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‘Players upgrade… I can’t be the same’: 'Smarter' Shivam Dube sends warning to bowlers

Shivam Dube showcased a significant T20 evolution with a blistering 65 off 23 balls against New Zealand. He attributed his enhanced performance to consistent opportunities, a sharper mindset, and increased comfort against pace. Dube emphasized his growth through experience, aiming to be a smarter player with each match, focusing on dominating rather than milestones.

‘Best President Of All Time’: Nicki Minaj Holds Trump’s Hand, Declares Herself His No. 1 Fan

Nicki Minaj, one of hip-hop’s most influential voices, made headlines in Washington on Wednesday after appearing alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at a Treasury Department event unveiling the new “Trump Accounts” program. The brief but high-profile moment underscored Minaj’s increasingly vocal political stance and added celebrity weight to a policy rollout aimed at children’s long-term financial security. A Star Moment At A Policy Summit At the Washington, D.C., gathering, Minaj joined Trump on stage, briefly clasped his hand, and addressed the audience with a declaration that quickly drew attention. She said she considered herself “probably his number one fan.” The appearance marked one of the most visible public alignments between the Trinidadian-born rapper and the president to date, as per a report on India Today. The 43-year-old artist did not shy away from acknowledging the controversy surrounding her political views. Addressing criticism head-on, Minaj made it clear that opposition had only strengthened her resolve rather than weakened it. Minaj Shrugs Off Backlash Minaj told the audience that negative reactions to her support had failed to sway her. “The negativity doesn’t affect me—it actually pushes me to stand by him even more,” she said, as per reports.  Her remarks drew applause from sections of the crowd and reinforced the message that celebrity support for Trump continues to come from unexpected quarters, even as it sparks debate online and within the music industry. Inside ‘Trump Accounts’ Initiative The event centered on the introduction of “Trump Accounts,” a pilot program designed to provide every eligible child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, with a $1,000 government-funded investment account. The accounts are Section 530A investment vehicles established under recently passed tax and spending legislation. Parents will be able to enroll their children while filing taxes, which will trigger the initial $1,000 deposit. During the event, Minaj announced she would personally contribute between $150,000 and $300,000 to support the initiative, adding a philanthropic dimension to her endorsement. Political Heavyweights & Business Leaders Attend After delivering her remarks, Minaj exited the stage while Trump continued with his address. The president later pointed to his support among Black voters and acknowledged several prominent figures in attendance, including Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ted Cruz, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, and Canadian-born entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary. Trump described the program as a landmark step that he believes will stand out in U.S. economic history, framing it as an investment in the next generation. With celebrity backing and a national rollout ahead, the “Trump Accounts” initiative is poised to remain in the spotlight well beyond its launch.

‘Sour grapes?’ Piyush Goyal hits back at Congress for calling India-EU FTA deal 'hugely-hyped'

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal fiercely defended the India-EU free trade agreement, calling it a landmark win-win deal. He dismissed Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's criticisms as politically motivated and disconnected from economic realities, highlighting the pact's potential for growth and employment. Goyal emphasized proactive engagement on sensitive issues like CBAM and intellectual property.

‘Trade Took Priority Over Ukraine’: Trump Camp Slams Europe on India-EU Pact

The newly concluded free trade agreement between India and the European Union has drawn sharp criticism from Washington, with senior figures in former US President Donald Trump’s camp accusing Europe of compromising its stated position on the Ukraine war for economic gain.  US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking in an extensive interview with American media, questioned the strategic consistency of European leaders after the announcement of the landmark India-EU deal. While acknowledging that nations are entitled to pursue their own commercial interests, Bessent argued that Europe’s actions reveal a troubling mismatch between its rhetoric on Ukraine and its economic choices.  ‘A Deep Contradiction’ in Europe’s Ukraine Stand  Reacting to the scale and timing of the agreement, Bessent said Europe’s enthusiasm for the trade pact clashes with its vocal support for Kyiv. He suggested that countries closest to the conflict should be more cautious about decisions that could indirectly benefit Russia.  "Europe and India signing this massive trade deal--does that threaten America? Again, they should do what's best for themselves," Bessent said. "But I find the Europeans very disappointing because they are on the front line of the Ukraine-Russia war."  According to Bessent, Europe’s geographic and political proximity to the conflict makes its trade and energy decisions particularly consequential, especially when those choices intersect with Russian revenue streams.  Russian Oil, Refined Fuel, and Europe’s Role  Bessent went on to accuse European nations of indirectly sustaining the war they publicly oppose. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the introduction of Western sanctions, India ramped up imports of discounted Russian crude oil. That oil, once refined, found its way into European markets.  "India started buying sanctioned Russian oil, and guess who was buying the refined products? The Europeans," he said. "So the Europeans have been funding the war against themselves, something you couldn't have made up."  He contrasted Europe’s approach with that of the United States, noting that Washington imposed a 25 per cent tariff on India in response to its purchases of Russian oil. Europe, however, chose not to follow suit.   Trade Talks, Energy Needs, and Strategic Choices  Bessent suggested that Europe’s reluctance to align with US measures stemmed from its desire to safeguard trade negotiations with India. In his view, economic considerations outweighed geopolitical commitments.  "The Europeans were unwilling to join us, and it turns out because they wanted to do this trade deal," Bessent said. "Every time you hear a European talk about the importance of the Ukrainian people, remember that they put trade ahead of the Ukrainian people. Trade, European trade, more important than ending the war in Ukraine."  While acknowledging Europe’s dependence on imported energy, Bessent framed the issue as a deliberate trade-off. "They need energy, I guess, which is part of their issue. At a price, they want cheap energy," he said, adding that the US could also benefit from cheaper fuel "if we were willing to buy sanctioned Russian oil."  Beyond Europe, Bessent briefly referenced strained ties with Canada, mentioning a recent “rift” and differing versions of a call with Prime Minister Mark Carney after the Davos meetings, without offering further details.  The India-EU trade agreement, one of the most significant in recent years, is expected to substantially expand economic cooperation. Yet Bessent’s remarks underline how the deal is also being viewed in Washington as evidence of Europe’s increasingly delicate and controversial balancing act between trade ambitions, energy security, and the war in Ukraine. 

Plane Crashes In Venezuela-Colombia Border, Lawmaker Among 15 Killed

Plane Crash: A small passenger aircraft carrying 15 people, including a Colombian lawmaker and a congressional candidate, crashed in northeastern Colombia with no survivors. The Beechcraft 1900 twin-propeller plane was operated by the state-owned airline Satena and was flying from Cúcuta to Ocaña in the Norte de Santander province near the country’s border with Venezuela. Plane Lost Contact Shortly Before Landing According to official information, the aircraft took off from Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta in the morning and lost contact with air traffic control shortly before it was scheduled to land in Ocaña around midday. Local authorities later located the plane’s wreckage in a remote, mountainous area of Curasica in Playa de Belén, confirming that all 15 occupants including 13 passengers and two crew members died in the crash. Among those killed were Diógenes Quintero Amaya, a member of Colombia’s Chamber of Representatives elected to represent regions affected by the armed conflict, and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the upcoming congressional elections. Plane Crash Site Known For Rugged Terrain The area where the crash occurred is known for its rugged terrain and dense jungle, making search and rescue operations challenging. Colombian authorities, including the Air Force and civil aviation investigators, have deployed teams to the site and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. The civil aviation agency has confirmed all passengers and crew were killed and that an official probe is underway. The tragedy has drawn national attention, with expressions of sorrow from political leaders and calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash.