Tahawwur Hussain Rana, extradited from the U.S. for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi. During his detention, he requested a Quran, a pen, and paper, which were granted under strict monitoring. He reportedly offers Namaz five times daily. The NIA is interrogating him about his links with David Headley, his travel history, and connections to Pakistan’s ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba, aiming to uncover more details of the 26/11 conspiracy. (PC: AFP)  

On April 12, 2025, a light aircraft crashed into Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight, UK, shortly before 2:30 PM. The plane, which had taken off from nearby Bembridge Airport, clipped a chimney before crashing near chalets in the park. Eyewitnesses reported a loud bang and a shockwave, with the aircraft bursting into flames. Two individuals on board sustained minor injuries and were treated on-site; no hospitalizations were required. Firefighters from Newport and Ryde extinguished the fire using hose reel jets and thermal imaging to ensure it was fully out. All occupants had exited the aircraft before emergency personnel arrived. The holiday park remains open, and no road closures were implemented following the incident. (PC: Yahoo News & The Independent)

At least 100 people have died in the past 24 hours across northern and eastern India due to intense thunderstorms and lightning strikes, with Bihar reporting 82 fatalities, Uttar Pradesh 18, and Uttarakhand one. Most victims were caught outdoors during the storms, despite prior warnings from the India Meteorological Department. The IMD had issued yellow alerts for thunderstorms in at least a dozen states. In neighboring Nepal, lightning strikes and heavy rain killed at least eight people. The storms brought some relief to the searing heatwave affecting the region. Authorities are urging people to take precautions during such weather events to prevent further casualties. (PC: India Today)

A Russian missile strike in Kyiv has reportedly hit an Indian pharmaceutical warehouse, according to Ukrainian officials. The incident, part of a broader assault involving five ballistic missiles—all intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses—resulted in one death and twelve injuries. Despite the interceptions, falling debris caused significant damage across Kyiv, affecting infrastructure, including an office building, gas pipelines, and roads, and igniting fires in multiple districts. Several embassies, such as those of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal, and Montenegro, sustained damage. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the attack was in retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on Russia's Rostov region using U.S.-supplied missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, urging stronger international sanctions against Russia. (PC: X/@MartinHarrisOBE & Hindustan Times)

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)