Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a three-day ceasefire from 8–10 May as a "manipulation" timed for Russia’s VE Day celebrations. Zelenskyy argued that the pause is designed to deceive global audiences and provide silence for Putin’s parade, rather than pursue peace. He stressed Ukraine’s ongoing willingness for a real ceasefire, urging an immediate, unconditional 30-day truce instead. The Kremlin claimed the move was a gesture Ukraine should match. Zelenskyy responded, “We value human lives, not parades,” reaffirming Ukraine’s position that the war should stop permanently, not symbolically. (PC: Sky News)

Mark Carney's Liberal Party has secured a minority government in Canada's 2025 federal election, extending their tenure in power. Carney, a former central banker and political newcomer, succeeded Justin Trudeau in March. The Liberals' campaign emphasized defending Canadian sovereignty against U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies, including imposed tariffs and provocative remarks about annexation. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre conceded defeat but pledged to hold the minority government accountable. The election also saw the resignation of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh following significant losses. Carney now faces the challenge of navigating complex trade negotiations with the U.S. while addressing domestic economic concerns. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Mark Carney's Liberal Party has secured victory in Canada's 2025 federal election, marking a significant political turnaround. Initially trailing in polls, the Liberals gained momentum following U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial remarks, including suggestions of annexing Canada as the 51st state. These comments galvanized Canadian voters, shifting support towards Carney, who is perceived as a strong counter to Trump's influence. Carney, a former central bank governor, assumed Liberal leadership in March after Justin Trudeau's resignation. While the Liberals lead with 159 seats in the 343-seat House of Commons, it's uncertain if they will achieve a majority. The election underscores Canada's desire to assert its sovereignty and navigate complex U.S.-Canada relations. (PC: AP News)

A massive power outage caused chaos across Portugal and Spain on April 28, leading to widespread traffic disruptions and hundreds of flight cancellations. In Lisbon, traffic lights went dark, forcing police officers to manually direct vehicles. Lisbon Airport saw nearly 30% of departures canceled, while Spain reported dozens of flight disruptions, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged citizens to avoid speculation as investigations continue, stressing that hospitals remain functional. Authorities confirmed no signs of a cyberattack, while recovery efforts are ongoing. Some regions in northern and southern Spain have begun restoring electricity. (PC: Getty Images)

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar vowed to take "all appropriate steps" to protect Pakistan’s rights under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), after India suspended the agreement following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Chairing a high-level meeting, Dar said the treaty is vital for Pakistan’s 240 million citizens and accused India of trying to "weaponise water." Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also pledged to explore all options to ensure the uninterrupted flow of rivers allotted to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan warned that diversion of water would be considered an act of war, escalating tensions between the nuclear neighbors. (PC: AFP)

A rare atmospheric phenomenon has caused widespread power outages and disruptions in Portugal, according to REN, the country’s grid operator. The fault originated in Spain’s electricity network, where extreme temperature swings triggered "anomalous oscillations" in high-voltage lines. REN explains that the phenomenon, known as "induced atmospheric variation," led to system synchronisation failures, triggering successive disturbances across Europe’s interconnected grid. The operator warns that, due to the complexity of the situation, it may take up to a week for the network to fully stabilise. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as efforts continue to restore full service. (PC: Sky News)

Rajasthan Royals’ 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi shattered world records by scoring the fastest-ever IPL century off just 35 balls, becoming the youngest player to hit a T20 hundred. Chasing 210 against Gujarat Titans, Suryavanshi powered RR to victory in just 15.5 overs, breaking their five-match losing streak and keeping their IPL 2025 playoff hopes alive. He also notched the fastest fifty of the season in just 17 balls. Yashasvi Jaiswal supported the chase with a brilliant 70 off 40 balls. Earlier, GT's Shubman Gill scored 84 and Jos Buttler smashed a quickfire fifty to set a competitive total of 209/4. (PC: BCCI)

Canadians are heading to the polls in a snap election to decide their next prime minister, just six weeks after Mark Carney replaced Justin Trudeau. The ruling Liberal Party, led by Carney, faces a tough battle against Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party. Amid the election, US President Donald Trump reignited controversy by urging Canada to become the 51st US state through a social media post. Poilievre quickly rebuked Trump, telling him to "stay out of our election," while Carney urged Canadians to remain "united and strong" against political turmoil in the United States. Voter turnout remains high across Canada. (PC: BBC)

In a heartfelt speech in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, including 25 tourists. Reading each victim’s name and state, he emphasized nationwide grief and unity. Abdullah praised locals' bravery, recounting stories of rescue efforts by Kashmiris during the tragedy. He stressed that terrorism can only end when people stand with the administration, highlighting widespread spontaneous protests across Kashmir against the attack. The Opposition joined in applauding Abdullah’s response, marking a rare moment of unity. Abdullah urged caution to preserve public trust and honor the spirit of Kashmir's true hospitality. (PC: PTI)

A rare atmospheric phenomenon has triggered a massive power outage across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France and Andorra, plunging cities into darkness. Authorities ruled out a cyberattack, attributing the blackout to unusual temperature variations affecting electricity flows. Traffic lights failed, metros in Lisbon and Porto shut down, and shops closed across Madrid. Spain’s grid operator estimates restoration within 6–10 hours, while Portugal’s REN warned full recovery could take up to a week. The European Commission is coordinating with local authorities to investigate. Citizens have been urged to limit emergency calls and avoid road travel where possible. (PC: Reuters)