India and Pakistan have escalated tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent people. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, citing a strong response to Pakistan Army firing along the Line of Control (LoC) near Tutmari Gali and Rampur sectors. The meeting came after Pakistan's X Corps fired on Indian posts just hours earlier, prompting an Indian retaliation.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/pahalgam-indian-forces-respond-as-pakistan-army-continues-firing-at-loc-for-fifth-night-13883875.htmlLawmakers from both Japan and China have proposed a unique solution to strengthen bilateral ties: leasing giant pandas to Japan. In talks held in Beijing, Japanese Liberal Democratic Party secretary general Hiroshi Moriyama met with Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries president Yang Wanming. The proposal aims to promote cultural exchange between the two nations by allowing Japanese citizens to visit and care for the giant pandas at a designated facility in Japan.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250429/p2g/00m/0na/009000cThe Bernard L. Schwartz Annual Lecture on Economic Growth and Foreign Policy series explores how businesses influence foreign policy decisions and vice versa. The lecture series features prominent speakers such as former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who discussed the role of business in shaping US foreign policy during his tenure. The series aims to foster collaboration between government and industry to address global challenges, with a focus on leveraging business expertise to inform and improve foreign policy decisions.
https://cfr.org/event-series/bernard-l-schwartz-lectureFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's comments suggest a diplomatic path to resolving tensions with Iran over its nuclear program is possible, but narrow. He voiced hope for negotiations between Tehran and Washington to yield results, involving US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, France, Germany, and the UK. The talks aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief. Le Drian warned that if European security interests aren't guaranteed, all lifted sanctions would be reapplying, posing a threat to Iran's economy.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/602295-france-threatens-iran-with-sanctions-if-nuclear-deal-not-reachedBrazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the importance of multilateralism and reforming international institutions during a BRICS meeting, which brought together key figures like Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The gathering addressed pressing issues such as tensions in Africa and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Haiti, and Gaza, with Vieira condemning Israeli bombings in Gaza and the obstruction of aid.
https://africanews.com/2025/04/28/brics-foreign-ministers-meet-in-brazil-to-hone-unity/Malaysia and the UK have strengthened their bilateral trade prospects through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade bloc that allows Malaysian and UK companies to expand markets further. The agreement came into effect on November 29, 2022, for Malaysia and December 15 last year for the UK. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof hosted a dinner in London, attended by high-profile guests including his wife Datin Seri Ruziah Mohd Tahir, Tenaga Nasional Bhd's chief new energy officer Mohd Zarihi Mohd Hashim, and Sarawak Energy Bhd's group CEO Datuk Sharbini Suhaili. The UK's accession to the CPTPP has yielded significant benefits for Malaysia in the renewable energy sector, with the launch of high-capacity solar farms in Eastfield and Bunkers Hill showcasing the country's expertise in sustainable energy solutions.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/04/28/uk-welcomes-first-tariff-free-malaysian-palm-oil-shipment-under-cptpp/174813Mexico and the US have reached an agreement where Mexico will send more water from the Rio Grande basin to Texas farmers, following a threat by US President Donald Trump of tariffs and sanctions earlier this month.
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/04/28/mexico-us-water/Filippo Grandi, the U.N.'s high commissioner for refugees, warned that millions of people worldwide are suffering due to over 120 ongoing conflicts, particularly in Sudan and Ukraine, where nearly seven million have become refugees. He emphasized that refugees will not return home unless they can feel safe and secure in both the short and long term. Grandi also criticized global politics for retreating from aid efforts, citing concerns about national interests and defense spending as a hindrance to providing assistance.
https://africanews.com/2025/04/29/un-security-council-updated-on-growing-refugee-crisis-across-globe/The Indian government has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, citing "cross-border linkages" and promising severe punishment for those involved. The international community has shown strong support and solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism, with global leaders condemning the attack as a "zero-tolerance" issue. Meanwhile, authorities in Madhya Pradesh are struggling to deal with nine children born to Pakistani fathers and Indian mothers, who were affected by the Centre's recent order for foreigners to leave the country. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for his remarks on the attack, drawing parallels between his mother Benazir Bhutto's killing by homegrown terrorists and the Pahalgam attack. The Pakistan Army has violated the ceasefire for a fifth night in a row, prompting a response from the Indian Army.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pahalgam-terror-attack-jammu-and-kashmir-loc-tensions-live-updates-april-29-2025/article69503715.ece