President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced in Paris on Thursday that Russian artillery fire struck energy facilities in the city of Kherson, disrupting the local power supply. This happened just two days after U.S. officials confirmed an agreement for a pause on strikes against energy installations between Kyiv and Moscow.

Zelenskiy noted that while there had been one quiet night without any energy-targeted attacks, the latest one saw Russian shells hit critical infrastructure in Kherson. He stated that gathered proof will soon be sent to U.S. authorities, and Ukrainian leadership now awaits a firm reaction from Washington to what they view as a breach of the ceasefire.

On Tuesday, U.S. representatives declared separate deals with both Kyiv and Moscow which temporarily suspend offensive actions in the Black Sea region and against one another’s energy systems. This report marks the first agreement of its kind since the previous U.S. administration assumed power in January, as was outlined during discussions with Ukraine’s international allies in Paris.

Kherson’s governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, explained that repair efforts are in progress to restore electricity to residents affected by the shelling. Local teams are working to bring back a steady power supply to those whose daily lives have been interrupted by the recent attack.

On Wednesday, Moscow claimed that Ukrainian forces used drones to strike energy facilities in Russia’s Kursk and Bryansk regions, as well as in occupied parts of Crimea. Ukrainian military officials dismissed these allegations as baseless attempts to extend the conflict.

Since beginning its large-scale military actions in February 2022 and now controlling nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory, Russia has maintained that an energy strike pause has been observed since March 18. Meanwhile, Kyiv asserts that Russian forces have struck eight of its energy facilities since that date.

In his closing remarks in Paris, President Zelenskiy argued that the former U.S. administration should have taken a tougher policy toward Moscow. He stressed that strong backing from Washington is needed to bolster Ukraine’s position in negotiations.

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Announcement of Staff Reductions

US Health and Human Services chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced plans to cut 10,000 full-time positions within his department. This measure affects divisions that manage responses to health crises, oversee the approval of medicines, and provide assistance with insurance matters. Kennedy’s decision is part of his broader strategy to reshape federal public health agencies.

Department Background and Scale

The department holds responsibilities including vaccine oversight, regulation of drug approvals, support for scientific research, and management of public health preparedness. It runs government-supported healthcare programs for millions such as seniors, people with disabilities, and lower-income individuals receiving benefits through Medicare, Medicaid, and health exchange plans. The agency operates with an estimated annual budget of $1.7 trillion. In addition to the new cuts, roughly 10,000 workers have already left through voluntary separation programs since the previous administration, contributing to a significant reduction.

Impact on Operations and Regional Offices

If fully implemented, the proposed plan will lower the workforce by approximately 25 percent, reducing the total to about 62,000 employees. The restructuring includes closing five out of ten regional offices. Officials have stated that core public health services will continue without interruption. Kennedy has expressed strong views on eliminating practices he regards as overly influenced by corporate interests and has indicated that staff opposing his vision for revised treatment protocols might face dismissal.

Changes in Public Health Policy

Kennedy, known for questioning prevailing vaccine policies, is initiating changes that may revise current immunization guidelines. He plans a review of the vaccination schedule for children and intends to substitute members on advisory committees responsible for medicine and vaccine approvals. These actions occur at a time when some communities are recording declines in childhood immunization rates, a trend that could impact public confidence in health recommendations. His plan, under the Make America Healthy Again initiative, aims to reduce the incidence of chronic health conditions in both children and adults. He has stressed the importance of promoting nutritious food in place of overreliance on pharmaceuticals.

Looking Ahead

The restructuring and policy adjustments mark a significant shift in federal health management. Observers watch the developments with interest, wondering how these changes will affect the department’s ability to tackle emerging medical issues. Future reports should provide more details on the strategy’s execution and its impact on service delivery. Officials remain committed to maintaining the quality of essential services despite the planned reductions. They are reviewing the restructuring measures to balance improved efficiency with robust public care. Several experts expect that further guidelines on staff transitions and changes to operational protocols will be released as the reform progresses. Stay tuned as more information becomes available on this ongoing reform.

Background

Since 1987, one organization has tracked investor opinions regarding stock market performance. Each week, participants choose from three responses: the market will rise, remain unchanged, or fall over the next six months. The polling period extends from Thursday through Wednesday, and the compiled results are released every Thursday morning. This longstanding practice offers valuable insight into the prevailing attitudes of individual investors.

Recent Survey Results

The most current survey, which concluded on March 20, has shown a marked increase in negative outlooks. For four successive weeks, over 50 percent of respondents have anticipated declining market conditions. Such a strong show of caution from the investor community is rare. In fact, since 2009 there have been only two occasions when more than half of participants voiced pessimism for four straight surveys.

Historical Context and Market Implications

Analysts have long observed that these weekly surveys often serve as a signal that market conditions may improve after a period of widespread concern. Historical records suggest that when negative sentiment reaches or exceeds the halfway mark, the S&P 500 has, on average, grown by roughly 25 percent over the following year. Although past performance never guarantees future outcomes, the pattern seen over many years suggests that a dominant negative outlook might have a corrective effect on the market.

Since January 2009, the survey has accumulated responses from 846 separate weeks. The March 20, 2025, poll recorded a bearish sentiment of 58.1 percent, indicating that a strong majority of investors expect declines in the near term. Out of those 846 polls, sentiment above the 50 percent threshold has appeared on only 39 occasions—accounting for fewer than 5 percent of all the surveys conducted. Some of these high readings were recorded during the downturn following the recession in 2009, several emerged during the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, and nearly half occurred when prices were rising sharply in 2022.

Historical data shows that after such periods of caution the S&P 500, a widely followed gauge of U.S. equities, has historically registered notable gains over the subsequent 12 months. For example, with the index closing at 5,663 on March 20, 2025, analysts project that if similar conditions persist the figure could climb toward 7,079 within the next year—a potential increase of roughly 23 percent from levels recorded around 5,750.

Policy Developments and Future Outlook

Investor sentiment has also been affected by recent trade measures. Tariffs imposed on imported goods from several nations have contributed to the current mood of apprehension. Additional trade actions are anticipated, as officials plan to apply reciprocal tariffs on foreign imports beginning April 2. This shift in policy is expected to add further pressure on market expectations, offering an additional perspective for those monitoring the financial scene.

Together, these survey results and policy changes create a compelling picture for observers, suggesting that current caution may represent a setup for later market gains.