News from April 27, 2025 at 2 PM

Global leaders are gathering in Vatican City on Saturday for Pope Francis's funeral, marking one of the largest assemblies of heads of state and government since the late Queen's funeral in 2022. While there are few plans for formal meetings, diplomats anticipate informal interactions. Particular attention is on whether Presidents Trump and Zelensky will discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine. The Vatican announced that 170 delegations, including about 50 heads of state, 15 heads of government, and 12 reigning monarchs, will attend. The funeral provides an opportunity for leaders to mingle in St. Peter's Square. However, funerals can also pose risks, such as encounters with adversaries. Neither President Putin of Russia nor President Xi Jinping of China are expected to attend.

On April 26, the funeral of Pope Francis was held in Vatican City, drawing 160 delegations, including over 60 heads of state and governments and EU leaders. US President Donald Trump had a brief meeting with Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky before the start of the funeral ceremony. Zelensky's press secretary, Sergey Nikiforov, had earlier confirmed the meeting. The funeral garnered significant global attention.

An explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas has resulted in 25 deaths. The blast occurred on Saturday, and according to the Iranian state news agency IRNA, it was triggered by improperly stored chemicals. Official representative of the Iranian government, Fatemeh Mohajerani, stated that over 1,100 people sought medical assistance following the explosion, with a total of 1,139 requests for medical help.

According to Iranian media reports, a massive explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on the 26th. The explosion has resulted in 5 deaths and over 700 injuries. The specific cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Local authorities and rescue personnel have promptly arrived at the scene to carry out rescue and aftermath operations. This incident has significantly impacted the safety and stability of the region.

On April 26 local time, a car crashed into a crowd at a music festival in Vancouver, Canada, resulting in casualties. On April 27, the Vancouver Police confirmed through social media that the incident had claimed nine lives. Previously, the police stated that the event was not a terrorist attack. It is reported that the driver, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, was arrested at the scene by the police.

Shortly after 8pm on April 26, a man drove through a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Festival near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street in Vancouver, Canada, killing at least nine people. Police arrested a 30-year-old male suspect at the scene and stated that the incident was not an act of terrorism. Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, and the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver expressed deep concern. Canadian New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh left the event minutes before the crash. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, among other officials, expressed shock and devastation over the incident.

On the evening of October 25, gunfire was reported on both sides of the India-Pakistan Line of Control in Kashmir, with Indian officials confirming an exchange of fire, though Pakistan has not verified the incident. Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif called for a neutral investigation into the October 22 shooting, rejecting Indian allegations. India accused Pakistan-backed militants of involvement, which Pakistan denies. India announced measures including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, to which Pakistan reacted strongly, suspending the Simla Agreement. Experts believe large-scale ground warfare is unlikely, but airspace violations may occur. Pakistan's closure of its airspace, previously causing $64 million in fuel losses for Indian airlines, was reiterated. Iran and Saudi Arabia have offered to mediate the tensions between India and Pakistan.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following a shooting incident in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a radio broadcast, vowed to impose the 'strictest punishment' on terrorists and their supporters, promising justice for the victims' families. He described the attack as a desperate attempt to disrupt Kashmir's development. On April 22, a shooting targeting tourists in Pulwama town resulted in significant casualties. India responded with several stringent measures against Pakistan, which in turn enacted reciprocal countermeasures. UN Secretary-General's spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric urged both governments to exercise maximum restraint and resolve issues peacefully. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denied India's accusations, expressed willingness to participate in a neutral investigation, and emphasized Pakistan's significant efforts in global counter-terrorism.

On April 27, The Wall Street Journal reported that the main disagreements in the talks between Washington and Tehran center on Iran's uranium enrichment program. Another point of contention is the US administration's desire to link Iran's missile program to the new nuclear deal. Nonetheless, a senior official from the Donald Trump administration described the talks in Oman as 'positive and productive,' and indicated that another meeting would soon be held in Europe. The third round of consultations between the US and Iran concluded with 'major disagreements and a pledge to meet again.' Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the venue for the fourth round of indirect talks between the US and Iran would be announced by the authorities of Oman, which is acting as a mediator in resolving differences over the Iranian nuclear program.

On April 26, Iran and the United States held their third round of indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, lasting about six hours. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated that differences remain between the two sides, but the atmosphere of the talks was serious and pragmatic, offering hope for progress. The discussions have moved into more specific technical matters, with economic experts participating for the first time, yielding significant results. Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that the negotiations are limited to nuclear issues, aimed at building trust to lift sanctions. The next round of talks is tentatively scheduled for May 3, with the location to be determined. Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi confirmed the shared desire to reach an agreement.

On April 27, US President Donald Trump stated that American military and commercial ships should be allowed free passage through the Panama and Suez Canals. In a post on his Truth Social page, he claimed that these canals would not exist without the United States. Trump has instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately address and document this situation. This statement has garnered international attention and could impact canal transit policies.

US President Donald Trump has demanded free passage for American commercial and military vessels through the Panama and Suez Canals, instructing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to expedite the matter. Trump highlighted the US's crucial role in the existence of these canals on social media, stating they would not exist without the US. The Suez Canal, a vital waterway connecting Europe and Asia, once facilitated 10% of global maritime trade. Houthi rebel attacks on shipping routes have led to a 60% drop in Suez Canal revenues, amounting to a $70 billion loss. Since January 2024, the US military has been targeting Houthi strongholds, with Trump vowing continued military action. Additionally, Trump has criticized China's influence over the Panama Canal and threatened to 'reclaim' it, while the US Defense Secretary seeks an agreement for free passage.

On April 26, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas named his close confidant Hussein al-Sheikh as his deputy and likely successor, a move widely seen as aimed at alleviating international doubts over Palestinian leadership. Abbas has led the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) since the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004 but has long resisted internal reforms, including naming a successor. Sheikh, a veteran of Fatah, the main PLO faction, is viewed as a pragmatist with close ties to Israel. The United States and Gulf monarchies have prioritized PA reform, hoping it can play a central role in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The war in Gaza has intensified pressure for reform, with the U.S. supporting the idea of a reformed PA governing Gaza post-war. During a PLO Central Council meeting on April 23-24, Abbas made his clearest call yet for Hamas to disarm and hand over governance of Gaza to the PA.

On April 25, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during his election campaign in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, urged Israel to allow the World Food Programme (WFP) to operate in Gaza, emphasizing that food should not be used as a political tool. The WFP announced that its food stocks in Gaza had run out due to Israel's sustained blockade. The main border crossings into Gaza have been closed for over seven weeks, marking the longest closure ever faced by the strip. Carney stressed that Palestinian civilians should not suffer for Hamas' actions and that the WFP must resume its lifesaving work. Israel denies a hunger crisis in Gaza, accusing Hamas of exploiting aid, which Hamas denies. Since the ceasefire collapse on March 18, Israeli attacks have killed over 1,900 Palestinians, displacing hundreds of thousands. Carney vowed to work with allies for a permanent ceasefire and the return of hostages. U.S. President Donald Trump also urged Israel to allow food and medicine into Gaza.

Virginia Giuffre, a key accuser in the Jeffrey Epstein sex abuse scandal, died by suicide at her farm in Western Australia at the age of 41. Her photo with Prince Andrew, taken in 2001, became emblematic of the royal's involvement with Epstein and was central to his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview. Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell have faced legal consequences, while Prince Andrew, despite denying all allegations, reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022, paying an undisclosed sum. The settlement expressed regret but contained no admission of liability or apology. The scandal led to Prince Andrew stepping down from all public duties, damaging the royal family's reputation.

Virginia Giuffre, a prominent survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse, has died by suicide at the age of 41 in Neergabby, Australia. Giuffre was instrumental in calling for criminal charges against Epstein and his associates, providing critical information that led to the conviction of Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell. She also alleged that Epstein trafficked her to powerful individuals, including Prince Andrew and French modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019, and Maxwell was convicted on sex trafficking charges in 2021. Giuffre testified against Brunel in June 2021 and was a fierce advocate against sexual abuse and trafficking. Her family stated that the toll of abuse became unbearable for her, leading to her tragic death.