Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill during IPL 2026. (AP Photo)

New Delhi: Less than two months before the 2026 T20 World Cup, Shubman Gill Was dropped from the Indian team. Promoted as vice-captain for the Asia Cup, the right-handed batsman failed to deliver returns, leaving the think tank to take a tough decision. Gill, set to lead India across all formats, found himself at a delicate crossroads last December. A batsman who had re-established himself during a dream summer in England, replacing Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain, and closing in on Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I captaincy, was suddenly left out of the World Cup squad.Gill took the plunge, fulfilled his business commitments and gathered his team in Mohali. During the cold of winter, with side-armers and reliable net bowlers, he worked relentlessly on his white-ball game. Gill, known to rely heavily on volume in training, spent hours analyzing videos of his T20 outings and realized that he needed to unlock more range and power from deep cover to mid-wicket in the traditional V.Determined to change things, Gill accepted the challenge. The middler bat became his best friend, and he spent hours with it to find the right spot without losing its shape. Earlier he often seemed eager to hit the ball very hard. Even during the last IPL season – when he scored 650 runs in 15 innings at a strike-rate of 155.88 – he lacked the desired control in the traditional Vs. At times, the face of the bat would close slightly while hitting long-off and long-on, causing him to suffer a loss of height and distance.Problem identified, challenge accepted.The plan was simple. Each batting session involves hundreds of balls being bowled from a middle bat – a thinner version of a regular bat that improves control – and this routine has continued during this IPL season. Gill is regularly seen warming up with Midler before each range-hitting session. The incidents of the bat rotating in his hands or his face getting closed due to impact have reduced significantly. He is now holding his position more often and looking for a more cordial relationship.There’s a strong ping from his bat whenever he goes straight, and his superior control has made him a delight as a cameraperson this IPL season. This has been his best season in terms of strike-rate and six-hitting, yet he has never looked to compromise the strong foundation of his batting. There are hardly any ramps, scoops or paddles – just textbook batting with extensive range.

File photo of Shubman Gill in the nets. (screenshot/x)

Against the spinners, he has used different sweeps effectively, but without any premeditation, which has helped him retain his elegance and grace. And the numbers don’t lie. In IPL 2026, in 13 matches, he has scored 616 runs at a strike rate of 161.68, his highest in the tournament.Like his approach towards life, Gill keeps his batting simple as well.The hours spent with his team in Mohali not only helped him re-develop his T20 game but also gave him a chance to settle down after a turbulent few months. Away from the limelight, home-cooked meals behind the nets brought back simpler times – while preparing him for better days ahead.

Actor and television host Shekhar Suman The late-night talk show format is making a comeback with ‘Shekhar Tonite’, but this time, he says the intention is very different from the fast-paced content culture dominating digital platforms today. Suman, known for projects like ‘Dekh Bhai Dekh’, ‘Utsav’ and ‘Heartless’, explained that his new show is designed to slow things down and focus on thoughtful conversations rather than sensational headlines and manufactured drama.Speaking about the format with Mid-Day, he said, “No rapid fire, no manufactured controversies. Think of it as the opposite of doomscrolling. It’s slow content for a fast world.”The actor, who became a household name with the iconic late-night show ‘Movers and Shakers’ in 1997, believes ‘Shekhar Tonite’ reflects a more conscious and mature approach towards commentary and humour. Discussing the philosophy behind the show, Suman said, “Movers and Shakers was the instinct. Shekar Tonite is the one with intention.”The program combines satire, wit, and commentary on social and political developments, while avoiding the aggressive debate culture commonly seen in digital media nowadays. Unlike celebrity chat shows built around viral moments and controversy-driven segments, Shekhar emphasizes that his platform is not interested in creating inconvenient or sensational content just for the sake of clicks.According to him, the idea is to create space for genuine dialogue and civilized criticism. The host said that responsibly discussing public issues is part of social accountability and should not automatically be seen as negativity or political targeting.“It’s a misconception that this show strikes at people. For me, every person has a social responsibility. I have equal respect for our Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] And for Rahul Gandhi. If I choose someone and they are not able to do the work then I have the right to criticize them, but I am not criticizing them.Referring to famous cartoonist RK Laxman’s famous character, Suman said, “I am like RK Laxman’s The Common Man, who wants to express himself. I am raising my voice against what is happening in the society, but doing so in the most civilized way.”

Why did Shekhar Suman choose YouTube instead of OTT?

The veteran actor also revealed why he decided to stream the show on his YouTube channel instead of partnering with an OTT platform.He said, “Freedom. On my own channel, there is no algorithm that tells me to make it short in eight seconds or make it trend in eight seconds. I want to create conversations for people. If the OTT respects that, we will talk.”The first episode of ‘Shekhar Tonight’ featured Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, followed by ‘Animal’ and ‘Soldier’ ​​fame actor Bobby Deol. Manoj Bajpayee, Farah Khan and Ali Fazal are expected to be among the visiting guests.

In a quiet field in northern Luxembourg, something that did not belong to the present was glowing beneath the soil. At first, it seemed like just another strange piece of metal, easily overlooked in a landscape already steeped in history. But what lay beneath the ground near the village of Holzthum soon began to hint at a much older story, reportedly stretching back to the final centuries of the Roman Empire. A hoard of Roman gold coins, untouched for nearly 1,700 years, is slowly changing the way archaeologists look at this corner of Europe. The discovery has attracted attention not because of the sudden drama it caused, but because of its strange stillness, as if it was waiting for time for someone to notice. According to Archaeological News, Roman gold coins found in Luxembourg are still under study and conservation. Their total value has been estimated at hundreds of thousands of euros, although experts suggest that their historical importance far exceeds their monetary value.

141 Roman gold coins found in Luxembourg

The Roman gold coins discovered in Luxembourg were not scattered or broken, but were carefully preserved in a concentrated hoard. Archaeologists working in the Holzthum area have unearthed 141 solidi, each dating from the late 4th and early 5th centuries. These coins appear to have been minted during a period when the Roman Empire was already under pressure, with its western regions becoming increasingly unstable.What makes this find particularly fascinating is not just the quantity, but also the range of monarchs represented. The images on the coins point to a changing political landscape, where power changes frequently and power rarely lasts for long. Experts suggest that such a collection may have been hidden during a moment of uncertainty, perhaps when frontier areas began to feel less secure.

Emperor’s rare coins found in Luxembourg’s Roman gold hoard

Amidst the pile, a handful of coins stand out for a different reason. Some pieces bear the image of Eugenius, a ruler whose time in power was brief and heavily contested. His reign reportedly lasted from 390 BC. It lasted only a few years in the early 17th century, ending in defeat after internal conflict within the empire.This simple rule is one reason why these particular coins are considered rare. They bear the weight of a political moment that did not last, coming at a time when loyalty and legitimacy were constantly in question. In a way, coins reflect that instability. They are sophisticated, authoritative, yet tied to a ruler whose authority was never fully secure.Archaeologists working on the Luxembourg deposits have pointed out that such coins are not often found in groups, especially not in well-preserved archaeological contexts. This has added an extra layer of interest to the search.

Defensive tower that can reveal the location of treasure

The location of the store has proven to be as important as the coins. The treasure was found close to the remains of a late Roman defensive tower, a small fortified structure that probably served as an observation point on the empire’s northern border.This part of the Roman world, which was then Gallia Belgica, was no quiet backwater. It was a border region where military presence, trade routes, and changing alliances often overlapped. The tower near Holzthum may have been part of a broader network designed to monitor activities throughout the region.Some graves found nearby suggest that the site was not purely military. The combination of buried remains and defensive architecture indicates a settlement with multiple layers of use, possibly changing function over time as the empire’s hold on the area weakened.

How a single coin sparked the investigation of a major Roman hoard

This discovery did not happen in a moment. It reportedly began with an accidental discovery in 2019 when amateur archaeologists found a gold coin in a nearby field. That single fragment led to an official investigation and a full excavation campaign began the following year.

The recent bounce from the ₹139,000-140,000 Fibonacci support zone has shifted the momentum back in favor of the buyers. (AI image)

gold price prediction today: : Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, says that despite some correction, gold prices are broadly bullish.Despite the sharp corrective phase seen during April, gold continues to trade within a broad bullish framework. The recent bounce from the ₹139,000-140,000 Fibonacci support zone has brought the momentum back in favor of buyers, with prices now settling above the important 0.5 retracement level near ₹150,000. Technically, the market is attempting to form a higher base while remaining above the Bollinger Bands midline, indicating a revival in trend strength.Fibonacci retracement structure highlights ₹154,700-156,500 as immediate resistance cluster near 0.618 and 0.786 retracement zones. A sustained breakout above ₹161,500 could trigger fresh momentum towards ₹164,000 and eventually ₹170,000 psychological zone. The Bollinger Bands are gradually widening again after the contraction, which suggests an extension of volatility and the possibility of a directional move in the coming sessions.On the downside, ₹155,000 remains the key pivot support for the week, followed by ₹150,000 which is aligned with the 50% retracement and previous breakout bases. Any close below ₹150,000 may turn weak and ₹146,000-142,000 levels may become exposed again. The candlestick structure currently reflects consolidation following a strong recovery spike, with the market attempting to transition from correction to accumulation. The overall bias remains cautiously bullish, while prices remain above the Bollinger Mid Band and the Fibonacci support zone.Gold prices rose earlier this week as optimism over a potential US-Iran peace deal weakened the dollar and Treasury yields, giving a boost to the precious metal. Expectations of easing tensions in the Middle East and the reopening of shipping routes across the Strait of Hormuz have tempered inflation fears linked to higher oil prices. However, uncertainty remains over Iran’s nuclear program and ongoing disagreements over the Fed’s interest rate trajectory with new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh being sworn in. Markets now await US GDP data and further geopolitical developments, while expectations of at least one Fed rate hike this year continue to support volatility in bullion markets.(Disclaimer: The recommendations and views given by experts on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India.)

Inside crowded convention halls, hotel conference rooms and late-night Zoom classes, one man has quietly become one of the most powerful figures in American competitive spelling. Scott Raymer charges families up to $180 an hour to prepare children for the Scripps National Spelling Bee and is widely believed to be the only full-time specialized spelling-bee coach in the country. His students include champions like Dev Shah and Faizan Zaki. What was once seen as an elite academic competition has evolved into an increasingly professional world of high-pressure preparation, advanced linguistic strategies and premium coaching. At the center of it all is Scott Raymer, a man who many families believe can turn the kids into national champions.

The Spelling Bee Coach Who Charges $180 an Hour

Long before he became one of the most recognized names in competitive spelling, Scott Raymer was a competitor himself. He competed in the national spelling bee until 2008 and placed fourth in his final appearance.According to Raymer, that experience stayed with him long after the competition ended. What started as a passion for words and language gradually evolved into a full-time profession based entirely on training elite young spellers.Born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Raymer later earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 2016 and a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge a year later.While still a teenager, she published her first spelling-bee guidebook, Words of Wisdom: Keys to Success in the Scripts National Spelling Bee. Over time, he expanded into full-time teaching and eventually moved to Mexico City, where he now coaches students remotely in spelling, language, writing, and test preparation.Remmer’s reputation grew because of one thing above all else: results. According to a report by the Associated Press, he has trained five national spelling bee champions and worked with at least 29 contestants during each of the last four national competitions. As the bee approaches its final rounds each year, many of the competitors are often current or former Raymer students.The most famous names associated with them are Dev Shah, who won the national title in 2023, and Faizan Zaki, who won in 2025. Former champion Anamika Veeramani was also one of the early winners trained by him.His visibility in the spelling world became so strong that championship photos often showed Raymer standing with winning contestants holding copies of his spelling-bee guidebook.

Why do parents pay up to $180 an hour?

Elite spelling coaching has quietly become a serious business in the United States. Raymer reportedly charges up to $180 for an hour-long private lesson. In some cases, he also receives performance-based bonuses tied to competition wins. According to the Associated Press, Faizan Zaki’s father said that Remar received 7% of the champion’s prize money after his 2025 victory.Despite the high prices, many parents continue to seek him out because of his track record.Students and families say their lessons go far beyond simple memorization. Rather than simply drilling down vocabulary lists, Raymer teaches language origins, pronunciation systems, spelling structures, root words, and linguistic patterns in many languages. Its purpose is to help competitors understand unfamiliar words logically during competitions, even if they have never encountered them before.Proponents say the approach gives students a deeper understanding of the language and a competitive advantage during tough times.

An intense coaching style that divides opinion

However, not everyone believes that the system is entirely positive. Former students and parents interviewed by The Associated Press described Remmer’s teaching style as highly demanding and academically intensive. Some said that young students struggled with the pressure and eventually moved on to other tutors who provided a more comfortable learning environment.Even some supporters acknowledged that Raymer set excessive expectations for middle-school-aged contestants.Former finalist Simone Kaplan described her as a “true logophile” who aggressively motivates students to maintain their level of linguistic knowledge. Remmer himself admits that he tries to adapt his methods to different personalities and learning styles, although he acknowledged that it is not always easy to balance intensity and encouragement.

How spelling bees became ultra-competitive

The rise of coaches like Scott Raymer reflects a larger change taking place within competitive spelling. Over the past decade, spelling bees in America have evolved from relatively straightforward academic competitions to highly specialized competitions involving years of preparation, advanced linguistic analysis, and extensive historical word databases.Many top competitors now work with multiple coaches and spend years studying etymology, language systems, and pronunciation rules at an elite level.The change accelerated following the famous 2019 “Octo-Champs” event, when eight contestants tied for first place after the competition eliminated prepared word lists. Since then, families and competitors have viewed spelling bees as more like typical sports or music competitions than traditional school activities.

The debate around specific spelling coaching

The increasing commercialization of spelling bees has also sparked debate about fairness and accessibility. Some parents and former competitors argue that expensive coaching creates advantages for wealthy families who can afford private tuition and intensive preparation. Alternative coaches often charge much lower rates, with some former competitors teaching students for around $50 to $75 per hour.Others argue that coaching itself is not the deciding factor and that the real work still comes from the students.The Scripps National Spelling Bee does not officially endorse private coaching, but organizers acknowledge that coaching has become a common part of the modern competition landscape.Executive Director Corey Loeffler said achievements are ultimately up to the children and still depend heavily on discipline, study habits and long-term dedication.In many ways, Scott Raymer represents the new era of American competitive spelling, where vocabulary, language patterns, and childhood competitions have become part of a much larger high-performance ecosystem.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Now, it has taken suo motu cognizance of the death of Noida-based model-turned-actor Tvisha Sharma, a development that has elevated the case from a local criminal investigation to a national judicial inquiry. The case, which began with the 26-year-old’s death under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws’ house in Bhopal on May 12, has since snowballed into allegations of dowry harassment, competing claims of suicide and murder, forensic controversies, protests, arrests, court battles and demands for a CBI probe.The CJI-led bench is expected to hear the case on Monday as investigators are probing whether Tvisha died by suicide or whether her death was linked to dowry-related abuse and dishonesty.

How did the matter begin?

Tvisha Sharma married a lawyer Samarth Singh in December 2025 after an engagement ceremony held at a flat in Noida in May that year. After marriage, she moved to Katara Hills, Bhopal, where Samarth lived with his family. Samarth is the son of retired district judge Giribala Singh.The matter came to light on May 12, when Tvisha was found dead in her in-laws’ house. Almost immediately, conflicting versions emerged about what happened in the final hours before his death.CCTV footage of the house became one of the earliest and most closely examined pieces of evidence. The footage reportedly shows Twisha walking up towards the terrace. About an hour later, three people were seen attempting CPR before he was taken down. However, the footage did not capture what happened on the rooftop, leaving a significant gap in the timeline.That missing period became the focus of the investigation.

Suicide claim vs dowry death allegation

While the accused family’s side maintained that Twisha died by suicide, her family alleged that she was made a victim of dowry harassment and that her death was not natural or voluntary.Tvisha’s relatives said that they saw injury marks on her body and believed that she was mentally and physically abused after the marriage. He rejected the suicide story and demanded that the police investigate the case as a dowry death.“We have filed an application for a second postmortem of Tvisha before the concerned magistrate in Bhopal,” her lawyer said.The family also alleged that Twisha was under constant pressure since her marriage and claimed that dowry-related demands were made.As public attention to the case increased, the investigation increasingly revolved around three questions: whether Twisha died by hanging, what caused the injuries found on her body, and whether the sequence of events described by the accused family matched the forensic evidence.

Those messages which deepened the suspicion

The case drew widespread attention over Twisha’s alleged final messages, which her family and supporters described as evidence that she was in distress before her death.One message repeatedly highlighted in reports reads: “I’m trapped brother. Just don’t get trapped.”This message became one of the defining lines of the case and was widely quoted by those who alleged that Twisha was facing emotional pressure inside her marital home.Her family argued that the message reflected her fear and desperation in the days before her death.

Medical findings and first postmortem

The initial postmortem was conducted at AIIMS Bhopal. Doctors said that the cause of death appeared to be hanging. However, reports also mention injuries on Twisha’s body, complicating the picture.Later reports stated that the autopsy observed multiple antemortem injuries and that samples were preserved for toxicology and forensic examination. Investigators were also looking into blunt-force injuries.The existence of injuries became the main basis for the family’s demand for a second autopsy. Questions were raised about whether the injuries were consistent with suicide or whether they pointed to an attack before death.

FIR, CBI investigation and police investigation

On May 15, the police registered an FIR against Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh under provisions related to dowry death and harassment.A day later, a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate the case. The investigators began analyzing CCTV footage, digital evidence, mobile phone records and communication exchanges.Police also investigated the final hours before Twisha’s death and attempted to reconstruct the activities inside the house.Samarth Singh remained missing for several days during the investigation. Police later announced a reward for information leading to his arrest, which increased public attention to the case.On Friday, the Madhya Pradesh government recommended the case to the CBI. Investigators are expected to independently examine both versions through hospital records, consultation documents, WhatsApp conversations and witness statements to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the alleged MTP (medical termination of pregnancy) and whether it coincides with any change in Twisha’s emotional state.

what did the in-laws say

Tvisha’s mother-in-law Giribala Singh, a retired district judge, strongly denied all allegations of dowry harassment.Responding to the allegations, he had said, “Her allegations are completely baseless. Why would we ask for a dowry of Rs 2 lakh when we ourselves had given her Rs 7.5 lakh? It makes no sense.”He also questioned the speed and direction of the police investigation.“I think the police acted hastily under pressure from these people and because of all these WhatsApp messages and allegations, which have no real basis,” he said.In another statement he said, “Our lawyers will explain everything. Where have the charges been framed? The case is still at the discharge stage.”The accused family said the case was motivated by public pressure and emotional reactions rather than verified evidence.

Court proceedings and demand for second autopsy

As the investigation progressed, the case rapidly reached the court.Giribala Singh got anticipatory bail, but Bhopal sessions court rejected the bail plea of ​​Samarth Singh. Around the same period, Twisha’s family intensified their campaign for a second autopsy, arguing that the first postmortem had left important questions unanswered.Later the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed that a second postmortem be conducted as soon as possible.AIIMS Delhi constituted a four-member medical board to conduct the second autopsy in Bhopal. The move was considered significant because it brought an outside medical panel into the highly contested forensic controversy.

Demonstration outside CM residence and demand for CBI investigation

Tvisha’s family also protested outside the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister’s residence after they were reportedly unable to meet him.The protests focused on two demands: a second postmortem and an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).Family members argued that the investigation required external monitoring due to the stature and legal background of the accused family.As the case gained popularity, it also sparked widespread public debate about dowry laws, protection of women within marriage, and the treatment of alleged victims in public discussion after death.

Samarth Singh’s surrender and police remand

Another major twist in the investigation came when Samarth Singh was taken into custody after reaching the court premises in Jabalpur.Later he was sent on seven-day police remand for questioning.His detention marked a significant development as investigators were now able to directly interrogate the main accused, while awaiting further forensic findings from second postmortem and laboratory examinations.

Second postmortem and cremation

Following directions from the High Court and the involvement of the AIIMS Delhi Medical Board, the second autopsy was conducted in Bhopal.Twisha’s father expressed hope that a second investigation would help uncover the truth behind his daughter’s death.After the second postmortem was completed, Tvisha’s body was cremated in Bhopal.The findings of the second autopsy are expected to play a key role in determining whether the prosecution moves forward primarily on the dowry death theory, allegations of abetment of suicide or claims related to possible murder.

Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance

The latest and most significant development came when the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the case.The move elevated the case from a state-level criminal investigation into a nationally watched judicial proceeding. The Supreme Court’s intervention comes amid persistent questions over forensic evidence, allegations of dowry harassment, police management of the case and demands for an independent investigation.

where does the matter stand now

Tvisha Sharma’s case currently rests on three competing pillars.The first family alleges that Tvisha was tortured for dowry and died under suspicious circumstances after being pressurized by her in-laws.Second, the accused family’s categorical denial that any dowry demands or abuses have occurred, as well as their claim that the allegations are baseless and motivated by external pressure.Third, there is the ongoing forensic and judicial process, which has already resulted in an FIR, formation of an SIT, bail proceedings, a second autopsy ordered by the court, police custody of the husband and now the intervention of the Supreme Court.The central unanswered questions remain the same: what exactly happened in the final hours before Tvisha Sharma’s death, how the injuries to her body came to be, and whether the evidence ultimately supports the theory of suicide, dowry death, or something more serious.