President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda have held direct talks for the first time since Rwanda-backed March 23 fighters seized Goma and Bukavu major cities in the eastern DRC.

In a joint statement issued with Qatar, whose emir mediated the talks in Doha, the countries called for an “immediate ceasefire” in eastern DRC

President Vladimir Putin has rejected an immediate and full ceasefire in Ukraine, agreeing only to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, following a call with US President Donald Trump.

The Russian leader declined to sign up to the comprehensive month-long ceasefire that Trump's team recently worked out with Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia.

He said a comprehensive truce could only work if foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine came to an end. Ukraine's European allies have previously rejected such conditions. 

Canada's Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney has said he is ready to negotiate a renewed trade deal with US President Donald Trump, as long as there is "respect for Canadian sovereignty". 

Carney made these comments during a visit to a steel plant in Hamilton, Ontario, as Canada unveiled C$29.8bn ($20.7bn) in reciprocal tariffs on US imports.

Trump earlier slapped 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium coming into the country.

Since Trump took office in January, the two countries have been involved in an escalating trade war, with the US president repeatedly threatening to annex its neighbour

Syria’s leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has pledged to hold accountable those responsible for harming civilians following days of violent clashes in which Syrian security forces allegedly killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority. The violence, described as some of the worst since the fall of the Assad regime, has drawn international concern and condemnation.