The death toll from a devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand continues to rise as rescue efforts progress. Also, President Donald Trump expresses his frustrations with both Russia and Ukraine regarding what he views as obstacles to achieving a peace deal that could end the war and the potential outcomes from this point onward. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, March 31, 2025.
Search for earthquake survivors continues in Myanmar; Death toll tops 1,700
Search and rescue efforts continue in Myanmar and Thailand as the death toll climbs in the wake of Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
In Myanmar, officials confirmed the March 28 earthquake killed more than 1,700 people. A government spokesperson reported at least 300 people remain unaccounted for. They confirmed another 3,000 injured.
On Monday morning, March 31, rescuers pulled a woman from the ruins of a hotel in Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, after she was trapped under rubble for more than 65 hours. Mandalay lies close to the epicenter of the quake.
The absence of heavy machinery has hindered search and rescue operations, compelling many rescuers to painstakingly search for survivors by hand in the unyielding heat. Daily temperatures exceeded 100 degrees.
The U.S. Geological Survey predicted that Myanmar’s death toll could exceed 10,000.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts continue in Bangkok, Thailand, as officials believe that more than 70 people remain trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed skyscraper that was under construction.
Thailand’s prime minister was scheduled to visit the site, but that visit was postponed after crews detected potential signs of life.
Bangkok’s deputy governor told reporters that she was unsure of the signs of possible life. She cautioned that there was no certainty the signal detected by crews indicated a survivor.
Thailand officials confirmed at least 18 people have died.
Trump criticizes both Putin and Zelenskyy as push for ceasefire continues
As President Donald Trump presses forward to fulfill his campaign promise of ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, he has expressed frustration with the leaders of both countries.
On Sunday, March 30, Trump told reporters that negotiators are “making a lot of progress.” Still, he said there’s “tremendous hatred” between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, making it tough to reach an agreement.
NBC News reported that the criticism began with an early morning phone interview between Trump and “Meet the Press” anchor Kristen Welker, in which Trump reportedly said he was “pissed off” at Putin for recent comments the Russian president made about Zelenskyy’s credibility.
Last week, Putin said Zelenskyy lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal and suggested that Ukraine needs a transitional government that might not include Zelenskyy.
But it wasn’t just Putin that Trump had harsh words for; he also accused Zelenskyy of trying to back out of a deal with the U.S.
“I see he’s trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that, he’s got some problems. Big, big problems,” Trump said. “We made a deal on rare earth, and now he’s saying, ‘Well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal.’NATO He wants to be a member of NATO. Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that. So if he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems.”
Zelenskyy has urged the U.S. and its partners to increase pressure on Russia, stating, “Putin couldn’t care less about diplomacy.”
The Ukrainian president said Russia has intensified its strikes against his country despite the American proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, which Russia has effectively rejected.
Israel orders evacuations of most of Rafah in southern Gaza
The Israeli military issued sweeping evacuation orders Monday morning, March 31, for most of the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, suggesting that a major ground operation could soon be launched there.
The move comes after Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza and renewed its air and ground war earlier this month. Israel vowed to intensify its military operations until Hamas released the remaining 59 hostages it holds. At least 24 of them are believed alive.
Israel is now also demanding that Hamas disarm and exit the Gaza Strip entirely.
On Sunday, March 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would take charge of security in Gaza after the war and implement Trump’s proposal to resettle Gaza’s Palestinian population in other countries.
US continues airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen
Meanwhile, the U.S. has continued its bombardment of Houthi targets in Yemen.
The Iran-backed militant group, an ally of Hamas, has regularly fired missiles at Israel since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023. The Houthis have also attacked American and Israeli ships in the Red Sea.
Houthi officials said at least one person was killed overnight, but the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
It follows a particularly intense round of U.S. airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen on Friday, March 28.
The Trump administration said it’s placing the blame for any attacks by Houthi rebels on Iran, although Iran denies any involvement.
Meanwhile, Iran’s president said Sunday, March 30, that his country has officially informed the U.S. of its rejection of direct negotiations regarding its rapidly advancing nuclear program but has left the door open for indirect negotiations.
Hegseth announces US command upgrades in Japan to help deter China
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a plan to upgrade the U.S. military command in Japan.
Hegseth said Japan is an “indispensable partner” to the U.S. in combating Chinese aggression.
Japan’s defense minister said the U.S. and Japan have agreed to expedite plans for the joint development and production of missiles to alleviate a munitions shortage.
They’ve also agreed to accelerate the process of maintaining U.S. warships and warplanes in Japan to strengthen and enhance Japanese and U.S. defense industries.
Court allows Musk to give away $1 million checks ahead of Wisconsin election
Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, was in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sunday, March 30, campaigning for a conservative in a key race for the state’s highest court.
Musk issued two $ 1 million checks to voters.
Easiest money you ever made!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 31, 2025
You don’t even need to be from Wisconsin, you just need to get people in the state to hold a picture of @TeamSchimel (can be on a phone/device or paper) in one hand and go thumbs up with the other hand.
Every time you do that you get $20 and they… https://t.co/2JqpcFmtpJ
Democrats tried to prevent the payout, claiming Wisconsin law prohibits offering anything of value to induce anyone to vote. Musk’s attorneys argued that the giveaways constitute free speech.
Two lower courts rejected the Democrats’ legal challenge.
In the race itself, Conservative Brad Schimel competes against liberal Susan Crawford for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Currently, liberals maintain a 4-3 majority.
Musk and other Schimel supporters have spent more than $20 million trying to change the court’s ideological makeup in a key battleground state.
It is largely viewed as race that might determine the makeup of the U.S. House of Representatives, with the high court possibly deciding the key issue of redistricting congressional districts in Wisconsin.
“If the Supreme Court is able to redraw the districts, they will gerrymander the district and deprive Wisconsin of two seats on the Republican side,” Musk said. “They will try to stop all government reforms we are getting down for you, the American people.”
Crawford’s allies have campaigned against Musk’s influence in the race. The election takes place on Tuesday, April 1.
March Madness men’s Final Four set
For only the second time since the seeding began in 1979, the top four seeds in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament have made it to the Final Four.
On Sunday, Auburn sealed the deal by defeating Michigan State, 70- 64; the Tigers will face the Florida Gators. The Gators came from behind Saturday to beat Texas Tech, 84- 79. That sets up one semifinal.
#MFINALFOUR IS SET 🙌
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2025
ALL FOUR 1-SEEDS MAKE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2008 ‼️#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Ijq2FAencV
On the other side of the bracket, number one Duke had a convincing win in prime time Saturday night, as the Blue Devils knocked off Alabama 85 to 65. Duke has three top-notch freshmen in its lineup, including Cooper Flagg, who many consider to be the best player in college basketball.
Duke will play Houston and its stifling defense. The Cougars held Tennessee to just 15 first-half points yesterday and routed the Vols 69-to-50.
The Final Four will take place Saturday, April 5, in San Antonio, Texas.