Aliyev: Peace Deal Ready, Ball in Armenia’s Court

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the peace treaty with Armenia is fully agreed upon but awaits action from Yerevan.

Key demands of Azerbaijan:
• Dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group
• Removal of territorial claims from Armenia’s constitution
(Specifically, the clause referencing the unification of Azerbaijani territory with Armenia)

“Our terms are clear and longstanding. If Armenia truly wants peace, it must meet these two legitimate conditions. The ball is in their court.”

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U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on tariffs:

You have to trust the President’s instincts on the economy.

European Tourists Shun U.S.

European travelers are increasingly avoiding trips to the U.S., citing political tensions and stricter border policies under President Trump.

• Booking Drop: Accor SA reports a 25% decline in summer bookings from Europe to the U.S., up from an 18–20% drop earlier this year.

• Traveler Concerns: Reports of tourist detentions and fears of hostility at U.S. borders have created a “bad buzz” among travelers.

• Shift in Destinations: Many are choosing Canada, South America, or Egypt instead.

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski:

Poland will not send troops to Ukraine, as Russia might interpret it as an attempt by Warsaw to seize Ukrainian territory.

We don’t want to give them that pretext.

Canada's Ontario Premier Doug Ford:

We would take tariffs to zero if Trump ended his tariff war. And we told him this.

Trump Lawyer Explores Third-Term Possibility

Donald Trump’s attorney, Boris Epshteyn, has reportedly looked into legal options for Trump to run for a third presidential term, despite the 22nd Amendment banning more than two.

• In 2023, Epshteyn suggested Trump could possibly run in 2028, even if he wins in 2024.

• Some legal theorists have floated unconventional scenarios, but these are highly disputed and not widely accepted.

• Trump hasn’t ruled it out, saying he’s been encouraged by supporters but called talk of a third term premature.

Source: WSJ

The YPG/PKK-linked SDF has withdrawn from the Tishrin Dam, east of Aleppo, in accordance with a prior agreement reached with the newly formed Syrian Arab government.

YPG/PKK-linked SDF has withdrawn from the Tishrin Dam east of Aleppo as per an agreement with the new Syrian government.

BREAKING: Following a declaration of a one-month ceasefire by revolutionary armed resistance groups, the Myanmar military has announced a temporary ceasefire today, effective immediately until April 22, 2025, to support earthquake rescue efforts.

The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will visit Moscow tomorrow. Sahel nations and Russia seek to strengthen ties, the three African countries' foreign ministries said in a joint statement.

"The Moscow meeting represents an important step in establishing strategic, pragmatic, dynamic and supportive cooperation and partnership relations in areas of common interest between the Confederation of Sahel States (AES)and Russia," the ministries said.

The United States has added 4 individuals, 3 legal entities, and one dry cargo ship to the sanctions lists against Russia.

Netanyahu intends to appoint the current deputy Shin Bet chief as acting chief of the Shin Bet until a permanent appointment is made.

Source: Jerusalem Post

NATO Secretary General Rutte:

NATO allies have pledged more than 20 billion euros in military support for Ukraine in the first three months of 2025.

Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) has uncovered an alarming expansion of North Korean cyberespionage operations into Europe, after initially targeting the U.S. These “cyber warriors” are state-backed IT operatives posing as freelance workers to infiltrate private companies and even government bodies.

Targets & Impact:

• Infiltration discovered in companies across Germany, Portugal, and the UK, especially in sectors like AI, robotics, and blockchain.
• Some even accessed European government entities.
• Stolen data is sometimes used for blackmail or sold to competitors.
• Former "employees" have threatened to leak sensitive data, including source code and internal documents.

Source: 01net

UK floats plan for joint European fund to ‘stockpile’ weapons

Britain has proposed that European countries establish a joint "supranational institution" for military equipment procurement, stockpiling, and financing rearmament.

According to an unofficial document seen by the Financial Times, Britain wants a fund for a "coalition of the willing" that would borrow at low rates and boost defense spending.

Supranational institution tasks:

• Jointly buy weapons

• Stockpile military gear

• Fund rearmament across the continent

The paper does not specify the intended size of the fund, but says the measures could help to close a €750 billion-€1,000 billion gap in European defense financing.

Source: FT

Taliban aims to re-establish official ties and a presence in the US.

“There’s a path that’s positive and if they walk that path, we walk that path,” an American official told CNN.

The Taliban admires Trump according to a Former US official speaking to CNN.

French Foreign Minister Barrot:

If a deal cannot be reached with Iran, then a military confrontation seems almost inevitable.