Times of India

Rohit Sharma's underwhelming performance at the start of IPL 2025 is impacting the Mumbai Indians' campaign, according to Anjum Chopra. With MI struggling and Rohit's low scores leading to an "Impact Player" role, Chopra suggests a change in batting order might alleviate pressure and reignite his form, despite acknowledging his proven match-winning capabilities.

Taylor Swift and Kanye West's feud reignites as West makes explicit posts about Swift, including disturbing sexual remarks. This comes after Swift revealed the trauma caused by West and Kim Kardashian's edited phone call release in 2016, which she says damaged her career. Travis Kelce is reportedly upset and wants to confront West, while Swift's fans have defended her online.

India and the United States are commencing discussions this week for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, starting virtually before an in-person meeting in May. This follows Prime Minister Modi and President Trump's agreement to strengthen ties, aiming to finalize the trade deal by fall. Both nations seek to expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

India's retail inflation hit a near six-year low of 3.34% in March, fueled by cheaper vegetables and protein-rich foods. This drop follows a recent repo rate cut by the RBI, which forecasts a 4% average CPI inflation for fiscal year 2025-26. Wholesale price inflation also decreased to a six-month low of 2.05%, driven by lower vegetable and essential food prices.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed cautious optimism regarding nuclear talks with the US, acknowledging effective initial stages while maintaining skepticism. He advised against over-reliance on the talks' outcome. Despite Trump's frustration over slow progress and warnings of potential airstrikes, Iran insists the next round will occur in Oman, amidst escalating nuclear program concerns.

Assam has mandated Assamese as the compulsory official language for all government communications, including notifications and orders, as announced by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Bengali and Bodo will be used in the BTR and Barak Valley districts, respectively. English will remain for communication with the central government, but in case of interpretation differences, the English version will prevail.

Chennai Super Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants in a recent IPL match. After the match, Rishabh Pant and MS Dhoni engaged in a lighthearted conversation. Dhoni discussed his spectacular run out of Abdul Samad. Zaheer Khan was also seen mimicking Dhoni's underarm action. Pant jokingly expressed his fear of being run out by Dhoni.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy addressed the "forest encroachment" controversy, accusing the opposition of spreading propaganda using AI regarding the HCU land allegations. PM Modi criticized the Congress government for attempting to "bulldoze forests," prompting a strong rebuttal from the Congress, highlighting Modi's own record on environmental clearances and tree felling.

Following public concern over alleged cracks on Patna's newly inaugurated JP Ganga Path, Bihar officials clarified that the observed gaps are expansion joints designed for weather-induced movements, not structural flaws. Minister Nitin Nabin assured the public that the bridge is safe, with no structural cracks present, and the joints were refilled after filler material dislodged due to traffic.

Andhra Pradesh's cabinet has approved allotting 21.16 acres of land to TCS in Visakhapatnam for a nominal price, aiming to transform the city into a major IT hub. TCS is expected to begin operations within 90 days, with a permanent campus housing 10,000 employees planned within 2-3 years.

Following Chennai Super Kings' much-needed victory against Lucknow Super Giants, concerns arose as MS Dhoni was seen limping, sparking worries about his fitness. This adds to CSK's challenges, already struggling at the bottom of the IPL 2025 table. Dhoni, who recently resumed captaincy, also emphasized the need for improved pitches at Chepauk to boost the batters' confidence.

A Bengaluru Special Court has deferred its order on the ED's petition challenging the Lokayukta police's clean chit to CM Siddaramaiah in the MUDA site allotment case. The court awaits the Lokayukta's final report before ruling on the ED's challenge, which alleges the police overlooked key evidence.

Bengalureans battling summer heat, face unique hydration challenges, especially diabetics. Dr. Ramalakshmi emphasizes that dehydration in diabetics can trigger electrolyte imbalances and kidney issues. She advises two to three liters of water daily, along with buttermilk and controlled portions of watermelon. Avoid fruit juices and jaggery drinks, opting for fenugreek water and ragi malt to prevent fatigue and kidney injury.

Bloach rebels hijacked Pakistan's Jaffar Express last month. They used US weapons. These weapons were left in Afghanistan in 2021. The BLA attacked the train in Balochistan. The train was traveling to Peshawar. Security forces launched a rescue operation. Twenty-one passengers died in the attack. The terrorists contacted supporters in Afghanistan. Separatists want a greater share of Balochistan's resources.

Donald Trump accused China and Vietnam of conspiring to undermine the United States following Xi Jinping's visit to Hanoi, where he met with Vietnamese President To Lam and signed 45 cooperation agreements. Trump claimed President Biden had lost trillions in trade to China but expressed a continued liking for Xi.

A woman was caught on CCTV assaulting a toll booth operator at the Chhijarsi Toll Plaza in Hapur after her FASTag showed insufficient balance. The woman slapped and attempted to strangle the attendant, while two men accompanying her misbehaved with staff. Police have registered a case and are working to locate the woman involved in the incident.

India aims for a beneficial bilateral trade agreement with the United States, following the finalization of terms for the initial phase. Both nations seek to elevate bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, targeting completion of the first phase by year-end. Trade liberalization will address both tariff and non-tariff barriers.

The India Meteorological Department forecasts above-normal rainfall for India during the June-to-September monsoon season, estimating 105% of the long-period average. El Nino conditions, typically linked to reduced rainfall, are not expected. This prediction is vital for India's agriculture, which supports a significant portion of the population and contributes substantially to the GDP.

Vipraj Nigam's journey from an 8-year-old with a dream to an IPL sensation is a testament to unwavering family support and serendipitous talent discovery. His father, Vijay, despite a challenging government job posting, fueled his son's cricketing aspirations, while his mother and grandfather made daily sacrifices, traveling long distances to support his training. Now, his wickets of cricket giants like Kohli and Rohit in the IPL highlight a remarkable rise, proving that dedication and unexpected turns can shape an extraordinary career.