Times of India

Prateek Yadav, stepbrother of Akhilesh Yadav and husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav, passed away in Lucknow. He was 38. Doctors declared him brought dead at Civil Hospital. The cause of death is under investigation. Prateek Yadav had recently accused his wife of damaging family relationships and planned a divorce.

Oil prices dipped Wednesday after a three-day rally, with traders watching the Iran conflict's ceasefire and the Trump-Xi summit. Despite a slight fall, crude remains above $100 a barrel due to ongoing supply fears. Analysts predict elevated prices for months, impacting global inflation and potentially delaying US interest rate cuts.

Prateek Yadav, 38, stepbrother of Akhilesh Yadav and ex-husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav, was found dead at Lucknow's Civil Hospital early Wednesday. Doctors declared him brought dead. The younger son of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, Prateek was not involved in politics. A post-mortem is underway to determine the cause of his demise.

With 14 games left, Gujarat Titans are almost guaranteed a top-four finish with a 99.6% chance, while RCB also has a strong 88.1% probability. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings' playoff hopes are still alive but diminished. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals hold a slight edge for the top four, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals facing slim chances.

Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay active player, died at 47 after battling glioblastoma, a severe form of brain cancer. Collins built a respected 13-year NBA career and later became one of the most influential figures in modern sports after publicly coming out in 2013. Tributes from the NBA, former teams, and basketball leaders highlighted not only his courage and impact on inclusion but also his kindness away from the court.

India has significantly increased import tariffs on gold and silver to 15% from 6% to curb imports and protect foreign exchange reserves. This move follows Prime Minister Modi's appeal for citizens to avoid gold purchases for a year, aiming to narrow the trade deficit and support the rupee amid global economic pressures.

Hardik Pandya hinted at his recovery through an Instagram story showing him training at Mumbai’s Reliance facility after missing MI’s last game with back spasms. However, the Mumbai Indians skipper did not travel with the initial squad to Dharamsala for the Punjab Kings clash. MI coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed Pandya remains under medical observation.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended President Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion military budget amid congressional scrutiny over the Iran war's escalating costs, now at $29 billion. Lawmakers questioned the strain on weapons stockpiles, while Hegseth acknowledged increased production to support ongoing operations and future needs.

Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' continues its impressive box office streak, nearing Rs 1,800 crore globally ahead of its OTT debut. The action film, still drawing crowds after two months, has amassed over Rs 1,143 crore in India net and Rs 426 crore overseas. Audiences can anticipate an extended version on Netflix and JioHotstar soon.

Bollywood star Alia Bhatt and Formula One racer Carlos Sainz Jr. created a stir at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Viral photos captured the duo engaging in conversation and posing together, sparking widespread fan excitement and social media buzz.

Public sector oil companies are facing daily losses of Rs 1,000 crore, potentially forcing fuel price hikes soon. Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted significant under-recoveries, warning that companies cannot sustain these losses indefinitely. While elections are not the reason for the freeze, a drop in crude prices or reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could offer relief.

Bangladesh secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Dhaka. A late collapse saw Pakistan lose seven wickets in the final session. Nahid Rana's exceptional bowling performance was key to Bangladesh's win. This marks Pakistan's first-ever Test defeat in Bangladesh. The series continues with the second Test in Sylhet.

Washington Sundar's astonishing, near-ground six was a highlight as Gujarat Titans defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 82 runs. Sundar's 50, alongside Sai Sudharsan's 61, propelled GT to 168. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder then starred with the ball, bowling out SRH for just 86 to secure a dominant victory.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced his motorcade size, aiming to inspire austerity across the government. The Special Protection Group is implementing this directive, cutting convoy vehicles by half while maintaining security standards. This move, coupled with the PM's call for reduced fuel and gold consumption, signals a broader push for cost-saving measures within ministries and departments.

Exam nixed for 1st time since NTA took over in 2019

Former President Donald Trump accused American media of "virtual treason" for reporting that Iran inflicted damage on US forces, claiming such coverage gives Tehran "false hope." He asserted that Iran's military infrastructure has been destroyed, with "every single ship" sunk and its air force gone. Trump's remarks follow reports suggesting Iranian strikes caused significant damage to US military facilities.

A protracted property dispute between Sunjay Kapur's mother and wife has prompted the Supreme Court to appoint former CJI D Y Chandrachud as mediator. The apex court noted the legal battle's intensity, comparing it to the Mahabharat. A fresh plea alleges circumvention of a previous order, with the court set to hear the matter further.

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini have remained publicly distant from each other as they try to deal with the affair rumors even after they strongly denied it, sparking chaos among fans. Amid this, Dianna Russini was spotted sharing a kiss with her husband, as many were convinced that her marriage was over.

The India Meteorological Department has launched an AI-enabled monsoon forecasting system offering localized weather information up to four weeks in advance for farmers. A pilot service for Uttar Pradesh provides high-resolution rainfall forecasts at 1km resolution for up to 10 days, utilizing advanced AI and observational data.

Constitutional courts should be extremely reluctant to alter religious practices, a nine-judge Supreme Court bench cautioned. Only the will of the people, expressed through elected representatives in Parliament and assemblies, can bring about reforms in religious customs. The court emphasized that it's impossible to scrutinize every religious practice.