Times of India

India and the UK have finalized a significant free trade agreement. The agreement ensures duty-free access to UK markets for 99% of Indian exports. India will reduce import duties on 90% of tariff lines, benefiting consumers with lower prices on various goods.

A viral video from an Indian wedding showcases extravagant gifts given to the groom by the bride's family, including silver, a petrol pump, and land worth INR 15.65 crore. While the video garnered significant attention, it sparked debate about the prevalence of dowry, a deeply rooted social evil in India.

Amidst escalating tensions following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan plans to increase its defence budget by 18%. India, a major military power, spends significantly more but faces resource allocation challenges. With China's support for Pakistan and its own growing military strength, India confronts a two-front challenge. Recent actions include ceasefire violations, mock drills, and nuclear modernization, highlighting the complex security landscape.

Mark Zuckerberg's fortune has surged past Jeff Bezos, making him the world's second-richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This shift occurred as Meta's shares outperformed Amazon's, with Meta reporting strong first-quarter revenue. Meanwhile, Elon Musk remains the wealthiest individual, boosted by increased Tesla shares following his commitment to reduce time spent on government duties.

Microsoft is implementing a two-year rehire ban for underperforming employees and tracking "good attrition," signaling a stricter management approach. This policy shift, revealed in internal documents, mirrors similar practices at other tech giants like Amazon and Meta. The company is also offering struggling employees a separation package as an alternative to performance improvement plans.

The Bombay High Court has expressed serious concerns about police officers routinely copy-pasting witness statements into charge sheets, even in serious criminal cases, cautioning that this "dangerous culture" could benefit the accused. The court has directed the Maharashtra government to issue guidelines for recording witness statements and appointed an amicus curiae to suggest improvements to investigation quality.

Delhi Capitals' promising IPL 2025 campaign faces derailment after a shocking loss to Mumbai Indians triggered a slump. Once poised for playoffs, DC now struggles, sitting fifth with 13 points. Experts Piyush Chawla and Sanjay Bangar emphasise the need for bold decisions and experienced players to step up, highlighting the team's batting order collapse.

IPL 2025 is witnessing off-field drama as singer Rahul Vaidya mocks Virat Kohli over a social media 'like' incident involving influencer Avneet Kaur. Kohli blamed Instagram's algorithm, leading to Vaidya's sarcastic response and alleged blocking. This sparked a fan backlash, with Vaidya hitting back, criticizing Kohli's fans and questioning Kohli's character, escalating the situation into a full-blown social media feud.

Moody's Ratings has revised India's GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 6.3% due to global policy uncertainty and trade limitations. Geopolitical friction with Pakistan and terror attacks present additional risks. While maintaining a 6.5% growth prediction for 2026, Moody's anticipates the RBI will implement rate cuts to bolster domestic economic growth.

With 15 IPL 2025 league stage games remaining, RCB, GT, and PBKS are almost certain for the playoffs, while MI is a strong contender. DC has a fair chance, but LSG and KKR face slim odds. Probabilities are calculated based on 32,768 possible result combinations, assessing each team's chances of finishing in the top four and top two.

The Reserve Bank of India significantly reduced its gold repatriation in the second half of fiscal year 2025, bringing home only 1.53 tonnes compared to 102.15 tonnes in the previous six months. Despite this slowdown, total gold holdings reached 879.59 metric tonnes by March 2025.

The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education has announced the class 12th board exam results, showcasing a pass percentage of 74.48%. Priyal Dwivedi topped the state in Science (Maths group) with 492/500. Gargi Agarwal and Divyanshu Tiwari secured the top position in Science (Biology).

In Pune, a 28-year-old man was apprehended for transporting his wife's body on a scooter. Rakesh Nishar, a labourer, allegedly strangled his 26-year-old wife, Babita, after a domestic dispute at their Dhayari residence. Police intercepted Nishar in the Nanded City area early Tuesday morning, discovering the body concealed in a gunny sack

Gold prices surged on Tuesday due to increased safe-haven demand following President Trump's tariff announcements. Investors are also awaiting insights from the Federal Reserve's policy meeting, with expectations of maintained interest rates.

Virat Kohli credits MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten for backing him at No. 3, where he amassed 15,303 international runs. Kohli, who considered leaving Royal Challengers Bengaluru after a point, valued the established relationships and mutual respect over seeking a new team. He prioritised playing cricket without constant judgment, cherishing his long-term connection with RCB.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi prepared the food for the Met Gala. Guests enjoyed his fusion cuisine. Megan Thee Stallion shared a video of the menu. It included cornbread and caviar, lobster rolls, and vegan lox. Chicken and plantain, truffle chopped cheese, and hamachi were also served. The chef's unique style impressed everyone at the event.

Harvard University has strongly condemned the Trump administration’s decision to freeze federal research funding, calling it retaliation for a recent lawsuit and “illegal government overreach.” The university warned the move threatens vital scientific work and academic freedom. Education secretary Linda McMahon cited ethical and transparency concerns, escalating tensions over campus speech, diversity programs, and antisemitism at elite institutions.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Modi to conduct a nationwide caste enumeration as part of the upcoming census. Kharge suggested adopting the "Telangana model" for the questionnaire and amending the Constitution to eliminate the 50% reservation cap. He also advocated for the immediate implementation of Article 15(5) to extend reservations to private educational institutions.