AnewZ Morning Brief - April 20th, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 20th, covering the latest developments you need to know.

At least 11 dead after building collapse in New Delhi

A tragic building collapse in New Delhi has claimed the lives of at least 11 people, including three children, as emergency teams work around the clock to search for survivors beneath the rubble.

Rescue crews responded swiftly, managing to pull 22 individuals from the debris. Several were rushed to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where four later succumbed to their injuries.

According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the collapsed structure was located in an unauthorized colony and failed to meet construction standards, lacking proper load-bearing capacity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the victims' families and announced compensation for those impacted by the disaster.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Building collapses remain a recurring issue in India, often tied to illegal construction or neglected infrastructure.

Five dead, two missing as strong waves hit Australia

At least five people have drowned and two others remain missing after powerful waves struck coastal areas in New South Wales and Victoria, prompting warnings from authorities.

In southern New South Wales, a man’s body was discovered near Tathra, following the earlier deaths of a 58-year-old fisherman and two other men in separate incidents across the state.

Search efforts are ongoing for a man swept into the sea near Sydney. In San Remo, Victoria, a woman drowned after being pulled into the ocean along with others on Friday, and a man from the same group is still unaccounted for.

Adam Weir, CEO of Surf Life Saving Australia, urged the public to swim only at beaches patrolled by lifeguards. The organization reports that 630 people have drowned on unmonitored beaches over the past ten years.

Hamas says fate of U.S.-Israeli hostage unknown

Hamas’ armed wing has announced it no longer knows the whereabouts or condition of Edan Alexander, the Israeli-American soldier believed to be the last known American hostage held in Gaza. According to the group, contact was lost with the fighters guarding Alexander after an Israeli airstrike reportedly killed one of them at the site where he was being held.

Alexander, 21, originally from New Jersey, was serving in the Israeli military when he was taken hostage. His case has remained a key focus for U.S. officials, with former President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, reaffirming in March that securing his release remains a “top priority” for the U.S.

The Israeli military has yet to respond to Hamas' claim. Israel has previously accused Hamas of killing hostages under its control. Alexander’s situation has been a central issue in ongoing negotiations between Hamas representatives and U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler.

U.S. and Iran conclude second round of nuclear talks in Rome

Tehran and Washington have completed their second round of nuclear negotiations, as both sides seek to revive stalled diplomacy and explore the possibility of a new agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.

The latest talks, held in Rome, were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. They follow the initial round of discussions that began on April 12 in Oman. Negotiators focused on outlining a roadmap for continued dialogue and potentially establishing the groundwork for a future deal.

Araghchi characterized the discussions as “constructive” and “forward-looking,” adding that Iran hopes to soon gain a clearer perspective on the prospects for an agreement.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials have urged the United States to proceed with caution, stressing the need for firm guarantees that Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons capabilities.

A third round of talks is scheduled to take place next Saturday.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian army 'trying to create impression' of Easter ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of an Easter ceasefire, Russian forces attempted overnight advances and sought to inflict casualties along the front line.

“As of Easter morning, the Russian army appears to be trying to create the illusion of a ceasefire, yet in certain areas, it continues isolated attempts to push forward and cause losses to Ukrainian forces,” Zelenskyy said in a social media post.

Putin announces an Easter ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine swap hundreds of POWs

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine over the weekend, citing humanitarian concerns. The truce, beginning Saturday evening and lasting until midnight Sunday, came alongside the largest prisoner exchange since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Despite the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the move as a manipulative ploy, pointing to ongoing drone attacks during the ceasefire. “Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude toward Easter and human life,” he said on social media.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed the criticism, noting Ukraine had previously accepted a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire in March, which Moscow rejected. “Now Putin offers 30 hours instead,” he remarked.

Nevertheless, the two countries completed a significant POW swap, with Russia returning 277 Ukrainian soldiers and receiving 246 of its own personnel. Both sides thanked the UAE for mediating the exchange.

The ceasefire announcement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting peace talks were entering a decisive phase, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the U.S. could withdraw if progress stalls.

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