Houthis claim US airstrike killed 68 African migrants in Yemen prison: Unbiased Updates, April 28, 2025

The U.S. reportedly continues to strike Houthi rebels in Yemen. Also, the Vatican readies itself for the assembly of the College of Cardinals to convene and elect a new pope. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, April 28, 2025.

US airstrike killed 68 African migrants in Yemen prison: Houthis

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed Monday, April 28, that a U.S. airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 people and injuring 47 others.

The strike in Saada, a Houthi stronghold, is the latest incident to kill African migrants in the country’s decade-long war. The migrants run the risk of crossing through Yemen for a chance to work in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. military has yet to comment on the strike.

Ahead of it, U.S. Central Command released a statement reiterating its policy of providing no specific details about its extensive airstrike campaign in Yemen, known as “Operation Rough Rider.”

The strikes have sparked controversy in America over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app to share sensitive details about the attacks.

Various news organizations have reported that U.S. strikes in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, killed eight people on Sunday, April 27, and left others wounded.

The Trump administration announced that it will persist in its attacks on the Houthis until the rebels cease their assaults on merchant and navy vessels in the Red Sea, many of which are American or connected to Israel.

U.S. military officials said they’ve carried out more than 800 individual strikes against the Houthis since Operation Rough Rider began on March 15. The Houthis are known allies of the terrorist group Hamas, which launched a massive attack on Israel in October 2023.

Trump aims for Ukraine war deal in ‘two weeks or less’

President Donald Trump said Sunday, April 27, he hopes to reach a deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in two weeks or less.” The president’s remarks came after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican, ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, April 26.

Trump revealed that Zelenskyy asked for more weapons to sustain his nation’s fight against Russia, which has lasted for over three years. The American president would not guarantee aid for Ukraine.

“He needs more weapons, and we’re going to see what happens. I want to see what happens with respect to Russia. Because Russia, I have been surprised and disappointed, very disappointed that they did the bombing of those places after discussions,” Trump said.

The president referred to Russia’s continued strikes on Ukraine ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday, April 25, to discuss a peace deal.

Even after that meeting, Russia launched more drone attacks on six Ukrainian regions overnight on Saturday, April 26. Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry said its forces downed eight Ukrainian drones overnight into Sunday, April 27.

In an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russia and Ukraine are closer to a deal. However, he said it’s not there yet and that the U.S. needs to weigh its options.

“We cannot continue, as I said, to dedicate time and resources to this effort if it’s not going to come to fruition,” Rubio said. “So the last week has really been about figuring out how close are these sides really and are they close enough that this merits a continued investment of our time as a mediator in this regard.”

Rubio did not specify a deadline for when Russia and Ukraine must negotiate or confront the repercussions of diminished U.S. support, but he noted that this week is “critical.”

Suspect charged with murder after Vancouver Filipino Festival SUV attack

In British Columbia, Canada, prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old man with eight murder counts. Investigators accused Kai-Ji Adam Lo of intentionally driving his SUV into a crowded festival that was concluding for the night on Saturday, April 26.

Thousands had gathered for the Filipino heritage festival known as Lapu Lapu Day. However, the SUV attack left 11 people dead and dozens injured.

One witness compared the scene to a bowling ball striking bowling pins as the black Audi SUV barreled into festival-goers, sending them flying into the air. Bystanders managed to surround the SUV and keep the suspect in place until the police arrived.

The mayor of Vancouver stated that the driver had previously experienced mental health challenges. Investigators have eliminated terrorism as a possibility.

On Sunday night, April 27, vigils took place to pay tribute to the victims. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended less than a day before Monday’s election.

Legal advocates say US citizen children are deported with parents

As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration, lawyers with the National Immigration Project stated that two U.S. citizen children were placed on their mother’s deportation flight to Honduras without the chance to consult with attorneys. They claimed the move left a four-year-old boy with stage 4 cancer without access to his medication.

According to the lawyers, attorneys were in the process of preparing documents to contest the woman’s deportation when the children were removed from the U.S. on an ICE charter flight before a petition could be submitted.

This arises as the National Immigration Project addresses a related case involving the mother of a 2-year-old U.S. citizen, who was deported along with her child on Friday, April 25.

Border czar Tom Homan insists the child was “not denied due process.”

Homan said, “No U.S. citizen child was deported. Deported means you gotta be ordered, reported by the immigration judge. We don’t deport U.S. citizens.”

He continued, “The two-year-old went with the mom. The mom signed the paper, saying, ‘I want my two-year-old to go with me.’ That’s a parent’s decision. It’s not a government decision, it’s a parent’s decision.”

Homan told CBS’s Margaret Brennan that he was not aware of the specific case regarding the four-year-old with cancer who was sent to Honduras. However, he stated, “Having a U.S. citizen child after you enter this country illegally is not a get out of jail free card.”

Sistine Chapel closed for conclave to elect new pope

The Vatican has shut the Sistine Chapel, where Catholic cardinals will convene for the conclave to select the new pope. This follows Pope Francis’s funeral and burial on Saturday, April 26, and the nine-day mourning period that followed the pontiff’s passing on Monday, April 21.

Observers will watch the chimney where ballots will be incinerated after the votes are tallied. The duration of the conclave is uncertain, although it is anticipated to commence next Monday, May 5, at the earliest.

Among the 253 cardinals, only 138 can vote as they are under 80 years old.

As the conclave begins, cardinals will chant the saints’ litany while entering the chapel, followed by taking an oath of secrecy. Subsequently, the chapel’s double doors will close.

When the cardinals elect a pope, white smoke will emerge from the chimney, and bells will ring.

2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lineup announced

The nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025 have been revealed.

The 2025 class includes first-time inductees Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker and Bad Company, alongside big names such as pop star Cyndi Lauper, hip-hop pioneers OutKast and grunge masters Soundgarden.

Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status, will be honored with the musical influence award.

Some nominees that did not get in this year include Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, The Black Crowes and Oasis.