World

The Yvette Cooper urged a “toll-free” Strait of Hormuz during diplomatic talks, stressing freedom of navigation amid US-Iran tensions, while the United Kingdom pushes global consensus to keep key energy routes open and unrestricted

Lee Jae Myung praised Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, as India and South Korea agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, defence, and clean energy through upgraded economic frameworks and new institutional mechanisms

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck near Sanriku, prompting Japan Meteorological Agency tsunami alerts. Waves hit Iwate Prefecture, with evacuation advisories issued, as authorities warned of stronger tsunamis and aftershocks along Japan’s northern coast

CP Radhakrishnan visited Sri Lanka, meeting Indian-origin Tamil communities in Nuwara Eliya and reviewing India-backed housing projects. Talks focused on welfare schemes, education cooperation, and strengthening bilateral ties with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure over Peter Mandelson’s controversial ambassadorial appointment despite security concerns, sparking calls for resignation and political backlash in United Kingdom amid allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated after a seized cargo ship and naval clashes, casting doubt on peace talks in Islamabad, despite ongoing regional diplomatic efforts to resume negotiations

Kim Jong-un supervised North Korea’s test of Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles with cluster bomb warheads, showcasing enhanced strike capability. South Korea condemned the launch as a UN sanctions violation, raising regional security concerns

Elon Musk was summoned in Paris over alleged misconduct on X, including deepfakes and child abuse content. French investigators are probing compliance, while tensions rise with US authorities over the ongoing investigation

Global oil prices surged near $100 as West Asia tensions escalated, with Brent Crude and WTI Crude rising sharply after Iran’s Strait of Hormuz warning. Market volatility increased, dragging Indian indices lower despite mixed global equity performance trends

The Nepali Congress has strongly opposed the government’s recent decision to impose customs duty on goods worth more than NPR 100 imported by border residents from India. The party described the move as unjust, impractical, and harmful to low-income groups such as farmers and labourers, who rely on cheaper goods across the border for survival.

Pakistan’s emergence as mediator between Iran & US-Israel reflects interplay of trust deficits, geographic realities, and economic compulsions

A horrific domestic disturbance in Shreveport, Louisiana, left eight children dead and two others injured early Sunday morning. The victims, aged between one and 14, were shot across three different locations.

The Israeli military announced the killing of Hezbollah commander Ali Rida Abbas and over 150 fighters in strikes conducted just before a US-mediated ceasefire took effect. Abbas, a senior figure in Hezbollah’s armed wing, was the fourth commander from Bint Jbeil killed since October 2023.

Pakistan plans to repay the remaining USD 1.5 billion of a USD 3.5 billion loan to the United Arab Emirates by April 23, aided by International Monetary Fund inflows and Saudi Arabia support, helping stabilise foreign exchange reserves

Dinesh Trivedi is likely to be appointed India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh amid efforts to reset bilateral ties. Current envoy Pranay Verma has been named ambassador to Belgium and the EU, though no official announcement has been made yet

President Donald Trump announced that US negotiators will travel to Pakistan for renewed talks with Iran, aiming to extend a fragile ceasefire set to expire midweek. Iran has yet to confirm participation, though its parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf stressed diplomacy would continue despite deep differences.

US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating a ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz and warned of sweeping military retaliation if negotiations fail. He announced that American representatives would travel to Islamabad for talks, even as reports indicated that tanker traffic in the strategic waterway had nearly halted.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in New Delhi for a three-day state visit to strengthen the India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership. Talks ith PM Modi will focus on trade, AI, semiconductors, and emerging technologies.

Pakistan has reportedly denied visas to 92 Indian Sikh devotees, sparking criticism over religious access to Gurdwara Panja Sahib. The move, reported in Khalsa Vox, has raised concerns about strained India–Pakistan religious pilgrimage arrangements and Sikh community sentiments

Donald Trump said US negotiators will travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran amid rising tensions over a ceasefire. He accused Iran of violations in the Strait of Hormuz and warned of strikes on infrastructure if US terms are rejected

Bangladesh PM adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir warned IMF loan conditions may slow growth and worsen inflation. Experts at a Dhaka seminar cautioned that rigid reforms, rising debt, and weak institutions could push Bangladesh toward economic and middle-income traps

Sadhvi Satish Sail of Goa won Femina Miss India World 2026 in Bhubaneswar and will represent India at Miss World. Femina Miss India 2026 crowned winners including Rajnandini Pawar and Sree Advaita G amid Odisha’s first-ever hosting of the event

Indian negotiators led by Darpan Jain will meet US officials in Washington from April 20–22 to advance the bilateral trade agreement. Talks may revise tariff terms amid shifting US policies and ongoing trade disputes under Section 301

Bulgaria held its eighth parliamentary election in five years after political instability and failed government formation. Voters will elect 240 lawmakers, following the resignation of PM Rosen Zhelyazkov amid protests over economic policies