Sylvester Stallone, Kiss and Gloria Gaynor are among the luminaries celebrated at the annual Kennedy Center Honors. Donald Trump hosted the Sunday night gala in Washington, and it's a presidential first. Since returning to office in January, the Republican has made big changes to the performing arts institution. He's ousted the leadership and had himself voted in as chair. The honorees were being recognized for their influence on American culture and the arts. It was expected to be emotional for Kiss members after the recent death of their original lead guitarist, Ace Frehley.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with French, German and British leaders in London. Monday's talks aim to strengthen Ukraine's position in negotiations on a U.S.-backed plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelenskyy earlier said discussions were to focus on security, air defense and long-term funding. A major issue in the peace talks is the proposal for Ukraine to cede control of the eastern Donbas region to Russia, which Ukraine and its allies oppose. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to attack Ukraine, with drone and missile strikes killing at least four people on Sunday, while Russian air defenses destroyed 67 Ukrainian drones overnight.

The Trump administration’s push to expand control over independent federal agencies comes before a sympathetic Supreme Court that could overturn a 90-year-old decision limiting when presidents can fire board members. Lawyers for the administration are defending President Donald Trump’s decision to fire Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter without cause and calling on the court to jettison the unanimous 1935 decision in Humphrey’s Executor. Arguments are taking place Monday.

President Donald Trump says a deal struck by Netflix last week to buy Warner Bros. Discovery “could be a problem” because of the size of the combined market share. The Republican president says he will be involved in the decision about whether federal regulators should approve the deal. Trump commented Sunday when he was asked about the deal as he walked the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors. The $72 billion deal would bring together two of the biggest players in television and film and potentially reshape the entertainment industry.

Thailand and Cambodia have resumed fighting over disputed territory, just months after agreeing to a ceasefire. The two nations clashed in July, resulting in civilian and military deaths and mass evacuations. On Monday, heavy fighting broke out again, with Thailand launching airstrikes. The conflict stems from a 1907 map and a contentious 1962 court ruling favoring Cambodia. A ceasefire brokered by the U.S. in July proved to be fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations. The renewed fighting threatens tourism, a key industry for both countries. Long-standing cultural tensions also fuel the conflict.

Mohammad Marwan has been struggling to rebuild his life after being released from Syria’s Saydnaya prison a year ago. Arrested in 2018 for fleeing military service, he endured beatings, electric shocks, and severe hunger. Since his release, he has received treatment for tuberculosis and attended therapy sessions to overcome the effects of his ordeal. His story reflects Syria's broader struggle to heal after the fall of the Assad regime. The country faces ongoing challenges, including sectarian violence, economic instability and tensions with Kurdish-led forces. On Monday, thousands of Syrians took to the streets to celebrate the anniversary of the regime's fall.

The Trump administration’s push to expand control over independent federal agencies comes before a sympathetic Supreme Court that could overturn a 90-year-old decision limiting when presidents can fire board members. Lawyers for the administration are defending President Donald Trump’s decision to fire Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter without cause and calling on the court to jettison the unanimous 1935 decision in Humphrey’s Executor. Arguments are taking place on Monday. The court’s six conservative justices already have signaled strong support for the administration’s position, over the objection of their three liberal colleagues, by allowing Slaughter and the board members of other agencies to be removed from their jobs even as their legal challenges continue.