US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to restart talks in the Middle East to end the war in Ukraine.

The British media outlet BBC reported that the two leaders' 90-minute long phone call on Tuesday (March 18) focused mostly on the ceasefire.

A statement issued by the White House after the phone call said that the two leaders agreed to start the peace process through a ceasefire in energy and infrastructure. The statement said that talks in the Middle East will begin very soon to start the peace process.

Middle East-based news outlet Al Jazeera said that the two leaders agreed to end the conflict through a long-term peace process. They also agreed to stop the use of strategic weapons in the Middle East. They also discussed Iran.

White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt said in an X-Handle that Trump and Putin discussed the need for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the peace process.

In an X-Post, Carolyn Leavitt said, “Both leaders agreed on the need to end this war through a long-term peace process.”

Both sides expressed optimism about establishing better relations between Russia and the United States, she said. Carolyn Leavitt said that the amount of blood and resources that Russia and Ukraine are spending on this war would be better used for the people of both countries. This conflict was unnecessary and could have ended long ago.

The two leaders also discussed reducing tensions between Israel and Iran, she said.

A Kremlin statement after the call said that the two presidents had detailed and frank discussions on the situation in Ukraine.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had killed Isham Da'alish, the de facto prime minister of the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Times of Israel reported that Isham Da'alish, the 'de facto prime minister' of Gaza, was killed in the early hours of Tuesday (March 18).

More than 400 Palestinians were reported dead in the Israeli strike on Gaza on Tuesday, violating a ceasefire.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had killed the 'de facto prime minister' of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and several other top officials of the group.

Earlier, Hamas also reported the death of Isham Da'alish, the head of the 'Government Activities Monitoring Committee' (equivalent to the prime minister). The group's Justice Ministry Director-General Ahmed al-Khatta, Gaza Interior Ministry Chief Mahmoud Abu Watfa and Hamas' internal security chief Bahjat Abu Sultan were also reported dead.

The IDF said in a statement that it had carried out strikes on dozens of targets in the Gaza Strip since early Tuesday morning, killing the four senior Hamas figures in a "targeted" manner.

The IDF said the strikes were aimed at "hitting Hamas' military and governmental capabilities and eliminating threats to Israel and its citizens."

After Rouhi Mushtahar was killed by Israeli forces in July 2024, he was succeeded by Hamas' de facto prime minister Issam Da'alish.

The Israeli military said Da'alish was responsible for ensuring "the effectiveness of Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip" and coordinating all branches of the organization.

The IDF said it could also confirm reports that al-Khatta, Abu Watfa, and Abu Sultan were killed in the attack.

Israel consulted with US President Donald Trump before Israel's devastating airstrikes across Gaza. More than 170 Palestinians have already been killed in the attack.

Al Jazeera reported this information on Tuesday (March 18) quoting White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt.

The media outlet said that Israel consulted with US President Donald Trump before launching the latest attack on Gaza, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said.

She said, as President Trump has made clear, Hamas, Houthis, Iran want to terrorize not only Israel, but the United States. Therefore, they will have to pay a heavy price.

She also said, Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran and Iranian-backed terrorist representatives should take President Trump very seriously because he is not afraid to stand up for the United States and its ally Israel.

Israel has resumed its massive airstrikes across the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza, essentially ending a ceasefire. The death toll from the deadly attack has risen to at least 170 Palestinians, including children.

Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada's new Prime Minister.

He was sworn in at Rideau Hall in the country's capital Ottawa at around 9:30 pm Bangladesh time on Friday (March 14).

Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera reported this information in their live broadcast.

In addition, Mark Carney and his cabinet members were also sworn in at Rideau Hall.

Earlier, he was elected as the leader of the Liberal Party on March 10. And according to the constitution, as the party leader, he was given the responsibility to take over as Prime Minister which he formally accepted today.

Meanwhile, Mark Carney became the Prime Minister of Canada at a time when the country's 'trade war' with the United States has begun. Immediately after being elected Prime Minister, Carney spoke about the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Carney called the US's 25 percent tariff on Canadian products 'the biggest crisis of our lives'.

He said, “We didn’t want this (trade) fight. But Canadians are always ready when someone throws down their gloves. So Americans, make no mistake. Canada will win a trade fight, just like a hockey game.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump, in his second term as president, has mocked Canada by calling it the 51st state of the United States. He has also called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ‘Governor Trudeau’.

Canada’s new Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney has responded to Trump’s comments a bit. He said, “America is not Canada. And Canada will never, ever be part of America in any way.”