Culture

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the briefing in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday. Efrem Lukatsky/AP hide caption toggle caption Efrem Lukatsky/AP KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hopes the United States will apply “maximum additional sanctions” on Russia if it refuses to accept a 30-day ceasefire and described Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “bravado” … Read more

Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today’s top stories The Environmental Protection Agency announced yesterday plans to target more than two dozen rules and policies. The agency is reconsidering rules that … Read more

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ukraine has accepted a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Russia that will take effect if the Kremlin agrees. MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Ukraine has accepted a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Now, this would go into effect immediately if Russia agrees. Here’s U.S. Secretary of State Marco … Read more

People queue in long lines in departure hall C at Rhine-Main Airport, Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday, a day ahead of a planned strike across Germany amid new contract negotiations. Andreas Arnold/DPA via AP hide caption toggle caption Andreas Arnold/DPA via AP BERLIN — Flight cancellations at Hamburg Airport after a surprise strike by workers affected … Read more

Nuns pray for Pope Francis on Saturday in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where the pontiff is hospitalized. Andrew Medichini/AP hide caption toggle caption Andrew Medichini/AP ROME — Pope Francis is responding well to the treatment for double pneumonia and has shown a “gradual, slight improvement” in recent days, the Vatican said … Read more

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings sold its Panama ports business to a group of investors led by BlackRock. What does this episode tell us about Hong Kong today? JUANA SUMMERS, HOST: A Hong Kong company that operates ports on both ends of the Panama Canal said this week that it had agreed … Read more

U.S. President Donald Trump (C) and Vice President JD Vance, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Andrew Harnik/Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump (C) and Vice President JD Vance, … Read more

Leaders of the European Union have voted to approve a plan to dramatically increase defense spending. The move is a reaction to the U.S. reducing its support for Ukraine in the war against Russia’s invasion. We go to Brussels to understand the ramifications. And we hear what the series of recent developments in the relationship … Read more

Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa expresses fear and distaste at how Trump treats Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. JUANA SUMMERS, HOST: After Friday’s contentious meeting in the Oval Office between President Trump, Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, the White House was sent a letter. The author received the Nobel Peace Prize and is … Read more

President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their Oval Office last Friday. Zelenskyy left the contentious meeting without a deal. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Andrew Harnik/Getty Images The Trump administration is pausing military aid to Ukraine, a White House official said, just days after a disastrous meeting between President Trump and … Read more