News from April 20, 2025 at 2 AM

US President Donald Trump stated on April 18 in the Oval Office that the US could withdraw from efforts to end the war in Ukraine if a deal is not reached soon between Russia and Ukraine. Trump emphasized the need for quick progress but did not set a specific deadline. On the same day, Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for allegedly aiding Russia in missile production, a claim China's foreign ministry denied. The White House also launched a new COVID-19 website promoting the theory that the virus originated from a Chinese lab. A US airstrike in Yemen killed at least 80 people, marking the deadliest attack in a 15-month campaign. Pope Francis, recovering from double pneumonia, skipped Rome's annual Good Friday procession for the third consecutive year.

On April 18, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in Paris that Washington hopes talks with Tehran will be fruitful, leading to a peaceful resolution of the situation around Iran's nuclear program. On April 12, US and Iranian officials held talks in Oman, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff leading their respective delegations. The Iranian Foreign Ministry reported that the meeting took place in a measured and positive atmosphere, and the parties agreed to continue consultations. US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced that the next round of talks would be held in Rome on April 19. This marked the first high-level contact between the two countries since 2022, aimed at resolving years-long differences over Iran's nuclear program. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his readiness to use force if Iran declines a deal.

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.

Orthodox Archbishop Markell from Moldova confirmed that other Moldovan priests had managed to travel to the Holy Land before being targeted by the government. Archbishop Markell has been stopped twice 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. He commented that it seemed they had a premonition of being unable to fly to the Holy Land in the last few days. The OHCHR has begun gathering information on the incident. A spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church called Markell's harassment a vivid example of discriminatory policy aimed at legally restricting the rights of believers in Moldova. The Holy Fire ceremony is held each year in Jerusalem's Old City at a church believed by many Christians to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Markell was planning to retrieve the Holy Fire on behalf of Moldova's Orthodox Christians, who constitute the vast majority (over 95%) of the population.

A Tunisian court on Saturday sentenced opposition leaders, businessmen, and lawyers to jail terms ranging from 13 to 66 years on charges of conspiracy, a case the opposition deems fabricated and symbolic of President Kais Saied's authoritarian rule. Since dissolving parliament in 2021, Saied has exerted full control over the judiciary, dissolving the independent Supreme Judicial Council and dismissing numerous judges in 2022. Lawyer Abdessatar Massoudi stated that businessman Kamel Ltaif received the maximum 66-year sentence, while opposition politician Khyam Turki was sentenced to 48 years. Prominent opposition figures including Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawahar Ben Mbrak, and Ridha Belhaj were sentenced to 18 years in prison, having been in custody since their 2023 detention. Chaouachi's son, Youssef, decried the verdicts as unjust and vengeful. The trial, which began in March, involved 40 defendants, with over 20 fleeing abroad after being charged. Lawyer Ahmed Souab called the trial a farce. Authorities allege the defendants, including former officials and ex-intelligence head Kamel Guizani, sought to destabilize the country and overthrow Saied. Nejib Chebbi, leader of the main opposition coalition, accused the authorities of criminalizing the opposition. Saied labeled the politicians as 'traitors and terrorists' in 2023. The opposition leaders claim the case is fabricated to suppress the opposition and establish a repressive one-man rule. Most political party leaders in Tunisia, including Abir Moussi and Rached Ghannouchi, are now in prison.

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.

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 18, 2025, two US Republican Congressmen, Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman, arrived in Damascus to meet Syrian officials, marking the first visit by American lawmakers since Bashar al-Assad was ousted. Mills met with new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that night to discuss US sanctions and Iran. Stutzman was scheduled to meet Sharaa the next day. The lawmakers toured war-damaged areas, met with Christian religious leaders, and planned to meet other Syrian ministers. The visit was organized by the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity. Stutzman expressed hope for a strong Syrian government and improved relations with Israel.

To control tourist numbers, Venice, Italy, resumed charging an entry fee for day-trip visitors starting April 18. Last year's pilot program charged 5 euros, and this year the fee days will nearly double to 54. Advance applicants pay 5 euros, while last-minute applicants pay 10 euros. Students and local workers are exempt. Councilor Paola Mar stated the fee aims to remind visitors to respect the city. Experts note that overtourism threatens Venice's ecosystem and historic buildings. Opposition Councilor Monica Sambo criticized the fee's limited effectiveness, calling for more systematic control measures and policies to protect residents' rights.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Kremlin on Thursday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Friday that Putin was very satisfied with the meeting. Araghchi noted that the letter from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Putin serves as a signal to the world, indicating that Iran considers Russia its strategic partner and an important neighbor. Araghchi made these remarks ahead of his talks with Lavrov.

Pakistani police have made dozens of arrests following protests targeting KFC branches nationwide, which resulted in one fatality. Protesters,愤怒 at the war in Gaza, are urging a boycott of KFC, viewing it as a symbol of the US and its ally Israel. At least 20 attempted attacks on KFC outlets have been recorded in the past week. Social media videos show mobs armed with iron rods entering KFC stores and threatening to burn them down before police intervene. Two stores in Karachi were set on fire. The deceased, 45-year-old KFC employee Asif Nawaz, was shot during a protest in Sheikhupura on April 14. Regional Police Officer Athar Ismail stated Nawaz was hit in the shoulder by a bullet from over 100ft away, which then traveled to his chest. The main suspect remains at large, with 40 arrests so far. Pakistani figures have condemned the violence, urging peaceful protests.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said is scheduled to visit Moscow on Monday, coinciding with the start of a new round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks mediated by Muscat. The sultan will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. On Saturday, the U.S. and Iran began a new round of nuclear negotiations in Rome to resolve their long-standing nuclear dispute. Prior to the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, who stated Russia's readiness to assist and mediate. Moscow has previously played a key role in Iran's nuclear negotiations. The visit will focus on regional and global cooperation, with discussions on trade and economic ties also expected.

On April 17, US President Donald Trump harshly criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on social media, accusing him of playing politics by not cutting interest rates and asserting his right to remove Powell from office. Trump further expressed his dissatisfaction at a press conference, stating that the Fed owes the American people an interest rate cut. Sources reveal that Trump has discussed firing Powell for months and talked with former Fed governor Kevin Warsh about replacing him, but Warsh advised against it. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has also urged White House officials not to attempt to oust Powell, warning it could destabilize financial markets. Experts note that removing Powell would have severe consequences.

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.

According to the New York Post, the US and other allies of Kiev plan to approve a comprehensive ceasefire plan for Ukraine at a meeting in London next week. A Washington official stated that to attract Russia to negotiations, the US may offer to ease anti-Russian sanctions and possibly unblock Russian assets frozen in the West. Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the US is ready to recognize Crimea as Russian territory as part of a peace agreement between Moscow and Kiev. Washington has presented its allies in Paris with proposals for a Ukrainian settlement, including easing sanctions against Russia and refraining from discussing Kiev's NATO membership. Discussions on these plans will continue in London next week.

A growing number of wealthy Americans are opening bank accounts in Switzerland as part of the 'de-Americanization' of their portfolios, according to investors and banks. Swiss banks have seen a surge in interest from high-net-worth Americans opening investment accounts in recent months. Pierre Gabris, CEO of Alpen Partners International, a Swiss financial consulting firm, noted that clients have various motivations, including diversifying away from the dollar, Switzerland's stable political and economic environment, purchasing physical gold, and seeking European residency or second citizenship. Opening a Swiss bank account must comply with strict U.S. disclosure laws. While major U.S. banks cannot directly open Swiss accounts for clients, most have referral relationships with Swiss companies registered with the SEC. Pictet, a Swiss private bank, reported a significant uptick in requests from its SEC-registered entity, Pictet North America Advisors.