UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi has warned that Iran is “not far” from assembling a nuclear bomb. While Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports uranium enrichment far above the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal. Grossi emphasized the need for verification rather than assurances. His visit to Tehran comes ahead of a second round of US-Iran talks in Rome, amid growing tension and mixed signals from both sides. Iran, meanwhile, reiterated that uranium enrichment remains non-negotiable, marking a critical juncture for diplomacy and nuclear non-proliferation.
MASS PROTESTS ERUPT AGAINST TRUMP
On April 5, 2025, over 1,200 coordinated protests erupted across all 50 U.S. states and multiple countries, marking the largest public opposition to President Donald Trump since his return to office. Demonstrators opposed sweeping government cuts, immigration crackdowns, trade tariffs, and the DOGE initiative led by Elon Musk. Tens of thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., with activists also rallying near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Social Security, job layoffs, and threats to civil liberties topped protestors’ concerns. The White House denies targeting essential programs, blaming Democrats for misinformation. Rallies were also held in cities like Paris, London, and Berlin in solidarity.
DOGE USES GOVT DATA FOR DEPORTATIONS
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is accessing sensitive government databases to locate undocumented immigrants as part of President Trump’s aggressive deportation agenda. Agencies, including HUD, the IRS, and the Social Security Administration, are sharing data detailing where people live and work. HUD plans to ban mixed-status families from public housing, while the IRS and SSA are revoking work authorisations and sharing tax data with ICE. Legal experts warn this violates privacy rights and erodes public trust. The White House defends the strategy as essential to national security and ensuring taxpayer-funded benefits go only to American citizens.
CHINA REJECTS TRUMP’S TARIFF GAME
China has firmly dismissed the United States’ recent tariff threats, labelling them a “numbers game” lacking economic logic. The US proposed imposing tariffs as high as 245% in response to China’s export restrictions and halted Boeing aircraft orders. Beijing emphasized it won’t respond to pressure or intimidation, urging Washington to seek respectful negotiations. China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that the US is turning itself into a “laughingstock” with its escalating trade war. Meanwhile, the White House insists the onus is on China to initiate a deal. Neither side currently shows a willingness to ease tensions in the prolonged trade standoff.
EL SALVADOR REFUSES WRONGFUL DEPORTEE
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has refused to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to a Salvadoran prison, despite a U.S. court order. Bukele, citing lack of authority, called the request “preposterous,” while the Trump administration insists Garcia, held in the notorious CECOT facility, was illegally in the U.S. Although the Supreme Court mandated facilitation of his return, the administration claims that doesn’t compel action. Bukele remains a key ally in Trump’s mass deportation strategy, accepting hundreds of Venezuelan migrants with alleged gang ties, raising concerns over due process and international human rights.
