| A Ukrainian position in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, on Friday. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times |
Ukraine said Russia broke its own Easter cease-fire
Ukraine and Russia yesterday accused each other of violating an Easter truce declared by President Vladimir Putin on Saturday afternoon. The cease-fire, announced as lasting 30 hours, appeared to be a gambit by Putin to show the U.S. that Russia was serious about peace.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who had agreed to abide by the truce so long as Russia did, said that Russian troops had fired artillery, ambushed troops and used drones. Russia’s defense ministry said that its forces had observed the truce, and accused Ukraine of violating it with drones and nighttime attacks.
A Ukrainian drone unit commander said that the fighting in eastern Ukraine during the cease-fire was similar to how it had been since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. “So in reality, there was no cease-fire at all,” he said.
U.S. threat to move on: On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that if the U.S. could not make progress in ending the war, it would walk away. The remarks appeared to pile pressure on Ukraine.
Minerals deal: President Trump has said that he expects to sign a full minerals deal with Ukraine this week. Negotiations on the deal stalled after a blowup weeks ago between the leaders in the Oval Office.
How a rampage of killing unfolded in a Syrian city
A Times reporter and a photographer traveled to the city of Baniyas in Syria, the site of sectarian violence last month. Over three days, gunmen went house to house, summarily executing civilians and opening fire in the streets, according to dozens of residents.
My colleagues were able to report from the city for nearly a day as the killings unfolded. What they found was evidence of a massacre targeting the Alawites, the group that dominated the Syrian elite during the Assad family’s decades-long rule. The reporting also showed how little control the new government exercises over the various armed groups and former rebels that have joined the administration.
In this video, Christina Goldbaum, The Times’s bureau chief in Syria, explained how at least 300 people were killed over three days in Baniyas in early March.
Hegseth shared strike details in a second Signal chat
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared key details about the March 15 strikes in Yemen in a second private Signal group chat. This one included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, those with knowledge of the chat said.
Unlike the previous chat, which was created by Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and which mistakenly shared similar details with an Atlantic journalist, this chat was created by Hegseth. Named “Defense | Team Huddle,” it included people from Hegseth’s personal and professional life and was created before he was confirmed as defense secretary.
Details: Hegseth’s wife, a former Fox News producer, is not a Defense Department employee. Hegseth’s brother and lawyer have jobs in the Pentagon, but it’s unclear why they would need information about upcoming strikes.
| More on TrumpA draft executive would restructure the State Department, eliminate almost all of its Africa operations, and shut down embassies and consulates across the continent.A ruling by the Supreme Court early Saturday blocked the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelans, ignoring some protocols.Thousands of protesters took to the streets in the U.S. on Saturday to speak out against Trump’s policies.Sometimes the billionaires running the government sound like they’re talking to other billionaires. Democrats say they’re out of touch.Several former members of Trump’s first administration signed an open letter likening his actions to those of a “royal despot.”Trump says he wants Xi Jinping, China’s leader, to call him to talk tariffs. But Xi is ghosting him.Track Trump’s actions since he took office. |
| MORE TOP NEWS |
| Gaza: An Israeli commander will be dismissed after an investigation into the killings of medics last month identified “several professional failures.” Pope: Francis blessed tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Mass, but a Vatican aide delivered his papal address. Vatican: Francis, who has criticized Trump’s deportation policies, also met briefly with Vice President JD Vance in Rome. Venezuela: El Salvador’s president proposed repatriating Venezuelans deported to his country by the U.S. if Venezuela freed prisoners in return. Sudan: After Trump froze all U.S. foreign aid, hundreds of soup kitchens closed within days as famine spread. Canada: In a week, voters will choose between two starkly different candidates — Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre — to lead the country through a crisis brought on by Trump. Iran: The U.S. and Iran will hold additional negotiations on a nuclear deal in the coming days, following a meeting in Rome on Saturday. Middle East: Saudi Arabia supports nuclear talks with its rival, Iran. The shift shows how much the region has changed. El Salvador: Inmates at a notorious prison, where the U.S. has sent deportees, are subjected to extreme isolation. Here’s what it’s like. Education: The loss of international students could devastate many U.S. colleges. Tunisia: In a sign of deepening repression, a court sentenced about 40 opposition figures to up to 66 years in prison. |
| SPORTS NEWS |
| Hockey: The Toronto Maple Leafs trounced the Ottawa Senators 6-2 to take Game 1 of their first-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Soccer: Taylor Swift and a lot of Coldplay: What music do Premier League stars actually listen to? Tennis: Holger Rune catapulted into the top 10 of the men’s rankings with his victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the Barcelona Open. |
| MORNING READ |
Thierno Agne left behind studying law in Senegal to become a strawberry farmer. Now, he grows 50 tons of berries a year and is turning what was recently a luxury treat for the Senegalese into an everyday fruit. He’s also changing perceptions of farming as something the poor do.
| ARTS AND IDEAS |
Flowers from alien worlds
What would a rose look like on a distant planet with supersonic winds? It would need curling petals for protection, with a spiral interior to direct the gusts and flush out pollen. One artist set out to bring the possibilities to life.
Vincent Fournier, a French artist and photographer, created Flora Incognita, a project that posits what plants might look like in alien conditions. In consultation with scientists, Fournier created images of insulated ferns, shimmering cactuses and bristled orchids. Take a look.
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| Scott Loitsch and Vaughn Vreeland/The New York Times |
Bake: This five-star carrot cake recipe is a Times Cooking classic.
