Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for March 4th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. US introduces tariffs on goods from Canada, China, Mexico worth $1.5 trillion
The US administration is implementing a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, alongside an increase in tariffs on Chinese imports, amounting to about $1.5 trillion annually, according to TASS.
Bloomberg reports that Canadian energy products will face a 10% tariff. The US government justifies these measures as a response to the unacceptable flow of drugs and illegal migrants into the country.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump confirmed the introduction of new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods. He also signed an executive order raising tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%, citing China’s failure to curb fentanyl supplies to the US.
2. White House confirms suspending military aid to Kyiv
A White House official has confirmed the suspension of military aid to Ukraine, according to Reuters. The official stated that the US is pausing and reviewing aid to ensure it is effectively contributing to a resolution.
Bloomberg and Fox News reported that the pause will continue until US President Donald Trump determines that Ukraine has shown a "good-faith commitment to peace."
"The President has been clear that his focus is on peace," the official said, adding, "We need our partners to share that commitment."
3. White House seeks plan for possible Russia sanctions relief
The United States is preparing a plan to potentially ease sanctions on Russia as President Donald Trump seeks to restore relations with Moscow and end the war in Ukraine, according to a US official and another source familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters.
The White House has instructed the State and Treasury departments to create a list of sanctions that could be lifted for discussions with Russian representatives in the coming days. These talks are part of broader efforts to improve diplomatic and economic relations with Moscow, the sources noted.
Officials are drafting a proposal to remove sanctions from select entities and individuals, including some Russian oligarchs. While options papers on sanctions are typically prepared, the White House's recent request emphasizes Trump's willingness to ease Russian sanctions as part of a potential deal with Moscow.
It remains unclear what specific concessions Washington might seek in exchange for any sanctions relief. Given Russia's status as one of the world's largest oil producers, easing US sanctions on its energy sector could help stabilize fuel prices, particularly if Trump moves to curb oil exports from OPEC member Iran.
4. Erdogan: Türkiye working on signing peace treaty between Azerbaijan, Armenia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized Türkiye's ongoing efforts to maintain stability in the South Caucasus during an iftar (Ramadan evening meal) with ambassadors, Report informs.
He highlighted that Türkiye is actively pursuing the normalization of relations with Armenia and working towards a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
5. Pope Francis suffered two episodes of respiratory insufficiency, Vatican says
Pope Francis, diagnosed with double pneumonia, experienced two episodes of "acute respiratory insufficiency" and required non-invasive mechanical ventilation, according to the Holy See’s press service, as reported by TASS.
The statement explained that the pontiff's respiratory issues were caused by a significant buildup of endobronchial mucus and subsequent bronchospasm. Two bronchoscopies were performed to remove large secretions, and non-invasive mechanical ventilation was resumed in the afternoon. Despite these challenges, the Pope remained alert, oriented, and cooperative. His prognosis remains guarded.
Earlier reports from Vatican sources noted that Pope Francis has been eating normally and even enjoys coffee for breakfast. The 88-year-old pontiff has been under treatment at Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14 for double pneumonia.
6. Israeli warplanes attack facilities near Syria’s Tartus seaport
Israeli warplanes launched missile strikes on facilities near the western Syrian seaport of Tartus, Al Hadath television reported, citing TASS.
The warplanes, which entered Syrian airspace from Lebanon, have been flying at low altitudes over the area.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed an attack on an ammunition depot in Al Qardahah, located in Syria's northwest Latakia province. The IDF press service stated that the strike targeted a military site where weapons previously belonging to the Syrian regime were stored.
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The Middle East conflict remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue alongside renewed Houthi attacks. Iran says it remains open to mediation, while the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the kingdom.
Evacuations and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky have begun, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. In a statement on Telegram, David Arakhamia said a six-day ceasefire was holding, and that more details would follow.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday as part of efforts to reach a deal between the U.S. and Iran, according to an official briefed on the talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia remains willing to rebuild relations with European countries but warned that any wider conflict on the continent would leave no winners, as he commented on recent diplomatic contacts with Nordic leaders and growing security concerns in the Baltic region.
Hackers have pulled off a staggering $6.3 billion cryptocurrency heist targeting Binance, shaking confidence in one of the world's biggest digital asset exchanges and sending crypto prices tumbling. U.S. analysts suspect North Korea was behind the attack.
A tenth-grade student was critically injured after a man attacked her with a chainsaw inside a classroom in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district. The girl suffered severe injuries to her head, neck and back, while a classmate who tried to protect her was also hurt.
Deep divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine overshadowed a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on Friday, as European officials criticised Moscow's participation and refused to join a traditional group photograph with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global body responsible for monitoring money laundering and terrorist financing risks, has removed four countries from its so-called “grey list” after determining they had made sufficient progress in addressing weaknesses in their financial cr
The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 5,000, according to government figures released on Friday, as health authorities continue to struggle to contain the country's worst-ever Ebola epidemic.
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