Times of India

Unseasonal rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds have tragically resulted in 17 deaths across Gujarat in the past 24 hours. The severe weather, impacting 168 talukas, caused fatalities due to lightning, electrocution, and structural collapses. Amreli and Bhavnagar experienced heavy rainfall and fierce winds, providing relief from the heat but causing significant damage to crops like mango, onion, sesame, and bajra.

The Delhi High Court has temporarily suspended a copyright order against AR Rahman and the creators of 'Ponniyin Selvan 2' concerning a song dispute. While staying the single judge's order to credit the Dagar brothers and deposit ₹2 crore, the court instructed Rahman and the filmmakers to deposit the said amount with the HC registry within 10 days. The matter is scheduled for further review on May 23.

In a historic move, IIT Roorkee has dismissed Professor Zillur Rahman from his position in the department of management studies after a PhD student filed a sexual harassment complaint against him. Following an internal inquiry and opportunities for Rahman to present his case, the Board of Governors approved his dismissal. This marks the first instance of such action in the institute's history.

The Supreme Court has instructed the road transport ministry to release the "Road Accidents in India 2023" report by August, emphasizing the need for timely publication within six months of each calendar year's end for its utility. Concerns are raised by road safety experts regarding delays in publishing crucial accident data, hindering effective interventions. The National Crime Records Bureau is also yet to release its 2023 report.

Calcutta High Court expressed concern over lawyers' political alignment and declining court decorum during a hearing on alleged police overreach in the Murshidabad violence case. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh observed that lawyers' power seems to stem from outside the courtroom, leading to heated exchanges. He refused to entertain the plea, directing it to a division bench already addressing Murshidabad violence-related cases.

In a thrilling, rain-interrupted match at Wankhede, the Gujarat Titans clinched a nail-biting three-wicket victory against the Mumbai Indians on the very last ball. Chasing 156, Shubman Gill's 43 and crucial contributions down the order guided the Titans to the top of the league standings.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's recent diplomatic efforts in Islamabad, including meetings with Pakistani leaders, centered on mediating the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Despite India's reluctance to accept third-party mediation, Iran is positioning itself as a regional conciliator, leveraging its ties with both nations to push for de-escalation.

Following the Pahalgam attack, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti voiced concerns over large-scale detentions in J&K, fearing a message of collective punishment. Mehbooba highlighted that thousands of civilians have been taken into custody, with over 3,000 arrests and nearly 100 PSA detentions reported, urging a review of this approach to avoid deepening the trust deficit.

A passenger bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district resulted in the tragic loss of four lives, including an Army soldier on leave, and left over 40 individuals injured. The bus, en route from Ghani to Mendhar, veered off course and plunged into a deep gorge, prompting immediate rescue efforts by locals, police, Army, and CRPF personnel.

The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) is considering a proposal to allow event organizers to obtain a three-year permit for hosting up to 40 weddings on specific beach stretches for a fee of Rs 7 lakh. The GCZMA has also proposed changes to application fees for various construction projects, including hotels, swimming pools, and infrastructure for petroleum products, while introducing fees for flood protection walls and coastal structures.

In a tragic incident near the Line of Control in Kupwara, an Army vehicle accident resulted in the death of two soldiers and injuries to two others. The vehicle plunged into a deep gorge after the driver lost control. This unfortunate event follows a similar accident in Ramban just two days prior, where three Army personnel lost their lives.

Gujarat Titans surged to the top of the IPL 2025 points table after defeating Mumbai Indians, securing their eighth win. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings closely follow, intensifying the playoff race. Delhi Capitals remain in contention, while Sunrisers Hyderabad were eliminated. Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings have bowed out of playoff contention, making every remaining match crucial.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has formally requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to cease using the term 'Jagannath Dham' for the Digha temple, asserting that it exclusively pertains to Puri. This appeal follows widespread objections and concerns that the usage dilutes Puri's unique religious and cultural significance, potentially hurting the sentiments of numerous pilgrims and misrepresenting the revered abode of Lord Jagannath.

Following the Supreme Court's clearance for civic elections in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, will contest as a unified entity. However, uncertainty looms over the MVA alliance, consisting of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), regarding their united participation in the upcoming polls.

The US Congressional Budget Office projects that the cost of operating, sustaining, and modernizing US nuclear forces will surge to $946 billion between 2025 and 2034, a 25% increase from the previous estimate. This substantial investment includes modernizing delivery systems, weapons, facilities, and command and control systems. The rise is attributed to the need to replace aging legacy weapon systems and address cost overruns in programs like the Sentinel ICBM.

China's finance minister has criticized US tariffs for destabilizing the global economy, while the foreign ministry insists the US must drop its threatening stance for any agreement. The ongoing trade dispute escalates as the US imposes high tariffs, prompting retaliation from Beijing. Despite hints of possible trade talks, China demands the removal of tariffs, a condition President Trump has dismissed.

The government has notified a scheme for free cashless treatment to road accident victims nationwide, complying with a Supreme Court deadline. Up to ₹1.5 lakh will be provided for treatment for a maximum of seven days at 30,000 designated hospitals. A steering committee will monitor the scheme's implementation, with ₹272 crore allocated for 2025-26.

Devotees at the Chandra Choodeswarar Temple in Hosur were shocked to discover a dead snakelet in the 'puliyodharai' prasad. A complaint was filed by a devotee after the incident, prompting the temple to dispose of all the prasad and launch an investigation.

Hardik Pandya equaled an unwanted IPL record, bowling an 11-ball over against Gujarat Titans, conceding 18 runs with five extras. Despite Jacks' half-century and Suryakumar's contribution, Mumbai Indians struggled, losing seven wickets for 58 runs. Gujarat's spinners capitalized, restricting Mumbai to a paltry score after they failed to build on a promising start.