Weekly Brief

April 27, 2025

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, Pope Francis passes away at 88 as India and Pakistan's relations worsen following a deadly Kashmir attack. The US and Philippines launch military drills, tensions persist in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and a 6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Istanbul.

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Pope Francis dies aged 88 as Vatican prepares for succession

Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican announced on Easter Monday (Apr. 21). The first Jesuit and Latin American pope, he had experienced declining health in recent years and was hospitalised in February with severe bronchitis and pneumonia. His death was caused by a cerebral stroke leading to irreversible heart failure.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis was laid to rest in Rome after world leaders and thousands of mourners gathered on Saturday (Apr. 26) morning for his funeral in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Nine days of official mourning will conclude on 4 May, with the conclave to elect his successor beginning on 5 May. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, meeting daily in the Sistine Chapel until a new pope is chosen.

Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorate following deadly Kashmir attack

Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India sharply deteriorated this past week following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead. In response, India announced a series of measures against Pakistan, including closing the main border crossing, suspending the Indus Water Treaty, expelling diplomats, and ordering some Pakistani visa holders to leave. India blames Pakistan for supporting militant groups in Kashmir, an accusation Islamabad denies.

In retaliation, Pakistan condemned India’s actions, halted trade, expelled Indian diplomats, and closed its airspace to Indian carriers. It also warned that any disruption to water flows under the treaty would be considered an act of war. Tensions remain high, with exchanges of fire reported in Jammu and Kashmir. India identified two of the attackers as Pakistani nationals, while Prime Minister Modi vowed severe retaliation, as calls for military action grow across India.

DRC and Rwanda sign peace framework amid M23 ceasefire

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels announced an agreement to halt fighting in eastern DRC while working towards a permanent truce, following Qatar-mediated talks. Both sides pledged an immediate cessation of hostilities during negotiations. Previous ceasefires since 2021 have repeatedly collapsed.

Separately, the DRC and Rwanda — which is accused of backing M23 — signed a U.S.-brokered agreement in Washington to draft a peace deal by 2 May and to refrain from supporting armed groups. They also agreed to explore joint security coordination. The deal is expected to attract significant U.S. public and private investment into DRC’s mineral-rich regions, including tantalum, gold, copper, cobalt, and lithium, which are critical for mobile phones and electric vehicles.

U.S. and Philippines launch Balikatan drills; China asserts control over disputed South China Sea reef

The Philippines and the United States launched the largest edition of their annual Balikatan military exercises, simulating conflict scenarios in key flashpoints such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. The expanded 10-day drills will involve nearly 18,000 troops, new island-based missile deployments, and coastal defence operations. Japanese forces will formally participate for the first time, alongside Australian contingents.

Meanwhile, China has seized Sandy Cay, a disputed reef near the Philippines’ key military outpost in the South China Sea. Chinese coastguard officers raised a flag to assert sovereignty, heightening fears of further reclamation activities. Although Sandy Cay is a small sandbank of just 200 square metres, it grants a territorial sea under international law, overlapping with Philippine-claimed areas. Beijing’s move is likely to escalate tensions as Balikatan exercises begin near the disputed region.

Russia-Ukraine conflict persists as peace deal remains elusive

A senior Russian general, Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed in a car bombing near Moscow on Friday (Apr. 25), the same day U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met President Putin for three hours in the Kremlin. Talks were described as “constructive,” with discussions reportedly touching on direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed full control of the Kursk region, with President Putin declaring Ukraine’s incursion a failure. Ukraine disputed the claim, saying battles continue. Russia praised North Korean troops for supporting its efforts. In Rome, US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy held a private meeting ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral, discussing ceasefire prospects and future peace efforts. After the meeting, Trump questioned Putin’s commitment to ending the war and warned of possible new sanctions against Russia.

Istanbul hit by 6.2 magnitude earthquake

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Istanbul on Wednesday (Apr. 23), injuring 151 people who jumped from buildings in panic. No critical injuries were reported, and no major damage occurred to infrastructure, although one abandoned building collapsed. Shops temporarily closed as aftershocks continued across the city.

The tremor, centred near Silivri, revived memories of Türkiye’s devastating 2023 earthquake, which killed over 55,000 people, and the 1999 Istanbul quake that claimed 17,000 lives. Authorities confirmed no damage to highways, airports, or transport systems. President Erdogan said he was closely monitoring the situation, and officials issued guidance for residents on earthquake safety.

Deadly blast in Iran amid renewed U.S. nuclear negotiations

At least 14 people have died and 750 were injured following a major explosion at the port of Bandar Abbas in southwestern Iran, according to the country’s interior ministry. Authorities suspect chemical containers may have caused the blast but say the full cause remains unclear. A state of emergency has been declared in Bandar Abbas due to rising air pollution.

Meanwhile, Iran and the United States held extensive talks in Oman over Tehran’s advancing nuclear programme. Negotiators described the discussions as serious and detailed, with plans for further meetings despite ongoing disagreements.e

Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood amid rising domestic tensions

Jordan has banned the Muslim Brotherhood, disbanding its local branch, confiscating its assets, and enforcing a media ban on related material. The move follows the arrest of 16 members accused of plotting attacks, with authorities seizing explosives intended for use within the kingdom. The Brotherhood, once the Arab world’s most influential non-state political force, denied involvement.

Analysts see this as a major shift in Jordan’s approach, ending years of relative tolerance. The Brotherhood’s political arm, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), had become the country’s largest opposition force after last year’s elections. The crackdown comes amid heightened domestic tensions over Gaza and growing dissatisfaction with Jordan’s international alliances and economic challenges.

EU fines Apple and Meta total of €700mn for antitrust violations

The EU has fined Apple €500mn and Meta €200mn for breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking the first major enforcement of the new rules aimed at curbing Big Tech’s dominance. Apple must revise its App Store policies, which allegedly restrict developers from directing users to external offers. Meta must change its “pay or consent” model, which requires users to either accept data tracking or pay for ad-free access.

Though the DMA allows for fines up to 10% of global turnover, Brussels opted for smaller penalties to prioritise compliance over confrontation. Both companies have criticised the decision, and the EU will reassess their compliance in two months.