* Israel expands ground invasion in Gaza

Israel has announced the launch of a new ground invasion in Gaza, with rescuers saying military attacks had killed many people across the Palestinian territory.

Simultaneously, Israel has escalated attacks on Lebanon and Syria, with a strike in south Lebanon, killing a Hamas commander.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel would bolster its military presence inside Gaza to, what he claimed, "destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure".

* Tens of thousands to attend anti-Trump protests across US

Around 200 groups are planning to hold over 1,300 protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Saturday, marking the largest single-day demonstration of the new Trump administration.

The "Hands Off!" anti-Trump protest, organised by progressive groups like Third Act and MoveOn, opposes Trump's alleged "hostile takeover" of the government, economy, and rights, with Musk as a key ally.

Key grievances include Trump's tariffs causing a stock market crash, cuts to USAID, government layoffs by Musk's DOGE, and policies seen as anti-immigrant and harmful to the environment and democracy.

* China strikes back at Trump with own tariffs

China has said it would slap 34 percent tariffs on all imports of US goods from April 10 after Washington imposed steep new levies on Chinese products, vowing "countermeasures" to protect its rights and interests.

Beijing's Commerce Ministry also imposed export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium and yttrium, which is used in consumer electronics.

China will also file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization over tariffs, the ministry said.

* Russian strike kills 14 in Ukraine leader’s home city

A Russian ballistic missile strike on Volodymyr Zelenskyy's home city of Kryvyi Rig has killed 14 people, including six children, the Ukrainian leader said.

The missile struck a residential area near a children's playground and wounded more than 50 people, according to the head of the city's military administration.

Regional governor said the number of reported casualties was "constantly increasing".

* Judge denies government's bid to move Rumeysa Ozturk case to Louisiana

A federal judge has denied the Trump administration's attempt to dismiss or transfer Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk’s case to the state of Louisiana, instead ruling that the proceeding will be transferred to Vermont.

US District Judge Denise Casper also granted a request to block the government from removing Ozturk from the US while her petition challenging her detention is considered.