The son of a British couple held by the Taliban has urged the U.S. to help secure their release. Peter Reynolds, 79, and Barbie Reynolds, 75, were arrested in Afghanistan’s Bamyan province on February 1. Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, made an emotional plea: "Anybody who can help, do it now." Their friend, American citizen Faye Hall, was also detained but later freed. The couple has no formal charges, but Peter was reportedly beaten. "They are innocent, yet they suffer," Jonathan said. The Taliban calls their arrest a "misunderstanding," but efforts to free them have failed. (PC: The Independent)

Meta has introduced Llama 4, its latest open-source AI model, to boost its role in artificial intelligence. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, "Our goal is to build the world's leading AI and make it accessible to all." The first models, Llama 4 Scout and Llama 4 Maverick, are available for download. A powerful version, Llama 4 Behemoth, is in development. Meta says its AI outperforms competitors like OpenAI's GPT-4o and Google's Gemini 2.0. The company has invested billions in AI research and expects Llama 4 to play a key role in the future of AI technology. (PC: AFP)

Comedian Kunal Kamra has asked Mumbai Police to record his statement via video conferencing after skipping three summons. He faces a case over a joke about Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, calling him a “traitor.” The Khar Police summoned him for questioning on April 5, but he did not appear. Officers traveled to Pondicherry to investigate, as Kamra resides in Tamil Nadu. He has secured interim anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court until April 7. Kamra defended his joke, stating, "It is not against the law to make fun of leaders," and insisted he "won't apologize." (PC: India Today)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, warning of heatwave conditions from April 7 to 9. The city's maximum temperature is 3°C above normal, reaching 40–42°C. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Uttar Pradesh will also experience extreme heat in the coming days. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Kerala may see heavy rainfall. A Western Disturbance is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms to the Western Himalayas by April 8. IMD warns that the heatwave may last until June in several states, including Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, affecting both people and animals. (PC: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Pamban Bridge, restoring train services to Rameswaram after two years. The 2.08 km bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, replaces the old 1914-built structure. It allows ships to pass by lifting a 72.5-meter section. The project, costing ₹704 crore, connects Rameswaram with cities like Chennai, Ayodhya, and Bhubaneswar. Around 30 trains will operate on this route, with speeds adjusting to wind conditions. Built with anti-corrosive materials, the bridge is designed to last longer. The first train crossed within 20 minutes of the inauguration, marking a new era for railway travel. (PC: Nivedita Singh/News18)

A convoy including Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances, a UN vehicle, and a Gaza Civil Defence fire truck came under Israeli fire near Rafah, killing 15 aid workers. Israel initially claimed the convoy approached without lights and without coordination, but mobile footage by a slain paramedic, Refat Radwan, showed the vehicles clearly marked with lights on. Israel later admitted this claim was inaccurate. Though IDF says some medics were linked to Hamas, no evidence was provided. The Red Crescent and international bodies are calling for an independent investigation. Bodies were buried in sand and uncovered a week later. (The New York Times)

Indian American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has called for the immediate resignations of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz after it was revealed they used the encrypted app Signal to discuss sensitive military operations, including those in Yemen. The situation gained further attention when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to one of the group chats. Subramanyam warned that such practices jeopardize national security and urged a full investigation into the misuse of unsecured communication platforms by top officials. (PC: Wikipedia)

Amid swirling retirement rumors, MS Dhoni, 43, has clarified his intention to continue playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking at a promotional event, the former Indian captain expressed his desire to enjoy cricket with the same innocence he had as a child. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining fitness, stating, "I have to keep myself fit for nine months, so that I can play two and a half months of IPL." Dhoni highlighted the importance of prioritizing cricket during his playing years, underscoring his dedication to the sport. He will participate in IPL 2025 as an uncapped player for Chennai Super Kings. (PC: BCCI)

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have resulted in at least 46 Palestinian deaths over the past 24 hours, with 21 fatalities occurring overnight. The attacks were primarily concentrated in Gaza City and the southern region of the Strip. In Gaza City, a father and his daughter were killed in a drone strike, while in the southern area, a displacement tent was hit, resulting in at least six deaths. Medical sources report that 19 individuals were killed in Khan Younis this morning, with expectations that the death toll may rise. The continuous bombardment has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading to increased casualties and displacement among the civilian population. (PC: New York Times, The Washington Post, CNBC)

India's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has rejoined the Mumbai Indians squad ahead of their IPL 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Wankhede Stadium on April 7. Bumrah had been sidelined due to a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, leading to surgery and rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His return was announced via a Game of Thrones-themed video featuring his wife, Sanjana Ganesan, and son, Angad, symbolizing his comeback as the 'lion' of the team. Despite his return, it's uncertain if Bumrah will play in the upcoming match, given his recent recovery. (PC: Al Jazeera)