The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heat wave alert for parts of northwest and central India, warning that scorching conditions are likely to persist for the next three days. According to the weather department, heat wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of Jammu-Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, and Gujarat on April 27. The IMD advised people to avoid prolonged exposure to heat, wear lightweight and light-colored cotton clothing, and cover their heads when outdoors.
Russia and North Korea Agree on Long-Term Military Cooperation
Russia and North Korea have agreed to establish long-term military cooperation, Russia's defence ministry announced on Sunday. Defence Minister Andrey Belousov stated that both sides are ready to sign a plan for Russian-Korean military cooperation for the period 2027-2031. Pyongyang has already sent thousands of troops, missiles, and munitions to support Russia's war in Ukraine. In return, North Korea is believed to receive financial aid, military technology, food, and energy from Russia, helping it circumvent international sanctions. A military treaty signed in 2024 obligates both states to provide military assistance without delay if either is attacked.
IAEA and Ukraine Sign Energy Reconstruction Deal on Chernobyl Anniversary
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed an agreement with Ukraine's Ministry of Energy on Sunday to support the country's energy sector reconstruction, which has suffered heavy damage due to Russia's invasion. The agreement was signed in Kyiv by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Ukraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, marking 40 years since the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. The deal focuses on expanding nuclear energy, including small modular reactors, and reconstructing the grid and substations critical for nuclear safety.
Gujarat Local Body Polls Record Low Turnout in Cities
Polling for various local bodies in Gujarat on Sunday saw a turnout of under 50% in 15 municipal corporations amid a heatwave, officials said. The State Election Commission reported a 48.55% turnout in municipal corporations, while district and taluka panchayats recorded 60.22% and 61.08%, respectively. Elections were held across 15 municipal corporations, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot, along with 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats, and 260 taluka panchayats. The lowest turnout was in Gandhidham Municipal Corporation at 39.85%, while Vapi recorded the highest at 65.68%. No major untoward incidents were reported.
Car Bomb Explosion Outside Northern Ireland Police Station
Police in Northern Ireland condemned a car-bomb attack on a police station in Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast, as an attempt to undermine the 1998 peace agreement. The bomb, made from a compressed gas cylinder, exploded on Saturday night while police were evacuating nearby residents. Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton described the attack as reckless and idiotic. The attackers had stopped a delivery driver, placed an improvised bomb in his vehicle, and ordered him to drive to the police station at around 10:30 p.m.
