The Trump administration’s new tariffs target remote Antarctic outposts, including Heard and McDonald Islands, despite their inaccessibility and lack of human presence. These islands, along with other Australian territories and regions like Svalbard and the Falkland Islands, face tariffs up to 29%. Heard Island, uninhabited and home to unique wildlife, has no significant exports to the US. Australian PM Anthony Albanese criticized the tariffs, highlighting their global reach. The islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for their untouched ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Penelope Kingsley 04/04/2025 6:00 am
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured NATO allies of continued US commitment while urging increased defense spending. Despite President Trump’s mixed signals, Rubio emphasized US support for NATO. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed the need for European allies and Canada to boost defense budgets, aiming for over 3% of GDP. Recent tensions, including Trump’s controversial actions and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, have prompted Europe to increase defense spending. Penelope Kingsley 04/04/2025 6:00 am
South Korea’s Constitutional Court is set to rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, following his controversial martial law declaration. The decision requires support from six of eight justices and will either remove Yoon or restore his powers. If removed, a new election must occur within two months. The ruling has intensified national divisions, with thousands gathering in Seoul amid heavy police presence. Yoon also faces a separate criminal trial for alleged rebellion. Noah Prescott 04/04/2025 2:30 am
An Israeli air strike on a Gaza City school sheltering displaced families killed at least 27 Palestinians, including children and women, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Israeli military claimed it targeted a Hamas command center, not mentioning the school. The attack is part of an expanding Israeli ground offensive. Video showed injured children being rushed to hospitals. The IDF stated efforts were made to minimize civilian harm. Overnight strikes in Shejaiya killed at least 12 more, prompting evacuation orders for residents. Ava Sinclair 04/04/2025 2:30 am
Russia was notably absent from new U.S. tariffs, despite existing Western sanctions. A visit by Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev to the White House may offer insights. Dmitriev, under U.S. sanctions, is meeting with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. Their past negotiations led to the release of an American teacher, signaling potential diplomatic gestures. However, Trump’s frustration with Russia over Ukraine could lead to future tariffs and sanctions if no peace deal is reached. Ava Sinclair 04/04/2025 2:30 am
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured NATO of U.S. commitment but emphasized President Trump’s demand for Europe to increase its defense spending to 5% of GDP. Rubio highlighted Trump’s stance that NATO must enhance its capabilities, urging European nations to prepare for a potential U.S. military drawdown. European officials hope to keep the U.S. engaged while they boost their defense capabilities. The meeting reflects concerns over diverging priorities and the impact of U.S. policies on NATO’s future, especially regarding the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia. Penelope Kingsley 03/04/2025 11:00 pm
President Trump announced tariffs on several countries, including Europe, India, Japan, and China, with China facing a 54% tariff on exports to the U.S. However, heavily sanctioned countries like Russia, Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea were not targeted. Trump justified the tariffs as a response to economic challenges, claiming they would benefit American workers. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that Russia and Belarus were not included due to existing sanctions and minimal trade with the U.S. Noah Prescott 03/04/2025 11:00 pm
President Trump’s new senior advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, began his first official trip to the continent in the Great Lakes region, meeting with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa. They discussed a potential minerals-for-security deal, aiming to boost American investment in the DRC’s mining sector. Boulos emphasized fostering a deeper relationship between the U.S. and DRC and supporting peace efforts amid ongoing conflict with M23 rebels. Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman and Trump’s son-in-law, will also visit Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda to promote U.S. private sector investment. Noah Prescott 03/04/2025 11:00 pm
NATO chief Mark Rutte and the new U.S. ambassador reassured European allies of U.S. commitment to NATO despite President Trump’s critical remarks. As NATO foreign ministers met in Brussels, Europeans hoped Secretary of State Marco Rubio would clarify the U.S. stance amid tensions over Trump’s trade tariffs. Concerns have risen due to Trump’s approach to Russia and pressure on Kyiv. The U.S. has urged Europe to increase defense spending but has no immediate plans to withdraw its military presence, Rutte stated. Penelope Kingsley 03/04/2025 7:30 pm
Hungary announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit. Netanyahu, sought under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, was invited by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who dismissed the warrant’s impact. Hungary, a founding ICC member, will be the first EU nation to exit. The ICC prosecutes genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Hungary must notify the UN Secretary General to formalize its exit, effective one year later. Some European ICC members pledged to arrest Netanyahu, while others, like Germany, would not. Penelope Kingsley 03/04/2025 7:30 pm
