ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Sunday, including Russian President Putin's offering to resume direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul; Trump's announcement of a full ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and a "total reset" in US-China relations following successful trade talks in Switzerland.
TOP STORIES
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Ukraine to resume direct peace talks in Istanbul, starting May 15.
Putin said at a news conference in Moscow that he would hold a phone call Monday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and request a platform for the talks to discuss pathways toward peace with Ukraine.
"Russia is prepared to negotiate without preconditions. There is a war underway now, and we suggest resuming negotiations. Those genuinely seeking peace will endorse this initiative," he said.
The president added that a new ceasefire could potentially be negotiated in Istanbul.
US President Donald Trump said Pakistan and India have reached a “full and immediate” ceasefire after days of intense fighting.
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great, " Trump wrote on social media.
Shortly after the post, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar wrote on X: “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also confirmed the development. "It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 17:00 hours Indian Standard Time (IST) today," said Misri.
US President Donald Trump announced his team had a "very good meeting" on trade with Chinese officials in Switzerland.
He claimed a "total reset" in US-China relations had been achieved.
"A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner. We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The first day of the trade talks concluded in Geneva with discussions set to resume Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- A 72-hour unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine, declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, ended at midnight Friday Moscow time.
- Tufts University Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk was greeted by Massachusetts US Sen. Edward Markey and congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, one day after she was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in the state of Louisiana.
- At least 62 people were confirmed dead and 50 remain missing after severe floods swept through villages along Lake Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern South Kivu province, officials said.
- South Korea's ruling party candidate registered with the election authority to contest the June 3 snap presidential election, ending a weeklong internal party candidacy dispute, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip.
- Israeli warplanes flew above two southern Syrian provinces, according to the Daraa governorate's Telegram channel.
- Pope Leo XIV urged the Catholic Church to respond to artificial intelligence (AI) developments in his first formal speech to the College of Cardinals, the Vatican News reported.
- The Palestinian Water Authority PWA) warned about the imminent humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip because of the collapse of water and sanitation services amid Israel's offensive.
- A group of protesters in London staged an anti-monarchy protest to commemorate "Republic Day 2025."
- At least 21 people were killed and 47 injured in a drone strike by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeting the prison in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state in southern Sudan, said the Sudan Doctors Network.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- 1st day of US-China high-level trade talks in Switzerland concludes
The first day of high-level trade talks between the US and China concluded in Geneva with discussions set to resume Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The meeting, which began at 10 a.m. local time (0800GMT) and included a lunch break, ended around 8 p.m., lasting at least eight hours, according to the newspaper.
No official statements were issued, and details on the content or tone of the talks were not made public.
- South Korea posts lowest Q1 economic growth among major economies: Data
South Korea logged the lowest economic growth among 19 major economies in the first quarter, following a months-long domestic political crisis and uncertainties caused by US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, according to data.
The real gross domestic product (GDP) -- a key measure of economic growth -- of Asia's fourth-largest economy shrank 0.246% in the January-March period from the previous quarter, Yonhap News reported, quoting data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
It marked the weakest quarterly performance among 19 major nations, including the US, Canada, France, Germany and China.
Ireland recorded the highest growth rate at 3.219%, followed by China and Indonesia, which posted 1.2% and 1.124% growth rates, respectively.
SPORTS
Former Olympic diver Leon Taylor said winning silver at the 2004 Athens Games, which ended Great Britain’s 44-year medal drought in diving, remains one of the proudest moments of his life.
“It was my third Olympic Games. Winning a medal for myself and for my country – the first in diving in 44 years – was one of my proudest moments,” Taylor told Anadolu. “It had been 20 years since I watched the Olympics on TV as a child and dreamt of standing on that podium.”
Taylor was in Türkiye for the “Wellness Weekend with Olympic Medalist Athletes” event in the western resort town of Didim. The initiative, developed over the past decade with wellness advocate Cheryl Hicks, promotes movement, mindfulness and lifestyle education.
The Denver Nuggets edged the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime to clinch a 2-1 lead in the NBA Western Conference semifinals.
The Nuggets’ Jamal Murray scored 27 points and Nikola Jokic had 20 points and 16 rebounds at Ball Arena.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 32 points, Chet Holmgren scored 18 points and 16 rebounds, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 18 points and 13 boards.
