On April 12, 2025, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led a delegation to Muscat, Oman, for indirect nuclear talks with U.S. officials, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. The two-and-a-half-hour meeting concluded with both sides exchanging positions on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions. A brief face-to-face interaction occurred between Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. Iranian officials described the meeting as both an opportunity and a test, emphasizing their commitment to diplomacy. The discussions are set to resume next week. President Donald Trump referred to the talks as a "very big meeting," expressing hope for a successful outcome. Previously, Tehran had rejected direct negotiations with the U.S. (PC: ABC)

On April 12, 2025, WhatsApp experienced a significant outage, leaving numerous users unable to upload status updates or send messages. The disruption began around 7:00 PM IST, with users across India reporting issues on social media platforms. Downdetector, a website that tracks service outages, showed a sharp increase in problem reports during this period. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, acknowledged the issue and confirmed that they were working to resolve it promptly. By approximately 8:30 PM IST, services began to restore gradually, with many users regaining full functionality. The company has since issued an apology for the inconvenience caused and assured users of measures to prevent future disruptions. (PC: Freepik)

Violent protests over the Waqf Act in West Bengal's Murshidabad district have resulted in three deaths and 118 arrests. Clashes erupted in Samserganj and Suti, with demonstrators torching vehicles and attacking police. In response, the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to restore order. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clarified that the state opposes the central law and will not implement it, questioning the rationale behind the unrest. Internet services remain suspended, and prohibitory orders are in place. The court has demanded detailed reports from both state and central governments, with further hearings scheduled for April 17. (PC: Times of India & PTI)

Since Israel resumed its offensive on Gaza on March 18, over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 500 children, according to Gaza Civil Defence. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini described Gaza as a “post-apocalyptic” killing zone. Recent Israeli air raids killed at least six people, including a child, and injured others in areas designated as “safe zones.” A newborn named Sham died after her arm was amputated due to critical injuries. The UN reported that 36 of 224 Israeli strikes between March 18 and April 9 resulted in deaths exclusively of women and children. Al-Haq stated this reflects a calculated effort to exterminate civilians. Israel continues to block essential humanitarian supplies, violating international law. (PC: ABC, Mint & CNN)

A bomb exploded outside Hellenic Train's offices in Athens on Friday evening, following an anonymous warning. The blast, which caused minimal damage but no injuries, occurred amid public outrage over Greece's deadliest train disaster. The disaster, which killed 57 people in February 2023, exposed severe railway safety flaws and sparked protests. Anger has intensified due to perceived government mishandling, with recent violent protests. The explosion follows a heated parliamentary debate over the tragedy's aftermath. Greece has a history of politically motivated violence, with domestic extremist groups often carrying out bombings. (PC: CNN, Fox16, Sky News)

To circumvent the Trump administration's 125% tariffs on Chinese imports, Apple airlifted approximately 1.5 million iPhones (600 tons) from India to the U.S. By establishing a "green corridor" at Chennai airport, customs clearance was expedited from 30 to 6 hours. Foxconn's Chennai plant increased production by 20%, operating even on Sundays. Apple's Indian exports surged, with Foxconn's shipments to the U.S. reaching $770 million in January and $643 million in February 2025. India's iPhone production could double to $30 billion annually, creating 200,000 jobs. Apple's strategic shift underscores India's growing role in its global supply chain, aiming to mitigate tariff impacts and solidify its manufacturing base outside China. (PC: AFP & Xataka)

The United States has exempted smartphones and computers from President Donald Trump's global tariffs, narrowing the scope of levies that included a 125% tariff on Chinese imports and a 10% baseline tariff on other countries. This move provides significant relief to the tech industry, which had been bracing for increased costs. The exemptions were announced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Additionally, a notice from the China Semiconductor Industry Association indicated that U.S. chipmakers outsourcing manufacturing to Taiwan would be exempt from China's retaliatory tariffs, as the country of origin would be classified as Taiwan. This development is expected to ease tensions in the ongoing trade disputes. (PC: Wikipedia)

On April 12, 2025, violent clashes erupted in Murshidabad, West Bengal, during protests against the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill. A father-son duo was killed with machetes, raising the death toll to three. The unrest began in Beldanga over an objectionable message on a Kartik Puja pandal's neon signboard. Mobs from both communities engaged in stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson, damaging shops, houses, and a police vehicle. Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and suspended internet services. Seventeen individuals were arrested, and six injured are receiving treatment. The situation remains tense, with heavy police deployment to prevent further escalation. (PC: PTI)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued notices to take possession of assets worth ₹661 crore from Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), publisher of the National Herald, in a money laundering case involving Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. The ED alleges that AJL misused properties allocated for publishing by using them commercially, and that Young Indian, a company controlled by the Gandhis, acquired AJL's assets through questionable means. Congress has denounced the action as political vendetta, accusing the ruling BJP of misusing investigative agencies to target opposition leaders. The case, initiated by a complaint from BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, has intensified political tensions ahead of upcoming elections. (PC: @dir_ed)

Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was extradited from the U.S. to India after 16 years. Following his arrest, he was presented before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House, where the National Investigation Agency sought 20 days' custody; the court granted 18. Rana requested the court to prevent any counsel from seeking personal publicity through his case. The judge directed that Legal Services Counsels must not engage with the media regarding Rana's case, and their identities should remain confidential. Rana is detained in a high-security cell at the NIA's CGO Complex in Delhi, previously occupied by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. (PC: India Today)