Friday morning news: March 28, 2025

Ukraine talks latest » British Prime Minister Kier Starmer says Moscow is slow-walking Ukraine peace talks.

STARMER: President Trump has rightly called them out for dragging their feet, and we agreed here in Paris today that it's clear the Russians are filibustering, they're playing games, and they're playing for time. It is a classic from the Putin playbook.

Also, during a summit in Paris Thursday, France and Britain said they're prepared to send troops to Ukraine to defend an eventual peace deal with Russia. But … a lot of other countries in Europe are not anxious to take part in that effort.

MACRON: [Speaking French]

But French President Emmanual Macron said Europe is united in the belief that Ukraine’s army must be strong and well equipped for the day after the war ends.

Allies at the summit also agreed that efforts to squeeze Russia's economy must continue.

Moscow demanded the end of certain sanctions as part of a maritime Black Sea ceasefire deal.

Iran responds to Trump on nuke talks » Iran has sent an official response to President Trump in response to his recent letter from Tehran seeking to jump start talks over the country’s nuclear program. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

KRISTEN FLAVIN: Iran sent the response through the government of Jordan, signaling a readiness to restart nuclear talks indirectly through a third party.

The response came as Trump levied new sanctions on Iran as part of its “maximum pressure” campaign. It also came as the U.S. began moving bombers into the region ahead of a 2-month deadline President Trump had given Iran to come back to the bargaining table.

Trump, during his first term in the White House, pulled the plug on an Obama-era nuclear deal that he said did nothing to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuke.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Hamas threatens Gaza demonstrators » It's becoming an increasingly familiar sound:

SOUND: [Air raid sirens]

Air raid sirens blared over Jerusalem again yesterday, as the Israeli military says it intercepted two missiles Houthi rebels launched from Yemen.

No casualties reported.

Elsewhere in Jerusalem:

NETANYAHU: Thank you for standing with Israel. Thank you for standing with the Jewish people. Thank you for standing with the forces of civilization against the forces of barbarism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu there addressing a group of European leaders in the holy city for a conference on anti-Semitism.

And in Gaza:

SOUND: [Palestinian protests]

Militant groups are warning some Palestinians to stop protesting against Hamas or face punishment.

In a statement, they threatened to treat those in Gaza speaking out against Hamas, just as they treat Israelis.

MS-13 gang leader arrest » A 24-year-old man from El Salvador faced a judge in Virginia on Thursday. But authorities say this wasn’t just any illegal immigrant. They say  Henry Josue Villa Toro Santos is a top leader of the violent MS-13 gang.

The FBI worked with the ATF, ICE, local and state police on the arrest. FBI Director Kash Patel:

PATEL:  This task force was stood up one month ago. In one month the brave men and women on this task force from state, local, and federal authorities have arrested 342 criminals in the state of Virginia alone.

Authorities charged him with being an  illegal alien in possession of a firearm. But that was expected to be only the first of many charges.

Tesla attack suspect » Las Vegas police have arrested a man in connection with the firebombing of a Tesla collision center.

 He is 36-year-old Paul Kim, and he’s now behind bars facing more than a dozen felony charges. Las Vegas Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said police were able to search his apartment and vehicles connected to him.

KOREN:  We were also able to collect the buccal swab for DNA to be able to compare that to the DNA that we recovered from the scene.

A video of that attack showed a person dressed in black using Molotov cocktails to damage at least five Tesla vehicles with one of the unexploded devices left in a car. FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans said Thursday:

EVANS:  There's nothing courageous or noble about firebombing private property and terrorizing your local community. The self-righteous mob that's cheering you on today to commit acts of violence on their behalf will leave you high and dry and forget about you tomorrow.

A string of violent attacks has coincided with protests against Tesla CEO Elon Musk over his work heading up DOGE for President Trump.

Stefanik nomination withdrawn » The White House has pulled Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The decision came after her confirmation had been stalled over concerns about Republicans’ incredibly slim majority in the House.

The president said in a social media post that it is “essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress.”

GOP Sen. John Cornyn weighed in yesterday:

CORNYN:  Elise Stefanik, uh, should be congratulated by putting, uh, uh, the greater good ahead of her personal ambition.

Stefanik’s nomination advanced out of committee in late January, but House Republicans’ razor-thin margin kept her ultimate confirmation in a state of purgatory for the last several months.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: John Stonestreet is standing by for Culture Friday. Plus, your listener feedback for the month of March.

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