Tens of thousands participated in the traditional peace marches held throughout Germany over the Easter weekend, organizers reported on Monday. Events had been held in more than 100 locations, the Bonn-based Peace Cooperative said.

The leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans countries agreed to forge closer ties at a summit on Wednesday evening in Brussels. Russia's war against Ukraine and the increasing geopolitical challenges underscore the need for ever closer relations, according to a joint statement issued by the EU's 27 members and five countries of the region.

Faith and community leaders gathered Wednesday evening at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for an interfaith forum exploring the historical and spiritual connections between the Black experience and the Palestinian struggle. The event, "The Black Experience: Leadership, Palestine and Truth Telling," drew panelists from across Charlotte's religious community, including Jibril Hough, of the Islamic Center of Charlotte and founder of Ansar Justice Foundation, Wake Forest University Professor o