European defence ministers from the so-called 'coalition of the willing' have been meeting in Brussels to discuss boosting military support for Ukraine. It includes the possible deployment of peacekeepers if a ceasefire is agreed. The talks are part of a renewed push by Europe to arm Ukraine against Russia's invasion after the US made military support a condition of Kyiv's participation in peace talks. Meanwhile, the EU's latest effort to rally funding for Ukraine has only exposed disunity in the bloc. So, does Europe have the means and the will to keep Ukraine in the fight as Washington looks for a way out?
In a dramatic change of policy, Donald Trump has paused his so-called "reciprocal" levies on most nations for 90 days. This, after his tariff policy sent markets globally into a freefall and left business leaders and even pro-Trump Republicans warning of a recession. While the White House will be looking to cut deals with other nations on the levies, Trump has ramped up his trade dispute with China. His decision to reverse course may have brought relief to markets. But, with Trump's series of reversals since taking office in January, critics say uncertainty remains hanging over the United States economy.
Ecuador heads to the polls gripped by spiraling violence and political uncertainty. Once one of South America’s safest nations, it now has the highest homicide rate in the region. The presidential run-off pits Daniel Noboa, the incumbent who’s militarised the streets, against Luisa Gonzalez, a left-winger promising social reform. Both offer starkly different futures. Which will voters choose?
Members of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been subjecting women and girls to “horrific” sexual violence and gang rape, as part of their strategy in the country’s civil war, according to Amnesty International, a global rights group. In a 30-page report published on Thursday, Amnesty accused the RSF of inflicting “widespread sexual violence … to humiliate, assert control and displace communities across the country”. Freddie Carver of ODI Global says such violence reflects deep-rooted power dynamics in Sudan’s civil conflict. He notes sexual violence is used to dominate communities, with women often targeted due to their central social role. Both RSF and Sudanese armed forces are implicated in these atrocities. Carver stresses a victim-led response and addressing the root causes of the conflict. He urges international efforts to prioritise civilian protection and peacebuilding. An upcoming UK conference marks two years since the war began. Empowering women and communities is key to Sudan’s long-term recovery.
Globalisation has become the driver of international trade, giving both rich and poorer countries a stake in world business. Then came US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Could they torpedo globalisation? And what would that mean?
Yemen's Houthis have released footage they say shows the wreckage of a downed US drone. The armed group says it was intercepted using a domestically manufactured surface-to-air missile. Media are reporting the drone was shot down over Al Jawf province in the northeast. The US has been carrying out air strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in response to the Houthis targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea. The group says the attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump has backed down on his so-called reciprocal tariffs, announcing a 90-day pause on the increased taxes worldwide. Trump says his government will still impose a universal 10 percent levy, but China is the only exception. Tariffs on Chinese goods have been increased to 125 percent, after Beijing retaliated with its own taxes on US products. Stock markets across Asia have roared back to life after Trump's pause on tariffs. Japan's Nikkei jumped more than eight percent shortly after opening in Tokyo on Thursday. South Korea's market was also sharply up, along with Hong Kong.
United States President Donald Trump has announced he will raise tariffs against China to 125 percent, in a rapidly escalating trade war that has seen China already retaliate with 84 percent tariffs, effective April 10. Trump has also sought to reward countries that negotiated in the wake of his latest round of tariffs, which took effect at 12:01am EST on Wednesday (04:01 GMT). He offered a 90-day pause and a lowered reciprocal tariffs of 10 percent to other countries outside of China, which sent markets surging after days of slumping numbers. China’s Finance Ministry says the US’s escalation of tariffs is a “mistake on top of a mistake”, and the European Union says it approved “trade countermeasures” that will go into effect on April 15.
Al Jazeera's senior analyst Marwan Bishara describes Israel’s latest bombing of Gaza’s Shujayea neighbourhood, which killed at least 29 Palestinians, as part of a broader strategy of “industrial-scale killing” aimed at ethnically cleansing Gaza. He argues that, unlike earlier phases of the war, current attacks are emotionless, calculated, and without military targets. Global public opinion, particularly in the US, is shifting against Israel, but governments remain inactive. Bishara claims Israel acts with impunity, emboldened by US support, as Netanyahu reportedly seeks further backing from Trump to expand regional ambitions.
Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine has not halted the surrogacy boom there. Instead, the industry has adapted, despite the war risking surrogate mothers’ physical and mental wellbeing. Why is Ukraine the main surrogacy hub in Europe – and at what cost?
China has responded to the US by imposing additional tariffs of 50 percent on imports, making a total of 84 percent. This follows the US decision to put rates of 104 percent on China on Wednesday China - the world's second-largest economy - is calling President Donald Trump's move 'reckless.' The US administration pushed ahead with introducing a second round of global tariffs on Wednesday, despite worldwide concern.
An Israeli strike has hit a residential home in the Shujayea neighbourhood in Gaza City. At least 20 Palestinians have been killed in the attack, three of the victims are children. 50 people in or near the building have been injured and taken to al-Ahli Arab Hospital. Many are missing and trapped under the rubble of the home.
US President Donald Trump has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the second time since returning to office in January. Iran and Gaza were the main topics discussed. Why did the meeting take place - and what does it signal?
A former Egyptian diplomat has described the call involving the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and France as a “very good move” that outlines a clear vision for the future of the embattled enclave. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hussein Haridy noted several “common denominators” between the positions of Egypt, Jordan and France and that of the US, particularly regarding the return of the remaining captives being held in Gaza and the post-war future of the Strip. Abdullah II, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Emmanuel Macron agreed that the Palestinian Authority, and not Hamas, should be the sole governing authority in Gaza after the war. However, the Jordanian king and Egyptian and French presidents also firmly rejected any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza – an idea Trump has stuck with.
UN chief Guterres warns Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has worsened since the ceasefire collapsed, with aid blocked and starvation looming. He condemns Israel’s legal violations as the occupying power, citing Geneva Conventions on food, medical care, and aid access. Despite looting risks and attacks, UN workers persist—but Israel’s new aid restrictions threaten principled relief. Guterres demands hostage releases, full ceasefire, and independent probes into aid worker deaths. He rejects complicity in Israel’s "calorie-counting" aid control, stressing neutrality. The West Bank risks Gaza-like devastation without urgent action. The world must uphold law, humanity, and truth.
Spain’s housing crisis has driven hundreds of thousands to the streets, demanding affordable housing. Over the past decade, home prices have increased by almost 50 percent. Rents are soaring, and not enough properties are available for rent. It’s a story that’s echoing in many cities across the world. What will Spain do next?
Israeli forces have carried out overnight attacks on different parts of the Gaza Strip. On Monday, the heads of six UN agencies called for an urgent renewal of the ceasefire. They warned of severe aid shortages and the mounting civilian death toll since Israel resumed its war last month. A strike on a residential building in Deir el-Balah killed at least 11 Palestinians at dawn on Tuesday. Children were among the victims. Survivors have been trying to recover bodies from under the rubble.
Iran has said it would hold talks with the United States over its nuclear programme, confirming an earlier announcement by President Donald Trump. But Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is denying any direct engagement with Washington. On X, he said that Iran and the United States will meet in Oman on Saturday, for indirect high-level talks. Araghchi went on to say it was “as much an opportunity as it is a test” and that the ball is in America's court. Earlier, Trump had announced the start of “direct” talks, while maintaining threatening rhetoric suggesting the US could attack Iran. Tehran had earlier dismissed Washington’s calls for the talks. Trump made the comments during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held talks with the US President at the White House. Talking to media after the meeting, Donald Trump said his administration will be meeting directly with Iran on Saturday. He said the talks will be “at almost the highest level”.
South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. While factors like the economy, government policies, and culture play a role, these challenges exist globally. So what makes South Korea so unique? Now You Know talks to Anna Kook, an AJ+ reporter who covers South Korean society and news. She explains why people in South Korea are not having enough babies.