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Summary

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Russia and Ukraine, has reportedly been sidelined from peace talks, raising questions about his role in negotiations.

Kellogg was absent from recent discussions in Saudi Arabia, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz led talks.

Meanwhile, Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to meet with Putin, further sidelining Kellogg. While the White House denies his diminishing role, reports suggest growing internal confusion.

A proposed 30-day ceasefire awaits Russian approval as negotiations gain momentum.

Summary

An international boycott against US goods is intensifying across Canada, Europe, and beyond in reaction to authoritarian policies and trade tariffs under Trump's second administration.

Consumer boycotts have notably hurt Tesla, exacerbated by Elon Musk’s role in Trump's administration, causing Tesla’s share price to plummet.

Cultural boycotts, including canceled tours and rejected US-made products, are widespread, reflecting anger over US policies and Trump's stance on Ukraine.

Analysts emphasize this unprecedented backlash signals declining global trust in the US, with a shift towards ethical consumerism driven by political anger and activism.

Summary

A federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administration's plan to cut millions for teacher training programs, ruling that cancellations of two programs providing $600m in grants violated administrative law.

Eight states argued the cuts target diversity and equity initiatives and are already causing staff layoffs.

Judge Myong Joun ruled that the education department failed to properly explain the cancellations, writing that "dozens of programs upon which public schools, public universities, students, teachers, and faculty rely will be gutted."

The administration has appealed the ruling.

Summary

Elon Musk gave Donald Trump a scripted sales pitch during a White House event where Trump inspected Teslas.

Photographers captured Trump holding notes with phrases like “SAFEST car” and “affordable.” The stunt followed a 15% drop in Tesla’s stock, linked to backlash over Musk’s involvement in DOGE.

Trump defended Musk on Truth Social, blaming the decline on a “Radical Left” boycott.

Meanwhile, Musk’s other ventures, including X and SpaceX, are struggling with outages and test failures.

Summary

The Trump administration is shutting down a $1 billion HUD program that helps preserve aging affordable housing, jeopardizing upgrades for at least 25,000 units.

The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds critical repairs and ensures affordability for up to 25 years. Housing advocates warn that without it, many projects will fail, leaving low-income seniors vulnerable.

Tenants fear losing their homes as funding uncertainty stalls renovations.

The decision, directed by Elon Musk, has left affordable-housing organizations scrambling for alternative funding.

Summary

The Russian captain of the cargo ship Solong remains in U.K. custody after its collision with a U.S. military-contracted tanker, Stena Immaculate, in the North Sea.

One sailor is missing, and both vessels caught fire. Authorities found no foul play but are investigating. The Solong had previously failed safety inspections in 2023, including steering-related issues.

The crash caused jet fuel to spill, raising environmental concerns, though Greenpeace suggests an "environmental disaster may have been narrowly averted."

UK authorities have found no evidence of foul play as US and Portugal lead the investigation.

Summary

The White House scrambled to clarify comments from Elon Musk suggesting cuts to Social Security and Medicare, insisting no such plans exist.

Musk, speaking on Fox Business, criticized entitlement spending, sparking viral backlash. Trump’s administration defended Musk and attacked journalist Jake Sherman for misrepresenting his remarks.

Officials cited reports on fraud and waste but claimed benefits would remain intact. Elon Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, labeling it a “Ponzi scheme.”

Critics fear Trump could use fraud reduction efforts as a pretext for cuts despite his assurances otherwise.

Summary

The EU announced retaliatory tariffs on US goods after the Trump imposed up to 25% tariffs on EU steel and aluminum.

The EU's measures, matching the $28 billion (€26 billion) impact, will target steel, aluminum, textiles, leather, home appliances, plastics, and agricultural products.

The tariffs will be phased in from April 1 to April 13. Trump claims tariffs address unfair trade, but critics warn they could harm US consumers and markets.

Financial concerns persist, but Trump insists on downplaying recession risks.

Summary

Astronomers have discovered 128 new moons around Saturn, bringing its total to 274, far surpassing Jupiter’s 95.

The moons, formally recognized by the International Astronomical Union, are small, irregularly shaped objects detected using the “shift and stack” technique.

Scientists believe they are remnants of larger celestial bodies shattered by collisions within the last 100 million years.

The discovery sheds light on the early solar system’s chaotic history and could help explain the origins of Saturn’s rings. Meanwhile, ESA’s Hera spacecraft will conduct a close flyby of Mars’s moon Deimos.

Summary

The Department of Education initiated a mass layoff of nearly 50% of its workforce, cutting 1,315 jobs and reducing staff to 2,183 employees. Affected workers will remain on payroll until June 9.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon framed the move as a streamlining effort, impacting internal roles and closing regional offices. Employees were ordered to vacate buildings.

The layoffs come as Trump considers an executive order to dismantle the agency.

The National Education Association condemned the cuts and called them an abandonment of students and educators.

Summary

AP reporter Josh Boak clashed with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt over Trump's tariff policy, which she called “a tax cut for the American people.”

Boak challenged her claim: "I'm sorry, have you ever paid a tariff? Because I have. They don't get charged on foreign companies, they get charged on importers," Boak said.

Leavitt accused him of questioning her economic knowledge and later regretted calling on AP.

The tense exchange highlights ongoing White House-AP tensions, as a federal judge prepares to hear AP’s legal challenge over press access on March 20.

Summary

Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire as the U.S. lifts restrictions on military aid and intelligence sharing.

The deal follows tense Saudi-hosted talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials, weeks after Trump halted aid over policy disagreements.

The U.S. will propose the ceasefire to Russia, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying, “The ball is now in Russia’s court.”

Ukraine also agreed to a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal that would give the United States a 50% stake in revenues from the sale of Ukraine’s mineral wealth.

Russia has intensified military action, while Ukraine launched its largest drone strike on Moscow to pressure negotiations.