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.

Trump to nominate T. Elliot Gaiser as assistant attorney general for legal counsel

President Donald Trump is set to nominate T. Elliot Gaiser as the Assistant Attorney General to lead the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), according to a report by The New York Times. Gaiser, an experienced legal professional, is expected to play a pivotal role in advising the President and the executive branch on legal matters, including constitutional interpretation and federal law. The OLC is responsible for providing legal opinions that guide the administration’s policy decisions and ensuring that executive actions comply with the law. Gaiser's nomination comes as the Trump administration continues to shape its legal priorities, with the position being a key one in maintaining the integrity of executive actions and policies.

Denmark prime minister to visit Greenland as Trump applies pressure

Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, is set to visit Greenland on Wednesday for discussions with the territory's incoming government, following U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated interest in acquiring control of the Arctic island.

Frederiksen's three-day trip comes less than a week after U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to Greenland, which was met with a cool reception from both Danish and Greenlandic officials.

Greenland’s newly elected Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who secured a coalition government in last month's general election, expressed his support for Frederiksen’s visit. He affirmed that Denmark remains "Greenland's closest partner."

Tensions between Greenland and Denmark have surfaced in recent years due to historical mistreatment of Greenlanders during colonial rule. However, President Trump’s interest in Greenland, amid growing international competition for influence in the Arctic, has prompted Denmark to prioritize strengthening its relationship with the island.

'JFK' director Oliver Stone calls for Kennedy assassination to be reinvestigated

At a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on April 1, 2025, film director Oliver Stone and author James DiEugenio called for a renewed investigation into the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. They urged lawmakers to reconsider the Warren Commission’s conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, citing evidence discrepancies and potential CIA involvement. Stone, known for his 1991 film JFK, reiterated his belief in a conspiracy, while DiEugenio criticized the secrecy surrounding government records. Their testimony came after President Donald Trump’s directive to release declassified documents, further fueling the debate over the true circumstances of Kennedy’s death. Despite official findings, public skepticism remains high, with many Americans still questioning the official narrative.

Israel expands military operation in Gaza, defence minister says

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday a significant escalation of military operations in Gaza, revealing plans to seize large portions of the enclave and integrate them into Israel's security zones. In a statement, Katz confirmed that a mass evacuation of civilians from combat zones would be carried out. He urged the people of Gaza to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of Israeli hostages, emphasizing that this was the only path to ending the ongoing conflict.

Russia's air defense shot down 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, TASS reports

Russia's air defense units intercepted and destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, according to reports from Russian news agencies TASS. The drones were reportedly targeted as part of ongoing military operations in the conflict between the two nations.

South Korea's acting president Han urges calm ahead of impeachment ruling

South Korea's Acting President Han Duck-soo urged the nation to calmly accept the Constitutional Court's decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, emphasizing respect for the rule of law. During a ministerial safety meeting on Wednesday, Han called on politicians to avoid statements that could incite violence, urging a focus on national unity over political division. With the court set to rule on Yoon’s impeachment on Friday, Han also directed police to enhance security for constitutional court justices and key infrastructure, stressing that any illegal actions or violence would not be tolerated.

Actor Val Kilmer, star of 'Batman Forever', dies at 65, NYT reports

Actor Val Kilmer, renowned for his iconic roles in Batman Forever and The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, according to The New York Times. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed that the cause of death was pneumonia. Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and had since recovered from the illness, she added.

Copied