Belgium produced a dominant second-half display to beat the United States 5-2 in a World Cup warm-up friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026. Weston McKennie opened for the hosts in the 39th minute but Zeno Debast levelled on the stroke of halftime. Belgium then scored four times after the break — Amadou Onana (53'), Charles De Ketelaere from the penalty spot (59') and Dodi Lukebakio who struck twice (68', 82') — before Patrick Agyemang grabbed a late consolation for the U.S. The crowd was reported at about 66,867. The result exposed defensive frailties for coach Mauricio Pochettino’s side at a time when several regulars were absent through injury (including Chris Richards, Miles Robinson and Sergiño Dest) and Tyler Adams missed the camp. Matt Turner started in goal in place of Matt Freese and had a mixed afternoon. The fixture also featured FIFA’s new mandatory hydration breaks and drew criticism after a light-on-light kit clash caused visibility issues for players and fans. The U.S. travel into a second friendly against Portugal on Tuesday before a World Cup squad is finalised in May.

Mumbai Indians chased 221 to beat Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in the IPL opener on March 29-30, 2026. Rohit Sharma led the chase with a 38-ball 78, sharing a 148-run opening stand with Ryan Rickelton (81). Rohit’s knock also took him past Virat Kohli to become the highest run-scorer against a single IPL side, amassing 1,161 runs versus KKR. Shardul Thakur’s three wickets (3-39) and Jasprit Bumrah’s late control helped restrict KKR after Ajinkya Rahane’s 67 propelled them to 220-4. The match generated controversy when Rahane deflected questions about Australian signing Cameron Green’s absence from the bowling attack with “ask Cricket Australia.” CA later confirmed Green is managing a lower-back complaint, will abstain from bowling for around 10-12 days and that KKR had been informed. Mahela Jayawardene said Suryakumar Yadav’s use as an impact substitute was precautionary for a tight groin. Former India captain Anil Kumble praised Rohit’s “2.0” form, while the result snapped MI’s 13-year run of losing season openers.

Pope Leo XIV used his Palm Sunday homily (March 29–30, 2026) to condemn leaders who invoke Jesus to justify armed conflict, saying “God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.” His remarks came as the U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran enters its second month and follow controversy over U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who led a Pentagon prayer invoking “overwhelming violence of action” against enemies. On the same weekend Israeli police barred the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to mark Palm Sunday, citing security concerns tied to Iranian missile strikes. The move provoked sharp criticism from Italy, France, Spain, the European Union and U.S. diplomats. After international backlash, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered authorities to grant the patriarch “full and immediate access” and said there was no malicious intent. The Latin Patriarchate described the initial denial as a “grave precedent.” The episode has spotlighted tensions over freedom of worship in Jerusalem’s Old City and raised renewed debate about the use of religious language by political and military leaders in the Iran war.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the headlines as Rajasthan Royals crushed Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets in the IPL season opener at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium on March 30, 2026. CSK were bowled out for 127 in 19.4 overs after early strikes from Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger; Ravindra Jadeja also took two wickets for RR. Chasing 128, Sooryavanshi raced to a 15-ball half-century — finishing 52 off 17 balls with five sixes and four fours — sharing a 75-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal before being caught. Rajasthan reached the target in 12.1 overs. The match carried wider storylines: MS Dhoni missed the game with a calf strain, Sanju Samson (playing his first game for CSK after a high-profile trade) was dismissed cheaply, and Riyan Parag led RR to victory in his first full-time captaincy outing. Sooryavanshi — fresh from starring in India’s Under-19 World Cup — was lauded by former players and pundits, with some urging fast-tracking toward senior T20 selection after the innings.

Australian police say a man they believe to be Desmond “Dezi” Freeman was shot dead on March 30, 2026, following a three‑hour standoff at a remote property in Thologolong near Walwa on the Victoria–New South Wales border. Freeman, 56 and previously known as Desmond Filby, had been the subject of a 216‑day manhunt after he allegedly shot dead Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart‑Hottart and wounded a third officer on August 26, 2025. Officers from Victoria’s elite Special Operations Group surrounded a shipping‑container style shelter where Freeman was found; police say he emerged wrapped in a blanket and presented a firearm, believed to be a service pistol taken in the August attack, before being hit by return fire. Authorities had offered a A$1 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Investigations are under way into how Freeman travelled to the remote 35‑hectare property, whether anyone aided him, and the exact sequence of events in the shooting; the coroner and police professional standards will review the operation. The landowner, Richard Sutherland, who has been living in Tasmania, has contacted police and is not being treated as a suspect.

Four masked thieves stole three masterpieces from the Magnani Rocca Foundation, a private museum in Mamiano di Traversetolo near Parma, Italy, during a raid on the night of March 22-23. Police and the museum say the gang forced open a main entrance, entered a first-floor gallery dedicated to French artists and left with Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Les Poissons, Paul Cézanne’s Still Life With Cherries (Tasse et plat de cerises) and Henri Matisse’s Odalisque on the Terrace. Italian media and the Carabinieri put the combined value at about €9–10 million. The operation reportedly took less than three minutes; the museum’s alarm was triggered and a fourth work was abandoned as the thieves fled across the gardens and scaled a perimeter fence. Italy’s Carabinieri and the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Bologna are examining CCTV and other footage; no arrests have been announced. The foundation has described the raid as “structured and organised.” The theft, publicised at the end of March, follows a wave of high-profile European museum robberies, prompting renewed concern about security at smaller institutions.