Category: Flash News

On April 12th, US and Ukrainian officials held talks on April 11th local time regarding a US Ukraine mineral agreement proposed by the United States. CCTV reporters have learned that a source familiar with the matter revealed that given the “confrontational” atmosphere of the talks, the prospects for a breakthrough are slim. It is reported that the latest draft will grant the United States the priority right to use Ukraine’s mineral resources and require Kiev to deposit all income from the exploitation of natural resources by Ukrainian state-owned and private enterprises into a joint investment fund. However, in the proposed agreement, the United States will not provide security guarantees to Ukraine. On the 11th, the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Washington to continue negotiations on the US Ukraine mineral agreement.

On April 12th, despite the Trump administration’s decision this week to postpone high tariffs on numerous trading partners, Wall Street economists still maintain their predictions of a significant slowdown in US economic growth and warn that the risk of economic recession remains high. Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, and RBC Capital Markets released forecasts on Thursday, ranging from 0.1% to 0.6% for the growth rate of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, and from 0.5% to 1.5% for the growth rate in 2026. They predict that the unemployment rate will rise to nearly 5% next year and expect inflation rates to rise in the coming quarters. Will tariffs and uncertainty like this continue for a long time? If so, then we predict that the United States will fall into an economic recession, “Douglas Porter, Chief Economist of BMO Financial Group, wrote in a report on Friday.” Currently, we still tend to predict that US GDP growth will remain below 1% for several consecutive quarters

On April 12th, according to court documents, lawyer statements, and announcements from schools across the United States, the Trump administration has cancelled visas for at least 529 students, faculty, and researchers from 88 universities as part of its large-scale deportation campaign. The report states that the US State Department is manually terminating the records of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) and has not yet notified most universities or students that their visas have been cancelled. At present, it is unclear whether students whose visas have been cancelled must leave immediately or can stay and continue their studies.

On April 12th, the economic and finance ministers of EU countries held a meeting in Poland on the 11th. Before the meeting, the Executive Vice President for Economic Affairs of the European Commission, Dombrovskis, stated that the current tariff policies of the United States still pose a heavy blow to the global economy. The EU is willing to work with the United States to find constructive solutions, but if the EU does not see the actions of the United States, it will have to take measures to defend its economy.

On April 12, President Erdogan of Türkiye said in the southern city of Antalya on the 11th that Türkiye would not tolerate any attempt to destabilize Syria. Erdogan attended the opening ceremony of the 4th Antalya Diplomatic Forum on the same day and delivered a keynote speech. He condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Syria in his speech, stating that they pose a threat to regional peace and stability. He also accused Israel of attempting to incite sectarian and ethnic conflicts within Syria.

On April 12, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its partners announced on the 11th local time the launch of the 2025 humanitarian needs supplementary plan, calling for $275 million to be raised to provide emergency assistance to 1.1 million people in Myanmar’s earthquake stricken areas. To further strengthen rescue efforts, Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated an additional $5 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Fund for earthquake relief. The United Nations calls on the international community to unite and support the people of Myanmar, and to assist humanitarian workers in expanding their aid to the most vulnerable groups.

On April 12th, a US immigration judge ruled on the 11th local time that Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University and pro Palestinian activist, can be deported. On March 8th, agents from the US Department of Homeland Security arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student who played an important role in last year’s pro Palestinian protests at Columbia University and a graduate student at the School of International and Public Affairs. Subsequently, US Secretary of State Rubio stated that the US will revoke the visas and green cards of Hamas supporters in the US and deport them.

On the evening of April 11th local time, an explosion occurred outside the building of the Greek Railway Company located in the center of Athens, but no casualties were reported. According to Greek police, an unidentified person revealed to local media before the incident that explosives were placed outside the Greek train company. The police immediately sealed off the scene, and the explosives subsequently exploded. At present, the suspect’s motive for the crime is unclear.

On the evening of April 11th local time, the US military launched two airstrikes on Hodeidah. On the same day, Houthi militants reported that the US military had carried out airstrikes in Sana’a and Hodeidah provinces, where the Yemeni capital city of Sana’a is located. The Houthi militants stated that US B-2 bombers entered Yemeni airspace and flew over multiple provinces, but did not specify whether the airstrikes that night were carried out by B-2 bombers. The US has not yet responded to this. (CCTV News)

On April 12th, Russian President Putin concluded talks with US Middle East envoy Steven Wittkov on the evening of the 11th local time. The meeting lasted approximately 4 hours. The venue for this meeting was chosen at the “Russia in the Eyes of Travelers” themed book fair held at the St. Petersburg Presidential Library. The exhibition features a special display of documentary archives related to historical diplomatic visits.