Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:30pm on 29 Apr 2025,Tuesday International
British MP Bob Blackman has strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 Hindus and Christians. Speaking in the UK Parliament, Blackman expressed solidarity with India, calling for increased international support in combating terrorism in the region. He reiterated his commitment to backing India’s efforts to eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Sharing his statement on social media, Blackman described the attack as an "Islamist terrorist act" and urged the UK government to stand firmly with India. The attack has drawn global attention and renewed calls for international counterterrorism cooperation.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:14pm on 29 Apr 2025,Tuesday International
Electricity has been restored in Madrid following one of Europe’s worst blackouts, which plunged large parts of Spain and Portugal into darkness. The outage grounded flights, halted trains, and disrupted communications, prompting Spain to declare a state of emergency. Residents celebrated from balconies as power returned, though many endured a night of chaos, hunger, and disrupted sleep. In Barcelona, iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Familia faded into darkness. While energy is now mostly restored, the cause remains unknown amid fears of a cyber attack. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged caution against misinformation as investigations continue.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:40pm on 29 Apr 2025,Tuesday International
Power has been restored in Spain and Portugal after a crippling blackout left millions without electricity for up to 20 hours. The outage, which began Monday afternoon, disrupted transport, communication, and daily life. Though the exact cause remains unclear, officials cited a massive power fluctuation that disconnected the Iberian grid from the European system. Speculations of cyberattacks and unusual atmospheric events circulated online. Prime Ministers of both nations assured investigations are underway. Train services, internet, and phone lines have resumed, and 99.95% of demand has been restored. Emergency meetings and further analyses are ongoing to prevent future occurrences. (PC: NDTV)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:34pm on 29 Apr 2025,Tuesday International
Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has lost his Carleton seat, ending a 20-year tenure, according to CBC projections. The defeat comes as the Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, secures national victory. Poilievre’s loss is attributed to shifting voter sentiment amid President Trump’s renewed U.S. trade threats and a local campaign against Canada’s first-past-the-post system. The Longest Ballot Committee fielded over 90 candidates in Poilievre’s riding, complicating his re-election bid. While the Conservatives improved their overall vote share, Poilievre’s personal loss is a major blow. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also lost his seat and announced his resignation. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:01pm on 29 Apr 2025,Tuesday International
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a three-day ceasefire from 8–10 May as a "manipulation" timed for Russia’s VE Day celebrations. Zelenskyy argued that the pause is designed to deceive global audiences and provide silence for Putin’s parade, rather than pursue peace. He stressed Ukraine’s ongoing willingness for a real ceasefire, urging an immediate, unconditional 30-day truce instead. The Kremlin claimed the move was a gesture Ukraine should match. Zelenskyy responded, “We value human lives, not parades,” reaffirming Ukraine’s position that the war should stop permanently, not symbolically. (PC: Sky News)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 05:33am on 29 Apr 2025,Tuesday International
Mark Carney's Liberal Party has secured a minority government in Canada's 2025 federal election, extending their tenure in power. Carney, a former central banker and political newcomer, succeeded Justin Trudeau in March. The Liberals' campaign emphasized defending Canadian sovereignty against U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies, including imposed tariffs and provocative remarks about annexation. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre conceded defeat but pledged to hold the minority government accountable. The election also saw the resignation of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh following significant losses. Carney now faces the challenge of navigating complex trade negotiations with the U.S. while addressing domestic economic concerns. (PC: Hindustan Times)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 04:56am on 29 Apr 2025,Tuesday International
Mark Carney's Liberal Party has secured victory in Canada's 2025 federal election, marking a significant political turnaround. Initially trailing in polls, the Liberals gained momentum following U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial remarks, including suggestions of annexing Canada as the 51st state. These comments galvanized Canadian voters, shifting support towards Carney, who is perceived as a strong counter to Trump's influence. Carney, a former central bank governor, assumed Liberal leadership in March after Justin Trudeau's resignation. While the Liberals lead with 159 seats in the 343-seat House of Commons, it's uncertain if they will achieve a majority. The election underscores Canada's desire to assert its sovereignty and navigate complex U.S.-Canada relations. (PC: AP News)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:52pm on 28 Apr 2025,Monday International
A massive power outage caused chaos across Portugal and Spain on April 28, leading to widespread traffic disruptions and hundreds of flight cancellations. In Lisbon, traffic lights went dark, forcing police officers to manually direct vehicles. Lisbon Airport saw nearly 30% of departures canceled, while Spain reported dozens of flight disruptions, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged citizens to avoid speculation as investigations continue, stressing that hospitals remain functional. Authorities confirmed no signs of a cyberattack, while recovery efforts are ongoing. Some regions in northern and southern Spain have begun restoring electricity. (PC: Getty Images)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:44pm on 28 Apr 2025,Monday International
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar vowed to take "all appropriate steps" to protect Pakistan’s rights under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), after India suspended the agreement following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Chairing a high-level meeting, Dar said the treaty is vital for Pakistan’s 240 million citizens and accused India of trying to "weaponise water." Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also pledged to explore all options to ensure the uninterrupted flow of rivers allotted to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan warned that diversion of water would be considered an act of war, escalating tensions between the nuclear neighbors. (PC: AFP)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:22pm on 28 Apr 2025,Monday International
A rare atmospheric phenomenon has caused widespread power outages and disruptions in Portugal, according to REN, the country’s grid operator. The fault originated in Spain’s electricity network, where extreme temperature swings triggered "anomalous oscillations" in high-voltage lines. REN explains that the phenomenon, known as "induced atmospheric variation," led to system synchronisation failures, triggering successive disturbances across Europe’s interconnected grid. The operator warns that, due to the complexity of the situation, it may take up to a week for the network to fully stabilise. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as efforts continue to restore full service. (PC: Sky News)