Trump declares a trade war on the world with universal tariffs of 10% and higher rates on his main trading partnersTrump has shown a chart with the tariffs of major trading partners: the European Union (20%); China (34%); Japan (24%); Vietnam (46%); Taiwan (32%); India (26%); South Korea (25%); Thailand (36%); Switzerland (31%); Indonesia (32%); Brazil and the United Kingdom (10%).
https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2025-04-02/trump-declares-a-trade-war-on-the-world-with-universal-tariffs-of-10-and-higher-rates-on-his-main-trading-partners.htmlhttps://archive.ph/Bw6ZnGermany launches permanent troop deployment on NATO’s eastern flank According to the German military’s lobbying group, the newly created 45th Armored Brigade was formally activated during a ceremony outside Vilnius. A temporary headquarters was established, with the brigade's crest unveiled and the unit now officially under the command of Brigadier General Christoph Huber.
https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-launch-permanent-troop-deployment-lithuania-nato-eastern-flank-russia-ukraine/https://archive.ph/Bzn3pGermany denies Israeli claim it received hundreds of Palestinians from GazaIsrael's interior ministry said that hundreds more people from Gaza had flown to third countries "since the beginning of the process", mainly to Germany, Romania and the United Arab Emirates. The referenced flights to Romania and the UAE, however, appear to be medical evacuations.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/germany-denies-israeli-claim-palestinians-gazaIsrael strikes military bases, infrastructure in SyriaThe attack almost completely destroyed the Hama military airport and led to dozens of injuries among civilians and military personnel, the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-airstrike-targets-barzeh-neighborhood-syrias-damascus-state-news-agency-2025-04-02/Gulf states refuse to be launching pad for any US attacks against IranIn response to the Gulf states' ban, the US has amassed B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, the official said. This is not the first time American war planners leaned on Diego Garcia’s strategic position as an alternative to Gulf air bases. During the late 1990s, when the US was bombing Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Saudi Arabia imposed a freeze, the US used the Chagos Islands base as a launchpad.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gulf-states-refuse-launching-pad-for-us-attacks-iranParaguay recalls ambassador to Brazil and suspends dam talks over espionage revelationsBrazilian news site UOL reported that the country’s intelligence agents had infiltrated Paraguayan computer systems to obtain intel on sensitive tariff negotiations related to the Itaipu dam on their shared border.
https://apnews.com/article/paraguay-brazil-lula-bolsonaro-dam-cyber-espionage-24bd56c84442acfc08c5b6985df344f2Panama in Turmoil: Nationwide Protests Erupt Against President Mulino’s PoliciesThe protest, taking place in an environment of growing social tension, was called by various unions that have initiated a 48-hour strike in opposition to controversial Law 462, related to the Social Security Fund (CSS). The mobilization not only focuses on the mentioned law but also rejects the reopening of a Canadian-owned mine, whose operations were suspended by courts in 2023, as well as the construction of a reservoir in the Indio River area.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/panama-in-turmoil-nationwide-protests-erupt-against-president-mulinos-policies/South Korea ‘at breaking point’ ahead of ruling on President Yoon’s impeachmentMore than 14,000 police officers – more than a tenth of the country’s entire force – will be mobilised in Seoul when the verdict is delivered on Friday. A 100-metre radius “vacuum state” has been imposed outside the court building to prevent demonstrations. More police buses arrived ahead of the verdict, bringing traffic to a near-standstill.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/03/south-korea-president-yoon-impeachment-rulingIndia's parliament debate on Muslim land reformsThe Bill seeks to add non-Muslims to boards that manage Islamic charities — known as waqf — and expand the government’s role in validating their land holdings.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/indias-parliament-debate-muslim-land-reformsChina urges Myanmar to protect rescuers after military fires shots at aid convoyThe junta said on Wednesday that it fired shots 100 metres (328 feet) from the convoy on Tuesday night, and the convoy retreated to Nawnghkio, a town seized by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group operating in the region, according to local news agency Myanmar Now.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3304947/china-urges-myanmar-protect-rescuers-after-military-fires-shots-aid-convoy?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionhttps://archive.ph/LzdnH