European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

The EU increases pressure on Russia. We extend our sanctions on nearly 2400 individuals & entities over Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, including:

- Travel bans
- Asset freezes
- Ban on funding/resources

Germany's CDU, SPD and the Greens have reached a compromise on the debt deal.

Source: RND

Discord Leaker Defends Leak, Appeals to Trump for Pardon

Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guard airman behind one of the largest U.S. intelligence leaks, pleaded guilty to obstructing justice in his court-martial.

He is already serving 15 years for leaking classified documents on Discord.

Teixeira defended his actions, claiming he was “exposing and correcting the lies” about the Ukraine war.

“If I saved one American, Russian, or Ukrainian life, my punishment was worth it.”

He accused the DOJ of political bias against Trump and himself.

He appealed to Trump to overturn his conviction, describing himself as a "proud patriot".

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he is optimistic about the possibility of ending hostilities in Ukraine this year.

The US Asks Denmark for Extra Eggs

The U.S. has requested egg imports from Denmark and other European nations.

Türkiye is set to export 420 million eggs in 2025 to the U.S., with 15,000 tonnes shipping by July.

Israel invites Tesla to submit a bid for a government tender to provide electric cars for senior officials, according to a senior Israeli government source.

“We aren’t going to bow to woke trends,” the official told JNS.

S&P 500 performance in the first 100 days of recent U.S. presidents.

Johns Hopkins Hit by $800M Funding Cut, Largest Layoff in History

Trump administration cut $800 million in USAID grants to Johns Hopkins University, affecting global health programs.

Over 2,000 employees worldwide are being laid off, marking the largest job cut in university history.

Impacted programs include public health, maternal care, and disease prevention.

Trump:

Our Economy will BOOM, like never before!

G7 foreign ministers toughened their stance on China, opposing any forceful change to Taiwan’s status quo.

G7 nations also urged Russia to match Ukraine’s ceasefire terms or face further sanctions.

They stressed the need for strong security guarantees to deter future aggression.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:

It’s normal if the war would have stopped for Europe and also for the US, step by step, to restore normal relations with Russia.

But we are absolutely not there yet, we have to maintain the pressure on them.

G7 members expressed concern over increasing use of dangerous manoeuvres and water cannons against Philippine and Vietnamese vessels.

G7 members strongly condemned the recent escalation of violence in the coastal regions of Syria.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly:

The question of Canada's sovereignty was not debated with Rubio during the G7 meeting.

Future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz:

Germany is back.

We are ready to defend peace on our continent.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly:

Canada wants to be closer to Europe and the UK.

Putin sent a message to Trump about his proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine through Trump's special envoy. The Kremlin added that there is reason for "cautious optimism.

Source: Reuters

€500 billion for Germany

Merz announced a major deal to overhaul the country’s debt rules, paving the way for a surge in defense, security, and infrastructure spending over the next 12 years.

Under the agreement, Merz’s conservatives, the Social Democrats (SPD), and the Greens will exempt defense and security spending—beyond 1% of GDP—from Germany’s strict constitutional debt brake.

This exemption covers military funding, civil protection, intelligence, and aid for nations under illegal attack, alongside €500 billion in infrastructure investment.

Future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz:

I expect after upper house approval, €3 billion in military aid to Ukraine will be released.

Somaliland’s foreign minister denied receiving any U.S. or Israeli proposal to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, contradicting reports citing U.S. and Israeli officials.

Sudan also rejected the alleged plan, while Somali officials said they were unaware of any such discussions.

"I haven't received such a proposal, and there are no talks with anyone regarding Palestinians," Abdirahman Dahir Adan, Somaliland's foreign minister, told Reuters.

NATO Chief Rutte confirmed Ukraine’s NATO membership is off the table, saying, “Yes,” when asked if Trump had removed it from negotiations.

DRC’s Tshisekedi Reconsiders Talks with M23 Amid Military Losses

After ruling out negotiations, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi is now open to talks with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels following military setbacks and waning regional support.

Angola announced a March 18 meeting in Luanda between Congo and M23 representatives, though Kinshasa has not confirmed participation.

Meanwhile, M23 forces, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have seized key cities in eastern Congo, further pressuring the government.

Source: Reuters