Ukrainian president nominates former PM as new defense minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday proposed to the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, to appoint former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as the country's new defense minister.

"Today, I have already signed documents to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding Denys Shmyhal as the new defense minister," Zelensky said in a post on Telegram.

Zelensky also announced that Herman Smetanin, minister of strategic industries, will head the country's state defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom.

U.S. media says Trump wants to fire Fed chair, but Trump denies it

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly told Republican lawmakers that he will fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, reported CNBC, citing a senior White House official.

"The President asked lawmakers how they felt about firing the Fed Chair. They expressed approval for firing him. The President indicated he likely will soon," the anonymous official told CNBC.

Later on Wednesday, Trump denied that statement. "We're not planning on doing it," Trump said. "I don't rule out anything ... But I think it's highly unlikely."

The remarks came amid repeated attacks from Trump on the Fed chief, as the president wants Powell to lower interest rates. The most recent attacks occurred when White House officials blasted Powell for what they said were overpriced renovations to the Fed's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

New ceasefire takes effect in Syria's Sweida following deadly clashes, Israeli airstrikes

A fragile ceasefire entered into effect Wednesday night in Syria's southern province of Sweida, as Syrian interim government troops began withdrawing from the city following days of deadly clashes between government forces, Druze fighters, and Bedouin tribes, according to the state-run media outlets.

The de-escalation came hours after Israel launched multiple airstrikes on the Syrian capital Damascus, citing the protection of the Druze community in Sweida.

The ceasefire was reached between Syria's interim government and Druze spiritual leaders after four days of intense fighting that killed at least 248 people, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

A statement from Syria's interior authorities said the agreement includes a complete cessation of hostilities, the return of army units to their barracks, and the full reintegration of Sweida into state control.

UN humanitarians say dozens killed while seeking food in Gaza

Amid continuing hostilities in Gaza, Palestinians continue to be killed or injured as they seek food from militarized aid hubs, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said there were reports of dozens of people killed or injured Wednesday at one of those hubs.

"In the past week, severe injuries continued to be reported among people seeking aid," OCHA said. "The World Health Organization (WHO) reported one instance where a 21-year-old man was paralyzed for life after being shot while trying to collect a bag of flour from one of the militarized hubs."

European Commission proposes 2-trln-euro long-term budget

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a two-trillion-euro (2.33 trillion U.S. dollars) budget for 2028-2034 for the European Union (EU).

The budget proposal would raise EU spending to an average of 1.26 percent of the bloc's gross national income, up from around 1.1 percent during the current 2021-2027 cycle.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the budget as "larger, smarter and sharper," saying it reflects Europe's ambition, addresses its challenges and strengthens its independence.

The plan includes a new 409-billion-euro European Competitiveness Fund intended to reinforce the EU's defence sector, accelerate industrial innovation and support the transition to clean energy across member states.