Shubman Gill’s brilliant 90 off 55 balls helped Gujarat Titans post a challenging total of 198/3 against Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2025 encounter. Gill, playing against his former side, formed a solid opening partnership of 114 runs with B Sai Sudharsan, who contributed 52. Despite Jos Buttler being dropped twice, he made KKR pay with a quickfire 41. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and chose to bowl, but couldn’t contain the GT batsmen. KKR will need 199 to win as they chase down the target with Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz opening the innings. (PC: BCCI)

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, confirmed by the Vatican. Jorge Bergoglio, who became Pope in 2013, dedicated his life to promoting interfaith relations, environmental protection, and peace, notably calling for an end to the Gaza conflict. Following his death, thousands have gathered in St. Peter’s Square to mourn his loss and honor his legacy of compassion and service. A prayer service led by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti will take place in the square tonight to pay tribute to the beloved pope. (PC: BBC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with US Vice President JD Vance at his Delhi residence on Monday. Accompanied by his wife Usha and their children, Vance's visit aims to fast-track a US-India trade deal amid the looming threat of Donald Trump’s paused tariffs. The Vance family earlier visited Akshardham temple and a local emporium. Security was heightened in Delhi as Vance met with key Indian officials including S. Jaishankar and Ajit Doval. The talks focused on strengthening economic and strategic ties. Vance is scheduled to visit Jaipur and Agra next, blending diplomacy with cultural engagements. (PC: ANI)

14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made an unforgettable IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals, scoring 34 off 20 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. Coming in for the injured Sanju Samson, Suryavanshi’s blistering knock included a six off the first ball he faced, leaving commentators in awe. His performance garnered praise from cricket legends and drew attention from Pakistan, where former cricketer Basit Ali remarked on the confidence that Indian cricket provides its young talent. Despite Rajasthan's defeat, Suryavanshi’s remarkable start to his IPL career has created waves both in India and across the border. (PC: Reuters)

Efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine continue to fail, with the latest "Easter truce" collapsing within 30 hours. Despite calls from the US and President Zelensky's willingness to extend calm periods, mistrust rooted in years of broken agreements persists. Since Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea, over 25 ceasefire deals have been violated. Key truces, including the Minsk accords, have failed almost immediately. Experts largely blame Russia for insincerity, while Ukraine also faces scrutiny. With ongoing fighting and no agreement in sight, peace remains elusive. Russia insists any ceasefire must resolve its original demands, including Ukraine’s demilitarisation. (PC: Reuters)

China has launched the world's first 10G public broadband network, achieving a data transmission rate of 1.2 terabits per second (1,200 gigabits per second). This milestone was accomplished through a collaboration between Tsinghua University, China Mobile, Huawei Technologies, and Cernet Corporation. The network connects Beijing, Wuhan, and Guangzhou via over 3,000 kilometers of optical fiber cabling. Capable of transferring the equivalent of 150 high-definition films in one second, the network surpasses most existing major internet routes by more than tenfold. This development positions China at the forefront of next-generation internet infrastructure, two years ahead of industry forecasts. (PC: TechGig)

Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has approached a Delhi court seeking permission to communicate with his family. The court has issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for its response. Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, was extradited from the US to India on April 20 after a prolonged legal process. He is currently in 18-day NIA custody and under CCTV surveillance. Investigators are focusing on his role in the 2008 attacks, his ties to Pakistan’s ISI, and his connection with Lashkar-e-Taiba and co-accused David Headley. The case resumes on April 23. (PC: News18)

Disturbing messages have surfaced allegedly sent by Pallavi, wife of former Karnataka DGP Om Prakash, before his murder. In the messages, she claimed she was “poisoned” and “held hostage,” and believed she was constantly being watched. Pallavi is the prime accused in the murder of her husband, who was found stabbed at their home. The messages suggest she may have been suffering from mental distress and paranoia leading up to the crime. Police are investigating both her psychological state and the circumstances of the killing. The case has shocked the state and drawn widespread attention. (PC: India Today)

King Charles and Queen Camilla said they have “heavy hearts” after the death of Pope Francis at age 88. In a statement, the King said they were “deeply saddened” but felt comforted that the Pope was able to share an Easter message before he died. “He will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church, and his tireless commitment to people of faith,” the King said. The King and Queen met the Pope in Rome earlier this month. “We were greatly moved to have been able to visit him,” the King added. (PC: Getty)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi during his four-day visit, focusing on advancing a bilateral trade deal amid a U.S.-China trade war. The meeting, followed by delegation-level talks, coincides with the Trump administration's 90-day pause on new tariffs for India, providing a window to finalize a mutually beneficial agreement. India seeks increased U.S. investments in technology, manufacturing, automobiles, and energy sectors. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to visit Washington for IMF meetings and further trade discussions. India emphasizes that any deal must address its concerns and not be rushed, aiming for completion by end of July. (PC: NDTV & Rediff)