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)

Following Pope Francis's death, four Indian cardinals are eligible to vote in the upcoming papal conclave. These include Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Mumbai), Cardinal George Alencherry (Syro-Malabar Church), Cardinal Anthony Poola (Hyderabad), and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad. Koovakad, the youngest at 51, was elevated to cardinal in December 2024 and appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in January 2025. His prior roles include organizing Pope Francis’s international trips. Poola, the first Dalit cardinal, has focused on social welfare. Alencherry and Gracias bring extensive ecclesiastical experience. Their participation underscores India's growing influence in the Catholic Church's global leadership. (PC: AP/College Of Cardinals Report/Meta/Abaca Press/Alamy)

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Delhi, the Congress party has posed five critical questions, urging Modi to address key concerns affecting Indian citizens. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted issues such as the deportation of Indian citizens and the fear experienced by Indian students in the U.S., the undermining of the WTO's multilateral trading system, the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the WHO, and the potential adverse effects of bilateral trade liberalization on Indian farmers, industries, and MSMEs. These questions coincide with Vance's four-day visit, during which he is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife and their three children. (PC: X Handle of PM Modi)

On April 21, 2025, the BCCI unveiled the men's central contracts for the 2024–25 season. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, previously excluded for skipping domestic duties, have been reinstated, placed in Grade B and C, respectively. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja retain their A+ status. New entrants include Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Abhishek Sharma. Ravichandran Ashwin is omitted following his December 2024 retirement. Rishabh Pant advances to Grade A, while Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in Grade B. Grade C features players like Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Sanju Samson. Notably, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Jitesh Sharma, and KS Bharat are absent from this year's list. (PC: ANI & Hindustan Times)

China has cautioned nations seeking exemptions from U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump not to compromise Chinese interests. The Ministry of Commerce emphasized that appeasement won't ensure peace and warned against deals that sacrifice others for temporary gains. This follows reports of the U.S. urging trade partners to reduce imports from China in exchange for tariff relief. While Trump has paused certain tariffs for 90 days, he has increased duties on Chinese goods up to 145%, prompting China to retaliate with 125% tariffs on U.S. exports. China labeled the U.S. approach as "hegemonic politics" and called for global unity against unilateral bullying to uphold international fairness and justice. (PC: Investopedia & The Diplomat)

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died at 88 on April 21, 2025, following a battle with double pneumonia. Elected in 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio's papacy was marked by humility and reform. He chose modest living quarters over traditional papal apartments, emphasizing care for the poor. Facing internal Church scandals and bureaucracy, he aimed to restore order but encountered criticism from both conservatives and progressives. Francis championed interfaith dialogue and supported marginalized groups, including migrants. His tenure overlapped with predecessor Benedict XVI until 2022. By appointing nearly 80% of future papal electors, his influence is poised to shape the Church's direction. His legacy intertwines reform, resistance, and global admiration. (PC: Reuters)

Australia has imposed student visa restrictions on applicants from six Indian states—Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir—due to a surge in fraudulent applications. Reports indicate that some individuals are misusing student visas to gain residency rather than pursuing genuine education. In response, certain Australian universities have ceased accepting applications from these regions, while others have implemented stricter verification processes. This move aims to protect the integrity of Australia's education system but has caused concern among genuine Indian students and education consultants. India remains a significant source of international students for Australia, and these developments may impact bilateral educational ties and the upcoming admission cycle. (PC: Amber & Shutterstock)

US Vice President JD Vance commenced a four-day official visit to India, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha and their three children. Upon arrival in Delhi, he received a ceremonial guard of honour. Vance is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore avenues for a bilateral trade agreement, aiming to resolve disputes and strengthen strategic cooperation. His itinerary includes stops in Jaipur and a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra. The visit carries symbolic significance, combining diplomacy with cultural outreach, and reaffirms both nations’ commitment to deeper economic collaboration.

On April 21, 2025, gold prices in India soared to unprecedented levels, with MCX gold peaking at ₹96,747 per 10 grams, marking a ₹1,493 surge from the previous close. This places gold just ₹3,253 shy of the ₹1,00,000 milestone. In major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, 24K gold reached ₹98,350 per 10 grams, while 22K gold surpassed ₹90,000 for the first time. Silver also witnessed a significant rise, with prices hitting ₹1,01,000 per kg in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. Notably, MCX gold is now more expensive than silver, a rare occurrence. These surges are attributed to global economic uncertainties and heightened safe-haven demand. (PC: Business Today & The Financial Express)