🇨🇳 China’s Expanding Footprint in Africa’s Ports

Dozens of Chinese-financed port projects across the continent.

Multiple ports hosting PLA Navy port calls and naval exercises.

Djibouti remains China’s first official overseas naval base.

Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, and Tanzania among the nations with dual-use port potential.

Source: Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Canada will announce the imposition of tariffs worth $29.8 billion in retaliation for US tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Source: Reuters

US Secretary of State Rubio:

Washington discussed territorial concessions with Ukraine.

Polish PM Tusk: Türkiye’s role in Ukraine may be key

Polish PM Donald Tusk will visit Türkiye today to discuss Ukraine, regional stability, and potential Polish-Turkish efforts for lasting peace.

Tusk:

From our point of view, it is very important that NATO and European countries simultaneously effectively guarantee stability after achieving a ceasefire and peace on the Russian-Ukrainian border.

And Türkiye’s role here may be key.

The EU did not invite Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the March 17 donor summit in Brussels, as it is held at a “ministerial level,” an EU Commission spokesperson said.

Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, is set to attend, marking the country’s first formal representation at the annual event.

Source: Reuters

Majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling on key issues:

❌ Tariffs: 61% disapprove
❌ Foreign affairs: 58% disapprove
❌ Health care policy: 56% disapprove
❌ Economy: 56% disapprove
❌ His job as president: 54% disapprove

Even on immigration, his highest-rated issue, approval is barely above water (51% approve vs. 48% disapprove).

Source: CNN/SSRS

BREAKING: Ukrainian Army completely withdrew from Sudzha in Kursk region, DeepState reports.

Zelensky:

Our troops in the Kursk region continue to carry out their missions, while Russia applies pressure.

Our command is doing everything necessary—maximizing efforts to preserve the lives of our soldiers.

Zelensky:

We are ready for a 30-day ceasefire in the format proposed by the U.S.

It is important for me to end this war, and I want the U.S. President to see that.

If Russia shows readiness to accept the U.S. proposal, I believe appropriate decisions will follow. If they are not ready, we strongly hope the U.S. will stand by its commitments.

Zelensky says elections in Ukraine will only be held after martial law is lifted, in accordance with the law.

Zelensky:

Ukraine and no one else will recognize the occupied territories as Russian. This is the main red line.

Zelensky:

I will always make any decision that protects the lives of our soldiers in Kursk.

Zelensky:

Saudi Arabia meeting thwarted Russia's plans to sabotage relations between Ukraine and the United States.

U.S. President Trump’s letter to Iran’s clerical leaders will be delivered by UAE diplomat Anwar Gargash.

Last week, Trump urged Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear deal, but Supreme Leader Khamenei rejected pressure to engage.

German spy agency concluded COVID virus likely leaked from lab

German Spy Agency (BND) found 80%-90% likelihood that COVID-19 accidentally leaked from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

Indications show that WIV conducted gain-of-function research, modifying viruses for research purposes. There are vidence of multiple safety violations at the lab.

In January 2025, the CIA stated that COVID-19 was more likely to have originated from a lab than naturally.

China denies all claims, saying WIV never conducted gain-of-function research on coronaviruses.

Source: Reuters

Canada's Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney:

We are ready to sit down with Trump to discuss tariffs and trade.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei says Iranian youth are ready to be on the front lines against the enemy and are well-prepared for it.

While Putin is likely to agree to possible terms of a truce with Ukraine, he will try to drag out the process because he wants his conditions to be taken into account.

Source: Bloomberg

📸 Polish PM Tusk meets Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara.

Iran’s Khamenei:

Trump's call for negotiations is a deception of public opinion.