The New York Times

1. Iran War Live Updates: Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon After Pulling Back From Threat to Beirut

   Under pressure from President Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel held off from attacking Beirut. But he vowed to continue Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, which could threaten peace talks with Iran.

2. Housing Official Who Attacked Democrats Invokes a Disputed Family Legacy

   The Trump nominee Bill Pulte has called out a Fed governor and New York’s attorney general for issues with their mortgage documents. Some leaders of the family’s home-building business bristle at how he has enhanced his reputation.

3. Extreme Water Shortages in the West, and Hegseth’s Pentagon Purge

   Plus, the rocky, unpredictable race for California governor.

4. Russia Launches Deadly Strikes on Kyiv After Threatening Ukraine for a Week

   Moscow’s repeated warnings of a major strike, combined with the delay before it happened, seemed intended to inflict a psychological toll on the Ukrainian capital.

5. Russia Is Showing Signs of Weakness in Ukraine. So It Hits Harder.

   The war has not been going the Kremlin’s way recently, with battleground losses and mounting casualties. With renewed strikes, Moscow hopes to gain a better position for negotiations.