5 things to know for April 4: Tariff fallout, South Korea, NSA firings, Signal probe, HHS layoffs
By Trendy Daily News
A penthouse apartment at 432 Park Avenue in New York City, described as the world’s most slender skyscraper, is currently listed for sale at $110 million. The property includes five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two terraces, a bar, a screening room, and views of Central Park.
Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day:
1. Tariff Fallout
President Donald Trump announced the implementation of 10% tariffs on imports from all countries into the US, with higher rates applying to 60 specific trading partners. “I think it’s going very well,” President Trump stated to reporters on Thursday, adding that the tariffs “give us great power to negotiate.”
The policy has prompted responses from international trading partners and affected financial markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 1,679 points (4%), while the Nasdaq declined by approximately 6%. The S&P 500 index recorded a $2.5 trillion reduction in value, marking the most significant market decline in five years. Multiple US auto manufacturers have announced workforce reductions affecting hundreds of employees.
2. South Korea
The Constitutional Court of South Korea has formally removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. The decision concludes four months of legal proceedings following Yoon’s December declaration of martial law and deployment of military personnel to parliament.
According to court documents, Yoon cited political deadlock and alleged “anti-state forces” as justification for his actions. Parliament members subsequently voted to overturn the martial law decree and initiated impeachment proceedings. Constitutional Court Chief Judge Moon Hyung-bae stated that the martial law decree was deemed unconstitutional, citing insufficient evidence of a national crisis. Yoon faces pending criminal charges, and electoral law requires a presidential election within 60 days.
3. NSA Firings
The National Security Agency’s director, Gen. Timothy Haugh, and deputy director Wendy Noble have been removed from their positions. Gen. Haugh also served as head of US Cyber Command. The administration has not provided official reasoning for the personnel changes.
Lt. Gen. William Hartman, currently serving as Cyber Command deputy director, is expected to assume acting leadership of both organizations, according to former agency officials.
4. Signal Probe
Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins has initiated an investigation regarding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal, a messaging application, for discussing military operations in Yemen. The communication reportedly included other national security officials and inadvertently included a journalist.
The investigation will assess compliance with Department of Defense policies on commercial messaging applications for official business, classification protocols, and records retention requirements. The White House has concluded its separate investigation into the incident, with results undisclosed.
5. HHS Layoffs
The Department of Health and Human Services has implemented significant personnel reductions across US health agencies. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the changes during a Thursday event, stating that the reductions primarily affected administrative positions with the goal of increasing operational efficiency.
Kennedy indicated that some positions and programs will be reinstated, noting that approximately 20% of the reduced positions may be restored. The department previously announced plans to reduce staffing by 10,000 full-time positions in March.
