Katy Perry is going to space. On April 14, 2025, she will join an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket for a suborbital flight. The mission, designated NS-31, will launch from West Texas and is scheduled to lift off at 8:30 a.m. CDT (9:30 a.m. EDT). The pop star will join five other women, including journalist Gayle King and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, for a suborbital spaceflight. Ahead of the mission, Perry shared a special message for her daughter, Daisy, and revealed items she is bringing. She’s taking 300 bracelets for kids, a daisy from Earth, and plans to reveal her next tour setlist from space. The flight, scheduled for April 14, 2025, will offer breathtaking views of Earth and a moment of weightlessness. (PC: @katyperry/Instagram)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Donald Trump to visit Ukraine before making any deal with Russia. He wants Trump to see the damage and pain caused by the war. The invite came before a Russian missile hit the city of Sumy, killing 34 people and hurting 117. Russia said it only targets military sites, but others called it a war crime. Trump’s team is working on a peace deal. Zelensky fears Russia will take advantage. European leaders and the UN strongly condemned the attack. Ukraine still wants peace, but only on its own terms and with full support. (PC: Reuters, Getty Images)

Mehul Choksi, wanted in the PNB bank fraud case, was arrested in Belgium on Sunday. India has asked for his extradition. A team from India will visit Belgium before his bail hearing next week. Choksi’s lawyer says he will ask for bail, citing cancer treatment. The lawyer may also oppose extradition, claiming Indian jail conditions are inhuman. Choksi fled India in 2018 and got Belgian residency last year. He and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are accused of cheating PNB of over Rs 14,000 crore. India’s CBI issued two non-bailable warrants against him. The case may take time to resolve. (PC: IANS)

A lawyer has asked the Supreme Court to form a special team to investigate violence in Bengal’s Murshidabad and nearby areas. The protests were against new changes to the Waqf Act. Three people died, including a father and son. Over 200 people were arrested. Protesters blocked railway tracks and set police vehicles on fire. The Calcutta High Court has sent central forces to help control the situation. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the law will not be allowed in the state. The BJP wants an NIA probe. The court will hear related cases this week. (PC: PTI)

Saudi Arabia has reportedly slashed India's private Hajj quota by 80%, affecting approximately 52,000 pilgrims. This sudden move, involving the cancellation of Mina zones previously allocated to private tour operators, has sparked concern among Indian leaders. People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti labeled the development "disturbing" and urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene with Saudi authorities. Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the distress faced by pilgrims who have already paid for the pilgrimage. Both leaders have called on External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to engage with Saudi counterparts to resolve the issue and alleviate the uncertainty for affected pilgrims. (PC: Wikipedia & AFP)

Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, launching extensive air and ground assaults, particularly targeting Khan Younis in the south. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18, at least 1,574 Palestinians have been killed, bringing the total death toll since the war's onset to 50,944. A recent Israeli strike tragically killed six brothers who were volunteering to deliver food aid. Additionally, the World Health Organization confirmed the death of a Palestinian child due to disrupted medical care following the bombing of al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. Global condemnation is mounting over the escalating humanitarian crisis. (PC: VOA, Al Jazeera & Daily Sabah)

India has successfully tested a laser-directed energy weapon system, marking its entry into an exclusive group of nations possessing such advanced armaments. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the trial at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, where the vehicle-mounted Laser Directed Weapon (DEW) MK-II(A) effectively neutralized fixed-wing UAVs and swarm drones by causing structural damage and disabling surveillance sensors. This development signifies a significant advancement in India's defense capabilities, aligning with global powers like the US, China, and Russia. The Indian Air Force is actively working on integrating these systems into airborne platforms, reflecting the government's focus on enhancing defense prowess through directed energy and hypersonic weapons. (PC: The Tribune & The Federal)

Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the ₹13,400 crore Punjab National Bank fraud, is set to lose his Antiguan citizenship and be extradited to India, according to Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne. Browne emphasized that Choksi's citizenship will be revoked, stating, "He is allegedly a crook... he will be extradited back to India to face charges." Choksi had acquired Antiguan citizenship in 2017 through the Citizenship by Investment Programme. Browne assured that due process will be followed, allowing Choksi to exhaust all legal options before repatriation. Indian authorities remain engaged with Antigua regarding the extradition, while Choksi claims medical unfitness as a reason for not returning. (PC: PTI)

A record 65 Punjabi-origin candidates are contesting Canada's 2025 federal elections, marking a significant milestone in the nation's political landscape. This surge includes 22 candidates from British Columbia, 20 from Ontario, and 12 from Alberta, with the remainder spread across other provinces. Notably, 42 candidates are affiliated with the Liberal Party, 13 with the Conservative Party, and 10 with the New Democratic Party. The Punjabi community's growing political engagement reflects their increasing influence and representation in Canadian politics. This development underscores the community's commitment to shaping the country's future and highlights the multicultural fabric of Canada's democratic process. The active participation of Punjabi-origin individuals signifies a broader trend of diverse communities contributing to national governance. (PC: The Tribune & PTC News)

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has received a chilling death threat stating, "Will blow up his car," sent via WhatsApp to Mumbai’s Transport Department. The message also threatened to enter his residence and kill him. A case has been registered at Worli Police Station, and police are investigating. This comes nearly a year after shots were fired outside his Bandra home. Khan has faced repeated threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang over the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. In response, Salman said, “My lifespan will be as long as fate allows.” His movement remains restricted to his home and film sets. (PC: India Today)