Trump’s “big” announcement:

“Prescription drug prices in the U.S. have been 5–10x higher than elsewhere, with no good reason—just excuses from pharma companies.

Tomorrow, I’ll sign an executive order to cut prices by 30–80% using a “Most Favored Nation” policy, making the U.S. pay no more than the lowest global price. This will save Americans trillions.”

NEW: Israel PM Netanyahu says Israel did not commit to any ceasefire or prisoners’ release with Hamas, but only to a safe corridor that would allow Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander’s release.

Asian Pharma Stocks Tumble as Trump Plans US Drug Price Cuts

Asian pharmaceutical stocks plunged as US President Donald Trump announced plans to cut US drug prices, pressuring companies heavily reliant on the US market, including Takeda, Astellas, and Otsuka.

Japanese drugmakers, including Chugai Pharmaceutical (down 10%) and Daiichi Sankyo (down 7.8%), saw sharp declines, while companies in Hong Kong, South Korea, and India, like BeiGene, SK Biopharmaceuticals, and Sun Pharmaceutical, also suffered losses.

Companies like Takeda and Astellas that rely heavily on US sales.

Source: Bloomberg

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to unveil fresh sanctions targeting Russia as Britain hosts a security meeting of European ministers for the first time.

The sanctions will target “actors supporting Russia’s illegal invasion” of Ukraine, Britain’s Foreign Office said Monday in an emailed statement, without providing further details.

Starmer’s government will face a High Court challenge this week over the export of components for the F-35 fighter jet used by Israel.

Campaigners at Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq are taking legal action against the Department for Business and Trade over the UK’s supply of critical parts for the combat aircraft.

The Labour government last September suspended some export licences to Israel for arms used in military operations in Gaza after a British government review found possible breaches of international humanitarian law by Israel.

Source: FT

NEW: Since midnight, 17 civilians have been killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Source: Al Jazeera

CLAIM: Direct talks between Hamas and the US

One of the assistants to the US envoy to the Middle East, Witkoff, met directly with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in Qatar, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat, Kann News

Somalia has banned Taiwanese passport holders from entering the country.

This follows several official warnings from Taiwanese officials regarding their support for Somaliland, a separatist region of Somalia. Taiwan, on the other hand, claims that the decision was made under pressure from China.

Military officials of India, Pakistan to discuss next steps, India says, as ceasefire holds

The military operations chiefs of India and Pakistan will discuss next steps after a ceasefire returns calm to the border, following their fiercest fighting in nearly three decades.

There were no reports of explosions or projectiles overnight, after some initial ceasefire violations, with the Indian Army saying Sunday was the first peaceful night in recent days along the border, although some schools remain closed.

Source: Reuters

China will host a summit that includes its key Latin American trade partners this week in an effort to advance influence and partnerships in the region, as Beijing and Washington try to defuse their trade war.

Latin American and Caribbean officials including the presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Chile are set to attend the China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting in Beijing on Tuesday.

Source: Reuters

Palestinian factions in Lebanon are skeptical of Mahmoud Abbas’ reported plan to push for disarmament during his upcoming visit to Beirut.

Abdullah Dandan, a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) official, warned against repeating past mistakes, recalling the Sabra and Shatila massacre, where disarmed Palestinians were left unprotected.

The disarmament push is seen as part of a broader effort to reshape Lebanon’s political landscape, especially after recent Israeli strikes.

Source: MEE

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani:

We will send a special team to Sudan based on President Ahmed al-Sharaa's directives to identify the situation of Syrians there and provide the necessary support and work to evacuate them and secure their safety in light of the current circumstances.

Ukrainian Air Force:

Last night we shot down 55 out of 108 Russian UAVs that attacked various regions of Ukraine.

BREAKING: Terror group PKK decided to dissolve itself, news agency affiliated with group says.

India Envoy Rejects US Calls for Mediation in Kashmir Dispute

A top Indian envoy said the dispute over Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Pakistan, rejecting any external mediation on the matter despite the US saying it wanted to facilitate talks.

“For us, Kashmir is a bilateral issue, not an international issue.For us, the word mediation does not work with the Kashmir issue,” High Commissioner of India to Singapore, Shilpak Ambule, told Bloomberg.

Source: Bloomberg

BREAKING: Terror group PKK’s 12th Congress has announced its final declaration, confirming the decision to dissolve the organization’s structure and end its armed struggle, effectively bringing all activities under the PKK name to a close.

NEW: India has issued a NOTAM to reopen airports that were closed last week due to tensions with Pakistan.

Implementation of these decisions was left to the terror organisation's imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan.

BREAKING: China will lower tariffs on US goods to 10% from 125% for 90 days.

In response, the US will cut tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% from 145% for 90 days.