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Italy has frozen a defence cooperation agreement with Israel following tensions over reported Israeli fire on Italian peacekeepers in Lebanon, while Mexico is escalating protests over migrant deaths in US detention to international human rights bodies.

This comes as Ukraine and Germany signed a €4 billion defence pact exchanging drone expertise for Patriot missiles, and as President Trump warned that Iranian vessels approaching the US naval blockade will be "immediately eliminated."

Read more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇮🇹 Italy suspends defence deal with Israel: Italy has frozen the automatic renewal of a defence cooperation agreement with Israel, citing the current regional situation. The decision follows tensions after Israeli forces reportedly fired on Italian peacekeepers in Lebanon, prompting Italy to summon Israel’s ambassador.

2️⃣ 🇲🇽 Mexico hardens stance on US over migrant deaths: President Sheinbaum protested the deaths of 15 Mexican citizens in US immigration detention, pledging to raise the issue with international human rights bodies. The shift follows mounting pressure from Trump’s policies including an energy blockade on Cuba, though Mexico continues balancing criticism with efforts to maintain trade relations.

3️⃣ 🇺🇦🇩🇪 Ukraine and Germany sign €4bn defence pact: The strategic partnership grants Germany access to Ukraine’s drone expertise in exchange for military support including several hundred Patriot missiles. The deal comes as hopes rise for a €90bn EU loan to Ukraine following Hungary’s election results.

4️⃣ 🇨🇲 Cameroon separatists pause fighting for papal visit: English-speaking separatist groups announced a three-day ceasefire to allow safe travel for Pope Leo XIV’s visit, which includes a peace meeting in Bamenda. The conflict has killed over 6,000 people since 2017, with peace talks currently stalled.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸🇻🇦 Vance tells Pope Leo to “stick to morality” amid Trump feud: The vice president defended Trump after Pope Leo criticised the White House over the Iran war, suggesting a “delusion of omnipotence” surrounded the conflict. Trump posted a since-deleted AI image depicting himself as a religious healer, drawing backlash from supporters.

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Major Story

🇮🇷 Iran War Update

Military

🇺🇸 Trump warns Iranian ships approaching blockade will be destroyed: The president said any Iranian vessels coming near the US naval blockade will be "immediately eliminated," referencing tactics used against drug traffickers at sea.

Diplomacy

🇬🇧🇫🇷 Starmer and Macron to host Hormuz summit: The UK and French leaders will co-host a Paris summit on Friday to advance multinational plans to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the conflict ends. 

🇺🇸🇮🇹 Trump attacks Meloni for refusing to join Iran war: The president accused Italian PM Meloni of lacking courage for not supporting US attacks on Iran, calling her "unacceptable." 

🇵🇰 Pakistan PM pushes for second round of US-Iran talks: PM Sharif is travelling to Saudi Arabia and Turkey this week to build momentum for renewed negotiations. Trump indicated talks could resume in Pakistan within days, praising Pakistan's army chief as "doing a great job."

🇺🇸🇮🇷 US proposed 20-year halt to Iran's nuclear program: Washington sought a two-decade suspension of Iranian nuclear activity during weekend talks, while Tehran countered with a maximum five-year pause. VP Vance said 21 hours of negotiations produced no agreement, with Iran refusing to commit to not pursuing nuclear weapons.

🇮🇱🇱🇧 Lebanon and Israel hold first direct talks in decades: The two countries met in Washington for their first diplomatic discussions since 1993, with Secretary of State Rubio calling it a "historic opportunity" while cautioning against expecting an immediate breakthrough. Hezbollah rejected the talks and said it will not abide by any agreements reached.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇩🇿 Twin suicide attacks hit Algeria during papal visit: Two suicide bombers detonated explosives in Blida during Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit, though no link to the trip has been established.

2️⃣ 🇭🇺🇪🇺 Magyar victory threatens Orbán’s Brussels network: Péter Magyar’s two-thirds majority could dismantle Orbán’s EU influence network, with Commissioner Várhelyi and think tank MCC Brussels facing potential removal or funding cuts. Magyar has pledged to reorient Hungary toward the EU, describing the outgoing government as an “organised criminal group.”

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇭🇺 Vance defends backing Orbán after landslide defeat: The vice president called Orbán a “great guy” who stood up to “Brussels bureaucracy” after campaigning for him five days before his election loss. Magyar criticised the intervention but signalled willingness to work with the US.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸 House Democrats introduce 25th Amendment bill: Fifty Democrats backed legislation to create a commission assessing Trump’s fitness for office, citing national security concerns over his Iran-related social media posts. The measure faces long odds in the Republican-controlled Congress and would require Vice President Vance’s approval.

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