Billionaires Lose $536 Billion in 48 Hours

The world’s 500 richest people just saw their biggest-ever two-day loss on record, shedding $536 billion after Trump’s tariff announcement.

Source: Bloomberg

BIG: Germany may pull €113 billion in gold from the U.S.

Germany, shocked by Trump’s unpredictable policies, is reconsidering its trust in the U.S. as a reliable partner.

Germany holds the world’s second-largest gold reserves, with 37% — over 1,200 tons worth €113 billion — stored in New York.

These reserves are meant to guarantee liquidity in dollars or other hard currencies.

Now, some in Berlin question whether that gold is truly safe.

Source: Politico

Israeli singer Shay Ohayon calls for a boycott of Türkiye during a concert, praising Dubai and the Burj Khalifa and urging Israelis to travel to the UAE instead.

Sex toys and exploding cosmetics: Russian sabotage plot exposed in Europe

A covert sabotage campaign linked to Russia was uncovered after small bombs exploded at courier depots in the UK, Germany, and Poland in July 2023.

No one was hurt, but EU officials see it as part of Moscow’s hybrid war against Ukraine’s allies.

• Disguised Devices: Bombs were hidden in packages with sex toys, massage pillows, and cosmetic tubes.

• Explosive Mix: Contained magnesium and nitromethane, triggered by cheap electronics.

• Codename “Mary”: Telegram chats and a Vilnius handoff linked to a GRU handler called “Warrior.”

• Bigger Plot? EU fears this was a test run for targeting cargo flights to the US and Canada.

• Tactic: Low-cost, anonymous sabotage — a growing Russian tactic in Europe.

Source: Reuters

Israeli soldiers in Gaza, 1994.

T4 Airbase in Syria Revealed After Israeli Strikes

Anadolu News Agency filmed the T4 Airbase in central Syria — a key site targeted by Israeli airstrikes.

• Located west of Palmyra in Homs, T4 is one of Syria’s largest and most strategic airbases. Built during the Cold War with Soviet help, it was a major hub for Assad’s air force.

• The base has also been used by Russian and Iranian forces.

• Israel has repeatedly struck the base, aiming to push out Iranian presence.

• Footage shows damaged radar systems, hit hangars, and decommissioned fighter jets.

FT Chief Economics Commentator Martin Wolf:

Mao Zedong used his prestige as an insurrectionary leader to wage war on China’s bureaucratic and cultural elites. Trump is also using his power as the elected leader of an insurrectionary movement to overthrow the bureaucratic and cultural elites of the US.

Chinese think that this is a really good thing. America will be weaker. America has become a very unreliable trading partner and nobody really trusts it any more.

America's position is getting weaker and this can only help China.

Trump's actions are wonderful from the point of view of the Chinese.

Israel's New Tactic: Open Sky Concentration Camps

Israel has begun implementing a new plan to imprison all Gazans in concentration camps and control the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

IDF:

IDF Paratroopers raided an army post belonging to the former Syrian regime, where the soldiers located tanks, APCs, and artillery systems. Weaponry was destroyed or seized.

Chinese Foreign Ministry:

The U.S. should stop using tariffs as a weapon to suppress China's economy and trade, and stop undermining the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people.

Russian MoD:

Ukraine attacked our energy facilities 14 times in the past day.

Netanyahu is planning to visit the White House on Monday.

Netanyahu thinks the chances of a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal are extremely low and wants to reach an understanding with Trump about striking Iran's nuclear facilities when diplomacy fails.

Source: Axios

German people in Berlin are protesting against Elon Musk and Tesla.

"THIS MUSK STOP"

Kiev will test officials who may have disclosed details of the deal with the US on a polygraph.

Source: FT

France is planning to expand its nuclear arsenal.

Source: Le Point

MAGA hats in Greenland

"Make America Go Away"

Trump:

China has been hit much harder than the USA, not even close.

Jaguar Land Rover says shipments to US suspended in April due to tariffs.

Source: AFP

Zelensky:

There is tangible progress and first details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plotted a terrorist attack in Azerbaijan by hiring a Georgian drug dealer, Agil Aslanov, to assassinate Rabbi Shneor Segal, leader of the local Jewish community.

The IRGC reportedly offered $200,000 for the hit, with plans to also target a local educational center.

Azerbaijani security forces successfully thwarted the attack, arresting Aslanov and his local accomplice. Both have been charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.

Source: WaPo

The Israeli military announced that it will allow civilians to cross the border fence with Syria and join guided "tours" inside a restricted military zone during the upcoming Passover holiday.