At a Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump praised tariffs and hailed domestic investment, despite a government report revealing the U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025 — the first contraction since 2022. Economists link the decline to businesses stockpiling imports ahead of Trump’s new tariff policies. Trump, however, deflected blame onto former President Joe Biden, insisting Wall Street’s “bad numbers” were unrelated to tariffs. Later today, Trump is set to meet with CEOs from leading firms including Nvidia and GE Aerospace at an investment event aimed at boosting confidence in the U.S. economy. (PC: BBC)

Yuzvendra Chahal’s sensational hat-trick and Shreyas Iyer’s explosive 72 powered Punjab Kings to a thrilling 4-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2025 clash at Chepauk. After opting to bowl, PBKS restricted CSK to 190 despite Sam Curran’s blazing 88 off 47 balls. Chahal’s four-wicket 19th over flipped the script, finishing with 4/32. Chasing 191, Iyer led the charge with a 41-ball 72, supported by Prabhsimran Singh’s 54. PBKS clinched victory in the final over, handing CSK a crushing defeat at home and boosting their playoff hopes.

India has shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, including 25 Indian tourists. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued on Wednesday, restricting Pakistani carriers from Indian air routes. This step intensifies pressure on Pakistan, which faces accusations of supporting cross-border terrorism. As tensions rise, UN Secretary-General António Guterres held calls with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. While Guterres condemned the attack, Pakistan alleged India may initiate military action within 36 hours and demanded a neutral probe. Diplomatic channels remain active as regional anxiety deepens. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, Instagram has disabled several Pakistani celebrity accounts in India, including those of Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, and others. Indian users now receive a message stating, "Account not available in India... due to legal request." The move is part of broader Indian government actions targeting Pakistani digital presence, including banning 16 YouTube channels accused of spreading provocative content. Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube channel has also been removed. Diplomatic tensions remain high, with India taking strong measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan has cancelled all flights to and from the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as tensions with India rise following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended flights to Skardu and Gilgit, including services from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Pakistani officials stated the cancellations are precautionary, aimed at securing airspace. The move follows India’s warning to Pakistan over ceasefire violations and heightened military activity. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, has drawn global condemnation and triggered widespread outrage and security measures across India and Pakistan. (PC: NDTV)

At least three people from the same family in Taboadela, Spain, died in an incident linked to a massive power outage that plunged Spain and Portugal into chaos on Monday. Authorities suspect carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator may be the cause. Additional deaths are under investigation, including a woman in Madrid killed in a fire likely sparked by a candle during the blackout, and another in Valencia possibly due to her ventilator losing power. The outage disrupted metro systems, traffic lights, card payments, and mobile networks across Spain, Portugal, parts of France, and Andorra. The cause remains under investigation. (PC: BBC)

India has issued a stern warning to Pakistan following a surge in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. During DGMO-level talks via hotline, India cautioned Islamabad against unprovoked firing, citing recent incidents in Kupwara, Poonch, Tutmari Gali, and Rampur sectors. Security forces have intensified anti-terror operations in Kashmir in response. The Indian government has also taken diplomatic and strategic measures, including suspending parts of the Indus Water Treaty and scaling back Pakistan’s diplomatic privileges, signaling a firm stance against cross-border terror support. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed the Centre’s decision to include a caste census in the next national census, claiming the move aligns with the Congress party’s long-standing vision. He called for a clear timeline and urged the removal of the 50% reservation cap, labeling it an "artificial barrier." Gandhi praised Telangana's model over Bihar’s, proposing it as a national blueprint. He emphasized that the caste census is only the first step toward reshaping India’s development model. The Congress also called for enforcing Article 15(5) to implement reservations in private educational institutions, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive growth and social justice. (PC: India Today)

A controversial statement by a Pakistani senator suggesting the reconstruction of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya has sparked strong backlash from Indian netizens. Social media users widely condemned the comment as inflammatory and accused Pakistan of meddling in India's religious and sovereign matters. The Babri mosque, demolished in 1992, remains a deeply sensitive issue in India, especially after the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict that allotted the site for a Ram temple. The senator’s remark has reignited communal debates, highlighting how external commentary can stoke internal tensions. (PC: Republic World)  

On April 30, 2025, Israel conducted a warning airstrike targeting an extremist group in Sahnaya, Syria, which was allegedly preparing to attack Druze communities near Damascus. This action follows Israel's commitment to defend the Druze minority amid rising sectarian tensions. Recent clashes between Druze and Sunni Muslim gunmen in Jaramana resulted in over a dozen deaths, with violence spreading to Sahnaya, where 11 people were killed. Israel's leadership emphasized the Syrian regime's responsibility to protect the Druze population, highlighting concerns over regional stability and minority rights. (PC: Reuters)