British foreign minister David Lammy on Tuesday said he had spoken to counterparts in France, Germany, Poland, Italy and Spain about Ukraine and that their determination to strike a peace deal remained clear."We will step up and we are stepping up - together," Lammy said in a post on X.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday a rare earths minerals deal with Ukraine is not on the table.When asked by CBS News if the economic deal was still on the table, Bessent said, "Not at present."

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday China would "firmly advance" the push for reunification with Taiwan while opposing external interference, and strive to work with regular Taiwanese to realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."We will firmly advance the cause of China's reunification and work with our fellow Chinese in Taiwan to realize the glorious cause of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Li wrote in his annual work report to China's parliament.China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, despite the objection of the government in Taipei, and has ramped up its military pressure against the island in recent years, including holding several rounds of major war games.

Humanitarian aid must flow into Gaza without restriction, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on Wednesday morning.

Pro-Palestinian students at Columbia University gathered outside of the 116th and Broadway gates on Tuesday to protest against former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett's appearance at a SIPA-moderated event, according to The Columbia Spectator.Columbia/Barnard Hillel, the School of International and Public Affairs’ Institute of Global Politics, and the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life co-hosted Bennett for an event, which was moderated by SIPA Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo, The Columbia Spectator clarified.Columbia University Apartheid Divest, the Columbia chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, and Columbia Palestine Solidarity Coalition promoted the protest, with Columbia Jews for Ceasefire releasing a statement on its Instagram ahead of the appearance, condemning the “political project of Naftali Bennett.”Police arrived at the scene to prevent entrance to the protesters, according to The Columbia Spectator.

Russian anti-terrorism units killed four militants affiliated with the Islamic State insurgent group in the mainly Muslim region of Dagestan, Russian news agency TASS reported on Wednesday, citing Russia's top anti-terrorism agency.The militants were planning an attack at a regional branch of the interior ministry, the National Anti-terrorism Committee told RIA news agency.There were no casualties among the civilian population or losses among law enforcement personnel, the TASS agency reported.

Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital, remained stable throughout the day on Tuesday and did not have any new respiratory crises, the Vatican said.Francis, 88, had suffered two episodes of what the Vatican described as "acute respiratory insufficiency" on Monday.The latest detailed medical update on his condition said the pope had suffered no similar problems on Tuesday."Throughout the day, the Holy Father's clinical condition has remained stable," it said. "He has remained without fever, always alert, collaborating with his treatment, and well-oriented."The bulletin was the second cautiously upbeat report of the day, after the Vatican press office said earlier that the pope's condition had stabilised overnight Monday.