Ukraine negotiations to start 'immediately', says Trump

Hi. US President Donald Trump has said he will "immediately" begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine following talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Arab nations say they are intensifying their efforts to save the Gaza ceasefire. And in London, archaeologists have found the remnants of the ancient city's first Roman basilica in an office basement.

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Trumps says Putin agreed to Ukraine talks

A woman visits graves of fallen Ukrainian soldiers at the Lychakiv cemetery. Credit: Getty

President Trump has said negotiations are to begin "immediately" to end the war in Ukraine. His statement came after "lengthy" talks with his Russian counterpart and a conversation to "inform" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth has said Kyiv's hopes of joining Nato are "unrealistic", as is the "illusionary goal" of regaining all territory lost since 2014. After speaking to Trump, Zelensky said that "no one wants peace more than Ukraine". Security correspondent Frank Gardner says the move is positive, but it may come at Ukraine's expense.

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Why the Gaza ceasefire is under growing strain

Hamas fighters flank an emaciated Eli Sharabi, one of the last three hostages to be freed. Credit: EPA

Arab states have said they are intensifying their attempts to save the Gaza ceasefire deal, after Israel threatened to restart the war at noon on Saturday in response to a decision by Hamas to suspend future hostage transfers. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's plan to "take over" the territory and expel its population has ramped up tensions even further.

Why did Hamas suspend its release of hostages?

The militant group lists a series of complaints against Israel, including delaying the return of displaced people, continuing to fire on them and failing to allow the entry of certain types of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Other Palestinian officials have cited Israel's reluctance to allow caravans in to house the vast numbers of Palestinians whose homes have been destroyed.

Has Trump's plan had an effect?

With Trump's demand that all should leave and that the US should take over and run Gaza, Hamas may be wondering whether it's worth engaging in phase two of the ceasefire talks. What exactly are they for? If Trump is serious, the Palestinians know that it will fall to Israel to make sure that Gaza is devoid of civilians. It is a task that will almost certainly require force.

What of the Israeli hostages?

The current impasse, and Trump's noisy intervention, is cause for fresh anxiety for the families of those still held by Hamas. Israel has its own suspicions about the rationale behind Hamas's delay. The spectacle of emaciated hostages being released at the weekend has raised fears that Hamas may not want the world to see others in even worse condition.

Tired of war: Israelis and Gazans fear ceasefire collapse.

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And finally... in Londinium

A huge section of London's first Roman basilica has been found in an office basement. The basilica was "the heart of Roman London" where political and economic decisions were taken, said Sophie Jackson of the Museum of London Archaeology. Take a look.