NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has announced her plans to visit India and meet the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) team during her trip. Williams, who has Indian roots, shared her excitement about returning to her father's home country and expressed admiration for India's beauty from space. She also mentioned her interest in the upcoming ISRO mission and its Indian astronauts.
US Vice President JD Vance and his family kicked off their India visit with a trip to the Akshardham Temple in Delhi, showcasing the strong cultural ties between the two nations. The visit also holds significance in light of trade tensions between the US and India, as Vance is expected to discuss a crucial trade deal and strategic cooperation in his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cultural and personal significance of Vance's trip adds another layer to the diplomatic visit, with the family set to continue discovering India's cultural and historical gems in their upcoming stops in Jaipur and Agra.
Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88. His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell and his last words, spoken just a day before his passing, highlighted the power of life over death in the celebration of Easter. As the Catholic world mourns his loss, there is a call to pray for his soul and for the Church as they choose a successor.
As India awaits the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, one of the top conspirators in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Pakistan is distancing itself from him and other wanted terrorists. With reports indicating that 2024 may be the worst year in a decade for terror attacks, the recent killing of Abu Qatal - a high-level handler in Pakistan for Hafiz Saeed and the 26/11 attacks - is further evidence of the increasing crackdown on terror within Pakistan's borders.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey is under fire for his controversial comments on the Supreme Court during the Waqf Act hearing. A letter has been written to the Attorney General seeking consent to initiate contempt proceedings against the MP, calling his remarks "deeply derogatory and dangerously provocative." This comes as the apex court begins hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the amended Waqf Act. The Act's provisions, such as the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards and denotification of "waqf by user" properties, have sparked widespread controversy.
A memorial dedicated to the Indian soldiers who fought in World War I, also known as the Indian Anzacs, will be unveiled in Sydney. These soldiers played a crucial role in the war, but their contributions have often been overlooked. The memorial aims to honor and recognize their sacrifices and tell the story of their role in the war.
A young Indian student, Harsimrat Randhawa, was fatally shot while standing at a bus stop in Hamilton, Ontario. The 21-year-old was a student at Mohawk College and police are investigating the incident as a homicide. The Indian Consulate General in Toronto expressed their profound sadness and is offering support to Harsimrat's family. This tragic incident has left her family in Punjab's Tarn Taran district devastated, and the college community is also deeply affected.
Indore, a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, became the centre of a global spiritual movement as the Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) hosted Vishwa Navkar Mantra Diwas. The event, which saw millions chanting the sacred Navkar Mantra across 108 countries, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and local leaders. This historic movement aims to promote unity, mental peace, and positive vibrations worldwide, transcending into a global spiritual movement for the welfare of humanity.
After finalizing the terms of reference for the bilateral trade agreement, India's delegation is set to visit Washington, D.C next week to iron out any issues before beginning official negotiations. The trade pact between India and the US is aimed at boosting bilateral trade from the current $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030. The negotiations will be led by Rajesh Agrawal, who is expected to become India's next Commerce Secretary. Discussions on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) also took place during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to meet US President Donald Trump. Both countries are working towards developing the project that will connect India, GCC, Israel, Italy, and the US, and is said to be one of the biggest economic integration and connectivity projects of the century.
Harpreet Singh, a known terrorist wanted for multiple terror attacks in Punjab, India, has been arrested by the FBI and ERO in Sacramento. He was linked to two international terrorist agencies and entered the US illegally, using burner phones to evade capture. Singh, also known as Happy Parsia and Jora, fled to the US from Mexico in 2021 and had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on him in India. He was also named as one of the operatives in the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack, for which four others have been charged by the NIA.
An alleged terrorist known as Happy Passia has been arrested in Sacramento, California by the FBI and ERO. The gangster, wanted in 17 criminal cases, used burner phones and entered the US illegally to evade capture. He was recently named in a NIA chargesheet for a grenade attack in Punjab, in which he and another terrorist provided logistical aid and weapons to ground operators.