Thailand and Japan to Launch High-Stakes Trade Talks with Trump Administration Over Tariff Relief and Economic Ties

Thailand plans to hold talks with Trump administration officials next week to discuss relief from a planned 36% reciprocal tariff on its goods.

Thai delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, will present proposals to cut Thailand's $46 billion trade surplus with the US.

Japan is set to begin high-stakes trade negotiations with the Trump administration this week, with Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa visiting the US as chief trade negotiator.

The talks are expected to cover issues such as cars, agricultural products, non-tariff barriers, and foreign exchange, with Japan seeking exemptions from US tariffs and a new relationship with the US.

Source: Bloomberg

Algeria Accused of Protecting Jihadist Iyad Ag Ghali

A diplomatic crisis is escalating between Algeria and Mali after a Malian military drone was shot down on April 1, 2025, near the border region of Tinzaouatène—an area where al-Qaeda-linked jihadist Iyad Ag Ghali is believed to operate.

While Algeria claims the incident resulted from a military protocol breach—leading to charges against two officers including General Mohammed Remdaniya—security sources allege the drone was deliberately intercepted to protect Ag Ghali from a Malian strike.

An Algerian military source told Bamada:

“These legal proceedings are just a diversion to hide an operation to protect Iyad Ag Ghali… The two military leaders are simply being sacrificed.”

Algeria’s external intelligence agency (DGDSE) reportedly acted after receiving intel that Mali had located Ag Ghali’s camp. The DGDSE chief, General Rochdi Fethi Moussaoui, is said to have directly ordered the drone’s destruction.

Ag Ghali, head of JNIM, has long been linked to Algerian intelligence dating back to the 1990s. Despite an ICC arrest warrant for war crimes, he has evaded capture—allegedly even receiving medical treatment in Algeria while under surveillance.

Mali accuses Algeria of harboring and protecting a terrorist, challenging Algeria’s role as a regional mediator.

In retaliation, Mali launched airstrikes on jihadist targets near Tinzaouatène and formally accused Algeria of complicity in terrorism and arms trafficking.

The AES bloc—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—has since recalled its ambassadors from Algiers and expanded defense ties with Türkiye.

The drone incident, analysts say, exposes a longstanding Algerian double game in the Sahel, raising questions over its role as a counterterrorism partner.

Source: Bamada

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Monday he hoped U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration would see that Vladimir Putin was "mocking their goodwill" following Moscow's deadly missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy.

"Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and on Sumy is Russia's mocking answer," Sikorski said on arrival at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

Source: Reuters

BIG: Over 1,600 Israeli military veterans have signed a letter calling for the return of all hostages—even if it means ending the war in Gaza.

Source: Yedioth Ahronoth

💵 U.S. Dollar Falls for Fifth Straight Day

The dollar extended its slide, with the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index dropping 0.2%—its lowest since October.

Trump clarified that key electronics like phones and computers will still face tariffs:

“NOBODY is getting ‘off the hook.’”

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad visits Baghdad to hold talks on the energy file between the two countries.

The Iranian Oil Minister is expected to sign memorandums of understanding in the energy sector with his Iraqi counterpart during his visit.

Hungarian Opposition Leader Vows to End Orbán’s Isolation

Péter Magyar, head of the Tisza party, pledged to end Hungary’s global isolation if he defeats PM Viktor Orbán in next year’s elections.

Speaking to thousands in Budapest, Magyar vowed to restore ties with NATO and the EU, declaring:

“Hungary will once again be a proud and reliable ally.”

Recent polls show Tisza surpassing Orbán’s Fidesz.

Goldman Sachs Sees Gold Hitting $4,000 by Mid-2026

Goldman Sachs now forecasts gold prices will surge to $4,000 an ounce by mid-2026, citing robust central bank demand, rising recession risks, and geopolitical uncertainty.

The bank raised its year-end 2025 target to $3,700, with analysts highlighting accelerating inflows into gold-backed ETFs as investors seek safety.

“Recent flows have surprised to the upside,” Goldman said, noting a potential 45% chance of a U.S. recession.

In that scenario, prices could climb even faster, the bank warned.

Source: Bloomberg

Macron-Netanyahu Drama

French President Emmanuel Macron’s signal that France may recognize a Palestinian state by June has sparked sharp backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the move a “grave mistake” and accused Palestinian leaders of supporting terror.

Adding fuel, Netanyahu’s son Yair tweeted “Screw you!” at Macron and demanded independence for Corsica and New Caledonia.

While Netanyahu distanced himself from his son’s tone, he echoed the criticism.

Macron later clarified he supports both Israeli security and Palestinian sovereignty, emphasizing peace and opposing threats from Iran.

American billionaire Ray Dalio:

We’re near a recession—but what worries me more is a breakdown of the entire monetary and world order.

This isn’t just about GDP—it’s about debt, tariffs, global power shifts, and domestic instability. It’s starting to look like the 1930s.

If mishandled, it could become much worse than a recession.

Trump:

We will make a decision on Iran very quickly.

US envoy Steve Witkoff spoke with Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, about the first round of US-Iran talks that took place in Oman over the weekend, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

Source: CNN

A ministerial delegation led by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam will visit Syria today and meet with President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Lebanese officials say the visit aims to "improve the state of relations and open a new chapter based on good neighborliness.

Last week, Salam told a local newspaper that Lebanon could open a new chapter with Syria after a "good" meeting with Sharaa.

EU is planning an arms deal with Trump for tariff relief

A meeting between Trump and the Italian PM Meloni is planned for April 17 at the White House.

Since Meloni and Trump get along well, the EU hopes that she will be able to settle the tariff issue. In particular, she can offer Trump a favorable deal - increasing purchases of American weapons and gas.

Brussels has discreetly asked the major EU capitals whether the governments would be willing to buy more weapons and more gas from the USA.

Source: BILD

Zelensky:

Ukraine ready to buy 10 Patriot air defense systems from the U.S. for $15 billion.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency will travel to Iran this week.

The EU will invest €1.6 billion until 2027 to help stabilise the West Bank and Gaza.

NEW: Armenia reportedly deployed additional military forces to the de facto border with Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan.

In recent weeks, the Armenian Armed Forces have shown increased activity in the area.

Despite these moves, Yerevan continues to claim it seeks peace with Azerbaijan.

Gaza Starves. And World Leaders Do Nothing.

Arwa Damon, veteran Journalist and Founder of the International Network for Aid, Relief, and Assistance (INARA), to Clash Report:

Humanitarian and medical missions are being blocked by Israel to Gaza.

Gaza has received no aid in over a month. Families survive on one meal a day—if that. Babies can’t get milk. Hospitals are collapsing.

Children are losing hope, going nonverbal, wetting beds, breaking down.

Global leaders know what’s happening—and they’re choosing to do nothing.

Why are Palestinians treated as if they’re dispensable?

Hungary FM Szijjártó:

Hungary will not support sanctions on Russian energy imports.

Hungary will not agree to any part of the EU military training mission taking place inside Ukraine.

UAE Deploys Israeli-Made ELM-2084 Radar to Puntland Maritime HQ

Military journalists in Puntland report that the UAE has discreetly deployed an Israeli-made ELM-2084 3D AESA Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) with multi-beam operation capabilities to the Puntland Maritime Headquarters, located next to the UAE-operated Bosaso Air Base in northeastern Somalia.

Coordinates: 11°16’16.5”N, 49°06’28.3”E
System: ELM-2084 MMR
Origin: Israel
Function: Air and artillery surveillance, missile and drone tracking

Source: OSINT Warfare and Dinlas