The World: Five stories you might have missed

Personalized for you.

nytimes.com July 17, 2026 Here are some standout stories from this week, curated by The World editors and personalized for you. Eric Lee for The New York Times How Marco Rubio Is Running Venezuela From Afar The secretary of state effectively controls Venezuela’s finances, the distribution of its natural resources and its government. His grip on the country is a vivid manifestation of American power in the Trump era. By Tyler Pager and Anatoly Kurmanaev Ahmed Gaber for The New York Times I Got Slopped Someone used A.I. to write my biography. Thousands more of those books are polluting Amazon. Who is behind all this drivel? By Kashmir Hill Frances F. Denny for The New York Times Everybody Loves Cheese. Why Is Selling It So Hard These Days? Cheesemongering is a calling, requiring deep expertise and longstanding relationships, but today’s retail environment is making it more and more difficult. By Pete Wells Claire Merchlinsky/The New York Times; Photographs via Getty Alzheimer’s Blood Tests Offer New Promise to Diagnose and Predict the Disease New studies are shedding light on how the tests could eventually transform treatment. By Dana G. Smith and Pam Belluck Jon Super/Associated Press How Andy Burnham, ‘King of the North,’ Conquered U.K. Politics A plain-spoken politician from a modest background in northwest England, Mr. Burnham became Labour leader — and Britain’s incoming prime minister — on Friday. By Michael D. Shear Host: Katrin Bennhold Editor: Alicia Wittmeyer News Editors: Desiree Ibekwe, Carole Landry Associate Staff Editor: Parin Behrooz Photo Editor: Eli Cohen Deputy International Editor: Adam Pasick If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The World from The New York Times. To stop receiving The World, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018