Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the abolition of NHS England to bring healthcare "back into democratic control." The government says the move will cut costs and improve care, but thousands of jobs will be lost. The shutdown is expected to take two years. The opposition welcomes reforms but warns of major disruptions. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the NHS had become costly while delivering poor service. Experts say the decision could simplify healthcare management but does not solve the UK’s social care crisis. The government plans further reviews, but full changes may not happen until 2028.

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. Authorities seized gold worth ₹12.56 crore and later found more jewelry and cash at her home. The BJP accused the Karnataka government of shielding Ranya, alleging a minister's involvement. Congress countered by pointing out BJP’s past land allotment to her company. The case is now under the CBI’s watch. Ranya, stepdaughter of a senior police officer, remains in custody as investigations continue.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has warned G7 countries about Donald Trump’s trade policies. As Canada prepares to host the G7 foreign ministers, she said if the U.S. can target Canada, then no country is safe. Joly criticised U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, calling them economic coercion. She also raised concerns about Trump’s comments suggesting Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. Canada has retaliated with its own tariffs. Incoming Prime Minister Mark Carney called Trump’s trade war a crisis. Outgoing PM Justin Trudeau warned that even Canada’s democracy and sovereignty should not be taken for granted.

A top Kremlin aide has criticised the US-Ukrainian ceasefire proposal, calling it a temporary break for Ukraine’s military. Yuri Ushakov, President Putin’s adviser, said the plan does not help in achieving a lasting peace. He added that Russia wants a long-term solution that protects its interests. President Putin is expected to give a detailed response soon. Meanwhile, US officials have pushed for an unconditional ceasefire. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Russia’s silence shows it wants to continue the war. He hopes US pressure will force Moscow to stop fighting. The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for three years.

Aamir Khan has confirmed his relationship with Gauri, a friend he met 25 years ago. At a media event before his 60th birthday, he introduced her and said they have been together for a year and a half. He also revealed that he introduced Gauri to Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan at his Mumbai home. Gauri works in production, and Aamir sings to her every day. He said his children are happy for him. Aamir was previously married to Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao. He shares a strong bond with both his ex-wives and co-parents his children.

Vladimir Putin’s top aide, Yuri Ushakov, dismissed the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, calling it a mere “temporary respite” for Kyiv’s forces. Ushakov conveyed Russia’s stance to US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, asserting that Moscow sees no benefit in pausing hostilities. The proposal, shared on Wednesday, aimed to de-escalate tensions, but Russia remains skeptical. Meanwhile, Trump’s former Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow for talks with Putin. The rejection underscores deepening divides as the war continues with no resolution in sight.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully undocked the SDX-01 and SDX-02 satellites under its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. This milestone is crucial for future missions, including Chandrayaan-4, the Bharatiya Antriksh Station, and Gaganyaan. The undocking involved precise maneuvers, including the disengagement of capture levers and issuing decapture commands. Launched on December 30, 2024, SpaDeX demonstrated India's growing expertise in orbital rendezvous, docking, and separation. The Minister of Science and Technology praised the achievement, calling it a proud moment for India. With this, India joins the US, Russia, and China in mastering advanced space docking technologies.

US President Donald Trump vowed to impose new tariffs after the European Union (EU) and Canada retaliated against his latest steel and aluminium import taxes. "Whatever they charge us with, we're charging them," Trump stated, warning of "reciprocal" tariffs next month. Canada imposed a 25% tax on $20B worth of US goods, while the EU raised levies on $28B of American products. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the trade war, calling tariffs "bad for business and worse for consumers." Markets remained volatile as fears of escalating economic tensions grew.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Balochistan to meet survivors and commandos involved in the rescue operation following the Jaffar Express train hijacking by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants. The insurgents attacked the train en route from Quetta to Peshawar, killing 21 civilians and four troops. They detonated explosives on the railway track, forcing the train to halt inside a tunnel, and took passengers hostage. A two-day military operation ensued, resulting in the elimination of all 33 insurgents and the rescue of over 300 passengers. The military reported that the attack was orchestrated by leaders operating from Afghanistan, urging the Afghan Taliban to prevent terrorist activities against Pakistan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, clad in military attire, visited the Kursk region to command the swift expulsion of Ukrainian forces entrenched there since August 2024. The Russian military reported reclaiming over 86% of the previously occupied territory, including the strategic city of Sudzha, vital for Ukrainian supplies. The Kremlin emphasized the urgency of this operation ahead of upcoming ceasefire discussions with U.S. officials, as President Trump proposes a 30-day truce. Despite these developments, Ukrainian Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi asserted that Ukrainian troops would maintain their positions in Kursk as long as necessary, maneuvering strategically to minimize casualties. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, drawing international attention and involvement.