Times of India

Industry organizations have lauded the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), anticipating significant support for Indian exporters aiming to expand in the UK market amidst global economic uncertainties. The FTA aspires to elevate bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030, removing customs duties on 99% of Indian goods entering British markets.

Indian ambassador Akhilesh Mishra strongly criticized The Irish Times for its editorial on the Pahalgam terror attack, accusing it of downplaying terrorism and echoing narratives that support its perpetrators. Mishra highlighted the editorial's failure to condemn the attack unequivocally and its criticism of PM Modi.

Mallikarjun Kharge alleged PM Modi cancelled his Kashmir visit after an intelligence report warned of an attack and questioned why security wasn't reinforced for civilians if there was intelligent inputs. The BJP strongly condemned Kharge's remarks, accusing him of echoing Pakistan's narrative and demanding an apology.

An Israeli airstrike has reportedly caused the complete destruction of Sanaa airport in Yemen, following a Houthi missile attack targeting Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. The strikes also hit power stations, causing power cuts in Sanaa and Hodeida. The Houthis have vowed to retaliate, declaring their continued support for Gaza amidst ongoing Red Sea attacks.

India and the UK have finalized a Free Trade Agreement, poised to boost economic growth and trade relations. The agreement eliminates tariffs on approximately 99% of traded goods, benefiting sectors like manufacturing, textiles, and automotive. It also includes provisions for professional visas and reduced duties on products like Scotch whisky and cars, fostering job creation and deeper collaboration.

Avneet Kaur's presence at an IPL match sparked social media buzz after Virat Kohli's account seemingly liked her photo. Kohli attributed it to an algorithm error, requesting no assumptions. Singer Rahul Vaidya then mocked Kohli's explanation, suggesting similar 'glitches' could affect him and humorously claiming Kohli blocked him due to the post, possibly another 'algorithm' issue.

A BJP functionary, B Saranya, was murdered and beheaded near Thanjavur, with her stepson and two others surrendering in Madurai, confessing to the crime. Police investigation revealed that the murder stemmed from a domestic dispute over property, not political motivations, despite her prior arrest for protesting against a minister. The incident has sparked outrage, with BJP leaders criticizing the state government over rising crime rates against women.

The Indian squad for the England tour will be selected in two weeks, confirmed BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. India A players, already in a prepared pool, are set to depart on May 25 for three four-day games before the Test series commencing June 20.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and his wife of having links to Pakistan, alleging suspicious travels and activities. Sarma claims Gogoi visited Pakistan personally for 15 days, while his wife made multiple trips accompanied by Pakistani officials. Gogoi has dismissed the allegations as petty politics, accusing Sarma of involving his family.

Gautam Gambhir addressed his past on-field clashes with Virat Kohli, clarifying that their bond remains strong despite representing opposing teams. He humorously dismissed rumors fueled by their IPL interactions, attributing them to TRP-driven speculation. Gambhir lauded Kohli's contributions to Indian cricket and even expressed admiration for his exceptional fitness, jokingly requesting the BCCI to limit social media posts about them.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has strongly refuted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) statement regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, labeling it "absurd and misguided." The MEA spokesperson accused Pakistan of manipulating the OIC to issue a self-serving statement, rejecting any interference in India's internal matters.

India is set to conduct a nationwide civil defence mock drill, focusing on the designated 'civil defence districts' some of which house sensitive installations. This exercise, amidst heightened tensions following a recent terror attack, aims to simulate wartime scenarios, testing air raid protocols and evacuation plans.

Gujarat Titans' coach Ashish Nehra celebrated Rohit Sharma's dismissal by left-arm seamer Arshad Khan. This marks the third instance in the tournament where a left-arm bowler has claimed Sharma's wicket. Since IPL 2023, Sharma has been dismissed twelve times by left-arm seamers, highlighting a vulnerability. Trent Boult has dismissed Sharma six times in T20s.

Gujarat Titans' decision to bowl first was marred by sloppy fielding, dropping three crucial catches in the powerplay and gifting Mumbai Indians early opportunities. Despite Mohammed Siraj's early breakthrough and Arshad Khan's tight bowling, missed chances off Will Jacks and Suryakumar Yadav proved costly. Shubman Gill noted Rabada's absence, while Hardik Pandya welcomed batting first, emphasizing execution.

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.