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.
The European Union will continue allowing large-scale plastic waste exports to Türkiye despite concerns over recycling rates, environmen...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the war against Iran was nearing its end and that Tehran wanted to reach a deal, but Iran di...
Pakistan and India have lodged protests against each other after their respective naval vessels collided in the North Arabian Sea....
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
An Afghan national linked to an Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the 2021 Kabul airport suicide bombing that happened during a chaotic scene as the Taliban retook the country.
Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port city of Odesa in the early hours of Thursday, officials said on the Telegram messaging app.
The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted an amendment condemning the mass migrant flows into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in late July, and demanded a thorough, independent investigation to clarify who is responsible for the incident.
Rivers around the world experienced one of their driest years in decades in 2025, according to the World Meteorological Organization, which warned that declining water reserves could threaten future supplies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door to Canada becoming the European Union's first “associate member” in a push to forge new links among allies in “an openly hostile world”.
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