China holds massive V-Day parade, pledging peaceful development

China held a massive military parade in central Beijing on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II, pledging the country's commitment to peaceful development in a world still fraught with turbulence and uncertainties.

Towering structures shaped like the Great Wall, crowned with giant numerals "1945" and "2025," stood in Tian'anmen Square, symbolizing the Chinese nation's courage and solidarity in resisting foreign aggression.

Israel rejects Hamas' ceasefire offer, vows to press on with Gaza City offensive

Israel on Wednesday rejected Hamas' proposal for reaching a comprehensive ceasefire deal in Gaza to end the war, saying its army will continue to prepare for a major attack on Gaza City.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, Hamas reiterated its willingness to reach a "comprehensive deal" under which Israeli hostages in Gaza would be released in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Finnish economy faces slow recovery amid trade, labor market risks: Danske Bank

The Finnish economy is edging back toward growth, but uncertainty will delay a stronger recovery until 2026, Danske Bank said in its latest economic outlook published on Wednesday.

The bank forecast that Finland's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 0.9 percent in 2025 and 2.0 percent in 2026, noting that a more solid rebound is expected only in 2026 due to persistent uncertainty and high unemployment.

U.S. federal judge sides with Harvard in lawsuit over Trump administration funding freeze

A U.S. federal judge on Wednesday sided with Harvard University in a lawsuit against the Trump administration, ruling that the federal government illegally froze billions of dollars in research funds.

Allison Burroughs, judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, wrote in a ruling that "Defendants (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Justice) used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country's premier universities."

UN issues statement on Israeli attack on peacekeepers

The United Nations on Wednesday issued a statement condemning an Israeli drone attack on its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon a day earlier, calling it one of the most serious incidents targeting its personnel and assets since the cessation of hostilities agreement reached last November.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) drones dropped four grenades Tuesday morning near peacekeepers under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The peacekeepers were clearing roadblocks blocking access to a UN position close to the Blue Line, a border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel established by the UN in 2000.