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The U.S. has implemented a full naval blockade cutting off roughly 90% of Iran's seaborne trade, while Pakistan works to restart nuclear negotiations before the April 22 ceasefire expires.

This comes as the Pentagon accelerates contingency planning for a possible Cuba intervention and the IAEA detected sharp increases in North Korea's nuclear weapons production.

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1️⃣ 🇨🇳🇷🇺 China-Russia ties deepen amid global instability: President Xi Jinping met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to reinforce strategic collaboration on multilateralism and UN authority. Both nations pledged to defend their legitimate interests and advance a more equitable international order.

2️⃣ 🇻🇪 Venezuela demands full sanctions lift: Interim President Delcy Rodriguez called for complete removal of U.S. sanctions, arguing partial relief is insufficient to stabilize the economy and attract foreign investment. She framed the demand as necessary for economic recovery while pursuing Trump administration cooperation.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇨🇺 Pentagon accelerates Cuba intervention planning: The U.S. military is reportedly ramping up contingency planning for a possible intervention in Cuba should President Trump authorize action, sources familiar with the directive told USA Today. The escalation follows Trump's January oil embargo and recent comments suggesting he expects to "take Cuba in some form.”

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇩 US-Indonesia defence pact signals Asia Pacific strategy: The nations signed a major partnership focused on advanced maritime and autonomous technologies, with the U.S. seeking overflight access for military aircraft. Indonesia’s defence ministry cautioned the airspace proposal remains preliminary and non-binding.

5️⃣ 🇰🇵 North Korea rapidly accelerates nuclear weapons output: The IAEA detected sharp increases in reactor operations and a new uranium enrichment facility under construction, estimating the country possesses dozens of warheads. Inspectors could not determine whether Russia is assisting the weapons program.

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Major Story

🇮🇷 Iran War Update

Military

🇺🇸🇮🇷 U.S. blockade cripples Iranian trade: The U.S. implemented a full naval blockade cutting off roughly 90% of Iran's seaborne trade, estimated to cost $435 million daily, while Iran threatened to halt regional commerce unless the embargo lifts. Over 10,000 troops and multiple naval assets deployed the blockade within 36 hours.

Diplomacy

🇵🇰🇮🇷🇺🇸 Pakistan mediates nuclear talks restart: Pakistan's army chief delivered a new U.S. message to Tehran to arrange fresh negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme before the April 22 ceasefire expires. Opposition to a deal persists among factions in Tehran, Washington, and Israel.

🇺🇸 Trump signals imminent deal: Trump declared the war "very close to over" and predicted a stock market surge, contradicting a senior U.S. official's denial of a formal ceasefire extension agreement. Diplomatic progress signals have tempered energy market pressure.

🇮🇱🇱🇧 Israel and Lebanon to hold historic talks: Israeli and Lebanese leaders will hold direct talks Thursday for the first time in 34 years as the U.S. seeks to separate the Lebanon conflict from broader regional tensions.

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Other News

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2️⃣ 🇭🇺 Magyar vows to dismantle Orbán’s media apparatus: Hungary’s prime minister-elect Péter Magyar pledged to suspend state media news coverage and enact press reforms after taking office in May, comparing broadcasts to Nazi-era propaganda. He also demanded that President Tamás Sulyok resign for backing Orbán’s 16-year rule.

3️⃣ 🇧🇷 Brazil investigates Bolsonaro heir for slander: Supreme Court ordered a probe into senator Flavio Bolsonaro for falsely linking President Lula to drug trafficking and corruption. Bolsonaro called the investigation a censorship attempt ahead of October elections where he faces Lula as his main rival.

4️⃣ 🇪🇺 One million Europeans petition to suspend Israel trade deal: A citizens’ initiative reached the signature threshold calling for suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement over alleged Gaza war crimes. German, Hungarian and Czech opposition make passage unlikely despite the petition’s success.

5️⃣ 🇯🇵 Japan deploys $10B aid package for Southeast Asia: Tokyo announced loans to help regional nations secure crude oil supplies amid Middle East tensions and surging prices. The support aims to prevent supply disruptions affecting Japan’s medical and industrial sectors.

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