Rishabh Pant marked a stunning return to form in IPL 2025 with a gritty 63-run knock, guiding Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to 166/7 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Lucknow. With early wickets tumbling and Nicholas Pooran falling cheaply, Pant held the innings together. His knock helped LSG recover after CSK’s disciplined bowling, led by Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad. MS Dhoni was sharp behind the stumps, showing glimpses of his vintage brilliance. Dhoni had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl first. LSG's total sets up an intriguing chase for CSK in this high-stakes IPL clash. (PC: BCCI)

“The highest high. It is a surrender to the unknown,” said Katy Perry after returning from space with Blue Origin’s first all-female crew since 1963. The 11-minute flight aboard New Shepard included Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, and Kerianne Flynn. “I couldn't recommend this experience more,” Perry added, hinting at a song inspired by her journey. “This mum went to space,” Flynn declared proudly. Sánchez described Earth as “so quiet,” while King said she just wanted to “appreciate the ground.” Blue Origin CEO called it a “great flight” with “an amazing crew” that left “not a dry eye” in Texas. (PC: Blue Origin)

Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission made history on April 14, 2025, with an all-women crew flying to space. The team included singer Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyễn, Gayle King, and Kerianne Flynn. The rocket launched from West Texas and stayed in space for 11 minutes. The capsule safely returned after parachutes opened. Katy Perry shouted “Oh My Goddess!” as they landed. Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin, sent love and support before takeoff. The crew smiled and waved after landing. This was Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight and showed how far space travel has come for women. (PC: @PopCrave/X)

Rishi Sunak's former aide, Craig Williams, and 14 others have been charged with election betting offences in the UK. They are accused of using insider information about the 2024 general election date to place bets. The Gambling Commission’s investigation started last June after Williams placed a £100 bet on the election happening in July, three days before it was officially announced. Other people charged include current Welsh Senedd member Russell George and former police officer Jeremy Hunt. Several others were also associated with the Conservative Party. All those charged will appear in court on Friday. The investigation continues. (PC: Story Picture Agency/Shutterstock)

Violence broke out in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on Monday as protesters clashed with police over the new Waqf laws. Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) were marching to a rally in Kolkata when tensions escalated. Police vehicles were set on fire, and several officers were injured. This comes after similar violence in Murshidabad last week, where three people died and over 200 were arrested. The protests are against changes to the Waqf laws, which the opposition and some Muslims believe are harmful. The Supreme Court will hear petitions challenging the laws on April 16. (PC: NDTV)

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)