EXPLAINED: MI, DC and LSG in brutal race for IPL 2025 playoffs

Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings have secured their spots in the IPL 2025 playoffs. Gujarat Titans lead the table with 18 points, followed closely by RCB and PBKS with 17 each. The battle for the fourth playoff spot intensifies, with Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants vying for the final position.

Transit delays, higher costs: Bangladesh garment import curbs to hit buyers

India is restricting ready-made garment imports from Bangladesh via land. This action is expected to raise logistics costs. Transit times will also increase. Apparel Export Promotion Council notes potential negative impacts. A significant portion of apparel imports enters India through land ports. The change will affect shipments through Petrapole land port. Ships will now sail to Kolkata and Mumbai.

Shreyas Iyer creates IPL history – no captain has ever done this before

Punjab Kings secured a playoff berth by defeating Rajasthan Royals. Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh scored half-centuries. Harpreet Brar took three wickets. Shreyas Iyer became the first captain to lead three different teams into the IPL playoffs. Punjab posted 219 for 5. Rajasthan Royals managed 209 for 7 in reply.

Overstaying in US? You risk deportation, entry ban

The US embassy warns of strict action against visa overstays. Foreigners risk deportation and a permanent US entry ban. International visitors staying over 30 days must register. This advisory comes amid rising Indian travel to America. The US is intensifying efforts against visa fraud and illegal immigration. New visa curbs apply to those facilitating illegal immigration.

1st time in 8 yrs, Isro workhorse PSLV fails on 101st launch; sat lost

In a setback for the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the PSLV-C61 mission failed after liftoff from Sriharikota on Sunday. The rocket malfunctioned during its third stage, preventing the EOS-09 satellite from reaching its intended orbit. Isro Chairman V Narayanan cited a drop in chamber pressure within the solid motor as the cause.

Cattle smugglers run over UP cop; 1 killed in encounter

In Uttar Pradesh, a cattle smuggler was killed and two others injured in Jaunpur after a police constable was crushed to death during a vehicle chase. Simultaneously, in Varanasi, police arrested four cattle smugglers following another encounter, with two sustaining leg injuries from retaliatory gunfire after attempting to flee with 24 cattle in a truck.

Hyderabad fire: Miraculous escape for 50 in another fire some 8km away

Five more Bangladeshis rounded up in Uttarakhand

Dehradun police arrested five Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally residing in Clement Town without valid documents. They claimed to have fled Bangladesh due to persecution fears following political unrest. A local woman was also arrested for aiding their stay, while their children were placed in a shelter home.

70 Pak drones destroyed in Gujarat, Rajasthan during Operation Sindoor

Indian Air Force and Southern Command successfully neutralised around 70 Pakistani drones. This included a Turkish-origin Songar armed drone. Operation Sindoor took place in Bhuj, Naliya, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assessed the security situation in Rann Of Kutch. Recovered drone wreckage was shown to the commander. Army and IAF units use various air defence systems.

War clouds hit Rajasthan tourism as booking cancellations begin

Kolkata travel companies launch ‘Chalo Kashmir’ drive

10-year-old girl dies in celebratory firing in Patna village

Hospital superbug ‘eating’ medical plastics, devices & implants: Study

A new study reveals that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common hospital bacteria in India, can degrade medical-grade plastic. This bacteria breaks down materials used in sutures and implants. Researchers isolated an enzyme, Pap1, that degraded 78% of a plastic sample in a week. The bacteria can also consume plastic as its only food source.

Policy soon for easy liquidation of cooperatives: Amit Shah

Union Minister Amit Shah announced a new policy for faster liquidation of defunct PACS and registration of new ones, targeting two lakh new PACS by 2029. These PACS will engage in 22 business activities to ensure financial stability, including cooperative-owned manufacturing units and circular economy initiatives in the dairy sector.

NSA Ajit Doval, Iranian counterpart discuss bilateral ties

NSA Ajit Doval and Iranian security council secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian discussed expanding cooperation, particularly on Chabahar Port and the INSTC. Ahmadian highlighted the deep-rooted ties and potential for collaboration, emphasizing the importance of strategic projects for regional peace. The conversation occurred after heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with Iran offering assistance in de-escalation.