You are invited to join us for Global Crisis Watch 332, on Friday, April 25th at 17:00 BST / 12:00 EDT.
The highlighted topics will include:
Peace Deal in Doubt: US Signals Deadline, Ukraine Stands Firm on Sovereignty
US Vice-President JD Vance warned that the United States may “walk away” from peace efforts unless Ukraine and Russia agree to a new proposal aimed at stopping the war. His comments follow downgraded talks in London involving the UK, France, Germany, Ukraine and the US, after key American officials unexpectedly withdrew. Focus now shifts to upcoming Moscow talks, where US envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the fourth time.
Vance emphasized that the US has made a “very explicit proposal” and it is now time for the parties to decide. The proposal appears to suggest freezing the war along current front lines, with both sides giving up some territorial claims. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his demand for a full, unconditional ceasefire and flatly rejected any recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.
Reports have circulated that Moscow may be willing to stop its offensive if allowed to keep Crimea, though Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed these as false. Ukraine continues to reject any concessions on what it calls “non-negotiable” issues, including territorial integrity. Zelenskyy also proposed a 30-day halt to missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure, pointing to the brief Easter truce as proof that Russia could stop attacks if it wanted to. Despite talk of peace, Russia escalated its strikes this week, killing civilians in several cities including Marhanets, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv. British officials confirmed there was no sustained lull in attacks, despite Putin’s claims of a holiday ceasefire.
The US and allies appear increasingly eager for a resolution, but fundamental disagreements over territory and trust continue to stall diplomacy. With hundreds of thousands killed or wounded and millions displaced, the war shows little sign of ending without major compromises—something neither Kyiv nor Moscow currently appears willing to make.
Over 7 Million Canadians Vote Early, Breaking Turnout Records
Canada’s federal election is approaching, and a new record has been set for early voter turnout, with 7.3 million ballots cast during advance polling. This marks a 25% increase from the 2021 election, demonstrating that more Canadians are opting to vote early. The advance polls, open from Friday to Monday over the Easter long weekend, saw over 2 million people casting their ballots on just the first day. While it’s still too early to determine if this will lead to higher overall voter turnout, experts note that this trend reflects a growing acceptance of advance voting as a convenient option.
The race between the Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, which has governed Canada under the recently departed prime Minister Justin Trudeau since 2015, and the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, is heating up in the final stretch of the campaign. Carney, a former central banker, has positioned himself as the leader best suited to handle trade tensions with the US, particularly President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. In contrast, Poilievre has focused his campaign on Canadians’ desire for change, emphasizing issues such as housing, crime and the cost of living. The Conservatives have criticized the Liberals for government overspending, positioning themselves as the party of fiscal responsibility. In addition to the two main parties, smaller groups like the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party are vying for attention, with the Bloc expected to secure third place in the election.
As the election date on April 28 draws nearer, the focus is on how the final days of campaigning will impact voter behavior and whether early voting will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.
US Court Blocks Trump’s Efforts to Undermine VOA and Higher Education Autonomy
A US federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) and other US-funded international broadcasters, calling the actions unlawful and unconstitutional. The decision mandates the restoration of over 1,300 employees and contractors impacted by the March 2024 shutdown of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
The shutdown was part of an executive order led by Kari Lake, a Trump ally, who claimed that USAGM’s operations were biased against the administration. This unprecedented action silenced VOA for the first time in its 80-year history, despite its long-standing mission to provide independent, credible news globally. Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration’s actions violated the International Broadcasting Act, which grants Congress the authority over US public media funding. He criticized the shutdown as arbitrary and harmful to press freedom, emphasizing that the US government had approved the budget through legislation, making such an executive action unconstitutional.
While this ruling is a significant win for press freedom, it highlights broader tensions between the executive branch and the independence of publicly funded institutions. The VOA case comes amid growing criticism of the Trump administration’s influence over US higher education. Over 200 university and college presidents have condemned what they describe as political interference, particularly targeting institutions like Harvard University. The administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from universities unless they comply with its demands, including banning diversity programs and curbing student activism. In response, Harvard sued the administration, claiming that such actions violated constitutional rights and academic independence.
Both the VOA and university cases reveal ongoing struggles regarding executive power over institutions that are supposed to operate independently of political influence. These conflicts reflect larger debates over media freedom, higher education governance and the role of government in shaping both sectors in an increasingly polarized political environment.
Border Tensions Rise as Dominican Republic Targets Undocumented Migrants
Under a recently enacted immigration control measure, the Dominican Republic has deported over 130 undocumented Haitian women and children, including 48 pregnant women and 39 new mothers, after detaining them in public hospitals. This move is part of a broader immigration policy led by President Luis Abinader, who recently introduced 15 new measures aimed at reducing the number of undocumented migrants, especially amid rising tensions over strained public services.
According to Dominican authorities, those detained were processed at a detention centre, where their biometric data was collected, before being handed over to Haitian officials at the border. Officials emphasized that all individuals were treated humanely, transported in buses equipped with safety and comfort features and deported only after medical discharge.
However, the deportations have triggered strong opposition. The Dominican College of Physicians condemned the practice as “inhumane,” warning it could discourage undocumented migrants from seeking necessary healthcare. Human rights groups echoed this sentiment, describing the raids as “cruel,” especially given Haiti’s deteriorating conditions.
Haiti is currently grappling with escalating gang violence, which has led to the closure of hospitals and the deaths of over 5,600 people in 2024 alone. The Dominican Republic, home to an estimated half a million Haitians, has deported more than 80,000 individuals in the first quarter of 2024.
President Abinader has defended the policy, stating that public hospitals must now verify patients’ legal status, and those lacking proper documentation will be deported after treatment. Critics argue the measures violate basic human rights and risk worsening an already desperate humanitarian situation.
Plus, all the stories that are catching our attention wherever we live in the world. Feel free to join us and add your voice to the conversation.