Highlights: Blinken, in rare call with Russia's Lavrov, urges to release detained US journalist

Congress general Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and chief ministers of Congress ruling states will accompany Rahul Gandhi in Surat tomorrow where he will challenge his conviction and sentencing in the 'Modi surname' remark case.

Russian media said Sunday that a famous military blogger has been killed in an apparent bombing attack at a cafe in St. Petersburg, reported AP.

Delhi on Sunday reported 429 fresh COVID cases and one death. The city's positivity rate currently stands at 16.09%.

Saudi Arabia said Sunday it will cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day from May until the end of 2023. Read more.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav said Sunday that his party will contest upcoming urban local bodies elections in UP after holding consultation with allies.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after US journalist's arrest, reported AFP quoting Russian news agencies.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde speaking about Ram Navami clashes on Sunday said, “We celebrate all the festivals together and we have the culture to celebrate the festival together. If someone for political gain tries to create a problem then the relevant dept will take action on it.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Rajendra Rathore as leader of opposition in Rajasthan assembly, ANI reported.

“We will bring the corrupt face of the present state government in front of the public. I will fulfil all my duties and work for the public,”Rajendra Rathore was quoted as saying.

Dead body of CISF jawan found in suspicious condition at the Punjab Secretariat, ANI reported citing police. No CISF officer reported suicide in the preliminary information and the body has been sent for postmortem, police said.

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) held a protest in Punjab's Batala on Sunday against the Central and state government over the destruction of crops in Punjab due to heavy rainfall and hailstorm.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said at a rally in Assam on Sunday that the pace at which chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is working will take 100 years to provide employment in the state. “If AAP will win, every child of Assam will get employment,” he said.

Talking about education, Kejriwal attacked Himanta saying, “Poor will never get education in a state where CM's wife runs private school.”

Earthquake of Magnitude 4.3 hit Fayzabad in Afghanistan on Sunday, according to the National Center for Seismology data.

Chattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said that there must be probe against corruption but ED officials are assaulting people and registering cases against them. “If you have proof against people, then conduct probe and take action, what is the need to assault?” Baghel questioned.

“I will write to HM Shah regarding this and when I met PM, I mentioned this to him also,” the chief minister further said.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday held a high-level meeting over communal violence in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif, ANI reported.

He asked police to be on the alert and announced an ex-gratia amount of ₹5 lakhs for the next of kin of dead.

Totally 109 people were arrested in connection with communal violence that erupted in Bihar Sharif town in Bihar's Nalanda district during Ram Navami festivities, according to news agency ANI reported citing police. 

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu said that he will reach village Moosa in Punjab and meet Bai Balkaur Singh, Sidhu Moosewala's father at 2 pm tomorrow. “Will address the media at his house on the prevailing law & order situation around 4:15 pm,” Navjot tweeted.

Union minister Amit Shah at a rally in Bihar on Sunday said, “Bihar Sharif will be hung upside down if BJP forms govt in Bihar in 2025.”

Shah said that RJD's Lalu and JD's (United) Nitish have practiced politics of appeasement which helped terrorism flourish and that Bihar's people have decided BJP will win all 40 LS seats in state in 2024 polls, PTI reported.

Five including two women and three children died in a road accident where a pickup truck collided with a truck, in Rajasthan's Churu, at around 1.30-2.00 am during the early hours on Sunday, ANI reported citing police. Victims were from Haryana.

Pope Francis attended a Palm Sunday service in St Peter's Square, a day after he was discharged from hospital following successful treatment for a severe bout of bronchitis.

Bihar | All government and private schools are to remain closed till April 4 in Rohtas district in the wake of violence that erupted recently in district's Sasaram town. Along with that, all coaching institutes will also remain shut, reported ANI

Kargil war hero Subedar Major Tsewang Murop, Vir Chakra lost his life in a road accident last night near Leh.

In less than a week after Elon Musk declared Twitter's new policy for keeping verification badges, US's leading media house "The New York Times" lost its verification badge on Twitter on Sunday.

Uttarakhand | Many feared injured after a roadways bus lost control and fell off the gorge on Mussoorie-Dehradun route. Rescue operation underway. Police, fire service team & ambulance on the spot, reports ANI

More details awaited.

India has extended restrictions on the export of diesel and petrol, the government said in a notification, as New Delhi tries to ensure the availability of refined fuels for the domestic market.