Morning Briefing: April 7, 2025

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday with, including the death toll in Gaza nearing 50,700 after the Israeli army killed 26 more Palestinians; French far-right leader Marine Le Pen vowing not to back down at a rally in Paris to protest her conviction, which bars her from holding public office for five years, and a Russian envoy saying that talks between Moscow and Washington may continue “as early as next week” after the two countries held a dialogue on normalizing relations and ending the Ukraine war.

• Israeli army kills 26 more Gazans as death toll nears 50,700

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 26 more Palestinians in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 50,695, said the Health Ministry.

A ministry statement said that 113 injured people were also transferred to hospitals, taking the number of injuries to 115,338 in the Israeli onslaught.

“Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

• French far-right leader Le Pen vows at Paris rally not to back down after her conviction

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen vowed not to back down at a rally in Paris to protest her conviction, which barred her from holding public office for five years.

“I will not back down,” Le Pen assured at the event organized by her National Rally party in support of her.

She described her conviction as a “political manhunt” and a “witch hunt” that has “trampled upon” the rule of law and democracy.

• Russian envoy says new Moscow-Washington talks may continue ‘as early as next week’

Talks between Moscow and Washington may continue “as early as next week,” a Russian envoy said as both countries held dialogue on normalizing relations and ending the more than three-year-old Ukraine war.

Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s special envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation, told a press briefing that he held talks in Washington with representatives of US President Donald Trump’s administration, and the two sides made “three steps forward” on a large number of issues.

He said the topics discussed included improving of bilateral ties, business cooperation and the Ukrainian settlement.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The leaders of Jordan, Egypt and France will hold summit talks in Cairo on Monday to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip amid renewed Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave.
• South Korea's National Assembly speaker proposed that a national referendum on constitutional revision be held simultaneously on the date of a snap presidential election, Yonhap News Agency reported.
• The Israeli government warned the Supreme Court that failure to implement its decision to remove Shin Bet head Ronen Bar could lead to "severe consequences.”
• Australia's ruling party is facing a backlash in its several traditionally safe constituencies, where Muslim voters are threatening to abandon the party over its failure to call out Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
• Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up DeepSeek has introduced a new method for enhancing the reasoning abilities of large language models (LLMs), reportedly surpassing current approaches.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had instructed his defense and foreign ministers to intensify contacts with international partners, particularly the US, to secure additional air defense systems, including Patriot batteries, ahead of a Ramstein-format meeting.
• Syrian Druze leaders held separate meetings with Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra and Suwayda Governor Mustafa Al-Bakour to reaffirm their national allegiance and reject foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs.
• Bangladesh has approved US business magnate Elon Musk's satellite internet service Starlink, which will begin a trial run on April 9 and aims to transform communications.
• China successfully cultivated the first batch of highland barley seeds that went to and came back from space on board an experimental satellite.
• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in Algeria for an official visit after months of political tension.
• Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic named Duro Macut as the country’s next prime minister-designate, according to public broadcaster PTC, following the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic last month.
• More than 50 countries targeted by tariffs announced last week by US President Donald Trump have reached out to Washington about negotiations to lift them, said White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Zimbabwe to suspend tariffs on all US imports: President

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he will direct the government to suspend all tariffs on US imports.

Mnangagwa posted on X that this measure aims to boost American imports in Zimbabwe and promote Zimbabwean exports to the US.

“This action underscores our commitment to a framework of equitable trade and enhanced bilateral cooperation,” he said.

• Thailand to boost US imports in response to Trump’s 36% tariffs

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that Thailand will increase imports of energy, aircraft and agricultural products from the United States in response to the Trump administration’s newly imposed 36% tariff on Thai exports to the US market.

Speaking to Thai media, Shinawatra said the government will also encourage more Thai investment in the US and ease restrictions on American imports, according to Thai PBS.

In a statement outlining Thailand’s position, Shinawatra warned that the steep tariffs would significantly affect key export sectors including electronics, processed foods and agricultural goods. However, she emphasized that Thailand, a longstanding ally and economic partner of the US, remains committed to strengthening bilateral trade relations.