Morning Digest | Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony charges; China freezes visas for Indian journalists, and more
The Hindu
The Hindu’s Morning Digest brings readers a select list of stories to start the day.
Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony charges
Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on April 4 to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, according to two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter. The plea came during a brief arraignment in a lower Manhattan courtroom as Mr. Trump faced a grand jury indictment arising from a hush money payment to a porn actor during Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Amidst chill in ties, Beijing freezes visas for Indian journalists
In a surprising move, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) decided to “freeze” the visas of two Indian journalists based in Beijing, indicating that more “counter measures” could follow against other Indian journalists, unless New Delhi offers reciprocal visa and tenure terms to Chinese journalists in India.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks for a debate on Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on April 4 wrote to Speaker Om Birla to have a debate on the disqualification of party leader Rahul Gandhi. In his two-page letter, Mr. Chowdhury pointed out that Bharatiya Janata Party leader Naranbhai Kachhadiya did not face the same action and continued to be a Lok Sabha member after he was convicted in a case on April 13, 2016, when a district court gave him a three-year sentence.
Rajasthan doctors call off stir against Right to Health Bill after pact with government
Spanish PM Sanchez warns that a U.S. invasion of Greenland would empower Putin and jeopardize NATO's stability.
Syrian state media reports Kurdish forces destroyed two key bridges in Raqqa amid advancing government troops.
Taiwanese journalist Lin Chen-you is accused of bribing military officers for sensitive information to relay to China.
Syrian army expands control over northern regions amid Kurdish clashes, following a decree recognizing Kurdish as a national language.
Indonesian authorities locate wreckage of missing surveillance plane with 11 on board; search for survivors continues amidst challenging conditions.
JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon confirms he was never offered the Federal Reserve chair, supporting Trump's claim.
Inmates in Guatemalan prisons take guards hostage, prompting negotiations as authorities refuse to meet their demands.
The EU and Mercosur sign a landmark free trade agreement, enhancing trade ties amidst global protectionism and geopolitical tensions.
EU leaders warn that Trump's tariff threats over Greenland could lead to economic decline and strain transatlantic relations.
An avalanche in Austria has claimed three more lives, raising the total fatalities to eight in recent incidents.
FBI's top 10 fugitive Alejandro Rosales Castillo arrested in Mexico, charged with murder, robbery, and kidnapping.
Israel criticizes the U.S. for announcing a Gaza oversight committee without coordination, conflicting with its policies.
Trump announces a 10% tariff on eight European nations opposing U.S. Greenland control, escalating to 25% if no deal is reached.