A flight carrying 199 Venezuelan migrants arrived in Maiquetía early Monday, marking the first repatriation flight since Venezuela and the U.S. reached a new agreement. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed the flight, which departed from Honduras after the migrants were deported from the U.S.
The resumption follows a two-week standoff after President Nicolás Maduro suspended deportation flights in response to Trump’s move to revoke Chevron’s license to export Venezuelan oil. The suspension strained bilateral relations, with the Trump administration threatening further sanctions. Venezuelan officials confirmed on Saturday that both sides had reached a deal to restart flights.
GERMANY’S INDUSTRIAL REBOUND LIFTS EUROZONE BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Europe’s economy may be gaining momentum as German manufacturing shows signs of revival and inflationary pressures ease. The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data indicates that the eurozone’s private sector expanded for the third straight month in March, with the Flash Eurozone Composite PMI rising to 50.4—its highest level in seven months.
Manufacturing output grew for the first time in two years, driven by renewed confidence in Germany following a new fiscal package. Analysts suggest this could be an opportunity for Europe to push forward with economic reforms, defense spending, and deeper financial integration to sustain growth.
UKRAINE WAR DIPLOMACY: US-RUSSIA CEASEFIRE TALKS UNDERWAY IN SAUDI ARABIA
US and Russian officials have commenced talks in Saudi Arabia as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to negotiate a limited ceasefire in Ukraine. Washington views this as a potential first step toward lasting peace.
After discussions with Ukrainian and Russian leaders last week, Trump brokered an agreement in principle for a one-month pause in attacks on energy infrastructure. However, details remain unclear regarding the ceasefire’s scope and whether it will extend to hospitals, bridges, and other critical services.
US envoys are mediating between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, with additional talks set to address Black Sea shipping security.
ISRAEL ELIMINATES HAMAS LEADER IN GAZA HOSPITAL STRIKE
An Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza killed senior Hamas leader Ismail Barhoum and an aide on Sunday evening, a Hamas official told the BBC.
Barhoum, Hamas’s finance chief, was struck at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. His death marks one of the highest-ranking Hamas losses since Israel resumed military operations last Tuesday, ending a two-month ceasefire.
Hamas stated that Barhoum was receiving treatment for injuries from a previous airstrike. However, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani denied this, claiming Barhoum had been at the hospital for weeks to “commit acts of terrorism.”
EXPELLED SOUTH AFRICAN ENVOY RECEIVES WARM WELCOME BACK HOME
Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., received a hero’s welcome upon his return home on Sunday after being expelled by the Trump administration and declared persona non grata.
Hundreds of supporters greeted Rasool at Cape Town International Airport, singing in solidarity.
“A persona non grata declaration is meant to humiliate, but when you return to such warmth, it becomes a badge of dignity,” Rasool told the crowd. “It was not our choice to come home, but we do so with no regrets.”
He was given until Friday to leave the U.S., marking a dramatic end to his diplomatic tenure.
