A new report by the United Nations and the European Union says rebuilding Gaza will cost over £50bn. More than 370,000 homes have been destroyed. Over 60% of people have lost their homes. “Human development has been set back by 77 years,” the report said. About 1.9 million people have been displaced. Gaza’s economy has shrunk by 84%. Half of its hospitals are not working. The report said £19.5bn is needed soon to restore basic services. It also stressed that a ceasefire and security are necessary for rebuilding to begin. (PC: Reuters)

Mumbai Indians defeated Gujarat Titans by 99 runs in IPL 2026. It is GT’s biggest loss in the league. Tilak Varma scored 101 runs off 45 balls. Ashwani Kumar took four wickets. MI posted 199 for 5 after batting first. GT were all out for 100 in 15.5 overs. “It is their biggest defeat,” match records showed. GT’s previous worst loss was by 83 runs in 2025. The win ended MI’s four-match losing streak. The match was played in Ahmedabad. Hardik Pandya’s team delivered a strong performance with both bat and ball. (PC: Creimas)

20-year-old student, Gabriela Saldana, was arrested in Florida after a message in a WhatsApp group. She allegedly asked Benjamin Netanyahu to “drop bombs” on her college. Police said the message was seen as a threat. She later claimed it was a joke. Officers from Florida International University Police Department took her into custody. “To an objective person, it’s not a joke,” a judge said. The message was sent to over 200 students. She now faces charges under state law. Her bond has been set at $5,000.

Two Indian-origin men, Sampath Rajidi and Sreedhar Mada, have pleaded guilty to H-1B visa fraud in the United States. They promised jobs at the University of California that did not exist. “The beneficiaries did not work on projects at the University,” court documents said. The duo submitted false visa petitions between 2020 and 2023. They now face up to five years in jail and a $250,000 fine. Officials said their actions took visa slots from genuine applicants. Several US agencies are investigating the case.

Donald Trump said he is not under pressure to make a deal with Iran. He rejected reports and blamed Democrats for hurting the US position. “I am under no pressure whatsoever,” he said. He added that a new deal would be better than the 2015 nuclear agreement. Trump said he will not rush into a weak deal. The two-week ceasefire will end on April 22. He called an extension unlikely. The US will attend talks in Islamabad led by Vice President JD Vance. Iran has not confirmed participation. The situation remains uncertain as the deadline nears. (PC: Reuters)

Tensions in the Middle East escalated after the United States seized an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Tehran to call the move a ceasefire violation and threaten retaliation. Iran initially stated it would not participate in upcoming peace talks in Pakistan, blaming U.S. actions and ongoing naval blockade. However, officials later indicated they are “positively reviewing” participation, creating uncertainty over diplomatic progress. With the ceasefire nearing expiry, conflicting signals from Iran and continued military actions have raised fears of renewed conflict. The crisis has also disrupted global oil routes, intensifying concerns about energy security and regional stability. (PC: Reuters)

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensified on April 20, 2026, with rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place, while Iran has intermittently restricted passage through the vital oil route. The recent seizure of an Iranian vessel by U.S. forces has further strained fragile ceasefire conditions and cast doubt on planned peace talks in Pakistan. Global oil prices have surged amid disrupted shipping, with several vessels stranded or reversing course. Diplomatic efforts continue, but threats of retaliation and military escalation raise concerns over regional stability and global energy security. (PC: AP)

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised Chennai Super Kings for mismanaging MS Dhoni amid his ongoing fitness struggles in IPL 2026. Dhoni, recovering from a calf injury, has yet to feature even after six matches, leaving uncertainty over his availability. Manjrekar defended captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, blaming team decision-makers instead. He also highlighted how Dhoni’s massive fan following has complicated team dynamics. With CSK showing inconsistent form and lacking clarity on Dhoni’s role, concerns remain over how the franchise plans to utilize the veteran going forward. 

Initial reports claimed that a private aircraft crashed into the Ara Hills in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district on April 20, 2026, with fears of casualties and visuals showing smoke rising from the site. Some reports suggested the plane struck trees while flying at low altitude, possibly killing pilots. However, the state government later denied any confirmed crash, stating no debris or evidence was found despite extensive searches. Police, administrative teams, and forest officials conducted ground inspections and drone surveillance in the area. Authorities continue to investigate the source of the smoke and verify claims, urging caution against spreading unverified information. (PC: India Today)

A fire broke out at the Pachpadra refinery in Rajasthan just a day before its planned inauguration by Narendra Modi. The blaze reportedly started in one of the refinery units, triggering emergency response measures. Firefighting teams quickly reached the site and managed to control the situation, preventing major damage. No casualties or injuries have been reported so far. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The incident has raised safety concerns, and the inauguration event may be delayed pending further assessment and security clearance.