Zelenskyy visits Poland after EU summit in Brussels
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Poland on Thursday following a summit of the European Council in Brussels....
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 9th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. 7th ADA University Policy Forum kicks off in Baku
Today, Baku hosts the 7th ADA University Policy Forum titled "Facing the New World Order", jointly organized by ADA University and the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center). The high-level forum brings together over 80 international experts and think tank representatives from 44 countries to discuss pressing global challenges and the evolving geopolitical landscape.
2. Asian markets tumble as new US tariffs take effect
Asian stock markets fell sharply on Wednesday following the implementation of a new set of U.S. tariffs, including a staggering 104% levy on Chinese imports. The tariffs, which came into effect just after midnight Eastern Time, have further deepened uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies.
Investors around the globe have reacted strongly, with market volatility reflecting fears that these measures could spark a prolonged trade war and potentially trigger a global economic slowdown. In the United States, the S&P 500 shed 1.6% on Tuesday, erasing an earlier 4.1% gain and settling nearly 19% below its February record high. Similarly, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 0.8%, while the Nasdaq composite fell by 2.1%, raising concerns about the U.S. entering bear market territory if the downward trend continues.
3. US to 'take back' Panama Canal from Chinese influence, visiting Pentagon chief says
The United States will "take back" the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday during a visit to the Central American nation.
After talks with Panama's government, Hegseth vowed to deepen security cooperation with Panamanian security forces and said China would not be allowed to "weaponize" the canal by using Chinese firms' commercial relationships for espionage.
"Together, we will take back the Panama Canal from China's influence," Hegseth said, speaking at a pier renovated with U.S. assistance in Panama City.
4. Mexico reports first human death from H5N1 bird flu
Mexico has reported its first human death from H5N1 avian influenza, a three-year-old girl from the northern state of Coahuila, according to the state's health minister.
Coahuila Health Minister Eliud Aguirre confirmed that the child passed away early Tuesday morning due to multiple organ failure caused by the infection. "We are monitoring all individuals who had close contact with the patient and conducting tests to determine if they are infected. So far, no one has tested positive," Aguirre added.
5. U.S.-Russia delegations to meet in Istanbul to discuss embassy operations
American and Russian diplomats will meet again in Istanbul on April 10 to focus exclusively on stabilising embassy operations between the two countries, the U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday.
Spokesperson Tammy Bruce made clear that the talks will not address political or security matters, stressing that “Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda.”
“These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations,” Bruce told reporters. “They are not about normalising the broader relationship, which remains tied to peace in Ukraine.”
The discussions will take place at the Russian consulate in Istanbul, according to diplomatic sources.
6.Uzbek President Mirziyoyev advances ties with Arab states during 150th IPU Assembly
During the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held productive discussions with the heads of parliaments from several Arab nations.
The high-level meeting saw the participation of leaders, including the Chairman of the Arab Parliament and the speakers of the parliaments of Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Ukraine has welcomed the European Union’s decision to provide €90 billion in support over the next two years, calling it a vital lifeline even as the bloc failed to reach agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance the aid.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that attempts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine are being undermined by Russia’s continued refusal to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held a phone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil at the latter’s request.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed that Russian-made Oreshnik missile systems have been deployed on Belarusian territory and placed on combat alert.
The European Union has postponed signing its long-awaited free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc until January, after failing to secure sufficient backing from member states, according to media reports.
The release of a new collection of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice has reopened long-running questions about how the Jeffrey Epstein case has been handled, what has been made public, and what remains undisclosed.
The United States is not concerned about a potential escalation with Russia over Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, as President Donald Trump increases US military deployments in the Caribbean.
The U.S. military carried out large-scale strikes on dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria on Friday in response to an attack last week that killed American personnel, U.S. officials said.
US intelligence assessments indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to seek full control of Ukraine and to expand Russia’s influence in parts of Europe formerly under Soviet rule, contradicting repeated claims that Moscow poses no threat to the continent.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
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