World

Thousands of Palestinians participated in municipal elections in Gaza for the first time in 20 years, with voting limited to Deir al-Balah while parallel polls were held across the West Bank. The Palestinian Central Elections Commission reported over 1.3 million eligible voters across the territories.

President Donald Trump announced that US negotiators would not travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran, asserting that Washington holds the upper hand in the conflict. His remarks followed the departure of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi from Islamabad after meetings with Pakistan’s leadership.

The Embassy of India in Bamako urged Indians in Mali to stay vigilant after coordinated attacks by armed groups. Malian forces said the situation is under control, with counter-operations underway and several attackers neutralised across affected regions

Russian drone and missile strikes on Dnipro killed five people and injured 46, with widespread damage to homes and businesses. Additional attacks hit Odesa, while Ukraine struck Russia’s Belgorod region.

India’s envoy Naveen Srivastava met Nepal’s Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha in Kathmandu to discuss energy cooperation, cross-border projects, and regional connectivity. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to sustainable development amid ongoing India–Nepal power and transmission agreements

CDS Anil Chauhan held key talks with US and UK military leaders, strengthening strategic alignment on Indo-Pacific security, technology cooperation, and global challenges, while signalling plans to expand bilateral and tri-service defence engagements and operational coordination

Republican lawmakers in the US have proposed a bill to pause H-1B visas for three years, cut annual caps, raise wage thresholds, and impose stricter hiring rules, arguing the programme disadvantages American workers and requires comprehensive reform.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message, praised US President Donald Trump for exerting strong pressure on Iran and Lebanon to achieve peace. Netanyahu highlighted ongoing cooperation with Washington and accused Hezbollah of sabotaging peace efforts.

Rising geopolitical tensions and disruptions in key maritime chokepoints expose India’s supply chain vulnerabilities

An India-bound container vessel, Epaminondes, was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz. Among the 21 crew members is vice-captain Sanjay Mahar from Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar. His family reported that the crew faced gunfire but remained safe inside the ship.

President Donald Trump has dispatched envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoffe to Pakistan for continued negotiations with Iran. White House press secretary Karolina Leavitt confirmed that the envoys will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad.

The Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini reached Las Palmas, marking its first Canary Islands visit, as part of Lokayan 26 deployment, boosting maritime ties and preparing for a trans-Atlantic voyage to US events

India said the Iran situation remains serious, with the Ministry of External Affairs confirming over 2,400 evacuations, while embassy staff in Tehran continue assisting nationals amid a fragile ceasefire extended by Donald Trump

Annalena Baerbock will visit India on April 28 to meet S. Jaishankar for discussions on multilateral issues, AI governance, and global challenges, while also paying tribute at Rajghat during her official programme

An Indian seafarer aboard the Iranian-held vessel Epaminondas is safe, officials confirmed, amid escalating Strait of Hormuz tensions involving ship seizures by Iran, with multiple Indian crew members across vessels being monitored by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways

The White House said Donald Trump extended a Jones Act waiver by 90 days, easing shipping rules for foreign vessels transporting oil and gas amid post-Iran conflict disruptions, aiming to stabilize supply and energy prices

India and the United States concluded three-day trade talks on April 23, with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stating both sides agreed to stay engaged, advancing discussions on market access, digital trade, and a proposed bilateral trade agreement framework

  Analysts examine whether the Strait of Hormuz could again see US naval escorts like the 1980s “Tanker War.” Rising Iran-linked attacks and modern asymmetric warfare complicate security efforts despite potential US intervention to protect global oil shipping 

Uncertainty surrounds Masood Azhar as reports suggest declining health and internal dissent within Jaish-e-Mohammed. Cadres question his whereabouts while intelligence agencies say he is unwell but not critically ill, with leadership reportedly seeking succession plans

China will send two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, to Zoo Atlanta under a 10-year conservation deal. The move strengthens US–China “panda diplomacy” amid strained ties and upcoming high-level political engagement

Wildfires are intensifying across eastern United States, with scientists linking rising incidents to climate change, drought, and storm debris. Increased fuel and dry conditions are driving more frequent, destructive fires, especially in densely populated forest regions

In Washington, General Upendra Dwivedi was inducted into the International Hall of Fame at the US Army War College, becoming the third Indian Army chief honoured, highlighting growing India-US defence cooperation and strategic ties

US President Donald Trump praised Indian tennis player Dhakshineswar Suresh at the National Champions Day event in Washington DC. The Wake Forest star clinched the 2025 NCAA Division I title and has been a rising talent in Indian tennis

India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s social media post targeting immigrants and birthright citizenship, calling the remarks “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.”