News from April 20, 2025 at 2 PM

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated that Ukraine will adhere to the Easter truce and is prepared to extend it if a lull is established on the frontline, emphasizing a mirror-like response based on Russia's actions. He posted on his Telegram channel that if complete calm prevails, Ukraine offers to extend the ceasefire beyond Easter Sunday hours on April 20 onward. Zelensky also mentioned expecting detailed reports from Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky at 9:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. GMT) and 10:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GMT) following his communication with frontline commanders. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 30-hour Easter truce from 6:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. GMT) on April 19 to 12:00 a.m. (9:00 p.m. GMT) on April 21, hoping Kiev will also cease fire. Putin stated that Ukraine’s response will reveal its true willingness and capacity to participate in peace negotiations, emphasizing Russia's openness to negotiations and welcoming efforts by the United States, China, and other countries to achieve a fair resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.

The U.S. Supreme Court early Saturday halted the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan men in immigration custody after their lawyers argued they were at imminent risk of removal without the judicial review previously mandated by the justices. The court directed the government not to deport any of the detainees until further order. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed urgent requests on Friday, reporting that some men had been loaded onto buses for deportation. The ACLU claimed the administration was using a 1798 law to deport them without a realistic chance to contest their removal, as required by the Supreme Court. The case raises questions about the Trump administration's adherence to Supreme Court limits and risks a significant clash between the two coequal branches of government. Trump had invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport alleged members of a Venezuelan criminal gang.

Archbishop Markell of Balti and Falesti was prevented from flying to Jerusalem for the Holy Fire ceremony due to lengthy security checks at Chisinau airport, Moldova. On his second attempt on Friday, his passport was seized by police and returned only after the flight departed, without explanation. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned this as evidence of the Moldovan authorities' anti-people stance, urging the international community to scrutinize and assess these actions. Russian Ambassador-at-Large Gennady Askaldovich criticized the Moldovan government's outrageous behavior in a commentary on the ministry's website.

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.

On April 19, Adi Alexander, the father of US-Israeli dual national hostage Edan Alexander, expressed hope that his 21-year-old son was still alive. Edan was captured by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Adi called on the United States to engage in direct talks with Hamas to free the remaining hostages. Hamas had previously agreed to release Edan, believed to be the last surviving American hostage, and the bodies of four other Americans, but later claimed ignorance of Edan's fate. Edan was abducted at 19 during a Hamas attack that killed nearly 1,200 people and triggered Israel's ongoing incursion into Gaza. Adi described Edan as an 'all-American kid' and expressed his belief in his son. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to be still alive. A US State Department spokesperson demanded Hamas immediately release all hostages, holding Hamas solely responsible for the conflict.

The U.S. Department of Defense has expanded its investigation into the leak of sensitive information, resulting in the dismissal of four officials from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's inner circle, including senior advisor Dan Caldwell. On the 19th, Caldwell and others issued a joint statement denying any information leaks and claiming they were subjected to unfounded defamation. The dismissed officials include Caldwell, Colin Carroll, Darin Selnick, and John Yulio. The three were ordered to take leave and Yulio was asked to leave. They expressed disappointment at being unaware of the investigation details. The Pentagon has not yet responded. Chief of Staff Joe Casper stated that those found responsible for unauthorized leaks could face criminal charges. Additionally, several senior military officials have been removed since the new administration took office.

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.

The US White House has revamped its official Covid-19 website, directly attributing the virus origin to a leak from a Chinese laboratory and criticizing former President Biden's pandemic response policies. The revised site, launched on April 18, specifically targets former NIH director Fauci and lists five points supporting the lab leak theory. Despite scientific uncertainty, the FBI and Energy Department have endorsed this claim. The CIA has also shifted its stance, stating the virus is 'more likely' from a Chinese lab. China has criticized these assertions, urging the US to stop politicizing the origin issue. The site also criticizes the Biden administration's public health measures and includes an interactive map of Wuhan.

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.

The dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over interest rate cuts has intensified, with Trump considering removing Powell from his position. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned that such a move would damage the credibility of the dollar and disrupt the U.S. economy. Le Maire noted that Trump's aggressive tariff measures have already affected the dollar's credibility, and if Powell is dismissed, the dollar's credibility would suffer further, leading to higher debt servicing costs and severe economic turmoil. Trump, dissatisfied with the Fed's reluctance to cut rates, said Powell should leave 'as soon as possible.' White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett stated that Trump is studying whether he can fire Powell. Powell's term ends in May 2026, and he has repeatedly expressed his intention to complete his term, refusing to resign voluntarily. Le Maire also criticized the U.S. for imposing a 10% tariff on EU goods, deeming it unsustainable for the U.S. economy and a significant risk to global trade, urging European companies to defend European interests. Bernard Arnault, CEO of French luxury giant LVMH, called for a 'friendly' resolution to EU-U.S. trade tensions and criticized EU bureaucracy, implying EU leaders have not done enough to secure a tariff agreement with the U.S.

At around midnight on the 19th local time, a building in Delhi, India, suddenly collapsed. Rescue personnel quickly arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations. As of now, at least 11 people have been confirmed dead in the incident. The local government has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse. The incident has sparked public concern over building safety issues.

In recent months, an increasing number of wealthy Americans have been opening private bank accounts in Switzerland to 'de-Americanize' their investment portfolios. Pierre Gabris, CEO of Swiss financial advisory firm Alpen Partners, told CNBC that this trend emerged during Obama's election and the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now resurging due to tariff issues. Clients have various motives, including diversifying away from the dollar, concerns over soaring US debt weakening the dollar, Switzerland's political neutrality, and reliable legal system. Some are moving assets for political reasons, buying physical gold in Switzerland, or planning to obtain European residency or dual citizenship for real estate investments. Swiss private bank Pictet has reported a significant increase in inquiries from US clients.