During his election campaign Donald Trump had promised to end the war in 24 hours. But almost 100 days into his second term the US president has appealed directly to Russian president Vladimir Putin, telling him on social media: “Vladimir, STOP!”
Trump’s remarks referred to the deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv this year, which killed 12 people and injured at least 90 on Thursday. The attack comes as Trump has made a renewed push to end the Ukraine war, reportedly on terms favourable to Russia.
The president told reporters in Washington: “I have my own deadline,” amid speculation he wants to have a ceasefire agreed before his 100th day in office on 30 April.
Closer to home, Trump has also attempted to change voting requirements, which advocates say would have disenfranchised millions, and have now been blocked by a federal judge.
Here are the key stories at a glance:
‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump issues rare rebuke to Putin
At least 12 people have been killed and more than 90 injured in Kyiv after Russia carried out one of the most devastating air attacks against Ukraine for months, with Kharkiv and other cities also targeted.
The attack drew a rare rebuke of Russia from Donald Trump, who on social media implored Putin to “STOP”.
Judge blocks Trump order threatening voting rights
A federal judge on Thursday blocked Trump’s efforts to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form, a change that voting rights advocates warned would have disenfranchised millions of voters.
US and China holding talks on trade war, Trump says
Washington and Beijing held talks on Thursday to help resolve the trade war between the world’s two largest economies, Donald Trump said. China had earlier hit back against Trump’s previous claim that the US was close to a trade deal with Beijing.
Trump asks supreme court to reinstate trans military ban
The Trump administration has asked the US supreme court to reinstate its ban on transgender troops serving in the armed forces after several judges issued separate rulings against it.
US to fast-track fossil fuel and mining permits
The US interior department has announced plans to radically fast-track permission for projects involving fossil fuels and mining, citing Trump’s “energy emergency” declaration that many experts say does not exist.
Trump denies aid after deadly storms
The president has denied federal disaster relief funds to the people of Arkansas, where dozens of people died from a series of deadly tornados last month, so legislators are pleading for him to reconsider. More than 40 people have been found dead after a series of tornados and severe storms hit Arkansas and neighboring states Mississippi and Missouri in March, according to CNN.
Autism experts and autistic people are pushing back on Robert F Kennedy’s “terrible” approach to autism as the health secretary plans more expansive monitoring of autistic people’s health records and proposes cuts to disability services.
Trump signs executive order boosting deep-sea mining industry
The president’s order boosting the deep-sea mining industry in US waters is the latest attempt to increase the country’s production of nickel, copper and other critical minerals used widely across the economy as part of a push to offset China’s control of the minerals industry.
Catching up? Here’s what happened on 23 April 2025.