US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call to discuss the war. The US said peace "has never been closer." Zelenskyy asked for more air defence missiles to protect civilians. Trump said he would work with Europe to provide support. They also talked about intelligence sharing and securing Ukraine’s power plants. Both leaders agreed to push for prisoner exchanges and to bring missing Ukrainian children home. They instructed their teams to plan a partial ceasefire and discuss expanding it to the Black Sea. More talks will happen soon in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

A foreign national was killed, and four others were injured in an Israeli airstrike on a UN headquarters in Gaza, the local health ministry said. Israel denied targeting the UN site, saying it struck a Hamas location where attacks were being planned. On the same day, at least 20 Palestinians died as Israel resumed airstrikes. The military warned that the assault was "just the beginning." The war began in 2023 after Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people. In response, Israel's strikes have killed over 49,000 people. India called for humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accepted a ceasefire proposal from the United States. In a call with US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy and civilian sites. He said this was a step toward ending the war. The US also proposed an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline, which Ukraine accepted. Talks between the US and Ukraine took place in Jeddah. Zelenskyy shared the update on X, saying they will continue working on peace. It is unclear if Russia will agree to the deal.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams returned to Earth after a nine-month stay in space, landing in the SpaceX Dragon Freedom capsule off the Florida coast. Williams, along with Butch Wilmore and Crew-9 members, was rescued following Boeing’s Starliner propulsion failure. The astronauts, welcomed with cheers and even dolphins at splashdown, are now undergoing a 45-day rehabilitation to readjust to Earth’s gravity. The White House credited Donald Trump for ensuring their safe return. Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat is preparing celebrations. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully completed the mission, with Crew-10 now taking over at the ISS.

Israel has launched a ground operation in Gaza a day after airstrikes ended a ceasefire in place since January. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the operation aims to expand the security zone and create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Gazans to return hostages and remove Hamas. The Gaza Health Ministry reported 436 deaths, including 183 children, with 678 wounded. The IDF claims it targets militants, while the UN calls it one of the deadliest conflicts for humanitarian workers. Strikes continued Wednesday at a lower intensity.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi called recent attacks on Tesla properties "domestic terrorism" and vowed severe consequences for perpetrators. A fire at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas damaged five vehicles, with "Resist" spray-painted on the building. Elon Musk shared footage, calling the attacks "evil." Tesla has faced multiple vandalism incidents across the US and Europe, affecting dealerships and charging stations. Musk, a key Trump ally, blamed "hatred from the left." Tesla shares have dropped, and security concerns led to its removal from the Vancouver Auto Show. Trump promised tough action against those responsible.

NASA welcomed Sunita Williams and Crew-9 at Johnson Space Center after their return from the ISS. Williams and Butch Wilmore spent 285 days in space, completing 4,576 orbits around Earth and covering 195 million km. They contributed to 150 scientific experiments, including human health in microgravity. NASA shared pictures of their arrival, writing, "Welcome home, Butch, Suni, Nick, & Aleksandr!" Williams and Wilmore will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation to readjust to Earth’s gravity. Their Dragon capsule’s landing featured a rare sight—dolphins near the splashdown zone.

Hours after Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump that Russia would halt strikes on Ukrainian energy sites, both nations launched fresh attacks. Ukraine reported Russian strikes on hospitals, including one in Sumy, while Russia said Ukrainian drones hit an oil depot in Krasnodar. Moscow intercepted 57 drones, 35 near Kursk. Putin rejected a full ceasefire, demanding an end to Western military aid. Zelensky criticized Putin’s stance and confirmed an upcoming call with Trump. Meanwhile, U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia continue. Russia and the U.S. are expected to set new meeting dates soon.

European leaders Kaja Kallas and Andrius Kubilius responded to concerns regarding the exclusion of most non-EU countries from a new EU defence initiative. While some countries, including Norway and Ukraine, remain involved, the US, UK, and Turkey are not part of the scheme. Kubilius emphasized that “nobody is excluded,” suggesting flexibility through partnership agreements with third-party entities. Kallas, speaking after her visit to the UK, highlighted ongoing talks about a defence partnership with Britain, aiming for outcomes before the EU-UK summit in May, amid challenges over EU unity and funding priorities.

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed criticized the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, highlighting its lack of benefits for the Maldives due to limited exports to China. The deal, which went into effect in January 2025, exacerbates the country’s fiscal challenges by reducing government revenue from import duties. Nasheed expressed hope that India would assist in averting a potential debt default. He emphasized that the Maldives' prosperity relies on strong ties with India, calling for renewed cooperation amidst the island nation’s growing debt crisis.