Israel has not ruled out an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, despite US President Donald Trump telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would not support such a move at this time. Israeli officials aim to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, with Netanyahu insisting any negotiations with Iran must lead to its complete nuclear program dismantling. US and Iranian negotiators held preliminary nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/04/19/world/israel-limited-iran-strike/US policymakers' reliance on flawed statistics leads to overreactions such as tariffs and reshoring industries, distorting global trade flows and putting ASEAN in a difficult position. Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is seeking balanced ties with both the US and China, urging the US to modernize its trade narratives to reflect its real strengths, particularly in services and digital flows. Professor Phar Kim Beng argues that the US' exclusion of services misreads its position and risks alienating key partners in Asia, suggesting a more honest trade dialogue is needed.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2025/04/19/why-america-excludes-sales-services-from-its-trade-deficits-strategic-blind-spot-in-asia-phar-kim-beng/173656Russian President Putin has demanded that Ukraine drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw from four regions claimed by Moscow, which Kyiv has rejected as a form of surrender. However, Putin welcomed efforts from the US, China, and BRICS countries to find a peaceful settlement. Russia has given instructions for a ceasefire in the conflict zone, but will adhere to it only if Ukraine respects it. A prisoner swap of 246 Russian POWs with 246 Ukrainian prisoners was conducted on Saturday, mediated by the UAE, with the Russian prisoners being provided medical and psychological care in Belarus.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/600809-russias-putin-declares-unilateral-easter-ceasefire-in-ukraineUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European countries to trigger a UN sanctions mechanism against Iran due to its uranium enrichment exceeding the 3.67 limit. US real estate magnate Donald Trump's counterpart, Robert Witkoff, is involved in talks with Iranian officials in Rome and Tehran. Iranian officials, including Araghchi, have insisted that nuclear programme discussions only and lifting of sanctions are on the table, while emphasizing Iran's right to enrich uranium as "non-negotiable". The US has pushed for discussions on Iran's ballistic missile programme and support for militants in the Middle East.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/iran-us-hold-second-round-of-high-stakes-nuclear-talks-in-rome/article_06a793c8-3a3f-5631-a8af-6791a3e4b77a.htmlUS President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the country will abandon efforts to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal if there are no clear signs of progress soon. The warning came after a Russian missile strike hit a residential area in Kharkiv, Ukraine on April 18.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/us-will-abandon-ukraine-peace-push-if-no-progress-soon-trump-and-rubio-sayMoscow has continued its strikes on Ukraine's northeastern regions, killing at least two people and injuring dozens in Kharkiv and Sumy. US Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about ending the three-year war, while Trump acknowledged that a ceasefire is crucial but warned that if it's not achievable, the US will move forward. Trump had previously promised to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, but his efforts have been met with little success. Ukraine's President Zelensky condemned the latest attacks, which came just days before Easter, and accused Russia of dragging its feet in negotiations.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1302869-trump-warns-us-could-ditch-ukraine-talks-if-no-progressUS negotiators discussed market barriers with Japan during their first round of bilateral talks, citing automobiles and rice as areas where Tokyo imposes restrictions. The US Trade Representative's annual report highlights these trade barriers, which include a 24% levy on Japanese exports to the US, a 10% universal rate, and a 25% duty on cars. Trump unexpectedly met with Japan's lead negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, in the Oval Office, touting "big progress" despite few specifics being disclosed. Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato is set to resume talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week in Washington.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40358484/japan-considering-soybean-rice-concessions-in-us-tariff-talksBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer had his first phone call with US President Donald Trump since Trump imposed 10% tariffs on UK imports. The two leaders discussed trade issues and reaffirmed their commitment to free and open trade, while also touching on the situations in Ukraine, Iran, and Yemen.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/965255-keir-starmer-s-first-phone-call-with-donald-trump-after-us-tariffs-videoUS presidential candidate Donald Trump has made conflicting statements on resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In July, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia stated that ending the crisis cannot be achieved in one day. However, Trump's campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung claimed that a top priority in his second term would be to quickly negotiate an end to the war. More recently, Trump himself said he plans to settle the conflict before even taking office, indicating a significant shift in his stance on the issue.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0