BBC News Briefing

2 April, 2025

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top.

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. US President Donald Trump is expected to unveil a plan for a wide set of tariffs later today. Our business reporter Natalie Sherman explains three unknowns ahead of the announcement. For BBC InDepth, population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty reports on the pronatalist movement's push for political influence in the US. And finally, something smells rotten in an English town - but what might be causing it?

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Trump poised for global trade upheaval

A few cars drive up into the bowels of a big blue and white ship, which is docked next to a parking lot full of cars at Yantai Port on March 30, 2025 in Yantai, Shandong Province of China.

Higher levies on cars are due to go into effect this week. Credit: Getty Images

Anticipation around President Trump's tariffs announcement has been building, with the White House calling 2 April "Liberation Day". Trump has long been a fan of tariffs, winning support from US businesses frustrated by foreign competition. He has already raised duties on Chinese imports, as well as steel, aluminium and some goods from Canada and Mexico. Wednesday's announcement is expected to affect a wider range of countries and goods, but as Natalie Sherman explains, several details remain unclear. Analysts warn tariffs could push up prices and trigger a trade war, with some countries preparing their own retaliatory measures.

Read now

Analysis: Our economics editor Faisal Islam on what might happen if Trump announces a universal tariff of 20%.

Tariffs explained: Trump argues the measures - which make foreign goods more expensive - will help US manufacturers and protect jobs. However, prices could go up for consumers.

Get the latest: Once announced, the levies will take effect immediately, according to the White House official spokeswoman. Follow live updates.

WORLD HEADLINES

Democratic-backed judge Susan Crawford wears a white blazer and shakes hands with a supporter. She is smiling.

Mixed bag for Republicans in Wisconsin and Florida

Republicans held on to two congressional seats in Florida, but in Wisconsin voters delivered a set back for Elon Musk.

What happened >

A damaged building is seen after a strong earthquake, in Amarapura, Myanmar

USAID cuts affected US aid to quake-hit Myanmar

The US has been unable to meaningfully respond to the disaster due to recent cuts, three former senior officials have said.

Get the details >

A composite image featuring the head and shoulders of a woman with her back to the camera, with shoulder length straight hair and wearing a sleeveless top. In the background to the right is a mugshot of Zhenhao Zou. The composite has been treated with a colourful chequered pattern.

More women make allegations against rapist

Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou was found guilty last month of drugging and raping 10 women across two continents.

Read more >

Cory Booker speaks to the media after completing his record-breaking speech. He is wearing a black suit and tie with a yellow ribbon and a US flag pinned to the lapel.

Cory Booker sets record for longest ever Senate speech

The US senator spoke for 25 hours and four minutes in a symbolic protest against President Trump.

Watch the highlights >

A 2012 picture of Kilmer wearing a black hat and smiling into the camera. He has blond hair and blue eyes.

Top Gun and Batman actor Val Kilmer dead at 65

A versatile but often underrated actor, he was known for his roles in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s and 90s.

Look back at his career >

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Influencing the US to have more babies

A composite image showing toddlers walking in a line in front of the US flag

The US pronatalist movement is made up of both conservative Christians and members of the so-called "tech right". Credit: BBC

Proponents of the pronatalist movement believe that the world needs to have more babies or risk the collapse of civilisation. Since Donald Trump's return to power in the US, the movement has identified potential allies in the White House, Stephanie Hegarty reports.

Here's why

Six brightly coloured bottles for cleaning products are gathered together against a light yellow background

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Can you clean too much?

Some of the products we use to clean our homes come with their own health risks.

What to know

And finally...