News from April 19, 2025 at 2 AM

On April 18, US President Trump stated that if no clear progress is made in the negotiations on the Ukraine issue in the short term, the US will cease its mediation efforts. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump mentioned that if the negotiations become too difficult, the US will withdraw. On the same day, Trump held a phone call with UK Prime Minister Stamer, discussing bilateral trade, the Ukraine issue, and the Middle East situation. US Secretary of State Rubio met with officials from Ukraine, France, the UK, and Germany in Paris on April 17 to discuss the Ukraine issue. On April 18, Rubio indicated that the negotiations cannot remain stalled and that the US will not continue to facilitate if there are no signs of agreement between Russia and Ukraine in the short term. Representatives from the countries involved in the Paris talks on April 17 plan to continue discussions in London next week. US media believes that the mediation efforts on the Ukraine issue have reached a stalemate, and the US is increasingly losing patience.

The United States announced new port fees for ships built and operated by China, aiming to boost its domestic shipbuilding industry. The new regulations require ships with Chinese connections to pay fees based on tonnage when sailing in the U.S., up to five times a year, effective October 14. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that the move is self-defeating and urged the U.S. to stop. The fees vary for different types of ships, with higher charges for those built and operated by China. Reactions in the U.S. are mixed, with some industries supporting and others opposing the move. The new measures aim to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry, but there are concerns about their effectiveness.

On April 18, according to the Houthi rebel-controlled Al Masirah TV channel, US strikes on the port of Ras Isa in the Yemeni province of Hodeidah resulted in 58 deaths and 126 injuries. The attack caused a major fire, destroying the port and cutting off the Houthis' fuel source and oil revenue. Following the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip in 2023, the Houthis threatened to attack Israeli territory and block Israeli-associated ships from passing through the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. After a ceasefire in Gaza in mid-January, Houthi attacks halted, but resumed in early March following the ceasefire's breakdown, targeting Israeli ships in the Red Sea and attempting missile attacks on Israeli targets. On March 15, the US, under President Donald Trump's order, began massive strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen to defend American interests and restore navigation freedom. In response, the Ansar Allah movement launched several attacks on the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the northern Red Sea using missiles and drones.

US Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Ábrego García, who was mistakenly deported to a mega-prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration. Despite a federal judge's order, the administration has refused to return him to the US. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele stated that the detainee would remain in the country. The White House accuses Mr. Ábrego García of being a member of the MS-13 gang, a claim his lawyer denies. A federal court later ruled against the Trump administration, potentially leading to officials being deposed over the deportation. The Supreme Court has ordered the US government to 'facilitate' his return. Senator Van Hollen posted on social media about meeting Mr. Ábrego García and passing a message to his wife.

On April 18, 2025, a cable car crash near Naples, Italy, resulted in four fatalities, including a British couple. The accident occurred when a supporting cable snapped, causing the cabin to plunge to the ground. The UK foreign office stated it was in contact with local authorities but had not confirmed the identities of the victims. The deceased are believed to include three passengers and the 59-year-old driver, Carmine Parlato. One person was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital, where they are now in stable condition. Authorities in Torre Annunziata have launched an investigation into the crash. Sixteen people were rescued from a second cabin on the line. The mayor of Castellammare di Stabia, where the cable car is located, said a traction cable had snapped. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences to the families of the victims.

On April 17, a mass shooting occurred at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. The suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy, opened fire at the Student Union building on campus, killing two people and injuring four others. Police shot and apprehended the gunman after he failed to comply with orders to surrender, and all injured parties were taken to the hospital. The university has over 42,000 students. This incident marks the second shooting on the FSU campus in 11 years.

Moldovan Archbishop Markell was stopped for the second time from boarding a plane to Jerusalem to participate in the Holy Fire ceremony, held annually one day before Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. On April 18, Markell missed his flight again at Chisinau Airport, with border services conducting document checks until the plane's departure. Markell stated that Thursday's detention was not accidental but ordered. The OHCHR has begun gathering information on the incident, and a Russian Orthodox Church spokesman called Markell's harassment a clear example of discriminatory policy aimed at legally restricting believers' rights in Moldova. Moldovan Orthodox Christians, who constitute over 95% of the population, were to be represented by Markell in retrieving the Holy Fire.

On April 18, 2025, the leaders of Canada's four major federal parties engaged in a fierce second and final debate ahead of the general election. Key topics included the ongoing trade war with the US, affordability, crime, and environmental issues. Liberal leader Mark Carney, despite leading in polls, faced repeated questioning from opponents about his differences from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Carney indicated a shift in tariff strategy against the US, highlighting a constructive dialogue with President Trump. The debate also covered policy discussions on housing and immigration, with leaders presenting diverse viewpoints. Despite intense exchanges, the overall tone remained civil.

At least 148 people were found dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a motorized wooden boat caught fire and capsized in the Congo River, local officials reported on Friday. The boat, carrying around 500 passengers, overturned in the northwest region on Tuesday. Overloading is common, and officials estimate hundreds are still missing. The incident occurred near Mbandaka as the boat traveled from Matankumu to Bolomba. About 100 survivors were sheltered at the local town hall, with burn victims hospitalized. The fire started from cooking on board, said river commissioner Compétent Loyoko. Many died after jumping into the water. In 2024, multiple boat accidents have occurred in eastern and western Congo.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held talks in Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the meeting was a significant step forward in Russia-Qatar relations. Russia welcomes Qatar's mutual desire to develop bilateral relations globally. Putin and Tamim had an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in Syria. Russia is concerned about the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and supports efforts to achieve peace in the region as soon as possible.

On April 18, the White House unveiled an updated Covid-19 website promoting the theory that the virus leaked from a Chinese laboratory, framing it as the pandemic's 'true origins.' The site criticizes former President Joe Biden's pandemic policies and targets former Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci for advancing the 'preferred narrative that Covid-19 originated naturally.' It presents five points supporting the lab leak theory, noting Wuhan's role as the site of the first known coronavirus case and home to China's leading SARS research lab. Despite ongoing scientific and political debates, US agencies like the FBI and the Department of Energy have supported the theory with varying confidence levels. Earlier this year, the CIA shifted its stance, stating the virus was 'more likely' leaked from a Chinese lab. China criticized this assessment and urged the US to stop politicizing the origin-tracing issue. The website also criticizes mask and social distancing mandates from 2020 and accuses former public health officials of demonizing 'alternative treatments' and colluding with social media to censor dissenting views.

The Pentagon announced on April 18 that the United States will reduce its troop presence in Syria to less than 1,000 in the coming months. The US has maintained troops in Syria for years as part of efforts to combat the Islamic State (IS) group, which once controlled large territories in Syria and Iraq. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that this troop reduction is a deliberate and conditions-based process, and US forces will continue to target IS remnants. The 2014 IS offensive led to a US-led air campaign supporting local ground forces. Iraq declared victory over IS in December 2017, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the defeat of IS's 'caliphate' in March 2019, but some IS fighters remain in both countries.

On March 22, billionaire Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump attended the NCAA men's wrestling championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On April 18, Trump replaced the newly appointed acting commissioner of the IRS after a power struggle between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Musk. Bessent's deputy, Michael Faulkender, will be the new acting leader, replacing Gary Shapley. This marks the third leadership change at the IRS this week. Bessent complained to Trump that Musk had bypassed him to install Shapley, despite the IRS reporting to Bessent. The clash highlights Musk's influence in the Trump administration, alarming top officials. An IRS spokesperson declined to comment on the leadership changes. Shapley will be assigned to senior roles at the Treasury Department or the IRS. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process. Trump had appointed Shapley on April 15 after the previous interim head, Melanie Krause, resigned over the Treasury Department's decision to use IRS data to help deport undocumented immigrants.