednesday. “All the people who are speaking ill of our country right now are peop

S Ségolène Le Stradic

Death Toll From Venezuela Quakes Likely Far Exceeds Official Count

A Times analysis and U.S. Geological Survey data indicate that the official 6,509 death toll is probably a severe undercount.Volunteers and relatives searching for bodies in the rubble of a public housing complex that collapsed during the twin earthquakes in July.

J James Glanz, Julie Turkewitz and Helmuth Rosales

Palestinians Hope Israeli Election Will Oust Netanyahu

Many in Gaza and the West Bank are desperate to avoid more years of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, which has made life close to unbearable.Palestinians carry food aid from a distribution point in Gaza last month.

A Adam Rasgon and Aaron Boxerman

Is Rabies Making a Comeback?

As several states report surges in animal cases, federal officials are warning about an apparent increase in human exposures.

E Emily Anthes

Elon Musk Says SpaceX and Tesla Are Exploring a Merger

A deal would consolidate Elon Musk’s holdings in rockets, cars and artificial intelligence into a company worth well over $3 trillion.SpaceX’s blockbuster public offering on the Nasdaq in June helped make Elon Musk, who is also the chief executive of Tesla, the first person to be worth more than a t

R Ryan Mac and Jack Ewing