Trump’s senior economy advisor resigns +++ US imposes new sanctions on North Korea

7. April 2018, 02:00

Trump’s senior economy advisor resigns

Donald Trump's most senior economic adviser, Gary Cohn, has become the latest high profile figure to leave the White House. He's resigning because he disagrees with the president's plans to impose tariffs on aluminium and steel imports, which Cohn fears will cause a damaging trade war. Mark Bloomfield, of the pro-business think-tank the American Council for Capital Formation, says there's shock at Cohn's resignation: "Perhaps the best way to describe it is what the president said about Cohn, he was a 'raw talent'. And one of the president's chief economic advisors in the campaign, Stephen Moore, said 'a steady hand'. So we've lost a raw talent, and we've lost a steady hand. So, stay tuned!" The European Union has drawn up a strategy to protect itself, if the US does impose tariffs - and is considering targeting US products such as orange juice and peanut butter.

US imposes new sanctions on North Korea

The US has said it will impose new sanctions on North Korea, after concluding that the half-brother of Kim Jong-un was killed by a chemical attack in Malaysia, on the orders of the North Korean government. Meanwhile, Pyongyang has indicated it is open to talks with Washington and might consider giving up its nuclear programme if it doesn't feel threatened.

Assault on Eastern Ghouta intensifies

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is urging all parties in Syria to implement a cease-fire which was demanded by the Security Council at the end of February. There's continuing concern over Eastern Ghouta where many civilians are sheltering in basements - without sanitation and running water - as air strikes continue. Sajjad Malik is from the UNHCR - he says the situation being faced by civilians is dire: "They feel that they're being blocked, there are snipers sitting at the checkpoint, the exit, the corridor that is there. But also, this other narrative which is very strong is that this is our place, we're not moving out."

Tusk to outline future relationship with Britain

The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, is expected to underline the view that leaving the EU must come at a cost for Britain, when he reveals how the bloc sees its future relationship with Britain. The document is due to be signed off by EU leaders at a summit later this month.

The weather

Rain and snow showers from Vorarlberg into Upper Austria. Sunny spells in the east and south. Top temperatures ranging from 4 to 13 degrees.

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