Biden and Legacy Admissions: A Political Win and a ‘Band Aid’ for Education After an affirmative action ruling, legacy admissions are a ripe target. Still, skyrocketing tuition costs and mountains of debt remain far greater worries for many Americans.

Biden and Meloni of Italy May Find Common Ground The president has been wary of the Italian prime minister’s hard-right politics. But when they meet on Thursday, they may see eye to eye on key issues.

White House Condemns Fox News Over Greg Gutfeld’s Holocaust Comments In a debate over Florida’s African American history curriculum, Greg Gutfeld said Jews in Nazi concentration camps “had to be useful” to survive, remarks that the White House called “an obscenity.”

NASA Picks Lockheed Martin to Build a Nuclear-Powered Rocket The space agency and DARPA will work with Lockheed Martin to build a vehicle that uses the power of the atom for space propulsion.

Nikki Haley Toes the Line on Abortion in New Hampshire The former South Carolina governor — who is trying to break out in a packed 2024 Republican presidential primary — gave a nuanced response on one of the thorniest issues facing Republicans.

Who Is Maryellen Noreika, Judge in the Hunter Biden Federal Case? Judge Noreika was appointed by President Donald J. Trump, but had the support of Delaware’s two Democratic senators.

Hunter Biden is set to appear in court to ratify a plea deal. The president’s son is scheduled to appear in Federal District Court in Wilmington to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and accept an agreement that would avert prosecution on a gun charge.

Anti-Trump Ads in Iowa Feature Republican Voters Who Turned Against Him Hoping to persuade G.O.P. voters that Donald Trump cannot win another general election, the Republican Accountability Project is running ads that feature voters who grew disillusioned with him.

Hunter Biden to Appear in Court to Ratify Plea Deal The president’s son is scheduled to appear in Federal District Court in Wilmington to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and accept an agreement that would avert prosecution on a gun charge.

Where Is Melania Trump Now? The former first lady has mostly retreated from public view — and steered clear of the campaign trail — while her husband fights to return to the White House and faces increasing legal peril.

Senate Targets China, Voting to Restrict Farmland Purchases and U.S. Investment Senators voted overwhelmingly to block Chinese businesses from buying farmland and mandate that American investment in the country’s national security industries be tracked.

Trump to Return Ancient Coins and Lamps to Israel’s Antiquities Agency The items have been at former President Donald J. Trump’s home in Florida since 2021, when they were presented to him during a Hanukkah celebration.

U.S. Sends More Weapons to Ukraine Amid Slow Counteroffensive The package, which includes artillery, air defenses and mine-clearing equipment, will help replenish Ukrainian forces advance through dense Russian minefields and other defenses.

DeSantis Involved in Car Crash; He and His Team Are Unhurt The crash occurred as Mr. DeSantis and his team were traveling to an event in Chattanooga, Tenn., a spokesman said. He did not provide further details.

Biden to Create Monument to Emmett Till Amid Fights Over Black History The murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till and the activism of his grieving mother helped galvanize the civil rights movement in America.

Biden Takes His Battle for Democracy Case by Case President Biden’s decisions on when to speak out forcefully for democracy can prove tricky.

Kelly Ayotte Announces Run for Governor in New Hampshire The former senator entered the race after Gov. Chris Sununu, a fellow Republican, said last week that he would not run again.

Will Hurd Searches for a 2024 Republican Base Hoping to break through a crowded presidential field in 2024, the former Texas congressman is pitching himself as a modern and moderate Republican with a bipartisan vision.

Former Republican Aides Shepherd Whistle-Blowers Through Congress Empower Oversight, a group of lawyers including former aides to Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, is part of a constellation of groups facilitating G.O.P. investigations in Congress.

U.S. Confronts Tight but Turbulent Relationship With Israel President Biden has cautioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against pursuing a proposal to rein in Israel’s judiciary, a plan that has deeply divided Israeli society.