President Trump announced plans to call President Vladimir Putin of Russia today in an effort to negotiate a cease-fire in Ukraine. The Kremlin confirmed that the two leaders would engage in discussions. Trump also indicated that he would reach out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO leaders.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reported that he had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and that he, along with the leaders of France and Britain, were attempting to connect with Trump prior to his call with Putin.
This call comes as Russia launched one of its largest drone attacks on Ukraine, with approximately 273 drones and decoys detected in the airspace. The assault resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.
In diplomatic efforts, Zelensky met privately with Pope Leo XIV yesterday, following the pope's offer to host Ukraine-Russia talks at the Vatican.
In a separate development, a statement from Joe Biden’s office disclosed that the former president has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. The cancer is described as “hormone-sensitive,” allowing for potential effective management. This diagnosis follows the discovery of a “small nodule” on Biden’s prostate last week.
Biden, 82, left office in January as the oldest-serving president in U.S. history and has faced ongoing scrutiny regarding his age and health, factors that contributed to his decision to withdraw from the re-election campaign.
Additionally, the Israeli military announced the initiation of “extensive ground operations” across the northern and southern Gaza Strip, as part of a strategy to expand its control in the region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that negotiators in Qatar had been authorized to discuss terms for a potential broad agreement to conclude the conflict.
Officials stated that these military operations would be executed gradually, with the possibility of halting should a deal with Hamas be achieved.
In other news, Lieutenant Kateryna is recognized as Ukraine’s only female combat pilot, having completed over 30 missions against Russian forces. Amid a pressing need for additional soldiers, Kyiv’s military is beginning to recruit more women, although challenges related to sexism persist within the ranks.
In cultural highlights, Saou Ichikawa became the first severely disabled author to win the Akutagawa Prize, a prestigious literary award in Japan. Using her acceptance speech to address ableism, she emphasized the isolation faced by disabled individuals. Her award-winning novel, “Hunchback,” was released in English in March.
For culinary enthusiasts, a recommendation includes a one-pot salmon dish flavored with miso and turmeric. Additionally, the film “Desert in Namibia” is highlighted, portraying a young woman's journey in understanding her relationships and identity.
Readers are also encouraged to explore a novel about a sheep detective and other recommended books, as well as engage with various games such as Spelling Bee, Mini Crossword, Wordle, and Sudoku.
That concludes today’s briefing. Further updates will follow tomorrow.