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Philippine and U.S. forces will carry out maritime strike drills on a remote Philippine ‌island near Taiwan during annual exercises that started on Monday, which Manila's military chief said would test their readiness under "real‑world conditions". The April 20 to May 8 exercises known as "Balikatan", or "shoulder-to-shoulder", will be the largest yet in terms of participating countries, with Australia ​included again and Canada, France, New Zealand and Japan joining as active participants for the first time, ​highlighting Manila's widening network of security partnerships.

Why spend four years in college when you could finish in weeks? A new report says U.S. schools are experimenting with ultra-fast online degrees to cut costs and get students into jobs quicker. The trend is booming as learners look to dodge debt and enter the workforce fast. But educators are sounding the alarm: Can a degree earned in weeks carry the same weight? The debate over speed vs quality in higher ed is heating up.

A horrific mass shooting in Louisiana has left eight children dead in what authorities describe as a suspected domestic-related incident. The victims, aged between 1 and 14, were shot across multiple locations early Sunday. Police say the gunman later fled the scene, stole a vehicle, and was killed during a chase involving officers. Two adult women remain injured, while a young boy was hurt while trying to escape. Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind what officials have called an unprecedented and deeply disturbing crime scene.

What if everything we know about the start of time is off? A new study is shaking cosmology by ditching the explosive Big Bang for a “Big Bounce.” The idea: our universe was born when a black hole in another universe collapsed and rebounded. Even wilder — dark matter might actually be ancient black holes from that previous cosmos. So did the universe ever truly begin, or are we just living in the latest chapter of an endless cycle?

President Trump calls for "regime change" in Iran, citing nuclear threats and dismissing reports of external influence as "fake news."

Former Afghanistan seamer Shapoor Zadran is battling Stage 4 HLH in a Delhi hospital. Get the latest update on his critical health condition and community support.

Argentine President Javier Milei declared on Sunday that the joint U.S.-Israel war against Iran was the “right thing to do”, as he signed on to the so-called Isaac Accords aimed at deepening bilateral ties between Israel and Latin American countries.

Tensions are spiking on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang test-fired new tactical ballistic missiles into the East Sea. Kim Jong Un, with his daughter at his side, oversaw the launch as North Korea showed off its growing arsenal. South Korea slammed the move as a provocation and put forces on alert, demanding an immediate halt.

In a big win for India’s energy security, oil tanker MT Desh Garima has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz with 31 Indian crew members onboard. The vessel is now en route to Mumbai and expected to dock between April 21–22. This marks the 10th successful transit of an Indian-flagged ship through the crucial waterway amid regional tensions. For families back home and India’s oil supply chain, it’s a moment of relief and strategic reassurance.

With Phase 1 of the West Bengal elections set for April 23, Malda is caught in a tense countdown. Hundreds of residents are still rushing to the Directorate compound, filing appeals after finding their names deleted from the voter list in the SIR exercise. For many, it’s a desperate race against time to reclaim their right to vote.

A humanoid robot sprints past the human The winner from Honor, a Chinese smartphone maker, completed the race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, running faster than the human world record in a show of China's technological leaps.

El Niño significantly impacts China by triggering extreme weather, including severe floods in the Yangtze River valley and droughts in northern regions, often leading to reduced agricultural yields and energy crises. Strong El Niño events often cause hot, dry conditions that reduce hydropower output, forcing higher fossil fuel usage.

At least 21 people have lost their lives and several others were injured after a passenger bus rolled down a hill in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district. The accident occurred near Kagort village in the Ramnagar area while the bus was navigating a blind curve. Locals rushed to the scene to rescue passengers before emergency teams arrived to continue the operation. Many of the injured are reported to be in serious condition, raising concerns over road safety in hilly regions.

Tariff refund: Trump tariff refund begins Monday as $166 billion payouts start— who qualifies and how to claim, all the details are here. The tariff refund Trump policy is finally moving from courtrooms to cash flow. Starting Monday, April 20, 2026, businesses can begin claiming refunds from a massive $166 billion tariff pool, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that US President Donald Trump imposed certain import tariffs without constitutional authority. The refund system, managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, opens at 8 a.m., marking the first real opportunity for importers to recover billions paid under disputed trade measures.

Dasun Shanaka was handed a one-year ban after a review found him in breach of his contract with the Pakistan Super League and Lahore Qalandars, who had signed him for PKR 75 lakh in the 2026 auction.

If multiple reports are to be believed, Aamir Khan and Shraddha Kapoor might just be teaming up for Ashneer Grover's biopic. The film will be helmed by Shraddha's beau Rahul Mody.

Gautam Adani has overtaken Mukesh Ambani as Asia’s richest person in Asia, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Adani ranks 19th globally with $92.6B, while Ambani is 20th with $90.8B. Let's find out who is currently at the top 10 of this list.

A joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the government of Rajasthan, the refinery is Indias first greenfield integrated Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex.

Lucknow Super Giants are set for a boost as Josh Inglis joins the squad for the May 4 clash against MI, while pacer Anrich Nortje exits the camp. Latest IPL 2026 updates.