Times of India

Harvard's South Asia Institute, funded by Laxmi Mittal, faced backlash for hosting a "Pakistan conference" after Indian students protested, citing concerns about platforming a government allegedly enabling terrorism. Pakistan, facing embarrassment and criticism, vowed to revive its academic presence in the US. The conference sparked debate about Harvard's role and Pakistan's influence in American academia.

American consumer confidence has plummeted to its lowest point since the pandemic's start, driven by tariff concerns under President Trump's administration. The Conference Board reported a significant drop in April, with nearly a third of consumers anticipating job slowdowns, reminiscent of the Great Recession.

The Congress party removed a controversial post criticizing PM Modi for his alleged lack of responsibility regarding the Pahalgam attack, following strong objections from the BJP. The BJP accused Congress of using divisive imagery, while Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Prime Minister for prioritizing an election rally over an all-party meeting to discuss the terror attack.

Dushmantha Chameera's sensational catch stole the show in a thrilling IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. His unbelievable grab at backward square leg dismissed Anukul Roy, leaving everyone stunned. Despite Venkatesh Iyer's 75 and Angkrish Raghuvanshi's 44, KKR were restricted to 204/9, with Mitchell Starc taking 3/33.

Oracle engineers mistakenly deleted critical storage during routine maintenance, causing a five-day software outage at multiple Community Health Systems (CHS) hospitals. The incident forced facilities to revert to paper-based records, impacting 45 of CHS's 72 hospitals.

Amid trade war concerns, Beijing assures India it won't flood markets with cheap goods, emphasizing compliance with WTO rules and focus on domestic demand. China aims to avoid disrupting other nations' economies, even as India imposes tariffs on steel imports. Both countries seek enhanced cooperation and deeper trade engagement, marking a potential thaw in relations.

Yuzvendra Chahal's joy over receiving a bat from MS Dhoni was short-lived as Glenn Maxwell playfully trolled him in the Punjab Kings dressing room. Maxwell questioned Chahal's use of the bat, given his frequent substitution as an Impact Player. Despite the banter, Chahal has been performing well, securing nine wickets in nine matches.

The Trump administration criticized Amazon over a report that it planned to display the cost impact of Trump's tariffs on product prices, labeling it a "hostile and political act." Amazon clarified that it only considered this for select products on its budget-focused Amazon Haul store, not the main site. The White House urged Americans to "buy American" in response.

Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious Hindu and Jain festival on April 30, 2025, is celebrated for its promise of unending prosperity. The day encourages investments and new ventures, believed to bring lasting success. Beyond gold purchases, the article suggests sharing heartfelt wishes and embracing the day's positive energy with family and friends through messages and social media posts.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS, launching from Florida. The mission will conduct around 60 scientific studies, including seven from India, focusing on microgravity research in human health, agriculture, and biotechnology. This mission marks a step towards commercial space stations and sustained access to low Earth orbit.

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India. He will succeed CJI Sanjiv Khanna. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath on May 14. Gavai was born in Amravati on November 24, 1960. He joined the Bar in 1985 and became a High Court judge in 2005.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur has strongly criticized Congress following the Pahalgam terror attack, questioning their allegiance. Thakur accused Congress leaders of echoing pro-Pakistan sentiments and undermining India's security efforts. He highlighted comments from leaders like Saifuddin Soz, who suggested considering Pakistan's denial of involvement. Congress distanced itself from individual remarks, emphasizing that only official party statements reflect their stance.

During a strategic time-out in the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans, Riyan Parag and Tushar Deshpande were involved in a heated exchange, prompting intervention from coach Shane Bond. This incident occurred after RR's dominant run-chase, fueled by Vaibhav Suryavanshi's century, secured a historic victory. Despite the win, the spat highlights the high emotions in the tournament.

Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the Indian armed forces complete autonomy. They can now decide on the method, targets, and timing of their response. A high-level meeting was convened, attended by key paramilitary force heads, to address the heightened tensions and security concerns in the region.

In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dropped their joint highest wicket-taker, Vaibhav Arora, for Anukul Roy in a crucial match against Delhi Capitals. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane cited pitch conditions as the reason for the change, aiming for spin variety. Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel, chose to bowl first, anticipating dew.

Despite U.S. restrictions, Huawei is developing the Ascend 910D, a powerful AI processor aiming to rival Nvidia's H100 chip. This move highlights China's resilience in the semiconductor industry and its push for technological self-sufficiency. Huawei plans to ship significant quantities of its Ascend chips, demonstrating its ability to overcome challenges and compete in the AI sector.

In his first 100 days, President Trump's second term has been marked by a flurry of executive actions, including 140 executive orders and significant tariff increases, most notably on Chinese imports. Immigration enforcement has intensified, leading to 139,000 deportations and a sharp decline in border crossings.