The US is deploying an emergency response team from USAID to Myanmar amid a devastating earthquake that has exacerbated the country's ongoing chaos. The quake has damaged critical infrastructure, including bridges, highways, airports, and railways, hindering humanitarian efforts in a nation already reeling from a civil war sparked by the 2021 military coup led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/03/31/woman-pulled-alive-from-quake-rubble-after-60-hours-in-myanmarUkrainian President Zelenskyy expressed frustration over the lack of progress in resolving the conflict, stating that few answers have been provided. He urged the United States to respond to Russia's alleged violation of a commitment not to strike Ukrainian energy targets. French President Macron reaffirmed support for Ukraine and announced a new military aid package worth 2 billion euros. European leaders agreed not to ease sanctions on Russia and vowed to take additional measures against its "shadow fleet" of tankers used to smuggle crude oil. US talks with Kyiv and Moscow in Saudi Arabia resulted in a cease-fire agreement, but Russia is demanding conditions be met before adhering to the deal, including easing sanctions.
https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-dodik-russia-moscow-putin-constitution-arrest-warrant/33365820.htmlUNICEF reports that at least 322 children have been killed and 609 wounded in Gaza over the past 10 days, with many displaced and sheltering in makeshift tents or damaged homes. The agency's Executive Director Catherine Russell has called for an end to hostilities and for Israel to lift its ban on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, citing a dire need for food, safe water, shelter, and medical care to prevent further child deaths.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/over-300-children-reportedly-killed-in-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-in-10-days-un-8057270Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to budge on key US grievances, including tariffs and trade issues, ahead of former President Donald Trump's "liberation day" speech. Meanwhile, Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has attacked the PM over his handling of a Chinese ship in Australian waters.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/buy-local-team-australia-donald-trump-albanese-tariffs-trade-war/105105198Bangladesh has invited China to participate in the Teesta project, amid tensions with India. Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus claimed his country is the guardian of the Bay of Bengal and invited China to use it as a trade route. During a visit to China last week, Yunus met Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he stated that seven Indian states in the east are landlocked and rely on Bangladesh for access to the ocean.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bangladesh-inviting-china-dangerous-for-northeast-region-says-congress/article69397966.eceThe Chinese government's handling of Yuyu's espionage case has been widely criticized as an embarrassment to the country's justice system. Yuyu was wrongly convicted of spying for the US and Japan without meaningful evidence, with the prosecution relying on arbitrary determinations made by China's Ministry of State Security. The court refused to provide a copy of the judgment to Yuyu's family, and false biographical details about him flooded China's internet. The Chinese government has been accused of violating its own laws and regulations in allowing foreign diplomats who are considered spies to continue working in China without being expelled. The case has damaged Sino-Japanese relations and deterred people-to-people diplomacy, with the Japanese ambassador formally disputing the determination made by China's Ministry of State Security.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/press-freedom-center-at-national-press-club-releases-dong-family-statement-on-appeal-of-conviction-of-journalist-dong-yuyu-302416267.htmlChina has expressed strong opposition to the US-Japan agreement aimed at bolstering deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region. The move is seen as a threat by Beijing, which views the accord as an attempt to contain its growing influence in the area. China's reaction comes after the two countries signed a security treaty on March 29, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250401/p2g/00m/0in/004000cChina, Japan, and South Korea agreed to jointly respond to US tariffs after their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday. The three countries aim to strengthen supply chain cooperation and engage in more dialogue on export controls. They also plan to promote a South Korea-Japan-China free trade agreement deal to boost regional and global trade.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/04/01/china-japan-south-korea-unite-to-counter-trumps-liberation-day-tariffs/171525US President Trump has stated he won't negotiate with other countries on tariffs until after they're imposed, but his proposed 25% tax on auto imports is permanent. In response, the European Union plans to impose $28 billion in tariffs on US goods, including steel and aluminum products, American beef, poultry, bourbon, motorcycles, peanut butter, and jeans, initially planned for two phases starting Tuesday and April 13, now delayed until mid-April.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-liberation-day-april-2-86639b7b6358af65e2cbad31f8c8ae2b