Times of India

Two rising stars — Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi — are set to clash in a battle that could shape the next generation of Indian cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). Chennai Super Kings will take on Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in a contest that holds no bearing.

A row has erupted over the selection of representatives for a multi-party global outreach on counter-terrorism. Opposition parties like Congress and Trinamool Congress accuse the government of unilateral decision-making and ignoring their suggestions. The BJP defends the selection process, emphasizing national interest over party politics.

After a period of box office struggles, Hindi cinema saw a resurgence with films like 'Jaat' and 'Kesari 2'. However, 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' has revitalized Hollywood's presence in India, achieving the highest opening day for a Hollywood release in 2025.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young Rajasthan Royals batter, addresses rumours about him crying during his debut. He explains it was due to eye irritation from bright lights. Suryavanshi has impressed everyone with his fearless batting. He scored 195 runs in six matches. Despite Rajasthan Royals' struggles, his emergence is a positive sign. Fans are excited to see his future performance.

The Ministry of External Affairs clarified to a parliamentary committee that the India-Pakistan ceasefire was a bilateral decision, refuting Donald Trump's claims of US mediation. During the meeting, officials confirmed the conflict remained conventional, with no nuclear signaling from Pakistan. India successfully struck Pakistani air bases, regardless of the platforms used.

Stephen Fleming remained tight-lipped about MS Dhoni's future as CSK faces a rebuilding phase after a disappointing season. Youngster Ayush Mhatre's emergence provides a silver lining, while other young talents get a chance to shine. Rajasthan Royals, plagued by poor auction decisions and chasing woes, also look to end their season on a positive note.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri briefed a parliamentary panel on the Pahalgam attack investigation, revealing that terrorists communicated with masterminds in Pakistan. He highlighted the presence of UN-designated terrorists freely operating in Pakistan and inciting violence against India, further emphasizing a nexus between terrorists, the Pakistani military intelligence, and civilian administration. The conflict remained conventional, with a truce established bilaterally.

The arc of his life—marked by personal tragedy, quiet perseverance, and a five-decade career in public service—was the kind of political story that lent itself to grace in the end. A young senator elected at 29, a grieving father who took the oath beside his sons’ hospital beds, a seasoned legislator who steered landmark legislation across the aisle, a vice-president who stood loyally beside Barack Obama. And finally, a president elected to steady the ship after a rupture that nearly tore America apart.

The public feud between Rahul Vaidya and Virat Kohli seems to be resolving as Kohli unblocked Vaidya on Instagram. This follows Vaidya's initial criticism of Kohli's social media activity and subsequent blocking. Vaidya has now expressed gratitude and praised Kohli, signaling a potential end to their digital conflict after heated exchanges and online backlash from fans.

Following Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army responded strongly to Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in significant damage to terror infrastructure and no Indian casualties. Indian army officials confirmed that the operation was a calculated strike aimed at destroying enemy terror sites and posts aiding infiltration.

The Supreme Court rejected a Sri Lankan national's plea to settle in India after serving a seven-year sentence under UAPA for LTTE links, stating India, burdened with a large population, cannot be a 'dharamshala' for foreign nationals.

Britain and the European Union have forged a new security and defence partnership, enabling closer collaboration amidst escalating global threats. The agreement allows the UK defence industry to participate in the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund, potentially supporting thousands of British jobs.

TMC MP Yusuf Pathan withdrew from the all-party delegation after the Centre's "unilateral" selection, sparking criticism from TMC leaders Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, who emphasized the party's right to choose its representative. Congress also questioned the Centre's selection process, deeming it "dishonest" after its suggested names were rejected.

Real Engineering's video about Isro faced criticism in India. The issue arose from an inaccurate map depicting India's borders. Indian viewers expressed outrage over the disrespect to the nation's territorial integrity. The channel's response and subsequent comments further fuelled the controversy. The incident highlights the importance of geopolitical sensitivity when discussing other countries.

Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber, was arrested under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly possessing suspicious material and having ties to Pakistani intelligence. Initially, her father defended her trips to Pakistan, stating she had the necessary permissions for her YouTube work.

Punjab Police arrested two Pakistani spies. They were in contact with Pakistan's ISI. The spies became active after the Pahalgam terror attack. Authorities transferred one lakh rupees to their accounts. Both individuals are from Gurdaspur and are around 19-20 years old. They are also involved in drug activities. They leaked secret information of security forces to Pakistan.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia refuted reports claiming India's withdrawal from Asian Cricket Council tournaments to isolate Pakistan. Saikia clarified that the BCCI hasn't discussed or decided on participation in the Asia Cup or Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup. He emphasized the board's current focus on the ongoing IPL and the upcoming England series.

YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested in Haryana for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Photos have emerged linking her to a man who delivered a cake to the Pakistan High Commission after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Congress leader Pawan Khera has criticised the government for allegedly informing Pakistan before strikes on terror infrastructures, questioning the potential security risks. He also attacked PM Modi over Donald Trump's claim of brokering a ceasefire, alleging a secret deal. Rahul Gandhi has also questioned Jaishankar on the same issue, while MEA has refuted the Congress's claims, calling them a misrepresentation of facts.