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)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance commenced a four-day official visit to India on April 21, 2025, accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their children. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and address trade issues amidst the Trump administration's tariff threats. Vance met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss enhancing economic and defense partnerships, with a goal to double trade to $500 billion by 2030. India is open to reducing tariffs on over half of its U.S. imports, which totaled $41.8 billion in 2024. The visit also includes cultural engagements, underscoring Vance's personal ties to India through his wife, Usha, a practicing Hindu of Indian origin.

India aims to finalize the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. by September–October 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced during her U.S. visit. This initiative follows President Donald Trump's April 2 imposition of reciprocal tariffs, with a 90-day suspension granted on April 9, excluding China and Hong Kong. Sitharaman emphasized the importance of this agreement beyond tariff issues, highlighting the U.S. as one of India's largest trading partners. High-level engagements are underway, including meetings with the U.S. Treasury Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative's office. Simultaneously, U.S. Vice President JD Vance is visiting India to discuss bilateral relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PC: LinkedIn)

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, passed away at 88 after battling double pneumonia. Just a day before his death, he greeted Easter worshippers in St. Peter’s Square. Global leaders mourned his passing, highlighting his humility and dedication to the marginalized. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni called him “a great shepherd,” while Argentina's President Javier Milei acknowledged his efforts in interfaith dialogue. European Commission's Ursula von der Leyen praised his commitment to peace. U.S. leaders, including President Trump and VP JD Vance, offered condolences. Russia's President Putin noted his role in bridging Orthodox-Catholic relations. India's PM Modi remembered him as a beacon of compassion. Spain declared three days of mourning. (PC: Reuters)

A Reddit user recently shared a disheartening experience aboard an Indian train, highlighting the poor maintenance and cleanliness of the coach. The user posted images showing littered floors and unclean conditions, expressing frustration over the state of public transport. This post sparked a broader discussion on social media about the lack of civic sense among passengers and the challenges faced by Indian Railways in maintaining hygiene standards. Many users echoed similar sentiments, sharing their own experiences and calling for greater accountability and awareness. The incident underscores the ongoing issues within the railway system and the need for collective responsibility to ensure better travel experiences. 

Huawei Technologies is preparing to commence mass shipments of its advanced 910C AI chip to Chinese customers as early as next month. This development comes as Chinese AI firms seek alternatives to Nvidia's H20 chip, now restricted by U.S. export licensing requirements. The 910C chip, an evolution of Huawei's 910B, combines two 910B processors, effectively doubling computing power and memory capacity, and enhancing support for diverse AI workloads. Several Chinese tech firms have already sampled and pre-ordered the chip. Some components are manufactured by China's SMIC using 7nm process technology, albeit with low yield rates. The U.S. has imposed these restrictions to limit China's access to advanced semiconductors, aiming to curb its military technological advancements. This scenario presents an opportunity for Huawei and domestic GPU startups like Moore Threads and Iluvatar CoreX to fill the gap left by restricted Nvidia chip sales. (PC: Reuters)

India's Places of Worship Act, 1991, which preserves the religious status of sites as of 15 August 1947, faces legal challenges from Hindu groups seeking to reclaim mosques allegedly built over demolished temples. A court-ordered survey of the 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, sparked violent clashes, resulting in five deaths and numerous injuries. The Supreme Court has halted such surveys nationwide, pending review of the Act's constitutionality. Critics argue the law infringes on religious freedoms and judicial review, while supporters warn that altering it could incite communal unrest. The controversy underscores escalating tensions over religious heritage and India's secular framework. (PC: The Independent & Getty Images)