BBC News Briefing

23 April, 2025

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a green top

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. US President Donald Trump has accused his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky of harming peace talks over his stance on Russia-occupied Crimea. Diplomatic correspondent James Landale reviews the state of the efforts to end the war. From the Philippines, my colleagues report on Pope Francis's legacy among Asia's largest Roman Catholic population. And finally, a new photo of UK royal Prince Louis marks the seven-year-old's birthday.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Ukraine ceasefire chances remain unclear

A woman holding a bottle of water walks past a tall block of flats whose top floors have been damaged by a Russian attack.

A block of flats partially destroyed in a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia on 22 April. Credit: Reuters

US special envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Russia for his fourth meeting with President Vladimir Putin to discuss a deal to end the war in Ukraine. There is little clarity about where these efforts are heading, with President Trump expressing frustration with Zelensky and Vice-President JD Vance saying the US would "walk away" from its role if the two sides did not come to an agreement. After Russia refused an initial proposal of a 30-day ceasefire, there have been various leaks about the latest US ideas. What's apparent, writes James Landale, is that a huge amount of detail is still to be discussed.

Read James's analysis

GET UP TO SPEED

The mother of local man Syed Hussain Shah is surrounded by mourners at her son's funeral. her hair is covered in a purple headscarf and she is letting out a cry

India targets Pakistan after Kashmir attack

The measures announced include the closure of the main border crossing linking the two countries.

Read more >

A Haitian woman and her baby are taken to an immigration control van at a maternity hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on 21 April 2025.

Dominican officials detain Haitians in hospital swoop

Authorities say they deported more than 130 Haitian women and children on the first day of an immigration crackdown.

What happened >

A row of tents are pitched on a grass patch in a park

Istanbul residents flood streets after earthquake

As aftershocks struck in the afternoon, many were preparing to spend the night outside to safeguard against new tremors.

Who's been affected >

Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice President and Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, speaks during a debate on the 'Presentation of the New European Internal Security Strategy' at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, 01 April 2025. Creidt: EPA-Efe

French PM's daughter reveals school abuse

François Bayrou's daughter Hélène Perlant alleges that a priest at Notre-Dame de Bétharram beat her when she was 14.

What to know >

AT THE SCENE

Manila, The Philippines

How Pope Francis won over Filipinos

People take photos of an altar with Pope Francis' photo at the Manila Cathedral in the Philippines

Masses to mourn Pope Francis have been held across the country. Credit: Getty Images

Pope Francis's typhoon-hit 2015 trip to the Philippines earned him enduring affection among the country's 80 million-strong Catholics. Many have described the death of the man they called Lolo Kiko, or Grandpa Francis, as leaving them feeling like orphans.

Virma Simonette and Joel Guinto

Across the country church bells tolled and portraits of Pope Francis were hung inside churches as the faithful mourned. "Pope Francis is special to me. He is my favourite pope. As an LGBT member, I saw in him love for all genders, whether you are rich or poor. He is truly the people's pope," said 19-year-old nursing student Renzie Sarmiento.

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But even as the nation mourns, Filipinos are thinking about what happens next: at the Manila Cathedral mass for Pope Francis, mourners were saying the time has come for someone from one of the largest Catholic populations on the planet to be the church's next leader.

Keep reading

Mixed feelings: Some in his native Argentina remember Pope Francis as a controversial figure, as initial pride gave way to disenchantment.

Reactions from Gaza: During 18 months of war, Pope Francis checked on parishioners at the Holy Family Catholic Church with nightly calls.

Africa rising: At least three pontiffs have hailed from the continent, but as the last died more than 1,500 years ago, many would argue it is high time for another.

A metal spoon has a number of multi-coloured breakfast cereal hoops on it. Lots more of the cereal can be seen in the background.

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