News from April 22, 2025 at 2 PM

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 AM on the 21st, at the age of 88. His death has triggered global mourning, with Cardinal Farrell temporarily overseeing Vatican affairs. On the 20th, Francis made his last public appearance at the Easter celebration and met with US Vice President Pence. His health had been a concern in recent years, including a 38-day hospitalization for pneumonia in February. Born in Argentina in 1936, he became the first Latin American Pope in 2013, implementing various reforms and addressing social issues. Leaders from Italy, Argentina, and France expressed condolences, with memorials held in Rome and Buenos Aires. The Vatican will initiate the process to elect a new Pope, with Francis' prior personnel arrangements aimed at ensuring the stability of the Holy See.

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. He had recently recovered from a 38-day hospital stay due to double pneumonia, being discharged on March 23. On April 20, he presided over the Easter Mass at St Peter's Square and met with US Vice-President J.D. Vance. During his papacy, Francis pushed for church reforms amidst internal and external controversies. World leaders mourned his death, praising his contributions. Elected pope in 2013, Francis simplified the papal role and focused on the poor and marginalized.

On April 21, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with journalists in Moscow. The Kremlin stated that Russia is open to considering Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's proposal for both sides to halt attacks on each other's civilian infrastructure. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted it is a complex issue that Putin is ready to discuss, but there are no concrete plans for talks between Russia and Ukraine currently. Both sides are under pressure to show progress in ending the war in Ukraine, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to abandon mediation efforts last week. Zelenskiy said Ukraine is ready for any form of discussion to stop attacks on civilian facilities and awaits a clear response from Moscow. Peskov mentioned the need to consider the experience of the 30-hour Easter ceasefire declared by Putin, without specifying the connection. Both sides have accused each other of repeatedly violating the Easter truce and a U.S.-brokered moratorium on attacking energy targets. On April 13, a Russian missile strike in the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed at least 35 people, with Kyiv calling it a deliberate attack on civilians, while Russia claimed it hit a meeting of Ukrainian military officers. Zelenskiy stated that pushing for an unconditional ceasefire would be the primary task at talks in London on Wednesday. Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire last month, but Putin responded with numerous questions and conditions. Russia has often expressed willingness to talk but cites a 2022 Zelenskiy decree as a legal obstacle to negotiations.

Russian President Putin ordered a 30-hour ceasefire from 6 PM on April 19 to midnight on April 21 during the Orthodox Easter. He stressed the need for Russian forces to be prepared for hostile actions. Ukrainian President Zelensky proposed extending the ceasefire beyond Easter to test Russia's sincerity. This ceasefire is considered the most significant since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but both sides accused each other of violations. Western analysts view the move as a Russian strategy, while Russia claims it shows a willingness for peace. On April 18, Trump stated that the US would cease mediation if no progress was made in negotiations. On April 20, Russia and Ukraine conducted a large-scale prisoner exchange, each transferring 246 detainees.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in New Delhi, India on April 21, 2025, for a four-day visit. Vance will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen India-US ties and avoid steep U.S. tariffs. The visit includes sightseeing at the Taj Mahal and attending a wedding in Jaipur. Vance's wife, Usha, is the daughter of Indian immigrants. Discussions will cover bilateral agenda items such as trade fairness and defense partnership. The Indian government is open to cutting tariffs on over half of its U.S. imports, worth $41.8 billion in 2024, to secure a trade deal. Bilateral trade reached $129 billion in 2024, with a $45.7 billion surplus for India. Vance's trip also sets the stage for President Trump's visit to India later this year.

On April 21, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family in New Delhi, India. Both leaders hailed the 'significant' progress made in trade talks between the two countries during Vance's visit. Vance's trip was primarily personal, accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance and his family. A statement from Modi's office noted the two leaders welcomed the significant progress in negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement. They also reviewed and positively assessed progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation, including energy, defense, and strategic technologies, emphasizing continued efforts to enhance collaboration. The leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, calling for dialogue and diplomacy. India faced a 26% 'reciprocal' tariff on April 2, which was suspended for 90 days by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 9, retaining a 10% baseline tariff. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the USTR and India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry had finalized the terms of reference for negotiations on reciprocal trade. He noted a lack of reciprocity in the trade relationship but welcomed India's constructive engagement, looking forward to creating new opportunities for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries. In February, Modi and Trump agreed to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. U.S. total goods trade with India was estimated at $129 billion in 2024, with India's surplus reaching $45.7 billion last year.

On April 16, 2025, President Donald Trump criticized Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on social media, calling him a 'major loser' and warning that the U.S. economy could slow down unless interest rates are immediately lowered. Trump claimed there is 'virtually no inflation' in the U.S., with energy and most other costs declining. Trump and his team are exploring whether they can legally fire Powell before his term ends in May 2026. Powell has stated that the president cannot remove him under the law. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, warned that any attempt by Trump to fire Powell could trigger a steep market sell-off. On Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 750 points in early trading, the U.S. dollar hit its lowest level since 2022, and gold prices reached a record high.

On April 21, the three major US stock indices closed down more than 2%, marking another 'Black Monday'. President Donald Trump once again urged the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, warning of economic slowdown risks if rates are not lowered, sparking concerns about the Fed's independence. US tariff policies are impacting various industries, with rising costs in the toy and wedding sectors, burdening consumers. The Trump administration also faces public discontent and legal challenges over its immigration and layoff policies.

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, accusing it of attempting to interfere with academic autonomy by freezing federal funds. On April 21, Harvard submitted a complaint to the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, stating that the government's actions violate the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act. Harvard President Larry Bacow said the lawsuit aims to stop the illegal fund freeze. Since January, Trump has targeted U.S. universities, criticizing their handling of campus protests. In late March, the White House announced a review of Harvard's $9 billion in federal contracts and grants, imposing conditions such as banning protesters from wearing masks and scrapping 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion' programs. After Harvard's refusal, the White House froze $2.3 billion in funds and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status. Over 100 universities and academic groups jointly opposed the government's interference in higher education. A recent poll shows 57% of respondents disagree with the president's ability to freeze funds, and Trump's approval rating has dropped to 42%.

On April 21, Harvard University announced a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration, alleging that the freezing of billions in federal funds illegally undermined the university's academic independence and violated its constitutional rights. Harvard's president stated that the fund freeze was unlawful and beyond governmental authority. The lawsuit involves multiple agencies, including the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. Previously, on April 14, the Trump Administration froze approximately $2.3 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard, after the university refused to comply with its anti-Semitism campaign requirements. Additionally, the administration demanded records of Harvard's foreign funding and relationships over the past decade.

On April 21, 2025, China warned it would retaliate against countries that make deals with the US that harm Beijing's interests. This follows reports that the US plans to pressure governments to restrict trade with China in exchange for tariff exemptions. The Trump administration has initiated tariff talks with trading partners, with a Japanese delegation visiting Washington last week and South Korea set to start negotiations this week. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has imposed significant tariffs on Chinese imports, affecting other countries as well. A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson stated that China firmly opposes any deals at the expense of its interests and will take countermeasures. The US aims to use tariff negotiations to pressure dozens of countries into imposing new trade barriers with China. Trump has said over 70 countries have sought negotiations. Japan and South Korea have begun talks with the US, while India faces a 26% tariff. Trump's tariffs on China have reached up to 145%, to which China has responded with a 125% tax on US products.

On the evening of April 20, the Houthi Armed Forces' health department reported that a US airstrike on a market in the center of Sana'a, Yemen, resulted in at least 12 deaths and over 30 injuries. Masirah TV cited local health authorities, noting that the casualty count could rise as rescue teams search for survivors in the rubble. The US military also conducted airstrikes in the northern Saada region of Yemen on the same day. Since March 15, the US has launched large-scale airstrikes against the Houthi forces, who subsequently retaliated against US aircraft carriers and accompanying ships.

On March 15, 2025, US airstrikes on a market and residential area in the center of Yemen's capital, Sana'a, resulted in at least 12 deaths and 30 injuries, according to the health ministry of the Shia movement Ansar Allah (Houthi). The casualties included civilians in the market and the Farwa district. Ambulance and civil defense teams are still searching for victims under the rubble of destroyed houses. Earlier, US aircraft struck the Ras Isa oil port in Yemen's western governorate of Al Hudaydah, killing 80 people and injuring more than 150, mostly port workers and postal employees.

On April 22, BBC reported that Qatari and Egyptian mediators in the negotiations between Israel and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas proposed a new truce lasting five to seven years to end hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The plan calls for the release of all Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Hamas has signaled its readiness to relinquish control in the enclave and hand over governance of Gaza to another Palestinian political force, such as the Palestinian National Authority or a new organization. On January 15, Israel and Hamas agreed to release hostages and declare a ceasefire in Gaza, but failed to agree on the second phase of the deal. On March 18, the Israel Defense Forces conducted airstrikes on Hamas strongholds in Gaza, ending the ceasefire established in January. On April 17, Hamas stated that the latest Israeli ceasefire proposal included impossible conditions, but expressed readiness to engage in talks on the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the start of reconstruction works, and the lifting of the Gaza blockade.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele proposed on Sunday to send 252 Venezuelans deported from the U.S. and imprisoned in his country back to Venezuela, in exchange for Venezuela releasing 'political prisoners' it holds. In a post on X, Bukele asked Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to hand over 252 'of the political prisoners you are holding' under his proposed deal. Bukele did not specify whether the prisoners would be re-incarcerated upon exchange. Venezuela's Ministry of Communication did not respond to a request for comment. Among those Bukele proposed for release from Venezuela were journalist Roland Carreno, human rights lawyer Rocio San Miguel, and Corina Parisca de Machado, mother of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who he said is subjected to daily threats at her home. He also mentioned nearly 50 detainees of other nationalities, including U.S., German, and French citizens, as part of the proposed exchange. Bukele stated his Foreign Ministry would formally present the proposal to the Venezuelan government through diplomatic channels. Last month, the Trump administration deported at least 200 Venezuelans from the U.S. to El Salvador, accusing them of being members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang, and paid $6 million to El Salvador to detain the migrants in its high-security Terrorism Confinement Center. The Venezuelan government claims it has no political prisoners and that those imprisoned have been convicted of crimes, but NGOs assert that over 800 people are detained for political reasons. The Venezuelan government denies that the deported Venezuelans have gang affiliations, a claim supported by lawyers and family members of the detainees. On Saturday, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting another group of Venezuelan migrants accused of gang ties under a rarely used wartime law, issuing a stay after the American Civil Liberties Union requested emergency intervention. The Trump administration urged the Supreme Court to reject the ACLU's request upon further review, with White House officials stating the president remains committed to his immigration crackdown but gave no indication of defying the court's decision.