Ukraine has agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, but Russia's attacks have continued, including a deadly airstrike on the city of Sumy that killed over 30 civilians celebrating Palm Sunday. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticized Russia for its actions, saying it's not a pursuit of peace but a "mockery" of it. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to press his military advantage and doesn't respect any peace efforts. Since the February 2022 invasion, Ukraine has lost over 13,000 civilians, including 618 children, with at least 42 people hospitalized following a recent attack on Kyiv's residential suburbs.
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-strike-913ca4a6b4e624ed50e6c1018576a8adRussia claims to be "fully ready" to detonate a nuclear bomb in the Arctic at any moment, according to Sergei Shoigu, Russia's longest-serving senior politician. This statement comes ahead of an expected visit by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff for "peace talks" with Putin. The threat was made as tensions between Russia and countries adhering to the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant on war crimes charges against Russian President Vladimir Putin escalate.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14642609/Russia-warns-reserves-right-nuclear-weapons-against-west.htmlA Russian missile attack on Kyiv killed at least nine people and wounded dozens, with the deadliest strikes on the Ukrainian capital since Russia's invasion in February 2022. The attack, which targeted five districts across the city, also damaged residential buildings and triggered fires. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky had called for an "immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire" hours before the strike, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to respond. The attack comes as US efforts to push Russia and Ukraine towards a ceasefire continue, with Donald Trump criticizing Zelensky's refusal to accept Moscow's occupation of Crimea as a condition for peace.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/russian-missile-attack-kills-nine-in-kyiv/article_57819b7a-cb54-55c2-90f9-6f8ff4c63afc.htmlSouth Korea's economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025 due to a political crisis and trade tensions with the US, led by President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs. The country has seen months of political chaos following former president Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to suspend civilian rule, which culminated in his impeachment. This has led to a decline in consumer confidence and domestic demand, with exports dropping over 5% compared to the previous year, particularly to the US, where they fell by over 14%. The International Monetary Fund has revised its growth forecast for South Korea from 2.0% to 1.0% this year.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/04/24/south-korea-gdp-drops-suddenly-in-q1-as-us-trade-tariffs-political-crisis-hit-confidence/174264The Trump administration has ruled out unilaterally reducing tariffs imposed on China, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This decision comes as the US-China trade war escalates, with both sides engaging in a bitter dispute over trade policies.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332775.shtmlThe Trump administration is considering lowering tariffs on imported Chinese goods from 145% to between 50% and 65%, pending talks with Beijing, according to Reuters. China has urged the US to listen to "rational voices" from the international community and domestic parties, but claims no negotiations have taken place. The country held a roundtable to address concerns of over 80 foreign firms about US tariffs on their investments in China. US Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that China tariffs are unsustainable, while Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji promised to work on resolving issues faced by foreign firms. China's central bank Governor Pan Gongsheng reaffirmed support for free trade rules and the multilateral trading system at a G20 meeting.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40359336/china-pushes-for-tariff-cancellation-to-end-us-trade-warUS President Trump plans to significantly reduce tariffs against China from 145% but will not make them zero. Kevin Hassett, a White House economic advisor, expressed optimism about progress in trade negotiations with China and India, which he considers one of the "worst offenders". Hassett believes Trump's approach is unprecedented and benefits American workers, predicting that breakthroughs will be announced by the President himself.
https://nypost.com/2025/04/23/us-news/trump-received-18-written-offers-from-countries-on-trade-wont-allow-rushed-deals-top-econ-adviser-says/US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a "fair deal" with China, but his top officials offered few details on how to de-escalate the damaging tariff war between the two countries. Trump said he gets along well with Chinese President Xi Jinping and hopes for an agreement, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that both sides are waiting to speak about lowering tariffs, describing the current levels as unsustainable. The high tariffs imposed by both countries have led to a stalemate in talks, with Bessent warning of an "embargo" on trade between the two nations.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/trump-seeks-fair-deal-with-china-but-pathway-unclear/article_d8bcb8b4-3c23-5e3b-b282-1e102bdf4f98.htmlUS President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching a "fair deal" with China on trade, but his top officials offered few details on how to de-escalate the tariff war. Trump said he gets along well with Chinese President Xi Jinping and hopes for an agreement, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that both countries are waiting to speak on lowering tariffs, describing the current levels as "unsustainable". Bessent emphasized that a break in trade between the two countries would not suit anyone's interest, suggesting that de-escalation is possible.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/04/24/after-starting-trade-war-trump-dangles-china-deal-but-offers-no-plan/174257