BBC News Briefing

7 April, 2025

Alex has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and wearing a black turtleneck.

Alex Binley

Hello. Global stock markets have continued to plunge, in the wake of US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Ahead of the Duchess of Sussex's new podcast launch tomorrow, senior royal correspondent Daniela Relph assesses whether Meghan's divisiveness could help boost her business. And take a look at the moment a parachutist was left hanging from the roof of a French rugby stadium after his grand entrance went awry. Apologies that this email is hitting your inboxes a little later than normal, we've been experiencing some technical issues.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Trump tariffs wreak 'bloodbath' on markets

A man with his back to the camera and who is silhouetted takes a photo of a big screen displaying figures from the Hang Seng Index

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index ended trading 13.22% down. Credit: Reuters

Stock market falls are continuing across the globe after President Trump's imposition of worldwide tariffs on goods entering the US. European markets initially plunged on opening but have since gained some ground - Germany’s Dax fell 10% before recovering to 5.9%, while London's FTSE 100 index fell to its lowest level in a year, before recovering slightly. In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index experienced its worst day in 28 years and Taiwan's TAIEX index suffered its biggest drop on record in falls described by one analyst as a "bloodbath". US futures are also sharply down, indicating that Wall Street shares will fall when US markets open. Trump has stood firm behind his policies, telling reporters: "Sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something."

Get the latest

Trump's new 'economic' wall: Economics editor Faisal Islam assesses what made the US step back from the system that it profited handsomely from for decades.

Price rises: These are some of the everyday items that could soon cost more for Americans, under the tariffs.

Watch: Trump supporters who back the import taxes tell the BBC that "sometimes you have to walk through fire to get to the other side".

WORLD HEADLINES

A still from the video that shows an ambulance in Gaza with a blue flashing light on its roof. Other vehicles with bright lights can also be seen

Israel changes account of Gaza medic killings

Footage filmed by a paramedic who was killed showed vehicles did have lights on, contrary to Israel's initial claims.

Watch the video >

A man sits in a car in the dark. He has a black cap on back-to-front, black T-shirt and black North Face zip-up fleece. He has brown eyes and a black beard

Judge's anger over failure to return deported man

Trump officials say they lack the authority to remove the wrongly deported man from El Salvador's mega-jail.

What happened >

A wooden board says 'measles testing' on it and has a red arrow pointing to the left. It is outside and in the background people are playing sports

Second child measles death as outbreak worsens

Texas has reported more than 480 cases of measles so far this year and the outbreak has extended to neighbouring states.

What to know >

A photo of a photo shows a man and a woamn sat together. The man is wearing a blue T-short, jeans and glasses and is bald. He has his arm around a woman in a yellow patterned top, purple patterned scarf and blue hat. Her face is obscured by white lines to protect her identity

Woman in Netflix's Con Mum charged in Singapore

A woman who allegedly duped her son and left him in debt to fund her lavish lifestyle has been charged with fraud.

More on this story >

First N Korea international marathon in six years

Runners have to enter the country as part of a strictly organised tour group, costing around $2,400 (£1,870).

What's it like? >

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Why Meghan's divisiveness may work to her advantage

Meghan has her dark brown hair parted on the side and tied back. She is smiling and wearing a dark green dress. She has diamond stud earrings in.

While Meghan is trying to strike out on her own, she has a level of fame and notoriety linked to the British royal family. Credit: PA

Five years on from Megxit, as the Duchess of Sussex forges on with her new era of brand builder, lifestyle influencer and businesswoman, her popularity level - amongst some - remains low. Ahead of the release of her new podcast on Tuesday, following hot on the heels of her Netflix series, we take a look at whether anything she does can win wider appeal, and why she might actually benefit from splitting opinions.

Read now

A man with short brown hair and a brown beard, wearing a beige jacket looks over his shoulder. A woman in a red velvet dress, with blond hair looks at him. They appear to be in a room with skyscrappers in the background.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

April's best film releases

From Drop to A Minecraft Movie, these are the films to watch at home or the cinema.

Top 11

And finally... in France

We've all had a rubbish day at the office, but spare a thought for Captain Yannick Trouillet who was left hanging from the roof of a rugby stadium in Toulouse after his bid to parachute in to deliver the match ball went awry. Supporters in the stand below had to be moved while he was rescued, delaying the game by 40 minutes.

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– Alex

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