Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 4th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
South Korea's President Yoon ousted as court upholds impeachment after martial law
South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment on Friday over his declaration of martial law last year, ending months of political turmoil. The crisis had hindered Seoul’s engagement with the new Trump administration amid slowing economic growth.
A presidential election must now be held within 60 days, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as acting president in the meantime.
“The ruling removes a major source of uncertainty,” said Professor Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha University, noting the urgency as the next leader faces challenges from North Korea, China, and U.S. trade policies.
Deadly drone strike hits Kharkiv as Russian attacks intensify
A Russian drone strike hit residential buildings in Kharkiv late Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring 32, including two children, Ukrainian officials said. Fires broke out on rooftops in the Novobavarskyi district, and a third victim’s remains were later found, according to the mayor.
Nearby, one person was injured in a drone strike on the village of Ruski Tyshky. In Dnipro, three were wounded in a separate attack, while seven drones hit sites in Zaporizhzhia, injuring one.
The strikes are part of an escalating Russian campaign targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure as the war nears its third year.
Ukraine and NATO reaffirm commitment to long and lasting peace
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for increased pressure on Russia to push it toward a peace agreement during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday.
Rutte emphasized that any ceasefire or peace deal must be durable. “I commend the American efforts to break the deadlock — that’s important,” he said. “But we must ensure any agreement is lasting.”
He underscored the global stakes of the conflict, stating that the war is not just a regional dispute but a “global conflict,” with Russia backed by allies like China, North Korea, and Iran.
Rutte warned that the outcome will have far-reaching consequences, especially for global security and stability in regions such as the Indo-Pacific.
EU announces new strategic partnership with Central Asia at Samarkand summit
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, already in Samarkand, called the summit a launchpad for a “new Strategic Partnership,” stressing its importance in today’s global context.
Key priorities include an EU investment package focused on transport, natural resources, energy, and digital infrastructure. Green energy, mining, and mineral processing will also feature prominently. The EU will highlight its €300 billion Global Gateway project, which includes developing the Trans-Caspian Corridor to cut EU-Central Asia transport time to 15 days.
Security issues, including terrorism and migration, are also on the agenda.
Uzbek President Mirziyoyev noted EU-Central Asia trade has quadrupled in seven years, now reaching €54 billion. The EU accounts for over 40% of the region’s foreign investments
Pentagon watchdog to review Hegseth's use of Signal to convey Yemen strike plans
The Pentagon’s acting inspector general has launched a review into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss plans for a military strike on Houthi militants in Yemen.
The investigation will also examine the use of the app by other defense officials. Signal, while secure, is not authorized for classified communication and falls outside the Defense Department’s secure networks.
The issue surfaced after journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic was accidentally added to a Signal group chat by national security adviser Mike Waltz. The chat included high-ranking officials such as Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and others, who were discussing military operations planned for March 15 against Iran-backed Houthi forces.
Jean-Claude Van Damme accused of involvement with victims of human trafficking
The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) has reportedly filed a criminal complaint against Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme.
According to CNN affiliate Antena 3, the 64-year-old actor—known for films like Kickboxer, Double Impact, and Street Fighter—is accused of knowingly engaging with women who were victims of human trafficking.
Van Damme allegedly met with individuals already under investigation for trafficking-related crimes, who arranged private encounters with five Romanian models as a “gift.” One of those individuals is said to be Romanian businessman and modeling agency owner Morel Bolea.
The incident reportedly took place in Cannes, though no specific timeframe has been confirmed.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concer...
Britain and France have pledged stronger military support for Ukraine, including access to classified technology for Storm Shadow missile productio...
Online fast-fashion retailer Shein is seeking to raise up to $1.77 billion in a Hong Kong IPO after its valuation fell around 70 per cent from its ...
Iran on Saturday denounced U.S. plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic's economy and have an impact on its most important trading partners including China.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
A newly created pro-government political party has secured a commanding victory in Kazakhstan's snap parliamentary election, according to exit polls, strengthening President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's influence at a pivotal moment in the country's political transition.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected calls for a wartime election, arguing that holding a vote while Russia's full-scale invasion continues would divide the country and undermine national unity.
Britain and France have pledged stronger military support for Ukraine, including access to classified technology for Storm Shadow missile production and faster deliveries of air defence missiles.
The United States has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, ending a designation that had been in place for nearly five decades and marking a major step in Washington's efforts to rebuild relations with the country's new leadership.
The Trump administration has announced plans to revoke the temporary visitor visas of foreign nationals who entered the United States on tourist or business visas and later sought asylum, marking the latest expansion of Washington's immigration enforcement policies.
At least 47 people were killed when armed gangs launched a deadly overnight assault on the Haitian town of Kenscoff, underscoring the worsening security crisis that continues to grip areas surrounding the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump's administration to move forward with parts of an executive order aimed at tightening rules around mail-in voting, marking a significant legal victory for the White House ahead of November's midterm elections.
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