During last month’s meeting in Kabul, Afghanistan between senior officials of the Taliban Government and a delegation led by U.S. Diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad and Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler, which secured the release of Americans George Glezmann and Faye Hall in exchange for the removal of millions in bounties from three members of the Taliban’s Haqqani Network, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister. The Taliban once again pushed the idea of normalizing relations between Afghanistan and the United States, which would see the U.S. recognize the Taliban as the Official Government of Afghanistan as well as the possible reopening of the Afghan Embassy in Washington. Another idea pushed by senior Taliban officials during the meeting included the opening of a Taliban office somewhere in the United States, separate from the Embassy and outside of Washington, which would provide assistance to Afghans in America.
Politico reports that U.S. President Donald J. Trump has told his inner circle, including several members of his Cabinet, that Elon Musk will soon be “leaving” to focus on his businesses and to play a less direct role in the Trump Administration. This is despite officials claiming that President Trump remains pleased with Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), though other members of the Administration have become frustrated with his unpredictability and increasingly view him as a political liability in White House.
German car manufacturing giant Porsche is holding internal talks to re enter the defense industry after a multi-decade hiatus.
Porsche SE Holding is reportedly prepared to deploy up to 2 billion euros for corporate investments in arms makers.
Following yesterday large-scale joint military exercise surrounding Taiwan, by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Rocket Force; the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command has announced another exercise for today, April 2nd, in the Taiwan Strait, dubbed “Strait Thunder-2025A” and involving several life-fire drills in the Strait by the forces of the PLA.
The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has release footage of today’s military exercise directed towards the Taiwan Strait, which has been named “Strait Thunder-2025A” by the PLA. The footage shows a live-fire drill by several PHL-16 self-propelled multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) firing rockets at targets which are clearly intended to signify Taiwan.
https://video.nostr.build/54146afcf93dd047c80a366ba9d84a053a95cffd8e8d4440035174018ad9a413.mp4
President Trump just posted on his social media platform, declaring today as "Liberation Day" in the U.S.—the day he will announce the imposition of heavy tariffs against the rest of the world. According to Trump, these tariffs will make the U.S. richer and more powerful. However, economists and industry leaders warn that these measures could lead to higher consumer prices, increased inflation, and potentially trigger a recession in the U.S.
Additionally, some of the affected countries are organizing into "mini trade blocs," resulting in unexpected partnerships that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Notably, Japan, China, and South Korea are planning a joint response to Trump’s tariffs.
The European Union, the world's second-largest economy and a major U.S. trade partner, has also announced that it will retaliate against the American tariffs. Canada and Mexico, the U.S.’s two largest trading partners, have coordinated a joint response as well, both strengthening ties with China as an alternative trade partner.
Brazil is also expected to be significantly impacted by these new tariffs, but it remains to be seen how the Lula administration will respond.
Today is set to be an intense day, with all eyes on the Oval Office and Trump’s words.
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The small baltic country of Latvia just successfully delivered 1500 combat drones to Ukraine, under an international drone coalition program.
Latvian companies will deliver a total of 12,000 drones to Ukraine by the first half 2025.
In addition to the 6 B-2 “Spirit” Long-Range Strategic Stealth Bombers that arrived last week at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. One of the B-2s deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, remains at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, after suffering an “in-flight emergency” while crossing the Pacific on March 24th.
Satellite imagery from earlier today by IndoPacWatch shows 6 B-2 “Spirit” Long-Range Strategic Stealth Bombers with the 509th Bomb Wing, on the tarmac at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, a little more than 2,000 miles away from Iran.
The U.S. Army has released the identities of 3 out of the 4 Soldiers with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (1ABCT), 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, that were killed last week when their M88A2 “Hercules” Armored-Recovery Vehicle (ARV) sunk over 16ft into a swamp during a training exercise in eastern Lithuania. They have been identified as Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr., aged 25 from Joliet, Illinois; Sergeant Edvin F. Franco, aged 25 from Glendale, California; and Private First Class Dante D. Taitano, aged 21 from Dededo, Guam; all served as M1 Abrams Tank System Maintainers (91A) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment. The body of the fourth soldier was found and recovered this morning, and is expected to be identified as soon as next-of-kin is notified.
The Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael E. Kurilla arrived in Israel earlier today, where he is expected to meet with senior defense and military officials regarding tensions with Iran. During the visit, Kurilla will also likely meet with soldiers and officers attached to the U.S. Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system deployed in southern Israel, which has reportedly downed at least 6 long-range ballistic missiles fired at Israel by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen since February.
The Paraguayan government has officially requested a report from Brazil regarding the espionage case.
The document asks for a detailed explanation of the intelligence operation carried out by ABIN between June 2022 and March 2023.
"We have provided all the necessary information about Russian violations concerning energy infrastructure. There have been strikes, and today - another strike in Kherson. We insist that each such violation must be recorded and receive a response from our partners. The unconditional cessation of strikes, as proposed by the United States, has not been implemented solely due to Russia’s position." - Zelensky in his evening address.
The Paraguayan government has suspended negotiations with Brazil over Itaipú until the espionage case is clarified.
Lithuanians gathered at the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Vilnius tonight, to mourn the 4 U.S. Soldiers with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (1ABCT), 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, who were killed during a training exercise last week in Pabradė. Additionally, Lithuanians have managed to raise over $100k for the families of the Soldiers.
Following an extensive search-and-recovery operation lasting nearly a week, the fourth and final U.S. Soldier with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (1ABCT), 3rd Infantry Division, who went missing last Tuesday after their M88A2 “Hercules” Armored-Recovery Vehicle (ARV) sunk over 16ft into the swamp during a training exercise in eastern Lithuania, has been found deceased.
The USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and several other ships with Carrier Strike Group One (CSG-1) spotted earlier today on satellite imagery transiting west through the Sulu Sea in the Philippines, enroute to the Middle East. CSG-1 consists of the Ticonderoga-Class Guided-Missile Cruiser, USS Princeton (CG-59) and the Arleigh Burke-Class Guided-Missile Destroyers, USS Sterett (DDG-104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110).
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces that she has instructed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in the case against Luigi Mangione, who murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December in New York City.
Elements of the Turkish Armed Forces reportedly arrived today at the T-4 Air Base and Palmyra Military Airfield in the Homs Governorate of central Syria, which both were targeted recently by the Israeli Air Force. According to senior Turkish defense officials, S-400 and Hisar-O+ surface-to-air missile batteries will be deployed to the bases alongside long-range strike drones, as Turkey plans to increase strikes against ISIS and to deter further strikes against Syria by Israel.
