**Summary:** The European Parliament voted to advance the implementation of a trade agreement with the USA negotiated last year, which involves the temporary abolition of EU industrial tariffs. The approval is conditional, requiring the USA to fully adhere to its commitments, including imposing a maximum 15% tariff on most EU products.

**Key points:**
- The deal is part of an agreement struck between US President Donald Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in August of the previous year.
- The implementation requires approval from both the European Parliament and the Council of EU states.
- Conditions include a clause to suspend the deal if the US imposes new tariffs and a 'sunset' clause setting the expiration date for the measures at March 31, 2028, unless renewed.
- Parliament had previously halted work on implementation in January due to threats by Trump regarding Greenland and uncertainty following a US Supreme Court ruling on Trump-imposed tariffs.

**Why it matters:** This move progresses a significant transatlantic trade agreement, although the conditions set by the EU Parliament indicate ongoing political sensitivity regarding compliance from the US administration.

Zölle: EU-Parlament stimmt für Umsetzung von US-Handelsvereinbarung

Liveblog USA unter Trump: EU-Parlament stimmt für Umsetzung von US-Handelsdeal

Dall'Europarlamento via libera con condizioni all'intesa sui dazi con gli Stati Uniti

EU Parliament Approves Conditions for US Trade Deal Implementation

**Summary:** Serbian political figures are divided on the country's foreign policy direction, with one opposition leader stating that the choice of foreign policy will determine the fate of the Serbian people, while another opposition leader filed criminal charges against the ruling party for alleged misuse of funds during a rally.

**Key points:**
- Miloš Jovanović (Novi DSS) stated that Serbia is at a crossroads and that aligning with the EU path while not sanctioning Russia is impossible.
- Srđan Milivojević (DS) accused the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of paying 231 million dinars for 'extras' to attend a March 21st rally in Belgrade Arena.
- Analysts suggest Serbian foreign policy, largely directed by President Aleksandar Vučić, lacks strategy, leading to improvisation and limited results, with the EU showing excessive tolerance.
- Ana Brnabić (President of the National Assembly of Serbia) stressed the need to concretize parliamentary cooperation with Republika Srpska, including financing memorial centers for Jasenovac victims.

**Why it matters:** The debate highlights deep internal political divisions regarding Serbia's geopolitical alignment (East vs. West) and raises concerns about the transparency and legality of ruling party campaign financing.

Spoljna politika Srbije bez jasne strategije ? - DW

Parlamentarni forum Srbija - Republika Srpska; Brnabić: Važno da se saradnja konkretizuje - RTV

Milivojevic (DS): SNS dao 231 milion dinara na statiste za skup u Beogradskoj areni - Nedeljnik

Jovanović (Novi DSS): Pitanje našeg spoljnopolitičkog izbora odrediće sudbinu srpskog naroda - Nedeljnik

Serbian Political Leaders Clash Over Foreign Policy and Party Financing

**Summary:** The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the "gravest crime against humanity." The resolution, introduced by Ghana, also calls for reparatory justice, including the return of cultural artifacts and concrete reparations.

**Key points:**
- 123 states voted in favor of the resolution, which was adopted on the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
- Reparatory measures sought include financial compensation, debt relief, and development aid.
- President John Dramani Mahama hailed the decision as historic but cautioned it is the beginning of the struggle for justice.
- Israel, the USA, and Argentina voted against the resolution; Germany abstained.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated the trade created a racist ideology to justify the unforgivable.

**Why it matters:** This non-binding resolution is considered a landmark diplomatic step in addressing the enduring legacy of slavery and advancing calls for accountability and restitution for people of African descent worldwide.

UN nennen Sklavenhandel "schwerstes Verbrechen gegen Menschlichkeit"

Mahama hails UN Slavery Resolution as historic breakthrough, says fight for reparatory justice has just begun

UN Declares Transatlantic Slave Trade the 'Gravest Crime Against Humanity'

**Summary:** Guinean authorities confirmed the death of former military commander Aboubacar Sidiki Diakité, known as Toumba, on March 25, 2026, at 4:35 AM. Diakité, who was serving a ten-year sentence for his role in the September 28, 2009 massacre, died in the Coyah prison hospital following a medical emergency.

**Key points:**
- Diakité was the former aide-de-camp to Moussa Dadis Camara.
- His death was attributed to a strangulated hernia complicated by generalized peritonitis.
- He had been transferred to Coyah prison on February 10, 2026, after opposing a cell search.
- He was previously sentenced to ten years in prison in 2024 for the 2009 massacre.
- While incarcerated, he formed a political party, the Democratic Party for Change (PDC).

**Why it matters:** Toumba Diakité was a central figure in the recent political history of Guinea, being one of the main individuals held responsible by justice for the 2009 massacre.

Guinée : décès en détention du commandant Aboubacar Diakité dit “Toumba”

Guinée : les autorités annoncent la mort de Toumba Diakité

Mort de Toumba Diakité : retour sur le parcours d’un prisonnier au cœur de l’histoire récente de la Guinée

Guinean Authorities Announce Death of Toumba Diakité in Detention

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with "opening the gates of hell" if Tehran does not accept a deal to end the war in the Middle East, according to the White House. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that if Iran does not accept the current reality and its military defeat, Trump is prepared to strike harder than ever before.

**Key points:**
- The US is closely examining how oil tankers can cross the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's state television reported that Tehran rejected the US proposal to stop the war.
- The Trump administration delivered a 15-point peace plan to Iran via Pakistani mediators.
- Pakistan, Egypt, and Gulf states are secretly seeking dialogue, but efforts are in initial stages.
- Trump mentioned Sunday meetings between his envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with an unidentified Iranian official.

**Why it matters:** The US issued a severe ultimatum tied to a 15-point peace proposal mediated by Pakistan, signaling a critical juncture in the Middle East conflict.

عليها تقبل الهزيمة .. ترمب يتوعّد إيران بفتح أبواب الجحيم

ترامب يحذر إيران من "فتح أبواب الجحيم"

Trump threatens Iran with 'opening the gates of hell' over Middle East war

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will hold their summit in Beijing on May 14 and 15, following a postponement by Washington due to the war in Iran. The meeting will test the fragile balance following last year's trade truce and ongoing tensions over Taiwan.

**Key points:**
- The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced the new dates.
- The original trip was scheduled for late March but was postponed so Trump could focus on the war with Iran.
- Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington later this year.
- The conflict in the Middle East has altered Trump's economic and foreign policy agenda, despite US officials downplaying any negative effect from the delay.

**Why it matters:** The rescheduled meeting between the leaders of the world's largest economies is crucial for managing pending issues related to the trade truce and persistent friction concerning Taiwan.

Viajará Trump a China a mediados de mayo

Trump reagenda su cumbre con Xi Jinping en Beijing para el 14 y 15 de mayo

Trump and Xi Summit Rescheduled for May 14-15 in Beijing

**Summary:** Juries in California and New Mexico found Meta (parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) and YouTube negligent for designing addictive platforms that harmed minors' mental health. The New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil damages for violating state consumer protection laws.

**Key points:**
- The New Mexico jury found Meta violated the state's Unfair Practices Act by prioritizing profits over child safety.
- The New Mexico case was brought by Attorney General Raúl Torrez following an undercover investigation.
- The California jury declared Meta and YouTube "negligent" and fined them $3 million in compensatory damages to the plaintiff, Kaley G. M.
- Meta stated it disagrees with the verdicts and plans to appeal both rulings.
- The New Mexico trial phase will proceed to determine if Meta created a public nuisance and should fund public programs.

**Why it matters:** These landmark verdicts represent a significant legal shift, potentially challenging tech companies' liability shields like Section 230 and forcing changes in platform design regarding child safety.

Mainline Media News - What could come next for other social media firms as a jury finds Meta platforms harm children

inquirer.net - Jury finds Instagram, YouTube liable in social media addiction trial

Breitbart - New Mexico Jury Rules Zuckerberg's Meta Failed to Protect Children , Orders $375 Million in Damages

EL PAÍS - Meta y YouTube pierden el juicio sobre la adicción de los menores a redes sociales y son declaradas “negligentes”

Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in US Trials Over Child Addiction

**Summary:** The Congolese singer and rapper Gims (Gandhi Djuna, 39) was taken into police custody in Paris on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as part of an investigation into organized crime money laundering led by the National Anti-Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office (Pnaco). He is being questioned under a letter of request from investigating judges.

**Key points:**
- Gims was arrested by the judicial national customs service upon his arrival at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport.
- The investigation, initially reported by Africa Intelligence, concerns a complex international money laundering network.
- The network allegedly involves setting up numerous companies in different countries to evade French VAT and taxes, facilitate false invoicing, and conceal the origin of illegal funds.
- Five former drug traffickers from the Île-de-France region, now involved in financial crime, have reportedly already been implicated.
- The investigation is also reportedly looking into a luxury real estate project promoted by Gims in Marrakech, Morocco, named Sunset Village Private Residences.
- Gims' lawyer, Me David-Olivier Kaminski, declined to comment immediately.

**Why it matters:** Gims is noted as the top-selling recording artist in France for 2025, making his involvement in a major organized crime investigation a significant news event.

Gims placé en garde à vue dans une affaire de blanchiment d’argent

France : le rappeur Gims en garde à vue dans une affaire de blanchiment en bande organisée

Le rappeur Gims en garde à vue à Paris dans une affaire de blanchiment en bande organisée

Rapper Gims in Custody in Paris Over Organized Crime Money Laundering Case

Le chanteur Gims en garde à vue dans une affaire de blanchiment en bande organisée

Le chanteur Gims placé en garde à vue pour blanchiment d’argent en bande organisée