Sun Mar 23 13:00:41 UTC 2025: ## Pope’s Recovery, IPL Highlights, and International Tensions Dominate News
**New Delhi, March 23, 2025** – Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, appearing on a hospital balcony to greet cheering crowds before his release from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was treated for pneumonia. Meanwhile, the sporting world saw Sunrisers Hyderabad deliver a record-breaking IPL performance, scoring 286 runs in their match against Rajasthan Royals.
On the political front, India saw significant developments. A three-member committee has been formed to investigate allegations of a large cash sum found at the residence of a Delhi High Court judge following a fire. The Congress party launched a strong attack against the government’s proposed Waqf Act amendments, accusing the BJP of damaging social harmony. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal criticized the Election Commission, calling it dysfunctional and lacking public trust.
International news was dominated by several significant events. In Turkey, prosecutors requested the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption and terror charges, sparking protests. In Israel and Gaza, escalating tensions saw Israeli strikes killing at least 26 Palestinians, including a senior Hamas leader, prompting retaliatory missile fire from Yemen. Amidst growing US trade tensions, Ireland is strengthening trade ties with other nations and welcoming more Indian workers and students. Finally, a gruesome murder in India shocked the nation, with a post-mortem revealing the extreme brutality inflicted on former merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput, allegedly by his wife and her lover. Four Himachal Pradesh buses were also vandalized, with pro-Khalistan slogans spray-painted on them.
First Piper 