Hamas has expressed willingness to negotiate a five-year ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the one-time release of all remaining hostages, an official told AFP. The move comes as Hamas leaders prepare to meet mediators in Cairo. Previously, Hamas rejected a partial Israeli proposal offering a 45-day truce for 10 hostages. The group demands a complete Israeli withdrawal, prisoner swaps, and urgent humanitarian aid access. Israel insists on hostage returns and Hamas's disarmament. The ongoing war, sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 attack, has claimed over 51,000 Palestinian lives and left 58 hostages still held in Gaza.

Amid rising tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) after the Pahalgam terror attack, residents in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district are restoring underground 'Modi bunkers' for safety. Villagers in Salotri and Karmarha, near Pakistani military posts, are clearing and stocking shelters built under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Once forgotten during calm periods, these bunkers are now vital again. Locals expressed strong support for the Indian army and condemned the terror attack, pledging readiness to assist the forces. Security forces remain on high alert, with authorities urging civilians to stay vigilant and prepared for any escalation. (PC: Hindustan Times)

A senior Pakistan Army officer in London, Colonel Taimur Rahat, sparked outrage after being caught on video making a threatening throat-slit gesture towards protesters outside the Pakistan High Commission. Over 500 Indian and Jewish community members gathered peacefully to condemn the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Protesters accused Pakistan of supporting terror groups and demanded UK government action. Organisers called the gesture "provocation" and slammed the High Commission for playing celebratory music during the protest. Indo-Jewish groups also expressed solidarity with India, linking the Pahalgam attack to global Islamist radicalisation threats.

A massive blast rocked Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas on Saturday, killing four and injuring at least 516 people, state media reported. The explosion coincided with the third round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations in Oman. Authorities said several containers at the port exploded, but the exact cause remains unclear. Social media showed smoke clouds, damaged buildings, and chaos. The Israel Defense Forces denied involvement despite the port’s proximity to an IRGC naval base. Officials confirmed the blast did not affect nearby oil facilities. Rescue efforts are ongoing as talks between Iran and the US continue.

Russia has said it is ready to hold peace talks with Ukraine without any preconditions, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Saturday. President Vladimir Putin conveyed the message to US envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Moscow on Friday. However, US President Donald Trump, after earlier expressing hope for a peace deal, later voiced doubts about Putin’s intentions. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said recent missile attacks on civilian areas made him question if Russia truly wanted peace, hinting at possible new sanctions. "Too many people are dying!" Trump wrote, urging tougher action if needed. (PC: Reuters)

Pope Francis was laid to rest at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, breaking a centuries-old Vatican tradition. Over 200,000 mourners, including 54 world leaders and 12 royals, gathered to bid farewell to the first Latin American Pontiff, who died at 88. His funeral began with a solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica before his coffin was carried out to thunderous applause. Pope Francis had requested a simple tomb outside the Vatican walls. His final message, posted hours before his death, called for global peace and reminded the world, "Christ is risen! Life, not death, defines our existence." (PC: Reuters)

Ahead of local elections, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer addressed concerns about a rift within the party regarding trans rights. The issue arose when her fellow co-leader, Adrian Ramsay, declined to affirm the statement "trans women are women." Denyer emphasized that the Green Party's policy is clear and inclusive, stating "trans women are women, trans men are men, and non-binary identities exist and are valid." She also clarified that despite their different ways of expressing themselves, Ramsay and she are united in their commitment to advocating for trans and women’s rights. (PC: PA)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump met for a 15-minute discussion inside St. Peter's Basilica before Pope Francis' funeral. The White House called the meeting "very productive," while Zelensky later described it as "very symbolic," with the potential to be historic. The meeting occurred after Trump claimed Russia and Ukraine were "close to a deal." This marked their first encounter since a tense February meeting at the White House. Zelensky shared the meeting was constructive, emphasizing the importance of achieving joint results for peace. (PC: Telegram)  

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came face-to-face at the Vatican on Saturday ahead of Pope Francis' funeral, weeks after a public spat in Washington DC. Their private meeting, described as "very productive" by the White House, was their first since Zelensky sought US security guarantees amid the Ukraine conflict — a move Trump criticized as "gambling with World War III." Trump and First Lady Melania attended the funeral alongside world leaders. A Ukrainian official confirmed the leaders plan another meeting soon, signaling a possible thaw in tensions. (PC: Andriy Yermak/Telegram)

On April 26, 2025, a massive explosion struck the Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, injuring over 500 people. The blast occurred in the container storage area of the port, which is Iran’s largest and busiest maritime facility. Several containers, possibly containing hazardous materials, ignited, triggering a fire that caused widespread damage. The explosion's shockwave shattered windows and damaged structures several kilometers away. Emergency teams, including Iran's Red Crescent, evacuated the injured. The incident raises concerns about the handling of flammable materials and adds complications to U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. (PC: Reuters)