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President Trump rejected Iran's ceasefire counteroffer as "totally unacceptable" ahead of a planned meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing, where the conflict is expected to top the agenda.

This comes as Vladimir Putin declared the Ukraine war is "heading to an end," even as both sides immediately traded accusations of violating the US-brokered ceasefire.

Read more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump rejects Iran's peace response: President Trump dismissed Iran's ceasefire counteroffer — which included an end to hostilities, a halt to the US naval blockade, and guarantees against further strikes — as "totally unacceptable." Netanyahu separately insisted Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles must be eliminated before the conflict can be considered over, while Tehran warned of severe consequences for vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz without its approval.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇨🇳 Trump heads to Beijing amid Iran pressure: President Trump is set to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, with the Iran war expected to top the agenda alongside US pressure on China over its continued purchase of Iranian oil. Treasury Secretary Bessent accused Beijing of effectively funding Iran, noting China purchases roughly 90 percent of Tehran's energy exports despite Washington's sanctions.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇩🇪🇮🇹 Trump eyes broader Europe troop cuts amid NATO tensions: According to Bloomberg, President Trump is considering expanding US military withdrawals beyond the 5,000 troops already slated to leave Germany, with Italy identified as a potential next target. The moves are reportedly driven by frustration with European allies over insufficient support for US-led operations against Iran, with troops potentially being redistributed to more cooperative nations.

4️⃣ 🇷🇺🇮🇷 Russia funnels drone parts to Iran via Caspian Sea: Russia is reportedly shipping drone components to Iran through the Caspian Sea, allowing Tehran to restock an arsenal roughly 60 percent depleted during the recent war, while bypassing sanctions and the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Israel previously struck Iranian naval infrastructure at Bandar Anzali in March in an effort to disrupt the route.

5️⃣ 🇮🇱🇮🇶 Israel secretly built Iraq desert base to support Iran strikes: The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel constructed a clandestine military base in the Iraqi desert in February to serve as a logistics hub for its air campaign against Iran, housing special forces and search-and-rescue teams in case pilots were downed. Israeli forces launched strikes against Iraqi troops who nearly uncovered the base in early March, killing one soldier — an attack Iraq initially attributed to the US, which denied any involvement.

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Major Story

🇫🇷🇰🇪 Macron launches Africa summit in Nairobi with partnership pitch

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kenya on Sunday ahead of the two-day Africa Forward Summit, where France is promoting a reframed relationship with the continent built on equal partnership rather than the influence-based model that defined its post-colonial Françafrique era. 

The summit, the first held in an Anglophone African country, comes after France completed its military withdrawal from West Africa last year, with Kenyan President William Ruto describing the gathering as a potential "turning point" toward improved ties. 

Kenya and France signed 11 bilateral agreements on the sidelines covering nuclear energy, transport, and agriculture, while around 30 heads of state are expected to attend the full summit beginning today. 

Kenya's opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticised the choice of venue, arguing the country's democratic record and ongoing political tensions made it an ill-fitting host ahead of its 2027 elections.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇦🇪🇪 Estonia tells Ukraine to rein in straying drones: Ukraine offered to send drone experts to Estonia after several Ukrainian drones strayed into Baltic and Finnish territory, attributed to Russian jamming during strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Estonia signalled it expects Ukraine to improve drone control, with Tallinn's foreign minister warning Russia could potentially seize jammed Ukrainian drones and redirect them toward NATO territory.

2️⃣ 🇩🇪 Germany revives push for US Tomahawk missiles: The Financial Times reported Germany is seeking to purchase US Tomahawk cruise missiles alongside Typhon ground launchers, with Defence Minister Pistorius planning a Washington trip to advance a proposal first submitted in July last year. The visit hinges on securing a meeting with US Defence Secretary Hegseth, with neither government having commented publicly.

3️⃣ 🇷🇺🇺🇦 Putin says war is winding down amid ceasefire violations: Vladimir Putin declared the Ukraine war is "heading to an end" following Russia's scaled-down Victory Day parade, though both sides immediately traded accusations of violating the US-brokered three-day ceasefire. The Kremlin ruled out extending the truce, while a planned exchange of 1,000 prisoners each remains unresolved, with Putin stating Russia had yet to receive any proposals from Kyiv.

4️⃣ 🇵🇾🇹🇼 Paraguay reaffirms Taiwan ties as China presses: Paraguayan President Peña reaffirmed his country's diplomatic ties with Taiwan during a Taipei visit, a day after Beijing urged Asunción to sever relations, with Paraguay remaining the only South American nation to recognise the island. Separately, Honduras — which switched recognition to Beijing in 2023 — is reviewing its agreements with China under its new US-backed president.

5️⃣ 🇬🇧 Starmer fights for political survival: UK Prime Minister Starmer is battling to hold onto his position after heavy local election losses prompted dozens of Labour MPs to call for his resignation, with one threatening to trigger a leadership contest if his Monday speech disappoints.

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