AnewZ Morning Brief - February 3rd, 2025

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.

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