On Day 57 of the conflict, Donald Trump cancelled a planned Pakistan visit by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The trip aimed to restart peace talks with Iran.   Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad without meeting US officials. He held talks with Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir.   Trump said, “Too much time wasted on traveling.” He added, “They can call us anytime.”   Iran said it will not accept “maximalist demands”. Talks may continue through Pakistan, but no direct contact has taken place. (PC: X)

Palestinians voted in local elections across the West Bank and in Deir al-Balah in Gaza. It is the first vote in Gaza since 2006.   More than one million people were eligible, including about 70,000 in Deir al-Balah. The vote took place under a ceasefire plan backed by Donald Trump.   Hamas did not take part. Other groups also boycotted the poll over rules linked to the Palestine Liberation Organization.   A voter said, “We want the world to help us overcome the catastrophe of war.” Another voter said the vote may not change much due to ongoing Israeli control. (PC: BBC)

It is nearly 60 days since the US-Israel strikes on Iran led to a wider war. A key question now is whether Donald Trump will follow the legal limit on such action.   Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, military action without Congress approval can last 60 days. A 30-day exit window may follow.   There is no clear agreement on the exact deadline. Some lawmakers say late April. Others say early May.   A ceasefire is in place, but talks remain stalled. Republican Brian Fitzpatrick said, “You can’t punish ceasefires.”   No US team joined recent Iran talks in Pakistan. (PC: HT)

At least seven people were killed in a major Russian attack on Ukraine overnight, officials said on Saturday. Five deaths were reported in Dnipro after an apartment building was hit. Two more people were killed in Chernihiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the assault lasted almost all night. Ukraine said Russia launched more than 600 drones and missiles. Rescue teams searched damaged buildings for survivors. British jets were also scrambled from Romania during the attack. Ukraine meanwhile launched long-range drone strikes inside Russia. (PC: State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

Videos and images linking Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto a building in Washington, D.C. during a protest on Thursday. The display included photos, documents and audio said to contain Epstein emails. A crowd gathered to watch the projections. The protest happened a day before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Trump is expected to attend the event for the first time while in office. His visit has drawn attention because of his long-running clashes with the US media.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday as uncertainty grew over a second round of talks with the United States. He said there would be “no direct talks with US”. Araghchi is expected to travel to Muscat and Moscow for discussions on regional issues and bilateral ties. In Islamabad, he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. The White House had earlier said US envoys would hold direct talks. However, Iran denied any such meeting was planned. Tensions remain high. (PC: Reuters)

A new bill titled the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 has been introduced in the US Congress, proposing a major overhaul of the H-1B visa programme. Led by Republican lawmaker Eli Crane, the legislation calls for a three-year suspension on issuing new H-1B visas, along with stricter rules like higher salary thresholds and tighter eligibility conditions. Supporters argue it aims to protect American jobs from alleged misuse of foreign labour hiring. However, the proposal has raised serious concern among Indian professionals and students, who form the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries, as it could significantly disrupt tech career opportunities in the US. (PC: HT)

Syrian authorities have arrested Amjad Youssef, the suspected leader behind the 2013 Tadamon massacre, one of the most brutal atrocities of the country’s civil war. The Interior Ministry confirmed he was detained in a security operation near Hama province after years in hiding following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in 2024. Youssef is accused of overseeing the killing of around 288 civilians, including children, in Damascus, with evidence first exposed through leaked videos published by The Guardian in 2022. The arrest has been welcomed internationally as a major step toward justice, though concerns remain over fair trials and broader accountability for war crimes committed during the conflict. (PC: X)

Uncertainty continues over the next round of US–Iran talks as no clear confirmation has emerged about when or whether negotiations will proceed in Islamabad. The Pakistani capital remains under strict security lockdown, with key areas sealed off and movement heavily restricted due to anticipated high-level diplomatic activity. Despite preparations by authorities and international attention on mediation efforts, both Washington and Tehran appear divided over direct engagement terms. Iran has reportedly shown reluctance for direct talks, preferring indirect channels through Pakistan. Meanwhile, Islamabad’s security measures have disrupted daily life, highlighting the sensitivity and volatility surrounding the proposed negotiations and broader regional tensions. (PC: AP)

A group of around 240–250 members of the Bnei Menashe community from Manipur and Mizoram has been airlifted to Tel Aviv under Israel’s “Operation Wings of Dawn.” The community believes it is descended from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel and has long sought relocation under Israel’s Law of Return. This latest move marks the first major batch in the ongoing migration plan coordinated by the Israeli government and Jewish agencies. Officials said the initiative aims to gradually bring thousands more to Israel for resettlement, conversion, and integration. The relocation reflects deep cultural and religious ties between the Northeast Indian community and Israel.