The New York Times

1. Trump Seeks to Abolish Iran’s Nuclear Stockpile, a Problem He Helped Create

   President Trump withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear accord in 2018, saying it was the worst deal ever. But Iran responded with an enrichment spree that haunts the negotiations to this day.

2. On Iran’s Border, Cooking Oil Trade Is a Snapshot of the Country’s Struggles

   The war has exacerbated Iran’s economic crisis, forcing many to cross the border into Turkey to buy the most basic goods.

3. The ‘Lasting Damage’ of Pirro’s Investigation of the Federal Reserve and Powell

   The Trump administration’s attacks on the Federal Reserve have rattled confidence in the central bank’s ability to operate independently before a leadership transition.

4. Firm Building Trump’s Ballroom Got a Secret No-Bid Contract for a Nearby Job

   The National Park Service increased the value of the contract several times over and then awarded it to Maryland-based Clark Construction, in a process that experts said was highly unusual.

5. U.S. Says Venezuelan Government Can Pay for Nicolás Maduro’s Defense

   The issue had been hanging over the former Venezuelan leader’s federal criminal case for weeks. Last month, a judge indicated that he was skeptical of the U.S. government’s rationale for blocking the funds.