The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that the UK will be among the hardest hit by the escalating global trade war, primarily due to new U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. The IMF slashed the UK's 2025 growth forecast from 1.6% to 1.1%, citing heightened inflation, rising energy costs, and increased borrowing expenses. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington to negotiate reductions to the 10% baseline tariff on UK goods, with steel, aluminum, and car exports facing an additional 25% levy. Despite potential tariff relief, the IMF cautions that global economic spillovers and domestic challenges, including inflation and energy prices, will continue to weigh heavily on the UK's economy. (PC: Supply Chain Brain)

At least seven tourists were injured in a suspected terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley, located in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday. Gunfire was reported in the area, prompting an immediate response from security forces, including the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police. The popular tourist destination, accessible only on foot or horseback, was swiftly cordoned off as an operation was launched. Initial reports suggest the attack was targeted at civilians. Authorities are continuing combing operations, and the situation remains tense. The incident raises fresh concerns over security in the Valley amid the upcoming tourist season.

US Vice President JD Vance announced that India and the US have finalised the terms of reference for trade negotiations, laying the foundation for a future trade agreement. Speaking during his India visit, Vance called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "tough negotiator" and praised his leadership. The announcement comes after a temporary pause on Trump-era tariffs. Vance emphasized that the US seeks partnership, not to preach, and acknowledged Modi’s popularity, joking that his approval ratings made him jealous. The development marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic and strategic ties between the world’s two largest democracies. (PC: India Today)

In a shocking incident on Tuesday, terrorists attacked a group of tourists in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. Initial reports confirm that at least five people have sustained injuries. The assault occurred in a remote area, making it difficult for security forces to reach the site promptly. Authorities are working to secure the area and evacuate the injured. Additional forces have been deployed, and the situation remains tense. The identities and nationalities of the injured tourists have not been disclosed yet. A search operation is underway to trace the attackers and secure the region. (PC: PTI)

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 local time in St Peter’s Square. The service will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and held outdoors in front of St Peter’s Basilica. Images released by the Vatican show Pope Francis lying in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with a papal mitre and rosary. His body will be moved to St Mary Major for burial after the funeral. Numerous world leaders, including Trump, Macron, and Zelensky, have confirmed their attendance to pay respects to the late Pontiff. (PC: Reuters)

On April 21, 2025, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 scheduled to fly from Orlando to Atlanta caught fire during pushback at Orlando International Airport. The fire originated from the tailpipe of one engine, prompting the crew to initiate an emergency evacuation. All 282 passengers and 12 crew members safely exited the aircraft using emergency slides, with no injuries reported. Airport firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. Delta Airlines apologized for the incident, emphasizing passenger safety, and arranged an alternative flight for the affected travelers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the engine fire. This event adds to recent aviation safety concerns in the U.S.

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop a federal freeze on over $2.2 billion in grants. The university's president, Alan Garber, stated that the government's actions followed Harvard's refusal to comply with what it deems illegal demands. The lawsuit targets multiple agencies, including the Departments of Education, Health, Justice, Energy, and the General Services Administration. The Trump administration justifies the funding freeze as a response to alleged anti-Semitism on campuses, particularly related to protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. Harvard contends that there is no rational link between these concerns and the halted research funding, asserting that the government's actions are unlawful and overreach its authority. (PC: CNN & Reuters)

Pope Francis, the revered leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday morning at the age of 88 due to a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said in an official statement. The pontiff reportedly slipped into a coma before passing. In his final testament, also released by the Vatican, Pope Francis requested a simple burial at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major, without ornate decorations. Unlike many previous popes buried at St. Peter’s Basilica, he asked only for his papal name, “Franciscus,” to be inscribed in Latin. His legacy of humility and compassion endures worldwide. (PC: Reuters)

In a surprising development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to hold direct peace talks with Ukraine for the first time since the war began in 2022, according to Russian state TV. Following a 30-hour Easter ceasefire, which he announced unilaterally, Putin said Moscow remains open to more ceasefires and peace initiatives. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that bilateral negotiations are on the table. Ukraine, meanwhile, has not responded directly to the offer but will attend peace talks in London with Western allies. Russia’s defence ministry claims Ukraine carried out 900 drone attacks during the truce, causing civilian casualties. (PC: AP)

The sudden death of Pope Francis during Easter has left the world in mourning, sparking global interest in the centuries-old tradition of the papal conclave. Coincidentally, Ralph Fiennes’ 2024 film 'Conclave'—which portrays a tense papal election following a pope’s death—has gained renewed relevance. Directed by Edward Berger, the film explores power struggles, ideological rifts, and spiritual dilemmas behind closed Vatican doors. As the real-life Sacred College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new pope, Conclave mirrors the Church’s internal complexities and the high stakes of its future. Art and reality intertwine at a historic moment for Catholicism.