live U.S. and Iran agree to ceasefire deal, parties to meet in Switzerland on Friday
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to b...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Trump threatens new 50% tariffs on China
Donald Trump has threatened China with an extra 50% tariff on goods imported into the US if it does not withdraw its 34% counter-tariff, as global markets continue to fall.
Beijing retaliated on Sunday, following last week's decision by Trump to slap a 34% tax on Chinese imports as part of his "Liberation Day" that set a minimum 10% levy on nearly all of America's trading partners.
In a social media post on Monday, Trump gave China until Tuesday to scrap its countermeasure or face the 50% tax.
2. Global market meltdown swings to ‘madness’
The market chaos unleashed by Donald Trump’s trade war continued for a third day as stocks, bonds and commodities all swung wildly, buffeted by both fears of a recession and speculation the financial damage will drive the Republican president to change course. After the darkening global outlook hammered markets in Asia and Europe, extending a slide that erased roughly $10 trillion from equity markets worldwide, the S&P 500 opened sharply lower, only to briefly spike as rumors raced across trading floors that Trump was poised to delay his tariffs.
But prices sank again as those hopes faded—and by late morning Trump was making more threats as China ramps up its retaliatory tariffs.
3. China vows to fight 'till the end' after Trump's latest tariffs threat
China has responded strongly after US president Donald Trump threatened to hit Beijing with an extra 50% tariff if it doesn't withdraw its retaliatory levy on Tuesday
Beijing's commerce ministry said it would never accept the "blackmail nature of the US" and vowed to "fight till the end"
4. Acting mines minister and Turkmen ambassador visit TAPI pipeline site, stress accelerated progress.
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan officials visited the TAPI pipeline site in Herat, reaffirming commitment to the key regional energy project. The pipeline will deliver Turkmen gas to India via Afghanistan and Pakistan, with efforts now focused on accelerating construction.
The visit comes as work continues on one of the region’s most ambitious energy projects—the TAPI pipeline, which aims to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India. The pipeline is expected to deliver 33 billion cubic meters of gas each year, spanning a total of 1,814 kilometers.
5. Trump confirms direct U.S.-Iran talks on nuclear issue
President Donald Trump has announced that the United States and Iran have started direct talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme. The announcement came during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office.
Trump told reporters the talks had already begun and a “very big meeting” would take place on Saturday. He added, “Everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable.”
6. Trump and Netanyahu hold wide-ranging talks
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint press conference in Washington on Monday, covering topics from Gaza and hostages to tariffs and China.
Standing beside Netanyahu at the White House, Trump said he “would like to see the war stop” in Gaza and expressed hope for a resolution “not in the too-distant future.” He noted that efforts were underway to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, but added that the process remained “long and difficult.”
7. PACE Spring session opens with focus on Georgia’s democratic standing
PACE's Spring session opens in Strasbourg with Georgia’s delegation under scrutiny. A key decision on April 10 may determine whether Georgia retains full representation—or joins Azerbaijan with restricted rights in the Assembly.
PACE Spring session kicks off in Strasbourg, and the question of Georgian delegation’s credentials promises to be one of the key topics this week.
Now all sights are set on April 10, when the Parliamentary Assembly will review its relations with Georgia.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
Seven people have been arrested in Italy over suspected sabotage attacks on high-speed railway lines during the Winter Olympics earlier this year.
Pakistan's heavy reliance on imported energy was laid bare by the U.S.-Iran conflict, which disrupted regional supplies, drove up costs and exposed vulnerabilities in the country's energy security. However, a proposed peace agreement now offers hope for economic relief.
The UK has unveiled a major new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting the shadow fleet, military supply chains and financial networks that support the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.
Russian sailors aboard a naval frigate fired warning shots at a civilian yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday after the vessel reportedly came too close, according to a source familiar with the incident.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) have called for a strong and coordinated international response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, urging countries to commit more resources to contain the spread of the virus.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment