News from April 21, 2025 at 2 AM

On April 20, 2025, in Avdiivka, a Russian-controlled area in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, a woman left a church during Orthodox Easter celebrations with a damaged apartment building in the background, a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The U.S. State Department stated it would welcome an extension of the one-day Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin beyond Sunday, despite the Kremlin earlier indicating no order for an extension. Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Putin announced a one-day ceasefire in Ukraine until midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT) on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would cease efforts to broker a peace deal unless there are clear signs of progress soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed Russia pretended to observe the ceasefire while continuing hundreds of artillery attacks on Saturday night and more assaults on Sunday. Putin demands Ukraine放弃 its NATO ambitions, permanently cede four regions to Russia, and limit its army size, which Kyiv views as tantamount to demanding its capitulation.

On April 19, mass anti-Trump protests erupted across the United States, with thousands of people taking to the streets to protest the Trump administration's hardline policies on immigration, federal budget, higher education, and international issues. The protests were organized by the group '50501' and spread across major cities including New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, and Texas. Protesters criticized the government for eroding democracy and human rights. In Washington, protesters gathered outside the White House, while in New York, they opposed the deportation of undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration has threatened universities to halt diversity policies. Protests also occurred in San Francisco and Texas. The first round of protests in early April demanded an end to billionaire control over the government, stopping cuts to federal funds, and ceasing attacks on immigrants and other groups.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele proposed a prisoner swap with Venezuela on Sunday, offering to exchange 252 Venezuelans deported from the United States and held by his government for an identical number of political prisoners in Venezuela. In a social media post directed at Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Bukele listed several detained family members of high-level opposition figures, journalists, and activists, accusing Maduro of imprisoning them for opposing his electoral fraud. Bukele stated he would instruct El Salvador's foreign ministry to contact the Maduro government. This proposal comes amid international scrutiny over El Salvador's acceptance of deportees from the Trump administration, who are detained in a 'mega-prison' known as the Terrorism Confinement Center. Despite the controversy, Bukele insisted that all detainees are part of an anti-gang operation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Saturday that the Palestinian movement Hamas has once again rejected a deal to free some hostages, emphasizing that Israel will not end the war in the Gaza Strip until all kidnapped individuals are returned and Hamas' threat is completely eliminated. Netanyahu, in a national address, said the war will only end once Hamas in Gaza is destroyed, all hostages are returned, and the Gaza Strip no longer poses a threat to Israel. At the end of the week, Palestinian radicals rejected a proposal that would have released half of the living hostages in Gaza and returned the bodies of several deceased hostages. Netanyahu noted that Hamas demands an end to the war while preserving its power, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the restoration of Gaza with investments allowing it to rearm and prepare new attacks. Ending the war under these terms of capitulation would signal to all of Israel's enemies that kidnapping Israelis can bring the State of Israel to its knees. On March 18, Israel resumed strikes on the Gaza Strip due to Hamas' refusal to accept the US plan to extend the ceasefire, which expired on March 1. Israel cut off electricity to a desalination plant in the Gaza Strip and blocked entry to trucks carrying humanitarian aid.

The US State Department is expected to propose an unprecedented reduction in its diplomatic operations. A draft Trump administration executive order, seen by Bloomberg, suggests a radical downsizing and restructuring of the department, which would be one of the largest reorganizations since its founding in 1789. The 16-page draft, circulated among diplomats globally, proposes eliminating dozens of positions and departments, including those dealing with climate, refugees, democracy, and Africa, as well as the Bureau of International Organisation Affairs. Diplomatic operations in Canada would also see a sharp cut. The State Department would be reorganized into four regional bureaus covering Indo-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eurasia, with several 'non-essential' embassies and consulates in Sub-Saharan Africa set to close. The changes are slated for completion by October 1, but it remains unclear if President Donald Trump will sign the entire order. Some officials suggest the actual reforms might be less sweeping than described in the document.

According to the Health Ministry of the Houthi government, US airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa resulted in at least 12 deaths and 30 injuries. The attack targeted a market in the Forwa neighborhood, with preliminary data indicating the death toll has risen to 12, and another 30 people were wounded. Rescue teams continue to search for victims under the rubble, and the number of casualties may rise. Significant damage was inflicted on residential buildings and market outlets in the area. Earlier, the Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV channel reported that US aircraft conducted several strikes on various parts of Sanaa and also hit the Saada province in the northwest of the country.

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.

Britain's Ministry of Defence announced on Sunday that its Typhoon fighters intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea near NATO alliance airspace in separate incidents on Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday, Typhoon fighters were scrambled to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M 'Coot-A' intelligence aircraft. Two days later, two Typhoons intercepted an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad airspace. Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard stated that with growing Russian aggression and rising security threats, Britain is stepping up efforts to reassure allies, deter adversaries, and protect national security. He emphasized that this mission demonstrates the UK's ability to operate alongside NATO's newest member, Sweden, and to defend the Alliance's airspace whenever and wherever needed, ensuring safety at home and strength abroad. There was no immediate response from Russia.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described disarming Hezbollah as a 'sensitive and delicate' issue. On April 20, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed two people, despite a November ceasefire. The Israeli military claimed to have eliminated two Hezbollah operatives and targeted their military infrastructure. Aoun emphasized the need for caution in restricting arms to the state, stating Lebanon would implement a state monopoly on weapons but awaited the right circumstances. He called for dialogue to resolve domestic disputes. Hezbollah, weakened in recent conflicts with Israel, faced Lebanese army seizures of rockets and arrests in the south.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will soon recognize a Palestinian state. Israel's government cancelled visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and local officials two days before their scheduled visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on April 20. This action followed Israel's prevention of two British MPs from entering the country. The move came amid diplomatic tensions after Macron's statement on recognizing a Palestinian state. Israel's interior ministry cited a law allowing authorities to ban individuals who could act against the state of Israel. Seventeen members of the group, from France's Ecologist and Communist parties, claimed they were subjected to “collective punishment” by Israel and called on Macron to intervene. They were invited by the French consulate in Jerusalem for a five-day trip aimed at “strengthening international cooperation and the culture of peace.” The Israeli authorities cancelled their entry visas two days before departure, despite approval one month prior. The delegation, including National Assembly deputies Francois Ruffin, Alexis Corbiere, and Julie Ozenne, denounced the ban as a “major rupture in diplomatic ties” and demanded a meeting with Macron and government action to ensure their entry into Israel. Macron had previously suggested that recognition of a Palestinian state could occur at an international conference in June. This month, Israeli authorities detained and deported British MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, a move criticized by Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy. In February, Israel barred two left-wing European Parliament deputies from entering. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted furiously to France's potential recognition of a Palestinian state, stating it would be a “huge reward for terrorism.”

On April 16, 2025, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland visited El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported. Van Hollen stated that his trip aimed to defend Garcia's right to due process, not to defend the man himself. He noted that the Trump administration had admitted in court to wrongfully detaining and deporting Garcia. Emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law, Van Hollen warned that denying Garcia's constitutional rights threatens the constitutional rights of all Americans. He also revealed that Garcia had experienced significant trauma during his imprisonment. The visit followed Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's White House visit earlier this month, after which the Trump administration claimed it lacked the authority to compel El Salvador to return Garcia, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

A ship carrying wheat has arrived in Latakia, Syria, marking the first such delivery since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebels in December. Officials of the new Islamist-led government stated that while imports of wheat and other essentials are not subject to U.S. and U.N. sanctions, challenges in securing financing for trade deals have deterred global suppliers from selling to Syria. The Syrian General Authority for Land and Sea Borders announced that the ship carried 6,600 tonnes of wheat, without disclosing the nationality or destination of the vessel, though a regional commodity trader told Reuters it was from Russia. The authority described the shipment as a clear indication of the start of a new phase of economic recovery in the country, paving the way for more vital supplies. Traders noted that Syria has largely relied on overland imports from neighbors this year. Previously, Russia and Iran, major backers of the Assad government, provided most of Syria's wheat and oil products but ceased after the rebels' triumph. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government is now focused on economic recovery after 14 years of conflict.

Japan is considering easing its safety standards for imported cars as a bargaining chip in tariff negotiations with the United States. As reported by Nikkei Asia, the Japanese government believes it can relax standards such as car crash tests during trade talks. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru noted the differences in traffic conditions between Japan and the U.S., with Japan prioritizing pedestrian safety and the U.S. focusing on passenger protection. U.S. car manufacturers have long complained that Japan's strict car safety standards hinder their entry into the Japanese market. The U.S. Trade Representative's report stated that Japan does not accept U.S. safety standard certifications. To address U.S. tariffs, Japanese Chief Trade Negotiator Akazawa Ryo visited Washington, and both sides are preparing for a second round of negotiations. Japan is also considering increasing imports of U.S. rice as a negotiating chip. Japanese Finance Minister Kato Katsunobu will meet with his U.S. counterpart to discuss monetary issues, while Ishiba declined to comment on the yen issue.