White House says some employees were fired by mistake

Japan has requested an exemption from President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel, according to Japan's top spokesperson.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba barely had time to unpack from his trip to Washington before having to deal with the shock of Trump's new steel and aluminum tariffs. Japan is an export-driven nation. Tariffs send a shock through industries, markets and the people whose jobs depend on global trade.

Japan, for now, is in Trump’s crosshairs once again. The tariffs could impact sectors where this country is a dominant player such as automobiles, tech and steel. During Trump’s first term, businesses spent years adapting to his unpredictable policies. Now, they may have to do it all over again. Wash, rinse, repeat, Trump style.

-ABC News' Anthony Trotter

The White House announced on CNN that one American and two others detained in Belarus have been released.

In this phase of the release, one American and two Belarusians have been released from Belarus, according to a U.S. official.

According to RFE/Radio Liberty, the U.S.-funded news agency, their journalist in Belarus was freed after more than three years of imprisonment in Belarus.

White House officials were adamant that there was no exchange or swap -- they were purely released as a show of good faith. The detainees will be released from Belarus.

Adam Boheler, the White House special envoy for hostages, made the announcement in an interview on CNN. He signaled that they will stop at no cost to get Americans home.

Boehler said the American “at this point needs to remain private.”-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh, Hannah Demissie and Michelle Stoddart

The Senate voted Wednesday to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services by a vote 53-47 vote.

All Republicans voted in favor of moving forward with the nomination and all Democrats voted against it.

Having now cleared this procedural hurdle, Kennedy's nomination is expected to come up for a final vote in the Senate around 7 a.m. Thursday. He is expected to be confirmed.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed.

Putin agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement in Ukraine can be achieved through negotiations, Peskov said.

The two leaders spoke for about an hour and a half, Peskov said.

Putin and Trump discussed the Middle East settlement and bilateral relations between Russia and the U.S., he said. They also agreed to organize a personal meeting, Peskov said.

Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke for about an hour early Wednesday afternoon, Zelenskyy’s spokesperson told ABC News.