Trump Pushes for Direct Talks with Putin, Urges Urgent End to Russia-Ukraine War
PBS

Trump Pushes for Direct Talks with Putin, Urges Urgent End to Russia-Ukraine War

He criticized Putin’s absence from peace talks in Turkey, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had agreed to participate in an American-led proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Russia, however, declined the offer and continues military operations inside Ukraine. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intent to initiate direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing urgency over escalating casualties in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

U.S. and China Begin High-Stakes Trade Talks in Switzerland to Ease Tariff Tensions
 Washington Times

U.S. and China Begin High-Stakes Trade Talks in Switzerland to Ease Tariff Tensions

The secretive meeting—confirmed by diplomats and partially witnessed via motorcade activity—marks a crucial diplomatic attempt to reverse the trajectory of a damaging tariff war between the world’s two largest economies. In a bid to cool escalating trade tensions that threaten global economic stability, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer have commenced negotiations with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva, Switzerland.

Indonesia Plans $10B Crude and LPG Import Boost from U.S. Amid Tariff Talks
 Thisday Live

Indonesia Plans $10B Crude and LPG Import Boost from U.S. Amid Tariff Talks

Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed the plan during ongoing tariff negotiations, noting it is part of a broader initiative to purchase U.S. goods worth up to $19 billion. Indonesia is planning to increase its crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports from the United States by approximately $10 billion as part of its strategy to rebalance trade and avert a proposed 32% U.S. tariff on Indonesian exports.

Trump Extends TikTok Deadline by 75 Days, Gives ByteDance More Time to Find Non-Chinese Buyer
 NBC News

Trump Extends TikTok Deadline by 75 Days, Gives ByteDance More Time to Find Non-Chinese Buyer

While some lawmakers have urged a more aggressive approach, others view the extension as a practical move to allow for a more structured divestment and preserve user access while ensuring national data security. President Donald Trump on Friday announced a 75-day extension for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to secure a non-Chinese buyer for the popular video-sharing app, narrowly averting a ban that was set to take effect on Saturday, April 5.

OnlyFans Founder Tim Stokely Makes Surprise Bid for TikTok Ahead of Trump Deadline, Rivaling Amazon
 Independent UK

OnlyFans Founder Tim Stokely Makes Surprise Bid for TikTok Ahead of Trump Deadline, Rivaling Amazon

According to a report by Reuters, Stokely made the unexpected offer through his new startup, Zoop, in collaboration with The Hbar Foundation, a blockchain-focused crypto organization. In a dramatic turn of events, Tim Stokely, the founder of OnlyFans, has submitted a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok, entering a high-stakes race that includes tech giant Amazon — just days before President Donald Trump’s acquisition deadline set for this Saturday.

Trump Predicts U.S. Economic Resurgence Amid Tariff Shock, Urges Wall Street to Trust His Strategy
 Yahoo Fiance

Trump Predicts U.S. Economic Resurgence Amid Tariff Shock, Urges Wall Street to Trust His Strategy

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the message of confidence during an interview with CNN, urging Wall Street to “Trust in President Trump” and to have faith in his "proven economic formula." In a defiant message posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, President Donald Trump acknowledged the global shockwaves triggered by his aggressive tariff measures but expressed confidence that the U.S. economy would emerge "far stronger." Speaking less than an hour before Wall Street opened, Trump declared, “THE OPERATION IS OVER! THE PATIENT LIVED, AND IS HEALING. THE PROGNOSIS IS THAT THE PATIENT WILL BE FAR STRONGER, BIGGER, BETTER, AND MORE RESILIENT THAN EVER BEFORE.”

Elon Musk Wields $1M Cheques in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race, Sparking Election Interference Claims
 Al Jazeera

Elon Musk Wields $1M Cheques in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race, Sparking Election Interference Claims

The Sunday night spectacle—reminiscent of Musk’s interventions in November’s presidential election—has further escalated spending in what is already the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history. Democrats, who currently hold a narrow 4-3 court majority, failed to block the payments despite arguing they amount to election interference. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has injected himself into Wisconsin’s high-stakes Supreme Court election, personally presenting $1 million cheques to two voters at a Green Bay rally to boost conservative candidate Brad Schimel.

Trump Floats Third-Term Bid, Defying 22nd Amendment—Experts Warn of Constitutional Crisis
 Euro News

Trump Floats Third-Term Bid, Defying 22nd Amendment—Experts Warn of Constitutional Crisis

The provision, ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency, explicitly bars any individual from being elected president more than twice—whether consecutively or not. Current U.S. President Donald Trump has openly entertained the idea of seeking an unconstitutional third term in the White House, telling NBC News in a Sunday interview that he was "not joking" about circumventing the two-term limit enshrined in the 22nd Amendment.

Putin Proposes UN-Led Interim Government in Ukraine to Oversee 'Democratic Elections'
 Outlook India

Putin Proposes UN-Led Interim Government in Ukraine to Oversee 'Democratic Elections'

Putin suggested that such a transitional arrangement could be coordinated “with the United States, with European countries, and of course with our partners and friends,” to pave the way for democratic elections and ultimately, a peace agreement. Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed placing Ukraine under temporary United Nations administration as a means to install what he described as a more "competent" and “capable” government. The remarks were made during a speech to the crew of a nuclear-powered submarine in Murmansk, northern Russia, further escalating his rhetoric against the current leadership in Kyiv.

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 144 as Junta Appeals for Global Aid; Tremors Shake Thailand
 AAC

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 144 as Junta Appeals for Global Aid; Tremors Shake Thailand

The military ruler also warned that the death toll may rise due to extensive infrastructure collapse and ongoing rescue challenges. A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region has claimed at least 144 lives and injured 732 others, according to an official address by junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Friday. The military ruler also warned that the death toll may rise due to extensive infrastructure collapse and ongoing rescue challenges.

Mass Protests Erupt in Istanbul Over Arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu Amid Corruption Charges
 Independent UK

Mass Protests Erupt in Istanbul Over Arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu Amid Corruption Charges

A court formally ordered Imamoglu’s arrest on corruption charges earlier on Sunday, placing him in pre-trial detention, a move that has triggered the largest wave of public demonstrations in Turkey in over a decade. Hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets outside Istanbul City Hall on Sunday night in protest against the arrest of the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Man Jailed for Renting Out Bank Account Used in $3.3 Million Illegal Gambling Transactions
 The StraitTimes

Man Jailed for Renting Out Bank Account Used in $3.3 Million Illegal Gambling Transactions

Kong, who was in urgent need of money to repay his loans, agreed to let others use his bank account in exchange for a $1,800 reward. However, he later discovered that the account was being used to facilitate illicit financial transactions. A 34-year-old man, Kong Juu Wenn, has been sentenced to one year and nine months in jail after renting out his bank account, which was later used to receive over $3.3 million linked to illegal online gambling activities.

Zelensky to Speak with Trump as Russia, Ukraine Clash Over Energy Ceasefire
 The Straits Times

Zelensky to Speak with Trump as Russia, Ukraine Clash Over Energy Ceasefire

On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a temporary halt on attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but refused to support a full 30-day ceasefire, a move Trump had hoped would be a first step toward a lasting peace agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed plans to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Russia’s temporary ceasefire on Ukrainian energy facilities and the need for U.S. oversight in monitoring the situation.

NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Return to Earth After Unexpected 286-Day Space Mission
 Euro News

NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Return to Earth After Unexpected 286-Day Space Mission

A replacement crew, consisting of NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov, was sent to the ISS last fall aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, carrying two empty seats to facilitate Wilmore and Williams' return. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have safely returned to Earth after spending 286 days in space, concluding a mission that was initially intended to last only one week.

Zelenskyy Urges Strong US Action if Russia Violates 30-Day Ceasefire Agreement
 The Guardian

Zelenskyy Urges Strong US Action if Russia Violates 30-Day Ceasefire Agreement

The ceasefire deal was reached in Jeddah, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a US delegation, while Ukraine's delegation included Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed hope that the United States will impose strong measures against Russia if Moscow fails to uphold a 30-day ceasefire agreed upon during high-level negotiations in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Ukraine and U.S. Open Peace Talks as Russia Shoots Down 343 Drones in Largest Attack Yet
 Military.com

Ukraine and U.S. Open Peace Talks as Russia Shoots Down 343 Drones in Largest Attack Yet

The massive drone assault, which spanned 10 Russian regions, resulted in the death of three people and left 18 others injured, including three children, according to Russian officials. Meanwhile, Russia retaliated by launching 126 Shahed drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine, intensifying its relentless bombardment of civilian areas. Senior officials from Ukraine and the United States began high-level discussions on Tuesday to explore ways to end Russia’s three-year war against Kyiv. The talks come just hours after Russia shot down 343 Ukrainian drones, marking the biggest aerial attack since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Lander Successfully Touches Down on Moon with NASA Payload
 Gulf Today

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Lander Successfully Touches Down on Moon with NASA Payload

“You all stuck the landing. We’re on the moon,” declared Will Coogan, Firefly’s chief engineer for the lander, celebrating the milestone achievement for the company and for NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Firefly Aerospace’s privately-built Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully touched down on the moon on Sunday, carrying a suite of NASA experiments, including a drill, vacuum, and other scientific instruments. The mission marks another step in the commercial race to establish a presence on the moon ahead of future astronaut missions.

UK’s Keir Starmer: European Leaders to Draft Ukraine Peace Plan for US Approval
 Jerusalem Post

UK’s Keir Starmer: European Leaders to Draft Ukraine Peace Plan for US Approval

The decision was reached during a high-level summit in London, held just two days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tense meeting with former US President Donald Trump, which led to Zelensky cutting short his visit to Washington. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that European leaders have agreed to develop a comprehensive peace plan for Ukraine, which will be presented to the United States as part of efforts to secure vital security guarantees for Kyiv in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Netherlands to Return 119 Stolen Benin Artefacts to Nigeria in Historic Repatriation.
 Rfi

Netherlands to Return 119 Stolen Benin Artefacts to Nigeria in Historic Repatriation.

The collection, which includes 113 bronzes from the Dutch State Collection and six pieces from the Municipality of Rotterdam, is expected to arrive in Nigeria later this year. Nigeria is making significant strides in its quest to reclaim thousands of Benin Bronzes and other intricate artifacts looted by British soldiers in 1897 from the former Kingdom of Benin, now part of southwestern Nigeria.