News from April 7, 2025 at 2 AM

The US began imposing a 10% baseline tariff on all imports on Saturday, with President Donald Trump urging Americans to 'hang tough' amid market turmoil. Hundreds of countries, including the UK and France, are impacted, with China announcing significant retaliatory measures. All three major US stock indexes plunged over 5% on Friday, marking the worst week for the US stock market since 2020. Thousands protested in Washington DC, New York, and other cities against Trump's policies. Trump described the market volatility as 'an economic revolution' that the US will win. His policy changes have disrupted global supply chains. The UK's FTSE 100 fell nearly 5%, and Asian, German, and French markets also declined. Elon Musk suggested a 'zero-tariff situation' between the US and Europe. The Trump administration plans to impose tariffs of up to 50% on 'worst offenders' for trade imbalances on April 9, with the EU facing a 20% levy. China, the hardest hit, retaliated with 34% tariffs on US imports and filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation.

On March 23, an Israeli military attack in the southern Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of 15 aid workers. A video released by the Palestinian Red Crescent shows clearly marked ambulances with flashing emergency lights being subjected to heavy gunfire. The Israeli military claimed it did not randomly attack ambulances, but the footage contradicts this assertion. The United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent have condemned the attack, stating that the victims included eight Red Crescent staff, six members of the Gaza civil defense agency, and one employee of a UN agency. The bodies were found in a mass grave near the city of Rafah.

On April 6, people took shelter in a metro station in Kyiv, Ukraine, during a Russian military strike. French President Emmanuel Macron called for 'strong action' if Russia continued to refuse peace, following a Russian ballistic missile attack on April 4 in Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown, Kryvyi Rig, which killed 20 people, including nine children. Despite Ukraine accepting former US President Donald Trump's proposal for a complete ceasefire and European efforts to secure peace, Russia intensified the war with no regard for civilians. Zelensky noted that Moscow increased aerial bombardment after a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, resulting in two deaths, and stated that pressure on Russia remains insufficient.

On March 26, 2025, Pope Francis made his first public appearance at the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, two weeks after being discharged from the hospital following a five-week treatment for double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff had been out of public view since March 23, when he gave a brief greeting before leaving Rome's Gemelli hospital. Entering St. Peter's Square in a wheelchair to greet the crowds, Francis marked his return to public life.

British Foreign Minister David Lammy stated late on Saturday that Israel has detained two British members of parliament and refused them entry. The detained parliamentarians, Labour MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, were suspected of planning to 'document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred.' Yang represents the Earley and Woodley constituency, while Mohamed is the MP for Sheffield Central. Both had flown to Israel from Luton on Saturday. Lammy clarified that he has communicated to the Israeli government that this treatment of British Parliamentarians is unacceptable and has been in contact with both MPs to offer support. He further added that the UK government's focus remains on securing a return to the ceasefire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages, and end the conflict in Gaza.

On April 5, the US military conducted an airstrike on targets in Sada city, northern Yemen, resulting in 2 deaths and 9 injuries. Masirah TV, controlled by the Houthi rebels, reported that the target was a solar power plant in the western part of Sada city. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the group launched a new round of attacks on the US aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman and its accompanying ships in the Red Sea within the past 24 hours, using cruise missiles and drones. The US has not yet responded. President Trump posted a drone video on social media, claiming that Houthi rebels were gathering to execute attack orders, but did not provide details. The Houthis denied being attacked, stating the activity in the video was a public Eid gathering common during Yemeni holidays. Since March 15, the US has launched large-scale airstrikes against the Houthis, who subsequently retaliated.

On April 6, Texas officials reported the death of a second child from measles, amid an outbreak that has resulted in nearly 500 cases in Texas and spread across 22 states. The school-aged, unvaccinated child with no underlying health conditions died on April 3 from measles pulmonary failure. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated on social media that vaccines are the best protection against measles. As of April 6, there are 642 confirmed measles cases nationwide, with 499 in Texas. Kennedy, who has previously downplayed the importance of vaccines, faced criticism from Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who urged universal vaccination. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported a total of 481 cases in the state since the outbreak began.

Turkey's main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel of the Republican People's Party (CHP) pledged further protests against the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan's chief rival. The protests began on March 19 when Imamoglu was detained on corruption charges, sparking Turkey's largest demonstrations in over a decade. Ozel, re-elected as party leader, announced weekly protests in different cities and Wednesday evening rallies in various Istanbul districts. The protests have drawn hundreds of thousands, including university students nationwide. Nearly 2,000 people have been detained, with around 300 jailed pending trial. The CHP has launched a signature campaign demanding Imamoglu's freedom and early elections, garnering over 7 million signatures.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered the country's armed forces to be on high alert in response to US President Donald Trump's threats against Tehran. Iran has notified Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain that any support for a US attack on Iran, including the use of their airspace or territory, would be considered an act of hostility with severe consequences. Iran has rejected direct nuclear negotiations with the US but wishes to continue indirect talks through Oman, a long-standing channel for communications between the rival states. Trump had previously sent a proposal for talks to Khamenei on March 7 and vowed on March 30 to impose additional duties on Iran within two weeks if negotiations fail, threatening unprecedented bombing if the deal is completely rejected. In response, Khamenei stated he does not believe in US military intervention but warned that any attempt by Washington to provoke unrest in Iran would be decisively repelled.

On April 6 local time, the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon was held in North Korea. This marks the resumption of the event after a six-year hiatus. According to North Korean media, participants included foreign athletes from various countries. Among them were runners from China and Romania. The restart of the marathon signifies North Korea's proactive stance in international sports exchanges. Specific details on the number of participants and race results have not yet been disclosed.