US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev met in Washington to discuss a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.
The US is waiting for Dmitriev to report back to Putin before moving forward with next steps, with Dmitriev saying there is an understanding on how to finalize an agreement.
Source: Bloomberg
The US is waiting for Dmitriev to report back to Putin before moving forward with next steps, with Dmitriev saying there is an understanding on how to finalize an agreement.
โSteve has been really focused on solutions. I think there is an understanding for how we can move to finalize the agreement, and there have been lots of discussion in that realm,โ Kirill Dmitriev said.
Source: Bloomberg
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Asian markets plummeted on Friday due to U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariffs.
Other markets such as Shanghai and Hong Kong were closed for the holidays.
Economists warn that the tariffs could fuel stagflation - slowing growth coupled with higher inflation.
With global supply chains threatened and consumer sentiment shaky, investor confidence has been severely shaken.
Source: AP
โข Tokyo's Nikkei fell 3.6%
โข South Korea's Kospi fell 1.5%
โข Australia's ASX 200 fell 2.1%.
Other markets such as Shanghai and Hong Kong were closed for the holidays.
Economists warn that the tariffs could fuel stagflation - slowing growth coupled with higher inflation.
With global supply chains threatened and consumer sentiment shaky, investor confidence has been severely shaken.
Source: AP
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Fifteen Senate Democrats backed a pair of resolutions from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to withhold billions of dollars in offensive weapons sales and other military aid to Israel.
Sanders wants to cancel the Trump administration's proposed sales of $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Israel.
In addition to Sanders, Democratic Sens. Richard Durbin (Ill.), Martin Heinrich (N.M.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Ben Ray Lujรกn (N.M.), Tim Kaine (Va.), and Andy Kim (N.J.) voted in favor.
Source: Axios
Sanders wants to cancel the Trump administration's proposed sales of $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Israel.
In addition to Sanders, Democratic Sens. Richard Durbin (Ill.), Martin Heinrich (N.M.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Ben Ray Lujรกn (N.M.), Tim Kaine (Va.), and Andy Kim (N.J.) voted in favor.
Source: Axios
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The Trump administration plans to freeze $510 million in federal grants to Brown University as it reviews the schoolโs handling of antisemitism and its efforts to roll back diversity policies, the White House confirmed Thursday.
Brown University, however, said it has not received any formal notification of the funding freeze.
Brown is one of 60 colleges and universities under investigation for allegations of antisemitic harassment and discrimination.
Brown would be the fifth Ivy League college targeted by President Donald Trumpโs administration, which is using federal money to enforce its agenda at colleges.
Source: Axios, AP
Brown University, however, said it has not received any formal notification of the funding freeze.
Brown is one of 60 colleges and universities under investigation for allegations of antisemitic harassment and discrimination.
Brown would be the fifth Ivy League college targeted by President Donald Trumpโs administration, which is using federal money to enforce its agenda at colleges.
Source: Axios, AP
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The UK is in discussions with Brazil over the potential sale of two Royal Navy amphibious assault shipsโHMS Albion and HMS Bulwarkโas part of cost-cutting efforts.
Despite a recent refit for HMS Bulwark, both ships are set to be decommissioned and were not expected to return to active service before their planned retirement in the 2030s.
Source: Sky News
Despite a recent refit for HMS Bulwark, both ships are set to be decommissioned and were not expected to return to active service before their planned retirement in the 2030s.
Source: Sky News
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Israeli airstrikes killed at least 100 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including more than 27 people sheltering in a school, according to Palestinian health officials.
He warned the death toll could rise, as many of the 70 injured were in critical condition.
Source: AP
Among the dead were 14 children and five women whose bodies were recovered from the school in Gaza Cityโs Tuffah, Health Ministry spokesman Zaher al-Wahidi said.
He warned the death toll could rise, as many of the 70 injured were in critical condition.
Source: AP
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Pentagon's success in destroying Houthi missile and drone arsenal has been largely limited.
Pentagon spent roughly $200 million in munitions against Houthis in three weeks.
US strikes against Houthis could exceed $1 billion by next week.
Source: NYT
Pentagon spent roughly $200 million in munitions against Houthis in three weeks.
US strikes against Houthis could exceed $1 billion by next week.
Source: NYT
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Turkish Trade Minister:
Turkey wants to negotiate with U.S. on lifting 10% additional tariffs.
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Trump Links TikTok Deal to China Tariff Relief
President Trump suggested he may ease tariffs on China if Beijing approves a deal for ByteDance to divest TikTok and avoid a U.S. ban.
The proposed plan would create a U.S.-based TikTok entity with American investors owning about 50% and ByteDance under 20%.
A key issue remains control of TikTokโs algorithm. The U.S. demands full control, but a licensing compromise is being considered.
Trump says a deal is โvery closeโ ahead of Saturdayโs divestment deadline.
Source: FT
President Trump suggested he may ease tariffs on China if Beijing approves a deal for ByteDance to divest TikTok and avoid a U.S. ban.
โWe have a situation with TikTok where China will probably say weโll approve a deal, but will you do something on the tariffs. The tariffs give us great power to negotiate,โ Trump said.
The proposed plan would create a U.S.-based TikTok entity with American investors owning about 50% and ByteDance under 20%.
A key issue remains control of TikTokโs algorithm. The U.S. demands full control, but a licensing compromise is being considered.
Trump says a deal is โvery closeโ ahead of Saturdayโs divestment deadline.
Source: FT
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Greece Launches โฌ2.8 Billion โAchilles Shieldโ
Greece is accelerating its air defense modernization with the โฌ2.8 billion โAchilles Shieldโ programโpart of a broader โฌ25โ28 billion, 12-year defense plan.
Greece is accelerating its air defense modernization with the โฌ2.8 billion โAchilles Shieldโ programโpart of a broader โฌ25โ28 billion, 12-year defense plan.
โข Layered Defense: Covers long-, medium-, and short-range threats including drones and ballistic missiles.
โข Israeli Partnership: Greece plans to integrate Israeli systems like Iron Dome, Drone Dome, and Spyder.
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$208 Billion Wiped From Billionaires in One Day After Trump Tariffs
President Trumpโs sweeping new tariffs triggered a historic $208 billion plunge in the net worth of the worldโs richest.
This is the largest one-day loss since the COVID-19 crash, and the fourth-biggest drop in Bloomberg Billionaires Index history.
President Trumpโs sweeping new tariffs triggered a historic $208 billion plunge in the net worth of the worldโs richest.
This is the largest one-day loss since the COVID-19 crash, and the fourth-biggest drop in Bloomberg Billionaires Index history.
โข Mark Zuckerberg: -$17.9B (Meta down 9%)
โข Jeff Bezos: -$15.9B (Amazon down 9%)
โข Elon Musk: -$11B (Tesla + tariff impact)
โข Bernard Arnault: -$6B (LVMH hit by EU-focused tariffs)
โข Tobi Lรผtke & Ernest Garcia III: -$1.4โ1.5B (Shopify, Carvana down 20%)
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BIG: Trump Tariffs Could Push iPhone Prices to $2,300
Apple may be forced to hike iPhone prices as high as $2,300 for premium models due to sweeping new tariffs announced by President Trump.
โข Tariff Impact: A 10% base tariff plus a 34% China-specific tariff means iPhones built in China now face a total 54% duty.
โข Analyst Estimates: Prices could jump 30โ40% if Apple passes the full cost to consumers. The iPhone 16 Pro Max might leap from $1,599 to ~$2,300.
Source: Reuters
Apple may be forced to hike iPhone prices as high as $2,300 for premium models due to sweeping new tariffs announced by President Trump.
โข Tariff Impact: A 10% base tariff plus a 34% China-specific tariff means iPhones built in China now face a total 54% duty.
โข Analyst Estimates: Prices could jump 30โ40% if Apple passes the full cost to consumers. The iPhone 16 Pro Max might leap from $1,599 to ~$2,300.
Source: Reuters
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Clash Report
Congo and M23 rebels plan to hold first direct talks on April 9 The Congo government and M23 rebels aim to hold direct talks on April 9, sources from both camps said. The meeting in Doha would be the two sides' first direct negotiations since M23 fightersโฆ
NEW: M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have withdrawn from the strategic town of Walikale, describing the move as a goodwill gesture ahead of planned peace talks with the government next week.
Congo's government and M23 plan to hold their first direct talks in Doha on April 9, sources from both camps told Reuters this week.
Congo's government and M23 plan to hold their first direct talks in Doha on April 9, sources from both camps told Reuters this week.
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Kremlin:
Russia was not subject to new American tariffs, since trade between Moscow and Washington does not exist in tangible figures.
Russia was not subject to new American tariffs, since trade between Moscow and Washington does not exist in tangible figures.
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BREAKING: China announces additional 34% tariffs on all American imports from April 10.
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European markets plunge again.
๐ซ๐ท Paris -3.8%
๐ฉ๐ช Frankfurt -3.3%
๐ฌ๐ง London -3.7%
๐ซ๐ท Paris -3.8%
๐ฉ๐ช Frankfurt -3.3%
๐ฌ๐ง London -3.7%
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