The New York Times

Here are some of the stories we are covering from around the world: In Debate, Trump Shrugs and It’s NATO That’s Shaken Donald Trump has regularly disparaged NATO and even threatened to withdraw the United States from it, and during the presidential debate Thursday night, he did nothing to assuage European concerns about his antipathy toward the military alliance. With Voter Discontent High, Turnout Appears to Plummet in Iran As voting proceeded in Iran’s presidential election on Friday, early estimates showed that only about one in four eligible voters appeared to be casting ballots. The latest polling suggested Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, was in the lead, but not enough to avoid a runoff. France’s Bold Election Gamble: Here Is What’s at Stake President Emmanuel Macron’s surprise call for new elections in France’s lower house of Parliament is seen as a risky gamble. Here's what to know ahead of Sunday's legislative elections. @nytimes

Here are some of the stories we are covering from around the world: At Least 750,000 on Brink of Starvation and Death in Sudan, Experts Warn At least 750,000 people are on the brink of starvation and death in Sudan, where a devastating civil war has left over half the country’s 48 million people in a situation of chronic hunger, the global authority on famine said on Thursday. How to Escape From the Russian Army Facing grim job prospects, a young Nepali signed up to join Russia’s military, which sent him to fight in Ukraine. His ordeal of combat, injury and escape turned into a tale worthy of Hollywood. China Levels Graft Charges Against Former Defense Ministers China’s leadership accused two former defense ministers on Thursday of taking “huge” bribes and of other acts of corruption that compromised military promotions and the nation’s weapons production complex. @nytimes

Here are some of the stories we are covering from around the world: NATO Will Offer Ukraine a ‘Bridge’ to Membership, Hoping That’s Enough NATO will offer Ukraine a new headquarters to manage its military assistance at its upcoming 75th anniversary summit in Washington, officials said, an assurance of the alliance’s long-term commitment to the country’s security that has been heralded as a “bridge” to Kyiv’s eventual membership. Russia Opens Secret Trial of U.S. Reporter Accused of Espionage Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal has endured 15 months in prison by reading letters and Russian classics, while the authorities have not publicly offered any evidence that he was a spy. Kenyan President Rejects Bill That Led to Deadly Protests A day after at least 23 people were killed in demonstrations against a tax increase, President William Ruto withdrew the law that he said was necessary to avoid defaulting on the country’s debt. @nytimes

Here are some of the stories we are covering from around the world: Russia Committed Human Rights Violations in Crimea, European Court Finds The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday that Russia and its proxy security forces in Crimea have committed multiple human rights violations during its decade-long occupation of the Ukrainian territory. Assange Agrees to Plead Guilty in Exchange for Release, Ending Standoff With U.S. Barring last-minute snags, the deal would bring to an end a prolonged battle that began after the WikiLeaks founder became alternately celebrated and reviled for revealing state secrets in the 2010s. Kenya Explodes in Violence as Protesters Breach the Parliament Building Kenya exploded in violence on Tuesday as demonstrators clashed with police officers in the streets and stormed the national Parliament building after lawmakers passed a bill to increase taxes. @nytimes

Here are some of the stories we are covering from around the world: Deadly Attack Revives Fears of the Return of Mass Terror in Russia A deadly attack on a police station and places of worship in southern Russia raised the specter of a new wave of violence in the country’s restive Northern Caucasus region and underlined the mounting security challenges facing the Kremlin amid the demands of the war in Ukraine. Princess Anne Hospitalized With Minor Injuries Princess Anne, the younger sister of King Charles III, was hospitalized on Sunday evening after suffering a concussion and other minor injuries in an unspecified accident, Buckingham Palace said on Monday. Iran’s Onerous Hijab Law for Women Is Now a Campaign Issue In a sign that a women-led movement has gained ground, all of the men running for president have distanced themselves from the harsh tactics used to enforce mandatory hijab. @nytimes

Here are some of the stories we are covering from around the world: Israeli Official Describes Secret Government Bid to Cement Control of West Bank Israeli judges have long ruled that Israel’s control of the territory is a temporary military occupation and complies with international law. A powerful minister’s recent speech, caught on tape, suggested the government is trying to change that. As Ukraine Expands Military Draft, Some Men Go Into Hiding Fearful that conscription is a one-way ticket to bloody trench warfare, the men spend their days holed up at home to avoid draft officers who roam the streets. In Iran Election, a New Target for Conservatives: the Government A special presidential election campaign is featuring blistering attacks on the status quo by conservatives and the lone reformer alike. @nytimes

Here are some of the stories we are covering from around the world: U.S. Will Redirect Deliveries of Patriot Missiles to Ukraine The Biden administration will rush advanced air defense missiles to Ukraine by delaying certain weapons shipments to other countries, a move that a White House spokesman described on Thursday as “difficult but necessary” given Russian advances in the war. When the Only Escape From War in Gaza Is to Buy a Way Out For many Palestinians, securing approval to exit the territory is possible only after raising thousands of dollars to pay middlemen or an Egyptian company. Asian Fears Come True as North Korea’s Russia Pact Amplifies Threat While the agreement rattled officials in South Korea and Japan, the two U.S. allies in recent years have been expecting growing security challenges from North Korea. @nytimes

Putin and Kim Sign Pact Pledging Mutual Support Against ‘Aggression’ President Vladimir Putin of Russia and North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, revived a Cold War-era mutual defense pledge between their nations on Wednesday, signing a new agreement that calls for them to assist each other in the event of “aggression” against either country. Nancy Pelosi Meets With Dalai Lama, Despite China’s Criticism A high-level U.S. congressional delegation, including the former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, met with the Dalai Lama at his Indian home on Wednesday, a visit that was condemned in advance by China’s government, which considers the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader a separatist. A Deadly Toll as an Intense Heat Grips Saudi Arabia Dozens of people have died amid scorching temperatures during the annual hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, according to reports from official media in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. @nytimes

Here are the stories we are covering from around the world: Putin Arrives in North Korea as Ukraine War Redefines Ties With Kim President Vladimir Putin of Russia has arrived in North Korea, according to Russian state media, visiting for the first time in 24 years after vowing to bring ties with Pyongyang to new heights and jointly rebuff what he called the “global neocolonial dictatorship” of the United States. Protests Erupt in Kenya Over Tax Hike Proposals Hundreds of Kenyans flocked to the center of the capital, Nairobi, to protest a proposed finance bill that many fear will significantly raise their already-high cost of living. Thaksin, Former Thai Premier, Indicted on Charges of Insulting Monarchy An indictment against Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minster of Thailand, was a reminder that the levers of power in the country remain firmly in the hands of the royalist-military establishment. @nytimes

Here are the stories we are covering from around the world: Putin Arrives in North Korea as Ukraine War Redefines Ties With Kim President Vladimir ddPutin of Russia has arrived in North Korea, according to Russian state media, visiting for the first time in 24 years after vowing to bring ties with Pyongyang to new heights and jointly rebuff what he called the “global neocolonial dictatorship” of the United States. Protests Erupt in Kenya Over Tax Hike Proposals Hundreds of Kenyans flocked to the center of the capital, Nairobi, to protest a proposed finance bill that many fear will significantly raise their already-high cost of living. Thaksin, Former Thai Premier, Indicted on Charges of Insulting Monarchy An indictment against Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minster of Thailand, was a reminder that the levers of power in the country remain firmly in the hands of the royalist-military establishment. @nytimes