McDonald’s has applied to Russia’s Federal Service for Intellectual Property to register its trademark, a move mirroring Coca-Cola’s similar action in 2024. The application, filed in December 2024 and now accepted, covers fast food, beverages, restaurant services, and delivery. This action is reportedly to safeguard the company’s intellectual property rights within the Russian market.
Following previous statements suggesting a potential resolution to the conflict, President Trump expressed skepticism regarding Russian President Putin’s commitment to ending the war in Ukraine. This shift in perspective occurred just one day after Trump had indicated a negotiated settlement was imminent. The apparent contradiction highlights the fluctuating nature of reported progress in peace negotiations. Trump’s doubts underscore the continued uncertainty surrounding the future of the Ukrainian conflict.
South Korea expressed “deep disappointment and regret” over Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site viewed by Seoul as a symbol of Japan’s WWII aggression. Ishiba’s offering, a traditional tree branch, accompanied a visit by Japanese lawmakers. The South Korean government urged Japan to acknowledge its wartime history and demonstrate remorse, highlighting this as crucial for future relations. This action follows recent improvements in bilateral ties, raising concerns about potential setbacks. The incident underscores the ongoing sensitivity surrounding historical issues between the two nations.
A massive anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh, involving over 20,000 security personnel from three states, has resulted in the deaths of at least five Naxals. The operation, launched following intelligence reports of top Naxal leaders’ presence, aims to eliminate the group by the government’s 2026 deadline. Security forces have surrounded the Karregutta hills, a known Naxal base, cutting off escape routes. This large-scale operation follows a recent increase in anti-Naxal efforts across multiple states, reflecting the government’s commitment to eradicating Maoist insurgency.
A Leger Marketing survey reveals that Canadians view their relationship with the U.S. as equally poor as that with Russia, with only 16% rating it positively. Conversely, Canadians express significantly more positive views towards Mexico and surprisingly, even China (36%). This negative perception of the U.S. is largely attributed to the Trump administration’s actions impacting Canadian sovereignty and the economy. The survey highlights a potential shift in Canadian foreign policy, suggesting a willingness to strengthen ties with Mexico and explore opportunities for collaboration with China, despite concerns about China’s autocratic nature.
Newly released court documents reveal that former detectives involved in the 2011 Operation Weeting investigation into News Group Newspapers (NGN) phone hacking allege NGN actively obstructed the inquiry. Two detectives stated that NGN’s Will Lewis, now Washington Post CEO, could have faced arrest for perverting the course of justice due to his involvement in the deletion of millions of emails. While NGN denies wrongdoing and the Crown Prosecution Service found insufficient evidence for charges in 2015, these claims emerged during a settled phone-hacking lawsuit against NGN by Prince Harry and Tom Watson. The detectives’ accusations, however, remain a point of contention, with NGN maintaining that the email deletions were for legitimate reasons unrelated to the police investigation.
Following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in response to a terrorist attack, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari issued a strong warning to India, asserting Pakistan’s claim to the Indus River’s waters. He accused India of using the attack to mask internal security failures. This escalation follows India’s broader diplomatic and economic actions against Pakistan. The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement for water sharing, has no provision for unilateral withdrawal, raising serious concerns about the implications of India’s actions.
President Trump expressed concern on Truth Social regarding Ukraine’s delay in signing a crucial rare earth elements agreement with the United States, a delay exceeding three weeks. He voiced hope for immediate finalization of the deal. Despite this, Trump reported progress on a broader Russia-Ukraine peace agreement, suggesting optimism for its eventual success. This follows Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko’s announcement that the rare earth minerals agreement would not be signed this week.
Following a missile strike on a Kyiv residential building, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine concluded its search and rescue efforts. President Zelenskyy alleged the use of a North Korean ballistic missile, urging increased international pressure on Russia. This incident occurred amidst reported US attempts to negotiate a ceasefire involving Ukrainian territorial concessions, prompting criticism of a perceived imbalance in pressure exerted on Kyiv rather than Moscow. Trump, however, asserted that pressure *is* being applied to Russia.
A Russian strike on Kyiv on April 24th, resulting in 12 civilian deaths and nearly 90 injuries, utilized a North Korean ballistic missile containing at least 116 components from various countries, predominantly the United States. President Zelenskyy highlighted this as evidence of insufficient international pressure on both Russia and North Korea, enabling the procurement and use of such weaponry. He reiterated Ukraine’s calls for a ceasefire, citing a previously rejected proposal for a comprehensive truce. Continued pressure on Russia is deemed crucial to halting further civilian casualties.
John Q. Hosedrinker