As Dodgers Zero In on Playoffs, a $300 Million Payroll Is Out of Mind

By TYLER KEPNER

To focus on the Dodgers’ spending is to miss the beauty of their pursuit of the playoffs, personified by Clayton Kershaw’s virtuoso performance on Wednesday.

Published: September 3, 2015 at 08:00PM

Migrant Smuggling in Europe Is Now Worth ‘Billions’

By RICK LYMAN and ALISON SMALE

As thousands pour out of Afghanistan and the Middle East, the business of smuggling them into the European Union has grown larger than the illicit trade in drugs and weapons.

Published: September 4, 2015 at 12:00AM

Read more at: NYT World

China Shows Off Its Military Power

By JONAH M. KESSEL

China staged a military parade in Beijing on the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the Second World War.

Published: September 3, 2015 at 12:00AM

Read more at: NYT World

Hungarian Leader Rebuked for Saying Muslim Migrants Must Be Blocked ‘to Keep Europe Christian’

By ROBERT MACKEY

“We have a right to decide that we do not want a large number of Muslim people in our country,” Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary said.

Published: September 4, 2015 at 12:00AM

Read more at: NYT World

Afghans See Devious Attacks as Sign of War’s Toll on Traditional Values

By ROD NORDLAND

The principal of Pashtunwali, a code of conduct that stresses fairness and gives guest privileges even to enemies, is being lost after decades of war.

Published: September 4, 2015 at 12:00AM

Read more at: NYT World

American Yeshiva Students Escape Attack in West Bank Town

By ISABEL KERSHNER

Five American Jewish seminary students were rescued from an attack by local Palestinians who hurled stones and a firebomb at their car, said the Israeli police and the military.

Published: September 4, 2015 at 12:00AM

Read more at: NYT World

Ayatollah Says Sanctions Must Be Lifted

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told an influential clerical council on Thursday that there would be no nuclear deal if sanctions were “suspended” rather than “lifted.”

Published: September 3, 2015 at 12:00AM

Read more at: NYT World

1991 Case Involving Bill Belichick Plays Into Tom Brady Decision

By KEN BELSON

Belichick was an N.F.L. rookie head coach when the Cleveland Browns disciplined Reggie Langhorne for not hustling. The penalty was reduced because Langhorne was not given notice of potential penalties.

Published: September 3, 2015 at 08:00PM

Aunt of Drowned Syrian Boys Comments

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Teema Kurdi, the aunt of two Syrian boys who drowned off the coast of Turkey, said that their mother told her she didn’t know how to swim before the family attempted to cross the Mediterranean.

Published: September 3, 2015 at 12:00AM

Read more at: NYT World

Patriots and N.F.L. Players React to Tom Brady Suspension Ruling

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

A judge’s decision to overturn the N.F.L.’s four-game suspension of the Patriots’ quarterback drew an immediate response on social media.

Published: September 3, 2015 at 08:00PM