Japan plans to join NATO’s Ukraine support command in Germany, aiming to deepen security ties.

Japan’s role would remain non-combat, in line with its post-WWII military stance.

BREAKING: EU agrees on a 90-day pause in countermeasures that were set to take effect on April 15 against U.S. tariffs, von der Leyen says.

Zelensky’s Chief-of-Staff, Andrii Yermak:

There will be no elections in the summer. There is no preparation for them. First, we need to end the war.

Apple has ordered a charter flight to transport 600 tons of iPhones from India to the US.

This is about 1.5 million units.

The wealth of the world's richest people increased by a record $304 billion after Trump's decision to pause tariffs, Bloomberg reports.

European Commission:

Our countermeasures on US tariffs will take effect after 90 days if we do not reach an agreement with Washington.

US National Economic Council Director Hassett:

There is a big inventory of deals that are right close to the finish line. Close to 20 countries are making offers.

France plans to test a domestically-developed rocket artillery system by mid-2026 as an alternative to American HIMARS.

US National Economic Council Director Hassett:

Conversations on China have not begun yet.

US National Economic Council Director Hassett:

We expect a lot of movement with world leaders in the next 3-4 weeks.

US National Economic Council Director Hassett:

Trump never had any other intent other than getting people to the table.

The delivery of nuclear submarines to Australia under the AUKUS partnership could be disrupted by US President Donald Trump's introduction of tariffs on imported products, Reuters reports.

F-35 carrier landing through the pilot's Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS).

Israeli Prime Minister's office:

Pursuant to a directive from PM Netanyahu, a diplomatic-security delegation, led by National Security Council Dir. Tzachi Hanegbi, and with the participation of senior representatives from the Defense Ministry and the security services, met with a parallel Turkish delegation.

Consultations between Russia and the US in Istanbul on normalizing the work of embassies have been completed; they lasted five and a half hours.

The meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" starts in Brussels.

Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a petition filed by families of hostages that demanded the restoration of electricity to the Gaza Strip.

Germany’s DW reports that disinformation campaigns on Syria are being fueled by paid social media posts.

One user, linked to Iraq’s PMF, revealed they’re paid $20–$30 per post to spread content provided by their superiors.

“I trust my leadership,” they said.

Wall Street opens sharply lower following a historic surge.

Dow Jones -1.64%
Nasdaq -2.71%
S&P 500 -2.11%

Merz's election as German chancellor will likely take place on May 6, DPA writes.

It took 73 C-17 flights to move one Patriot missile battalion from Asia to the Middle East

Source: Reuters