Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025.

More than $1.5 trillion was erased from U.S. stock market today.

Russia Violated Energy Ceasefire Over 30 Times, Ukraine Says

Russia has breached the partial ceasefire on Ukrainian energy infrastructure more than 30 times since March.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said three new violations occurred in the past 24 hours.

Rubio Shuts Down U.S. Foreign Disinfo Office

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the closure of the State Department’s disinformation office, citing threats to free speech.

Originally launched to counter terrorist propaganda, the office evolved into the Global Engagement Center, focusing on Russian and Chinese influence.

In 2024, it was renamed the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Hub (R/FIMI).

Trump Targets Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status

The IRS is preparing to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status.

A final decision is expected soon.

The administration has already frozen over $2 billion in funding to the university, which argues it has the right to set its own policies.

Source: CNN

Bukele to Double World’s Largest Prison for U.S. Deportees

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele plans to double the size of the Cecot prison, already the world’s largest, to hold up to 80,000 inmates — including U.S. deportees.

Source: WSJ

Trump first wants to strike deals with Japan, India, and South Korea in order to isolate China.

Source: The Telegraph

Trump:

A Great Honor to have just met with the Japanese Delegation on Trade. Big Progress!

Xi Pushes 'Asian Family' Unity as Trump Tariff Pressure Mounts

Chinese President Xi Jinping is rallying Southeast Asian nations under the banner of an “Asian family,” warning against “hegemonism and power politics” amid rising U.S. pressure.

On a regional tour through Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, Xi secured symbolic support against U.S. tariffs and external interference.

Source: Bloomberg

The UK Ministry of Defence tested a high-power microwave weapon called “RapidDestroyer,” developed by a Thales-led consortium. It disables drone electronics using radio frequencies.

• Trial neutralized two 8-drone swarms, with 100+ total drones defeated.
• Aims to counter mass drone warfare seen in Ukraine.
• Experts hail its wide-area effect—but caution it's not ideal for civilian zones.

A US equivalent, the Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR) designed by the US Air Force and a number of private companies, is the size of a shipping container. Other versions include the Leonidas, which has been designed by tech company Epirus for the US Navy and is to be used on board ships.

Source: FT

BIG: Trump blocked Israel’s planned strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, opting for diplomatic talks instead.

Israel had planned a May strike to delay Iran’s nuclear capability by a year, but Trump’s intervention canceled the plans.

Trump chose negotiations over military action.

Source: NYT

North Korea criticises US for deploying B-1B strategic bomber in South Korea

North Korea criticised the United States for deploying a B-1B strategic bomber in a recent joint military drill with South Korea, describing the move as an "open threat" to Pyongyang's security, state media KCNA reported.

In a statement carried by KCNA, a spokesperson for the country's defence ministry said the deployment of U.S. strategic bombers in the region had become a routine military practice, while calling it "reckless bluffing."

Source: Reuters

Turkish PhD student Rümeysa Öztürk, who was arrested for supporting Palestine and was facing deportation, filed a lawsuit against the cancellation of her visa. But no verdict today.

The court adjourned the case until 1 May to consider whether it falls within its jurisdiction, while rejecting Öztürk's request for bail.

Rubio, Witkoff head to Paris to discuss Ukraine, Iran with Europeans

Two of President Donald Trump's top national security aides plan to hold talks in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday as the United States and Europe search for common ground on ending the Ukraine war and averting an Iran conflict.

The two advisers, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, are expected to hear European concerns about Russia amid U.S. attempts to arrange an elusive ceasefire in Ukraine three years after Russia invaded its neighbor.

Source: Reuters

Somali Government:

Somali National Army, with US Africa Command support, carried out a targeted airstrike in Aadan Yabaal, killing 12 Al-Shabaab militants. No civilian casualties. Operations continue to ensure lasting security.

U.S. eyes Pakistan's $8 trillion mineral trove—but danger looms.

Eric Meyer visited Islamabad to discuss mineral investment, indicating US interest in Pakistan's reserves. Jack Bergman visited Pakistan as part of a delegation, calling minerals a "key sector." Pakistan claims to have $8 trillion worth of minerals - including lithium.

• Trump team & Congress signal strong interest in Pakistan's lithium, copper, gold.

• Key deposits lie in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which saw 95% of Pakistan’s 521 terror attacks in 2024.

• BLA insurgents are stepping up anti-mining violence.

• U.S. firms may push to deploy private security—illegal in Pakistan.

Pakistan suffers the classic “resource curse”—rich in minerals, but poor in investment and stability. Without resolving security and logistics, the U.S. opportunity may remain theoretical.

Source: Foreign Policy

Colonized French Territories Speak Out at UN, Backed by Azerbaijan

Colonized peoples under French rule spoke at the UN, supported by Azerbaijan’s Baku Initiative Group during the “Decolonization: The Silent Revolution” conference in New York.

Representatives from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Kanaky, and others denounced France’s colonial legacy.

The event strongly condemned France’s current policies.

Azerbaijan reaffirmed its support for colonized nations’ independence efforts.

India is actively courting U.S. companies looking to relocate manufacturing from China.

But, Vietnam remains a major competitor due to its stronger electronics supply chain and existing base of Chinese investments.

Source: The Economic Times

Lebanese army making progress in displacing Hezbollah near Israeli border

The Lebanese army is increasing its presence in the south, closer to the Israeli border. This is in line with a US-brokered ceasefire agreement aimed at pushing Hezbollah away from the border.

PM Nawaf Salam: “Serious progress” in reclaiming southern territory after Nasrallah’s death.

• The army has deployed an additional 1,500 troops, bringing the total to 6,000, with 4,000 more still being recruited.
• 1,500 new troops deployed near Israeli border; 6,000 now active in the area.
• Hezbollah arms confiscated, positions dismantled per U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Israel.
• Recon flights, checkpoints, and security ops intensified.

Source: Washington Post

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni will meet President Trump in Washington today to revive stalled US-EU trade talks after initial negotiations failed to clarify US demands on tariffs.

Meloni’s personal rapport with Trump—who has called her a “wonderful woman” and “strong leader”—is seen as a key asset, with EU officials hoping she can break the deadlock.

Source: FT