A Swiss International Airlines flight bound for Zurich was forced to abort takeoff at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an engine malfunction early on April 26, 2026. The airline said the LX147 flight encountered an engine issue during takeoff, prompting the pilot to cancel the departure and initiate an emergency evacuation. Four passengers and one crew member were injured while exiting the aircraft.

According to local media reports cited in the source, the engine caught fire as the aircraft accelerated on the runway, leading to the emergency evacuation. The flight carried 228 passengers, including four children and 13 crew members. The injured were taken to hospital, and the crew member reportedly suffered an ankle sprain. Initially, six passengers were reported injured, but the number was later revised to five.

Following the incident, an emergency was declared at the airport, though operations later returned to normal. Swiss International Airlines has formed a special task force to investigate the cause of the malfunction.

Pope Leo has described those who wage wars and exploit the planet’s resources as thieves who deprive humanity of a peaceful future. Speaking on the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, he also warned against the misuse of nuclear power. His remarks came during the Sunday Angelus prayer, as Ukraine marked four decades since the world’s worst nuclear accident amid its ongoing four-year conflict with Russia.

The Pope said the Chernobyl tragedy left a deep mark on humanity’s collective consciousness and serves as a warning about the growing power of technology. Returning from a recent visit to four African countries, he expressed hope that wisdom and responsibility would guide all levels of decision-making so that nuclear energy is used for life and peace.

Pope Leo, the first American to hold the papal office, has recently faced criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump for his outspoken stance against war and authoritarianism.

Hezbollah has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusation that the group violated the ceasefire in Lebanon. In a statement on Telegram, Hezbollah instead accused Israel of breaking the truce from the very beginning and warned against involving the Lebanese government in any bilateral agreements between Washington and Netanyahu. The group stated that Lebanon had no role or position in the ceasefire process.

According to Hezbollah, Israeli forces have continuously violated the temporary ceasefire since its first day by gathering troops in occupied territories and carrying out bombings in northern Palestinian settlements. The group described its attacks as legitimate responses to Israeli aggression. Hezbollah also claimed that Israel’s intensified assaults in southern Lebanon reflect disregard for international law and conventions.

The statement added that Lebanese authorities had hoped the ceasefire extension would halt destruction and bombings in southern Lebanon, but Israel’s actions have instead escalated. Hezbollah signaled that it will continue resistance against Israel’s frequent attacks in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is becoming meaningless due to Hezbollah’s actions. Speaking at his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu claimed that Hezbollah’s violations of the agreement’s terms are effectively nullifying the truce.

The ceasefire, extended last Thursday for another three weeks, was intended to ease hostilities between the two sides. However, reports indicate that renewed tension and reciprocal attacks have followed the extension. Hezbollah has rejected Israel’s accusations as baseless, instead accusing Israeli forces of breaching the ceasefire by continuing attacks and maintaining positions inside Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah stated that its operations are defensive responses to Israeli violations. The exchange of accusations underscores the fragility of the extended ceasefire and the persistent volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border.

More than 80 former British diplomats, including 60 ambassadors and high commissioners, have called on the United Kingdom and its allies to take stronger measures against Israel’s settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. In a letter published Friday in the Financial Times, they warned that current policies are encouraging territorial annexation and undermining international law.

The diplomats argued that Israel’s expansionist activities in the occupied Palestinian territories amount to accelerating the occupation process. They said Israel is violating both the EU–Israel Association Agreement and the UK–Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, which require respect for human rights and democratic principles. The letter cited growing settlements, discrimination against Palestinians, and what it described as state-backed settler violence as evidence of these breaches.

The signatories urged the EU to suspend its cooperation agreements with Israel, ban trade with settlements, halt arms transfers, and limit Israel’s participation in EU programs. They also called on the UK to ban all trade with settlements and review its agreements with Israel, stressing that condemnation alone is insufficient and urging the government to take effective action.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of engaging in 'nuclear terrorism' during a speech on Sunday marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. According to a report by AFP, Zelensky said that Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine had once again brought the world to the brink of a man-made catastrophe.

Zelensky alleged that Russian drones regularly fly over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and that one drone struck the site’s protective structure last year. He urged the international community not to allow such 'nuclear terrorism' to continue, emphasizing that the best way to stop it would be to compel Russia to end its reckless attacks.

The Chernobyl disaster occurred in 1986 and remains one of the most severe nuclear accidents in history, serving as a grim reminder of the potential dangers of nuclear mishandling.

At least four people were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on April 26, 2026, according to local health officials. Reports said one person died in an airstrike near Al-Mughraqa village in central Gaza, while two others were killed by Israeli shelling and gunfire near Gaza City. In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis area, a 40-year-old woman was reportedly shot dead by Israeli forces.

The Palestinian Health Ministry stated that since the conflict began in October 2023, at least 72,587 people have been killed in Gaza. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached in October 2025, Israeli attacks have reportedly continued almost daily, raising concerns about violations of the truce.

The ongoing violence underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the persistent humanitarian toll in Gaza, as reports continue to emerge of civilian casualties despite formal peace efforts.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has seized a commercial vessel named 'Sevan' in the Arabian Sea. According to CENTCOM, the ship was attempting to violate the naval blockade imposed on Iran. The operation was carried out by a U.S. Navy helicopter launched from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney. CENTCOM reported that the seized vessel is now complying with U.S. directives and is being redirected toward Iran.

CENTCOM described the 'Sevan' as part of a network involved in transporting Iranian oil and gas. The command stated that U.S. forces continue to fully enforce sanctions and the naval blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. Since the blockade began, 37 vessels have reportedly been diverted to alternate routes.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, underscores Washington’s continued enforcement of maritime restrictions targeting Iranian trade networks in the region.

At least eight people were killed and 49 injured in a 20-hour Russian drone and missile assault on the central-eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, local authorities said on Saturday. The attack, which began before dawn and continued into the afternoon, struck residential areas, businesses, and energy infrastructure. Officials described it as the largest attack on Dnipro to date. Among the injured were two children and a city mayor’s adviser. Additional casualties were reported in other parts of the Dnipropetrovsk region and in neighboring Zaporizhzhia.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, most of which were intercepted. The Russian defense ministry claimed it targeted Ukrainian military sites, denying attacks on civilians. A drone also crashed in Romania, prompting evacuations and the deployment of British fighter jets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting Azerbaijan, urged the international community to respond more firmly to Russia’s actions.

The Dnipropetrovsk region is a key industrial area located about 100 kilometers from the front line. Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with peace initiatives disrupted by other global conflicts.

An Iranian delegation is set to return to Pakistan tonight, according to Iran’s state media. The delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will visit Islamabad after completing a trip to Oman and before departing for Russia. The report indicates that part of the Iranian negotiating team had earlier returned to Tehran for consultations related to issues concerning the cessation of hostilities.

Members of the delegation are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Sunday night to rejoin Araghchi, bringing with them necessary advice and new directives from Tehran. The visit underscores Iran’s ongoing diplomatic engagements across the region amid discussions linked to ending conflict.

The information was reported by Iran’s official news agency IRNA and relayed by Tasnim News Agency, citing Pakistan’s Dawn as the source.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sharply criticized the United States and Israel over the ongoing war with Iran, calling the conflict 'completely unnecessary.' Speaking on April 26, 2026, Merz said the war is fueling instability worldwide and increasing tensions across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

He emphasized that only a united Europe can effectively address emerging global challenges. Merz stated that he and the heads of state and government from the 27 European Union countries held a two-day meeting to discuss how to deal with the Iran conflict and other major challenges facing the region.

The chancellor added that Europe must adapt to the changing global situation and accept the new economic realities, however difficult they may be.

Iran has executed a man convicted of attacking security forces, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The executed individual, identified as Amer Ramesh, was arrested during an anti-terror operation in southeastern Iran and later found guilty on multiple charges, including armed rebellion, bomb attacks, and ambushes on military personnel.

Authorities stated that Ramesh was a member of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl, which operates in Sistan-Baluchestan, one of Iran’s poorest regions. The area has long experienced violent clashes between security forces and various armed groups.

The execution underscores ongoing instability in Sistan-Baluchestan, where security operations and militant activities continue to challenge state control.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is returning to Islamabad after a visit to Muscat, Oman, before continuing to Moscow. Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the trip, noting that Araghchi will make a brief stop in Pakistan’s capital for discussions before departing for Russia. Diplomatic sources said his private aircraft, named Meraj, departed from Tehran and is expected to land at Noor Khan Airbase near Islamabad within two hours.

A portion of the Iranian delegation that participated in earlier discussions had returned to Tehran but is expected to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad tonight with high-level government directives concerning efforts to end the ongoing conflict. During his previous visit to Islamabad, Araghchi met Pakistan’s army chief, deputy prime minister and foreign minister, and the prime minister to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

Araghchi stated on social media that his visits to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow are part of Iran’s broader diplomatic coordination with allied nations.

A major fire erupted early Sunday at the United Kingdom’s RAF Fairford airbase, which has been used in operations against Iran. According to reports, firefighters from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. Video footage shared on social media showed smoke rising from the base’s commissary building, whose roof collapsed due to the intensity of the fire. Authorities advised nearby residents to keep doors and windows closed. No casualties or damage to Royal Air Force aircraft were reported.

The British government had allowed the U.S. Air Force to use the base after the Middle East war began in March. American bombers have been deployed from Fairford for so-called defensive missions against Iran, reducing flight time from the U.S. by nearly half. On Saturday, around 200 protesters gathered outside the base, calling for an end to the war in Iran and the withdrawal of U.S. forces from British bases.

RAF Fairford, built in 1944, is one of only two European bases capable of hosting all three U.S. long-range bombers: the B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and B-52 Stratofortress.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pledged Beijing’s firm support for Myanmar’s national sovereignty and security during a meeting with President Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw. The meeting took place as part of Wang’s tour of Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar this week, aimed at strengthening regional ties and presenting China as a stable alternative to the United States amid existing regional risks.

According to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry released on Saturday night, Wang said Beijing would help Myanmar develop a path suited to its own conditions and supported by its people. He emphasized that both sides should use the first year of Myanmar’s new government to advance traditional friendship and open new opportunities in bilateral relations.

Wang also stated that China is ready to assist Myanmar in eradicating online gambling and telecommunications fraud, which have become major issues in recent years. Analysts cited in the report noted that China was the main supporter of the junta-backed election that brought Min Aung Hlaing to the presidency.