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 fighters captured eastern Congo's two largest cities.

One Congolese official said that talks were scheduled for April 9 "unless the other side misbehaves".

A source inside M23 confirmed the date and said it would present Kinshasa with its demands. Both sides have agreed not to publicly discuss the substance of the talks, the sources said.

Source: Reuters

Europe will respond to Trump's tariffs proportionately and will not escalate tensions, says French industry minister.

"Europe has always been on the side of negotiation and calm, because trade wars, as you know, only produce losers," Ferracci told RMC radio.

Source: Reuters

Liberal Judge Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court in Blow to Trump, Musk

Liberal judge Susan Crawford has won a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating conservative Brad Schimel in the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history — over $100 million was spent.

Her victory maintains a 4–3 liberal majority on the court, which is expected to shape future rulings on abortion, redistricting, and labor rights.

The race drew national attention — and money — with billionaires Elon Musk and George Soros backing opposing sides.

Crawford:

I never could have imagined that I’d be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin, and we won!

U.S. Senator Cory Booker has set a new record for the longest Senate speech, speaking for over 24 hours to condemn Donald Trump.

He broke the 1957 record held by Senator Strom Thurmond, who spoke against the Civil Rights Act.

The U.S. is threatening sanctions against the UN Human Rights Council over its plans to investigate Israel.

Senators Brian Mast and Jim Risch warned UN officials that council members could face the same sanctions imposed on the ICC, following a recent report accusing Israel of abuses against Palestinians.

Ukrainian mock-up of the M901 launcher unit of American MIM-104 Patriot air defense system, equipped with a canister for PAC-2 missiles, being towed by a KrAZ-260V tractor truck.

American Russell Bentley, aka the “Donbass Cowboy,” was a Texan who joined pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Though he only fought for six months, he spent the next decade in Donetsk as a pro-Russian propagandist and war correspondent, even gaining Russian citizenship in 2021.

In April 2024, Bentley was abducted, tortured, and killed by Russian soldiers who allegedly mistook him for a spy.

U.S. Pushes Back on EU’s ‘Buy European’ Defense Plan

The U.S. has formally objected to the EU’s new defense initiative, ReArm Europe, which proposes €150 billion in loans for joint European defense projects.

Washington is concerned the plan sidelines U.S. defense firms, potentially harming transatlantic ties.

“They are upset about ReArm and that the U.S. is excluded,” said a senior European official.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned EU leaders on March 25 that:
“Any exclusion of U.S. companies from European tenders would be seen negatively by Washington.”

A State Department spokesperson echoed the concern:
“Trump welcomes stronger European defense—but not at the cost of new barriers against U.S. companies.”

“Transatlantic defense industrial cooperation makes the Alliance stronger,” the official added.

Source: Reuters

Trump administration is considering Iran’s offer for indirect nuclear talks while boosting military forces in the region to maintain both diplomatic and deterrent pressure.

Trump has given Iran a vague two-month deadline to strike a deal.

Source: Axios

Le Pen:

We’re always lecturing Russia on democracy — and now they’ve thrown that lesson back at us like a boomerang.

15 Medics Killed by Israel in Gaza Found in Mass Grave

Fifteen Palestinian emergency workers, including a UN staffer, were found dead in a mass grave in Rafah, southern Gaza.

Their bodies were discovered near marked emergency vehicles—ambulances, a fire truck, and a UN car.

The group had gone missing on March 23 while responding to an Israeli strike. Israel claimed it fired on unidentified vehicles allegedly used by militants.

Access to the area was restricted for a week, delaying recovery efforts. On March 31, the bodies were recovered and buried the next day.

The Red Crescent called it its deadliest loss in nearly a decade. The UN and other humanitarian groups have demanded an investigation.

Greece Unveils €25 Billion Defense Plan Through 2037

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a €25 billion defense spending plan extending to 2037, outlining a 12-year strategy to enhance the country’s military capabilities.

Recent acquisitions by Greece include 24 Rafale jets and frigates from France, and a potential order of 40 F-35 fighters from the U.S.

Mitsotakis said the defense minister now has the full budget and must “prioritize and make the choices that are critical and necessary.”

Kremlin:

Trump's plans to travel to Saudi Arabia in May are not connected with Putin.

Kremlin:

Kiev does not comply with the moratorium and continues to strike Russian energy infrastructure on a daily basis.

Italy's PM Meloni:

I do not rule out adequate responses to US tariffs to defend our products. It is clear that introduction of new US tariffs would hit Italian producers hard.

NEW: The Chinese military said on Wednesday evening it had completed all designated exercises around Taiwan, in a social media post from the Eastern Theater Command.

Source: Reuters