As I conclude my trip here in the Middle East, it is evident that we have strong energy partnerships with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. While the last administration pursued a policy of energy subtraction, the Trump administration is embracing a policy of energy addition. I

#Iran, US task experts to design framework for a nuclear deal, Tehran says reuters.com/world/iran-us-…

Putin Orders 30-Hour Easter Weekend Ceasefire in Ukraine bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

#Iran Cites Progress in US Nuclear Talks With More Meetings Set bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Oil Traders Lurch From Praying for Volatility to Drowning in It Until recently, oil traders complained that it was almost impossible to wring profits out of a listless and rangebound crude market. After the events of the past two-and-a-half weeks, this may have been a case of

Second round of US-#Iran nuclear talks ends after hours of discussions in Rome Further negotiations to be held in Oman next week; Iranian FM says he and Trump’s envoy Witkoff ‘managed to reach a better understanding on a series of principles and goal’ timesofisrael.com/second-round-o…

#Israel: PM’s office says Netanyahu to give ‘special statement’ Saturday on diplomatic matter Vague announcement draws immediate backlash from hostage families anxious for breakthrough in talks to free their loved ones; statement expected to be pre-recorded

Zelensky says Putin’s Easter truce proposal is bid to ‘play with human lives’ timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…

Iranian FM says third round of nuclear talks with US to be held on April 26 in Oman timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…

A Fading Coal Town Banked on a Wind-Power Boom. Then Came Trump. Somerset, Mass., once symbolized the promise of offshore-wind energy. That dream is evaporating. wsj.com/us-news/climat…

Putin Declares Easter Cease-Fire by Russian Forces in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a pause to all military operations in Ukraine as part of an “Easter cease-fire” across the front lines. Kyiv has yet to respond. wsj.com/world/russia/p…

#Iran Says Talks With U.S. to Continue After ‘Positive’ Meeting Iran and the U.S. concluded a new round of talks in Rome in what Iranian officials described as a step forward, with further talks to continue soon. wsj.com/world/middle-e…

Swiss gold imports from the US in metric tons (FOCBS)

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a 30-hour pause in hostilities in Ukraine that will cover Easter Sunday, even as he continues to resist US pressure for a 30-day ceasefire in the three-year conflict. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Relatively positive atmosphere in Rome has enabled progress on principles and objectives of a possible deal. We made clear how many in Iran believe that the JCPOA is no longer good enough for us. To them, what is left from that deal are "lessons learned". Personally, I tend to

Senior U.S. official: "Today, in Rome over four hours in our second round of talks, we made very good progress in our direct and indirect discussions. We agreed to meet again next week and are grateful to our Omani partners for facilitating these talks and to our Italian partners

Sunset up in the air....

Putin Orders 30-Hour Easter Ceasefire, Ukraine Urges Extension bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Houthis report fresh US airstrikes in rebel-held cities Sanaa, Hodeida timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…

#Israel's PM says those critiquing failure to strike Iran opposed past actions that delayed nuclear program timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…