What's Happening

International

The Oval Office Showdown Heard 'Round the World

What's going on: A reality-TV-style blow-up between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, has European leaders rallying behind Zelenskyy. Following a meeting in London Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Europe would be “doubling down” on support for Ukraine, increasing military spending to put more pressure on Russia. Starmer also announced that he, French President Emmanuel Macron, and at least one other European leader would step in as mediators between Kyiv and Washington as a ceasefire plan takes shape — calling the moment “a crossroads in history.” Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “President Zelenskyy failed to recognize that he’s walking into the Oval Office with a new sheriff in town,” adding that Trump wanted both peace and to save the US money.

What it means: The Trump-Zelenskyy drama sparked reactions from all sides. Europe was stunned. Russia seemed thrilled. Democrats called it a “dumpster fire of diplomacy.” (Still, no one was quite as expressive as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US, whose physical reaction went even more viral than Marco Rubio’s.) Meanwhile, the White House framed the incident as a win, reinforcing Trump’s “America first” mission. Critics, however, saw something else: a setup designed to give Trump cover to cozy up to Russia. Some commentators argued that, planned or not, the heated exchange was yet another sign of Trump realigning US foreign policy away from traditional European allies — a shift that could ultimately benefit Russia. And yet, despite Friday’s clash, Zelenskyy said he was still open to signing a minerals deal with the US. Starmer, too, struck an optimistic tone, saying he believed “a positive outcome” could be reached with the US. 

Related: The Defense Department Just Halted Offensive Cyber Operations Against Russia (NBC News)

Politics

What Happens in Wisconsin Won't Stay in Wisconsin

What's going on: A judicial race in Wisconsin is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in US history — and one of the highest-stakes elections of the year. With liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley retiring, the state’s 4-3 liberal majority is on the line, and the outcome could reshape political power far beyond Wisconsin. On paper, it's a battle between Judges Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel on April 1. In reality, there are major national implications — and with that, big-money donors on both sides (think Elon Musk and George Soros) are pouring more than $30 million into the race. If Schimel wins, the seven-member court flips conservative until at least 2026; if Crawford wins, liberals hold the majority until 2028. One of the biggest issues at stake? Abortion. The justices are set to rule on whether Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban, which provides no exceptions for rape or incest, can still be enforced.

What it means: This isn’t just about one judge: As a swing state with a divided government, Wisconsin often turns to its Supreme Court to settle major battles over abortion rights, election laws, and redistricting — decisions that don’t just shape state policy but also influence national elections. A conservative win could mean stricter abortion laws and GOP-drawn maps, reshaping Wisconsin’s political landscape for years. A liberal win? Likely to maintain existing protections and uphold Democratic-backed rulings. Since flipping liberal in 2023, the court has delivered big wins for Democrats including tossing conservative-drawn maps and overturning a near-total ballot drop box ban. And in 2020, one conservative justice kept the court from backing Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results — proof of just how much power this court holds, and why this race matters far beyond Wisconsin.

Related: Trump’s Cash and Endorsements Are Shaping the 2026 Midterms (CNN)

Pets

The Dog Days Might Not Be Over

What’s going on: Grab the peanut butter — a longer life for your pup could be just a pill away. Loyal, a San Francisco start-up, has been working on an anti-aging pill that helps man’s best friend live longer, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just gave it a major boost. The agency said the daily pill shows a “reasonable expectation of effectiveness.” It helps improve a dog’s metabolic fitness — something that slows down with age. The pill is only meant for dogs 10 years or older and over 14 pounds — and aims to extend senior dogs’ lives by approximately one more year. The company is still researching its effectiveness (because what’s the point if it’s not beef-flavored?). One more hoop to jump through before it hits the market: The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (and Loyal expects it to get two paws up).

What it means: Loyal’s CEO projects the pill will get full FDA approval by the end of the year. If that happens, it could open the door for anti-aging treatments for humans. Just like dogs, human metabolic fitness declines with age. Since pups age faster than humans, they can make great test cases for longevity treatments. As for the price tag, Loyal hasn’t set one yet, but it’s hoping to keep it under $100 a month for pet parents. One expert says the pill, while promising, comes with risks, so she’d rather stick to the basics: a good diet and plenty of fetch.

Related: How Luna The Dog Survived A Harrowing Medical Saga After Eating 24 Socks (And A Onesie) (USA Today)