Kings XI Punjab opener Lokesh Rahul has shot a warning to rival teams in the Indian Premier League: beware of Chris Gayle as he is back to his brutal best.
Gayle, playing his first game of the season, smashed his second fastest IPL fifty, off 22 balls, to lay the foundation for KXIP's thrilling four-run win over Chennai Super Kings last night.
"It is amazing news for our team and bad news for the other teams that Chris Gayle is hitting the ball well. We all know he is a player who can win games single-handedly and demolish attacks on his day and that's what he did today. We want him and we expect him to continue this form forward," said Rahul, who himself has been in top form, at the post-match media interaction.
Not so long ago, Gayle went unsold in the auction twice before KXIP picked him up for a base price of Rs 2 crore, the same amount they paid for Yuvraj Singh.
KXIP play their next home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Asked about the plans against Sunrisers, Rahul said, "every team in the IPL is good, we are going to stick to our plans, we will stick to our strengths, we will see where we can better Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"Our plans are going to be simple whichever team we face and we will go out there and play aggressive cricket."
About batting first and setting the target for the opposition, he said "If you are batting first as an opener you give yourselves a couple of overs see what's the wicket behaving and then try to assess what a good score on that wicket would be and then you plan accordingly."
"By the look of the wicket, I don't think anybody can tell the wicket is going to behave a certain way. Even though this is our home game, we are still getting to know what the wicket is like. Once we play a couple of overs then we decide what a good target on that wicket is," he said.
CSK skipper M S Dhoni almost got CSK over the line with a refreshing 79 off 44 balls.
Asked what the plan was to contain him, Rahul said "The plan was to bowl wide yorkers at him because he was struggling with his back. But, good back or bad back you pitch it in his arc and he is still going to hit it miles. It was good learning for our bowling attack, but still early stage in this IPL."
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said Gayle played really well and that made a big difference.
Fleming, however, said CSK did "incredibly well" to restrict the score to somewhere under 200 because at one stage KXIP looked poise to reach 220 plus.
"So the character for the second half of that bowling innings was very good as we were able to get some wickets, create some pressure. So, I am really impressed and proud of the effort," said the New Zealander.
About advantage of chasing, Fleming said, "When you are chasing you get certainty in an uncertain game, so you can manage your risk as you saw MS managing his risk almost to perfection today. There were couple of good yorkers from Mohit Sharma (in the final over) that denied the win (to CSK)."
"So the way game is going, there is certainty around managing risk and the ability of players to hit and chase down 15, 16 and 18 runs an over," he said.
Asked if there are any areas which CSK is looking to improve in the upcoming games, Fleming said, "I'd love a game where we bowl a team out for 140 and chase it down. But the competition is very even. Wickets at the top are important, we have seen teams that take wickets at the top, so we are going to reassess that and make sure we've got the right combination," he added
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has opened up about a minor but shocking accident that occurred while filming her new action-comedy Heads of State, which premieres on Prime Video on 2 July. Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the actor recalled how she injured her face during a high-intensity scene, losing a piece of her eyebrow in the process.
The incident took place during a rainy stunt scene that required her to fall and roll on the ground as the camera closed in. “The camera operator came in a little closer, I came in a little closer, and boom! The matte box hit me right here,” she said, pointing to her eyebrow. “It took out a chunk. I was lucky it didn’t take my eye.”
Despite the bleeding cut, Priyanka didn’t halt filming. Instead, she reached for surgical glue, patched herself up on set, and wrapped up the day’s shoot. “I didn’t want to come back and shoot in the rain again,” she joked.
In the film, Chopra plays Noel Bisset, a sharp MI6 agent pulled into chaos after a diplomatic mission unravels. She stars opposite John Cena and Idris Elba, who play the heads of state she’s tasked with protecting. The actor shared that her character does a fair amount of the heavy lifting when it comes to action, including hand-to-hand combat and stunts.
While discussing the film, Chopra also spoke about the off-screen dynamics with her co-stars. She revealed that Cena and Elba hadn’t met before the shoot, so she stepped in to ease the introductions. “I was like the buffer. I had to make sure we didn’t just start punching each other,” she laughed.
She also mentioned how the set was filled with laughter, banter, and plenty of pranks, most of them aimed at her. “I guess I was the easy target,” she admitted.
Directed by Ilya Naishuller, Heads of State features an ensemble cast including Paddy Considine, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Stephen Root, and Sarah Niles. The film will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Up next, Chopra is set to appear in SSMB 29 with Mahesh Babu and The Bluff, where she plays a reformed pirate.
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On World Music Day, we revisit the songs that made Shreya Ghoshal more than just a singer, but a sound that shaped our lives
From soul-stirring ballads to playful love anthems, Shreya Ghoshal has given us songs for every emotion. On World Music Day, we’re celebrating the magical voice that has become the soundtrack to our lives. Whether it's heartbreak, romance, devotion or pure joy, Shreya doesn’t just sing a song, she lives it. Here are 12 timeless tracks that define her legacy as India’s most beloved singer.
1. Sunn Raha Hai (Female Version) – Aashiqui 2
Raw and haunting, Shreya’s version of this heartbreak anthem gave it a delicate intensity that cut straight to the soul. You could hear the silence between the words and feel it.
2. Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai (Female Version) – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Her serene, soft rendition turned this romantic track into a quiet prayer. Shreya’s voice here isn’t just melodious — it feels like devotion in motion.
Only Shreya could match Geet’s wild, carefree energy with such powerful vocals. This Sufi-tinged love song bursts with reckless joy and she’s the reason we still belt it out like we’re in the snow.
The debut that made history. From the iconic “Ishhh” to her classical finesse, Shreya arrived like a storm of talent and walked away with a National Award.
One of Bollywood’s most romantic songs wouldn’t be the same without her. Shreya’s emotional depth pairs perfectly with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s vocals, a duet that still gives goosebumps.
A recent hit that shows she’s still at the top of her game. Her voice glides with elegance and warmth, bringing vintage romance into a modern love story.
From every "Ishhh" to every high note that made us cry, Shreya Ghoshal isn’t just a singer, she’s an emotion.
On World Music Day, we celebrate her voice like a constant companion through our best memories, toughest heartbreaks, and everything in between.
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Adil Khan (left) and Qari Abdul Rauf. (Photo credit: Greater Manchester Police)
PAKISTAN may reconsider accepting two convicted leaders of the Rochdale child sexual abuse gang if direct flights between the UK and Pakistan are restored, a senior Pakistani official has said.
A judge had ordered their deportation to Pakistan, but both men renounced their Pakistani nationality just before their court appeals, effectively blocking the deportation process.
Since then, the UK has been unable to remove them, as Pakistan has refused to accept individuals without citizenship. Although courts have rejected their appeals multiple times, the two men remain in the country.
A senior official from Pakistan’s Foreign Office told The Times that talks are ongoing with British authorities, both over the deportation of the two men and the resumption of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to the UK.
“This complex case involves several legal challenges, and we are currently in discussions with UK authorities, although no significant progress has been made yet,” the official said.
Direct flights by Pakistani airlines have been banned in the UK since 2021 due to concerns over aviation safety. The UK Civil Aviation Authority found that a number of Pakistani pilots had been flying with fraudulent licences. Pakistan has applied to be removed from the UK’s Air Safety List, but a decision is still pending.
British officials have insisted that the aviation review is entirely independent of the deportation issue.
Legal experts say deporting someone who has no nationality is generally against international law. However, UK law allows such deportations in limited cases, particularly if the home secretary believes the person may be eligible for another nationality.
Osama Malik, a UK-trained immigration lawyer, said it was unlikely Pakistan would accept Rauf and Khan without a change in their legal status.
“If these convicts have legally renounced their Pakistani citizenship, it would be very difficult for Pakistan to accept these deportations,” he was quoted as saying. “If they reapply for citizenship, they could be accepted, but that is unlikely.”
Malik also questioned the fairness of the approach: “They have lived most of their lives in Britain and have more ties to the UK than Pakistan. Once they’ve served their sentences, they should be treated like any other British convict.”
Meanwhile, former UK minister Michael Gove confirmed claims made by Dominic Cummings that civil servants had pressured him to stop The Times from publishing details about child sexual abuse in Rotherham. Speaking to GB News, Gove said some local officials believed the reporting could damage efforts to address the issue.
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Donald Trump walks out of the Oval Office before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on June 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
PAKISTAN government has announced that it will formally nominate US president Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “decisive diplomatic intervention” during the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan.
The announcement was made on Saturday (21) on X, just days after president Trump hosted Pakistan Army Chief general Asim Munir at the White House.
The statement praised Trump’s role in defusing the situation that followed the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India, on April 22. In response, India carried out targeted strikes on terrorist infrastructure across the border on May 7. This was followed by several days of retaliatory military action from both sides.
The hostilities ended on May 10 after the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan held direct talks. While India maintains that the ceasefire was the result of these direct communications, Pakistan credits Trump’s diplomatic involvement for halting the escalation.
“President Donald J Trump demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship,” the Pakistan government said, claiming that his engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi helped “secure a ceasefire and avert a broader conflict between two nuclear states.”
Pakistan also praised Trump’s “sincere offers” to help resolve the Kashmir issue and called his actions a continuation of his “legacy of pragmatic diplomacy and effective peace-building.”
In response, President Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, expressing frustration over not receiving recognition for his peace efforts. “I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do,” he said, listing his involvement in conflicts across India-Pakistan, Russia-Ukraine, Serbia-Kosovo, and the Middle East.
He added that he recently brokered a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda and described it as a “great day for Africa and the world.” Despite his achievements, Trump lamented, “No, I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize… but the people know, and that’s all that matters to me.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that his administration helped stop a war between India and Pakistan. On May 10, he said that both countries had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after Washington’s intervention and suggested that the promise of future trade encouraged the nations to halt the conflict.
However, Indian officials strongly deny this claim. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri stated from Canada during the G7 Summit that there had been “no discussion, at any level, on a trade deal with the US or any American mediation.”
Misri confirmed that the decision to end military actions came through direct military channels and was initiated by Pakistan. Prime minister Modi has clearly stated that India does not and will never accept foreign mediation,” he said.
Meanwhile, former US National Security Advisor John Bolton weighed in on the controversy, suggesting Trump’s desire for the Nobel stems from the fact that former president Barack Obama received it in 2009.
“He won’t get it for solving the Russia-Ukraine war. He’s now unsuccessfully trying to claim credit for the India-Pakistan ceasefire,” Bolton posted on X.
During his meeting with General Munir, Trump publicly thanked him for not escalating the conflict and hinted at ongoing efforts to secure trade agreements with both India and Pakistan.
(PTI)
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Around 85% of the projected deaths are likely to involve people over the age of 65
Almost 600 premature deaths are expected to occur during the ongoing heatwave affecting England and Wales, according to a new rapid analysis by leading scientists. The majority of fatalities are projected among older adults, with London and the West Midlands likely to be the worst-affected areas.
Climate change driving deadly temperatures
Researchers say the extreme temperatures, which have reached 32°C in parts of south-east England, would have been nearly impossible without the influence of human-caused climate change. Pollution from burning fossil fuels has raised the likelihood of such heatwaves by around 100 times, experts say.
The scientists estimate that human activity has increased the temperatures experienced during this heatwave by 2°C to 4°C, pushing the mercury beyond safe levels for many, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
Dr Garyfallos Konstantinoudis from Imperial College London, who helped conduct the analysis, said: “Heatwaves are silent killers – people who lose their lives in them typically have pre-existing health conditions and rarely have heat listed as a contributing cause of death. This real-time analysis reveals the hidden toll of heatwaves, and we want it to help raise the alarm.”
Deaths concentrated among older adults
The analysis, based on decades of UK temperature and mortality data across more than 34,000 locations in England and Wales, projects around 570 excess deaths between Thursday and Sunday. Of these, approximately 129 are expected in London. Scientists believe the figure may be underestimated, as early summer heatwaves often catch people unprepared.
Around 85% of the projected deaths are likely to involve people over the age of 65, who are particularly vulnerable to heat stress. Other at-risk groups include infants, pregnant individuals, and people with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
Dr Malcolm Mistry from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), who contributed to the study, warned: “Exposure to temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s may not seem dangerous, but they can be fatal, particularly for people aged over 65, infants, pregnant people, and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
Health and emergency services under pressure
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber heat-health alert on Thursday, which is set to remain in effect until 9 am on Monday. The warning highlights a risk of increased deaths and severe impacts on health and social care systems.
Medical professionals have reported a rise in heat-related illnesses. Dr Lorna Powell, an urgent care doctor in East London, said: “We are seeing cases of heat exhaustion rising. It can quickly trigger more serious illnesses, as dehydration sets in and the cardiovascular system becomes overwhelmed.”
The UKHSA advises people to stay out of the sun between 11 am and 3 pm, drink plenty of fluids, keep indoor spaces cool, and check in on vulnerable neighbours and family members. Data from a recent study indicates that approximately 80% of UK homes overheat during summer, further exacerbating health risks for residents.
Urban areas face greater risk
City dwellers, especially those in poorly ventilated flats, face higher health risks during heatwaves. Heat becomes trapped in buildings, leading to prolonged exposure, especially at night when outdoor temperatures remain high.
Professor Antonio Gasparrini of LSHTM, another contributor to the analysis, said: “When temperatures push past the limits populations are acclimatised to, excess deaths can increase very rapidly. Every fraction of a degree of warming will cause more hospital admissions and heat deaths, putting more strain on the NHS.”
Poor preparedness criticised
Between 2020 and 2024, more than 10,000 people died in the UK due to heatwaves, according to UKHSA data. Yet in April 2025, the government’s climate advisers criticised the UK’s readiness to deal with extreme heat, calling preparations “inadequate, piecemeal and disjointed”.
Despite growing awareness of climate-related risks, systemic changes to improve resilience, such as retrofitting homes and bolstering healthcare capacity, have been limited.
Government removes barriers to home EV chargers
As part of broader environmental measures, the UK government recently eliminated the requirement for planning permission to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers at homes and businesses. This change is estimated to save an average of £1,100 per installation, according to the Department for Transport, and may aid the shift to low-carbon transport. While unrelated to heatwave policy, the move reflects the government’s push for green infrastructure.
Air quality worsens amid heat
Alongside the heat, a spike in air pollution has raised additional concerns. London has been issued a high ozone pollution alert, with people suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma advised to avoid outdoor exercise.
Heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense
Global data shows that extreme heat causes more deaths than floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes. According to insurer Swiss Re, heatwaves are responsible for about 500,000 deaths globally each year. “Extreme heat events are more dangerous than natural catastrophes in terms of human lives lost, yet the true cost is only starting to come to light,” said Nina Arquint, chief executive of corporate solutions at Swiss Re.
In 2024, the planet recorded its hottest year on record, driven by climate change and rising emissions. Carbon dioxide levels from fossil fuels continue to increase, pushing the world closer to dangerous temperature thresholds.
A recent report by the UK Climate Change Committee estimates that if global temperatures rise by 2°C above pre-industrial levels, annual heat-related deaths in the UK could exceed 10,000 by 2050.
The scientists behind the current analysis hope that quantifying the hidden human cost of heatwaves will prompt more urgent action to reduce emissions and prepare the UK for a hotter future.