While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, April 6, 2025
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US President Donald Trump gesturing to members of the media as he heads to Florida for the weekend, on April 3.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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‘Hang tough, it won’t be easy’: Trump defiant on tariffs
US President Donald Trump on April 5 doubled down on the sweeping tariffs he unleashed on countries around the world, warning Americans of pain ahead, but promising historic investment and prosperity.
The comments came as Mr Trump’s widest-ranging tariffs took effect in a move that could trigger retaliation and escalating trade tensions that could upset the global economy.
“We have been the dumb and helpless ‘whipping post’, but not any longer. We are bringing back jobs and businesses like never before,” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “This is an economic revolution, and we will win,” he added. “Hang tough, it won’t be easy, but the end result will be historic.”
A 10 per cent “baseline” tariff came into place just after midnight, hitting most US imports except goods from Mexico and Canada as Mr Trump invoked emergency economic powers to address perceived problems with the country’s trade deficits.
Anti-Trump and Musk ‘Hands Off’ rallies draw thousands
PHOTO: AFP
Thousands of people descended on Washington’s National Mall on April 5 and rallied in other cities across the United States and abroad in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.
A big “HANDS OFF!” banner stretched across the stage of an outdoor theatre just a few blocks from the White House, with protesters holding signs that read “Not My President!”, “Fascism has Arrived,” “Hands Off Our Social Security” and “Wake Up and Smell the Coup.”
At a time of spreading global resentment against the Republican president – heightened by his announcement on April 2 of sweeping tariffs against scores of countries – demonstrators also marched in several European capitals.
Zelensky hails progress in French, UK military chief talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 5 hailed “tangible progress” after meeting British and French military chiefs in Kyiv to discuss strengthening the Ukrainian army and ways to support the war-torn country after any end to hostilities with Russia.
British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and his French counterpart Thierry Burkhard on April 4 held talks with Mr Zelensky, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
Mr Zelensky wrote on social media on April 5: “There is tangible progress and the first details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed,” without giving details.
Protesters rally in Spain against housing crisis, tourist flats
AFP
Hundreds of thousands marched across 40 Spanish cities on April 5 to protest against soaring rents and a lack of affordable homes in a country that enjoys Europe’s fastest economic growth and yet suffers from a severe housing shortage exacerbated by a tourism boom.
Spain’s centre-left government has struggled to find a balance between attracting tourists and migrants to fill job gaps and keeping rents affordable for average citizens, as short-term rentals have mushroomed in major cities and coastal destinations alike.
“No matter who governs, we must defend housing rights,” activists shouted as they rattled keychains in Madrid, where more than 150,000 protesters marched through the capital’s centre, according to the local tenants’ union.
Arteta bemoans penalty as Arsenal drop points at Everton
REUTERS
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta disagreed with the decision to award Everton a penalty for a foul by Myles Lewis-Skelly as his side saw their Premier League title dream fade further with a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on April 5.
Second-placed Arsenal are 11 points behind leaders Liverpool and have now played a game more, with the latter at Fulham on April 6.
Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal the lead, but a lack of concentration in dealing with a long diagonal ball in the first few minutes of the second period saw Everton winger Jack Harrison go to ground under the challenge of Lewis-Skelly.
