“Hands Off!” Protests Around the World
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets last Saturday, April 5, from the U.S., Austria, the U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Mexico, and the Netherlands. The “Hands Off!” rallies were organized to fight back against President Donald Trump’s administration and his close relationship with tech mogul and billionaire Elon Musk. Attendees protested against Trump’s new policies regarding the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, education, healthcare, free speech, tariffs, climate change, and more. The “Hands Off!” protests have been the largest demonstration of people since Trump’s return to office.
Video Regarding Israeli Soldiers Released
On March 23, 15 Palestinian paramedics and emergency responders were killed by Israeli soldiers and then buried in an unmarked mass grave. Initially, Israel Defense Forces claimed that soldiers had opened fire on the vehicles, which they had deemed suspicious. They also stated that nine Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants had been killed. However, Saturday, April 5, The New York Times published videos revealing that the vehicle was marked with the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s insignia. Since this news, the Israeli military has changed their account, stating that the “individual who gave the initial account was mistaken.”
Tariffs Impacting China
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, a 104 percent tariff went into effect on imports from China. Trump had already planned to increase tariffs on Chinese imports by 34 percent, however the president of China, Xi Jinping, also decided to increase tariffs on American goods by an additional 34 percent. In response, Trump has added an additional 50 percent in tariffs, making the total sum of tariffs, on top of those already in place, 104 percent. In retaliation, China has also issued export controls on various rare earth minerals that are essential for manufacturing, added 12 U.S. companies to its export control list, and levied an 84 percent tariff on American goods. On 1:04 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Trump has raised the percentage to 125 percent, effective immediately. On Thursday, the White House announced that the tariffs against China would rise to 145 percent.
Roof Collapse in the Dominican Republic
A roof collapsed at a popular nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, Tuesday. As of now, at least 124 people have died and more than 150 have been injured in the accident that took place at the Jet Set Club. It is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 people were inside the club attending a Rubby Pérez concert. Pérez and former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco are among those confirmed dead. It is still unclear what caused the accident.
Floods in the Congo
Heavy rain began last week in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa, causing a key river to overflow. The Ndjili River runs through the capital and is one of the largest on the continent. Its overflow submerged hundreds of buildings, and at least 33 people have been killed as of Wednesday morning, though officials have warned the death toll will likely rise. Officials have stated that most of the deaths have been caused by walls that collapsed after the flood began. Many residents are frustrated with the government for not responding to the crisis more promptly.
