Virat Kohli sparked concern among fans during RCB’s IPL 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals after asking Sanju Samson to check his heartbeat mid-match. Battling tough Jaipur conditions, Kohli played a gritty knock filled with 24 singles, 3 doubles, 4 boundaries, and 2 sixes to reach his 100th T20 fifty. Despite an early dropped catch, he anchored RCB’s successful chase with Devdutt Padikkal, sealing a 9-wicket win. Kohli now has 100 fifties and 9 centuries in 405 T20s. Earlier, RR’s Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 60 off 39 balls. Kohli’s gesture raised health concerns, but he remained on field till the end. (Video Courtesy: X/Aman)

After days of violent clashes over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, a tense calm prevails in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Paramilitary forces including 9 BSF and 8 CRPF companies have been deployed across sensitive areas like Suti and Jangipur. Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh alleged a “larger conspiracy” involving political parties and parts of BSF. Police suspect SDPI incited violence through provocative campaigns. The violence, beginning after Friday prayers, left 3 dead and dozens displaced. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed 400 Hindus fled Dhulian. Internet remains suspended till Tuesday. A special police team is investigating the role of banned outfits linked to SDPI and SIMI. (PC: India Today)

A Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed 34 people, including 2 children, and injured 117 others. Two ballistic missiles hit near the state university and congress centre, leaving widespread devastation. Ukraine’s Western allies condemned the attack. US President Trump called it a “horrible thing,” while German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz labelled it a “serious war crime.” French President Macron demanded “strong measures” to enforce a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Zelensky urged Trump to witness the war’s horrors firsthand. The UN condemned attacks on civilians as violations of international law. This is Ukraine’s deadliest civilian strike in 2025. (PC: AP, AFP)

China has suspended exports of key rare earth metals and magnets amid its escalating trade war with the US. The move affects elements vital to industries like defense, electronics, and EVs. China controls 90% of global rare earths, and the halted shipments impact global firms including Tesla, Apple, and Lockheed Martin. Beijing's new licensing system delays exports while signaling tighter restrictions. The US relies heavily on Chinese supply, with only one domestic rare earth mine. Analysts warn the move could destabilize global tech and defense sectors. Washington has limited stockpiles, prompting urgent search for alternative sources. (PC: NDTV)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a severe heat wave over Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, and parts of Central India between April 14 and 19. Temperatures in Delhi are expected to reach 42°C, with heat wave conditions likely at isolated locations. Northwest India will see a 3-5°C rise in maximum temperatures, while Central and West India will rise by 2-4°C. Meanwhile, the southern states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, are set to receive light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds over the next five days. Heavy rainfall is also expected in Assam, Meghalaya, and Odisha. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, wanted in India for the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, has been arrested in Belgium, sources confirmed. The arrest, made on April 11, follows non-bailable warrants from Mumbai courts and was requested by Indian agencies including the CBI and ED. Choksi had been living in Antwerp with a Belgian residency card reportedly obtained using forged documents. Belgian authorities, aware of the high-profile case, are cooperating on extradition. Choksi fled India in 2018 and was undergoing medical treatment in Europe. His nephew, Nirav Modi, remains in a London jail fighting extradition. (PC: 

Bangladesh has reinstated the "except Israel" clause on its passports, reversing a 2021 decision to remove it. The Home Ministry issued a directive on April 7, 2025, mandating the return of the phrase "THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD EXCEPT ISRAEL" . This move follows massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Dhaka, where approximately 100,000 people protested against Israeli actions in Gaza . The government clarified that the earlier removal aimed to align with international passport standards and did not signify a shift in foreign policy . Bangladesh continues to support the Palestinian cause and upholds its longstanding travel ban to Israel. (PC: OpIndia, Dawn, Times of India & Al Jazeera)

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that smartphones, computers, and certain electronics recently exempted from steep tariffs on Chinese imports will soon face new duties, alongside semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, within the next two months. This marks a further development in President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff strategy, which continues to unsettle global markets and U.S. businesses due to ongoing policy shifts. Although the Trump administration temporarily excluded some tech products from the 125% reciprocal tariffs, Lutnick clarified they would still be affected by upcoming sector-specific tariffs. The announcement comes after China retaliated by raising its tariffs on U.S. imports and amid growing criticism from business leaders and politicians.(PC: Wikipedia)

A senior Indian official has indicated that the 'zero-for-zero' tariff strategy, proposed by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), is unlikely to be adopted in the forthcoming India-US trade agreement. This approach involves mutual elimination of tariffs on select goods to avoid broader concessions. However, the official suggests that India prefers a comprehensive trade deal over product-specific tariff eliminations. The GTRI had recommended this strategy to circumvent potential reciprocal tariffs from the US, which could adversely affect Indian exports. Despite the WTO's stance on such arrangements, the GTRI viewed it as a less detrimental alternative to a full-fledged FTA, which might compel India to make challenging concessions in areas like agriculture and data protection. (Business Today)

Seventeen companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in Murshidabad, West Bengal, following recent unrest. The state's Director General of Police (DGP) confirmed that the situation is now under control. The deployment aims to restore order and prevent further disturbances. Authorities are closely monitoring the area to ensure peace and stability. The presence of CAPF personnel is intended to bolster local law enforcement and reassure residents. Officials have not reported any new incidents since the deployment. The DGP emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order and assured the public of their safety. Efforts are ongoing to address the root causes of the unrest and promote harmony in the region. (PC: The Hindu & Mathrubhumi)