British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confronts opposition to his proposal to ban smoking for under-15s as Parliament debates the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The legislation aims to create a smoke-free generation, raising the smoking age annually. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins asserts the bill's importance in saving lives and reducing NHS strain. Critics, including former PMs, oppose it as restrictive. The law targets early prevention, with fines for selling tobacco to minors. Advocates hail it as a milestone, aiming to relegate smoking to history. The bill also regulates vaping to deter youth consumption, citing health concerns and economic burdens of smoking.

Australian police labeled Monday's stabbing at a Sydney church a "terrorist act" driven by religious motives. A 16-year-old boy was apprehended after attacking a bishop, a priest, and worshippers at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church during mass. Four individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The assailant, also injured, staged the assault during a livestreamed service, sparking unrest in Wakeley. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence, urging against vigilantism. Social media's role drew concern, prompting government action to remove offensive content. The attacker, not on a terror watch list, had prior knife charges. Authorities assured swift action against rioters and urged calm.

Intense rainfall and flash floods have devastated parts of the Gulf region, claiming at least 18 lives in Oman, including nine schoolchildren and their driver in Samad A'Shan. Oman's National Committee for Emergency Management continues to search for two missing individuals in the country as rescue efforts persist. The United Arab Emirates also bore the brunt of the heavy downpour, with flooded highways, stranded vehicles, and travel disruptions across Dubai. Schools remained closed in the UAE, and employees worked remotely as authorities deployed tankers to pump out water from inundated streets. The extreme weather conditions disrupted flights and forced road closures in the UAE, leaving residents stranded and prompting evacuation measures in affected areas of Oman.

In Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, a fierce encounter occurred between security forces and Naxals. The operation, led by the Border Security Force (BSF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG), resulted in the demise of 29 Naxals, including a prominent leader named Shankar Rao. Rao had a hefty reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head, as per police sources. During the clash, three soldiers were wounded, and 18 bodies were recovered so far. The skirmish unearthed a significant arsenal, including seven AK-47 rifles and three light machine guns. The situation remains tense, with a possibility of more casualties.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has successfully developed a lightweight Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle for rocket engines, marking a significant breakthrough in rocket engine technology. This innovation promises to enhance vital parameters like thrust levels, specific impulse, and thrust-to-weight ratios, boosting the payload capacity of launch vehicles. By replacing metallic nozzles with lightweight C-C counterparts, a mass reduction of approximately 67% can be achieved, potentially increasing the payload capability of the PSLV by 15kg. After successful hot tests, this collaborative effort involving VSSC, LPSC, and IPRC has validated the nozzle's capabilities, paving the way for advanced rocket propulsion systems.

Over a million highly skilled Indian professionals, including doctors, engineers, and scientists, are grappling with a staggering immigration backlog in the United States. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data, these individuals face the prospect of waiting decades to obtain permanent residency due to per-country limits and an annual quota. This prolonged uncertainty not only causes personal distress but also impedes the U.S.'s ability to attract and retain top talent. With the backlog projected to swell further, urgent action from Congress is needed to address this brain drain crisis and prevent the loss of invaluable human capital.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have reached a boiling point after missile and drone attack by Iran on Israeli territory. Israel's war cabinet has vowed a "clear, forceful" retaliation, stating Iran's aggression cannot go unanswered. Meanwhile, Iran has warned Israel of using "weapons never deployed before" if provoked, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. The US has urged restraint, with President Biden cautioning Israel against launching a counteroffensive. However, Israel maintains it has no choice but to respond to the unprecedented attack. As both sides refuse to back down, the Middle East braces for potential escalation.

The Supreme Court criticized Baba Ramdev for misleading advertisements, stating he was "not so innocent" and exhibited "irresponsible behavior." The court granted him one week to publicly apologize and scheduled the next hearing for April 23. Ramdev offered an "unconditional apology," acknowledging mistakes and promising caution in the future. However, the bench questioned the sincerity of the apology, noting previous violations. This follows the court's dismissal of a previous apology on April 10, citing "wilful, deliberate, and repeated violations." The case, initiated by the Indian Medical Association, concerns Patanjali Ayurved's misleading products.

Greek actress Mary Mina lit the Olympic torch in Greece, starting a relay to France. Despite clouds, she used a backup flame instead of a mirror. Dignitaries and spectators gathered in the town where the Olympics began. It's the first big event since COVID-19 limits eased. IOC President Thomas Bach led, joined by Greek President Sakellaropoulou, French Sports Minister Oudéa-Castéra, and Paris Mayor Hidalgo. The torch tradition goes back to ancient Olympics, reviving in 1936.

Fire engulfed Copenhagen's historic Borsen, a 17th-century former stock exchange, on Tuesday. The iconic 54-meter spire collapsed during renovation. Built in 1619 by King Christian IV, it now houses the Danish Chamber of Commerce near the parliament. Black smoke billowed, prompting city center closures for firefighting. Cause of the fire remains unknown. The Danish Chamber of Commerce lamented the spectacle. Renovation was underway at the time of the blaze.