The first direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations in three years yielded minimal results in Istanbul, with both sides agreeing on only a prisoner exchange. The talks were undermined by Russia's "unacceptable demands" and threats of new attacks against Ukraine if Kyiv doesn't withdraw from annexed regions.

Chancellor Merz's defense ambitions dominated domestic coverage, with plans to make the Bundeswehr "Europe's strongest conventional army" while Foreign Minister Wadephul's proposal for 5% NATO defense spending sparked coalition tensions.

Reports of Russia's AI drone advantage and Russian agents operating in Germany heightened security concerns.

Violence continued with a police officer being stabbed outside a station in Berlin-Neukölln, following yesterday's trampling of officers at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

By evening, Israel launched a new major offensive in Gaza, aiming to "definitively destroy Hamas," while eleven armed inmates escaped from a US prison.