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.thenews.com.pk/latest/1297051-rescuers-free-woman-from-myanmar-earthquake-debris-after-60-hoursUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for increased pressure on Russia, accusing it of intentionally delaying an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. He spoke with Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb after Stubb's visit with US President Donald Trump in Florida, where they discussed a potential ceasefire deadline of April 20th. However, Trump had previously accused Zelenskyy of trying to back out of a rare earth deal, which has marked a sharper tone towards Russia in recent weeks.
https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/president-trumps-first-100-days/trump-sets-psychological-deadline-for-putin-to-agree-to-ukraine-ceasefireSouth Korean Minister Ahn emphasized that protectionism is not a solution to global trade issues, urging cooperation with the World Trade Organization to maintain stability and predictability in commerce. US President Trump has promised tailored tariffs on April 2 to address unfair practices, but also hinted at flexibility. Following a meeting between ministers, Japan's Muto expressed hope for continued exchanges and cooperation despite historical disputes over forced labor during Japan's occupation of the Korean peninsula. The two countries face common challenges such as energy issues and securing critical minerals, with US tariffs on automobiles expected to significantly impact both nations, particularly South Korea, which relies heavily on exports to the US.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40355525/china-south-korea-and-japan-agree-to-strengthen-free-tradeIran has prepared launch-ready missiles in underground facilities to respond to potential airstrikes following US President Donald Trump's threat of bombing and secondary tariffs over its nuclear program. The missiles are designed to withstand airstrikes, according to a report by the Tehran Times.
https://www.news18.com/world/iran-readies-missiles-launch-ready-missiles-donald-trump-warning-to-iran-bombing-tariffs-9281155.htmlIran has threatened to retaliate with missiles against cities in the US after President Trump's "bombing" threat, rejecting talks and saying its behavior depends on America's actions. The Iranian statement comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries following a recent visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Tehran.
https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/trump-says-will-bomb-iran-unless-it-signs-nuclear-deal-tehran-rejects-talks-all-depends-on-us-behaviour-10-pts-11743378460174.htmlTokyo's Nikkei 225 index plummeted over four percent as investors braced for US tariffs, which will disproportionately affect Japan and South Korea due to their significant car exports to the US. Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda suffered losses of around three percent, while SoftBank tanked over five percent. Gold hit a record high of $3,106.79 amid recession fears. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned of retaliatory tariffs against the US, while Moody's Analytics predicted the tariffs could shave 0.2 to 0.5 percentage points from growth in Japan and South Korea.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/03/31/japans-nikkei-leads-big-losses-in-asian-markets-as-gold-hits-record/171468US President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky wanted to renegotiate security guarantees in exchange for better terms, contradicting previous US support for a NATO membership pathway. Trump has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin but appeared irritated by him during their encounter. The comments come as Ukraine faces intensified Russian bombardment and strained ceasefire negotiations, with recent drone strikes on military hospitals and residential areas in Kharkiv killing two and injuring dozens.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14553601/Trump-claims-Zelensky-wants-rare-minerals-deal-issues-stern-warning.htmlUS President Donald Trump announced that reciprocal tariffs will be imposed on all nations, not just a select group of countries with significant trade imbalances. This move is part of his "Liberation Day" plan, which aims to protect the domestic economy from unfair global competition and secure better terms for US exports. The administration has already imposed tariffs on aluminum, steel, autos, and goods from China, and will now target all countries that charge fees on US exports.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-all-countries-apr-5-5034136US President Donald Trump has launched a series of tariffs targeting countries with persistent trade gaps, promising "Liberation Day" on Wednesday. The tariffs, which include up to 25% on goods from China, Canada, Mexico, and others, aim to correct trade imbalances and practices deemed unfair. The US Trade Representative's office has identified around 15% of US trading partners as the "Dirty 15", including China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. Trump has also announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, with a 12:01am eastern time (0401 GMT) April 3 implementation date for imported autos. The move is expected to lead to retaliatory measures from trading partners, including counter-levies of 10% and 15% on US agriculture goods like soybeans.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/what-happens-on-donald-trumps-liberation-day-and-beyond-8051682