U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on April 21, 2025, for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss a potential trade agreement targeting $500 billion in trade by 2030. The visit occurs amid concerns over U.S. tariffs and visa fee hikes affecting Indian tech firms. Accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, of Indian descent, and their children, Vance's itinerary includes cultural visits to Jaipur and Agra. The discussions are expected to cover trade, defense cooperation, and technology sharing, reflecting the strategic importance of U.S.-India relations in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance commenced a four-day visit to India on April 21, 2025, aiming to bolster bilateral relations and advance trade discussions. Accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their children, he is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to further talks initiated during Modi’s February trip to Washington. Key agenda items include negotiations to double trade to $500 billion by 2030 and discussions on reducing U.S. tariffs affecting Indian exports. The visit also encompasses personal engagements in Jaipur and Agra. India's strategic role in the Indo-Pacific and its membership in the Quad highlight the significance of this diplomatic engagement.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) avenged their previous loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS) with a dominant seven-wicket win on Sunday. Virat Kohli starred with a match-winning 77, becoming the IPL's highest 50-plus scorer. Following the win, RCB posted Kohli’s viral dance video with Quick Style, subtly mocking PBKS for a parody posted earlier. The caption: "Every masterpiece has a copy. Stick to the original." Kohli was named Player of the Match, praising team balance and his anchor role. With five consecutive away wins, RCB now sit third on the IPL 2025 table with 10 points from eight games.

As HBO’s The Last Of Us returns for Season 2, scientists are addressing the real-world risk of fungal outbreaks. While the show's parasitic cordyceps fungus turns humans into zombie-like monsters, experts say some fungi do pose a serious threat. Species like Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida already cause hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. Though cordyceps can’t infect humans, climate change may alter that risk in the future. Experts urge greater awareness and preparedness, with antifungal research still lagging behind. The show’s apocalyptic scenario may be fictional, but its themes echo growing scientific concern over fungal evolution. (PC: HBO/Warner Media/Liane Hentscher)

Just hours after a 30-hour "Easter truce" declared by President Putin expired, Ukraine reported renewed Russian drone and missile strikes across several regions, including Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Air raid alerts were issued and explosions were heard, though no casualties have been confirmed. Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized the ceasefire as a "PR stunt," citing over 1,800 violations during the truce. Russia denies the claims, saying it observed the ceasefire. The brief pause in hostilities was seen by many as symbolic. The U.S. continues to urge a lasting peace, despite skepticism about Putin’s intentions and ongoing military aggression. (PC: Reuters)

Harsimrat Randhawa, a 21-year-old Indian student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, was tragically killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop on her way to work. Hamilton Police confirmed she was an innocent bystander caught in a crossfire between two vehicles. The shooting occurred near Upper James and South Bend Road, and Randhawa was struck in the chest. Despite emergency efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. The Indian Consulate in Toronto expressed grief and is in touch with her family. A homicide investigation is underway, with police urging the public to share dashcam or CCTV footage. (PC: NDTV)

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in New Delhi on Monday for his first official visit to India, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance and their children. Vance was greeted with a ceremonial Guard of Honour and a traditional dance performance at Palam Airport. His four-day visit from April 21 to 24 includes meetings with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The family will also visit iconic landmarks in Jaipur and Agra. Vance will stop at the Akshardham Temple immediately after arrival. Meanwhile, excitement brews in Vadluru, Usha Vance’s ancestral village in Andhra Pradesh, hoping for a visit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia broke its 30-hour Easter truce more than 2,000 times. He claimed there were 67 attacks, over 1,300 shellings, and 673 drone strikes. In response, Zelenskyy offered a deal: Ukraine would pause long-range missile strikes on civilian sites for 30 days, if Russia agrees. He said if Russia refuses, it proves they want to keep the war going. The UK confirmed RAF jets stopped Russian planes near NATO airspace. The US welcomed a truce extension, but Russia hasn’t agreed. Many fear the ceasefire was just a show with no real effort for peace. (PC: Reuters)

The BCCI has banned Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah, former co-owner of the Mumbai T20 League team SoBo Supersonics, for trying to fix matches in 2019. He reportedly asked players Dhawal Kulkarni and Bhavin Thakkar to underperform. A man named Sonu Vasan made the offer to Thakkar on Bhamrah’s behalf. The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) found proof in recorded conversations. The ban's duration was not mentioned but may range from five years to life. Bhamrah is no longer involved with the league. The Mumbai T20 League was revived this year after being suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (PC: Getty)

Some Australian universities have stopped accepting students from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir. The move follows a rise in fake student visa applications used for migration, not study. Authorities fear this could harm the reputation of their education system. Applications from these states now face strict checks and more rules. The Australian Home Affairs Department is helping in the process. Indian education agents say genuine students are upset. India is a top source of international students for Australia. The ban may affect upcoming admissions and education ties between the two countries. (PC: Representative image)