European Council President Antonio Costa condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza, saying, “Violence must stop.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called reports of civilian deaths “appalling” and urged dialogue. France’s Foreign Ministry demanded Israel protect civilians and restore aid while urging Hamas to release hostages. The leaders emphasized implementing the ceasefire fully, citing worsening humanitarian conditions. Costa added, “All hostages and detainees must be released.” France also criticized Israel’s blockade on water, food, and electricity. Calls for an immediate ceasefire continue as fighting intensifies.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally returning to Earth after spending 9 months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their journey, originally planned for 8 days, was extended due to propulsion issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule. They undocked from the ISS at 1:05 AM ET, beginning a 17-hour journey home. Williams’ ancestral village in India is preparing Diwali-like celebrations to welcome her back. NASA confirmed the successful launch of their return mission, marking the end of an extended yet historic stay in space.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in New Delhi, discussing bilateral ties and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Their meeting, held during the Raisina Dialogue, preceded a key phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on a ceasefire. Jaishankar appreciated Ukraine’s insights on peace talks, while Sybiha highlighted expanding diplomatic ties, inaugurating Ukraine’s consulate in Mumbai. They also signed a protocol for visa-free travel for officials. Sybiha praised India’s technological advancements, stressing future cooperation between the two nations.

Europe recorded 127,350 measles cases in 2024, the highest since 1997, per the World Health Organization (WHO). Cases doubled from 2023, with Romania reporting 30,692 infections. WHO blames misinformation and declining vaccination rates, especially in Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania, where less than 80% of children were vaccinated. WHO’s Dr. Hans Kluge warned, “Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security.” Measles, more contagious than COVID-19, remains vaccine-preventable, yet misinformation persists. WHO urges urgent action, as measles-related deaths continue globally. The US is also seeing rising anti-vaccine sentiment, complicating efforts to combat misinformation.

US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a two-hour call, discussing a potential Ukraine ceasefire. This follows Trump's 30-day ceasefire proposal, which Putin said he supports but wants more details. Before the call, Trump mentioned land and power plant control as key topics. Ukrainian officials had accepted the US proposal after talks in Saudi Arabia, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains skeptical. The White House called the talks “going good,” while Putin’s spokesperson confirmed discussions on US-Russia relations. Trump emphasized urgency, stating, “We’re going to see if we can work a peace agreement.”

Protests erupted in Jerusalem as families of Israeli hostages and demonstrators condemned the renewed Gaza strikes. Lishi Lavie-Miran, whose husband was taken captive on October 7, warned lawmakers she wouldn’t "be responsible for her actions" if he was killed. Samuel, a reservist, accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political reasons. Student Noga Kaplan held a sign reading "Bibi must go," urging a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed over 400 people in Gaza, according to Hamas authorities. Netanyahu vowed increased military action, blaming Hamas for rejecting hostage release proposals.

Elon Musk’s Starlink is poised to offer satellite internet in India with 80-90 times more capacity than rivals Reliance Jio-SES and Eutelsat OneWeb. With infrastructure in place, including three gateways in Mumbai, Pune, and Indore, Starlink awaits regulatory approval to launch. Its planned second-generation satellite constellation could expand to 30,000 units. Meanwhile, Jio-SES and Eutelsat-OneWeb have secured permissions but await spectrum allocation. Starlink has committed to setting up a network monitoring center in India and complying with security norms. India's space sector is projected to reach $44 billion by 2033.

US President Donald Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding a US-backed Ukraine ceasefire proposal. The deal, discussed in Saudi Arabia last week, includes a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has accepted. Trump stated that “many elements” of an agreement are in place but key issues remain. Russia, while supporting a ceasefire, questions its enforcement. France and the UK urged Putin to show commitment, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of prolonging the war. Talks may address land disputes and control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, fled to Canada after US immigration agents visited her home twice. Her student visa was revoked on March 5 for allegedly advocating terrorism, a claim she denies. The crackdown followed protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Fearing detention like fellow student Mahmoud Khalil, she used the CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called it "good riddance." Srinivasan argues her visa was canceled unfairly, leading to her expulsion from Columbia.

The White House said Hamas had "chosen war" by refusing to release hostages, leading to Israel's heaviest strikes since the ceasefire. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stated, "Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war." Israel vowed to continue military operations until all hostages are returned. The offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 400 deaths. Tensions remain high as diplomatic efforts for peace struggle. The U.S. reaffirmed support for Israel’s right to self-defense while urging a resolution to the humanitarian crisis.