Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has spoken out about being replaced as Mumbai Indians captain by Hardik Pandya, saying "Not everything goes your way" and that it's "Part of life". Sharma's removal as captain was a surprise to many and a bitter pill for his fans, who booed Pandya during the first few matches of the IPL season. Rohit Sharma, a five-time IPL champion with Mumbai Indians, downplayed the situation, saying playing under Pandya is no different from playing under any other captain. He has played under several captains in his career, including MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, and Virat Kohli.

Hollywood star Brad Pitt and his partner, jewelry designer Ines de Ramon, were spotted on a rare public outing on Monday in Santa Barbara, California. The couple, who have been together since 2022, were seen walking on the beach with coffee cups in hand, with Pitt even putting his arm around de Ramon at one point. The low-key couple, who recently moved in together, are rarely seen in public, making this sighting a rare treat for fans. Pitt, 60, and de Ramon, 34, appear to be going strong, with sources saying Pitt has "found his spark again" with de Ramon. [Source: E! News/YouTube]

In a groundbreaking observation, an orangutan named Rakus has been seen treating a facial wound with a plant known for its pain-relieving and wound-healing properties. Rakus, a male Sumatran orangutan, chewed the leaves of the Akar Kuning plant to create a liquid and applied it to his injury, much like a wound plaster. This is the first documented case of a wild animal using a plant with medical properties to treat a wound. The observation was made at the Suaq Balimbing research site in Indonesia and has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Former Karnataka Minister H D Revanna's son Prajwal Revanna seeks anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case. Prajwal, a 33-year-old MP and son of ex-Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, faces allegations of sexually abusing women. The case gained attention after explicit video clips surfaced in Hassan. To investigate, the Karnataka government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Both Revanna and Prajwal received notices from the SIT, prompting their move to the People’s Representative Court for bail. The situation highlights concerns about sexual misconduct in politics and the need for thorough investigations to address such allegations.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by mother Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, filed nomination papers for the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. Congress announced its candidates for Amethi and Raebareli, choosing Kishori Lal Sharma for Amethi. Raebareli, historically a Congress stronghold, witnessed Indira Gandhi's defeat in 1977 but has been represented by the Gandhi family. Sonia Gandhi's move to Rajya Sabha paved the way for Rahul Gandhi's candidacy. He faces BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh in the upcoming election. Raebareli remains a pivotal seat amidst shifting political tides.

India has taken a subtle dig at the US government's handling of democracy, amid ongoing protests on American university campuses. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson emphasized the need for balance between freedom of expression, responsibility, and public safety in democracies. Over 2,100 students have been arrested in the US for participating in protests. India urged its citizens to respect local laws, but noted no Indian students sought assistance related to the protests. The comments are seen as a veiled critique of the US government's approach to democratic values, turning the tables on Washington's frequent lectures on democracy.

A man in Gujarat, India, was killed along with his 12-year-old daughter when a parcel bomb sent by a rival suitor exploded at their home. The suspect, Jayantibhai Vanjara, had been having an affair with the man's wife and disapproved of their marriage. He sent a package disguised as a tape recorder, which exploded when the man tried to plug it in. The suspect was arrested hours after the blast and admitted to using gelatin sticks and a detonator to make the improvised bomb. The incident occurred on Thursday, leaving two dead and shocking the community.

Apple's smartphone shipments declined 10% in the first quarter of 2024, according to IDC data. Intensifying competition from Android makers, particularly Samsung, led to the drop. Samsung regained the top spot with a 20.8% market share, while Apple slipped to second with 17.3%. Xiaomi held the third position with 14.1% market share. Despite a strong performance in the previous quarter, Apple's sales declined, allowing Chinese brands like Huawei to gain ground. Global smartphone shipments still rose 7.8% to 289.4 million units in the quarter.

Indian expatriates' think-tank, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), criticized the USCIRF report on religious freedom in India, urging the US State Department to reject it. FIIDS accused USCIRF of bias, presenting partial data and flawed conclusions. Chief of Policy and Strategy at FIIDS, Khanderao Kand, stated the report utilized partial data, omitted context, and generalized isolated incidents, misrepresenting India. FIIDS highlighted positive trends and questioned USCIRF's recommendation, citing India's status as a democracy with a peaceful civilization. They emphasized the report's contrast with 2023's analysis, indicating improvement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi taunted Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, attributing it to fear of losing Wayanad, Kerala. Speaking at a rally in West Bengal, Modi dared Gandhi to face the BJP in Amethi without running or being scared. He also criticized Sonia Gandhi for vacating Rae Bareli and moving to the Rajya Sabha. After much anticipation, Rahul Gandhi's candidacy for Rae Bareli was confirmed, while loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma will contest from Amethi. The constituencies are set for polls on May 20.