Rishabh Pant (Image Credit: BCCI/IPL)

New Delhi: At a time when Rishabh Pant The former Indian wicketkeeper and chief selector is going through the toughest phase of his career. Kiran More Has thrown his weight firmly behind the struggling star, insisting that Pant has the courage, character and resilience to script another comeback.Pant’s difficult IPL 2026 campaign has further increased the scrutiny around him. The wicketkeeper-batsman has struggled for runs while his team, Lucknow Super Giants, has endured a forgettable season. The conflict has also spilled over to the international level, with Pant being replaced by KL Rahul as India’s Test vice-captain and losing his place as second-choice ODI wicketkeeper to Ishan Kishan for the upcoming series against Afghanistan.Pant has been able to score only 286 runs in 13 matches in IPL 2026, while under his captaincy, Lucknow Super Giants are at the bottom of the points table. He also faced criticism for using the F-word live on television after LSG’s defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.“No, nothing like that, I am not disappointed at all. Pant is in the team, and I am very happy. He is a fighter, a player with great courage, he has a big heart and has done exceptionally well by single-handedly winning (Test) matches. I have worked with him very closely and I know him very well.”“Every cricketer goes through such a phase; you go through such a time. So I think there will definitely be a great comeback, and a strong comeback. When his life was saved and he returned to the team, he did very well, so this (current phase) is nothing compared to that,” More told IANS on Thursday.More also praised Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has scored 579 runs in 13 matches for Rajasthan Royals and currently tops the run-scoring charts with an astonishing strike rate of 236.32.“No, look, he is a special player, and God has created and sent him, so I think it is a great thing that he sent him to India. You will keep seeing him, because he will score a lot of runs in the future.“Even if he doesn’t, he is still a special player for me. But, just let him play cricket freely and don’t put too much pressure on him because he is performing so well at such a young age, I think it’s all part of the ‘wow factor’, and I want him to play Test matches, ODIs and T20s whenever he makes his debut for India.”More also talked about the launch of the Beyond Reach Premier League, a tournament for tennis-ball cricketers. Recently, trials for the league were held in Ghaziabad under his supervision.“It’s a special league, and we wanted to do something different. It was our first tryout, and a lot of guys came out for it, and we got to see some very interesting talent.”

Polish author Olga Tokarczuk, who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature, has found herself at the center of a debate on artificial intelligence after comments she made at Impact’26 in Poznań were widely interpreted as an admission that she uses AI in her writing process. During the conversation, he described AI as a tool that can broaden creative thinking and help develop ideas. He also warned that the technology could produce factual errors. What started as a discussion about creativity and technology soon turned into a heated debate about the future of literature and the role of AI in artistic works. Tokarczuk later issued a clarification, saying that her upcoming novel was not written with AI and that she primarily uses the technology for brainstorming, developing ideas, preliminary research, and fact-checking.

What did Tokarczuk say about the use of AI?

According to Notes from Poland, Tokarczuk said he had purchased “the highest, most advanced version” of a language model and was often “deeply shocked” to see how much it expanded his thinking. She joked that she would sometimes throw ideas at the machine and ask, “Darling, how can we make this grow beautifully?”At the same event, he said that AI could help create a “symbiotic future” for writers and become an “asset of incredible proportions” in literary fiction.He also said that while writing his latest novel in Polish this autumn, he asked models what songs his characters might have danced to decades ago. Tokarczuk said that one suggestion included a wrong name, causing him to warn that users “need to be careful of hallucinations”.

Why did the reaction to the comments start?

The reaction was intensified by Tokarczuk’s status as one of Poland’s most acclaimed literary figures. As a Nobel laureate, his comments were far more significant than a casual interview. Notes from Poland reported that the comments were criticized by online commentators and some Polish writers.One of the strongest reactions came from another speaker at IMPACT’26, novelist Szczepan Twardok. In a Facebook post, he said he would have to “lose his mind” to use language models for literature. He compared entering into a relationship with a language model to “being married to a vibrator”.

Tokarczuk’s explanation

Following the backlash, Tokarczuk released a statement through his publisher and Lit Hub, saying that his comments were “misinterpreted”. She clearly said that she has not written her upcoming book using AI or with anyone else and that she has been writing alone for decades.She said she uses AI “as a tool that allows for faster documentation and fact-checking” and said she verifies information every time she uses it. Tokarczuk also stressed that none of his texts, including the novel coming out later this year, were written with AI other than “rapid preliminary research.”That clarification shifted the debate away from claims of AI-written fiction toward a broader question: How much help should writers seek from generative AI tools?

a broader literary debate

This controversy reflects a larger debate in the publishing world. Some authors see AI as a research aid and brainstorming tool. Others also see limited use as a threat to authorship and artistic integrity.Tokarczuk’s comments touched a nerve as he presented AI as useful for creativity, while preserving traditional literature as a deeply human craft. During the same remarks, she said that she felt sadness for the fading era of solitary writing and believed that chatbots could not match a true literary voice.At the same time, writer Zymovit Szerek defended Tokarczuk and criticized the “moral outrage” surrounding his comments. He argued that people should be free to experiment with AI if they want.The Tokarczuk episode shows how quickly nuance can disappear once AI enters a conversation.

Trump was also accompanied by US VP Vance and Marco Rubio.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will arrive in India on Saturday for his first official visit to the country, bringing with him a packed agenda focusing on energy cooperation, trade, strategic security. The four-day visit, scheduled from May 23 to May 26, comes at a delicate moment in India-US relations, marked by growing economic engagement as well as friction over tariffs and Washington’s increasingly transactional foreign policy under US President Donald Trump.Also read: In an unusual move, Rubio asks Venezuelan leader to visit IndiaRubio’s trip will take him to Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, where he is expected to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting with representatives of Japan and Australia. The visit is being seen as a major effort by Washington to strengthen its partnership with New Delhi at a time when India has expanded ties with several global powers, including the European Union and Gulf countries.Ahead of the visit, Rubio repeatedly described India as a “great ally” and “great partner”, while making it clear that energy and trade would dominate the discussion. “We want to sell them as much energy as they will buy,” Rubio said, speaking to reporters in Miami before departing for Sweden and India. “We want to be a bigger part of their portfolio.”

Energy and trade are expected to dominate the talks

Washington has pushed to deepen energy ties with India amid instability in West Asia and global concerns over supply disruptions and rising prices following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio suggested that the US views India not only as a strategic partner but also as one of the world’s most important energy markets.“We were already in talks with them to do more,” Rubio said. He said Washington also sees “opportunities with Venezuelan oil.” He said Venezuela’s interim leadership is also expected to visit India next week, which will prompt broader talks around alternative energy routes and supply chains.Also read: Rubio calls India ‘great partner’ ahead of important visit, stresses strong energy tiesThe emphasis on energy reflects larger economic ties that both sides are now attempting to expand. At the American Chamber of Commerce’s annual leadership summit, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore described bilateral relations as standing at a “remarkable moment”.Gore pointed to the dramatic increase in trade in goods and services between the two countries from about $20 billion to more than $220 billion over the past two decades. He said both the countries are now working towards the ambitious target of $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.“Indian companies are expanding in the United States, especially in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and technology, while American companies are increasing their presence in India,” Gore said.He also highlighted the growing presence of US corporate giants in India and said top executives from companies including Uber, Walmart, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and GE Aerospace are regularly visiting India due to increased investment interest.

Quad, Indo-Pacific and strategic balance

Rubio’s visit will also include a major diplomatic component through the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting on May 26. The grouping, comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia, has increasingly become the centerpiece of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to counter China’s growing influence in the region and comes on the backdrop of Trump’s visit to Beijing.Rubio underlined the importance Washington attaches to the Quad and said his first meeting as Secretary of State was with Quad ministers. “I am happy that we are now able to do it in India and we are going to do it at the end of the year as well,” he said.However, for New Delhi, strategic cooperation with Washington now exists with growing caution about the US’s credibility as a partner. Relations between the two countries have become quite complicated during Trump’s second term. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for ending tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent military response.India has strongly rejected any suggestion of US mediation.

Symbolism and messages around the journey

Rubio’s arrival also comes amid US public diplomacy efforts in India. In New Delhi, dozens of auto-rickshaws have been fitted with Trump-themed covers bearing images of the US president, the American flag and the Statue of Liberty to mark America’s upcoming 250th independence celebration and Rubio’s visit.

The US Embassy said thousands of such covers were being distributed across the capital, although the campaign was drawing mixed reactions online.Rubio’s stay in Kolkata is also historically important. This will be the first visit by a US Secretary of State to the city in nearly fourteen years, following Hillary Clinton’s visit in 2012. The city houses the second oldest US Consulate in the world, which was established in the late eighteenth century.

A cool home video is constantly gaining attention online, not because it tries to go viral, but because it doesn’t. It’s a simple family moment that many say feels close to their own lives. A son sits down with his parents and shares a major update, and what happens next is a natural wave of emotions that needs no explanation.The Instagram clip shared by product manager Harnav Singh shows the moment he tells his parents about getting a job offer from Google. The reactions are quick, honest and extremely personal, which is why the video continues to be widely circulated.

A simple conversation that became memorable

The conversation begins in a completely everyday setting. Harnav tells his parents that he has received a new job offer. His father responds by saying “Mubarakan” warmly, while his mother, already reacting happily, embraces him. The mood changes a bit when Harnav asks them to guess the company behind the proposal.

Her mother immediately replies, “Google?”

When he confirms this, she is surprised and asks, “Really?” Before pulling her into another hug.His father reacts in a way that many viewers said sounded familiar. Smiling with pride, he lightly slaps his son and calls him “c*tta”, a gesture that shows affection in a very unfiltered way.

“This is what my gut feels like.”

As the moment calms down, Harnav’s mother becomes emotional talking about her son.“I always said that wherever Shere gets a job, it will be good and of her choice. That’s my gut feeling.”This statement resonated with many viewers, especially those who associated it with the quiet confidence that parents often show about their children’s future, even when the path is uncertain.Harnav shared the video online with a brief caption, “His reaction > My achievement. “My parents’ smiles got a little bigger.”

There has been a flood of reactions on social media

After the clip aired, users on social media responded with messages reflecting their own experiences and feelings.One user wrote, “The perfect example of a father being a father, he’s so happy, he’s so proud, but he doesn’t know how to express it. He doesn’t even know if he should cry.”Another comment read, “Loved the way she hugged and said, ‘Hi my baby’ and her dad said. In this way father and mother are different; Everyone has their own way of expressing love.”A third user shared, “My mom had a similar reaction when I came to Amazon, and it’s seriously the best feeling.”Another viewer wrote, “The cutest thing I saw today. Congratulations, Harnav.”Another comment said, “Every student who prepares day and night for placements dreams of giving this moment to their parents.”Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and social media content. The views and reactions mentioned are those of individual users and do not reflect the opinion of The Times of India. Thumb Image: Instagram

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary supported the idea on Friday Indian Premier League The (IPL) team said the state government is working in “mission mode” to improve cricket infrastructure and create opportunities for young players.The statement came after businessman Anil Agarwal questioned why Bihar still does not have an IPL franchise despite producing several cricketers who have played at the top level.In a post on X, Agarwal mentioned players like Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Saqib Hussain, who were all born in Bihar.The businessman pointed out that Bihar is one of the most populous states in India and said it deserves representation in the IPL at par with franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.Only four years ago, two new teams – Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants – were added to the league.Agarwal wrote in Hindi on X: “Don’t you think Bihar deserves a team of its own like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders?”“Patna-born Ishan Kishan scored the fastest ODI double century in terms of balls faced. Samastipur’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player to make his IPL debut. And today the eyes of the whole world are on the brilliant bowling of Saqib Hussain, born in an ordinary family of Gopalganj.

“But one thing always bothers me: Why has our Bihar not yet earned the recognition and recognition in cricket that we truly deserve?” He has written.Responding to the post, Chaudhary said that the Bihar government shares the same vision regarding cricket development in the state.“The government is working in ‘mission’ mode with a clear ‘vision’ for the cricket ‘spirit’ of Bihar. With your cooperation, a positive decision regarding Bihar’s cricket team will definitely be taken,” Chaudhary said in his post.Bihar government is also working on sports infrastructure projects. An international level cricket stadium with a seating capacity of about 40,000 is being developed in Rajgir. Renovation work is also being planned at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium to improve cricket facilities in the state.

The World Health Organization’s Africa director on Friday warned against underestimating the risk posed by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda, saying a single case could trigger widespread transmission outside the affected countries, Reuters reports.Speaking to Reuters in Geneva, Mohammed Yacoub Janabi said, “It would be a big mistake to underestimate this, especially for this strain, the Bundibugyo virus, (for which) we do not have a vaccine.”“So I would really encourage everyone, let’s help each other, we can get this thing under control,” he said.Janabi said the Ebola outbreak in Congo has received relatively limited international attention compared to this month’s hantavirus outbreak involving cruise ship passengers from 23 countries.“You just need one contact case to put us all at risk, so my wish and prayer is that we give (Ebola) as much attention as it deserves,” he said.Ebola is a serious and often fatal disease that is spread by direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated materials, or the bodies of people who have died from the infection. Symptoms include fever, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea. The outbreak has caused 160 suspected deaths out of 670 confirmed cases so far, according to data published by the DRC health ministry on Thursday. Two confirmed cases have also been reported in Uganda.Janabi declined to estimate how long the current outbreak might last, saying experts were still assessing the scale of the situation. He said the “hyperdynamic movement of people” made it difficult to fully predict the outbreak.He said efforts are underway to increase testing, strengthen infection prevention measures and improve community engagement.Referring to an incident in which Ebola treatment tents were burned following a dispute over a victim’s body, Janabi said authorities were “trying to fight both borders” – the virus and the spread of misinformation among local communities.He also said epidemiologists have not yet identified the first infected person linked to this outbreak.

William Carrier #28 of the Carolina Hurricanes practices before game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 09, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Josh Lovely/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes are getting ready for another big NHL playoff battle, but forward William Carrier already has some competition at home. The veteran winger recently said that despite Carolina’s post-season success this year, his wife and some family members are still rooting for the Montreal Canadiens.Carrier’s comments quickly made their way into the latest NHL news roundups due to the unusual family rivalry surrounding the Eastern Conference Finals. But the playoff matchup has created a light-hearted but awkward situation for the Quebec-born forward at home while the Carolina Hurricanes continue to focus on chasing the Stanley Cup.

William Carrier discusses supporting the Montreal Canadiens inside the Carolina Hurricanes family

William Carrier admitted that there are a lot of people around me who are loyal to the Montreal Canadiens because of their Quebec roots. The Carolina Hurricanes winger joked that his wife is still rooting for Montreal during the NHL playoff season.It provides an interesting storyline for one of the biggest NHL matchups of the day. However, Carrier said he understands his family’s loyalty to the Canadiens, but his only concern is helping the Carolina Hurricanes advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs.The veteran winger has been a good depth player for Carolina with his physical style, good anticipation ability, and playoff experience. His energy has led the Hurricanes to keep their momentum going into the playoffs.The Hurricanes entered the Eastern Conference Finals as one of the strongest teams remaining after dominant playoff performances early in the postseason. They have a good mix of players and defense that still makes them a strong Stanley Cup contender.Career focus seems to be fine, although family rivalry has become a popular NHL Update storyline. The forward laughed off the situation but made it clear that playoff success was more important than domestic bragging rights.The story also reflects the passion for the Montreal Canadiens throughout Quebec, where support for the franchise is often passed down from one generation of families to the next. Even with a career skating for Carolina now, it’s hard to replace those hometown loyalties during the NHL playoffs.

What started as a question about polluted drinking water has now transformed three Indian teenagers into internationally recognized young innovators. Sixteen-year-old Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Aggarwal and Avyana Mehta have been named Asia winners of The Earth Prize 2026 for creating ‘Plas-Stick’, a biodegradable solution that removes microplastics from water using powdered tamarind seeds. Inspired by visits to rural communities where families stored drinking water in shared containers without advanced filtration systems, the trio developed a low-cost method aimed at addressing growing concerns about invisible plastic pollution in drinking water.

Indian teen creates ‘Plas-Stick’ to fight microplastics

Plas-Stick is a biodegradable powder made primarily from tamarind seed waste and the team says it can help collect microplastics in water. According to the students, when mixed with contaminated water, the powder attracts microplastic particles and turns them into large clumps, which can then be removed using a handheld magnet.The idea emerged when students visited rural communities and observed how people stored and shared drinking water in large containers. During one such trip, seeing a child drinking from containers reportedly highlighted the issue of daily exposure to microplastics in areas where advanced filtration systems are unavailable.The team designed this invention as a low-cost and accessible alternative to complex purification systems. Because it uses biodegradable and locally available materials and does not require electricity or advanced infrastructure, the solution could potentially work in rural and low-resource communities.The students have also collaborated with professionals from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and say the project has already reached more than 8,000 students and teachers through awareness and exposure programs.

Why are microplastics causing global concern?

Microplastics are extremely small plastic fragments, typically less than five millimeters in size, that form from the breakdown of larger plastics, synthetic fabrics, industrial waste, and packaging materials.Recent scientific studies have identified microplastics in drinking water, seafood, human blood, lungs, placenta, and even brain tissue. Researchers are still studying long-term health effects, but many scientists view microplastic contamination as a major emerging pollution challenge.Globally, more than 2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water infrastructure, increasing reliance on stored water that may contain microplastic contamination.

winning the prithvi award

The Earth Prize is described by organizers as the world’s largest environmental competition and ‘ideas incubator’ for teenagers aged 13 to 19. Founded by The Earth Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland during the 2019 School Strike for Climate movement, the program supports youth-led sustainability projects through mentorship, educational resources, and funding opportunities.Now in its fifth year, The Earth Prize says it has reached more than 21,000 students in 169 countries and territories. Previous winners have reportedly acquired patents, corporate partnerships, and international media coverage.As Asia winners, three Indian students received $12,500 in funding to develop their project along with mentorship opportunities and international exposure. Seven regional winners are being announced globally across different regions including Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.Some viral social media posts falsely claimed that each student individually received $125,000. Official announcements from The Earth Prize confirm that the team collectively received a regional prize grant of $12,500.Public voting for the global winner is expected to begin via The Earth Prize website, with the final global winner to be announced on May 29.One of the most innovative aspects of the project is the use of tamarind seed waste. Tamarind seeds contain naturally sticky polysaccharides and binding compounds that can help attract and aggregate particles in water.By using agricultural waste instead of synthetic chemicals, students created a biodegradable and low-cost solution, while also demonstrating how locally available materials can contribute to environmental innovation.The team says it now plans to scale the project through decentralized production centers and expand access to rural communities across India.

Can the invention be used commercially?

Plas-Stick is still in the development phase and has not yet undergone large-scale independent scientific validation. The invention will require further testing before large-scale deployment.Experts will need to evaluate filtration effectiveness, long-term safety, scalability, water quality standards, and regulatory approval before it becomes commercially available.Nevertheless, the project has already attracted attention as an example of how young innovators are contributing practical ideas to major environmental challenges.