Month: May 2025

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowlers Pat Cummins and Nitish Reddy shine as Hyderabad post a commanding victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 42 runs in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), on Friday at Lucknow.

RCB were bowled out for 189-10, falling short of 42 runs to chase a massive target of 232.

After this defeat, RCB is placed third in the IPL points table, with 17 points, eight wins, four defeats, and a no-result match.

On the other hand, SRH is placed eighth with five wins and seven defeats in 13 matches; they have 10 points.

Chasing a huge target of 232, Virat Kohli and Philip Salt opened the innings for RCB, both batters smashed SRH bowlers as Bengaluru crossed the 50-run mark in the 5th over.

RCB finished their power-play on 72-0 after smashing Eshan Malinga for 17 runs in the 6th over. Hyderabad’s impact player Harsh Dubey took the important wicket of Virat Kohli right after the power-play for 43(25). His innings included seven fours and a six. Mayank Agarawal, playing his first match in the ongoing IPL, joined Salt in the middle.

RCB crossed the 100-run mark in the 9th over. Salt is making a comeback in the RCB, playing 11 after an injury that marked his return with a fifty. Agarwal’s stay at the crease was very short as Nitish Reddy removed him in the 11th over for 11(10). Rajat Patidar joined Salt in the middle.

SRH skipper Pat Cummins removed salt in the following over for 62(32). Jitesh Sharma joined Patidar in the middle. RCB crossed 150 marks in the 14th over, keeping their batting run rate at 11+ throughout the table.

After 15 overs, RCB were 167/3, Rajat Patidar *17 (13), Jitesh Sharma 22 (11). Malinga in the 16th over ran out Patidar for 18 (16), his dry runs continued in the ongoing IPL, followed by a brilliant catch and bowl to remove Romario Shepherd for a golden duck.

Krunal Pandya joined Jitesh in the middle, Jaydev Unadkat showcased his experience and removed RCB skipper for 24 (15), Tim David joined Pandya in the middle.

RCB required 53 in the last three overs. Pat Cummins bowled a brilliant 19th over, as the SRH skipper took two wickets in the second last over.

RCB was bowled out for 189-10. In bowling, Pat Cummins (3/28) was the pick of the Hyderabad bowlers, and Malinga was also impressive, picking up two wickets; the rest of the Hyderabad bowlers took a wicket each.

Earlier in the match, after an impactful fifty from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wicketkeeper/batter Ishan Kishan and a vital cameo from Aniket Verma, powered SRH to 231/6 in their 20 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), on Friday in Lucknow.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head opened the innings for SRH. Both batters counter-attacked RCB bowlers from the first over, and the duo brought up their 50-run stand in the fourth over.

After conceding 15 runs in the same over, RCB bowler Lungi Ngidi removed Sharma for 34(17), his innings included three fours and sixes each. Wicketkeeper/batter Ishan Kishan joined Head in the middle.

Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Head in the following over for 17(10), smashed three boundaries, and Heinrich Klaasen joined Kishan in the middle. SRH finished their power-play on 71-2.

After being smashed for three fours by Suyash Sharma in the 9th over, Klaasen was removed for 24(13). His innings included two sixes and fours each. Aniket Verma joined Kishan in the middle.

Verma played a vital cameo of 26 (9), before Krunal Pandya removed him in the 12th over; his innings included three sixes and a four. Nitish Reddy joined Kishan in the middle. SRH crossed the 150-run mark in the 13th over.

Kishan scored fifty in 28 balls after smashing a century in SRH’s initial match in the ongoing IPL. For the first time, Kishan crossed the 50-run mark.

Reddy’s dry runs in the IPL 2025 continued as he was dismissed for four, courtesy Romario Shepherd. Abhinav Manohar joined SRH’s wicketkeeper/batter on the crease.

After almost a run-a-ball innings, Manohar was dismissed by Shepherd in the 17th over. After 17 overs, 188/6.

SRH crossed the 200 runs mark in the 18th over.SRH finished their innings on 231/6, and Ishan Kishan was the top scorer for Hyderabad, scoring 94* in just 48 balls.RCB will have to chase 232 in their second innings when they come out to bat.

In bowling, Romario Shepherd (2/14) was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, and Bhuvneshwar, Ngidi, Suyash, and Krunal picked wickets for each.

Brief score: SRH 231/6 (Ishan Kishan 94*, Abhishek Sharma 34; Romario Shepherd (2/14). Vs RCB 189/10 ( Philip Salt 62, Virat Kohli 43, Pat Cummins (3/28). (ANI)

Actor Vikrant Massey recently visited spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art Of Living Ashram in Bengaluru ahead of the start of the shoot of his film ‘White’.

On Friday, he took to Instagram and shared a picture with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. In the caption, he shared that he is quite nervous to bring Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s story to life.

“Deeply humbled & gushed with gratitude to bring my MASTER @gurudev SRI SRI RAVI SHANKER JI’s story to life. I can only attempt to step into your magnanimous shoes GURUDEV. Though futile, I must try. Very seldom does Mother Earth get a glimpse of selfless souls like you To my beloved well-wishers, I’m extremely nervous. I’d need you every step of the way,” he wrote.

Vikrant also shared that ‘White’ will go on floors this August.

“WHITE…ONLY IN CINEMAS!!! Filming begins August 2025,” he added.

The movie will be produced under Siddharth Anand’s Marflix Pictures and Mahaveer Jain Films, along with Peacecraft Pictures.

‘White’, which will be directed by Montoo Bassi, is touted to be global thriller focusing on the largely untold story of the Colombian civil war’s resolution, featuring Vikrant Massey as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. (ANI)

Following the major fire that broke out at a factory in Delhi’s Bawana Industrial Area early Saturday, a blast caused a building to collapse, officials said.

The fire department said 17 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and no injuries have been reported. It added that the building collapsed due to some blasts.

Divisional Fire Officer Ashok Kumar Jaiswal said the fire was nearly controlled.

Speaking to ANI, Jaiswal said, “…The building has collapsed and there are inflammable materials in the building… No one has been injured in the incident…The fire is almost under control…”

Earlier, in the late hours of Tuesday, a major fire broke out at a private school in Delhi’s Nirman Vihar Colony, under the Preet Vihar Police Station area. According to officials, the fire charred one car parked near the school.

Speaking to ANI, Fire Officer Firoz Khan said five fire tenders were at the spot to douse the fire, and no casualties were reported.

“We received a call at 8.55 pm. Five fire tenders reached the spot and we doused the fire. There was a fire at the school, an adjacent building, and a nearby car,” he said.

No casualties were reported in the incident. (ANI)

India, in a firm and unequivocal statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accused Pakistan of spreading disinformation over the Indus Water Treaty and reiterated its commitment to responsible water management even amid persistent cross-border terrorism.

Delivering the statement at the Arria Formula Meeting on “Protecting Water in Armed Conflict – Protecting Civilian Lives”, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Parvathaneni Harish strongly refuted Pakistan’s claims regarding the Indus Water Treaty.

Harish highlighted Pakistan’s violation of the treaty’s spirit through its support for cross-border terrorism and its obstructionist approach to modifying the treaty.

Harish affirmed that India has always acted responsibly as an upper riparian state and accused Pakistan of distorting facts. “India entered into the Indus Water Treaty 65 years ago in good faith,” he said, recalling that the agreement was signed in a spirit of goodwill and friendship.

He pointed out that Pakistan has violated the treaty’s spirit by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India, resulting in over 20,000 Indian lives lost in the last four decades.

“Pakistan has violated the spirit of the treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India. In the last four decades, more than 20,000 Indian lives have been lost in terror attacks, the most recent of which was a dastardly targeted terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam last month. India has shown extraordinary patience and magnanimity throughout this period. Pakistan’s state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in India seeks to hold hostage the lives of civilians, religious harmony, and economic prosperity,” he added.

He added that Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism threatens civilian lives, religious harmony, and economic prosperity.

He emphasized that significant changes have taken place in the past 65 years, including escalating security concerns, growing requirements for clean energy, climate change, and demographic shifts.

“In these 65 years, far-reaching fundamental changes have taken place not only in terms of escalating security concerns through cross-border terror attacks, but also growing requirements for producing clean energy, climate change, and demographic change. Technology for dam infrastructure has transformed to ensure safety and efficiency of operations and water use. Some of the old dams are facing serious safety concerns,” he added.

“Some old dams face serious safety concerns,” he said, pointing out that terrorists even attacked the Tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012.

“In fact, in 2012, terrorists even attacked the Tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu and Kashmir. These cynical acts continue to endanger safety of our projects and lives of civilians,” added Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations.

Harish stated that India has formally asked Pakistan to discuss modifications to the treaty, but Pakistan has continued to block consistently any changes to this infrastructure and any modifications of the provisions which is permissible under the treaty.

“Against this backdrop, India has finally announced that the treaty will be in abeyance until Pakistan- a global epicentre of terror credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism,” he stated.

India has formally asked Pakistan to discuss the modifications of the treaty on several occasions in the past two years. However, Pakistan continues to reject these and Pakistan’s obstructionist approach continues to prevent the exercise of full utilisation of the legitimate rights by India.

“It is clear that it is Pakistan which remains in violation of the Indus Water Treaty,” Harish concluded.

India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in April 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack, which it blamed on Pakistan-based terrorists. (ANI)

In view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country, the Delhi government has issued an advisory directing all hospitals to ensure preparedness for the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines, and vaccines.

The advisory urged all health institutions to send positive samples for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital to facilitate early detection of any new variants.

“In view of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, it is reiterated that all medical directors, medical superintendents, administrators of all government and private hospitals should ensure hospital preparedness in terms of availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics and other drugs and vaccines,” it said.

It also said that all the equipment, such as ventilators, BiPAP, oxygen concentrators, psa et, etc., must be in functional condition and refresher training of dedicated staff must be conducted.

The advisory said that Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in all health facilities (OPD/IPD) must be reported daily on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.

Additionally, confirmed influenza and COVID-19 cases may also be reported on the IHIP under the L form. All parameters must be reported daily on the Delhi State Health Data Management Portal.

The advisory called for adequate testing as per the COVID-19 testing guidelines and to ensure COVID-19 testing of 5 per cent ILI cases and 100 per cent SARI cases. ICMR guidelines for testing are attached.

It also asked to send all positive COVID-19 samples for Whole Genome Sequencing to LokNayak Hospital so as to enable timely detection of new variants, if any and share the number of samples sent for WGS with the State Surveillance Unit.

“Respiratory etiquette is being followed, including wearing a mask on hospital premises and in health facilities,” it said further.

As of May 19, 2025, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257 — a very low figure considering the country’s large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required.

The country also has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the ICMR.

The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health.

While COVID-19 is now considered another type of viral infection, basic precautions such as hand hygiene, wearing masks in crowded areas and avoiding unnecessary gatherings are still encouraged, the statement said. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Friday again sought to pressurise Apple on its decision to increase production of its iPhone in India.

Trump said that Apple will have to pay a 25 per cent import tariffs if its mobile handsets sold in US are not produced in the boundaries of the country.

In a social media post on his Truth Social, US President Donald Trump wrote, “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,”

“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S. Thank your for your attention to this matter,” he further added in the post.

Earlier on May 15, while speaking in Doha, Trump said that he had spoken with the Apple CEO Tim Cook and asked him to limit Apple’s expansion in India.

Recently, Apple took some steps to expand its iPhone production in India, setting up assembly plants operating in the country. Two of these plants are located in Tamil Nadu, and one is in Karnataka.

For these plants Apple has signed contract with manufacturers, such as Foxconn and Tata Group to set up production units.

In the last fiscal year, Apple produced USD 22 billion worth of iPhones in India in the 12 months through March 2025, which is a huge 60 per cent jump from the prior year.

Apple manufactured approximately 40-45 million iPhones in India in 2024, accounting for 18-20 per cent of its global output. Of this, about 15 million were exported to the US, 13 million to other international markets, and about 12 million were sold in the Indian market.

In January 2025, Apple achieved an 11th consecutive quarterly revenue record in India, with iPhone sales estimated at USD 10 billion in 2024.

India stands as the Apple’s fourth-largest market globally in 2024, after the US, China, and Japan.

As reported last month, driven by the escalating trade tensions and high reciprocal tariffs announced by both China and US against each other, in a strategic move Apple decided to transition all production of iPhones destined for the US market to India from China. (ANI)

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday admitted that he had donated Rs 25 lakh to the National Herald, which he said was a newspaper run by his party.

“I donated Rs 25 lakh to the National Herald. It is a newspaper run by our party. My brother and I have given money to the publication. We have also given donations from our trust. We have given our hard-earned money; there is nothing to conceal,” Shivakumar told reporters.

The National Herald newspaper remains under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to an ongoing investigation by the central investigative agency. The investigation involves top Congress leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.

Shivakumar’s reaction comes after his brother DK Suresh and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy were named in the chargesheet filed by ED in connection with the National Herald case.

Meanwhile, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) on Friday, alleged that Telangana has become an “ATM for Scamgress” (Congress), with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy implicated in corrupt practices.

Taking to X, sharing screenshots of newspaper reports related to National Herald case, he wrote, “Telangana has become an ATM for Scamgress and it’s been now corroborated by agencies As the ED charge sheets Telangana “Bag Man” in National Herald case, he is trying his best to distract the people’s attention from his corrupt practices The million dollar question is whether the NDA Govt will act this time or pardon Revant Reddy as they’ve done in the case of Amrut Scam, RR Tax and Civil supplies scam”

On Wednesday, the ED presented its opening arguments before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court regarding the cognisance of its complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in connection with a money laundering case linked to the National Herald.

In the opening submissions, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju submitted that an offence of money laundering is made out in this case. He also submitted that there were proceeds of crime. It was also submitted that there was continuing criminal activity for the generation of proceeds of crime, which constitutes the offence of money laundering.

After hearing the opening submitted by ASG S V Raju and Special Counsel for ED Zoheb Hosain, the Special Judge listed the matter for remaining arguments from July 2 to July 8. Special judge Vishal Gogne listed the matter for day-to-day hearing on the point of cognisance of ED’s Prosecution complaint against Gandhi and other accused persons.

The court listed the matter in July after hearing the submissions of defence counsel, who urged a hearing in July and gave voluminous documents totalling 5,000 pages. (ANI)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that his government is continuously working while giving top priority to the conservation and revival of water sources in the state. To fulfil this objective, the state government has constituted the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA).

He said, “Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA) has been constituted to fulfil this objective, through which 929 water sources have been successfully treated so far.”

The Chief Minister said that this initiative is not only an important step towards environmental balance but is also a far-reaching effort towards dealing with the water crisis and securing the future.

Earlier, CM Dhami handed over appointment letters to 112 newly selected transport constables and flagged off two promotional vehicles with the aim of increasing public awareness of road safety on the Chardham Yatra route.

The program was organised at the Mukhya Sewak Sadan of the Chief Minister’s residence, a release said.

In addition, the Chief Minister, while congratulating the newly selected candidates who received the appointment letters, CM Dhami said that this success is not only the result of the hard work, discipline, and determination of the selected youth but also the cooperation, sacrifice, and blessings of their families.

Dhami said that the post of Transport Constable is very important in the Transport Department. Whether it is the smooth operation of passenger services, monitoring of road safety, vehicle registration process, or pollution control, they have an essential role in every system. Therefore, this job of yours is not just a government job but also a social responsibility.

The Chief Minister said he expects the newly appointed transport constables to not only maintain dedication and discipline at your workplace but also work in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation with the general public. (ANI)

Criticising the BJP-led NDA government, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that India’s foreign policy has collapsed.

In a post on X, Gandhi raised three questions to the central government. “Will JJ explain, Why India has been hyphenated with Pakistan? Why didn’t a single country back us in condemning Pakistan? Who asked Trump to “mediate” between India & Pakistan?” the LoP said.

Reposting a video of S Jaishankar’s interview with a media outlet, he said, “India’s foreign policy has collapsed,” he added.

Earlier, Gandhi questioned External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, accusing him of being silent on how many aircraft the Indian Air Force lost during Operation Sindoor and said that the nation “deserves the truth”.

“EAM Jaishankar’s silence isn’t just telling — it’s damning. So I’ll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew? This wasn’t a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation deserves the truth,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

The Lok Sabha LoP’s outburst has been met with sharp criticism by the BJP with party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accusing him of weakening the morale of the forces.

“When Operation Sindoor is going on, Rahul Gandhi is giving careless statements. He is asking how many IAF jets are down. On May 11, during a press briefing, Air Marshal Bharti said, ‘We are in a combat scenario, it is not prudent for us to answer that question’… Rahul Gandhi seems to be busy in conversations with Pakistan on how to weaken Indian and the morale of the forces… Today, a senior leader of Pakistan, Mariam Nawaz, gave a statement that on the night of May 6 and 7, and on May 9, Pakistan had to face a huge loss because of India’s action… At such a time, what is LoP and ‘Nishan E Pakistan’ Rahul Gandhi saying,” he said.

“You can ask any question in an all-party meeting of the MEA briefing. Your questions can be answered… But such activities by Rahul Gandhi are not innocent. This cannot be neglected by calling it Rahul Gandhi’s childlike, for which he is known… When it is about the nation, every statement holds weight, and will be exposed if it causes harm to the country… Why has Rahul Gandhi started hating 140 crore Indians while hating PM Modi,” he added.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead. As part of the operation, Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Following the strikes, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and attempted drone attacks. In response, India launched coordinated airstrikes that damaged key military infrastructure across 11 Pakistani airbases. On May 10, both sides announced an understanding on the cessation of hostilities. (ANI)

By Vipul Kashyap

Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test Cricket, right-hand batter Shubman Gill is likely to be named the captain of the Indian Cricket Team in the longest format, as per sources.

On May 7, Rohit announced his retirement from Test cricket after a career spanning 67 Tests and 11 years, ahead of the England tour, kickstarting India’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle from June 20 onwards.

He amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score of 212 came during a memorable home series against South Africa in 2019. He finishes as India’s 16th-highest run-getter in the longest format.

After Rohit’s departure, Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to lead the Indian side in whites, whereas wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is the likely choice as as his deputy.

Right-arm seamer Jasprit Bumrah was also considered a potential candidate for the Test captaincy; however, recurring injury concerns in recent times have diminished his prospects. Another name in contention was middle-order batter KL Rahul, but at 33, his age is seen as a limiting factor for a long-term leadership role.

The India A squad for the tour to England was announced on May 16, with several notable players part of the squad, including Karun Nair, who got the reward for an extraordinary season of domestic cricket.

As a part of the tour, India A will play two first-class matches against the England Lions at Canterbury and Northampton on May 30 and June 6, before concluding their outing with an intra-squad match against Team India on June 13 at Beckenham.

The team will be led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been a domestic cricket stalwart for Bengal, with 101 first-class games, 7,674 runs at an average of 48.87, 27 centuries and 29 fifties behind him. He did have a disappointing tour to Australia last year, where he ended up with just 36 runs in four innings.

India A squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey. (ANI)