China's steps to limit trade war pain

Plus, documents show differences over US peace drive for Ukraine.

Get full access to Reuters.com for just $1/week. Subscribe now. Daily Briefing Daily Briefing By Kate Turton Hello. Trump is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth over $100 billion, China exempts some goods from US tariffs to limit trade war pain, and we look inside Ukraine's youth recruitment drive. Plus, a gallery of some of our top photography from around the world this week. Today's Top News   An explosion of a ballistic missile lights up the sky over the city during a Russian missile and drone strike, Kyiv, Ukraine April 24, 2025. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo Ukrainian and European officials pushed back this week against some US proposals on how to end Russia's war in Ukraine, making counterproposals on issues from territory to sanctions, according to the full texts of the proposals seen by Reuters. The US is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, six sources with direct knowledge of the issue told Reuters, saying the proposal was being lined up for announcement during President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom in May. India's army chief is in Kashmir to visit the site of a deadly attack on tourists earlier this week. The attack has ratcheted up tensions with its neighbor Pakistan. Krishna Das joins the Reuters World News podcast with the latest developments amid calls for military retaliation.  Britain's regulators have failed to drive sufficient investment in the water sector, a budget watchdog said in a report, highlighting their role in causing an environmental crisis in the industry. Tens of thousands of people travelled to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican this week to pay their final respects to Francis, who died on Monday leaving a reputation as a pope who tried to shake up the church by shunning pomp and privilege. Read our photo essay. Canada stands to elect a more business-friendly government than has been the case in recent years but its trade-dependent economy could be in line for an increased level of deficit spending. These are the key promises of the main parties contesting Canada's election. The U.N. agencies for food and refugees are planning deep cuts due to unprecedented funding shortfalls, with the former set to reduce its workforce by up to 30%, affecting up to 6,000 jobs, according to internal memos sent to staff and seen by Reuters. Business & Markets   Trump's erratic approach to tariffs is causing some smaller European companies to question the benefits of expanding in the US market - a sign of how tough it has become to navigate trade in the world's top economy. China has granted some exemptions on US imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking businesses to identify goods that could be eligible in the clearest sign yet that Beijing is worried about the economic fallout from its trade war with Washington. European shares ticked higher as investors assessed a potential de-escalation in the US-China trade war, while some upbeat quarterly earnings also offered support. For more, watch our daily rundown on financial markets. A US judge rejected a bid by compounding pharmacies to keep making copies of Novo Nordisk's popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy while a legal challenge over drug shortages unfolds, court records showed. Alphabet's Waymo self-driving taxis may be available for people to own in the future, CEO Sundar Pichai said, just as electric vehicle maker Tesla gears up to roll out robotaxis this year in the US. Kentucky farmer Drew Langley got an early start planting soybeans this spring, hoping to boost yields to help soothe the sting of slumping prices after Trump's trade war with China put demand from the world's top importer in doubt. Then the rains came. The Week Ahead On Saturday Pope Francis' funeral will take place in Rome with hundreds of high-profile delegations expected to attend. The city is expected to be closed to traffic to allow a funeral motorcade to make its way to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Monday is the Canadian federal election, where voters will choose between Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, who leads the Liberal Party, and his main election opponent, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. Wednesday 30 April marks 100 days of Trump's second term in office. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta deliver quarterly results in the coming week. Here's a look at the week ahead in the markets. Cash bonus for a year fighting Russia? Inside Ukraine's youth recruitment drive   A young recruit, Kyiv region, Ukraine April 5, 2025. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich You'll receive a generous salary, a bumper bonus and an interest-free loan to buy a home. The challenge? You'll have to fight on the frontlines of Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. It's a tough sell to young people with their whole lives ahead of them. Read more Week in Pictures A person reads a newspaper about the death of Pope Francis, in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican, April 21. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Our best photos of the week include scenes of mourners in Rome, a mass wedding in South Africa, and an underground school in Ukraine. View the gallery Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website Reuters Daily Briefing is sent 5 days a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. 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