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Pope Leo XIV urged the release of imprisoned journalists across the world, saying their work is essential in defending “dignity, justice, and the right of people to be informed.” He also affirmed the “gift” of free speech and free press.

Police bodycam footage shows Newark Mayor Ras Baraka being arrested outside a detention centre in New Jersey, during a protest about US immigration. Officials claim he trespassed, but Baraka and witnesses say he complied with orders.

Hamas says it will release US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander and confirms direct talks with the US, while Israel insists it has not agreed to any ceasefire – signaling a possible rift with Washington, analysts say.

Israeli PM says negotiations with Hamas will continue ‘under fire’, with just a pause for the planned release of Edan Alexander.

Israel has not agreed to any ceasefire or prisoner swap with Hamas ahead of the expected release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, but is continuing to prepare to intensify its military operations in Gaza, its prime minister has stated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement released on Monday that ceasefire negotiations “will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting”. The Israeli leader insisted that military pressure had forced Hamas to make the release.

“Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind” or the release of Palestinian prisoners, but has only agreed to allow safe passage for the release of Alexander, the last surviving United States captive held in Gaza, the statement said.

A Hamas source told the AFP news agency later on Monday that mediators had informed the Palestinian group that Israel would pause military operations in Gaza for the handover.

‘Final deal?’

Hamas said on Monday that Alexander’s release was imminent. The armed group agreed to release him as a goodwill gesture to US President Donald Trump, who is due to arrive in the Middle East later.

The previous day, the Palestinian group had revealed that it had agreed to the release in talks with the US. Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt called it an encouraging step towards a return to ceasefire talks for war-torn Gaza.

Khalil al-Hayyah, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said the group was ready to “immediately start intensive negotiations” to reach a final deal for a long-term truce, including an end to the war, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and remaining Israeli captives in Gaza, and the handing over of power in the enclave to an independent body of technocrats.

Alexander’s family said they hoped the decision would open the way for the release of the 59 other captives, only 21 of whom are believed to be alive.

Families of the captives and their supporters in Israel have pressed the government to reach a deal to secure the release of those still held in Gaza, but Netanyahu has faced heavy pressure from hardliners in his cabinet not to end the war.

Last week, Netanyahu announced that Israel plans a total conquest of Gaza in an intensive military operation. Israeli officials have said that the step-up in military action would not start until Trump wraps up his Middle East visit.

Israel continues to bombard the enclave.

Gaza’s Civil Defence agency reported on Monday that several people were killed and many more injured in an overnight air attack on a school housing displaced people.

“At least 10 [dead], including several women and children, as well as dozens of wounded, were transported following an Israeli air strike on the Fatima Bint Asad school, which is home to more than 2,000 displaced people in the city of Jabalia,” Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal said.

Israeli forces also continued attacks across the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City in the north, Rafah in the south and the Nuseirat refugee camp in the centre.

In the end of an era for Indian Test cricket, Virat Kohli follows fellow batting star Rohit Sharma into retirement.

India batsman Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing down the curtain on a sparkling career in the longest format just days after captain Rohit Sharma did the same.

Kohli, who made his debut in 2011 and scored 30 centuries and 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 over 123 tests, is expected to remain available for one-day internationals.

The 36-year-old quit Twenty20 International immediately after India won their second 20-over World Cup trophy in the West Indies last year.

“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on,” Kohli posted on Instagram on Monday.

“It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life.

“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”

While Kohli’s final test wrapped up a 3-1 test series defeat by Australia in January, which saw India relinquish the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade, he will be remembered most for his spell as captain between 2014 and 2022.

Kohli won 40 of his 68 tests in charge of India to become the country’s most successful skipper in the format, and sits fourth in the list of captains with the most test victories.

Only Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41) won more tests as captains.

India suffered only 17 defeats with Kohli at the helm as he guided the side to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, when they lost to New Zealand.

He was also part of the team that lost the second World Test Championship final to Australia in 2023.

“I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way,” he added.

“I’ll always look back at my test career with a smile.”

India’s next test assignment is a five-match series in England from June 20.

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Risk-on sentiment continued to dominate global market trends during Monday’s Asian session after officials from the US and China signalled “substantial progress” following two days of trade negotiations in Switzerland over the weekend.

China’s Vice Premier, He Lifeng, described the meeting as “an important first step” towards resolving differences, with both sides agreeing to establish a mechanism for further discussions. However, no specific details were provided regarding the points of agreement or the timeline for subsequent meetings. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that more information would be shared on Monday, while he noted that a joint statement would be released.

Risk-on prevails

Optimism toward a potential de-escalation in trade tensions between the US and China fuelled risk-on sentiment, with stock markets rallying and safe-haven assets declining.

As of 5:30 am CEST, US stock futures had surged, with the Dow up 1.12%, the S&P 500 rising 1.46%, and the Nasdaq Composite gaining 1.93%. European equities were also poised for a higher open. Among major stock futures, Germany’s DAX advanced 0.85%, reaching a fresh high; the Euro Stoxx 600 rose 0.8%; and the UK’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.36%.

Asian equity markets also posted gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.9%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.1%, the ASX 200 gained 0.28%, and South Korea’s Kospi advanced 0.7%.

Conversely, gold prices declined sharply as demand for safe-haven assets eased. Spot gold fell 1.4% to $3,279 per ounce, marking its lowest level since 5 May.

Meanwhile, haven currencies, including the euro, the Japanese yen, and the Swiss franc, weakened further against the US dollar, falling to their lowest levels since 10 April.

Markets await details of trade talks

Uncertainty remains as investors await further information regarding the trade discussions between the world’s two largest economies.

“Greater clarity on these matters, to provide firm backing to the apparent more conciliatory tone of rhetoric seen from both sides, will be needed to give markets additional confidence that the peak of trade uncertainty and tit-for-tat tariffs is indeed in the rear-view mirror, and to unlock the door to a more durable and sustainable firming in risk appetite,” wrote Michael Brown, a senior research strategist at Pepperstone Group in London.

“For the time being, however, given the prevailing uncertainty, I’m inclined to fade this strength in the dollar and equities — at least in the short term,” he added.

The S&P 500 has rebounded nearly 10% since US President Donald Trump indicated a substantial cut to tariffs on China in late April. Nonetheless, the benchmark index remains negative year-to-date, down 3.8%. Meanwhile, the US dollar index (DXY) has dropped more than 7% this year, despite the recent rebound.

According to Bloomberg, the US is considering reducing tariffs on Chinese goods to below 60% as a first step, while seeking to negotiate the removal of Chinese restrictions on rare earth exports to the US. In early April, Beijing announced export restrictions on a wide range of critical minerals — including germanium, gallium, antimony, and magnets — potentially disrupting production in American electric vehicles and other electronic devices.