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As the Shubman Gill-led Indian team suffered a 5-wicket defeat against England in the first Test of the series at Leeds on Tuesday, a young Indian side emerged victorious in style. India’s U19 team, on the tour of England, put a whopping 442 runs on the board in just 50 overs, beating the England Young Lions by 231 runs in a tour match at Loughborough. The Indian side was led by Ayush Mhatre, a young batter from Mumbai who recently came into the spotlight after scoring a few exemplary knocks for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

India U19 side put a mammoth total on the board, but not with the help of the IPL prodigies that it had in the team. The man who shone the brightest for the Indian side with the bat was 18-year-old Harvansh Pangalia.

While Mhatre was dismissed for a score of just 1 run, the 14-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi could only score 17 runs in the match before being dismissed.

The top-scoring batter for India was Harvansh Pangalia, who scored an unbeaten 103 runs in just 52 balls. In his innings, Harvansh Pangalia hit a total of 8 fours and 9 sixes. He was supported aptly by Rahul Kumar, who registered a knock of 73 runs in 60 ball,s while Kanishk Chauhan scored 79 runs in 67 balls. Apart from this, R.S. Ambrish also did well by contributing 72 runs in 47 balls for the U19 side.

With the ball, Deepesh Devendran was the pick of the lot for India, bagging three wickets. Naman Pushpak and Vihaan Malhotra took two wickets each asthe  India U19 side won the opening match of the series

US President Donald Trump weighed in on ally Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial Wednesday, urging for Israel’s “Great War Time Prime Minister” to be exonerated after the conflict with Iran.

“Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me,” Trump wrote in a long post on his Truth Social platform.

The US president, who himself faced an array of criminal charges and convictions that he argued were politically motivated, said he had “just learned that Bibi” — a nickname for Netanyahu — “has been summoned to Court on Monday.”

“Bibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran, and Bibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land,” Trump said.

“Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero,” Trump urged.

Trump’s lavish praise for Netanyahu came a day after the US leader angrily berated Israel in an expletive-filled rant for apparently preparing to attack Iran despite a ceasefire announced the previous night.

The unusual public display of anger at Israel saw Trump apparently trying to cajole his ally to call off warplanes in real time.

Moments later he said Israeli planes would “turn around and head home.”

Netanyahu’s trial has been delayed many times since it began in May 2020, with the Israeli leader requesting postponements due to the war in Gaza and later conflict in Lebanon.

In a first case, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting more than $260,000 worth of luxury goods such as cigars, jewelry and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favors.

Two other cases allege that Netanyahu attempted to negotiate more favorable coverage in two Israeli media outlets.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.

Before the agreement of a ceasefire on Tuesday, Israel had pounded Iranian nuclear and military sites over the course of 12 days of war, while Iran launched waves of missiles at its regional arch foe in their deadliest-ever confrontation.

The United States joined the fray in support of its ally, hitting two nuclear facilities with massive bunker-buster bombs over the weekend, while guided missiles from a submarine struck a third.

Trump announced the ceasefire shortly after Iran retaliated with strikes targeting a US base in Qatar that the president said had been fully defeated and forewarned.

“It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump said in his social media post

Congress Legislature Party leader in Maharashtra Vijay Wadettiwar claimed on Wednesday estimate committee members were served meal in silver plates at a conclave and called it “extravagant spending” by the Mahayuti government when the state’s finances were under strain.

The former state minister also targeted the BJP-led government over “deteriorating” law and order situation in Maharashtra, and what he called “internal contradictions” within the ruling coalition which consists of the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr Wadettiwar questioned the government’s priorities, stating, “When the state is virtually on the brink of bankruptcy, what was the need to serve meals in silver plates to members of the Estimates Committees in Mumbai?” He claimed each meal cost Rs 5,000 and so much money was spent by the government at a time when farmers are being denied loan waivers, bonuses are not being paid, and large sections of tribal, social welfare, and Anganwadi schemes are allegedly facing budget cuts.

Mumbai hosted a two-day conference of the Estimates Committees of Parliament and states from June 23. The event, held at Vidhan Bhavan (legislative complex) in south Mumbai, saw participation of chairpersons and members of such panels of Parliament, states and Union Territory legislatures.

These financial committees, at the central and state/UT level, examine the expenditure estimates for each administrative department in respective budgets and also utilisation of funds.

“A majority of farmers in Vidarbha have been denied fresh crop loans. Anganwadi workers (who look after child care centres) aren’t paid honorarium on time, and funds for schemes like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana remain pending. Yet, the government chooses to serve meals to estimates committee members in silver plates,” Mr Wadettiwar said.

It has been nearly two weeks the British F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport. Since then there has been no sign the American-made aircraft, from the world’s most expensive fighter jet programme – will take flight soon.

And now the British High Commission in Bengaluru has responded to a question from NDTV about the plane’s status, and also issued a statement on this subject.

The advanced fifth-generation fighter – part of the Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group deployed to the Indo-Pacific – was returning to its base after completing joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy when it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram.

“A UK F-35 aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely. The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue whilst on the ground which precluded its return to the Carrier,” the High Commission said.

“Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and it was decided that the support of a UK based engineering team was needed. At this time, we do not have a forecast for the aircraft being repaired. To minimise disruptions to the regular airport operations, the aircraft will be moved to a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility hangar once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams arrive,” the Commission added. 

Earlier sources had told NDTV that while the aircraft landed safely, it subsequently developed a technical issue that meant it could not leave. Engineers on board the British carrier conducted an initial assessment and then summoned a specialist team from England to carry out the repairs.

Twelve people were killed overnight in the Mexican state of Guanajuato when gunmen opened fire on a celebration in the city of Irapuato, authorities said Wednesday.

People were dancing and drinking in the street in celebration of St. John the Baptist when the shooting began. Revelers screamed and ran to escape the gunfire, according to videos circulated online.

Irapuato official Rodolfo Gómez Cervantes, said in a news conference Wednesday that the number of victims had risen to 12. Some 20 others were wounded.

Guanjuato, which is northwest of Mexico City, has been one of the country’s most violent states, as various organized crime groups battle for control. There have been 1,435 homicides in the state through the first five months of the year, more than double any other state.

It’s only been a month since Salman Khan was brutally body-shamed online after glimpses of his performance from an event in Vancouver surfaced online.

However, earlier today, his Race 3 co-star Saajan Singh shared some pictures of the Sikandar actor with her family. These new pictures have Salman Khan looking fitter than ever, with fans gushing over his body.

What’s Happening

• Salman Khan was trolled for looking overweight, a month back when visuals of him performing at a Vancouver event surfaced online.
• A fresh picture of Salman Khan spending time with his Race 3 co-star’s family has gone viral online.
• Fans are in awe of how much fitter Salman looks in a black tee paired with blue denim.
• His leaner frame has caught the attention of his fans who have been flooding social media with positive reactions.

How Fans Reacted

Salman Khan fans never miss an opportunity to hype him up, this time it is to appreciate his leaner frame in the picture that went viral online recently.

Actor Katrina Kaif has been appointed as the global brand ambassador for Visit Maldives. The announcement was made by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) recently. 

Mr Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and MD of Visit Maldives, said in a statement, “We are thrilled to welcome Katrina as our Global Brand Ambassador. Her vibrant personality and strong connection with audiences worldwide make her a perfect representative for the Sunny Side of Life, the World’s Leading Destination for the past 5 consecutive years, especially as we start our Summer Sale push in key markets around the world.”

Speaking about her new role as the Sunny Side of Life’s Global Brand Ambassador, Katrina said, “The Maldives represents the pinnacle of luxury and natural beauty – a place where elegance meets tranquillity. I’m honoured to be chosen as the face of the Sunny Side of Life. This collaboration is about bringing the finest travel experiences to global audiences, and I’m excited to help people around the world discover the unique charm and world-class offerings of this extraordinary destination.”

The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts and orange alerts for the remaining districts.

Heavy rain lashed many districts of Kerala on Friday, disrupting normal life and causing waterlogging.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red alerts for Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts and orange alerts for the remaining districts today.

Authorities in several districts have declared holidays for educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), strong westerly winds are likely to persist at lower tropospheric levels over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region for the next two to three days, resulting in widespread rainfall.

The IMD stated, “Strong westerlies likely to continue at lower tropospheric levels over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region during the next 2-3 days. Under the influence of these, widespread rainfall activity with scattered Heavy rainfall to Very Heavy rainfall with isolated Extremely Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur over Kerala on 29th & 30th May 2025. Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places over Kerala on 31st May, 1st and 2nd June 2025.”

District administrations across Kerala have declared a holiday for all educational institutions in several districts on May 30 (Friday).

The precautionary measure applies to professional colleges, anganwadis, tuition centers, madrassas, and special coaching classes.

Kannur District Collector announced a holiday for all educational institutions, including anganwadis, madrassas, tuition centers, and special classes. The district declared a similar holiday on the previous day due to intense rainfall.

A 34-year-old woman was hacked to death and her teenage daughter seriously injured in an attack in this hill district, police said on Monday.

A younger daughter who was missing after the incident has been found safe with the suspect, who is now in custody, they said.

The attack took place late Sunday evening at the woman’s rented home in Appappara village, under the Thirunelli police station limits.

The victim, Praveena, had been living there with her two daughters after separating from her husband, police said.

According to the police, the attack was allegedly carried out by Praveena’s male friend, identified as Dileesh.

Her 14-year-old daughter suffered deep wounds to her neck and ear and is being treated at a government hospital.

The suspect fled the scene with Praveena’s nine-year-old daughter, prompting a major search operation.

Police used drones and combed nearby forest areas despite rough weather conditions and difficult terrain.

Both the suspect and the missing girl were found on Monday near a forested area close to the house and the girl appeared unharmed, police said.

Police booked a man on Saturday after disturbing visuals of him “brutally assaulting” his eight-year-old daughter went viral on social media recently.

In the footage, the man could be seen beating the child and trying to slam her head against the wall as she cries in fear.

As the issued triggered widespread outrage on social media platforms, Health, Women and Child Development Minister Veena George and General Education Minister V Sivankutty came out strongly condemning the act and assured stringent leagal measures against the accused.

Following circulation of the video, the police launched a probe and identified the man as Jose alias Mamachan, living in a rented house in Cherupuzha of this district.

A senior police official said he was summoned to the local station in the morning.

His estranged wife and two children were also called to the station to record their statements, K Vinod Kumar, Deputy SP, Payyannur said.

“As soon as the video came to our notice yesterday, we contacted the man and the children. But, they claimed that it was a prank video,” he told a TV channel.

They claimed that it was picturised to bring back their mother who was staying separated from them.

“But, prima facie, we don’t think it is a prank video. Even if it is a prank video as claimed by them, a video showing brutality to children cannot be taken like this,” he said.

Responding to the criticism about police inaction, Kumar said the children were shifted to their paternal aunt’s house with their consent on Friday itself.

The officer further said legal action would be taken in connection with the incident and a case would be registered after recording the statements of the man, his wife and the children.

Later in the day, Cherupuzha police said a case has been registered against him and he was being interrogated.

“He still claims that it was a prank video. A detailed statement of the children should also be taken and procedures for it are are going on,” a police officer belonging to the station said.

The man was booked under Section 75 of Juvenile Justice Act (cruelty to children) and various sections of the BNS including Section 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), he said.

As TV channels aired the footages of assault, a panchayat official, quoting locals, told the media that the family moved to Cherupuzha two and a half months ago and the man used to beat his children.

Meanwhile, Minister Veena George gave instructions to the director of the Women and Child Development Department to make necessary interventions in the matter.