International

Europe tries to muscle up as U.S. plots mediation to help end Russia's war in Ukraine
European leaders are taking steps to answer assertive U.S. efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. France on Sunday announced a meeting of continental leaders and Baltic countries called for new steps to strengthen Kyiv’s hand in any future talks.
Hong Kong residents compete to name twin panda cubs who just turned 6 months old
Panda craze has once again gripped Hong Kong as residents compete to name the territory’s first locally-born giant panda cubs who just turned six months old. The competition launched Saturday following a celebratory ceremony at Ocean Park which houses the twins, their parents and two other giant pandas.
German chancellor slams Vance's call for Europe to be inclusive of far-right parties
Olaf Scholz rebuked U.S. Vice President JD Vance for suggesting that far-right parties should not be shut out of government. Germany's other political parties have refused to work with the far-right AfD.
Hamas frees 3 hostages, Israel releases hundreds of prisoners as fragile ceasefire holds
Hamas-led militants have released three male Israeli hostages, and Israeli forces began releasing hundreds of prisoners in return, in the latest indication that the fragile ceasefire deal that has paused fighting in the Gaza Strip but that had teetered in recent days, is holding.
Trump upends U.S. policy on Ukraine and says he and Putin have agreed to begin talks on ending the war
President Donald Trump upended three years of U.S. policy toward Ukraine on Wednesday, saying that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war following a dramatic prisoner swap.
Kremlin says unidentified Russian freed in U.S. in exchange for Moscow's release of Marc Fogel
A Kremlin spokesman told reporters that the unidentified individual would return to Russia “in the coming days,” and his name would be revealed when he returns home — unlike during past prisoner exchanges.