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US President Trump said he is "absolutely" considering pulling the US from NATO after European allies refused to join the Iran war, in what a former US ambassador called the worst crisis in the alliance's 77-year history.

This comes as Russia claimed full control of Ukraine's Luhansk region and rejected Zelenskyy's Easter ceasefire proposal, while Trump pledged to complete military objectives in Iran within two to three weeks and urged other countries to help protect the Strait of Hormuz.

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1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trump "absolutely" considering NATO withdrawal: US President Trump said he is "absolutely" considering pulling the US from NATO after European allies refused to join the US-Israeli war on Iran. A former US ambassador called this the worst crisis in the alliance's 77-year history.

2️⃣ 🇺🇦🇷🇺 Russia claims full control of Luhansk: Russia says it has taken full control of Ukraine's Luhansk region, though Kyiv has not confirmed the claim. The Kremlin demanded Ukrainian withdrawal from the wider Donbas, while Zelenskyy proposed an Easter ceasefire that Russia rejected with overnight drone attacks.

3️⃣ 🇫🇷🇯🇵 Macron touts European "predictability" in Japan: French President Macron praised Europe's reliability during a Tokyo visit, contrasting it with allies who "could hurt you without even informing you" in an apparent swipe at Trump. France signed defence and minerals deals with Japan while reaffirming it will not join the US-Israeli war on Iran.

4️⃣ 🇭🇺 Hungarian opposition extends poll lead: Hungary's Tisza Party leads PM Orbán's Fidesz by 19–23 points among likely voters ahead of 12 April elections. Projections suggest Tisza could win 129 seats in the 199-seat parliament, potentially ending Orbán's 16-year rule.

5️⃣ 🇬🇧🇪🇺 Starmer pushes for closer EU ties: UK PM Starmer said Britain's "long-term national interest" requires deeper cooperation with the EU amid global volatility, signalling plans to expand negotiations beyond the current reset. Chancellor Reeves said she was "angry" at Trump's decision to go to war without a clear exit plan.

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Major Story

🇮🇷 Iran War Update: Day 34

1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trump says Iran war nearing end: In an address, President Trump pledged to complete U.S. military objectives within two to three weeks, including strikes on electrical infrastructure. He urged other countries to help protect the Strait of Hormuz and assured Americans the spike in gasoline prices would be temporary.

2️⃣ 🇬🇧 UK to host 35-country talks on Strait of Hormuz: Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper will lead a virtual meeting on Thursday to discuss diplomatic measures and military planning to reopen the waterway after fighting ends. PM Keir Starmer warned reopening “will not be easy.” 

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 UK deploys more troops and air defences to Gulf: Britain will send additional personnel and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, bringing total forces in the region to around 1,000. 

4️⃣ 🇦🇪 UAE pushes for military op to reopen Hormuz: Abu Dhabi is reportedly urging a US-led coalition to forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and is willing to contribute forces, according to the Wall Street Journal. The UAE has also suggested the US occupy Iranian-held islands and is seeking a UN Security Council resolution to authorise force.

5️⃣ 🇮🇱🇱🇧 Israel intensifies Lebanon strikes, announces buffer zone: Israeli forces struck areas outside Hezbollah’s control including a Christian neighbourhood north of Beirut and the capital’s Jnah district. Defence Minister Katz announced Israel would maintain security control over southern Lebanon up to the Litani River after the war, with plans to destroy border villages “according to the model of Rafah.”

6️⃣ 🇪🇺 EU warns energy prices won’t quickly normalise: Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said oil and gas prices won’t return to normal “in a foreseeable future” even if the Iran war ends tomorrow.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Palantir deflects AI targeting concerns: Palantir's UK chief said responsibility for how AI systems are used in warfare lies with military customers, not the company. Experts warn the Maven Smart System, reportedly used in US strikes on Iran, leaves little time for meaningful target verification.

2️⃣ 🇨🇭 Switzerland eyes cancelling Patriot purchase: Switzerland is considering cancelling its US Patriot air defence order after severe delivery delays linked to US support for Ukraine. The government warned the delays could affect its entire defence procurement portfolio with Washington.

3️⃣ 🇪🇺 EU proposes carbon market changes amid energy crisis: The European Commission proposed amendments to its carbon trading system to prevent soaring permit prices, responding to pressure from Italy, Poland and Austria. Critics warn the changes could lead to increased emissions.

4️⃣ 🇧🇮 Ammunition depot blast kills 13 in Burundi: An explosion at a military ammunition depot in Bujumbura killed at least 13 civilians and wounded 57 others. The army blamed an electrical short circuit, with firefighting hampered by water shortages.

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