Stories that are getting the most attention from our readers this week.
Istanbul, Turkey: In the largest prisoner exchange since the Russia-Ukraine war began, both sides plan to swap 1,000 captives each. The agreement follows high-level talks in Istanbul where official ceasefire proposals stalled, but a POW release was greenlit. Thousands of families across Russia and Ukraine await news on loved ones, hoping the deal finalizes soon. Observers say the exchange could mark a rare moment of cooperation in a conflict that’s now in its third year, though broader peace remains elusive.
Quito, Ecuador: President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly just as it prepared to impeach him, using a constitutional measure known as “muerte cruzada.” The move terminates both the legislature and Lasso’s own term, triggering new presidential and legislative elections within six months. Lasso claims the leftist-dominated Assembly threatened democracy; opponents call this a power grab.