AnewZ Morning Brief - April 2nd, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 2nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Trump launches trade war with tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
Mexico and Canada, the top two U.S. trading partners, immediately vowed retaliatory tariffs, while China said it would challenge Trump's move at the World Trade Organization and take other "countermeasures."
2. Greek island Santorini on earthquake alert after more than 200 tremors
More than 200 tremors near the island of Santorini have prompted Greek authorities to close schools and tell residents to avoid some ports and drain swimming pools.
Earthquake experts say the increase in seismic activity around the Aegean tourist island - known for its whitewashed buildings and black-sand beaches - is not related to volcanic activity.
3. Canada announces retaliatory tariffs on long-time ally
As relations between the long-time allies who share the world's longest land border reach a new low, Trudeau told a news conference he was slapping tariffs on C$155 billion ($107 billion) of U.S. goods. Those on C$30 billion will take effect on Tuesday, the same day as Trump's tariffs, and duties on the remaining C$125 billion in 21 days, he said.
4. Trump to cut off funding for South Africa
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday, without citing evidence, that "certain classes of people" in South Africa were being treated "very badly" and that he would cut off funding for the country until the matter is investigated.
"South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY," Trump said in a Truth Social post.
5. North Korea criticises Rubio, says it will respond strongly to US provocations
North Korea on Monday criticised U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for calling it a "rogue state" in a media interview, saying his comments do not help U.S. interests, state media KCNA said.
North Korea's foreign ministry said the country will respond strongly to hostile U.S. provocations, KCNA reported.
6. United Airlines flight evacuated after engine sparks fire on wing during takeoff at Houston airport
Passengers were evacuated via slides and stairs from a jetliner at Houston’s main airport on Sunday after an engine problem during takeoff caused smoke and fire on the right wing.
United Airlines flight 1382 to New York City was halted while still on the runway shortly after 8:30 a.m. at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
7. OpenAI announces new 'deep research' tool for ChatGPT
US tech giant OpenAI on Feb 3 unveiled a ChatGPT tool called “deep research” ahead of high-level meetings in Tokyo, as China’s DeepSeek chatbot heats up competition in the AI field.
8. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited to visit Azerbaijan
Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, received Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran said on X.
9. More USAID staff ousted after Trump administration dismantles aid agency
The Trump administration removed two top security officials at USAID during the weekend after they tried to stop representatives from billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from gaining access to restricted parts of the building, three sources said on Sunday.
The action added to the dozens of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff being removed from their positions, as President Donald Trump's team moves to abolish the agency's independence and possibly bring it under the control of the State Department.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity as Beijing concluded two days of war games around the island, intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Hunter Biden has voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Washington, D.C., following criminal convictions that raised questions about his professional eligibility.
Within hours of Trump’s “Liberation Day” speech, a chorus of global voices began responding — some cautiously, others furiously. While the U.S. president promised to rebalance what he called “decades of economic exploitation,” world capitals began drawing their own red lines.
Standing in the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump declared what he called “Liberation Day”, announcing a raft of tariffs on U.S. trading partners — the most expansive use of trade powers in modern American history.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, declaring that the Arctic island “belongs to the Greenlanders.”
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