South Africa

In Geneva, a rare 10. 3-carat blue diamond was sold at auction for $21.5 million. It was purchased by a private collector from the United States, whose name has not been disclosed.

Ukrainian icebreaker "Noosfera" has completed its fourth Antarctic season, making 5 voyages to Antarctica and covering over 20,000 nautical miles. The ship provided crew changes and conducted joint research with various countries.

India plans to bid to the ICC to host the World Test Championship final in 2027. This could affect the match schedule in England and create problems due to relations with Pakistan.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that American and European instructors are monitoring aid to Ukraine. Of the $105 billion in aid from the US, most went to weapons.

The President of South Africa stated that possible territorial concessions from Ukraine are a prerequisite for peace. However, the main thing is Ukraine's desire for an immediate ceasefire to start negotiations.

The President of Ukraine stated that the night attack of the Russian Federation on Ukraine was one of the most difficult, and is connected with pressure on the USA. As a result of the attack, there are destruction and victims in various regions of the country.

South African President Ramaphosa reported on a conversation with Trump regarding the peace process in Ukraine. They agreed to meet to discuss relations between the United States and South Africa.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed over to President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa a list of 400 Ukrainian children who were forcibly taken to Russia. The President emphasized the need for their return.

The President of South Africa announced a conversation with Putin regarding the search for a peaceful path. He called on the parties to a comprehensive ceasefire to begin negotiations.

The President is cancelling part of his visit to South Africa due to the night-time Russian attack. He instructed Umerov to contact partners regarding air defense systems and will inform Ramaphosa about the situation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in South Africa for talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa, politicians, community and student leaders from Africa. Kyiv is counting on South Africa's support in returning abducted children.

The US President has announced the introduction of new duties for certain countries. In particular, China - 34%, the European Union and Great Britain - 20%.

On April 2, new tariffs initiated by Trump, which could lead to a global trade war, come into force in the United States. Tariffs of 15% will affect countries with the largest trade deficit.

In South Africa, a 7-year-old boy lost his hand after being attacked by a crocodile while fishing near the town of Brits. The boy was rescued by three people, but the hand could not be saved.

An Impala Mark 1 plane crashed during the West Coast Air Show in South Africa. Experienced pilot James O'Connell died, an investigation is underway.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool is no longer a desirable person in the country. Trump cut aid to South Africa over the land expropriation law.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will visit South Africa on April 10 for talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa. The meeting is aimed at finding ways to peacefully resolve the war with Russia.

The Trump administration is cutting off funding for 5,800 USAID projects, including vaccination and treatment programs. The withdrawal of support will affect millions of people in developing countries and threatens to increase mortality.

European officials are developing proposals to create a special defense fund to increase military investment. They are considering a “rearmament bank” and a special targeted instrument with a budget of 500 billion euros.

A petition to revoke Musk's Canadian citizenship has garnered 230,000 signatures because of his support for Trump and anti-Canadian statements. Musk, who heads the US DOGE Service, has called Canada a “fake country” and supports the idea of its joining the United States.

The Foreign Ministries of Russia and China have given different coverage to the meeting between Ministers Lavrov and Wang Yi at the G20 summit. Russia is trying to show more support for its position from China than is actually the case.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy saw no real desire for peace in Russia after Lavrov's speech at the G20. The UK will continue to support Ukraine by allocating 3 billion pounds annually.

At the G20 summit, China supported Trump's proposal to negotiate with the aggressor over the war in Ukraine without Kyiv's participation. US allies opposed this format and consolidated around Zelenskyy.

The President of Ukraine held a series of phone conversations with the leaders of South Africa, Finland, France, Denmark, Canada, and Norway. They discussed security issues, arms supplies, sanctions against the aggressor, and energy cooperation.

A meeting of G20 foreign ministers begins in Johannesburg to discuss global trade and the situation in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to participate, but Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is in attendance.

Meta has announced the construction of a 50,000 km submarine cable that will connect five continents. The project will have 24 fiber optic pairs and will be laid at a depth of up to 7000 meters.

Two American tourists were attacked by a shark in Bimini Bay in the Bahamas. Riley Decker, 20, and Summer Layman, 24, were rescued by friends and taken to a hospital in Florida.

The US President has signed a decree suspending the implementation of the 1977 anti-corruption law. The White House explains this by the need to make American companies more competitive in the international market.

Marco Rubio will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg because he disagrees with South Africa's policies. He criticizes the country for expropriating private property and promoting DEI ideas.

Donald Trump has warned the BRICS countries about imposing 100% duties in case of an alternative currency. The statement came amid expectations of a decision on 25% duties for Canada and Mexico.