In a gruesome crime in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district, a man named Rakesh allegedly murdered his tenant, Sandeep, after discovering his affair with Rakesh’s wife. Under the guise of construction work, Rakesh tricked Sandeep into entering a seven-foot-deep pit, where he tied his hands, taped his mouth, and buried him alive. Sandeep’s family filed a missing person report, leading police to investigate and uncover the shocking murder. Rakesh has been arrested and faces charges including murder. The brutal nature of the crime has left the local community in shock as investigations continue. (PC: News 18)

  Reports suggest that Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer are set to be reinstated in the BCCI’s central contract list after being dropped earlier. Their potential return follows improved form and discussions within the board. Meanwhile, senior pacer Mohammed Shami’s contract status remains uncertain due to prolonged fitness issues and lack of domestic cricket participation. The BCCI’s final contract list, which categorizes players into different grades based on performance and availability, is under review. An official announcement is expected soon, signaling the board’s emphasis on form and fitness in player contract decisions.    

In a rare public dissent, hundreds of Palestinians in northern Gaza, particularly in Beit Lahia and Jabalia refugee camps, staged protests against Hamas, blaming the governing group for their worsening conditions amid the ongoing war with Israel. Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Hamas out” and “Hamas terrorists,” expressing anger over the prolonged conflict and severe humanitarian crisis. The protests, reportedly organized through social media, mark one of the most significant uprisings against Hamas since the war began. Hamas security forces cracked down on protesters as tensions escalated, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with the leadership in the war-torn region. (PC: The Times of Israel)

Comedian Kunal Kamra has reportedly received over 500 threatening calls, including death threats, after a joke allegedly targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde went viral. The joke, performed at Mumbai's Habitat comedy club, led to strong reactions from Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) supporters, some of whom vandalized the venue. In response, Mumbai Police arrested 12 Shiv Sena workers, who were later released on bail. An FIR has been filed against Kamra, who has requested a week's time to appear before the authorities. (PC: Hindustan Times)

The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the Allahabad High Court’s controversial ruling, which held that acts such as grabbing a girl’s breasts and breaking the string of her pyjama do not constitute an attempt to rape. The High Court had downgraded the charges from attempted rape to aggravated sexual assault under the POCSO Act. This decision has sparked widespread criticism, raising concerns about the judicial interpretation of sexual violence laws. The Supreme Court’s intervention seeks to re-evaluate the ruling to ensure legal consistency and justice for survivors. (PC: Sushil Kumar Verma/ The Hindu)  

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt military strikes in the Black Sea and ensure safe passage for commercial ships, the White House announced after U.S.-mediated talks in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine warned that any movement of Russian warships beyond the eastern Black Sea would violate the deal. President Zelensky called the agreement "a step in the right direction" but cautioned that its success remains uncertain. Russia insisted sanctions on banks, insurers, and food exporters must be lifted before implementation. Ukrainian officials emphasized the need for further technical consultations to finalize monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. (PC: Getty Images)

King Charles and Queen Camilla have postponed their planned Vatican visit as Pope Francis continues to recover from pneumonia, Buckingham Palace confirmed. The 88-year-old pontiff was recently discharged from a 38-day hospital stay, the longest of his papacy. Doctors had considered suspending treatment at one point, fearing he wouldn’t survive the night. The King and Queen’s tour of Italy from April 7-10 will proceed with modifications. "Their Majesties send The Pope their best wishes for his convalescence," the palace stated. Pope Francis remains under medical advice to avoid large gatherings for two months. (PC: Reuters, PA)

India failed to break through Bangladesh’s defense in a 0-0 draw in their opening AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier. Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury shone on his debut for Bangladesh, disrupting India’s midfield. Sunil Chhetri missed key chances, while Liston Colaco and Subhasish Bose were among India’s bright spots. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith had nervy moments but kept a clean sheet. The result puts pressure on India ahead of crucial clashes against Singapore and Hong Kong in Group C. Bangladesh celebrated a strong defensive performance, frustrating India’s attack in a hard-fought match. (PC:X and AIFF)

A Sudanese war monitor has accused the military of killing hundreds in an airstrike on Tur'rah market in Darfur. The Emergency Lawyers group called it a "horrific massacre," with videos showing charred bodies and destroyed stalls. The military denied targeting civilians, claiming it struck hostile targets. The attack, reportedly the deadliest since the war began in 2023, comes amid rising civilian casualties. Over 12 million Sudanese have fled, and the UN warns of widespread famine. The RSF, accused of genocide, continues clashes with the army, worsening Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. (PC: BBC, Screengrab from RSF shared footage)

Kolli Abhishek, a man from Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, was found dead in Texas a day after going missing. Authorities suspect suicide. Abhishek, unemployed for six months, had recently moved to Princeton with his wife. His family launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising over $18,000 to cover funeral expenses and transport his body to India. “We want to honour his memory with dignity,” his brother Aravind said. The Telugu community in the U.S. has extended financial and emotional support to the grieving family. Local groups are assisting with the necessary arrangements. (PC: gofundme)