A powerful explosion rocked Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas on Saturday, injuring at least 115 people, according to Iranian state media. The blast, caused by multiple container explosions, shattered windows several kilometers away and forced suspension of port operations. Authorities fear fatalities due to the high number of workers present. Social media videos showed a towering plume of smoke and a mushroom cloud. The incident coincides with Iran's third round of nuclear talks with the U.S. in Oman, raising concerns about timing. Emergency teams are evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals as investigations continue.

The funeral Mass for Pope Francis concluded today, with his coffin now moving in a solemn 6km procession to Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Over 250,000 mourners filled St Peter’s Square and surrounding streets, according to Vatican officials. The Pope, remembered for championing refugees and urging peace with his message "build bridges, not walls," is being honored with massive public attendance. Volunteers line the streets to assist pilgrims as the procession crosses the Tiber River, passes the Colosseum, and heads north. The final burial inside the Basilica will be private, but emotional crowds continue gathering outside.

Chinese manufacturers are increasingly using TikTok to showcase factory-made versions of luxury products like Hermès bags and Lululemon apparel. These unbranded or counterfeit goods are promoted directly to American consumers, often highlighting the massive price difference between retail and factory costs. The trend reflects dissatisfaction with luxury markups and growing interest in affordable alternatives. However, it also raises concerns over intellectual property violations and trade ethics. By leveraging social media, these manufacturers are reshaping global perceptions of luxury and revealing the production secrets behind high-end fashion.  

An Indian-origin student has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2025 President’s Engagement Prize by the University of Pennsylvania. The award honors students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service and social impact. This prize supports initiatives that aim to create positive change across various sectors, reflecting the student's commitment to addressing societal challenges and making a meaningful contribution to their community. The prize includes funding to further the student's impactful work in their chosen field. (Linkedin)

Over the past 48 hours, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 92 Palestinians, including women and children, in Gaza. The strikes hit residential homes, tent camps, and even a barbershop across the Gaza Strip, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Among the victims, 11 individuals were killed in Khan Younis, several of whom were in a designated humanitarian shelter. The violence is part of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. Over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with widespread hunger and a critical need for international aid. (PC: Reuters)

On April 18, 2025, Israeli forces launched extensive attacks on Gaza, resulting in at least 70 Palestinian deaths, including 64 fatalities since dawn, as reported by medical sources. The assaults targeted homes and tent camps, intensifying the humanitarian crisis. Hospitals in Gaza are operating beyond capacity, struggling to manage the influx of casualties. The United Nations' World Food Programme has issued an urgent appeal, stating that "Gaza needs food now," highlighting the severe risk of hunger faced by hundreds of thousands. These developments underscore the escalating conflict and the dire conditions for civilians in Gaza. (PC: CNN & AP)

The Trump administration has requested a decade's worth of records from Harvard University concerning foreign funding and affiliations, citing incomplete disclosures between 2014 and 2019. This action is part of a broader campaign scrutinizing U.S. universities over pro-Palestinian protests, diversity initiatives, and transgender policies. The administration has frozen $2.3 billion in federal funding and is reviewing $9 billion in contracts, threatening Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students. Critics view these measures as assaults on academic freedom and free speech. Harvard maintains compliance with disclosure laws and has rejected federal demands, asserting its constitutional rights. Other elite institutions, including Columbia and Princeton, face similar federal scrutiny. (PC: Reuters)

Nearly 10,000 previously unreleased documents related to Robert F Kennedy’s 1968 assassination have been declassified and made public by the US National Archives. The release, praised by RFK Jr. and intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, aims to bring transparency to a case long clouded by conspiracy theories. RFK, brother of President JFK, was shot after his California primary win and his killer, Sirhan Sirhan, remains imprisoned. The files had been locked away in federal archives for decades. The move follows an earlier release of JFK documents under Donald Trump’s transparency push. RFK Jr. called it “a step toward restoring trust.” (PC: AP)

Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, was arrested in Sacramento by the FBI and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A key suspect in 16 terror attacks in Punjab, Singh is believed to have collaborated with Pakistan’s ISI and the Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International. The Punjab Police hailed the arrest as a major breakthrough in dismantling ISI-backed terror networks. Singh used encrypted apps and burner phones to evade capture and recruited drug-addicted minors for attacks. India has initiated extradition proceedings, with the NIA and Punjab Police submitting documentation to US authorities. (PC: X/ @FBISacramento)

On April 15, 2025, the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu installed its first-ever Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), transitioning away from a cash-only economy. The National Bank of Tuvalu, in partnership with Pacific Technologies Limited of Fiji, deployed five ATMs and 30 point-of-sale terminals across the capital, Funafuti. Until now, residents had to queue for hours at the country’s only bank to withdraw salaries. The new system uses prepaid cards, with plans to launch Tuvalu-issued debit and credit cards soon. This move marks a crucial step in improving digital financial infrastructure and access in one of the world’s most remote nations. (PC: CNN)