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Ukraine's Third Army Corps says entire Russian units have been surrendering to Ukrainian forces, with more than 250 Russian soldiers taken prisoner in recent stages of the operation codenamed "Vivaldi" alone. Ukrainian officials present the mass surrenders as evidence of collapsing morale and weakening loyalty among Russian troops to their command. The figures come from Ukrainian sources and have not been independently verified.

Roughly 250 Russian soldiers have surrendered to Ukrainian forces in the northern Donbas as part of what Ukrainian military commentator Yuriy Ponomarenko calls Operation Vivaldi. If confirmed, the mass capitulation would be one of the larger POW takings of the war and a sign of mounting pressure on Russian positions in the sector. The claim is circulating widely on Russian-language channels, with debate over how the surrender unfolded and what it means for the front line.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a business litigator has become the Justice Department's lead figure in its efforts against transgender medical care. The profile examines how a lawyer with a corporate litigation background came to spearhead a policy area far from his original specialty, drawing attention to the department's legal strategy on gender-affirming care.

The US Supreme Court has upheld state laws banning transgender girls from competing on girls' school sports teams. The ruling allows such bans, already passed in multiple states, to remain in effect and is a significant setback for advocates of transgender inclusion in school athletics, while supporters of the laws say it protects fairness in women's sports.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office met with human rights defenders to discuss the safety of Belarusians and the accountability of Alexander Lukashenko's regime for ongoing repression. The talks focused on documenting abuses and protecting those targeted inside Belarus and in exile. Rights groups have long pressed for international accountability mechanisms over political persecution in the country.

Israel's finance minister is pressing for the E1 settlement tender in the occupied West Bank to move forward before the upcoming Knesset election. The E1 plan, long stalled under international pressure, would connect Jerusalem to the Ma'ale Adumim settlement bloc and is seen as effectively dividing the West Bank. The timing call ties the contested project to Israel's domestic electoral calendar.

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to lift a lower-court block on its policy concerning transgender inmates, which reportedly involves housing inmates according to their sex assigned at birth. A lower court had paused the policy while litigation continues. The request puts the dispute before the nation's highest court, adding to a series of emergency applications the administration has filed on contested policy matters.

The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to allow restrictions on gender-affirming health care for transgender inmates in federal prisons. The request seeks to undo lower court rulings that blocked such limits, and it lands amid ongoing legal and political battles over transgender rights and the treatment of transgender people in the US justice system.

Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has received the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, per Deutsche Welle. Sotoudeh, long imprisoned for defending women's rights activists and opponents of Iran's compulsory veiling laws, is one of the country's most prominent rights defenders. The award honors individuals who defend human rights at great personal risk, and news of the honor is being reported across international outlets.

Barcelona are reportedly willing to listen to offers of around €50 million for one of their defenders, with several Premier League clubs interested in signing him. The Spanish side's ongoing financial pressures mean player sales remain a realistic option, and English clubs are monitoring the situation ahead of a possible transfer move.

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to block a lower court order that halted its policy on transgender inmates, reportedly ending the housing of transgender women in women's federal prisons. The emergency application goes to the justices after a district court ruled against the policy. The request sets up another high-profile clash over transgender rights and presidential authority before the Court.

Law firm Morgan Lewis has published guidance on the EU Pay Transparency Directive, examining what it means for equal pay and the gender pay landscape. The directive requires employers across EU member states to improve pay reporting and transparency, and companies are assessing how to prepare for compliance and address pay gaps.

Ukraine's Ombudsman has received more than 300 appeals this year concerning payments to the families of fallen defenders. The figure points to ongoing difficulties families face in obtaining the compensation and benefits owed to them, and the ombudsman's office continues to handle complaints over delays and administrative barriers in the payment process.

Xabi Alonso has explained why Jordan Henderson's experience will benefit Chelsea, according to SABC Sport. The England midfielder's name is being widely searched across the UK, United States, India and Brazil, suggesting strong interest in his club situation and role under the new coaching staff.

The US Department of Education has removed Biden-era gender identity expansions from Title IX regulations, narrowing federal sex discrimination protections in education to biological sex. The move reverses guidance that had extended Title IX coverage to gender identity and is expected to affect how schools handle policies on transgender students, sports participation, and facilities nationwide.

Liverpool have reportedly been dealt a blow in their attempt to sign a Premier League defender, according to a report by Yahoo Sports. The report does not name the player or detail the nature of the setback. Liverpool continue to be linked with defensive reinforcements as they assess their squad options.

Eric Garcia has withdrawn from the Spain squad after picking up a knee injury while on international duty. Barcelona, however, are reportedly optimistic that the defender's problem is not serious and that he will be available again quickly. The club will monitor the knock in the coming days before deciding when he can return to training and matches.

Chelsea have entered the race for a defender valued at around £25m, going head to head with Liverpool and Manchester United. All three Premier League clubs are reportedly monitoring the player ahead of a possible transfer move, setting up a three-way battle for his signature in the ongoing transfer window.

Israel's attorney general has ordered that the tender for construction in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim be postponed until after the upcoming election. The decision ties a contentious settlement plan, long criticized internationally, directly to the electoral calendar, and is likely to fuel debate over settlement policy and the timing of government decisions during the campaign.

A new report claims Liverpool and Manchester United are both competing to sign a Premier League defender, though the player's identity and the asking club are not specified in the headline. The story has been picked up by Yahoo Sports. Fans of both clubs are likely debating whether their squad needs defensive reinforcements and what such a signing would cost.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation strengthening the state's laws on mentally disordered offenders. The measure changes how offenders with mental disorders are handled after commitment, and it is being welcomed by prosecutors including the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, which highlighted the signing. Supporters say the law closes gaps in public safety and treatment oversight for this group of offenders.

Israel's government has delayed a tender for construction in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, saying the move is intended to prevent the project from being used for electioneering. The E1 settlement plan, long controversial internationally because it would effectively split the West Bank, has repeatedly been frozen and revived amid political pressure. The postponement comes ahead of Israeli elections, with critics viewing the decision as politically motivated.

The US Education Department has reinstated Title IX regulations interpreted as protecting women's sports, in a move framed by supporters as rejecting policies allowing transgender athletes in female categories. The announcement, reported by conservative outlet The Daily Signal, is drawing attention amid ongoing national debate over transgender participation in school and college athletics.

Jordan Henderson is trending worldwide after Xabi Alonso explained why the England midfielder's experience will benefit Chelsea. The remarks, reported by SABC Sport, have fueled discussion about Henderson's role and influence at the club. Fans in the UK, India, the US, Singapore, Brazil and Australia are searching for details on the story.

A report says Newcastle United are considering a move to sign a defender from France's Ligue 1. The identity of the player and any fee have not been disclosed in the headline, but the link adds to the club's ongoing recruitment activity under its Saudi-backed ownership as it looks to strengthen its back line.