AnewZ Morning Brief - 9th July, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 9th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.

1. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on imported copper

U.S. President Donald Trump broadened his global trade war on 8 July as he announced a 50% tariff on imported copper and said long-threatened levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals were coming soon.

One day after he pressured 14 trading partners, including powerhouse U.S. suppliers like South Korea and Japan, with sharply higher tariffs, Mr Trump reiterated his threat of 10% tariffs on products from Brazil, India and other members of the Brics group of countries.

He also said trade talks have been going well with the European Union and China, though added he is only days away from sending a tariff letter to the EU.

2. Trump criticises Putin after approving Ukraine weapons

President Donald Trump said on 8 July he had approved sending US defensive weapons to Ukraine and was considering additional sanctions on Moscow, underscoring his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the growing death toll in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

3. Death toll from Kenya’s latest anti-government protest surges to 31

Monday’s demonstrations, which were met with police roadblocks preventing access to downtown Nairobi, were planned to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba pro-democracy protests.

The death toll from Kenya’s anti-government protests on Monday has surged to 31 people, the state-funded human rights commission said on Tuesday.  

It marks the highest single-day toll since demonstrations began earlier this year. More than 50 people have reportedly been killed over the past two weeks. 

4. European Parliament approves Bulgaria's adoption of the euro

The vote came as thousands of Bulgarians have protested in recent weeks against joining the eurozone.

The European Parliament has overwhelmingly voted in favour of Bulgaria’s request to join the euro, paving the way for it to become the 21st member of the bloc to use the currency.

On Tuesday, 531 MPs voted in favour of a report confirming that the eastern European country meets all the necessary requirements to adopt the euro.

In total, there were 69 votes against the proposal and 79 abstentions.

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