TOI correspondent from Washington: The prospects of a second round of talks between the United States and Iran hang in suspense amid mistrust and misinformation, as Tehran has told Washington that it is not ready to come to Islamabad due to US provocations in the Persian Gulf. The message relayed through Pakistan and Iranian official media has stalled US Vice President JD Vance’s second visit to Islamabad in a week, even though President Trump portrayed the visit and even the outcome as an agreement in an apparent attempt to pressure Iran with a mix of coercion and inducement. At the time of writing this report, Vance was yet to fly to Pakistan. Repeatedly suggesting that there is a division in the Iranian leadership between hard-line clerics and moderates, Trump said in a social media post, “If Iran’s new leaders (regime change!) are smart, Iran can have a great and prosperous future!” When he attempted to persuade the Iranian team to come to Islamabad after issuing his customary threats of destroying the country. But there was no sign of Iran backing down as it insisted the US lift its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and refrain from other aggressive action if it wanted talks. Trump, for his part, said the US would not lift the naval blockade until the deal is signed and would resume bombing Iran on Wednesday evening at the end of the two-week ceasefire. All this led to US Vice President J.D. Vance being treated as a victim of the President’s whims, waiting to board Air Force Two for the 15-hour flight to Islamabad for talks, with no guarantee of an outcome. Bizarrely, Trump first told US news outlets that Vance would not be going due to security concerns and then reversed course by saying he was going, but then appeared to derail the trip by announcing the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship that he said was trying to evade the US blockade. This announcement effectively broke down the negotiations. “While claiming readiness for diplomacy and dialogue, the US is behaving in a way that in no way indicates seriousness in pursuing the diplomatic process,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said in Tehran. He described the US blockade and seizure of the cargo ship as a “clear violation of the ceasefire”. “We have no plans for the next round of talks and no decision has been taken in this regard,” Bakayei said, adding that Pakistan has blocked Islamabad from hosting the second round of talks. In Washington, Trump also emphasized the growing perception in the US that he was led into the war by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Israel never talked to me about a war with Iran, the October 7 results have further reinforced my lifelong opinion that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” he said in a social media post, as Americans expressed their disapproval of another US war in surveys that now put the US president’s approval rating in the 30s. The administration is facing increasing pressure from voters and lawmakers to limit how much it is spending on the war amid rising prices, especially on gas, which have risen from about $2.50-$3.00 per gallon before the war to more than $4.00 in much of the country. Trump fumed, “I watch and read the fake news pundits and pollsters with complete disbelief. 90% of what they say is lies and fabricated stories, and the election is rigged, just like the 2020 presidential election was rigged.”

Haldwani: : The protest by industrial workers spread to Haldwani in Uttarakhand on Monday, when over 500 workers at the Motherson factory in Motahaldu on Bareilly Road protested over alleged exploitation, long and tiring work shifts and substandard food in the company canteen.Tension prevailed as heavy police force was deployed to maintain law and order at the multinational company that specializes in manufacturing wiring harnesses for the automobile industry.Employees alleged that they were forced to work 12-hour shifts instead of the standard eight hours without adequate compensation. Women workers said they often faced verbal abuse from management and were restricted from taking basic water breaks or using the toilet.Alleging that substandard food is provided in the company canteen, employees said “undercooked rice and insect-infested food” is common.There were allegations that the workers were transported in poorly maintained company buses.The protesters submitted a 14-point demand letter to the administration, including a minimum monthly wage of ₹20,000, immediate reinstatement of recently fired colleagues and full payment for overtime at double the standard rate.“Our basic salary is ₹12,500, but after deductions, we take home ₹10,000 to ₹11,000,” said an employee. He further said, “The management cuts our salaries if we arrive a little late for work, and stops tea and lunch breaks if targets are not met.”Deputy Labor Commissioner provided assistance after negotiations Kamal JoshiThe company accepted 12 out of 14 demands. Motahaldu Plant HR Subhash Tiwari said that the salary increase will be done after the official government order (GO) comes.Meanwhile, social activist Piyush Joshi, who participated in the peaceful protest, alleged that Inspector Harpal Singh held his neck, assaulted him and threatened him with physical harm.Nainital SSP Manjunath TC has taken cognizance of the matter and has directed SP (crime and traffic) Jagdish Chandra to conduct a thorough investigation, SP (city) Manoj Kumar Katyal told TOI.

Taking strict action against Dasun Shanaka, Pakistan Cricket Board has banned the Sri Lankan captain for one year. pakistan super league After withdrawing from the tournament to join an IPL franchise. Shanaka was initially signed to PSL but later joined Rajasthan Royals As a replacement for the current Indian Premier League season Sam Curran. Following a review, the PCB ruled that their decision to withdraw on 21 March was a breach of contractual obligations. “The findings indicate that the withdrawal was made on grounds not recognized within the existing contractual framework,” the PCB said on Monday, referring to its investigation into the situation involving Shanaka and Lahore Qalandars. The board has also imposed a ban of two years blessings to muzarabani For similar issue. However, his agent Rob Humphries backtracked, arguing that the fast bowler never formally signed a PSL contract and the punishment should be reconsidered. Shanaka, who captained Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, is one of a growing list of players choosing IPL opportunities over PSL commitments. The schedule overlap between the two leagues has accelerated this trend, with players increasingly turning to the more lucrative Indian competition whenever the opportunity arises. A similar situation played out last season when Corbin Bosch opted to leave his stint with Peshawar Zalmi and join Mumbai Indians. This year, both Muzarabani and Spencer Johnson made the same move, converting their PSL deals to the IPL. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have made a strong start to IPL 2026 and are third in the table with four wins from six matches, eight points and a net run rate of +0.599.

America is not ready to help France in its investigation Elon Muskof X (formerly Twitter). The investigation follows a raid by French authorities on the social media company’s Paris office earlier this year. In a recent two-page letter (seen by The Wall Street Journal), the US Justice Department said it would not facilitate requests from French law enforcement, accusing officials of using the country’s legal system to interfere in US business.read the letter, “This investigation seeks to use the criminal legal system in France to regulate the public square for the free expression of ideas and opinions contrary to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.”The department said France has requested US assistance “Attempt to embroil the United States in politically charged criminal proceedings aimed at unfairly regulating the business activities of social media platforms through prosecution.”Earlier, Ax had described the raid on his Paris office as “A disgraceful act of law enforcement theater.” The platform, part of XAI, was recently acquired by SpaceX, which is reportedly planning an initial public offering this year.

Elon Musk’s ex calls French investigation ‘disgraceful’ and thanks US for support

In a statement to the WSJ, an XAI official said, “We are grateful to the Department of Justice for rejecting this attempt by a prosecutor in Paris to force our CEO and several employees to sit down for interviews. “We hope that the Paris authorities will now come to their senses, recognize that no wrongdoing took place here, and end their baseless investigation.”French investigators raided X’s Paris office in February, leading to an increase in regulatory action in Europe involving the platform. The US Justice Department said French authorities had asked for US assistance three times this year, including a request to subpoena X officials.French authorities have called on Musk, former Musk’s summons was scheduled for this week. Prosecutors in France can also issue arrest warrants for individuals who fail to appear at such interviews.Prosecutors said French authorities are also investigating other possible charges against Ax, including dissemination of child pornography and Holocaust denial, which is illegal under French law.The case is part of a broader trans-Atlantic disagreement over how big technology platforms like TikTok, Instagram and X should manage online speech. European regulators are stepping up enforcement of content-moderation rules, while U.S. officials, including those associated with the Trump administration, have argued that such measures could restrict dissent beyond Europe.The investigation into French prosecutors demanded access to X’s algorithms in July 2025 as part of an investigation into possible bias. The case was expanded in November 2025 after reports of anti-Semitic material, including Holocaust denial. Earlier this year, French authorities added charges related to the creation and distribution of child pornography and non-consensual deepfakes to the list of charges under review.

A doctor has spoken out after a shocking incident involving Misfits boxing champion Deen The Great went viral online. The doctor reportedly suffered serious facial injuries in the fight. Images and videos shared on social media showed swelling and damage.The injured man later posted a video. He explained about his condition and the pain he is going through. He claimed that the punch came unexpectedly and he did not get a chance to defend himself. The incident has raised concerns about security and accountability, especially when trained fighters are involved in public disputes. Many users are now debating whether legal action Should be taken.

Doctor describes injuries and claims surprise attack

The therapist detailed his injuries in a video shared online. He said the damage to his face was real and serious. He said he is currently suffering from a broken nose, facial fractures and a broken tooth. He also revealed that he needed stitches and was still in pain while speaking. According to him, one of his eyes is almost completely closed and he is having difficulty seeing clearly. Even basic activities like trying to open the eyes are difficult and painful, he said.He further said that he was not behaving aggressively during the encounter. He said he was sober and even told the boxer that he worked as a therapist. He claimed that the punch came suddenly, without warning, and startled him. Because of this, he did not react or counter-attack. He emphasized that it would have been dangerous to face a trained boxer in such a situation, and believed that the outcome could have been much worse.The doctor also addressed online criticism. Some people raised questions as to why he did not defend himself. In response, he told that he was not ready. He said he did not expect violence. He stressed that the boxer’s professional training has made the punch extremely powerful. He also hinted at the possibility of taking legal action but acknowledged that financial limitations might make it difficult.Meanwhile, Crip Mac also talked about his experience with Deen in a separate interview. He acknowledged that he had been ostracized during their exchange. He praised Deen’s punching ability and said that once he landed a hit, he immediately felt the impact and knew he was going down. He acknowledged that trained boxers are highly skilled and dangerous in close combat situations.

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has expressed serious concern over the condition of a British-era building in Mission Road, Cuttack, which currently houses St. Xavier’s School since January this year.A division bench of Justices KR Mohapatra and V. Narasimha took up the issue after examining a report submitted by the Cuttack district administration on April 16 following earlier directions to inspect the safety conditions of all schools in the city.“The report reveals a shocking situation,” the bench said. Considering that till now 48 schools have been inspected. This especially marked the position of St. Xavier School at Mission Road, Buxi Bazaar said the institution was functioning in an “almost dilapidated building” without a structural stability report.The court recorded the assurance of Additional District Magistrate Kamaljeet Dash that necessary steps would be taken to ensure the safety of students, teaching and non-teaching staff. “If necessary, alternative arrangements will be made in consultation with the school management,” the ADM assured. Taking note of this, the bench directed the authorities to submit the action taken report by May 4. The next hearing of the case will be on May 7.The building, a 143-year-old structure and an example of Indo-European architecture, has been a subject of concern for a long time. Built as a residence by Civil Surgeon Dr. WD Stewart in 1883, the building was later donated to the Baptist Mission in 1887 for educational purposes and became Christ Collegiate School in 1950.Official records show that as early as 20 February 2016, the Public Works Department warned that the structure was in a dangerously dilapidated condition and could collapse at any time. The school was later shifted to a nearby facility in 2019.Despite this, the building was reopened after reported repairs and St. Xavier’s School started functioning there from January 23, 2026.The issue of conservation versus security has also been in focus. In 2019, a PIL filed by lawyer Shivshankar Mohanty sought to declare the structure a heritage building under the Orissa Municipal Corporation Act, citing its architectural and historical importance. The High Court had then directed the civic body to take action on the petition.

actor-filmmaker tribal balance The co-star is enjoying the success of his latest release ‘Dacait’ Mrinal Thakur. To celebrate this, the team organized a successful meeting on Saturday. During the event, the actor shared a touching moment from his visit to Bengaluru.

Tribal Shesh tells emotional story of fans

During the program, Adivasi Shesh talked about meeting a lawyer. Tamil NaduAccording to a report in Cinema Express, who told him a very personal story during his ‘Dacait’ promotions in Bengaluru. Shesh said, “He said he was attacked by a group of people and was hospitalized for a long time. After that, he was afraid to step out. He told me that watching ‘Major’ gave him the courage to face life again.” He also said, “The first thing he did after coming out was watch this film (Dacait). He said that he liked it very much and that he has come especially to meet me.“

Adivasi remains on the meaning of cinema

This moment forced the tribal Shesh to think deeply. He said, “At that moment, I realized that when we keep thinking about cinema and business, sometimes we forget humanity. He reminded me of that, and also why I make films.” He also talked about fans gifting him the Indian flag. He said that this love seems very true. He said, “Success comes only through hard work.” He told that he always wanted to make meaningful films and ‘Dacait’ gave him that happiness. Adivasi Shesh talked about the difficult conditions of the shooting. He said, “We shot in extremely harsh conditions, including the mountains, where the temperature reached 45 degrees. We faced risky situations, especially during the climax.” He said that the team has worked very hard to make the film look real. He also talked about music. He said, “Many people appreciated the climax background score. This is the first musical hit of my career and all four songs of the film are trending.”

About ‘Dacoit’

director Shanil Dev‘Dacait’ is co-written by him and Adivasi Shesh. The film stars Mrunal Thakur as Juliet, who betrays Adivasi Shesh’s character Hari, resulting in her being sent to jail. Later, Hari escapes from jail to confront him. These are also features in the film Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj and others in lead roles. After its release on April 10, the film crossed the Rs 50 crore mark.

Rishabh Shetty praised Ken Karunas starrer ‘Youth’ and called it a fresh and emotional film. The film, which released in theaters last March, received a warm response from audiences and critics. It performed well at the box office, collecting over Rs 80 crore worldwide. This film is creating waves in people’s minds even after its release on OTT channels.

Rishabh Shetty’s heartfelt praise for ‘Youth’ grabs attention

Sharing his thoughts after watching the film, ‘Kantara’ actor Rishabh Shetty wrote, “After a long time, I found myself smiling throughout the film. #Youth is full of love, friendship and deep emotions – a heartfelt tribute dedicated to all parents. To write, direct and act with such subtle depth alone is truly commendable. Every actor is brought to life naturally on screen. #Soorajvenjaramoodu Sir, #Devadarshini It’s a joy to watch ma’am, and the entire Friends gang. Special mention to music director @GVPrakash, DOP @DopViki and producer @The_KCR for believing in the vision that quickly went viral among fans.

— shetty_rishab (@shetty_rishab)

‘Youth’ connects with audiences through emotions and simplicity

‘Yuva’ is a simple but very relatable story about school, love and personal problems. Ken Karunas, who wrote, directed and starred in the film, is the main reason for its appeal. Suraj Venjaramoodu and Devadarshini received good praise for their commendable performances in the film. The film’s content and its portrayal were exceptional among recently released films.

Strong box office success and OTT response extended the reach of the film

With positive buzz, ‘Youth’ created a surprise in theaters and later on OTT. The film is now streaming on Netflix and is gaining popularity as the platform’s top film. The success of ‘Youth’ continued to grow, with stars like Rishabh Shetty appreciating the film. The star cast of Anishma, Meenakshi Dinesh and Priyanshi Yadav made the film very popular among the youth.