Russian strikes hit a children’s hospital in northern Ukraine, local officials said, injuring 28 people including four children. The attack occurred as American and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss a plan to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and a potential ceasefire in the Black Sea to allow the resumption of grain and fuel exports.
Turkish authorities said they arrested more than 1,100 people during five days of mass protests over the jailing of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and opposition leader. The government banned public gatherings in many cities, but hundreds of thousands joined demonstrations. Those detained included ten journalists. The opposition says Mr Imamoglu’s arrest was politically motivated.
Donald Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on countries that buy oil or gas from Venezuela. Mr Trump said he was introducing the charges in part because Venezuela had “purposefully and deceitfully” sent “criminals” to America. The levies are scheduled to take effect next month. China and India are among the top importers of Venezuelan crude.
Business activity in the euro zone grew at its fastest pace in seven months in March, according to a closely watched survey compiled by S&P Global. The purchasing-managers’ index rose to 50.4, from 50.2 in February; readings above 50 signal growth. Factory output expanded for the first time in two years, offsetting a slowdown in the services sector. Optimism is rising because of Germany’s plans to boost infrastructure and defence spending.
BYD’s annual revenue topped $100bn for the first time in 2024, driven by strong demand for its plug-in hybrid models. Net income at the Chinese electric-vehicle maker rose 34% year on year. The firm exported more than 400,000 vehicles last year and is building factories in Europe and South America. Its shares have risen by 50% so far in 2025, outpacing Tesla, an American competitor.
Austria’s security services arrested a Bulgarian woman for taking part in an “extensive” Russian disinformation campaign aimed at undermining support for Ukraine. The woman admitted working for a Russian cell that pretended to be a pro-Ukrainian group while spreading propaganda. The campaign, uncovered in December, targeted German-speaking countries using online content, graffiti and stickers.
The share price of 23andMe, a DNA testing company, fell by around 60% a day after it filed for bankruptcy and Anne Wojcicki, its CEO and co-founder, resigned. At its peak 23andMe was worth $6bn, but sales declined following a breach involving the theft of 7m customers’ data in 2023. On Monday the company’s market capitalisation was valued at around $19.5m.
Figure of the day: 47%, the share of Facebook friendships among Britons from low socioeconomic status that are with high-status users—compared with just 39% in America. Read the full story.