U.S. food aid benefits for 42 million hang on legal battles, shutdown
The fate of food assistance for 42 million low-income Americans remained uncertain on Monday, as ongoing legal disputes continued to cloud the future ...
Russian negotiator Medinsky reveals Ukraine's 30/60-day ceasefire bid for leader talks. Russia ready for June 7-9 prisoner swap and hints at Putin-Zelenskyy summit if "properly prepared"
Hopes for de-escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine have received a cautious boost, with Russian presidential aide and chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky outlining key developments following recent talks in Istanbul. Medinsky, whose comments were reported by the TASS Russian news agency, indicated a willingness from Moscow on a prisoner exchange and clarified Russia's stance on a potential leaders' summit.
According to Medinsky, Ukraine proposed a temporary ceasefire of either 30 or 60 days during the Istanbul discussions. The stated purpose of this proposed halt in hostilities was to facilitate preparations for a high-level meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. This suggestion signals a continued, albeit fragile, diplomatic channel between the warring nations.
In a more immediate and concrete development, Medinsky announced Russia's readiness to commence a prisoner swap with Ukraine. The proposed timeframe for this exchange is set for June 7-9, offering a tangible step towards resolving a pressing humanitarian issue. Such an exchange, if it materialises, would be a significant indicator of cooperation despite the deep-seated animosity.
Regarding the highly anticipated direct talks between the heads of state, Medinsky conveyed President Vladimir Putin’s position. The Russian leader believes that a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart is indeed possible, but only if it is "properly prepared." This caveat suggests that Moscow views a leaders' summit not as an immediate solution, but as the culmination of sustained diplomatic groundwork.
The statements from Medinsky come as international efforts continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the protracted conflict. While the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, these latest reports from TASS suggest that back-channel discussions are yielding at least some potential avenues for de-escalation and humanitarian gestures. The focus now shifts to whether the proposed ceasefire and prisoner swap will come to fruition, potentially paving the way for more substantive negotiations in the future.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin has launched NASA’s twin ESCAPADE satellites to Mars on Sunday, marking the second flight of its New Glenn rocket, a mission seen as a crucial test of the company’s reusability ambitions and a fresh challenge to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Two trains crashed in Slovakia on Sunday evening after one ran into the back of the other, injuring dozens of passengers, police and the country's interior minister said.
Real Madrid, top of LaLiga, is determined to bounce back from their midweek Champions League loss against Liverpool as they face local rivals Rayo Vallecano. Coach Xabi Alonso insists the team is focused on finishing strong before the international break.
China has announced exemptions to its export controls on Nexperia chips intended for civilian use, the commerce ministry said on Sunday, a move aimed at easing supply shortages affecting carmakers and automotive suppliers.
Russia said its forces have captured the village of Rybne in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, though Kyiv has not confirmed the claim. Ukraine’s military says it repelled multiple Russian assaults nearby amid ongoing heavy fighting.
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered air traffic controllers back to work amid record flight cancellations and delays during the 41-day federal government shutdown, warning penalties for absences and promising rewards for those who stayed on duty.
The fate of food assistance for 42 million low-income Americans remained uncertain on Monday, as ongoing legal disputes continued to cloud the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) even while lawmakers worked to end the record-breaking federal government shutdown.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss improving bilateral relations and addressing key regional concerns, according to the Syrian presidency.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday officially declared open the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China, marking the start of the nation’s premier multi-sport event that brings together thousands of athletes from across the country.
Azerbaijan has officially handed over the COP chairmanship to Brazil. Under President Ilham Aliyev, COP29 worked to bring countries together, act as a fair mediator, and aim for the highest climate goals.
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