Chinese President Xi Jinping called on global business leaders to push back against protectionism, as he seeks to promote China as a reliable partner amid growing backlash to rising US tariffs. The comments came after US President Donald Trump intensified his trade war, prompting threats of retaliation from China. At a meeting in Beijing with over 40 corporate leaders, including Stephen A. Schwarzman of Blackstone Inc., Judy Marks of Otis Worldwide Corp and Jay Y. Lee of Samsung Electronics Co., Xi made a veiled critique of Trump's trade actions, highlighting China's stability as an alternative to protectionism.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/private-equity/xi-woos-global-business-leaders-as-trump-intensifies-trade-warChinese President Xi Jinping has called on global business leaders to resist protectionism, as US tariffs escalate a trade war. He made the appeal during a meeting in Beijing with corporate leaders including Stephen A. Schwarzman of Blackstone Inc., Judy Marks of Otis Worldwide Corp and Jay Y. Lee of Samsung Electronics Co.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/mergers-and-acquisitions/xi-woos-global-business-leaders-as-trump-intensifies-trade-warUkrainian President Zelenskyy expressed frustration over the lack of progress in resolving the conflict, stating that few answers have been provided. He urged the United States to respond to Russia's alleged violation of a commitment not to strike Ukrainian energy targets. French President Macron reaffirmed support for Ukraine and announced a new military aid package worth 2 billion euros. European leaders agreed not to ease sanctions on Russia and vowed to take additional measures against its "shadow fleet" of tankers used to smuggle crude oil. US talks with Kyiv and Moscow in Saudi Arabia resulted in a cease-fire agreement, but Russia is demanding conditions be met before adhering to the deal, including easing sanctions.
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-russia-drone-attack-dnipro-lysak/33363680.htmlIsrael is accused of carrying out a deliberate and brutal massacre against Civil Defense and Palestinian Red Crescent teams in the city of Rafah. The Gaza Strip's civil defence agency reported that six rescuers, including their team leader, were killed or missing after being urgently dispatched to respond to deaths and injuries. Israel is also under fire for its repeated use of ambulances as terrorist vehicles in the Gaza Strip, with Hamas spokesman Basem Naim condemning the actions as a "flagrant violation" of international humanitarian law.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/region/israeli-military-admits-shooting-ambulancesIn Gaza, Israel's military operation resulted in the deaths of a team of six rescuers from Tal al-Sulta who were sent to respond to casualties. The bodies of the team leader and their rescue vehicles, including an ambulance and firefighting truck, were found. A vehicle from the Palestine Red Crescent Society was also destroyed. Hamas's Basem Naim accused Israel of carrying out a massacre against Civil Defense teams in Rafah. Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stated that Israeli airstrikes have killed hundreds of children and civilians since March 18.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/03/29/israeli-military-admits-to-shooting-at-ambulancesIn Gaza, Israeli troops fired on suspicious vehicles, killing Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists. The military initially suspected the vehicles were ambulances and fire trucks, used by terrorist organizations for malicious purposes. A team of six rescuers from Tal al-Sulta went missing after being dispatched to respond to deaths and injuries, but their bodies and rescue vehicles were later found, including an ambulance and a firefighting vehicle reduced to scrap metal. Hamas's Basem Naim condemned the incident as a "deliberate and brutal massacre", while Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law and committing war crimes, citing hundreds of civilian deaths in densely populated areas since March 18.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/03/29/israel-admits-striking-gaza-ambulances-accuses-hamas-of-using-them-as-cover/171316US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs set to take effect on April 2, impacting nearly half of all vehicles sold in the US, including American brands assembled overseas. The move comes after a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington DC in February, where they discussed deepening bilateral trade relations and setting a new target of "Mission 500" to double two-way goods and services trade to $500 billion by 2030.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/tariffs-going-to-work-out-very-well-trump-on-india-us-talks-8036897#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll_ImagetopscrollProtesters in the US are demanding an end to Israel's military assault on Gaza and urging colleges to divest from companies with ties to Israel. Rights advocates have raised concerns about antisemitism and Islamophobia during the protests, which have led to counter-protests. The government has cracked down on foreign pro-Palestinian protesters, detaining Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil earlier this month. US President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding from institutions over pro-Palestinian campus protests. Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies is losing two of its leaders, director Cemal Kafadar and associate director Rosie Bsheer, amid the controversy.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/03/29/columbia-universitys-head-quits-amid-feud-with-trump-over-fundsSheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met with Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro, to strengthen relations between the two countries. The meeting focused on expanding economic ties, investing in renewable energy, food security, infrastructure, technology, and tourism. Sheikh Mohammed expressed his commitment to deepening partnerships that support shared development goals, while Milojko Spajić emphasized Montenegro's interest in engaging with the UAE in sectors of mutual benefit.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/03/29/sheikh-mohammed-montenegro-pm-discuss-ways-to-enhance-bilateral-ties