Trump Envoy Calls Putin a ‘Humanitarian’

NYT - Top Stories

By: Matthew Cullen

21 October 2026 at 22:58

Also, Democrats lead in polls, but still face image problems. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday.

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Allow Border Wall Construction in Big Bend

NYT - Top Stories

By: Abbie VanSickle

21 October 2026 at 22:21

A lower court judge had halted the administration’s plan to erect hundreds of miles of barriers in the Big Bend region of Texas.

People protest the plans by President Donald Trump’s administration to build a section of the border wall at the Big Bend National Park, in Study Butte, Texas, in August.

Meta Earnings Show Increased A.I. Spending, Even as Cash Pressures Grow

NYT - Top Stories

By: Eli Tan

21 October 2026 at 22:18

The spending has hurt the Silicon Valley giant’s cash flow, which turned negative. Meta said it would issue a new class of stock to help it raise more money.

Construction of Meta’s Richland Parish Data Center in Holly Ridge, La.

Tesla Profit Slumps as Elon Musk’s Car Company Considers Merging With SpaceX

NYT - Top Stories

By: Jack Ewing

21 October 2026 at 21:11

The carmaker, which is controlled by Elon Musk and is considering merging with another of his companies, SpaceX, spent heavily on artificial intelligence and other new technologies.

Tesla remains dependent on the Model Y sport utility vehicle and Model 3 sedan for much of its revenue.

Cornell Case Highlights Shifting Federal Title IX Enforcement

NYT - Top Stories

By: Michael C. Bender

21 October 2026 at 20:04

From Barack Obama to Donald Trump, ideology has infused the interpretation of the federal law banning sex discrimination on college campuses.

An allegation of a gang rape at Cornell in 2024 has put renewed attention on the 54-year-old law known as Title IX.

Meta Ordered to Pay $25 Billion Over Cambridge Analytica Privacy Violations

NYT - Top Stories

By: Eli Tan and Cecilia Kang

21 October 2026 at 23:57

The penalty, one of the largest levied against a 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.

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

NYT - Top Stories

By: Reid J. Epstein · Brian M. Rosenthal and Michael Kruse

21 October 2026 at 19:23

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.

What Putin Gains From Releasing an American Prisoner

NYT - Top Stories

By: David E. Sanger · Nikolay Nikolov · Paul Abowd · Alexandra Ostasiewicz · Jon Miller · Rafaela Balster · Stephanie Swart and Whitney Shefte

21 October 2026 at 17:45

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 Ukraine.

Macron Says Trump Does Not Like France and Distorts Its Troubles

NYT - Top Stories

By: Ségolène Le Stradic

21 October 2026 at 16:26

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 people who don’t like our country,” he said.

Everything Feels So Expensive. Here’s What’s Really Going On.

NYT - Top Stories

By: Natasha Sarin

21 October 2026 at 13:10

Whatever you call it, we can all agree this doesn’t feel good.

What We Saw at Fast-Track Trials of Riot Suspects in France

NYT - Top Stories

By: Catherine Porter and Giulia Imbert

21 October 2026 at 17:47

At the Tribunal de Paris, judges have supervised a carousel of expedited and often chaotic hearings for those detained during recent unrest.

Police officers confronting protesters in Paris this month.

In Trump’s Diplomacy, Insults Are a One-Way Street. Ukraine Is the Latest Example.

NYT - Top Stories

By: Peter Baker

21 October 2026 at 17:44

The latest rift with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine serves as a reminder that President Trump readily lashes out at other world leaders, only to grow outraged if they fight back.

President Trump’s belligerence leaves many world leaders reluctant to cross him for fear of blowback or even, depending on his mood, a fresh round of tariffs.

France Riots Expose the Rage Aimed at Dior, Hermès and Other Luxury Brands

NYT - Top Stories

By: Vanessa Friedman

21 October 2026 at 16:55

The looting of stores belonging to brands like Dior, Celine and Hermès has exposed a crack in the glossy facade.

A vandalized Hermès storefront in Marseille, France, on Saturday.

When Starshield Cut Out, Ukrainian Drones Fell From the Skies

NYT - Top Stories

By: Siobhán O’Grady · Carlotta Gall and Anton Troianovski

21 October 2026 at 16:40

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 connectivity since Starshield was disrupted.

Macron Says Trump Does Not Like France and Distorts Its Troubles

NYT - Top Stories

By: Ségolène Le Stradic

21 October 2026 at 16:26

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.

Cardi B Is Using Her Music, Her Business and Her Politics to Express Herself

NYT - Top Stories

By: Emily Lordi

21 October 2026 at 12:05

A shape-shifter with talent and personality to spare, the rapper keeps finding new ways to express herself.

Is Rabies Making a Comeback?

NYT - Top Stories

By: Emily Anthes

21 October 2026 at 19:59

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

Brad Lander Is Detained by Israeli Military in West Bank During Volunteer Trip

NYT - Top Stories

By: Liam Stack

21 October 2026 at 17:00

Mr. Lander, a Democratic congressional nominee from New York, had been helping Palestinian farmers. He said he was released after about three hours, but that other volunteers were still in custody.