News from April 14, 2025 at 2 AM

U.S. President Donald Trump and his top trade officials added to the confusion over the administration's tariff plans on Sunday, including newly announced exemptions for reciprocal tariffs on electronic products like phones, computers, and semiconductors. These exemptions, which removed added tariffs of 145% on many Chinese electronics devices and components, might be partially or completely reversed in the coming weeks. A separate 20% tariff on all Chinese goods remains in effect. The exemptions were revealed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Friday and confirmed by the White House on Saturday. However, Trump cast doubt on the duration of the exemptions on Sunday, stating these products are still subject to the 20% Fentanyl Tariffs. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated the exemptions are temporary and separate tariffs for electronic products are imminent. Democratic lawmakers criticized the policy changes for causing chaos and a crisis of credibility.

US President Donald Trump stated that the Iran talks were going 'OK' after a meeting between his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the UFC 314 tournament in Miami, Florida, Trump said, 'I think they're going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done.' On Saturday, indirect talks were held in Muscat, the Omani capital, between Araghchi and Witkoff. Witkoff described the talks as positive and constructive, while Araghchi also called the atmosphere constructive and calm, thanking the Omani foreign minister for his efforts in facilitating exchanges between the Iranian and US delegations. The second round of talks between Iran and the US is scheduled for Saturday, April 19.

On April 13 local time, acting Mayor of Sumy, Ukraine, Alexey Kobzar, posted on social media that Russia launched a missile attack on the city, resulting in 21 deaths and at least 20 injuries. Rescue operations are ongoing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian ballistic missiles struck the center of Sumy, causing severe damage to streets, houses, and multiple vehicles. As of now, there has been no response from the Russian side.

Gabon's transitional head of state, Brice Oligui Nguema, has won the presidential election with 90.35% of the vote, according to preliminary results announced by Interior Minister Hermann Immongault. His closest rival, Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, garnered 3.02% of the votes, with a voter turnout exceeding 70%. Nguema was appointed as the transitional leader by the military following a coup on August 30, 2023, which annulled the results of the August 25, 2023 presidential election where Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba had secured a third term. A new constitution enhancing presidential powers was adopted in November 2024. Nguema is related to the former president's family, served as an aide to his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba (President of Gabon from 1967-2009), and was the commander of the republican guards.

On April 13, 2025, an Israeli airstrike partially destroyed Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City. Witnesses reported that the strike demolished the intensive care and surgery departments. Videos showed massive flames and smoke after missiles hit a two-storey building, with people, including some patients still in beds, fleeing the scene. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted the hospital due to a Hamas 'command and control center' inside. Gaza's civil emergency service reported no casualties, but a child with a previous head injury died during the rushed evacuation, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry stated the building was 'completely destroyed,' forcing the displacement of patients and staff. The IDF claimed it took steps to mitigate harm, including advanced warnings and precise munitions. A local journalist said the IDF called a doctor in the emergency department, giving a 20-minute evacuation notice. Social media footage showed staff and patients leaving in the dark, with dozens of Palestinians, including women and children, fleeing a hospital courtyard. In October 2023, an explosion at the same hospital killed hundreds, with Palestinian officials blaming an Israeli strike, while Israel attributed it to a failed rocket launch by Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

On April 13, an arson attack occurred at the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Shapiro and his family were inside but were not injured. Police arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer, charging him with arson, terrorism, and other offenses. Shapiro called for an end to political violence following the incident. The attack caused significant damage to part of the residence, but the fire was extinguished. Balmer accessed the property by climbing a fence and was carrying homemade incendiary devices.

On April 13, 2025, convalescing Pope Francis unexpectedly appeared at the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, greeting over 20,000 faithful. The 88-year-old pontiff, brought in a wheelchair to the main altar, delivered a brief message without nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen. This marked his second public appearance in the square since leaving the hospital, following a private meeting with King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Entering his fourth week of recovery, doctors have advised him to avoid crowds. Francis prayed at St. Mary Major Basilica and thanked the faithful for their prayers in his Sunday blessing. He also prayed for those affected by conflicts in Sudan, Lebanon, Ukraine, and other regions, urging believers to bear the cross of the suffering.

Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a devastating attack on Zamzam Camp for displaced people near al-Fasher in North Darfur, leaving hundreds dead or wounded, mostly women and children. The assault began on Thursday and continued through Saturday, destroying homes, markets, and healthcare facilities. Earlier in the week, a similar attack on Abu Shouk Camp killed 35 civilians. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami stated that at least 100 civilians were killed in both camps, which host over 700,000 displaced people. Relief International, the last organization providing critical services in Zamzam Camp, reported its clinic was overrun and nine staff members were killed. The RSF dismissed allegations of atrocities, claiming a video depicting civilian suffering was staged by the Sudanese army. Humanitarian agencies and local leaders are calling for an immediate ceasefire and access for aid workers. The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has displaced millions and devastated regions like Darfur.

On April 13, 2025, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) issued an arrest warrant for UK MP and former Labour minister Tulip Siddiq. The ACC is investigating allegations that Siddiq illegally received land as part of a broader probe into the regime of her aunt, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Siddiq's lawyers denied the charges, calling them 'politically motivated.' The UK classifies Bangladesh as a 2B extradition country, requiring clear evidence for extradition decisions. The ACC is examining claims that Sheikh Hasina and her family embezzled up to £3.9bn from infrastructure spending. Court documents seen by the BBC allege Siddiq helped broker an overpriced nuclear power plant deal with Russia in 2013. Siddiq's lawyers stated the allegations are false and no evidence has been provided by the ACC.

The UK Parliament passed an emergency bill granting government officials control over British Steel, owned by China's Jingye Group, to prevent the closure of its plant in Scunthorpe. The legislation was approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords on April 12, with MPs recalled from their Easter recess. The new law gives Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng extensive powers to manage British Steel and order raw materials to maintain production. Ownership of the plant remains with Jingye Group, but nationalization is still under discussion. The government's move aims to prevent the loss of thousands of jobs and the UK becoming the only G7 country without primary steel production. Jingye Group reported daily losses of £700,000 and rejected a £500 million government aid offer last month.

On April 10, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C. Rubio announced on Sunday that the U.S. had deported 10 individuals alleged to be members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua Foreign Terrorist Organizations to El Salvador, a day before the country's President Nayib Bukele was scheduled to visit the White House. Rubio stated that the alliance between President Donald Trump and President Bukele had become an example for security and prosperity in the hemisphere. Trump, who is set to meet Bukele at the White House on Monday, praised Bukele for accepting 'enemy aliens' from the U.S. and highlighted the close cooperation between the two countries to 'eradicate terrorist organizations.' However, lawyers and relatives of the detained migrants argue that these individuals are not gang members and had no opportunity to contest the U.S. government's allegations. The Trump administration has deported hundreds of Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. These deportations have been challenged in federal court, with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the government must provide sufficient notice to immigrant detainees to allow them to contest their deportations, but it did not specify how those already in El Salvador could seek judicial review of their removals.

On April 10, a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, killing six people, including a Navy veteran pilot, a Siemens AG executive, and his family. US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to immediately revoke New York Helicopter Charter Inc.'s license and expand safety inspections of other tour operators. Schumer criticized the company for using FAA Part 91 certification, which has lower safety standards. He also urged the suspension of the company's operations during the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigation and increased surprise inspections for all tour operators in the New York metro area. The NTSB noted the helicopter lacked a cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, and divers are searching for the main rotor and gearbox to determine the cause of the crash. New York Helicopter has a history of safety issues and filed for bankruptcy in 2019.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro underwent his fifth surgery on Sunday, stemming from a 2018 stabbing incident during his campaign. The procedure began at 8:30 a.m. local time and was expected to last six hours but took longer. Bolsonaro was hospitalized on Friday after experiencing severe abdominal pain at an event in northeastern Brazil, forcing him to halt a regional tour. He was transferred to Brasilia on Saturday night. Serving as president from 2019 to 2022, Bolsonaro has been advocating for Congress to pass an amnesty bill for his supporters. He is currently banned from running for office until 2030 for discrediting the voting system. If found guilty by the Supreme Court, he could face a lengthy prison sentence, yet he insists on running in next year's presidential election.

Both Australia's Labor Party and the opposition Liberal Party have launched their election campaigns, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promising support for first-time homebuyers, including a 5% down payment and AUD 10 billion in subsidies. Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton proposed a one-time cost-of-living tax cut and a homebuying support plan. The federal election is set for May 3, with both parties competing to address housing affordability and win young voters' support. Latest polls show Albanese leading Dutton by a narrow margin.

According to Al Arabiya, the Palestinian radical movement Hamas has pledged to provide mediators with a detailed report on the condition of all Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The radicals have tentatively agreed to release 'more hostages than originally agreed upon,' though the exact number was not specified. The hostages are to be released in two stages according to a certain timetable. The US is reportedly willing to pressure Israel to accept a new offer on Gaza. Hamas has sent a negotiating delegation to Egypt to continue ceasefire consultations.