FirstUp: Union Cabinet to meet after Pahalgam attack and other big news of the day

It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, the Union Cabinet is set to meet today. Meanwhile, a Myanmar ceasefire declared after last month’s devastating earthquake is set to expire today.

Today marks 50 years since the deadly Vietnam War. Meanwhile, Barcelona and Inter Milan are set to face each other in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League today.

Meanwhile, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi will launch a ‘switch off light’ campaign on April 30 against the Waqf Amendment Act.

Here is all that is set to take place today.

Union Cabinet to meet

The Union Cabinet will be meeting today for the first time since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead. The meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be convened at 11 am in Delhi.

Earlier, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had met last week and condemned the terror attack. Following the meeting, India had announced a number of measures, including downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

Among other measures, India announced the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the over six-decade-old Indus Water Treaty and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of the cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Myanmar post-earthquake truce due to lapse

A Myanmar ceasefire declared after last month’s devastating earthquake was due to expire today after aid groups and international mediators called for an extension to ease relief efforts.

The junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup sparking a many-sided civil war, said it would cease attacking its myriad armed opponents following the magnitude-7.7 quake which has killed more than 3,700.

Conflict monitors and residents in combat zones say fighting continued on both sides during the 20-day truce, declared to spur aid delivery in Myanmar’s central belt and due to expire at midnight (IST 11 pm).

50 years of Vietnam War

One of the most gruesome wars of the 20th Century, the Vietnam War came to an end today (April 30) in 1975. Spanning nearly two decades, the conflict officially began for the US with the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964 and ended on April 30, 1975, when Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces, marking the unification of Vietnam under communist rule.

The war was rooted in Cold War tensions, as the United States sought to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. It pitted North Vietnam and the Viet Cong against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. At its peak, over half a million U.S. troops were deployed. The war claimed more than 58,000 American lives and millions of Vietnamese, both military and civilian.

Owaisi to launch ‘switch off light’ campaign

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi called for a ‘switch off light’ campaign today against the Waqf Amendment Act. He urged people to support the campaign by turning off the lights for 15 minutes from 9 pm on Wednesday.

“Under the protest launched by All India Muslim Personal Law Board against Waqf Amendment Act 2025, a program has been launched to ‘switch off lights’ from 9 pm to 9:15 pm on April 30 to register protest against the Act. I appeal to the people to take part in this protest by switching off the lights of their houses/shops so that we can send a message to PM Modi that this Act is a violation of fundamental rights,” he said.

Barcelona (ESP) vs Inter Milan in UEFA Champions League

European giants collide as Barcelona host Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final today. The fixture, steeped in history and high-stakes ambition, promises an intense battle as both clubs vie for a coveted spot in the final.

With Camp Nou (or Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, if still used) as the venue, they’ll look to capitalise on home advantage. The team’s attacking prowess, bolstered by emerging talents and experienced leaders, has been key in overcoming tough opposition this season.