Early Bird: USA Did Not Renew Sanctions Waiver on Russian Oil. Czech Television to Cut Production and Start Layoffs
The USA did not renew the exemption for Russian offshore oil that expired on Saturday. It was intended to help stabilize the volatile oil market due to the U.S. and Israel's attack on Iran. With the proposed change in funding for Czech Television from taxes instead of license fees, the television's budget would decrease by one billion and would initiate extensive layoffs.
Exception on Russian Oil Ends
The waiver issued by the Treasury Department on March 20 allowed approximately 140 million barrels of oil to enter the world markets and helped ease the pressure on energy supplies during the war with Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated last month. The waiver is set to expire on April 19. The USA did not renew the waiver for Russian oil at sea, which expired on Saturday. These steps signal the end of the controversial efforts by the Trump administration to use sanction waivers to release additional oil supplies and lower global energy prices, which have sharply risen since the start of the USA and Israel's war against Iran, Reuters found out.
ČT will have to lay off employees and limit its own production
According to the proposal by Culture Minister Ota Klempíř, which shifts ČT's funding from license fees to state budget funding, it should receive 5.74 billion from taxes next year, while this year it plans to collect 6.73 billion crowns from taxpayers.
"We still prefer funding from fees, which works and there is no need to interfere with it in any way," stated according to ČTK ČT General Director Hynek Chudárek, noting that the change will result in layoffs and a significant reduction in ČT production.
Ukraine and Germany to Jointly Manufacture Drones
Ukraine and Germany are beginning to work on plans for the joint production of modern drones and other combat-proven defense systems, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday, as Kyiv seeks to intensify its more than four-year fight against the Russian invasion.
“We have proposed a bilateral agreement on drones to Germany, which includes various types of drones, missiles, software, and modern defense systems. Our teams are starting concrete work,” Zelensky said according to AP at a joint press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit to Berlin. Merz added that Germany's commitment to supporting Kyiv's war effort is a “very clear signal” to Russia.
Picasso's Painting Sold in Raffle for 100 Euros
A painting by the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, valued at over 1 million dollars, was sold for the price of a dinner in Paris. Ari Hodara became the lucky winner of the raffle "1 Picasso for 100 Euros," which offered participants the chance to take home Picasso's gouache painting "Tête de Femme" from 1941. The ticket price was, as the competition's name suggests, 100 euros. A total of 120,000 tickets were available, and the proceeds will be donated to the Foundation for Alzheimer's Research, which supports clinical research of the disease across Europe. A total of 120,000 tickets were sold for this raffle, reported CNN.
Lebanon and Israel Held First Diplomatic Talks Since 1993
It was a rare meeting aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and the Iran-supported Hezbollah group. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who mediated the talks, stated that it was a "historic opportunity" to end Hezbollah's influence.
According to the U.S. statement, both sides agreed to initiate direct negotiations, with the date and location yet to be determined. Israel stated that it wants to disarm all non-state terrorist groups, referring to Hezbollah. Lebanon called for a ceasefire and the adoption of measures to address the humanitarian crisis. Both countries do not have diplomatic relations, and the last high-level direct talks between them took place in 1993, reported BBC.
Sources: AP, Reuters, ČTK, CNN, BBC
