Ukraine live briefing: Russia attacks southern, eastern Ukraine after Crimean Bridge explosion

Could Pope Leo mediate between Russia and Ukraine? Trump thinks so.

The Vatican has a deep history of conflict mediation, with varying degrees of success. An effort by the pope to end the war in Ukraine would face long odds....

Iranian officials warn nuclear talks in peril without uranium compromise

At an international conference in Tehran, top Iranian officials said they were eager to make a deal with Trump but that they wouldn’t buckle under pressure....

As Israel starves and destroys Gaza, it’s turning into a global pariah

After more than 19 months of brutal war, the patience of some of Israel’s Western allies appears to be running out amid a renewed Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip....

Trump backs off ceasefire after call with Putin, letting fighting rage on

After Trump’s third phone call with Putin since his inauguration, it appears there will be no letup in fighting and less U.S. pressure on Moscow....

Aging, stealthy, suspected of sabotage: What to know about Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’

The E.U. and Britain have announced fresh sanctions against Russia’s secretive shipping network, in the latest bid to cut off funding for the Kremlin’s war machine....

U.K. halts trade talks with Israel over Gaza war, settler violence

The Netherlands is also leading a push for the European Union to review its trade ties with Israel....

Rubio faces off with Democrats opposed to Trump’s foreign policy moves

In his return to the Senate, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was met with intense questioning about the Trump administration’s bid to end the Russia-Ukraine war....

Trump, Putin talk as Ukraine and Europe push for immediate ceasefire

Trump appeared to accept Putin’s demand to postpone a ceasefire until after negotiations, and there was little to indicate Russia had abandoned demands Ukraine finds unacceptable....

Vance and Rubio meet with pope in push to reset relations with Vatican

The Trump administration seeks to improve ties by working with Pope Leo XIV on ending the Ukraine war and de-emphasizing disagreements over U.S. migrant policy....

Vance, Zelensky meet in Rome amid Trump push for Ukraine ceasefire

The meeting, which also included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was the first encounter between Vance and Zelensky since a heated Oval Office session in February....

Romania could be next to elect a right-wing populist: What to know

George Simion suggests Romania, a member of the European Union and NATO, should stop aiding Ukraine. Ukraine considers him a national security threat....

China’s warplane combat debut over Kashmir riles tense geopolitics

Chinese officials are balancing nationalistic fervor and diplomatic restraint amid Pakistani claims that Chinese jets downed five Indian warplanes. And Washington is watching....

Nine killed in strike on bus in Ukraine’s Sumy region, officials say

A family and pension-aged women were among the victims of a strike by a Russian Lancet attack drone on Saturday, say local authorities and President Zelensky....

Russia takes tough stance in Istanbul talks, threatens Ukraine with long war

After dangling the possibility of his attendance, Trump said he would stay away but still wants to meet with Putin, further weakening the Istanbul talks....

ICC war crimes prosecutor takes leave amid sexual misconduct inquiry

Karim Khan, the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, is pursuing cases against Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu....

A Russian-stoked protest movement lifts a MAGA-like populist in Romania

Sunday’s presidential election in Romania could have significant implications for NATO and the European Union if the ultranationalist candidate wins....

Russia is targeting Ukrainian hotels to discourage journalists, report says

Russia claims the hotels have housed military targets, but Reporters Without Borders says the attacks are aimed at reducing coverage of the war....

Ukraine-Russia talks back on track but Rubio expects no breakthrough

Rubio said the low level of the Russian delegation likely meant there would be no major breakthroughs for the first direct talks between the two sides in years....

Planned Russia-Ukraine talks upend European push for U.S. sanctions on Moscow

The talks in Istanbul complicated a European push for the United States to pressure Russia into a ceasefire in Ukraine....

Trump’s Middle East trip makes it a big week for Turkey’s Erdogan

Trump’s Middle East trip comes amid a heady few days for Turkey, with news the PKK would disarm and as it is set to host delegations from Russia and Ukraine....

Russia, Ukraine set for first direct talks since war began with U.S. present

The new round of negotiations comes amid a long history of delaying tactics by the Russian side as the fighting in Ukraine grinds on....

China celebrates hard-line stance after trade deal with U.S.

“Bullying” leads to isolation, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned, after the Trump administration rolled back many tariffs....

Zelensky says he’s ready to meet Putin; Europe prepares sanctions

Russia has called for direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, but Ukraine’s European allies say Putin needs to agree to a ceasefire first....

China and U.S. agree to slash tariffs for 90 days while they negotiate

The agreement lowers tensions in the trade war but does little to change the overall direction of deteriorating ties between Beijing and Washington, analysts say....

Trump backs Putin’s proposal for Ukraine talks, undermining allies

Trump’s endorsement came the day after he backed European leaders’ demand for a ceasefire first....

Ukraine and allies demand 30-day ceasefire; Putin wants talks first

Ukraine’s Western allies said they would strengthen sanctions if Russia refused an unconditional 30-day ceasefire....

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire. But what caused the latest tensions?

The two nuclear-armed countries appeared to be getting closer to war after weeks of tensions and attacks that killed dozens....

India and Pakistan edge closer to war as nuclear-armed rivals trade strikes

Pakistan’s armed forces said they targeted military sites inside India in response to an Indian missile attack at air bases in Pakistan on Saturday....

Fog of war thickens as India and Pakistan trade blame and accusations

Each country has accused the other of fresh attacks, while a stream of misinformation on social media has deepened public unease on either side of the border....

Pope warns of ‘practical atheism’ as Catholicism declines in some parts of world