Netanyahu Drops Nominee for Spy Chief After Backlash

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel backed away from his nominee to lead Israel’s domestic intelligence service on Tuesday, after conservative allies attacked the candidate for criticizing President Trump and Israeli media reported that he had protested judicial overhauls pushed by the government. Mr. Netanyahu had backed Eli Sharvit, a former commander of Israel’s navy, … Read more

Why Was This the Only High-Rise in Bangkok to Topple After the Quake?

Only one building in Bangkok fell during the earthquake on Friday that rocked Myanmar, hundreds of miles away. Recovery efforts continue with at least 15 people killed and dozens still missing. Determining the cause could take months. But interviews with workers who had been on the site, together with early official findings, highlighted potential problems … Read more

Israel Announces Plans to Seize ‘Large Areas’ of Gaza as It Expands Offensive Against Hamas

Israel’s defense minister announced on Wednesday an expansion of the military offensive in Gaza against Hamas, including plans to seize “large areas” of the enclave. The minister, Israel Katz, said newly captured territory would be “added to the security zones” that the military currently maintains in Gaza. He added that the expanding operation involved “wide-scale … Read more

Angola Rail Line Offers Clues to Trump’s Africa Policy

An 800-mile rail corridor stretching from Angola’s northern border to the Atlantic Ocean was former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s signature project in Africa, meant to counter Chinese influence and reshape America’s engagement with the continent. When President Trump came into office this year, he quickly moved to dismantle decades of American aid to Africa, … Read more