On March 25, 2025, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended sanctions on India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), over alleged involvement in assassination plots targeting Sikh separatists abroad. The panel also urged the U.S. government to designate India as a "country of particular concern" due to reported religious discrimination against minorities. India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the claims as biased and politically motivated, arguing that the report misrepresents the nation’s religious and cultural diversity. The recommendation could impact U.S.-India diplomatic relations amid ongoing global security concerns. (PC: Reuters)

Russia says it will not stop attacks in the Black Sea unless some Western sanctions are lifted. The US announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop strikes, but the Kremlin insists the deal will only start if Russian banks regain access to the Swift payment system. Ukraine disagrees and says the ceasefire should begin immediately. Russia launched drone attacks on Mykolaiv overnight, causing damage. The EU says sanctions will not be lifted unless Russia withdraws from Ukraine. The ceasefire was discussed in Saudi Arabia, but both sides now argue over the details of the agreement. (PC: BBC)

Hamas has warned that hostages in Gaza may be killed if Israel attempts to retrieve them by force. The group accused Israel of endangering their lives through air strikes, stating, "Every time the occupation attempts to retrieve its captives by force, it ends up bringing them back in coffins." Israel resumed intense air and ground operations in Gaza last week, killing at least 830 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The war, triggered by Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack, has resulted in over 50,183 Palestinian deaths and 1,218 Israeli deaths. (PC: NDTV)

Hundreds of Palestinians marched in Beit Lahia, Gaza, in the largest anti-Hamas protest since the war with Israel began. Protesters chanted, “Out, out, out, Hamas out,” demanding the group step down. Masked Hamas militants armed with guns and batons forcibly dispersed the crowd, assaulting demonstrators. The protests erupted after Islamic Jihad's rocket attacks on Israel led to Israeli evacuation orders, sparking local anger. “We refuse to die for any party’s agenda,” said protester Mohammed Diab. Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007, facing growing dissent amid ongoing war, which has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. (PC: AFP)

Two French Air Force Alpha Jets collided mid-air near Saint-Dizier, northeastern France. Three crew members—two pilots and one passenger—ejected and were found conscious. One suffered multiple injuries. A jet crashed into a silo, causing a fire, but no civilian casualties were reported. Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed emergency response efforts. The Alpha Jets are used for pilot training, including Ukrainian trainees. France has previously faced such accidents, with two Rafale pilots dying in August 2024 after a collision. Investigations into the latest crash are underway. (PC: Screengrab from X)

Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho have resigned as patrons of Sentebale, the charity they co-founded in 2006, following a leadership conflict. The dispute arose after Sentebale’s trustees asked chair Dr. Sophie Chandauka to step down, leading to a legal battle. Dr. Chandauka claims she exposed "abuse of power" and harassment, while the trustees argue her lawsuit left them no choice but to resign. The UK Charity Commission is reviewing governance concerns. Sentebale, originally focused on HIV/AIDS support, is now restructuring to expand its mission. The charity denies receiving royal resignations but confirmed board changes. (PC: PA Media)  

Mass protests have erupted across Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges, seen by critics as politically motivated. Over 1,500 demonstrators, including journalists, have been detained. Riot police used water cannons, rubber bullets, and pepper spray to suppress protests, drawing international condemnation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed the protests as "street terror," while opposition leader Ozgur Ozel called for early elections. Human rights groups criticized the crackdown as a "dark time for democracy." The United Nations urged Turkey to investigate police actions and lift restrictions on demonstrations. (PC: Getty Images)

Russia and Ukraine reached a naval ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea after US-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia. The deal aims to reopen trade routes and prevent attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Russia insists the ceasefire will only take effect if sanctions on its food and fertilizer exports are lifted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the move but called Russia’s demands a “weakening of positions.” The US pledged to help restore Russia’s agricultural exports, while Ukraine warned of retaliation if Russian warships violate territorial boundaries. The ceasefire’s implementation remains uncertain. (PC: Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday, citing India’s biometric voter ID system as a model for US election reforms. The order mandates citizenship verification, federal-state coordination, and strict enforcement against non-citizen voting. It also requires voter registration lists to be regularly updated and prohibits non-citizens from handling election processes. Trump emphasized “free, fair, and honest elections,” ensuring ballots are counted accurately and without fraud. The order also enforces Election Day deadlines and tightens security against foreign interference. States failing to comply with federal election laws risk losing funding. (PC: Bloomberg)            

A pilot and two children survived 12 hours in freezing temperatures after their plane crashed into Alaska's Tustumena Lake. Stranded on the wing of their partially submerged Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, they were spotted by Terry Godes, who saw a Facebook post about the missing plane and later located the wreckage. Another pilot, Dale Eicher, relayed the coordinates, leading to their rescue by the Alaska National Guard. The survivors suffered non-life-threatening injuries. "They spent a long, cold, dark, and wet night," Godes said, calling it a "miracle" they survived. (PC: AP)