Trump Threatens Secondary Tariffs on Russian Oil Amid Frustration Over Ukraine Talks

President Trump escalated his stance against Russia by threatening to impose secondary tariffs on countries that continue to buy Russian oil if Moscow fails to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine. Trump's threat followed Putin's proposal for an interim UN-backed government in Ukraine, which would sideline President Zelensky — a move Trump strongly rejected. Despite recent rounds of U.S.-Russia talks, there has been little substantial progress, with both sides disagreeing on key issues like a Black Sea cease-fire and the continuation of airstrikes. Trump’s new approach leans on the use of economic pressure, specifically targeting Russia’s energy exports, which constitute a major portion of its economy. However, the plan could carry global risks, potentially disrupting oil markets and increasing prices for consumers worldwide. Trump also indicated that a final decision would depend on whether he deems Russia responsible for the breakdown of negotiations.

Sources: The Wall Street Journal

Myanmar Earthquake: Rescue Efforts Struggle Amid Civil War

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, leaving at least 1,644 people dead and thousands more injured, with the death toll expected to rise as many regions remain unreachable. The disaster severely impacted Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, and surrounding areas, toppling buildings and damaging critical infrastructure like airports and roads. Rescue operations have been hampered by widespread destruction, extreme heat, limited equipment, and Myanmar's ongoing civil war, which restricts access to many areas. Civilians and local volunteers have carried out most of the rescue efforts, digging through rubble by hand in the hope of finding survivors. Aftershocks, including a 5.1-magnitude tremor on Sunday, have further destabilized the region. International aid, including teams from China, India, Russia, and neighboring Southeast Asian countries, has begun to arrive, but logistical challenges and limited medical resources continue to slow relief efforts. The conflict between Myanmar's military junta and resistance groups further complicates the situation, with reports of ongoing airstrikes and restrictions on humanitarian aid.

Sources: Associated Press

Elon Musk Defends Government Cuts and Pushes for Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate

Elon Musk, during a town hall event in Green Bay, Wisconsin, urged voters to support conservative Brad Schimel in the upcoming state Supreme Court election, while spending much of the event defending the work of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk stated DOGE’s mission is an effort to eliminate government waste and fraud, which he claims contributes to inflation and inefficiency in the U.S. economy. The town hall highlighted Musk’s close alignment with President Trump’s agenda, including his financial backing of Schimel’s campaign, where Musk’s PAC has funneled around $12 million into voter mobilization efforts. Musk personally distributed $1 million checks to voters who signed petitions against "activist judges," despite ongoing legal challenges from Wisconsin's attorney general.

Sources: NBC News

Markets Brace for Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs and First Jobs Report Reflecting DOGE Layoffs

This week, financial markets are set to be dominated by two major events: President Trump's long-anticipated reciprocal tariff announcement and the March jobs report, the first to fully account for layoffs tied to DOGE-related federal cuts and tariff-induced uncertainty. Trump is expected to unveil new tariffs on Wednesday targeting 15 countries with significant tariffs and trade imbalances with the U.S. These new levies will likely be added to existing 25% tariffs on aluminum, steel, auto parts, and vehicles. The scope of the announcement is unclear, with speculation about whether it marks the start of further negotiations or a final policy. Meanwhile, Friday’s jobs report will provide insight into how DOGE-driven layoffs and trade instability are beginning to impact employment trends. Economists expect a slowdown, forecasting a gain of 138,000 jobs, down from February’s 151,000. Other key data this week includes ISM’s manufacturing and services reports and ADP’s private employment numbers, all of which could give investors early signals on the economy’s resilience.

Sources: Barron’s

Eli Lilly’s Experimental Drug Shows Promising Results in Reducing Key Heart Disease Risk Factor

Eli Lilly's experimental drug lepodisiran has shown significant potential in reducing lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, a major genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease, according to new mid-stage trial results presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting. Patients receiving the highest dose of lepodisiran experienced a 93.9% reduction in Lp(a) levels compared to placebo over a six-month period, following just one or two injections. The trial involved 141 patients on the drug and 69 on placebo, with no serious drug-related adverse events reported. Lp(a) affects an estimated 1.4 billion people globally, including 64 million in the U.S., and currently has no approved treatments.

Sources: Reuters

Google Opens Gemini 2.5 Pro AI Model to Free Users

Google has made its new Gemini 2.5 Pro (experimental) AI model available to all users, not just paid subscribers, the company announced this weekend. Initially released last week for Gemini Advanced subscribers, the model is now accessible via Google AI Studio and the Gemini app, although free users will face stricter usage limits. Google describes Gemini 2.5 Pro as its most advanced AI system to date, emphasizing its improved reasoning capabilities, including the ability to analyze information, understand context, and make more nuanced decisions. While free users can now test the model, paying users will continue to enjoy expanded access, including a significantly larger context window, which is essential for handling longer or more complex tasks. Gemini 2.5 Pro is the first in Google’s series of 2.5 models, designed to push the boundaries of AI's reasoning and decision-making abilities.

Sources: Engadget