Trump hits Ukraine with 10% tariffs, spares Russia and Belarus

"U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his long-awaited package of "Liberation Day" tariffs on imported goods, speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House on the evening of April 2.

The U.S. imposed a basic 10% reciprocal tax on imports from all nations and higher tariff rates on dozens of America's largest trading partners, hitting Cambodia particularly hard with a 49% tariff, Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), and 34% on Chinese goods.
A 20% tariff on all goods from European Union countries and 31% on Switzerland.
Ukraine and the United Kingdom get off comparatively lightly with a 10% tariff.
Trump accused other nations of "looting, pillaging, raping and plundering" the US. The tariffs are expected to shave billions off global economic growth.
No tariffs were imposed on Russia and Belarus because, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, no goods from those countries enter the American market." NV

Ukraine conflict ‘on precipice of ceasefire’ – Trump envoy

"The conflict between Kiev and Moscow is close to a ceasefire, US President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, has said. He stressed that both sides would need to make concessions." RT

216 clashes, including 80 in Pokrovsk axis

"A total of 216 combat engagements have been recorded along the Ukrainian frontlines over the past 24 hours.
Russian airstrikes targeted Turia, Uhroidy, Mykhailivske, Petrushivka, and Myropilske in Sumy region; Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv region; Pokrovsk, Yablunivka, Oleksandro-Kalynove, Malynivka, Nova Poltavka, Hrodivka, Udachne, Kotliarivka, Novopavlivka, Krasna Poliana, Iskra, Odradne, and Novopil in Donetsk region; Zaliznychne, Huliaipole, and Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the past day, two clashes occurred in the Kharkiv direction in the Vovchansk area and toward Kamianka.

In the Kupiansk direction, four enemy attacks were recorded last day. The Defense Forces repelled assaults in the areas of Zahryzove and Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman direction, Russian troops attacked 21 times, trying to advance near Nadiia, Torske, Novoyehorivka, Kolodiaz, Yampolivka, Novoliubivka, and Dibrova.
In the Siversk direction, the Defense Forces repelled five assaults in the areas of Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamiansk.
In the Kramatorsk direction, six enemy assaults were reported in the area of ​​Chasiv Yar and toward Novomarkove, Stupochky, and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk direction, the Russian army carried out 28 attacks in the areas of Toretsk, Ozarianivka, Diliivka, Krymske, and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukraine’s forces held back 80 Russian attacks in the areas of Panteleimonivka, Sukha Balka, Shevchenko, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Kotlyne, Udachne, Kotliarivka, Uspenivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka direction, the Defense Forces repelled 13 enemy assaults in the areas of Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, Dniproenerhia, Vesele, and Burlatske.
In the Huliaipole direction near Pryvilne and Novosilka, the Defense Forces repelled five attacks.
In the Orikhiv direction, in the areas of Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, Kamianske, and Novodanylivka, the Russians went for 12 assaults.
In the past day, in the Prydniprovia direction, the Russian army attempted to advance five times.
In the Kursk operational area, Ukraine repelled 28 Russian attacks. The enemy carried out 343 artillery strikes, five of them involving multiple rocket launchers, and 20 airstrikes, dropping 31 KAB glide bombs." Ukrin

Iran Threatens Strike on Strategic U.S. Base in Indian Ocean

"Senior Iranian officials are urging their own military commanders to strike a key U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean in an attempt to send a warning to President Donald Trump, the Telegraph reported.

On Sunday, the UK-based outlet cited a senior Iranian official who said top military leaders are considering a missile attack on Diego Garcia — a British-owned island hosting a major U.S. and UK air base — following the arrival of B-2 stealth bombers.
Known for their ability to evade air defenses and deliver nuclear or conventional payloads, the B-2s could be used in any future strikes against Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, according to Iranian state media cited by the Telegraph.
On Sunday, President Trump warned of “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before” if Iran refuses to agree to a new nuclear deal. While aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasized he prefers diplomacy but made clear that a military response is on the table. A letter was also sent to Iran’s supreme leader urging talks." 

Breitbart

Ukraine's military says it shot down 41 Russian drones overnight

"Ukraine's air defense forces shot down 41 drones launched by Russia overnight, while 20

enemy UAVs disappeared from radars without causing negating consequences. Starting at 20:00 on April 1, Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine using 74 Shahed strike drones and various decoy UAVs from multiple directions, including Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Chauda (occupied Crimea)." Ukrin

Musk condemns ‘terrorist’ attack on Tesla dealership in Italy

"A Tesla dealership in Rome, Italy was hit by a fire early Monday morning. At least 17 cars were destroyed, as well as parts of the building.

Police have not apprehended any suspects or named a motive behind it. According to Italian media reports, investigators are considering several theories, including arson.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk condemned the incident as “terrorism,” effectively linking it to the ongoing string of protests and violent attacks against facilities linked to his car company and individual private vehicles. The anti-Tesla violence was initially confined to the U.S., but has recently spread to other parts of the world." RT

176 battles on front lines in past 24 hours

"Ukrainian and Russian forces engaged in 176 combat clashes over the past 24 hours.
The aggressor also conducted airstrikes in multiple settlements, including Myropilske, Naumivka, Prokhody, Uhroidy, Krasnopillia, Velykyi Prykil, Turia, Mykhailivske, and Petrushivka in the Sumy region, Zelene Pole in the Donetsk region, and Zaporizke, Novodarivka, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, and Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, seven engagements occurred near Vovchansk, Krasne Pershe, Kamianka, and Lypsti.

In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 11 enemy assaults near Pishchane, Stepova Novoselivka, Nova Kruhliakivka, and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 17 attacks attempting to advance toward Torske, Nove, Myrne, Novomykhailivka, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector, Russian troops launched 15 attacks on Bilohorivka, Ivano-Darivka, Verkhniokamianske, Serebrianka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled three enemy assaults near Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, and toward Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, 14 Russian attacks were repelled near Leonidivka, Dachne, Shcherbynivka, Toretsk, and toward Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders halted 64 enemy assaults near Kalynove, Tarasivka, Berezivka, Zelene, Kotlyne, Oleksandropil, Sribne, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Andriivka, as well as toward Bohdanivka, Novoserhiivka, Romanivka, and Pokrovsk.
In the Novopavlivka sector, eight enemy attacks were repelled near Kostiantynopil and Rozlyv.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian troops attacked five times near Pryvilne and toward Novopil.
In the Orikhiv sector, five failed enemy assaults were recorded near Novodanylivka and Stepove.
In the Dnipro River sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled four attacks.
In the Kursk sector, 18 combat engagements were recorded. The enemy conducted 265 artillery strikes (including two from multiple rocket launchers) and 27 airstrikes, dropping 41 guided aerial bombs." 

Ukrin

Top German Politicians Are Calling For Resumption Of Russian Gas

"Senior German politicians are already calling for a resumption of ties with Russia. For example Michael Kretschmer, a senior member of Friedrich Merz’s centre-right Christian Democrats, is now arguing that EU sanctions on Russia are "completely out of date" as they increasingly openly contradict "what the Americans are doing."
Financial Times in a fresh report quoted Kretschmer's words to the German press agency DPA as follows: "When you realize that you’re weakening yourself more than your opponent, then you have to think about whether all of this is right." ZeroHedge

Ukraine places Movie star on ‘kill list’

"A Russian actor who starred in the Oscar-winning movie 'Anora’ has been listed on the notorious Ukrainian state-linked Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) database. Mark Eydelshteyn has been accused of attacking “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

The controversial database lists individuals who supposedly pose a threat to Ukrainian national security, and has been branded a ‘kill list’ due to the number of people featured on it who have died under suspicious circumstances.
Eydelshteyn, 23, was listed for a supposed attack on Ukraine’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity” and “repeated deliberate violation of the state border of Ukraine” by visiting Crimea, which joined Russia in 2014.
According to Russian media, the accusation may stem from Eydelshteyn’s participation in the movie ‘The Land of Sasha’, released in 2022, which was shot on the peninsula." RT

Le Pen conviction ‘a very big deal’ – Trump

"U.S. President Donald Trump has said the criminal prosecution of French opposition leader Marine Le Pen reminds him of his own legal battles under the administration of former President Joe Biden.

On Monday, Le Pen, the former leader of the conservative National Rally (RN) party, was sentenced to four years in prison, two of which will be suspended, and was barred from holding public office for five years. The embezzlement conviction effectively bars her from the 2027 presidential race.
Asked by reporters in the Oval Office about the verdict, Trump replied, “That’s a very big deal.”
“I know all about it, and a lot of people thought she wasn’t going to be convicted of anything,” he said.
“But she was banned [from] running for five years, and she’s the leading candidate. That sounds very much like this country.”
Trump has often claimed that the court cases and investigations into his activities were part of a politically motivated “witch hunt” led by the Biden administration and the Democrats." RT