Cuba confirms meeting with US officials on island, wants energy blockade lifted - AP News

Cuba confirms meeting with US officials on island, wants energy blockade lifted  AP News

Tariff refund system launches as thousands of companies file claims - TradingView

Tariff refund system launches as thousands of companies file claims  TradingView

What we know about the Iranian ship seized by the US

The US has intercepted an Iranian ship entering the Gulf as part of its naval blockade, US President Donald Trump has said.

Facing Hard-liners at Home and Bluster From Trump, Iran Sends Mixed Signals on Peace Talks

Publicly, Iran officials refuse to confirm a second round of negotiations with the United States, even as they privately say they are making plans to attend.

By Erika Solomon

Trump’s call to deregulate psychedelics boosts drugmakers’ shares

Stock in UK-based Compass Pathways jumps to highest level in two years following president’s executive order

Trump administration begins accepting refunds on over $166bn in tariffs

Claims system launches months after supreme court ruled Trump had no legal authority to impose tariffs Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox The Trump administration began on Monday accepting applications from businesses seeking refunds for more than $166bn in tariffs, months after the supreme court ruled that the president had no legal authority to impose them. The administration launched on Monday the digital claims system, named Cape, which they sa...

By Joseph Gedeon in Washington

Activists worry that human rights are not prominent in U.S.-Iran negotiations

Human rights activists are calling on President Trump to push Iran to reopen the internet, not just the Strait of Hormuz.

By Michele Kelemen

What to know about the next round of US-Iran talks in Pakistan

The US and Iran are supposed to have another round of direct talks in Pakistan on Tuesday, but will the Iranians skip?

China-linked route exposed after US seizes Iran-bound ship with suspected dual-use cargo

An Iranian-flagged cargo ship seized by U.S. forces had recently visited Chinese ports, spotlighting a supply route now under scrutiny by officials.

Iran thinks 'they can outlast Trump': Former Trump Iran negotiator on the stakes for a second round of peace talks - CNN

Iran thinks 'they can outlast Trump': Former Trump Iran negotiator on the stakes for a second round of peace talks  CNN

Tariff refunds begin on Monday. These retailers are due big paydays

U.S. importers, such as Walmart and Target, could be in line for billions in tariff refunds as the government launches its claims-filing portal on Monday.

Cuba confirms recent ‘respectful’ talks with visiting US delegation

A senior Cuban diplomat on Monday confirmed recent talks in Havana with US officials, as the communist-led island faces a deep crisis over US President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign. “I can confirm that a meeting between delegations from Cuba and the United States was recently held here in Cuba,” Alejandro Garcia, the foreign ministry’s director of Cuba-US affairs, told the Communist Party newspaper Granma. Garcia said the negotiators included assistant secretaries from the US State...

By Agence France-Presse

US tariff refund system launches for companies to claim billions in import taxes

The US Customs and Border Protection announced Monday that its refund portal for tariffs which were struck down by the US Supreme Court in mid-February is now open to applications from businesses.

By FRANCE 24

Trump Claims He’s Solved 9 Wars—What’s He Talking About? - Forbes

Trump Claims He’s Solved 9 Wars—What’s He Talking About?  Forbes

US gives Cuba two-week ultimatum to release high-profile political prisoners

In a secret meeting in Havana on April 10, Washington pressured for the release of artist Luis Manuel Otero and rapper Maykel Osorbo, as well as the rest of the prisoners

By Carla Gloria Colomé

FTSE 100 falls back amid renewed US-Iran tension

XTB’s Kathleen Brooks said ‘the market mood is very different at the start of the week compared to Friday’.

By Jeremy Cutler

Cuba confirms meeting with US officials on island, wants energy blockade lifted

US-Iran talks in limbo as Trump vows no let-up in blockade - The Straits Times

US-Iran talks in limbo as Trump vows no let-up in blockade  The Straits Times

‘Under no pressure to make a deal’: Trump lashes out as clock ticks on Iran ceasefire

Donald Trump clarified that he is not under any “pressure” on making a deal with Iran, further adding to the uncertainty over the future of the war.

‘99% Invisible’ Host Roman Mars to Host New Podcast About American History (Exclusive)

In 'A History of the United States in 100 Objects,' Mars will speak with historians and journalists about the human stories around objects including a gold coin and a small screw.

By Caitlin Huston

Gulf worries US-Iran talks may cement Tehran’s grip on Hormuz

A warning by Dmitry Medvedev has heightened concerns among Gulf states that reopening the Strait of Hormuz may be the most negotiations between Iran and the US can achieve, falling short of the broader de-escalation they consider essential. Officials and analysts expect the next round of talks, due in Islamabad, to focus less on Iran’s […]

Trump Tariff Refunds Start Today: Who Benefits, How To Claim It

It was not just the business but the customers as well that bore the bulk of the tariff burden. But it remains unclear if the consumers will get any refunds.

Bonds are seeing ‘only a muted reaction’ to the U.S.-Iran geopolitical escalation

US-Iran ceasefire talks remain on shaky ground - China Daily

US-Iran ceasefire talks remain on shaky ground  China Daily

Iran considers US talks in Pakistan with blockade still unresolved - Arab News

Iran considers US talks in Pakistan with blockade still unresolved  Arab News

World powers push for Gulf de-escalation

Xi urges open Hormuz passage as China, Russia and regional leaders call for ceasefire to hold

By agencies

Things Get Interesting-er

Things Get Interesting-er Authored by James Howard Kunstler, “It is one thing for the people (of Iran) to be ruled by globally feared autocrats armed to the teeth, but quite another to be governed by humiliated, now impotent incompetents and buffoons.” - VDH Wednesday the US / Iran ceasefire expires. It has been an interesting two weeks. The US used it to negotiate an end to hostilities, resupply our ships in the Arabian Sea, do maintenance on our ships and warplanes, dismantle...

By Tyler Durden

Xi holds phone talks with Saudi crown prince, says normal passage through Strait of Hormuz should be maintained - Global Times

Xi holds phone talks with Saudi crown prince, says normal passage through Strait of Hormuz should be maintained  Global Times

Vance has not yet left for Iran talks in Pakistan: Reuters - The Daily Star

Vance has not yet left for Iran talks in Pakistan: Reuters  The Daily Star

Ukraine must stay in focus, Dutch FM tells Rubio during U.S. visit

Maintaining strong international support for Ukraine, particularly in the military sphere, and increasing pressure on Russia were among the key issues during the recent visit of a Dutch government delegation to the United States.

US opens refunds portal for tariffs imposed under Trump govt

The US government has launched a portal for US tariff refunds after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Read More: https://punchng.com/us-opens-refunds-portal-for-tariffs-imposed-under-trump-govt/

By Punch Newspapers

UN urges ‘full restoration’ of freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz - rudaw.net

UN urges ‘full restoration’ of freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz  rudaw.net

US shifts goalposts as Iran stands unyielding - Tehran Times

US shifts goalposts as Iran stands unyielding  Tehran Times

Macron hails “historic level” of Polish-French relations following Tusk visit

Tusk emphasised that the two countries "share precisely the same concerns regarding today's geostrategic instability".

By Daniel Tilles

Businesses can claim refunds starting Monday for Trump tariffs declared unconstitutional - Jamaica Gleaner

Businesses can claim refunds starting Monday for Trump tariffs declared unconstitutional  Jamaica Gleaner

The big return of tariffs: $166 billion being returned by the Trump administration to importers—but not to consumers

Washington is opening, starting today Monday, the process of refunds for tariffs that were deemed illegal. It’s a relief for thousands of businesses—but not for consumers, who paid higher prices and are excluded from direct compensation The post The big return of tariffs: $166 billion being returned by the Trump administration to importers—but not to consumers appeared first on ProtoThema English.

By Newsroom

Why and how is US blockading Iranian ports in Strait of Hormuz? - the-star.co.ke

Why and how is US blockading Iranian ports in Strait of Hormuz?  the-star.co.ke

Trump tariff refunds begin but consumers likely to miss out

The Trump administration has begun processing refunds for billions of dollars in tariffs that the US Supreme Court struck down in February.

By Emmanuel Tetteh

Ambassador Youssef Amrani Revisits Morocco-US Historic Ties at Harvard Arab Conference

Morocco’s Ambassador to the US, Youssef Amrani, represented Morocco at the Arab Conference at Harvard (ACH26), held from April 17 to 19, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between Morocco and the US. The post Ambassador Youssef Amrani Revisits Morocco-US Historic Ties at Harvard Arab Conference appeared first on Morocco World News.

By Hanane Afeznaoui