Germany faces challenges in increasing defense spending and is seeing a shift in foreign policy under Merz, including calls for European independence from the US. Read more...

Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners following the return of four Israeli hostage bodies by Hamas. The release was initially delayed due to disputes over handover ceremonies. Read more...

A liveblog summary of escalating Middle East tensions, including Israel's import ban on Gaza, a new Hamas hostage video, and US military aid for Israel, alongside questions surrounding the Tate brothers' departure from Romania. Read more...