An Indian journalist described panic after a gunshot was heard at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. Saurabh Shukla said he saw Secret Service officers react within seconds. “I heard a gunshot. I turned back and saw Secret Service jump,” he said. Around 2,000 people were at the event when security teams quickly moved guests to safety. Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated and were safe. Officials said the suspect was taken into custody as the investigation continued.

A large brass astrolabe, described as a 17th Century “supercomputer”, once owned by Sawai Man Singh II, will be auctioned at Sotheby's in London on 29 April. It later passed to Gayatri Devi before entering private hands.   Experts say it may be the largest astrolabe known. “It is perhaps the largest in existence,” said Benedict Carter of Sotheby’s.   Made in Lahore by brothers Qa'im Muhammad and Muhammad Muqim, it was commissioned by Mughal nobleman Aqa Afzal.   Astrolabes were used to track stars and time. “You can do so many things with them,” said historian Federica Gigante. (PC: BBC)

Six passengers were injured after a SWISS international flight from Delhi to Zurich suffered an engine failure that led to a fire during takeoff at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The Airbus A330, carrying over 230 people, aborted takeoff when one engine malfunctioned and caught fire. The crew initiated an emergency evacuation on the runway using slides. Passengers were rushed out safely, but six sustained injuries and were hospitalized. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, highlighting aviation safety concerns and the importance of swift emergency response during critical situations. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the shooting incident at a White House event attended by Donald Trump, asserting that violence has no place in a democracy. Expressing relief, Modi said Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were safe and unharmed. He emphasized that such acts must be unequivocally condemned and reiterated the importance of peace in democratic societies. The incident triggered global concern, with leaders highlighting the need to uphold democratic values and ensure safety at high-profile political events. (PC: HT)

Around 240 Indians from the Bnei Menashe community arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday under an Israeli relocation programme. They were welcomed at the airport with songs and Israeli flags. The group comes from Manipur and Mizoram. The community says it descends from one of the biblical lost tribes of Israel. Officials said the newcomers would settle in northern Israel. They must convert to Judaism to receive citizenship. Israel plans to bring more members of the community in the coming years. Thousands have already migrated since the 1990s. (PC: AFP)

Global music icon Rihanna created a viral sensation in Mumbai during her visit for the Fenty Beauty launch event. In a heartwarming and playful interaction, she stepped out to greet paparazzi and even invited them to join her for a photo-op, breaking the usual celebrity-media barrier. Videos circulating online show her smiling, blushing, and warmly engaging with photographers while also saying “Shukriya” to fans and media. Dressed in stunning outfits during her Mumbai appearance, Rihanna’s friendly and down-to-earth behaviour quickly won hearts across India. Her interaction added a memorable, human touch to the high-profile event, making her visit widely discussed on social media. 

India has strongly criticised Donald Trump after he shared a social media post describing the country as a “hellhole,” calling the remarks “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.” The controversy stems from Trump reposting a transcript of a podcast discussing US birthright citizenship and immigration, which also made negative claims about Indians in the tech sector. New Delhi stressed that such comments do not reflect the reality of India–US relations, which are based on mutual respect and shared interests. The episode risks straining ties that were gradually improving after tensions over tariffs, immigration policies, and geopolitical differences. (PC: Bloomberg)

Israel has begun relocating members of the Bnei Menashe from Manipur under Operation Wings of Dawn. About 250 people were flown via Delhi this week, part of a plan announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The community claims descent from a biblical tribe and has sought to return to Israel for religious reasons. Many cite limited access to Jewish practices in remote areas. Israel says the move will help “strengthen” its northern regions. Economic factors and ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur have also pushed migration, though some earlier migrants reported hardship and discrimination. (PC: India Today)

A probe by The Telegraph found rental ads in London seeking tenants based on religion. Listings on social media used phrases like “Muslims only” and “Hindus only.” Such ads violate the Equality Act 2010, which bans bias in housing. A firm named Roshan Properties posted several such listings before its page was removed. One landlord reportedly refused non-Muslim tenants. The law allows limited exceptions in shared homes. Gumtree said it has strict rules against discrimination and expects users to follow them. (PC: India Today)

France has removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indian passport holders passing through its airports. The rule took effect on April 10, 2026, and was confirmed by the French Embassy. It applies only to travellers who stay in the international transit area and do not enter the country. The embassy said the move followed a commitment by President Emmanuel Macron during his India visit in February. The updated rule has been added to official visa systems. France joins Germany in easing transit rules, aiming to simplify travel and reduce costs for Indian passengers using European hubs. (PC: NDTV)