Russia launches lethal strikes on Ukraine while President Donald Trump claims to be assisting both nations in overcoming the war. Also, the Vatican refuses to close the doors to St. Peter’s Basilica as thousands have gathered to pay their respects to Pope Francis. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Russia attacks Ukraine’s capital city as peace talks appear to stall
Overnight, Russia executed one of its most devastating bombardments on Ukraine’s major cities since the war began more than three years ago. The move came just hours after peace negotiations between the two countries appeared to stall.
President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of drawing out “the killing field” by refusing to acknowledge that Russia now controls Crimea.
“I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelenskyy. And I hope that Zelenskyy — I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy. So far, it’s been harder, but that’s OK,” Trump said.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that acknowledging the occupied territory as Russian is unacceptable for his nation.
The Ukrainian leader announced Thursday, April 24, that he cut short his trip to South Africa, where he hoped to drum up support for efforts to end the war amid deadly Russian strikes against various cities, including the capital, Kyiv.
Officials confirmed that the Russian attacks killed at least nine people and injured dozens more. Rescue operations continue as crews sift through the rubble, searching for potential survivors.
The Kyiv city military administration said on its Telegram channel that Russia struck with at least 45 drones, as well as ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian officials said Russia also targeted several areas outside Kyiv, including Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia.
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12 states sue over tariffs as Trump hints at ending 90-day pause
Twelve U.S. states have sued the Trump administration, challenging the legality of the president’s global tariffs. They argued that his agenda unlawfully undermines Congress’s constitutional authority to regulate foreign commerce.
Arizona and Oregon lead the legal challenge to halt Trump’s tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. That law gives presidents the authority to manage trade during a state of emergency in the U.S. The states listed in the lawsuit claimed that Congress never intended for the law to be used for tariffs, and that Trump does not have the authority to impose them.
This comes as the president discussed making individual trade deals with countries and the potential consequences of a deadlock.
“In the end, I think what’s going to happen is we’re going to have great deals, and by the way, if we don’t have a deal with a company or a country, we’re gonna set the tariff,” Trump said. “We just set the tariffs. It’s something that we think will happen, I’d say, over the next couple of weeks, wouldn’t you say? I think so. Over the next two to three weeks.”
On April 9th, the president paused his so-called “reciprocal” tariffs, which levied a baseline 10% import tax against more than 180 countries worldwide, though some face tariffs much higher than that. Trump intended the reprieve to last 90 days, giving other countries time to negotiate with his administration.
So far, White House officials said 90 countries have contacted the Trump administration to try to negotiate a deal.
Judge halts order for details on efforts to return deported man
A federal judge has temporarily halted her order requiring the Trump administration to provide information on its efforts to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S. from El Salvador.
An administrative error led the government to deport Abrego Garcia in March. However, since then, the White House has remained adamant that it will not bring back the Maryland man, as it believes he is a member of the gang MS-13.
The judge granted a seven-day stay requested by the Trump administration, giving the government more time to provide testimony and documents related to plans for retrieving Abrego Garcia.
However, the administration must still provide daily updates on its progress.
Meanwhile, a separate federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a 20-year-old Venezuelan man deported to El Salvador after the judge found his removal violated a previous court settlement.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, appointed by Trump during his first term, also ordered the government not to remove other individuals covered by the settlement. The 2019 class action lawsuit was initiated for individuals who came to the U.S. as unaccompanied minors and subsequently sought asylum.
St. Peter’s Basilica stayed open overnight as thousands mourn Pope Francis
In Vatican City, mourners from around the world continue to arrive and process past the wooden coffin containing the body of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Many people traveled to pay their respects to the late Holy Father, prompting the Vatican to keep the basilica’s doors open all night. The Vatican closed the facility for only one hour for cleaning.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin of the late Pope Francis on Friday, April 25, at 8:00 PM, ahead of the papal funeral on Saturday morning.
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 24, 2025
The liturgical rite will be attended by several Cardinals and… pic.twitter.com/7jN1ROsL91
The head of the Catholic Church died on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke that led to heart failure.
Over 20,000 individuals honored the pope within the first eight and a half hours of viewing on Wednesday, April 23. Some mourners visited Rome with church or tour groups to celebrate Easter last weekend and have remained there.
For the third night, people gathered at the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray the Rosary in suffrage for Pope Francis, led by Cardinal Baldassare Reina.. pic.twitter.com/Mmwjln83H5
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 23, 2025
In some cases, individuals waited up to four hours to enter.
A funeral mass will be held this Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. The Pope will be buried within the St. Mary Major Basilica, as he had wanted.
India increases diplomatic pressure on Pakistan after Kashmir attack
Tensions have escalated as New Delhi blames Islamabad for a deadly attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in disputed Kashmir. India launched a new diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, asserting that Islamabad supports “cross-border terrorism.”
Pakistan has denied responsibility for the attack, and a previously unknown militant group calling itself “Kashmir resistance” has now claimed responsibility.
On Wednesday night, April 23, India announced that multiple Pakistani diplomats were requested to depart New Delhi, while Indian diplomats were also recalled from Pakistan.
India also closed the only functional land border crossing between the countries and suspended a water-sharing treaty, which has survived two wars and a major border skirmish since it was put in place in 1960.
On Thursday, April 24, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an all-party meeting with other leaders to brief them on the government’s response to the attack.
In the meantime, Islamabad announced it would react to India’s actions by convening its national security committee, made up of top civilian and military officials.
Women’s hockey league grows as interest in women’s sports rises
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) launched its newest franchise, further indicating the rapid expansion of women’s sports.
The new franchise will play in Vancouver, British Columbia. The expansion speaks to a larger trend and the continued growth of women’s sports.
Welcome to the league, @PWHL__Vancouver!
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) April 23, 2025
Today, we launched our seventh team. Thank you to everyone who made this moment one to remember! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/4YQx75kyZy
The league is wrapping up its second season and has teams in Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, New York, Minnesota and Boston. The seventh team doesn’t have a name yet.
Straight Arrow News sports reporter Chris Francis details the new team and what this signifies for the larger context of women’s sports here.
