A Haryana youth, Mukesh, recounts his harrowing experience after being lured with a job promise in Germany but ending up in the Russian army. Sent to Bangkok first, then to Russia, he faced torture and threats from agents. Mukesh endured beatings and burns with cigarettes in the jungle for 16 days before being caught by the army. Given an ultimatum to join or face jail, he chose the latter. India has intervened, seeking discharge for trapped nationals. Amidst this, at least two Indians have died in the war against Ukraine, prompting calls for immediate action and repatriation.

Indian badminton duo, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, secure the no. 1 men’s doubles spot for 10 weeks, breaking records. They previously made history as the first Indians to claim gold at the Asian Games. Their victories include China Masters, Malaysia Open, India Open, French Open, and BWF World Tour 1000 series. They peaked in BWF rankings on Oct. 12, 2023, reclaiming the top spot in January after a short break. With 102,303 points as of Mar. 26, they lead by 5,000 points. Their closest rivals, South Korea’s Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae, stand at 97,261 points.

President Droupadi Murmu honored late leaders PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, MS Swaminathan, and Karpoori Thakur with the Bharat Ratna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended PV Narasimha Rao for his immense contributions to India's advancement and hailed his scholarly prowess. Modi expressed pride in Rao's recognition with the Bharat Ratna, emphasizing his role in shaping India's modernization. PV Narasimha Rao's son, PV Prabhakar Rao, accepted the award on his behalf. The nation commemorates the remarkable legacies of these revered figures who dedicated their lives to the betterment of India.

Lucknow Super Giants have signed New Zealand pacer Matt Henry for ₹1.25 crores as a replacement for David Willey, who withdrew from IPL 2024 due to personal reasons. Henry, with limited IPL experience, previously played two matches for Punjab Kings in 2017 and was also part of Chennai Super Kings. The 29-year-old has featured in 17 T20Is, claiming 20 wickets, 82 ODIs with 141 dismissals, and 25 Tests, securing 95 wickets for New Zealand. Henry's addition adds depth to LSG's bowling lineup ahead of their clash against Punjab Kings.

Former FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding customers and investors, as his once-prominent crypto exchange collapsed in 2022. The ruling follows findings that he stole billions ahead of the firm's downfall. Bankman-Fried's legal team plans to appeal. His parents expressed heartbreak over the verdict. The 32-year-old apologized in court for letting people down. FTX, once a major exchange, faced a deposit run amid financial troubles, leading to its demise and revealing Bankman-Fried's crimes.

Election Commission bans Yusuf Pathan, TMC candidate in West Bengal's Baharampur, from using 2011 World Cup winning moments and national flag in campaign, following Congress complaint. Pathan directed to remove posters violating Model Code of Conduct, with EC citing merit in complaint evaluation. He also instructed not to feature the national flag during campaigning. TMC workers swiftly initiate removal of offending posters per EC's orders.

Two women footballers from Khad FC in Himachal Pradesh have accused Deepak Sharma, an executive committee member of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), of assault during the Indian Women's League 2 in Goa. Allegedly, Sharma attacked them in a Goa hotel room, upset over them preparing food. The incident occurred while they were traveling from Himachal Pradesh to Goa, with the footballers claiming Sharma was intoxicated. Sharma holds positions in the Himachal Pradesh Football Association and the AIFF's competitions committee. The footballers have filed a complaint with the AIFF, highlighting the serious allegations against Sharma, who denies the accusations.

President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Bharat Ratna to four posthumous recipients: Chaudhary Charan Singh, PV Narasimha Rao, Karpoori Thakur, and MS Swaminathan. LK Advani, the fifth awardee, was absent due to illness but will receive the honor at his residence tomorrow. Narasimha Rao's son, PV Prabhakar Rao, accepted the award on his father's behalf at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony, marked by significant absences and upcoming presentations, underscored the recognition of these esteemed figures for their contributions.

KKR claimed a significant victory against RCB in the IPL, securing the first away win of the season. Faf Du Plessis, RCB's skipper, highlighted the challenging pitch conditions, citing its two-paced nature. Batsmen, including Virat Kohli, found it tough to score freely due to the lack of pace and uneven bounce. Despite a competitive total, RCB struggled to capitalize on the pitch, enabling KKR's bowlers to dominate and secure a comfortable seven-wicket win at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Chandigarh's Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport is set to resume its Chandigarh-Sharjah flight service starting April 2, operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The flight was previously discontinued last October but is now returning due to popular demand. Officials suggest a potential increase in frequency from twice to thrice weekly. The airport's summer schedule, effective March 31 to October 26, will also enhance connectivity to Dubai, Dharamsala, and Jammu. With 360 available seats, the flight aims to meet the region's travel needs, restoring international connectivity for passengers.