Greece has firmly rejected the idea of accepting the return of refugees who initially applied for asylum in Greece and later submitted another application in Germany. Migration Minister Makis Voridis emphasized that, under the current circumstances, such returns are out of the question. He stated, “As long as there is no fair distribution of burdens within the European Union, Greece will not accept any returns,” highlighting the nation’s stance on the matter.

This position follows a ruling by Germany’s Federal Administrative Court, which deemed the deportation of certain migrants—specifically single, healthy, and employable individuals—to Greece permissible. The court concluded that these individuals are not at risk of extreme hardship in Greece, despite acknowledged deficiencies in the Greek reception system.

Minister Voridis further clarified that while Athens would carefully examine any return requests from Germany, it would not be particularly open to such requests. This stance underscores Greece’s concerns about the adequacy of its asylum infrastructure and the equitable distribution of responsibilities among EU member states.

In response to these developments, Germany has reintroduced border controls and deported Afghan refugees, marking a significant shift from its previously open immigration policy. This move has sparked a tense debate in Europe, with countries expressing varied reactions. Hungary supports the action, while Poland and Greece criticize it, emphasizing the importance of the Schengen area’s principle of free movement. The European Union has seen a 36% drop in irregular migrant arrivals this year, yet the political climate remains volatile, particularly with the rise of far-right parties across the continent. Germany’s decision aims to address security concerns and the burden on local authorities due to increased refugee numbers. The debate extends to the broader EU, where some member states push for policies similar to the UK’s “Rwanda model” to handle asylum seekers outside Europe. Overall, the immigration issue continues to polarize political discourse within the EU, reflecting a shift towards tougher policies driven by rising security concerns and political pressures .

In light of these developments, Greece’s firm stance on asylum returns underscores the ongoing challenges within the EU regarding migration policy and the distribution of responsibilities among member states.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has requested additional time from the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee to provide a comprehensive briefing on the state’s current situation. This request was made during a closed-door meeting with the committee in Abuja on Friday, April 25, 2025. Ibas expressed regret for his previous absences from scheduled sessions on April 17 and 24, attributing them to the complexities of the transitional period in Rivers State.

The committee was established following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature. In response, the House of Representatives inaugurated a 21-member ad hoc committee to oversee legislative functions in the state .

Ibas emphasized the importance of transparency and accuracy in the forthcoming briefing, stating that any engagement with the committee must reflect the complexities and sensitivities of the current transitional period. He assured the committee of his full cooperation and commitment to providing all relevant information to support their oversight responsibilities.

This development comes amid growing concerns from various stakeholders. A coalition of 35 Civil Society Organizations in Rivers State recently petitioned the House of Representatives, accusing Ibas of “severe and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity.” The petition alleges that Ibas has been using federal power and security operatives to intimidate public officers, suppress democratic institutions, and interfere with the proper functioning of government in the state .

The House of Representatives has recommended that Ibas report directly to the National Assembly rather than the Federal Executive Council, as initially stipulated by the President. This recommendation underscores the legislature’s role in overseeing the administration of Rivers State during the state of emergency .

The House Ad hoc Committee is expected to reschedule the interactive session with Ibas, aiming to ensure that the legislative oversight process is thorough and transparent. The public will be informed once a new date for the session is confirmed.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has suggested that Ukraine might need to consider temporarily ceding territory to Russia as part of a peace deal. In a recent BBC interview, Klitschko acknowledged that while such a concession would be “unfair,” it could serve as a temporary solution to end hostilities. However, he emphasized that Ukrainians would “never accept occupation” and that any agreement would require public support. Klitschko also noted that President Volodymyr Zelensky might face a “painful solution” to achieve peace.

This statement comes amid escalating violence, including a recent Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed 12 people and injured over 80. Klitschko criticized the lack of consultation with him on peace negotiations, highlighting the need for unity and transparency in such critical matters. He also suggested that key issues between top politicians should be discussed “without video cameras.”

The possibility of territorial concessions has been a point of contention, with U.S. President Donald Trump proposing a peace plan that includes recognizing Russian control of Crimea, a proposal that Ukrainian officials have rejected. Klitschko’s comments indicate a shift in Ukraine’s stance, acknowledging that peace may require difficult compromises.

In a previous interview, Klitschko suggested that President Zelensky would likely need to hold a referendum to legitimize any territorial compromises, as such decisions would be politically sensitive and require public approval.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the best path to peace while maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

California overtaking Japan to become the fourth largest economy in the world is a pretty striking milestone. Here’s a quick breakdown of what this all means and why it matters:

California’s Economic Rise

• GDP in 2024: $4.10 trillion
• Japan’s GDP: $4.01 trillion
• Global Rank: Now behind only:
  1. United States (total): $29.18 trillion
  2. China: $18.74 trillion
  3. Germany: $4.65 trillion

California now leads all other individual countries, including economic heavyweights like the UK, India, and France.

Why California’s Economy is Booming

• Tech Powerhouse: Silicon Valley continues to drive global innovation.
• Entertainment Hub: Hollywood and the wider media industry remain global forces.
• Agriculture & Manufacturing: The state has the largest share of both sectors in the US.
• Ports: LA and Long Beach are the two busiest seaports in the country.

Newsom vs. Trump: Economic Clash

• Newsom: Celebrated the economic growth, but warned that Trump’s tariffs are a serious threat.
• Trump’s Tariffs:
  • 10% on most imports
  • Up to 145% on Chinese goods
  • China retaliated with up to 125% on American products
  • Some combined tariffs now effectively reach 245% on certain items

Newsom is legally challenging Trump’s authority to impose these tariffs, arguing that they could harm California’s economy, which is deeply integrated with global trade.

🇯🇵 Japan’s Economic Struggles

• Shrinking and aging population
• Rising social welfare costs
• Slower-than-expected recovery, despite wage growth
• IMF downgraded Japan’s growth outlook, partly due to the uncertainty caused by global tariffs

California isn’t just an American economic success—it’s a global one. But its future growth could hinge on national trade policy, something Gavin Newsom is clearly keeping an eye on, especially with 2028 political ambitions potentially on the horizon.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people, including 25 Indian tourists. The attack, carried out in the Pahalgam area, was claimed by the militant group Kashmir Resistance, which is believed to be a front for Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. In response, both countries have taken a series of retaliatory measures, raising concerns of a potential military conflict.

India’s Response:

Diplomatic Measures: India expelled Pakistani diplomats and withdrew its military advisors from Islamabad. The Wagah-Attari border crossing, the only road link between the two countries, was closed. Additionally, India canceled all visas issued to Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme and suspended visa services for Pakistani citizens.

Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: India announced the immediate suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the distribution of water from the Indus river system. The treaty allocates the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India. India cited Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism as the reason for the suspension. Pakistan has warned that any interference with the treaty would be considered an act of war.

Pakistan’s Response:

• Diplomatic Measures: Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats and closed its airspace to Indian flights. The country also suspended all trade with India.
• Rejection of Allegations: Pakistan denied India’s accusations of involvement in the Kashmir attack, stating that the attack was a result of internal issues within India. Pakistan condemned all forms of terrorism but emphasized that the allegations against it were baseless.

International Reactions:

The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions. Countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and China have called for restraint and dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United Nations and the European Union have also urged both sides to de-escalate the situation and avoid further violence.

Conclusion:

The situation remains volatile, with both India and Pakistan taking steps that could lead to further escalation. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is particularly concerning, as it could have significant implications for water security in the region. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging both countries to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully.

A tragic stabbing occurred on Thursday afternoon at the Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides private high school in Nantes, western France, resulting in the death of one student and injuries to three others. The assailant, a 15-year-old student, was apprehended at the scene after being restrained by a teacher .

The attack unfolded during lunchtime, prompting an immediate lockdown of the school. Eyewitnesses reported students fleeing the premises, while others were confined to classrooms as emergency services responded. The school, which caters to approximately 2,000 students from nursery through to high school, was subsequently evacuated .

French authorities have confirmed that the incident was not terror-related. Reports suggest that the assailant may have been experiencing mental health issues and had previously sent a document to fellow students expressing a bleak outlook on society .

In the wake of the attack, French President Emmanuel Macron and other officials have expressed solidarity with the victims and the educational community. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cut short his official visit to South Africa following a devastating Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that resulted in at least nine deaths and over 70 injuries. The assault, one of the deadliest on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, involved more than 200 missiles and drones, with Ukrainian air defenses intercepting over 100 of them. Despite these efforts, 13 locations across the city suffered significant damage, including residential areas. Interior Minister Igor Klymenko reported that more than 70 people were injured, and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency services search through the debris. Two children remain unaccounted for .

In response to the attack, President Zelenskyy announced his immediate return to Kyiv. He had just concluded talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, where they discussed the importance of uniting global efforts to apply pressure on Russia for the sake of peace. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and that any peace efforts must respect its territorial integrity .

The timing of the attack coincided with heightened diplomatic efforts, including peace talks scheduled in London. U.S. President Donald Trump had recently criticized Zelenskyy for refusing to accept Russia’s annexation of Crimea as part of a peace agreement, accusing him of prolonging the conflict. Zelenskyy has consistently rejected such proposals, asserting that conceding Ukrainian territory is unacceptable .

As the situation in Kyiv remains dire, international calls for a ceasefire and renewed peace negotiations continue to grow.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for rejecting proposals that would allow Russia to retain control of Crimea as part of a potential peace agreement. Trump described Zelenskyy’s stance as “very harmful” to negotiations and warned that the U.S. might withdraw from mediation efforts if no progress is made .

The U.S. peace plan reportedly includes recognizing Crimea as Russian territory, freezing current frontlines, and offering Ukraine security guarantees and compensation. In return, Ukraine would forgo NATO membership and accept Russian control over occupied territories. Zelenskyy has firmly rejected these terms, stating, “There is nothing to talk about. It is our land — the land of the Ukrainian people” .

Zelenskyy maintains that Ukraine cannot legally acknowledge any occupied territory as Russian, emphasizing that Crimea and other territories annexed by Russia in 2014 are integral parts of Ukraine. He has expressed a willingness to pursue diplomatic means to regain Crimea but insists that ceding territory is unacceptable .

The situation remains tense, with ongoing violence in Ukraine and international concerns about the implications of ceding territory to Russia. Further diplomatic efforts are expected, but significant differences over territorial concessions and NATO aspirations continue to pose major obstacles to a comprehensive peace agreement.

This shift in tone from Trump is pretty telling—it’s less about backing down and more about recalibrating the message as the economic and political costs of his trade and monetary strategies start to show.

Here’s what stands out:

1. Trump softening on Powell:
After weeks of berating Jerome Powell—calling him a “major loser” and reportedly even exploring ways to fire him—Trump now says he has “no intention” of removing him. That’s a significant pivot. He’s still nudging Powell to lower interest rates, but backing off the personal attacks probably signals concern over the market’s reaction and possibly internal pushback from advisors.

2. Trade war fatigue?
Trump’s comment that tariffs on China “won’t be zero” but “will come down substantially” feels like the opening note of a de-escalation phase. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks that the trade war is “unsustainable” support that. Behind the bravado, there seems to be a growing recognition in the administration that tariffs are hurting both the U.S. economy and the political optics heading into an election cycle.

3. Global markets responding well—for now:
Markets are clearly watching this closely. The rebound in major indices (Nikkei, Hang Seng, S&P 500, Nasdaq) after these comments reflects relief that things might cool down. But investor optimism is fragile, and one sharp tweet or tariff announcement can reverse it quickly—something we’ve seen repeatedly during Trump’s presidency.

4. IMF warning and inflation concerns:
The IMF’s downgrade of U.S. growth is a big deal. Combined with investor fears that rate cuts during a tariff-fueled inflation spike could overheat prices, you’ve got a serious economic balancing act. Trump wants both growth and inflation control, but his policies are pulling in opposite directions.

5. China’s still quiet—officially:
Beijing hasn’t formally responded, but the Global Times (a reliable window into China’s strategic messaging) is already spinning Trump’s softer tone as a sign the U.S. is flinching. That’s likely to be used in domestic Chinese propaganda to show strength—but don’t expect China to make major concessions easily. They’ll want more than just lower tariffs on the table.

Trump’s economic playbook has always hinged on maximum pressure, minimal compromise, and market theatrics. But now that it’s clashing with inflation risks, slower growth, and resistance from both allies and adversaries, it looks like some recalibration is underway.

What’s your take—do you think this marks a genuine shift in Trump’s approach to the economy, or is it just another strategic pause before the next big escalation?