Here’s a look at what made news on April 8, 2025.

• “Palm Springs, a California resort city, has put up ‘Palm Springs Loves Canada’ signs in response to concerns that President Trump’s policies could deter Canadian tourists.
• Despite fears of economic damage, President Trump is set to impose a range of tariffs on the US’s largest trading partners, asserting that many countries are seeking a deal with Washington.
• US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, raised controversy by suggesting that China poses ongoing threats to the Panama Canal, leading to a heated response from the Chinese government.
• Reports have emerged of defendants and witnesses in England and Wales bringing pets to court for emotional support, raising questions about the extent of this trend.
• Delegations from Japan, South Korea, and Italy are seeking new US trade agreements, with Israel’s proactive approach being touted as a model by the White House.
• A waiver issued by the US Department of Homeland Security is allowing the government to bypass environmental regulations and begin construction of additional barriers along the U.S-Mexico border.
• There is growing concern among billionaire Trump supporters over the President’s tariff policies, which are viewed as harmful to world financial markets.
• Dementia has emerged as a significant health crisis, being the leading cause of death in Britain in 2021 and a top 10 cause of death in the United States.
• The State Department has rolled back a number of funding cuts to U.N. World Food Program emergency projects in 14 impoverished countries.
• The Trump administration is demanding that New York end its $9 congestion toll on drivers entering parts of Manhattan.
• President Trump’s new trade tariffs, particularly a 104% levy on Chinese imports, are set to come into effect.
• Tánaiste Simon Harris is set to discuss potential solutions to the escalating trade crisis with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
• A US Judge has ordered the White House to restore full access for the Associated Press to presidential events.
• New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker has been criticized for neglecting to address the situation in Gaza during his 25-hour speech on the Senate floor.
• New changes to Social Security regulations may significantly impact Americans seeking retirement or survivor benefits.
• In response to the Trump administration’s review of federal grants, Harvard University plans to borrow $750 million from Wall Street.
• Conservative Republican holdouts are obstructing action on President Trump’s tax breaks and spending reductions bill, arguing that it doesn’t cut enough.
• The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Elbridge Colby as the top policy adviser at the Pentagon, despite concerns about his views on Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.”