President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States will engage in direct discussions with Iran regarding its nuclear programme, while warning that Iran would face “great danger” if the talks fail to persuade Tehran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran, meanwhile, confirmed that talks will take place but maintained they will be indirect, mediated through a third party. Trump warns of additional tariffs on China Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the negotiations will begin Saturday and stressed that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. “We’re dealing with them directly and maybe a deal is going to be made,” Trump said, adding, “doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious.” When asked whether he would resort to military action if a diplomatic resolution cannot be reached, Trump replied, “Iran is going to be in great danger, and I hate to say it.” “If the talks aren’t successful, I think it’s going to be a very bad day for Iran,” he added. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, writing on X (a platform banned in Iran), asserted that the negotiations would not be face-to-face. “Iran and the United States will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect high-level talks,” he posted. “It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court.” Trump’s Letter Reopens Dialogue Trump recently sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing direct negotiations on Iran’s accelerating nuclear programme. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said last month that while Tehran rejected the offer for direct talks, it remained open to indirect discussions with the U.S. Trump, however, has repeatedly called on Iran — a key backer of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi rebels — to dismantle its nuclear programme or face consequences. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump said in a March interview with NBC News. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.” During his first presidential term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal brokered under President Barack Obama. Netanyahu expressed support for Trump’s diplomatic initiative, stating that both the U.S. and Israel are committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Notably, Netanyahu was a vocal critic of the original 2015 deal and encouraged Trump’s 2018 withdrawal. The Israeli leader said he would welcome an agreement similar to Libya’s 2003 deal to dismantle its nuclear programme — a move that saw Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi give up his secret programme entirely. However, Iran insists its nuclear activities, under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency, should continue. “I think that would be a good thing,” Netanyahu said. “But whatever happens, we have to make sure that Iran does not have nuclear weapons.” Trump noted that the talks would take place “at almost the highest level,” but declined to reveal the location or the identity of the lead U.S. negotiators. While Oman played a key role in facilitating past U.S.-Iran discussions, it has not confirmed its involvement this time. Netanyahu's Visit Highlights Regional Tensions, Trade Disputes Trump announced the planned talks during Netanyahu’s sudden visit to the White House — his second in just over two months — where they also discussed Trump’s global tariff policies, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The two leaders also touched on Iran’s regional influence, Israel’s relationship with Turkey, and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest last year. In February, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC over its probes involving Israel. Dr Yunus urges Trump to delay reciprocal tariffs on Bangladesh by 3 months Ahead of their meeting, Trump had phone calls with French President Emmanuel Macron, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II — all of whom are involved in efforts to calm tensions in the region and end the Israel-Hamas war. On Sunday evening, Netanyahu met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer to discuss tariffs. On Monday, he met Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff before speaking with the president. Netanyahu said he assured Trump that Israel would address its trade imbalance with the U.S., which stood at $7.4 billion in 2024 out of $37 billion in total bilateral trade. “We will eliminate the trade deficit with the United States,” Netanyahu said. “We intend to do it very quickly.” Trump pointed out that beyond trade, the U.S. provides nearly $4 billion in annual assistance to Israel, mostly for military purposes. When asked whether he would consider lowering Israel’s tariff rate, Trump said, “Maybe not, maybe not. Don’t forget we help Israel a lot.” Instead of economic concessions, Trump might pressure Netanyahu to make progress towards ending the war in Gaza — possibly through a temporary truce with Hamas to pause hostilities and release hostages. Eytan Gilboa, a U.S.-Israel relations expert at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, said Trump aims to return from his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia with movement on normalising ties between Israel and the kingdom — a development that would likely require Israeli compromises in Gaza. Such progress could bolster Trump’s regional standing and reinforce diplomatic pressure on Iran, against which he has signalled intentions to impose new sanctions or take military action. Trade and Tariff Issues Loom Large Last week, in anticipation of U.S. tariffs, Israel announced it was eliminating duties on U.S. imports, mostly agricultural products. However, the move did not exempt it from Trump’s broader trade actions. Despite being a relatively small market for U.S. goods, Israel is a significant trade partner, especially in high-tech services — which are less affected by tariffs. Still, critical Israeli sectors could feel the impact. According to the Manufacturers Association of Israel, Trump’s tariffs could cost the country $3 billion annually in exports and result in 26,000 job losses across industries such as biotechnology, chemicals, plastics, and electronics. Israel’s GDP, according to the World Bank, exceeds $500 billion annually.

US Vice President JD Vance stated on Friday that Denmark has "underinvested" in Greenland’s security and insisted that Denmark alter its approach, as President Donald Trump continues to push for U.S. control over the Danish territory. These sharp remarks were made during Vance’s visit to U.S. troops stationed at Pituffik Space Base on the resource-rich and strategically significant island. Accompanied by his wife and other senior U.S. officials, Vance’s trip was ultimately scaled back following backlash from Greenlanders and Danes who had not been consulted about the initial itinerary. Vance arrives at US military base in Greenland following uproar over uninvited visit “Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not served the people of Greenland well,” Vance said. “You have underinvested in the people of Greenland and in the security framework of this remarkable, beautiful landmass filled with extraordinary individuals. That must change.” Vance asserted that the U.S. has “no option” but to take a prominent role in ensuring Greenland’s security, while also supporting the island’s movement towards independence from Denmark. “I believe they will ultimately align with the United States,” Vance stated. “We could make them significantly more secure. We could offer much stronger protection. And I think they would benefit economically as well.” However, reactions from Greenland’s parliament members and citizens suggest otherwise, as widespread outrage erupted over the Trump administration’s efforts to annex the Arctic island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Vance’s assertion that Denmark was failing in Arctic defense, emphasising that Denmark remains “a good and strong ally.” Upon arrival, Vance briefly addressed U.S. troops at the base and had lunch with them alongside his wife, reaffirming the Trump administration’s deep interest in “Arctic security.” His entourage—including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Utah Senator Mike Lee—also received briefings from military officials. The delegation landed at the remote base, located 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle, where temperatures were minus-3 degrees F (minus-19 degrees C). “It’s cold as s—- here. Nobody told me,” Vance remarked, eliciting laughter. The modified trip to Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, comes amid deteriorating U.S.-Denmark relations, despite Denmark’s longstanding status as a U.S. ally and NATO member. Trump has repeatedly proposed that the U.S. should assume control of Greenland in some capacity. During his concluding remarks, Vance emphasised that military intervention would not be necessary, advocating instead for an expanded American presence on the island. “Because we believe the people of Greenland are rational and reasonable, we anticipate that we’ll need to negotiate a deal—Trump-style—to ensure both the security of this territory and that of the United States,” Vance stated, while acknowledging Greenlanders’ right to determine their own future. In Washington, Trump reaffirmed on Friday that the U.S. “needs Greenland for international security.” Speaking to reporters shortly after Vance’s arrival, Trump pointed to growing Chinese and Russian interests in the Arctic, where melting ice has opened new maritime routes. “Greenland is crucial to global peace,” Trump declared. “I think Denmark understands this, and so does the European Union. And if they don’t, we will have to make it clear to them.” Following Vance’s speech, Frederiksen countered that Denmark is already strengthening its defense capabilities in the Arctic, including the deployment of new Arctic ships and long-range drones. JD Vance to visit Greenland with wife She also stressed that, as Greenland is part of NATO, protecting the Arctic is a collective responsibility. Referring to Denmark’s commitment to the U.S. in its war on terror, she criticised Vance’s remarks as “an unfair characterisation” of Denmark’s efforts. Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S., Jesper Møller Sørensen, expressed gratitude to Vance “for taking a closer look at Arctic security” and affirmed that both nations agree on the need for further measures. “Greenland & Denmark share a mutual interest in strengthening our already exceptionally close ties with our friend & ally,” Sørensen posted on social media. Ahead of Vance’s arrival, four out of the five political parties in Greenland’s newly elected parliament signed an agreement to form a broad-based coalition government. This alliance was formed in direct response to Trump’s ambitions regarding the territory. “We are facing a time when our population is under pressure,” prime minister-designate Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated before signing the agreement, which was met with applause and cheers in Nuuk. “We must remain united. Together, we are strongest,” Greenland’s broadcaster KNR reported. In an Instagram post, Frederiksen congratulated Nielsen and his incoming government, expressing her eagerness for close cooperation “in an unnecessarily conflict-filled time.” Frederiksen had earlier criticised the planned U.S. visit, initially scheduled to last three days, saying it placed “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland. While Denmark remains committed to working with the U.S. on security matters, she insisted that Greenland belongs to its people. Originally, Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, had planned a solo trip to Sisimiut to attend the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race. The vice president later announced that he would join her, but after protests from Greenland and Denmark, the itinerary was altered again to limit the visit to a single day at the military base. Residents of Nuuk, located approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) south of Pituffik, voiced concerns about Vance’s visit and the U.S. interest in their homeland. Cora Høy, 22, commented that while Vance was “welcome to visit,” Greenland was “not for sale.” She added, “It’s unusual for Greenland to receive this level of attention. Every day now seems to be about (Trump), and I just want a break from it.” “It’s all quite overwhelming. Naturally, the population is unsettled,” said 30-year-old Inuk Kristensen. “I share the same sentiment as everyone else: This is not the right way to handle things. You don’t just show up and announce you want to buy the place.” As a strategic gateway to the Arctic and the North Atlantic approaches to North America, Greenland holds significant geopolitical value, particularly as China and Russia seek access to its waterways and natural resources. “We must ensure that America leads in the Arctic, because if we don’t, other nations will take advantage of the gaps we leave behind,” Vance asserted.

FBI Director Kash Patel was not part of a Signal chat in which other Trump administration national security officials discussed detailed attack plans, but that didn't spare him from being questioned by lawmakers this week about whether the nation's premier law enforcement agency would investigate. Patel made no such commitments during the course of two days of Senate and House hearings. Instead, he testified that he had not personally reviewed the text messages that were inadvertently shared with the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic who was mistakenly included on an unclassified Signal chat. That Patel would be grilled on what the FBI might do was hardly surprising. Even as President Donald Trump insisted "it's not really an FBI thing,” the reality is that the FBI and Justice Department for decades have been responsible for enforcing Espionage Act statutes governing the mishandling — whether intentional or negligent — of national defense information like the kind shared on Signal, a publicly available app that provides encrypted communications but is not approved for classified information. The Justice Department has broad discretion to open an investigation, though it remains unclear whether Attorney General Pam Bondi, who introduced Trump at a Justice Department event this month, would authorize such an inquiry. Trump administration officials insist that the details shared were not classified, though the Espionage Act technically criminalizes the mishandling of any information deemed to be closely held national defense information even if not classified. Multiple high-profile figures have found themselves under investigation in recent years over their handling of government secrets, but the differences in the underlying facts and the outcomes make it impossible to prognosticate what might happen in this instance or whether any accountability can be expected. There's also precedent for public officials either to avoid criminal charges or be spared meaningful punishment. The Atlantic publishes US Defense Secy Hegseth’s full Signal chat on Houthi strike plans “In terms of prior investigations, there were set-out standards that the department always looked at and tried to follow when making determinations about which types of disclosures they were going to pursue,” said former Justice Department prosecutor Michael Zweiback, who has handled classified information investigations.

  The Trump administration has announced plans to end the temporary legal status for more than half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. According to a federal government notice, these migrants are being warned to leave the U.S. by April 24, when their permits and deportation protections will be revoked. The 530,000 individuals had entered the U.S. under a Biden-era sponsorship program, known as CHNV, designed to create legal migration pathways. However, Trump suspended the program when he took office. It remains unclear how many of these migrants have secured alternative legal status allowing them to stay in the U.S. in the meantime. The CHNV program was launched by Democratic President Joe Biden in 2022, initially covering Venezuelans before expanding to other countries. Trump plans to sign executive order for shutdown of US Education Department The program permitted migrants and their immediate families to enter the U.S. if they had American sponsors, where they could stay for two years under temporary immigration status, called parole. The Biden administration argued that CHNV would help reduce illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border while providing better vetting for migrants entering the country. On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the previous administration, stating that the program had failed in its objectives. The DHS said that Biden's officials "granted them [migrants] opportunities to compete for American jobs and undercut American workers; forced career civil servants to promote the programs even when fraud was identified; and then blamed Republicans in Congress for the chaos that ensued and the crime that followed." Nevertheless, the 35-page notice in the Federal Register mentioned that some individuals in the U.S. under CHNV might be allowed to stay on a "case-by-case basis." Trump is also contemplating whether to revoke the temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the U.S. due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. The CHNV program facilitated the entry of around 213,000 Haitians into the U.S. amid worsening conditions in Haiti, along with more than 120,700 Venezuelans, 110,900 Cubans, and over 93,000 Nicaraguans before Trump terminated the program. In addition, last month, DHS announced plans to end another immigration program, temporary protected status (TPS), for 500,000 Haitians living in the U.S. starting in August. TPS was originally granted to nationals of countries facing unsafe conditions, such as armed conflict or environmental disasters. DHS also suspended TPS for Venezuelans in the U.S., though this move is currently facing a legal challenge. Since Trump took office, his immigration policies have faced numerous legal obstacles. Source: BBC  

New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump will eventually engage in comprehensive trade discussions with Canada, as Americans will bear the consequences of Trump’s trade war. Carney emphasized that talks won’t take place “until we get the respect we deserve as a sovereign nation," adding that this should not be a difficult expectation to meet. On Friday, Trump continued his frequent criticism of Canada, reiterating his view that the country should be the 51st U.S. state and claiming that the U.S. keeps Canada “afloat.” “When I say they should be a state, I mean that,” Trump said. Carney met with provincial leaders at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, where he announced relief measures for workers and businesses impacted by the trade conflict and outlined steps to accelerate resource projects. Since taking office last Friday, Carney has yet to have a phone call with Trump. While Trump previously mocked former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by referring to him as "Governor Trudeau," he has not yet commented on Carney by name. Carney stated that he seeks a broad discussion with the U.S. on trade and security, rather than negotiations focused solely on tariffs. “In the end, Americans will suffer from their own trade policies. That’s why I am confident that a serious discussion will happen—with the respect and scope it deserves,” Carney said. “I’m ready whenever they are.” Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and has threatened sweeping tariffs on all Canadian exports and other trade partners starting April 2. Carney took office after winning the Liberal Party leadership following Trudeau’s resignation earlier this year. He is expected to initiate early parliamentary elections this Sunday, with voting anticipated before April 28. The Liberals were on track for a significant electoral defeat this year until Trump’s trade war reshaped Canadian politics. His repeated attacks on Canada’s sovereignty have angered many Canadians, leading to boycotts of American goods and travel. This surge in national pride has boosted Liberal support in the polls. Carney said Canada’s provincial premiers have agreed to develop a national trade and energy corridor to diversify trade. This plan could include a pipeline from Alberta’s oil fields to Eastern Canada. While Quebec previously opposed such a project, Premier François Legault now suggests attitudes are shifting due to Trump’s threats. Carney noted that Quebec consumes about 350,000 barrels of oil daily, with 70% imported from the U.S. “That’s not a sustainable situation for us. There is an opportunity for a pipeline, but we need social acceptance and Indigenous partnerships,” Carney said. To accelerate infrastructure projects, the federal government will recognize provincial assessments. Canadian leaders also discussed swiftly removing internal trade barriers between provinces and the federal government. Additionally, Carney announced that Ottawa will waive the one-week waiting period for employment insurance for workers affected by tariffs. Canadian businesses will also be allowed to temporarily defer income tax and sales tax payments to improve cash flow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's promise not to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure was "very much at odds with reality" following a series of drone strikes across the country overnight. Just before Zelenskyy spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Ukrainian leader expressed his anticipation to hear more about Trump's recent phone call with Putin regarding a potential limited ceasefire and discuss subsequent steps. Tens of thousands rally in Rome in support of Europe amid defense spending debate "Even last night, after Putin's conversation with Trump, when Putin claimed to have ordered a halt to strikes on Ukrainian energy, 150 drones were launched, including on energy facilities," Zelenskyy said during a press conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Russia responded by claiming it had stopped targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking equipment near one of its pipelines. “We unfortunately see that there is no reciprocity from the Kyiv regime,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Despite Putin’s refusal to agree to a full 30-day ceasefire in discussions with Trump, he pledged to immediately halt attacks on Ukraine’s power grid. The White House described the call between Trump and Putin as the first step toward a "movement to peace," with hopes for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full end to the conflict. However, there was no sign that Putin had softened his stance on the conditions for peace, which are strongly opposed by Kyiv. The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based think tank, stated that Putin's demands during the call amounted to “Ukrainian capitulation.” “Putin is attempting to hold the temporary ceasefire proposal hostage to extract preemptive concessions before formal peace talks,” the Institute said in an analysis of the call. Stubb called the talks between Trump and Putin a positive development but emphasized that Russia needed to end its aggression. "There are only two ways to respond to the U.S. president's proposal: yes or no—no buts, no conditions," Stubb said. “Ukraine accepted a ceasefire without any conditions. If Russia refuses, we must increase our support for Ukraine and intensify pressure on Russia to return to the negotiating table.” White House national security adviser Mike Waltz stated on social media that he and his Russian counterpart, Yuri Ushakov, agreed on a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire secured by Trump. It was unclear who would attend the talks in Riyadh or if Ukrainian officials would be involved. Following the lengthy phone conversation between Trump and Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents sought shelter. Despite efforts to defend against the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including two hospitals, a railway, and over 20 houses, according to Zelenskyy. Russian drones were reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its military launched seven drones at power facilities in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region, but these were shot down after receiving Putin’s order to avoid targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy facility in the Krasnodar region, bordering the Crimean Peninsula, hours after the Putin-Trump talks. The ministry said three drones targeted oil transfer equipment, causing a fire and loss of pressure in one oil tank. "It is clear that this is another provocation fabricated by Kyiv to sabotage President Trump’s peace initiatives," the ministry stated. Russia and Ukraine trade overnight aerial attacks after Putin sets out conditions for ceasefire Russia also claimed its air defences intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and various Russian regions, including Kursk, Bryansk, Oryol, and Tula. Zelenskyy stated that "words of a ceasefire" were not enough. "If the Russians don’t hit our facilities, we certainly won’t hit theirs," he said. Zelenskyy rejected Putin’s key condition that Western nations halt military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine. He argued that such an action would endanger lives by leaving citizens unaware of incoming airstrikes and prolong the war. “I don’t think anyone should make concessions in helping Ukraine; instead, aid to Ukraine should be increased,” Zelenskyy said. “This would signal that Ukraine is ready for any surprises from Russia.” Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, called Putin’s rejection of the ceasefire unsurprising, noting that it was unwise for Putin to express it directly to President Trump, who has made ending the war a top priority. “What we now have is a rivalry between Kyiv and Moscow to persuade Trump that the other side is preventing him from achieving his goal of ending the war,” Gould-Davies said. Zelenskyy noted that one of the most challenging issues in future negotiations would be territorial concessions. "For us, the red line is recognizing the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian," he said. “We will not agree to that.”

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during their call on Tuesday to seek a limited ceasefire against energy and infrastructure targets in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the White House. The White House described it as the first step in a “movement to peace” it hopes will eventually include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full and lasting end to the fighting. The White House said negotiations would “begin immediately” on those steps. It was not immediately clear whether Ukraine is on board with the phased ceasefire plan. Trump to meet Putin for talks on U.S. ceasefire proposal Putin also called on Trump to end foreign military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine as the U.S. looks to bring an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a lengthy phone conversation on Tuesday as the White House pushes for Russia to sign off on its 30-day ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Trump administration initiated significant reductions at Voice of America (VOA) and other government-funded pro-democracy media on Saturday, with the agency’s director confirming that all VOA employees have been placed on leave. On Friday night, shortly after Congress approved its latest funding bill, President Donald Trump instructed his administration to scale back operations of multiple agencies to the minimum required by law. Among them was the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Marti, the Spanish-language broadcaster targeting Cuba. Early Saturday, Kari Lake, a former Arizona gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidate recently appointed by Trump as a senior adviser to the agency, posted on X, urging employees to check their emails. This coincided with official notices informing VOA staff of their placement on paid administrative leave. “For the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced,” said Michael Abramowitz, VOA’s director, in a statement. He noted that nearly all of the 1,300 employees were affected. “VOA promotes freedom and democracy around the world by telling America’s story and by providing objective and balanced news and information, especially for those living under tyranny,” Abramowitz added. One journalist, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, commented, “We expected something like this to happen, and it just happened to be today.” Press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders denounced the move, stating it “condemns this decision as a departure from the U.S.’s historic role as a defender of free information and calls on the U.S. government to restore VOA and urges Congress and the international community to take action against this unprecedented move.” The U.S. Agency for Global Media also sent termination notices for grants funding Radio Free Asia and other affiliated programs. These networks provide U.S. domestic news to international audiences, often in local languages. Outlets like Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Marti focus on countries with authoritarian governments, including China, North Korea, and Russia. “The cancellation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s grant agreement would be a massive gift to America’s enemies,” said Stephen Capus, the network’s President and CEO, in a statement. Tens of thousands rally in Rome in support of Europe amid defense spending debate Collectively, these networks reach an estimated 427 million people worldwide. Established during the Cold War, they have long played a role in promoting U.S. influence and countering authoritarianism, alongside agencies like USAID, which Trump has also targeted for reductions. The cuts mark a major shift away from a post-Cold War tradition that has historically received bipartisan support. VOA’s leadership in the past has included figures like Dick Carlson, father of conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Thomas Kent, a former president and CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, said Trump’s broader plans for these agencies remain unclear but warned of the consequences. “Without the international broadcasting, the image of the United States and the Trump administration will be in the hands of others, including the administration’s opponents, (and) countries and people who consider the United States an enemy,” said Kent, who now works as an international media ethics consultant. Meanwhile, Lake posted a video on X discussing cost-cutting efforts without addressing VOA’s employees or mission. Filmed inside a VOA-leased building, she described the facility as a financial burden and expressed her intention to break the agency’s 15-year lease. “We’re doing everything we can to cancel contracts that can be cancelled, save more, downsize and make sure there’s no misuse of your dollars,” she said. The official notice to employees placed them on administrative leave while assuring continued salary and benefits “until otherwise notified.” It also directed them to refrain from using agency facilities and to return government-issued equipment, such as phones and computers. The Trump administration has already taken steps to exert control over VOA, including terminating contracts that allowed it to use content from independent news sources like The Associated Press. Additionally, it has barred AP from participating in presidential press pools and taken measures to regulate which media outlets are included in these pools. Trump’s directive also mandates cuts at several lesser-known federal institutions, including the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

Former President Donald Trump acknowledged on Friday that his claim of resolving the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours was meant to be “a little bit sarcastic.” During an interview for the television program Full Measure, Trump was questioned about the pledge he had repeatedly made during his campaign. At the time, he insisted he could broker peace between Russia and Ukraine even before taking office. “Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that," Trump explained in a preview clip ahead of the episode’s airing on Sunday. “What I really mean is that I want to see it settled, and I think I’ll be successful.” US resumes military aid as Ukraine signals ceasefire possibility This marks a rare acknowledgment from Trump, who is known for making bold claims. During a CNN town hall in May 2023, Trump had stated, “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.” Similarly, in a September debate with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, he declared, “That is a war that’s dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president. If I win, when I’m president-elect, I’ll speak to one, I’ll speak to the other, and I’ll bring them together.” Trump frequently repeated this assertion while campaigning. Meanwhile, his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in Moscow this week for discussions on a U.S.-proposed ceasefire, which Ukraine has accepted. When asked in the interview how he would proceed if Russian President Vladimir Putin refused a ceasefire, Trump responded- “That would be bad news for the world because so many people are dying. But I think, I think he’s going to agree. I really do. I think I know him pretty well, and I think he’s going to agree.”  

President Donald Trump welcomed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin on Wednesday for the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration at the White House, where he added Ireland to the list of countries he says are taking advantage of the United States. Martin countered by noting Ireland's contributions to the U.S. It was Trump's first Oval Office meeting with a foreign leader since his recent sit-down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which morphed into a shouting match as they jousted over ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The session ended with Zelenskyy being asked to leave the White House. Martin, who offered only gentle pushback to some of Trump's comments, returned to the White House in the evening and presented Trump with a bowl of shamrocks at an early St. Patrick's Day celebration. The duo also attended an annual luncheon at the Capitol. The president's banter during the Oval Office meeting also touched on Vice President JD Vance's shamrock-themed socks and Trump nemesis Rosie O’Donnell 's recent move to Ireland. The Republican president has been sparring with U.S. allies and adversaries alike over trade, slapping double-digit tariffs on imports from countries from Canada to China and in between. During the appearance with Martin, Trump repeated his claim that the European Union was created just to stick it to the U.S. Asked if Ireland, a member of the EU, was taking advantage, too, Trump said, “of course they are. I have great respect for Ireland and what they did and they should have done just what they did, but the United States shouldn’t have let it happen.” He was referring to the concentration of U.S. pharmaceutical companies in Ireland, due to the country's tax policies. “We had stupid leaders. We had leaders that didn’t have a clue or let’s say they weren’t businesspeople, but they didn’t have a clue what was happening and all of a sudden Ireland has our pharmaceutical companies," Trump said. Martin countered that the trade relationship is “a two-way street,” adding that Ireland's two largest airlines buy more aircrafts from Boeing Co. than anyone else outside of America. More than 700 Irish companies are also based in America, creating thousands of jobs, Martin said. “That's a little known fact that doesn't turn up in the statistics,” he added. Portugal’s govt falls prompting early election after confidence vote “I understand where you're coming from, fully,” Martin told Trump, “but I think it's a relationship that we can develop and that will endure into the future.” At one point, Trump became distracted as he talked about inflation in the U.S. “By the way, I love these socks. What’s with these socks? I’m trying to stay focused, but I’m very impressed with the VP’s socks,” Trump said, drawing chuckles from others in the room. Vance had worn socks patterned with small green shamrocks as a nod to Martin's visit. When a reporter asked Martin why his country would let O'Donnell move there, Trump jumped at the opening. “I like that question,” the president said, adding that Martin was ”better off not knowing” about O'Donnell. O'Donnell, a comedian and former talk-show host, and Trump have feuded for years. O’Donnell, who is gay, recently announced that she moved to Ireland in January, citing a lack of equal rights in America. Trump found a way to sneak his penchant for professional fighting into the discourse. As the meeting wrapped, Trump was asked to name his favorite person in Ireland. Trump referred to Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, partly because "he's got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen.” Trump is well known for his support of Ultimate Fighting Championship and attended bouts during the 2024 presidential campaign. He noted that Martin’s father was an acclaimed boxer, but motioned to Martin saying, “You’re so smooth,” suggesting he did not look like a boxer. “I’m a pretty good defensive boxer,” Martin joked in reply.