Trump administration is looking at closing nearly 30 overseas embassies and consulates, CNN reports.

Reporter: Would the president support a ban on members of congress trading stocks?

White House: I am certain that is something the president would be interested in looking at.

Dan Caldwell, the top advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was escorted out of the Pentagon after being identified in a leaks probe.

Sudan’s militia leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemedti, announced the formation of a so-called “Government of Peace and Unity” via Telegram, claiming it represents the “true face of Sudan” with backing from civilian and political groups.

Hemedti’s forces, RSF, however, have a long and brutal record, including over a decade of genocidal violence in Darfur and across Sudan.

Trump:

In February, the US Navy had its best recruiting numbers since 2002.

Trump administration aims to convince some immigrants without legal status to self-deport by adding them to a database of dead people, thus rendering their Social Security numbers inoperable, Reuters reports.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

The West as we knew it no longer exists… The world has become a globe also geopolitically.

Source: Zeit

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

We don’t have bros or oligarchs making the rules. We don’t invade our neighbours…

Europe is still a peace project… Europe is our home.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Europe:

You can make money anywhere in the world. But where do you want to raise your children?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

Europe must proactively shape the new world order.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

The European Union has realized it must strengthen its defense, economy, and global position.

Allocating €800 billion for military capabilities was unimaginable a few years ago.

Syria Exit Begins for U.S. Army

The U.S. military has begun a phased withdrawal from its Conoco base in eastern Syria’s Deir ez-Zor, signaling the first step in a broader pullout.

According to SDF-linked sources, a first convoy of 70+ vehicles left ten days ago, followed by a second convoy of over 200 vehicles on April 13.

The surveillance balloon hasn’t flown in over a week, indicating a wind-down in operations.

The troops and equipment have been relocated to Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan—not fully withdrawn.

The base included:
A training center
Helicopter pad
Patriot missile systems
Bradley armored vehicles

Source: Al-Araby Al-Jadeed

The United States lifted sanctions on Tuesday against Antal Rogan, Viktor Orban's right-hand man accused of corruption.

The move was interpreted as a sign of rapprochement between Washington and Budapest, as Donald Trump reconnects with his longtime Hungarian ally.

Source: France 24

Trouble in Rota? Trump’s NATO rethink spooks key U.S. base in Spain.

As Trump eyes a NATO pullback, tension rises at Rota—the U.S. Navy’s ballistic missile shield hub in Europe. Local leaders are hopeful, but defense officials warn: “Anything could happen.” Morocco may be waiting in the wings.

Rota’s base—home to 2,800 U.S. troops—originated from a 1953 agreement with Franco. It features a major airfield, weapons, and fuel facilities critical for U.S. power projection in the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Source: FT

U.S. Plans to Halve Troop Presence in Syria Amid Regional Military Buildup

The U.S. military plans to consolidate its presence in Syria, potentially cutting its troop count from about 2,000 to around 1,000, according to two U.S. officials.

While one official cited a possible 50% reduction, another expressed skepticism, noting regional tensions and recent U.S. military reinforcements, including bombers and air defense systems.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is carrying out a global review of U.S. military troops around the world.

Source: Reuters

President Donald Trump has launched a probe into the need for tariffs on critical minerals, citing national security and resilience concerns.

The probe, led by the Commerce secretary, will evaluate the impact of imports of these materials on America's security and may result in tariffs if deemed necessary.

Source: Bloomberg

Belgium is preparing to implement painful cuts to its welfare system to reach NATO's defense spending target.

Source: FT

Belgium’s Defense Minister, Theo Francken, formally proposed that future F-35 fighter jets ordered by Belgium be assembled in Italy rather than in the United States.

China Grows Before Tariffs Hit – Slowdown Looms

China’s economy grew 5.4% in Q1 2025 as exporters rushed to beat Trump’s new tariffs. But with U.S. and allies slamming the brakes on Chinese trade, growth may dive to 3.4% this year. A global slowdown looms.

Retail sales rose 5.9% in March, helped by trade-in discounts. However, economists slashed growth forecasts. UBS expects a 10% drop in total exports and 3.4% GDP growth for 2025.

Source: WSJ

Biden:

Fewer than 100 days into this new administration, they have done so much damage and destruction. It is kind of breathtaking it could happen that soon.

Trump administration proposes scrapping UN peacekeeping funding

The White House budget office has proposed eliminating funding for United Nations peacekeeping missions, citing failures by operations in Mali, Lebanon and Democratic Republic of Congo, according to internal planning documents seen by Reuters.

Washington is the U.N.'s largest contributor - with China second - accounting for 22% of the $3.7 billion core regular U.N. budget and 27% of the $5.6 billion peacekeeping budget. These payments are mandatory.

Source: Reuters