Times of India

Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli celebrates the return of the Champions Trophy, being held for the first time since 2017. India, starting their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai, will also face Pakistan and New Zealand in group-stage matches. Kohli appreciates the high competition level and aims to continue his form from the previous ODI series against England.

Sam Pitroda and Mani Shankar Aiyar, once close allies of Rajiv Gandhi, have a history of making controversial remarks that trouble the Congress party. Pitroda's recent comment on India-China relations sparked backlash, contrasting with Congress's stance. Despite past controversies, Pitroda continues to receive support from the Gandhi family, unlike Aiyar, who faced consequences for his remarks.

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, is confident in competing with Tesla if the EV maker enters the Indian market. He draws confidence from past experiences dating back to India's 1991 economic liberalisation. Mahindra's commitment to innovation is evident with its recent EV launches. Tesla has recently shown interest in India, posting job openings and meeting with PM Narendra Modi.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy refutes Trump's claim about his approval rating and Russian-sourced disinformation, amidst ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy addresses concerns regarding suspended elections and upcoming talks with U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg while emphasizing the need for security assurances in any future peace agreements.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized UP CM Yogi Adityanath for mentioning cricketer Mohammed Shami's alleged holy dip at Maha Kumbh. Yadav's jab was a response to Adityanath's ongoing initiative of renaming old Mughal and British era names of locations since taking office in 2017.

US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk discussed India's high import duties on US automobiles. Trump called the tariffs unfair and suggested reciprocal charges. Tesla is preparing to introduce electric vehicles in India by advertising positions in Mumbai, targeting an affordable EV market with plans for regional exports.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticizes Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath for the state's educational issues, pointing out the closure of 11 lakh primary schools, most in UP. SP leader Mata Prasad Pandey accuses Adityanath of politicizing language by shifting the focus to Urdu, while ignoring vital educational improvements. Yogi counters SP's stance on language with accusations of double standards.

US President Trump's reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports are expected to have a limited impact, reducing exports by only 3-3.5%, according to an SBI report. India is countering potential impacts by diversifying its export markets and enhancing trade routes, aiming for sustainable growth despite new tariffs.

Residents in Ayapakkam Housing Board, Tamil Nadu, protested against Hindi imposition. They drew kolams with messages supporting Tamil language. DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin warned that Hindi could destroy Tamil like North Indian languages. The INDIA bloc parties protested against BJP's policies, highlighting issues like budget allocation and education funds.

Elon Musk's xAI company has introduced Grok 3, a powerful new chatbot aimed at competing with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Announced at the World Governments Summit, Musk described Grok 3 as 'scary smart.' It is accessible to Premium Plus subscribers on X, with a promising voice interaction feature expected within a week, enhancing the user experience.

The Delhi high court has instructed the Railways to address passenger limits and platform ticket sales following a recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. Authorities are asked to submit an affidavit detailing measures taken, while the PIL underscores the importance of implementing existing laws to prevent future incidents.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath criticises opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and others for their remarks on the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. He emphasised the event's significance and the participation of over 56 crore devotees, condemning any baseless allegations against Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, or the Maha Kumbh, labelling it as playing with people's faith.

India vice-captain Shubman Gill has surpassed Babar Azam to become the top-ranked ODI batter, following his impressive performances against England. His rise in the ICC ODI Rankings comes ahead of the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana has claimed the top spot for bowlers, replacing Afghanistan's Rashid Khan. India's Rohit Sharma is currently ranked third in batting.

Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP-led UP government for failing to protect women's dignity during the Maha Kumbh and condemned the online sale of women's photos. He questioned the government's management of the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela and highlighted issues of mismanagement, pollution, and the recent stampede incident.

A heated altercation erupted outside Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's residence between Chandigarh police and the security team of MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu. The dispute arose when police attempted to remove a security staff member from Bittu's vehicle. Both parties accused each other of obstructing duties, and Bittu was ultimately denied entry to the CM's residence.