Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to sign a mineral deal, securing vital resources for Ukraine’s economy. However, concerns persist over what security assurances the US will provide amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

Over the past two days, Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes across Syria, targeting areas in the south and near Damascus. At least one person has been killed, with Syrian leaders condemning the strikes as 'unprovoked attacks.' Earlier, Syria called on Israel to withdraw from territory it has occupied since the fall of the Assad regime in December.

Israel's military says it's been carrying out air strikes in southern Syria and outside the capital Damascus. The strikes reportedly hit command centres and military bases containing weapons - that's according to the Israeli military. At least one person was killed. Hours before the attacks, Syria condemned Israel's invasion of a buffer zone between Israel and Syria, calling for it to withdraw its forces. Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu says his troops will remain in the occupied Golan Heights “indefinitely.”

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is in Beijing for a three-day visit, as relations with China face challenges. The visit follows Chinese naval exercises off Australia’s east coast and concerns over Beijing’s expanding influence in the Pacific Islands.

The final exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners under phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal, has concluded. Late on Wednesday, Hamas handed over four bodies to the Red Cross. Shortly after, Israel returned hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Among them were the detainees Israel refused to release last week. But Israel is delaying the release of 24 Palestinian children until the identities of the four Israeli captives are confirmed.

Donald Trump hosts the French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House - three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The two leaders signalled that European peace-keepers would likely end up facilitating any peace agreement.

In a stark departure from historic US diplomacy, the country's diplomats have voted against a resolution to name Russia as an aggressor state and calling on Moscow to remove its troops from Ukraine. Following fierce negotiations, the UN eventually backed the resolution.

After a tense week between Mexico and the US, the Mexican president has agreed to send troops to the border to help curb undocumented migration and drug trafficking. Mexico warns Trump's threat of imposing a 25 percent tariff, could have widespread effects on companies from both countries.

Army units from the US and South Korea have held joint military drills close to the Demilitarized Zone with North Korea. It comes at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, and uncertainty about what the return of US President Trump will mean for the region.

Israel has postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, stalling the seventh exchange of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Earlier, Hamas fulfilled its duties by releasing six Israeli captives from Gaza. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making new demands before committing to Israel's obligations.