NASA astronaut Sunita Williams returned to Earth after a nine-month stay in space, landing in the SpaceX Dragon Freedom capsule off the Florida coast. Williams, along with Butch Wilmore and Crew-9 members, was rescued following Boeing’s Starliner propulsion failure. The astronauts, welcomed with cheers and even dolphins at splashdown, are now undergoing a 45-day rehabilitation to readjust to Earth’s gravity. The White House credited Donald Trump for ensuring their safe return. Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat is preparing celebrations. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully completed the mission, with Crew-10 now taking over at the ISS.

Israel has launched a ground operation in Gaza a day after airstrikes ended a ceasefire in place since January. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the operation aims to expand the security zone and create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Gazans to return hostages and remove Hamas. The Gaza Health Ministry reported 436 deaths, including 183 children, with 678 wounded. The IDF claims it targets militants, while the UN calls it one of the deadliest conflicts for humanitarian workers. Strikes continued Wednesday at a lower intensity.

The US Supreme Court is expected to review 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Tahawwur Rana’s plea seeking a stay on his extradition to India. Judges will consider the application during a private conference on April 4, 2025. A copy of the plea has been distributed, but only cases gaining support from at least four judges proceed further. Rana’s earlier review petition was rejected on January 21. India seeks his extradition for alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people. The Supreme Court’s decision is expected on the next working day after the conference.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their opening match of IPL 2025 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), replacing regular captain Hardik Pandya, who is serving a one-match suspension for a slow over-rate violation in IPL 2024. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed the decision, highlighting Yadav as the ideal stand-in captain. Pandya admitted to the over-rate lapse and accepted the penalty. MI will also be without Jasprit Bumrah due to a back injury, but the team remains focused on their campaign to secure a record sixth IPL title despite early setbacks.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi called recent attacks on Tesla properties "domestic terrorism" and vowed severe consequences for perpetrators. A fire at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas damaged five vehicles, with "Resist" spray-painted on the building. Elon Musk shared footage, calling the attacks "evil." Tesla has faced multiple vandalism incidents across the US and Europe, affecting dealerships and charging stations. Musk, a key Trump ally, blamed "hatred from the left." Tesla shares have dropped, and security concerns led to its removal from the Vancouver Auto Show. Trump promised tough action against those responsible.

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, discussed the growing use of tariffs and sanctions in global diplomacy, stating that "like it or not, they are a reality." He emphasized that these economic tools have become integral to international relations, despite the challenges they present to nations like India. Jaishankar argued that such measures, often used as instruments of power, require countries to adapt and find pragmatic solutions. He also highlighted India's resilience in navigating the evolving geopolitical landscape and balancing its interests amidst these global pressures.  

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of over 400 Palestinians, including 130 children. She described the attacks as "cold-blooded murder" and accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. Gandhi emphasized that such actions reveal Israel’s inhumanity and "inherent weakness." She also praised the resilience of Palestinians and called on global citizens to acknowledge their suffering. This statement follows the disruption of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and Gandhi's previous public display of support for Palestine.    

NASA welcomed Sunita Williams and Crew-9 at Johnson Space Center after their return from the ISS. Williams and Butch Wilmore spent 285 days in space, completing 4,576 orbits around Earth and covering 195 million km. They contributed to 150 scientific experiments, including human health in microgravity. NASA shared pictures of their arrival, writing, "Welcome home, Butch, Suni, Nick, & Aleksandr!" Williams and Wilmore will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation to readjust to Earth’s gravity. Their Dragon capsule’s landing featured a rare sight—dolphins near the splashdown zone.

The RSS condemned the recent violence in Nagpur and dismissed the relevance of historical figure Aurangzeb in contemporary political discourse. This came after clashes erupted during a procession, causing tensions in the region. The RSS emphasized that the focus should be on peace and unity, rejecting any attempts to politicize historical figures like Aurangzeb, who have been linked to religious conflict in India. The organization called for stricter measures to curb violence and promote harmony, urging people to move beyond divisive ideologies and work toward collective societal progress.  

Five Chinese satellites were observed performing synchronized movements resembling orbital "dogfighting," according to the US Space Force. These tactics, confirmed through low Earth orbit proximity operations involving satellites like Shiyan-24C and Shijian-6, suggest China's growing space combat capabilities. This maneuvering, which mirrors military practices, signals a potential shift in space warfare strategies. As China and Russia enhance their space assets, the US Space Force stresses the need for stronger defenses to address narrowing technological advantages and deter aggression in orbit. Space warfare concerns continue to rise with coordinated satellite operations.