The Wall Street Journal

A Claude Monet ‘Water Lilies’ Scene Sold for $65.5 Million

The five-foot-tall painting, once owned by a haircare maven, offered a fresh test of the trophy art market

Ukraine Uses U.S.-Provided Missiles in Russia for First Time

The strike, against an ammunition depot, came days after the U.S. authorized their use on Russian territory

As Beijing Threatens, Taiwan Looks Nervously at Trump

Taipei sets aside fears of Chinese invasion and trade-war crossfire to focus on potential cooperation with the new administration

Why North Korean Soldiers Are Prepared to Die in Russia

Nearly all would raise their hands to go, ex-military defectors explain, owing to regime loyalty, promise of higher status and a glimpse of the outside world

Trump’s Choice for Energy Secretary Is a Fracking Booster and Climate Skeptic

By nominating Chris Wright, Trump is elevating an ally of his oil donors, many of whom question climate change science

Biden Approves Ukraine’s Use of Long-Range Missiles Inside Russia

The introduction of thousands of North Korean troops led to a change in Biden’s calculus

As Western Leaders Look to Talks With Putin, Russia Launches Massive Barrage on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched at targets across the country

The Battle Brewing Over How Much Red Meat You Eat

Scientists advising the government have drafted recommendations that would tell Americans to limit red meat

Killer Robots Are About to Fill Ukrainian Skies

Kyiv’s drone suppliers are ramping up production of computer-guided drones that are cheap and can’t be electronically jammed

Matt Gaetz, Once a Justice Department Target, Now Targets Justice Department

As attorney general, former lawmaker would be in charge of agency that probed sex-trafficking allegations; criticizes ‘lawfare’

U.S. Must Be Prepared to Expand Nuclear-Weapons Force, Biden Officials Say

Decision on whether to do so will be left to President-elect Donald Trump

The Middle East Drug Fueling War, Crime and All-Night Parties

Captagon is bringing big profits to Syria’s Assad regime and Hezbollah—and it’s triggering a health crisis

Texas Supreme Court Rules Execution of Man in ‘Shaken Baby’ Case Can Proceed

State lawmakers had stopped Robert Roberson’s execution at the last minute in an unusual legal maneuver

China’s Once-Unwanted Daughters Have Grown Up—and Now They Shun Motherhood

Cast aside in favor of sons, some women say trauma of one-child policy shattered their sense of family

Iran Told U.S. It Wasn’t Trying to Kill Trump

Written communication last month came after Biden administration warned Tehran against attempts on Trump’s life

Trump Picks Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary

Kennedy has promised sweeping changes to food and drug regulation

Paris Deploys Thousands of Police Ahead of Soccer Match Between France and Israel

Authorities step up security a week after Israeli fans were attacked in Amsterdam

Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.

Doctors for generations accepted being at the mercy of their pagers. Now, many are questioning medicine’s workaholic culture.

Republicans Clinch House Majority but Face Narrow Margin

Trump backs Mike Johnson for speaker as party works to head off internal drama

A ‘Gangster’ Is Blowing Up India-Canada Relations—From Behind Bars

Why authorities see Lawrence Bishnoi, a hero in his Indian village, as the head of a global crime network accused of murder and extortion