FIEO worried over US tariff hikes on steel

New Delhi: The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Saturday raised concerns about potential disruption to India's steel and aluminium exports to the US after President Donald Trump's announcement of a plan to double import tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50% from 25%. They particularly fear that the exports of value-added and finished steel products and auto-components, stainless steel pipes, and structural steel components could be hurt.This potential increase comes under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962, a law that allows the president to impose tariffs or other trade restrictions if imports are deemed a threat to national security."These products are part of India's growing engineering exports, and higher duties could erode our price competitiveness in the American market," said SC Ralhan, president, FIEO.India exported approximately $6.2 billion worth of steel and finished steel products to the US in FY25 including a wide range of engineered and fabricated steel components and about $0.86 billion of aluminium and its products. The US is among the top destinations for Indian steel manufacturers, who have been gradually increasing market share through high-quality production and competitive pricing.Exporters said that though the decision stems from domestic policy considerations in the US, such sharp increases in tariffs send discouraging signals to global trade and manufacturing supply chains.India and the US are negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement and exporters said that the move will complicate the talks."It's unfortunate that while BTA negotiations are going on, such unilateral tariff increases should be done. It only makes the work of the negotiators much more difficult and complicated. This will definitely impact the engineering exports, which are about $5 billion under this head," Pankaj Chadha, chairman EEPC India. Chadha added that since the UK has been given exemption from Section 232, the same exemption should also be given with TRQ restrictions to India."We urge the government to take up the issue at the bilateral level to ensure that Indian exporters are not unfairly disadvantaged...as 25% additional duty will be a huge burden, which is difficult to be absorbed by the exporter/importer," Ralhan said. On March 8, 2018, the US promulgated safeguard measures on certain steel and aluminium articles by imposing 25% and 10% ad valorem tariffs respectively on such products with effect from March 23, 2018. On February 10, 2025, it revised the safeguard measures on imports of steel and aluminium articles, effective from March 12.New Delhi said that the US failed to notify the WTO Committee about a decision to apply safeguard measures and as an affected member with significant export interest, it has requested consultations with Washington and proposed retaliation against the measure.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/E5fgZxQ
via IFTTT

Himachal's 'Return Your Trash' Scheme As Mountains Drown In Garbage

Plastic bags and bottles strewn everywhere, animals scavenging on dumped solid waste - the disturbing site is not from a dumpsite but from a forest in Himachal Pradesh's Kasol. Several videos showing piles of garbage in Kasol's Parvati valley, with a murder of crows flying over the dump, are now trending on X, shining a spotlight on choking rivers and littered forests in the famous vacation spots up in the mountains.

The pristine Parvati Valley, which starts from the confluence of two rivers (Beas and Parvati) and leads to Malana - a village surrounded by steep cliffs and snow-capped mountains - near the famous hamlet Kasol, is now dotted with non-biodegradable waste. This is not just the story of Kasol or Parvati Valley, but the tourist-favourite valleys of Tirthan, Jibhi, Saing, Balichowki and Banjar are also drowning in trash.

And, in its latest effort to change that, Himachal Pradesh, which advertises itself as a "destination for all seasons and all reasons", has approved a scheme under which consumers will pay a refundable deposit above the price of a non-biodegradable product, which will be returned when the empty item is brought back. The Deposit Refund Scheme 2025 aims to effectively manage and reduce non-biodegradable waste, an official statement said.

The scheme will be implemented on a pilot basis and applicable to a wide range of packaging materials, such as glass bottles, plastic beverage containers, aluminium cans, liquid packaging, flexible plastic packaging and multilayered packages.

The scheme, which will first be launched on a trial basis in key tourist destinations, is to encourage tourists and vendors to take responsibility for the waste they generate, said Himachal Industries Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan.

He stressed that it is also a part of the state's broader effort to safeguard Himachal's fragile ecology. "Plastic and polythene are a major challenge in our hill regions. This refundable fee mechanism is a step toward behavioural change," Mr Chauhan said.

When asked how its effectiveness will be monitored, he said it will be done via QR codes. "Based on QR code scanning, the vendor will charge a nominal fee, and that will be refunded once the plastic pack is disposed of at the collection centre," he said.

As per reports, Shimla produces nearly 2,800 tons of solid waste while Manali - another tourist magnet - produces over 1,100 tons per month. During the inflow of tourist seasons, the number doubles.

Except for main cities like Shimla, many of the towns - which attract flocks of tourists for their serene beauty - don't have proper waste disposal systems. And, it leads to piles of garbage alongside roads, and clogged water sources.

The move, however, is not the state's first such action to save its havens of natural beauty. Recently, the state government announced that the use of 500 ml plastic bottles made Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) will be banned in all government programmes and hotels across Himachal Pradesh from June 1, 2025. The decision has been taken in view of the environmental damage caused by plastic waste, said Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena. Any violation of these provisions may invite fines ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 25,000 under the relevant laws and regulations, he said.

The Government of Himachal Pradesh enacted Himachal Pradesh Non- Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, in the year 1995. In 2009, it became the first state in India to ban plastic and polythene carry bags. And, since then, the state government has been making continuous efforts to reduce the plastic waste in the towns and rural areas of the state.

In 2018, the state announced the ban on the use of thermocol cutlery, including cups, plates, glasses and spoons.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/LctCrKb
via IFTTT

"Fashion For Some To...": S Jaishankar On 'Transactional' Policies Of Nations

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday asserted that India will never give in to nuclear blackmail, and those who "sponsor, nurture and utilize" terrorism should be made to pay a heavy price.

Speaking at a convocation ceremony of foreign students of Parul University, a private varsity here, he also commented that it has become a "fashion in some quarters to openly become transactional" in international relations.

"In Pahalgam (terror attack) what we saw was an attempt to devastate the tourism economy of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as well as an evil design to bring (about) religious discord," the minister said.

"The barbarity of the killings required an exemplary response which was delivered by destroying terrorist command centers, especially in Bahawalpur and Muridke. It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilize terrorism for their ends are made to pay a high cost," he added.

Times have changed, and epicentres of terrorism are no longer "immune" (to retaliation), Jaishankar said, adding that India's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism was manifest through its actions.

"We will never give in to nuclear blackmail and whatever decisions are to be taken in India's national interest are taken and will continue to be taken," the external affairs minister asserted.

As India responded to the Pahalgam terror attack, it was "heartening to witness the understanding from other nations of our right to defend ourselves against terrorism," he said.

Jaishankar's comments came in the wake of Operation Sindoor conducted by Indian armed forces against terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 tourists were killed.

Commenting on the difference between the diplomacy practised by India and that by some other countries, Jaishankar referred to "transactional" policies of some nations.

"In the international community of almost 200 nations, we do have national interest and naturally seek to advance them, but this is ought to be done with mutual understanding and mutual benefit as guiding principles. It has become a fashion in some quarters to be openly transactional when it comes to dealing with other nations. Bear in mind that some are actually practicing it in reality while preaching the opposite," he said.

In some societies, sentiments and values count a lot and "India belongs to that category," the minister said.

"We have kept in mind our larger obligation to the world and international community. Our resources may be limited but India has a large heart," he added.

There should be mutual respect for culture, tradition and heritage among partners, Jaishankar said.

"While the colonial era may be behind us, new forms of domination have emerged, misusing the opening provided by globalization, they profess to judge us all and pronounce on our credentials. One example is ill-conceived interference in the politics of nations of the global south," he said.

India is a "rare civilisational state" which is today reclaiming its rightful place in the comity of nations, Jaishankar said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/gMyuQzo
via IFTTT

Ex-College Principal, Who Sent Bomb In Form Of Wedding Gift, Gets Life Term

A former college principal in Odisha, who carried out what was India's first parcel bomb blast and killed two people seven years ago, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court on Wednesday.

Punjilal Meher (56), the former principal of Jyoti Vikas Junior College in Bolangir district's Patnagarh, was found guilty of murder, attempt to murder and use of explosives after the blast killed a software engineer Soumya Sekhar Sahu and his great aunt Jemamani Sahu.

Meher, officials said, carried out the murder out of professional jealousy with Sahu's mother, who replaced him as principal.

The Additional District and Sessions Court in Bolangir acknowledged the prosecution's argument that the murder was a "heinous" crime but refused to classify it as a "rarest of the rare" case that deserved death penalty. It also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convict.

The incident dates back to February 23, 2018, when Sahu's family received a gift in the form of a parcel, days after his wedding. As Sahu opened the parcel, the bomb inside it exploded, killing him and his great aunt on the spot. His wife, Reema, suffered grievous injuries in the blast.

The explosion was so powerful that it left cracks on the walls of the victim's house. It also left Sahu's parents in a state of shock.

The case was initially handled by the local police, before it was handed over to the Crime Branch amid a massive uproar. 

The Crime Branch led by then Inspector General Arun Bothra gradually learnt that the parcel was sent from Raipur in Chhattisgarh. Bolangir police also received an anonymous letter suggesting betrayal and financial loss as the possible motives behind the murder.

In February 2019, the Crime Branch arrested Meher in the case. It was subsequently revealed that he carried out the blast out of professional jealousy. 

During the course of interrogation, Meher said he was furious after he was replaced as the college principal by Sahu's mother. He said he travelled to Raipur without a mobile phone and a train ticket to avoid coming under the scanner, to post the package, and returned to Odisha the same day.

Mr Bothra, who played a pivotal role in the investigation, testified as the 60th witness in December last year, providing evidence to help establish the chain of events leading to the blast.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/J2y9mMQ
via IFTTT

Preity Zinta Stunned As PBKS Batters Suffer Nightmare vs RCB In Qualifier 1

Preity Zinta, Punjab Kings co-owner, was left stunned as Punjab Kings got off to a horror start against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1. Punjab Kings, who finished the IPL 2025 points table at the top spot, fell like a pack of cards. The downfall started in the second over when Priyansh Arya (7) was dismissed by Yash Dayal. Barring Prabhsimran Singh (18), none of the top-order batters could get to double digit score. Josh Inglis (4), Shreyas Iyer (2), Nehal Wadhera (8) all failed. There were reduced to 60/7 inside nine overs.

Preity Zinta, who was present in the stands, was stunned. 

Feeling sad for Preity Zinta #RCBvsPBKS #Qualifier1 #RCB #Playbold pic.twitter.com/505K6Tpp9S

— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) May 29, 2025

     

No matter whom you're supporting, you got to feel bad for Preity Zinta #RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/HxpKo0ZL7b

— Kriti Singh (@kritiitweets) May 29, 2025

Sorry Preity Zinta jii .... supporting RCB Today....but in next match I will definitely support your team..... Good luck #RCBvsPBKS #Qualifier1 pic.twitter.com/We7ysY74iv

— Ena (@TheOpinionHub) May 29, 2025

With Josh Hazlewood back in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru playing eleven for the Qualifier 1 clash in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Punjab Kings, opener Phil Salt said he is expecting the fast-bowler to begin his incredible performance from where he left off in the tournament.

Hazlewood picked 18 wickets in 10 games at an average of 17.27 and an economy rate of 8.44, making him the fourth leading wicket-taker in the competition. He last featured for RCB against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 27, before a shoulder niggle kept him out of the remaining games.

Now for Qualifier 1, Hazlewood has come into RCB's playing eleven in place of Nuwan Thushara, who picked 1-26 in his four overs on his franchise debut against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. “As a player, this is where you want to be, it's really exciting. Good to have Hazlewood back, hopefully he picks up from where he left off,” said Salt in a pre-match chat with broadcasters.

RCB made it into the top two of the IPL points table for the first time after 2016, on the back of chasing 228 against LSG.

“It was a run chase for the ages (against Lucknow Super Giants). It was a very good wicket in Lucknow. The way the middle-order came out and finished the job after we set it up was almost what you dream of while chasing a big score like that,” added Salt.

RCB come into the Qualifier 1 clash with just a day's break, and Salt feels the side is ready to put their best foot forward for a place in the title clash on June 3. “I think we have no choice but to do that.”

“The way the cards have fallen for us, there's no time for thinking about anything else than finishing the game. Need to recover, get on the plane and need to get going once again. It's nice to get to this stage of the competition, regardless of who you are playing for,” he concluded.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Wys9Cm7
via IFTTT

Pant Said "No, We...": How LSG Withdrew Appeal Against RCB's Jitesh Sharma

In a rare moment of sportsmanship during a high-pressure IPL 2025 clash, Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant stunned fans and players alike by withdrawing an appeal for a non-striker's run-out against Jitesh Sharma. The RCB batter was out of his crease, and a dismissal could have changed the course of the match. But Pant, displaying remarkable maturity and intent, told the umpire, "No, we don't need this wicket." The moment has since gone viral, earning praise across the cricketing world, even as it didn't alter the third umpire's final "not out" decision.

The incident took place during the 17th over of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's chase of a 228-run target set by Lucknow Super Giants. Jitesh Sharma, who was in sublime touch with the bat, was at the non-striker's end when LSG leg-spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi attempted to run him out during his bowling stride.

The on-field umpires referred the decision upstairs, and replays clearly showed Jitesh out of his crease. He looked devastated, standing beside the umpire in disbelief. But then came the twist.

As the third umpire was reviewing the footage, Rishabh Pant and Avesh Khan were seen walking over to the officials, signaling their decision to withdraw the appeal. "Not out because Rishabh said no, we don't need this wicket even though Jitesh was out of his crease," former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta explained during the post-match show. "Rishabh said, 'No, we withdraw the appeal'."

Jitesh's reaction said it all. Overwhelmed by Pant's gesture, the batter walked up to the LSG captain and pulled him in for a hug, visibly emotional and grateful for the decision.

.

DIGVESH RATHI RUN-OUT JITESH AT NON-STRIKER END...!!!!

- Then Rishabh Pant took the appeal back and Jitesh hugged Pant. pic.twitter.com/JiJ1xqUtb0

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 27, 2025

However, in a crucial clarification, the third umpire ruled Jitesh not out, not because of Pant's withdrawal but due to the technicalities of the law. According to MCC Laws, a bowler isn't allowed to attempt a non-striker's run-out after he has completed the bowling action or has already stepped outside the popping crease. Since these pre-requisites weren't fulfilled, the third umpire would've eventually ruled Jitesh not-out.

So, even if Pant hadn't intervened, the third umpire would still have ruled Jitesh not out. But the gesture still stood out, not as a technical necessity, but as an example of sportsmanship in a fiercely competitive tournament.

Jitesh went on to remain unbeaten on a blistering 85 off just 33 balls. His knock ensured RCB chased down the daunting target with eight balls to spare, finishing the match in 18.4 overs. The win propelled RCB to second place in the points table, setting them up for a clash against Punjab Kings in the first Qualifier.

While RCB took home the points, it was Pant's decision to uphold the spirit of the game that remained the talking point of the night. In a tournament known for intense rivalries and tight finishes, such moments remind us why we love this sport.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Oq6wsG3
via IFTTT

Philippines Is Now Visa-Free For Indian Passport Holders. See Details

The Philippines is the latest country to introduce visa-free entry for Indian nationals. The Philippines, known for its turquoise waters, white sand beaches and volcanic landscape, is increasingly becoming a sought-after travel destination among Indian tourists. And now, with more streamlined visa procedures, getting there has become much easier. According to the Embassy of the Philippines in New Delhi, Indian visitors can now benefit from two types of short-term visa-free entry, each with distinct eligibility requirements.

According to the updated rules, two separate visa-free entry categories have been introduced for different groups of Indian travellers: 

14-day visa-free entry

Indian citizens can stay in the Philippines for up to 14 days for tourism without applying for a visa. However, this category is strictly non-extendable and cannot be converted into another visa type. 

Eligibility and key requirements 

• Any Indian citizen visiting the Philippines exclusively for tourism.
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the stay.
• Proof of confirmed accommodation (such as hotel bookings).
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover expenses during the stay (for example, bank statements or employment certificates). 
• A confirmed return or onward ticket. 
• No negative immigration history in the Philippines.

Enhanced 30-day visa-free entry

This type of visa offers a more generous 30-day visa-free stay for Indian nationals who already hold valid visas or permanent residency permits from certain key countries, such as Australia, Japan, America, Canada, Schengen states, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. 

Key requirements 

• Proof of a valid visa or residence permit from countries collectively referred to as "AJACSSUK".
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the stay.
• Confirmed return or onward ticket.
• No derogatory record with Philippine immigration authorities.

Notably, Indian travellers who don't meet the visa-free eligibility can continue using the e-visa route. The 9(a) Temporary Visitor Visa, available through the official e-visa portal, allows a 30-day single-entry stay.

The e-visa system requires applicants to register on evisa.gov.ph and provide the following documents:

• A valid passport (with at least six months' validity)
• A government-issued ID
• Passport-sized photographs
• Proof of accommodation
• Return or onward travel ticket
• Financial proof to support the stay

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/qHE3GuX
via IFTTT

NDTV Explains: India vs China In Race For Arctic Oil, Gas, Shipping Routes

Welcome to the Arctic Circle.

The race to 'conquer' the world's final frontier is gathering steam and India is gently but firmly positioning itself in that contest, one which China has also entered and which has been given added urgency by Russian military actions in 2014 (the Crimean War) and 2022 (invasion of Ukraine).

The 'rewards' are staggering though - from oil and minerals to drinking water, from access to faster shipping routes to a possibly decisive upper hand in the global geopolitical and military arena.

A remote and largely inhospitable region of the world, the Arctic has emerged as the next global geopolitical and geostrategic hotspot, possibly even the next battlefield, thanks to climate change and the warming of polar ice caps. But its strategic importance has never really been in doubt.

It has, for the most part, been a question of access, specifically terrain so bleak it made extracting oil and other natural resources, navigating the waters, or maintaining military bases near-impossible.

Where is the Arctic?

What we identify as the Arctic is the northernmost region of our planet. The common definition is that area within the Arctic Circle, a line of latitude about 66.5 degrees north of the Equator.

Within this area are the Arctic Ocean and the polar ice caps, and over four million people from eight countries - the United States, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

Eight nations with territories inside the Arctic Circle form the Council.
Photo: Observer Research Foundation

There are also an estimated 500,000 people from indigenous tribal communities.

Together, these countries and communities inside the Arctic make up the Arctic Council and "carry the role as stewards of the region", and whom India has been 'engaging' for several years.

In 2013 India was made an 'observer nation' of the Council.

What is in the Arctic?

Compressed into approximately 14.5 million square kilometres, the Arctic holds 13 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and 30 per cent of all undiscovered natural gas stores.

That amounts to 90 billion barrels of oil, 1,670 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 44 billion barrels of natural gas liquids, which are hydrocarbons extracted from natural gas or crude oil.re

Dark blue regions have at least one undiscovered oil and/or gas field.
Photo: United States Geological Survey

It also contains vast reserves of coal, iron, copper, zinc, nickel, bauxite, diamonds, and sulphides, and also millions of tons of phosphate used to make fertilisers.

The Arctic also holds an estimated 20 of the world's freshwater reserves, which is a commodity that could well become more valuable than any other in the not-too-distant future.

Dark green-shaded areas are believed to have over 10 billion barrels of undiscovered oil
Photo Credit: United States Geological Survey

There is gold too; the Fort Knox Gold Mine in Alaska is one of the largest in the world.

And Arctic shipping routes could allow maritime trade to cut down on 8,000 km as they ferry the estimated billions of tons of cargo shipped annually between the Europe and Asia.

Why is the Arctic important now

Because it is melting, at a rate nearly four times faster than anywhere else in the world

Ice levels in September 2017, for example, was 25 per cent smaller than end-of-summer averages from 1981 to 2010, and has been melting at an unprecedented rate - over 12 per cent per decade.

Global warming means the Arctic's ice caps and the vast stretches of frozen ice that otherwise make it impossible for most ships to pass - certainly not without an ice-breaker plowing a path.

Melting polar ice caps are an existential crisis for humanity; rising sea levels will flood coastal cities and low-lying areas, including Bangkok, Amsterdam, Ho Chi Minh City, and even parts of London. 

But they open the door to begin extracting those billions of barrels of oil, a treasure trove countries doing the extraction, for example, could use to reduce dependence on West Asian suppliers.

It also opens the door to millions of tons of coal and precious metals under the ice.

An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat that navigates through ice-covered waters (File).

Overall, the melting of the ice caps has woken the world to the natural resources and strategic importance of the Arctic, both of which interest countries beyond the Council, including India.

In fact, in May 2025, the Observer Research Foundation and the Arctic Circle, a 60-nation "network of international dialogue and cooperation" met in Delhi to discuss Asia's involvement in Arctic affairs.

India v China for the Arctic

Back in 2018, China's first Arctic Policy spoke of a "mutually beneficial polar partnership", which would have included linking its Belt Road Initiative to the Northern Sea Route to create the 'Polar Silk Route'.

The resulting passageway, Beijing said, would shorten maritime travel time to Europe by 40 per cent.

The longer route, in use now, sees Chinese ships sail down south, through the Malacca Strait (between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, a chokepoint that allows the Indian Navy to monitor maritime traffic off its coastline), across the Indian Ocean, and then back up through the Suez Canal.

Since then, i.e., since articulating its Arctic Policy, China has been called itself as a 'near-Arctic state', and has sought a seat at the Arctic Council, something that is not likely to be granted.

However, Beijing too was given 'observer nation' status.

For China the Arctic quest is more about trade, really, than anything else.

As one of the world's largest manufacturers (of pretty much everything), it needs fast and reliable distribution routes, and ships are generally cost-effective compared to planes.

And the Malacca chokepoint isn't ideal, particularly if there should be military conflict with India.

Faster maritime trade is a big attraction for India too.

India's involvement with the Arctic dates back to 1920, when the Svalbard Treaty was signed in Paris. And today it is one of a handful of nations to have a permanent base in the Arctic.

Set up in 2008 and called 'Himadri', it is in the Norwegian territory of Svalbard, roughly 1,200km from the North Pole, and has provided field and laboratory support to scientists back home.

India's research base in Arctic, 'Himadri'. Photo: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research

Unlike China, India is seen as slow-playing its Arctic card, choosing to cooperate with the Council and present itself as a 'responsible stakeholder' by engaging with all sides on key issues, including, for example, research into microbial organisms and hydropower generation.

India has good ties with Norway, for example, with which it has studied climate change, and also has a friendly relationship with both Russia and the United States.

All this, though, could change, particularly as China steps up designs on the Arctic, which includes the tried-and-tested method of pumping billions into ' infrastructure projects.

Beijing has reportedly bought real estate in Iceland, invested money in Greenland airports and bought into Russian projects, though they have been rebuffed by Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Nevertheless, this has alarmed the West, and this has given India an opportunity, a chance to be the friendly and trustworthy face in the growing list of suitors for the Arctic Circle.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/3kMtj7S
via IFTTT

Girl, 15, Raped Repeatedly, Forced Into Prostitution In Maharashtra: Cops

A 15-year-old girl was confined in a house for two months, repeatedly raped, forced to undergo an abortion and was also made to indulge in prostitution by a man known to her family in Dombivali in Maharashtra's Thane district, a police official said on Sunday.

Four persons, including a woman, have been arrested, though the main accused is still at large, the official added.

The girl's ordeal came to light after some workers found out about it, following which Tilak Nagar police raided a house in a rural part of Dombivali and rescued her, the official said.

"The victim's mother sells food and she came in contact with the main accused, who sells spices and was known to her family. When she had a fight with her mother after her Class X exams and walked out of the house, the main accused cajoled her into coming with him," he said.

"He then confined her for two months and sexually assaulted her. When she got pregnant, he took her to another individual for an abortion. She was then kept at a couple's house, where she was forced into prostitution," the official said.

While the family was looking for her, the main accused misled them by saying he had seen the girl in the city but she was angry and would not return, the official said, adding her kin approached police only after two months.

After the survivor narrated her ordeal to police, four persons were arrested, including a woman and her husband. However, the main accused is on the run, the official said.

A case was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 137(2) (kidnapping), 65(1) (rape in certain cases), 88 (causing miscarriage), 143 (trafficking of person), 144 (exploitation of trafficked person) as well as provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dombivli) Suhas Hemade told PTI.

Police teams are carrying out further probe into the crime, he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/gl4mon9
via IFTTT

Iran's Panahi wins top prize at Cannes

"It Was Just an Accident" by dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the Palme d'Or for best film at the Cannes Festival on Saturday.The highly political but wry film tells the tale of five ordinary Iranians confronted with a man they believed tortured them in jail. Panahi, who has been imprisoned twice in his home country and banned from making films, used his acceptance speech to urge Iranians to work towards freedom."I believe this is the moment to call on all people, all Iranians, with all their differing opinions, wherever they are in the world -- in Iran or abroad -- to allow me to ask for one thing," Panahi said, according to a translation. "Let's set aside all problems, all differences. What matters most right now is our country and the freedom of our country."Brazil's Wagner Moura won the best actor award for his performance in police thriller "The Secret Agent", while France's Nadia Melliti clinched the gong for best actress.Melliti, appearing in her first film, plays a 17-year-old Muslim girl in Paris struggling with her homosexuality in Hafsia Herzi's widely acclaimed "The Little Sister"."Sentimental Value" by Norway's Joachim Trier, a moving family drama given a 19-minute standing ovation on Thursday, picked up the second prize Grand Prix.The victory for Panahi is a huge endorsement for a director who has become a symbol of defiance in his country, where his films are routinely banned. He has vowed to return to Tehran after the festival despite the risks of prosecution. SabotageSaturday's closing ceremony was the final act of a drama-filled day in Cannes that saw the glitzy seaside resort suffer a more than five-hour power cut.The outage knocked out traffic lights and had visitors and locals scrambling for paper money because cash machines were out-of-order and restaurants were left unable to process card payments.Local officials said a suspected arson attack on the substation about 12 kilometres (seven miles) northwest of central Cannes had caused a major fire at around 2:00 am (0000 GMT).Along the coast in the opposite direction, a pylon which carries a high-voltage line was discovered with three of its four legs damaged, the local prosecutor's office announced. German director Mascha Schilinski joked that she had "had difficulty writing her speech" because of the black-out as she accepted the jury prize for widely hailed "Sound of Falling".PoliticsBeyond the official competition, the French Riviera has been buzzing with A-listers this year including Tom Cruise, pop sensation Charli XCX and model Bella Hadid.Beyond the champagne-filled beach parties, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as US President Donald Trump have been major talking-points. US filmmaker Todd Haynes warned of the "barbaric US presidency", while Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal admitted it was "scary" to speak out against President Donald Trump.The Gaza war has been on the minds of some of the festival's guests, with more than 900 cinema figures signing an open letter denouncing "genocide" in the Palestinian territory, according to organisers.Cannes jury head Juliette Binoche, "Schindler's List" star Ralph Fiennes, US indie director Jim Jarmusch and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange -- in town to present a documentary he stars in -- were among the signatories.But UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, said the festival felt like a "bubble of indifference" when she visited it Friday.AwardsOther secondary awards were announced before Saturday's closing ceremony.The first Chechen film to screen at the Cannes Festival -- "Imago" -- won best documentary, while the film about the life of Assange -- "The Six Billion Dollar Man" -- picked up a special jury prize on Friday.In the secondary Un Certain Regard section, Chilean filmmaker Diego Cespedes won the top prize for "The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo", which follows a group of trans women living in a desert mining town in the 1980s.On a lighter note, a sheepdog which features in Icelandic family drama "The Love That Remains" won the Palm Dog prize for canine performers in festival films. Icelandic director Hlynur Palmason cast his own pet, Panda, in his poignant story about a couple navigating a separation.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/3W90rHu
via IFTTT

Sai Sudharsan's 1st Reaction On Maiden India Call-Up: "Don't Think I Am..."

Sai Sudharsan described his maiden Test call-up as "surreal" after being named in India's squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in England, as per ESPNcricinfo. "It obviously feels great. Feels very special to be honest, and surreal also. Any cricketer, any young cricketer who starts playing cricket, wants to play Test cricket, wants to play for the country," he said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. "The ultimate goal is always to play Test cricket. So really happy for that," he added.

Following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Sudharsan is expected to be part of India's new-look top four. Though he typically opens the batting for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy, Sudharsan has expressed his readiness to bat in any position for the national team.

"Sir, I think playing for the country itself is a very big privilege for a cricketer. So I don't think I am in a position to choose where I want to play," Sai Sudharsan said.

"Wherever the coaches tell me to play, I think I will be mentally and obviously skillfully, you know, try and be ready for the opportunity," he added.

"I have a lot of likings. I think I will have to be ready for whichever (position) the team gives me. I will be ready for that," he noted.

Adding to the momentous occasion, his Test debut could come under the leadership of Shubman Gill, his captain at Gujarat Titans (GT), who has just been appointed India's new red-ball skipper.

"I mean, Shubhi (Shubman Gill) is, over the years, I have been a part of his growth as well," Sai Sudharsan said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

"I have seen him for the last four years. Such a talented batsman, such a skillful batsman, anybody can see," he added.

"So I feel he will definitely do laurels and great things for the country and I am grateful and I am very happy to play under him in my first Test series," he noted.

The highly anticipated series begins on June 20, but both Sudharsan and Gill will first join the India A squad for the second four-day match against the England Lions, scheduled to start on June 6 in Northampton.

"I always feel finish the first story, then go to the next one because now the IPL is also most important when we are in IPL (Indian Premier League)," he said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

"So I think it is also most important of finishing this and then obviously we will have time to prepare. So I will use that bracket of days so that we will be ready for the Test series," he added.

For now, however, Sudharsan remains focused on the Indian Premier League, where Gujarat Titans have secured a spot in the knockout stage.

He also acknowledged the unique challenge of transitioning from the high-paced T20 format to the more demanding rhythms of Test cricket.

"Transitioning from white ball to red ball takes a bit of time," he said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

"I think I focus a lot more on my basics. I focus a lot more on my patience even outside the field," he added.

"The more patient you are, the more it reflects inside the field. So, Test cricket is all about patience and longevity. So I feel the more I focus on that, the more I be aware of it, I think it will be a great experience," he noted.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/3Hr7e1I
via IFTTT

Neeraj Chopra is 2nd in Janusz Kusocinski Memorial

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/5PEWfD3
via IFTTT

"In The Nuclear Era....:" What UK Analyst Said On Operation Sindoor

The recent military action between India and Pakistan was the first instance of two nuclear weapon states engaging in continuous strikes and counter-strikes, which sparked global tensions, Dr Walter Ladwig, a professor at King's College London, said. 

Mr Ladwig, who has written an analysis titled 'Calibrated Force: Operation Sindoor and the Future of Indian Deterrence' for security think tank Royal United Services Institute, also said India carried out the military action to punish the terrorists behind the Pahalgam terror attack and not provoke a "wider conflict" with Pakistan.

The Senior Lecturer in International Relations at King's College was speaking to NDTV when he made the remarks. 

Mr Ladwig said Operation Sindoor demonstrated a range of abilities the Indian Air Force (IAF) has built over the last decade. "This might also mean that we are in a very undiscovered country when it comes to military operations. In the context of the nuclear era, we do not have an example of two nuclear arms states who have engaged in reciprocal airstrikes like this," he said.

"The year 2019 was a little bit of a watershed moment, and that was very calibrated and orchestrated," he said, referring to the Balakot airstrikes that were carried out in response to the Pulwama terror attack. "We don't have this. The Russians and the Chinese fought in the late 1960s, this was on the ground, and in some cases, the combators were worried about escalation. This is a really new space and this is going to be studied in the decades to come." 

The professor credited the Indian government's policies for its precision strikes on terror infrastructure in the neighbouring country. "I see it as an evolution in the government's policies. If we go back to 2016, the surgical strikes (in response to the Uri terror attack), these sort of cross border raids have happened in the past but they were never publicised. They were never made so public. The 2019 airstrikes in Balakot were a break from past precedent... And now you have the next level, which is to say multiple targets are being struck in multiple rounds," he said.  

On the intervening night of May 6 and 7, the IAF conducted a series of precision strikes and destroyed infrastructure in nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The act - codenamed Operation Sindoor - was in response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based LeT terror group, claimed responsibility.

As Pakistan responded to the action, both nations engaged in strikes and counter-strikes for three nights. On May 10, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea, with effect from 5pm. 

Operation Sindoor "tried to change the equations that the onus is on the other side", Mr Ladwig said. "...the policy change of not feeling the need to assemble the dossier, connect the dots to say it is incumbent on India to prove in a courtroom sense or beyond the shadow of reasonable doubt that there are these connections... If you fail to deny them (terrorists) the space to operate, then that is enough. We will decide that we may take serious action," he said. 

However, the analyst added, putting the onus on the other side does not mean India stops making efforts to put forward a credible case in front of the global audience. "The immediate aftermath of the (Pahalgam) terror attack saw solidarity pouring in for India. There were messages of understanding and support. In the present moment based on recent history, I think India has the benefit of the doubt from its partners but they shouldn't take that for granted,"  he said. 

The professor also said that India's counter-strikes to Pakistan's attacks on the country, which lasted for three nights after Operation Sindoor, were essential to avoid doubts over its long-term goals. 

"Operation Sindoor sought to inflict punishment on the terrorists and not provoke a conflict. Beyond that, once the tit for tat cycle began, there was a desire to show and demonstrate abilities to strike, do more than the ability to just hit terror infrastructure, and have the ability to show a degree of escalation. It raises questions otherwise as to why did the government stop when it did (Pakistan retaliated) and it gets back to what was the mission in the first place," he said. 

He said India's showcase of its ability to retaliate will only lead to a "cat and mouse game". "After the strikes, the smart terrorists will go underground the moment something big happens. They will not be sitting around in known facilities, waiting for retaliation," he said. 

"The ability to track and monitor and know precisely where the pin points are going to become harder because groups are going to spend a lot more time on concealment and covering their tracks, making it difficult for intelligence officials," he added.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/TcqoUsb
via IFTTT

Woman Who Avoided Sunlight To Prevent Tanning, Suffers Fractures In Bed

A 48-year-old woman in Chengdu, China, was so fearful of sunburn and tanning that she avoided sunlight for years, leading to severe osteoporosis. According to the South China Morning Post, her habit of wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen since childhood resulted in extremely low vitamin D levels. Consequently, her bones became fragile, and she fractured her ribs simply by turning in bed. According to medical staff, her bones were so weak that even simple movements could cause fractures.

The case was revealed by Dr. Long Shuang, an attending physician at XinDu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine's emergency department. Dr. Long shared that the woman's extreme sun avoidance began in childhood, driven by China's beauty standards that often prioritise fair skin. 

It's uncertain whether she or her family ever raised concerns about her extreme sun-avoidance habits, but the consequences became severe after her injury. After her hospital admission, tests showed critically low vitamin D levels, which had hastened bone resorption and caused severe osteoporosis.

Notably, sunlight is crucial for vitamin D synthesis, essential for bone health and calcium absorption. Prolonged sun avoidance can lead to weakened bones and reduced immunity.

Health Risks of Excessive Sun Avoidance:

In China, extreme sun protection trends are on the rise, with women using elaborate gear like visors, gloves, and UV-blocking clothing to shield themselves from the sun. However, experts are now warning that this excessive sun avoidance could lead to health risks.

Jiang Xiaobing, Chief Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, warned about the dangers of excessive sun avoidance in an online video.

"It is now common to see people fully covered from head to toe for sun protection – this is indeed unhealthy. All the bones in our body regenerate every 10 years, but from age 30, we begin to lose bone mass at a rate of 0.5 to 1 per cent per year. Low calcium intake, lack of sun exposure, and vitamin D deficiency all hinder calcium absorption. A sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and excessive drinking also compromise bone health," he said.

"We need to ensure adequate calcium intake, exercise regularly, and limit smoking and drinking. For instance, no more than two cans of beer per day if the alcohol content is five per cent. Menopausal women, in particular, should be exceptionally cautious," he added. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/b78Bmnj
via IFTTT

MI thrash DC by 59 runs to seal final playoff berth

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/OpwEiJh
via IFTTT

"Learning 200 Words Difficult?" Mohandas Pai On SBI Manager's Kannada Snub

Former Infosys director TV Mohandas Pai slammed an SBI branch manager in Karnataka for refusing to communicate in Kannada with local customers. Mr Pai called the manager's behaviour "very, very wrong", arguing that businesses should serve local customers in a language they understand. He further emphasised that learning basic Kannada phrases is a matter of respect. He further emphasised that the expectation wasn't for bank staff to become fluent in Kannada, but rather to learn basic phrases to communicate respectfully with local customers.

Mr Pai's comments sparked a debate online, with some agreeing that service providers should make an effort to communicate in local languages.

"You are very, very wrong. Every business must serve its local customers in a language they understand. This is not the British Raj again. This is a service business. Learning to say 200 words to converse is difficult? Nobody is asking anyone to read and write, but to converse, learn a few words to show respect to your customers. They are customers, not your captives or subjects. Thus arrogance is very,y very wrong, " Mr Pai wrote on X in response to a user. 

See the tweet here:

You are very very wrong. Every business must serve its local customers in a language they understand. This is not the British Raj again. This is a service business. Learning say 200 words to converse is difficult?nobody is asking anyone to read and write but converse, learn a few… https://t.co/ipxKUJKPZD

— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) May 21, 2025

Mr Pai's strong-worded tweet was in response to X user Tushar Gupa, who defended the manager, stating it's the "State Bank of India, not the State Bank of Karnataka." He further wrote, "This business of 'learn the local language to work in the state' cannot be allowed. We are Indians first. We'll always be Indians first. The Constitution has no such condition. Let's not encourage this madness."

The Kannada Row

A recent controversy erupted in Karnataka when a State Bank of India (SBI) branch manager in Surya Nagar, Anekal Taluk, was recorded refusing to speak Kannada with a customer, insisting on Hindi instead. The viral video, showing the manager saying, "I will never speak Kannada… This is India," sparked widespread outrage.

The video drew widespread outrage from Kannada-speaking citizens and pro-Kannada groups, who demanded action against the bank employee. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also condemned the behaviour as "strongly condemnable," emphasising the need for bank staff to respect local languages. Following the public backlash, the manager issued an on-camera apology. Meanwhile, SBI transferred the manager overnight and issued a statement affirming its zero-tolerance policy toward behaviour affecting customer sentiment.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/tT1Wvkp
via IFTTT

Bullet train set to get European tech

New Delhi: India may soon award a complete signalling and telecommunication (S&T) system contract for its proposed bullet train project to vendors offering European technology following successful completion of technical assessment of bids received for the contract.A joint venture of Germany's Siemens and Ahmedabad-based Dineshchandra R. Agrawal (DRA) Infracon Pvt Ltd emerged as the lowest bidder for the contract by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL). "Technical assessments are complete," an official told ET. The official said the lowest bid was at ₹4,100 crore. "The winning bid is significantly lower than initial estimates," a second official said. The second lowest, and only other bid received for the tender, was more than threefold higher at ₹12,600 crore, placed by a partnership of France's Alstom, and India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T). "Opting for indigenisation has led to this substantial cost saving," another official said.While the Railway Board was earlier relying solely on Japanese technology for bullet trains, India may now opt for a tailored mix with more domestic partners. Avenues to bring more European technology are also open.In parallel, talks with Japanese companies are continuing on the supply of Shinkansen trainsets. India is expected to get E3 and E5 variant Shinkansen trainsets to ascertain their feasibility, and identify any modifications needed in the under-development E10 trainsets.Besides Japanese firms, the government has tasked Integral Coach Factory (ICF) with developing a bullet train capable of reaching speeds of up to 280 kmph. The railway production unit has partnered with defence public sector enterprise - BEML to produce these trains.ICF has priced these trains at ₹866.87 crore, with each coach costing ₹27.86 crore. The total contract value includes design costs, one-time development costs, non-recurring charges, and one-time costs for jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing facilities.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/17AiaGN
via IFTTT

In YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's Diary, Takeaways From Her 10 Days In Pakistan

YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who has several videos on her social media handles detailing her trips to Pakistan, has been hitting headlines for all the wrong reasons. The 33-year-old has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan and is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency and the Intelligence Bureau. Now, two pages of her diary have emerged, which give a glimpse of her 10 days in Pakistan. The diary was recovered by the Haryana Police.

"Today, I have returned to my country, India, after a 10-day trip from Pakistan. During this time, I received a lot of love from the people of Pakistan. Our subscribers and friends also came to meet us. The two days we got to visit Lahore were not enough," read the undated entry.

Using adjectives "crazy and colourful" for Pakistan, she said her experience there can't be described in words.

One of her entries had a request to the Pakistani authorities, "Protect the temples there and let Indians meet their families from whom they were separated in 1947".

The content creator from Haryana, who ran the YouTube channel 'Travel with Jo', was arrested on May 16 and charged under the relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Jyoti Malhotra was among 12 people who were arrested from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over the past two weeks on charges of espionage, with investigators pointing at an alleged Pakistan-linked spy network operating in northern India.

The YouTuber's financial transactions and travel details are also under the probe agency scanner. Earlier, police said her known sources of income did not justify her foreign travels.

A forensic analysis of Jyoti's laptop is underway, the police said, adding that they would also question those who were in touch with the YouTuber.

During the investigation, her link to a Pakistani official posted in the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi surfaced. She was allegedly in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahum alias Danish whom she first met in 2023 during her visit to the Pakistan High Commission, where she went for a visa to visit the neighbouring country. Ehsan-ur-Rahum was expelled on May 13 for "engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status".

Earlier, Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan said that the YouTuber was being developed as an "asset" by Pakistani intelligence operatives.

"This is modern warfare that is not just fought on the borders. We came across a new modus operandi wherein PIOs were trying to recruit some social media influencers," he said.

The officer also said Jyoti went to Kashmir before the Pahalgam attack and visited Pakistan before that, and police are trying to establish the "links" between these visits.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/wjuOJ3R
via IFTTT

Fossil fuels key in global energy mix: Manohar Lal

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/nBYbRzg
via IFTTT

ED grills EaseMyTrip CEO in Mahadev scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has extended its investigation into the Mahadev betting app scam to Nishant Pitti, CEO of publicly traded travel booking firm Easy Trip Planners Ltd (EaseMyTrip).Pitti stands accused of colluding with a network of operators who allegedly used proceeds from the illegal betting operation to manipulate stock prices of 25 listed companies, purportedly in connivance with their promoters.In its submission to the adjudicating authority (AA), which oversees money laundering investigations, the ED has made four key allegations against Pitti. Firstly, it claims Pitti was aware of the operations of Sky Exchange, an illegal betting platform linked to the Mahadev app. Secondly, the ED alleges Pitti's firm made payments to two shell companies (termed 'entry-providing' companies by the ED) connected to the app.Thirdly, the ₹7 lakh recovered from Pitti's residence during April searches is considered potential proceeds of crime (PoC). The ED's submission, reviewed by ET, states they cannot rule out if these funds are linked to Sky Exchange's illegal activities.Fourthly, Pitti was allegedly in contact with an operator involved in colluding with promoters of listed companies to manipulate stock prices. This manipulation reportedly involved obtaining beneficial shareholding positions (Benpos) from promoters. While promoters can readily access Benpos, public disclosure via stock exchanges is only quarterly, creating an information arbitrage opportunity for in-step trading.In response to queries from ET, Pitti denied all allegations."I don't know this person, and there have been no remittances or payments to these companies since 2017. I'm hearing these names for the first time." He also stated, "With eight earning members at home and over ₹1,000 crore in IT returns, our declared cash in hand is more than ₹70 lakh. The ₹ 7 lakh recovered is insignificant compared to our income and is part of our declared cash." Pitti is a respondent in the case before the AA. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the AA authorises the ED to retain seized assets and evidence. The ED's application states that digital data from Prashant Bagri's laptop lists Pitti as an agent of Sky Exchange. It further notes that Easy Trip Planners Ltd made remittances to Nischay Trading Private Ltd. and Silvertoss Shoppers Pvt. Ltd. in 2021, identified as entry-providing companies. Based on this, the ED concludes that Easy Trip Planners Ltd. and Pitti were involved with proceeds of crime associated with Sky Exchange.Bagri, an associate of an accused, claimed to have been in regular contact with Pitti regarding his company's Benpos. The ED's probe indicates that the betting scam players contacted promoters of 25 listed entities and used illegal proceeds to manipulate stock prices, totalling ₹350 crore. It is important to note that charges by law enforcement require judicial validation for conviction. Premises linked to EaseMyTrip and Pitti's residence were searched by the ED in April as part of the ongoing Mahadev Book online application case probe.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/AlYrmWx
via IFTTT

CSK Coach Breaks Silence On Dhoni's IPL Future, Gives Clear Three-Word Reply

"Shaken" they may be after a horrendous season but Chennai Super Kings will not compromise on experience going forward, coach Stephen Fleming hinted on Monday, saying that experience wins tournaments. The New Zealander, though, promised to invest in talented youngsters over the next three years. Facing criticism for over-reliance on veteran players and outdated strategies, the 2023 champions are languishing at the bottom of the table with two matches left this season. Asked if performance of Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel and Noor Ahmed has convinced the team management to bank on youth, Fleming gave them due credit. "They have certainly had an impact which is positive from a season that has been a challenge. But we realised that early on that we were off pace. So to be able to introduce these players, they are definitely in line for the future as we regenerate the team and redevelop or reconfirm our philosophy of how we want to play," Fleming said ahead of their penultimate clash against Rajasthan Royals.

"My point has always been a mixture of youth and experience. I am a fan of experience, experience wins tournaments. But the youth and talent in this country is something you can't ignore."

Asked specifically how they plan to rebuild, the New Zealander said they will have a good look at the young talent available.

"We got a lot of questions before talking about some of the players we have introduced. That is exciting for this three-year cycle. One of the challenges around the IPL is every three years you have to recreate your side. It is a beauty and a beast as well."

Fleming said age does not matter to him as long as the player can perform to the level of expectations.

"I don't care how old the players are. The experience has served us really well over the grand years that we have had. It hasn't worked out quite well for us this year.

"The fact that we have been so consistent over a number of years to have a poor year has shaken everybody. It is understandable given the excellence in which the franchises are operating." Fleming said getting the right mix of youth and experience will be the way forward for them.

"You have a look at the top run scorers and wicket takers and you see there is a fair bit of experience there. But what it is sprinkled with is some amazing performances by young players who are playing fearless cricket. So it is getting that balance right." Fleming side-stepped the question if the iconic MS Dhoni will continue to play or become mentor, saying "I don't know."

The former Kiwi skipper was also asked what motivation was left for the team already eliminated from the play-offs race.

"The opportunity to finish the season well is really important to us. We had a good win in the last game. "The intensity in the side, the way we play these two games will have intensity. It is important to us every time we represent CSK. It is important that we play as well as we can. We know we haven't been up to par. We have two opportunities to finish well. That doesn't change.

"We are looking at the opportunities for other players. We have done that in the last two or three games. We will continue to do that," added Fleming.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/svx0Fc9
via IFTTT

Margin pressure to continue: Bank of India

Net interest margins of commercials banks will contract in the coming months, putting pressure on banks' earnings, but lenders with strong non-interest income will perform better, said Rajneesh Karnatak, managing director and chief executive of Bank of India, in an interview with ET. Edited excerpts:Analysts say profits have peaked for commercial banks. The challenge starts now with NIMs likely to shrink as treasury gains are already books, and big-ticket recovery is already done. Your comment?Definitely, (maintaining) NIMs is challenging.Since February there has been a 50 bps cut in policy rate. On a ballpark basis, this translates into a NIM contraction of around 15 bps. On the loan side, those linked to repo or external benchmark are immediately repriced. But on the deposit side, the repricing takes 6 months-plus. So, for February cut, repricing will significantly happen by September 2025, because most of the FDs are between six months and one year. Similarly for the April cut, repricing will happen by the end of October or November.Repo is at 6% and if it goes down, by say, 5.75%, then definitely there will be further pressure on NIMs. My personal belief is that banks that improve their non-interest income and recoveries will do well in this financial year. Yes, you rightly say many of the large accounts have been resolved. However, in all banks, there will be a lot of written off accounts, which is beyond the GNPA number. So if they are able to recover even 15% by putting in place the right OTS scheme, huge recoveries can be made by each bank.Your overseas business contribution has stagnated at about 12% of advances and deposits business. Is it disappointing?Internationally, we are present in 15 countries - US, UK, France, Belgium, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand and Africa, and so on. The GDP in these countries is much less compared with India. When India's GDP is growing at a faster pace, my domestic book will always grow faster. On a year-on-year basis, international books are growing. We have closed it at around ₹2.18 lakh crore and we made a ₹1,100-crore net profit on the global book. But business wise, the US contributes the highest, at nearly 31% of international business. While 40% of the book is India-linked customers, mostly Indian corporates, 20% is the local lending, and 40% is trade finance. International books will remain at 12% of the global book.Bank of India has not been part of the government's consolidation drive. In the next wave of consolidation, you would either be a target bank or an acquiring bank. How do you view this situation?I would not like to comment on it. This is entirely the prerogative of the government and the regulator.RBI has rolled back the risk weightage for NBFCs. How do you look at lending to them?We have an NBFC book of ₹88,000 crore. Of this, around ₹71,000 crore is for domestic NBFC and around ₹9,000 crore is in the international book, where we funded Indian NBFCs through the ECB route.On the asset quality side, 98% of this book is 'A' rated and above, and 2% is 'BBB' and below. Secondly, 51% is to the PSU and financial institutions-backed NBFC. The NPA in this book is at 1.2%.Earlier also we had not stopped lending when RBI had raised risk weights. Only thing is that we had repriced our loan book. Repriced our loans to each of those NBFCs. Now, when it has been rolled back, some of the NBFCs have come back to lower the rate of interest, which we have done on a one-to-one basis.PSU banks are unable to attract the affluent youth entering the workforce to open accounts. This is visible in terms of the market of PSU banks which is shrinking. Your thoughts?You are right that a lot of digitisation is happening and the young customers want digital banking. As regards competition, which is there with the private sector, the competition is now equal in the sense that it is not a differentiator, because even public sector banks have very strong digital platforms now.We are also a public sector bank and we are able to do 95% of our transactions on the digital platform. The big differentiator between a private bank and a public sector bank which used to be, say 10 years ago, is no more there. We also have very robust technology and robust cyber security platforms to keep their (customers') money safe. So, customer service, how agile and robust our platform is, is what differentiates whether the customer wants to keep the account with A bank or B bank.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/H4eplQR
via IFTTT

KL Rahul Scripts History With Stunning Ton, Becomes 1st Player Ever To...

KL Rahul slammed a stunning century for Delhi Capitals during the IPL 2025 encounter against Gujarat Titans on Sunday. It was Rahul's 5th IPL century and he remained unbeaten on 112 off just 65 deliveries with the help of 14 fours and 4 sixes. As a result, Rahul became the second Indian batter ever to score 5 or more IPL centuries. The only other Indian batter to achieve the feat was Virat Kohli who has scored 8 IPL centuries till now. Overall, it was the 7th T20 hundred for Rahul. Rahul also became the first cricketer ever to score centuries for three different franchises in the IPL.

Most 100s in the IPL

8 - Virat Kohli

7 - Jos Buttler

6 - Chris Gayle

5 - KL Rahul*

Rahul shined on his promotion to the openers role by slamming a majestic 112 not out and carry Delhi Capitals to a massive 199/3 in their 20 overs against Gujarat Titans.

On a slightly slower pitch, Rahul was at his clean and pristine best in strokeplay, especially when hitting through the line to hit 112 not out off 65 balls – his fifth IPL hundred. His spectacular knock included 14 fours and four sixes as Rahul also became the first ever batter to score IPL centuries for three different teams – having done this previously for Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.

Apart from being the team's main driving force with the bat, Rahul also finished the innings well to ensure DC posted a total which can challenge GT's top-order might. He found great support from other batters - Abishek Porel sizzled with a 19-ball 30, skipper Axar Patel hit two fours and a six in his 16-ball 25 and Tristan Stubbs was unbeaten on 21 off 10 balls.

Pushed into batting first, Rahul found two boundaries in the opening over off Mohammed Siraj – one via a misfield at deep third man, while the other came off a pristine backfoot cut past point. With Faf du Plessis struggling for timing against GT's pacers and holed out to mid-on off Arshad Khan, there was no stopping Rahul.

When Siraj pitched it short and outside off-stump, Rahul was quick to cut past backward point and pull over mid-on for two boundaries. Against a returning Kagiso Rabada, Rahul was at his terrific best – moving slightly across to get inside line of the short ball and played swivelled across over square leg for a six.

Two balls later, Rabada offered room and Rahul, who also became the fastest Indian batter and third overall by innings to complete 8000 runs in men's T20s, reached out to carve him over point, before standing tall to launch the pacer for a towering six down the ground, as 17 runs came off final power-play over, with DC closing the phase at 45/1.

Rahul was then proactive in rotating the strike off Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan, before sweeping the latter for a boundary to bring up his fifty off 35 balls, with the home crowd chanting his name loudly. Luck was also on Rahul's side as R Sai Kishore couldn't reach out in time to catch his top-edge on sweep and conceded a boundary.

Rahul left everyone jaw-dropped by backing away and lofting a half-volley from the pacer down the ground for six. Rahul then pressed the accelerator button by hitting Kishore for a hat-trick of boundaries – unfurling a powerful straight drive which ran through the bowler's legs, a flick being parried over boundary rope by Rabada and edge running through vacant first slip.

Despite not getting much strike in last four overs, Rahul unfurled a lofted off-drive against Prasidh for six, before pulling him powerfully to get his century and soaking in the applause from a joyous home crowd. Rahul applied finishing touches by reverse-paddling and driving Siraj for two boundaries, and set GT on an uphill chase.

(With IANS inputs)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/7CsZTVD
via IFTTT

Multiple dead in Finland helicopter crash

Several people died Saturday when two helicopters carrying a total of five collided mid-air in Finland and crashed to the ground, police said."The accident has resulted in several fatalities. The exact number of victims and the identities of the passengers are still being determined," the police said in a statement.Media reported that the helicopters had taken off from Estonia and were carrying businessmen, with three people in one and two in the other.Reports said they collided west of the capital Helsinki around midday. Officials gave no indication of what caused the collision.Finnish newspaper Iltalehti quoted a witness, Antti Marjanen, as saying they saw one of the helicopters hit the other during a manoeuvre."One of them dropped like a stone and the other one more slowly. I didn't hear any sound," Marjanen was quoted as saying.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/PuTH0qi
via IFTTT

RBI FY25 payout to govt may jump 50%

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) central board of directors is likely to meet on May 23 for an annual review of the central bank's balance sheet and transfer of FY25 surplus funds to the government. The payout could be as high as Rs 3 lakh crore, exceeding last year's dividend by nearly 50%."We estimate an RBI dividend of Rs 2.6 lakh to Rs 3 lakh crore, depending on the level of provisioning," said Gaura Sen Gupta, chief economist at IDFC First Bank.The RBI board also met on May 15 to review the Economic Capital Framework (ECF). A crucial factor in determining the surplus or the dividend is the ECF, adopted by the RBI in 2019. The relevant committee had recommended risk provisioning under the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) be maintained within a range of 6.5-5.5% of the RBI's balance sheet. Besides, the payout also depends on the income the central bank earns from various domestic sources.The board decides on the level of CRB that the central bank maintains based on how the economy is expected to perform during the period under review and is directly linked to the growth of the economy during a year."The markets have largely factored in a dividend of approximately Rs 2.5 lakh crore. Any upside on the number would have an impact on bond yields," said Alok Singh, group treasury head, CSB Bank.Contingency provisions are expected to be similar to last year, or higher. Provisions stood at Rs 42,800 crore and is expected to be between Rs 40,000 crore and Rs 80,000 crore, according to IDFC First Bank.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/8ulMGjV
via IFTTT

Watch: Albanian PM Kneels To Greet Italian PM Giorgia Meloni At EU Summit

Kneeling to greet Italy's Giorgia Meloni and gripping France's Emmanuel Macron in a bro hug, Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama hosted Europe's leaders Friday with his showman's panache undampened by torrential rain.

Fresh from securing a fourth term at the weekend -- after campaigning on a pledge to take Albania into the EU by 2030 -- Rama made plain his delight in welcoming counterparts from the bloc and beyond, as he basked in his resounding reelection win.

Giorgia Meloni truly commands the utmost respect of world leaders. This is quite the sight to see. pic.twitter.com/xBp3d0Qi7j

— Joey Mannarino 🇺🇸 (@JoeyMannarinoUS) May 16, 2025

A larger-than-life figure towering two metres (six-foot seven-inches) tall, Rama had a word and a smile for each of the more than 40 leaders attending the meeting of the European Political Community (EPC).

From Tirana, "where all of Europe has come today and where the whole world will be watching, I say hello to you", the prime minister wrote on Instagram ahead of the gathering.

The show began with Edi Rama twirling a navy blue umbrella on a bright red carpet, with the EPC's star-shaped logo adorning his necktie and trademark sneakers.

When Meloni arrived, he knelt playfully to the ground -- as he often does for his Italian "sister" -- while making a point of escorting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the opera building where the leaders were holding talks.

Greeting Macron, Rama quipped "Here's the Sun King" -- as the clouds parted and the pair hugged before walking inside.

After days of sunshine in Tirana, Rama had a punchline for the British in attendance as well -- suggesting they may have had a hand in the dampening turn of events.

"There was a suspicion but it became scientific proof from the European weather forecast institute that the persisting -- and not indigenous -- rain was brought by the British delegation yesterday morning," Rama told leaders.

'Welcome to Albania' 

The brainchild of Macron after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the EPC gathering brings together the members of the European Union and 20 other countries.

Ukraine was the dominant issue at the gathering, taking place in the weighty context of meetings between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, as well as the question of migration.

But before the serious talks began, Rama did everything to underscore his love of Europe.

"It's true that I am the tallest among them, but I lead a country that is one of the smallest, and for us it's already a big honour to have the opportunity to host this summit," Rama told AFP on Thursday.

And a relative rarity in the staid setting of European diplomacy -- leaders were greeted with an opening sequence that drew laughter and big smiles from the crowd.

On a giant screen, the hosts projected AI renditions of each leader reimagined as babies, some still with beards and spectacles and each declaring: "Welcome to Albania."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/2xaZh0P
via IFTTT

"Level Of Anger Between India And Pak Was Not A Good Thing": Trump

US President Donald Trump, who has made repeated claims that his administration brokered a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan, on Friday described it as a "big success" and said the level of anger between the two neighbours "was not a good thing." 

"We are very happy with what happened with, I hope it continues, and I think it will, but what happens with India and Pakistan. That was a big success. If you had seen the level of anger between the two, that was not a good thing," Trump said during a gaggle with the press on Air Force One on May 16 as he was returning to Washington from his Gulf trip.

This is the seventh time since May 10 that Trump has claimed that the US brokered the "ceasefire" between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Trump, who visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates during his four-day visit to the region, repeated his claim that he "helped settle" the tensions between India and Pakistan when he addressed US troops at the Al Udeid Air Base on Thursday in Doha, Qatar, the largest US military base in the Middle East.

India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

On Saturday, Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after a "long night of talks mediated by the United States." Later, in a post on Truth Social, Trump offered to work with India and Pakistan for a "solution" on Kashmir, while crediting Washington for helping the two nations arrive at the "historic and heroic decision" of stopping the conflict.

Indian government sources in New Delhi have been maintaining that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect. They said no third party was involved.

India has always maintained that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter with Pakistan and there is no space for any third party. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/JLs2SHw
via IFTTT

Interest subsidy may return for MSMEs

New Delhi: The government is considering a proposal to reintroduce interest subsidy on credit to exporters-especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)-under the proposed Export Promotion Mission to help bolster their competitiveness amid global tariff uncertainties, senior officials said.In December 2024, the government had stopped an interest equalisation scheme, under which eligible exporters were getting rupee export credit at subsidised rates, prompting MSME exporters to seek cheaper loans amid global headwinds. The latest proposal is aimed at making the interest aid "more targeted and focused", one of the officials said.The commerce department has informed its expenditure counterpart that competing at the global level without assistance would be extremely difficult for MSMEs, who get limited credit at much higher rates than their peers in the export market, he said.The two departments are in talks on the issue and a decision will be taken in due course, said the official quoted above.Despite the recent cuts, the repo rate remains at 6%. Most exporters are getting loans at 8-12% interest, with MSMEs particularly facing high rates. Most of the eligible exporters under the equalisation scheme were getting interest subsidy to the tune of 3%.121195185The Export Promotion Mission, announced in the FY26 budget with an outlay of ₹2,250 crore, could be an umbrella scheme that will absorb various extant export initiatives.The targeted interest support that is being planned will also complement the government's efforts to spur manufacturing under another mission proposed in the latest budget, the officials said.Export bodies have called for heightened support to beat a demand slowdown in some advanced countries and uncertainties caused by the Trump administration's tariff policies.They also seek sustained support to take advantage of opportunities that may come in India's way if New Delhi hammers out a trade deal with the US soon, on top of a recent one with the UK.Under the erstwhile interest equalisation scheme, introduced in 2015, the government had allocated ₹2,482 crore for FY25, lower than ₹3,700 crore a year earlier, primarily because it was not extended beyond December 2024.About 85% of the beneficiaries of the interest equalisation scheme were MSMEs, the officials said.India's merchandise exports remained flat at $437 billion last fiscal, as global demand remained subdued. The World Trade Organisation last month predicted goods trade volume to fall 0.2% this year, down sharply from its October 2024 projection of a 3% expansion, citing the impact of the new US tariff policies.To be sure, the US and China this week announced a deal to temporarily trim the extra tariffs imposed on each other.Presenting the budget for FY26, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said: "We will set up an Export Promotion Mission, with sectoral and ministerial targets, driven jointly by the ministries of commerce, MSME and finance".

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/NR6KfbB
via IFTTT

BCCI Left Red-Faced As 156.7 Kmph Star Gets Ruled Out Of IPL Due To Injury

The BCCI Centre of Excellence (erstwhile NCA) was left severely embarrassed after India's fastest bowler Mayank Yadav suffered yet another breakdown as a back injury ruled him out of the remainder of the IPL. "Yadav sustained a back injury and is ruled out for the remainder of the season," the IPL media release stated. New Zealand's William O Rourke will replace him in Lucknow Super Giants for the rest of the tournament. Mayank, who made a comeback after six months of intense rehabilitation under the Sports Science and Medical team at the COE, played two matches and gave away 100 runs in eight overs taking just two wickets. His speed had dropped by at least 15 kmph and from a side-on bowler, he had become a chest-on operator after re-modelling his action.

For the record, Mayank has played nine T20 games between March 30, 2024 and May 4, 2025, which is precisely 13 months and four days.

In these nine games, he played four T20s for Lucknow last year when he burst into the scene hitting speed guns at mid 150 clicks consistently.

However, his first breakdown happened in April that year and he was out for six months before getting fast-tracked by Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir into India's T20I team for the Bangladesh series.

By the time the series ended, his back injury resurfaced and he missed the whole domestic season doing rehabilitation at the NCA and then newly constructed COE.

"Now that Nitin Patel has left, you don't know who should one ask about what exactly has been Mayank's line of rehabilitation. Also the next question that needs to be asked is whether he was prematurely given the fit certificate without ensuring that his back injury could resurface within two games? You can call it COE or whatever but the timeline of Mayank Yadav and Umran Malik's injury rehab leaves a lot to be desired," a well-known Strength and Conditioning trainer, who had worked at the old NCA told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

While Mayank is only 22 and years of cricket left ahead of him, this constant breakdowns will certainly make the selection committee lose confidence in him after a point.

He has a BCCI pace bowler's contract and has been under the board's aegis for a year now but recurrent injuries might require consultation from overseas specialists with COE completely found wanting.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/FuOEITm
via IFTTT

India, US working on new customs audit process

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/yJkHa8V
via IFTTT

Mexican Beauty Influencer, 23, Shot During TikTok Livestream

A young Mexican social media influencer, known for her videos about beauty and makeup, was brazenly shot to death during a TikTok livestream, in an incident that sent shockwaves through a country that faces high levels of gender-based violence.

The death of Valeria Marquez, 23, is being investigated according to protocols for femicide - the killing of women or girls for reasons of gender - the Jalisco state prosecutor said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.

Femicide can involve degrading violence, sexual abuse, a relationship with the murderer, or the victim's body being exposed in a public space, according to Mexican authorities.

Marquez was killed on Tuesday in the beauty salon where she worked in the city of Zapopan by a man who entered and shot her, the statement said. The prosecutor's office did not name a suspect.

Seconds before the incident, Marquez was seen on her TikTok livestream seated at a table clutching a stuffed toy. She was heard saying, "they're coming," before a voice in the background asked "Hey, Vale?"

"Yes," Marquez replied, just before muting the sound on the livestream.

Moments later, she was shot to death. A person appeared to pick up her phone, with their face briefly showing on the livestream before the video ended.

Marquez, who had nearly 200,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, had said earlier on the livestream that someone came to the salon when she was not there with an "expensive gift" to deliver to her. Marquez, who appeared concerned, said she was not planning to wait for the person to come back.

Mexico is tied with Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia as the countries with the fourth-highest rates of femicide in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the latest data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, at 1.3 such deaths for every 100,000 women in 2023.

Jalisco is ranked sixth out of Mexico's 32 states, including Mexico City, for homicides, with 906 recorded there since the beginning of President Claudia Sheinbaum's term in October 2024, according to data consultancy TResearch.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/yPz7A80
via IFTTT

Travel cos see cancellations for Turkey, Azerbaijan

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/pKaVskA
via IFTTT

Deals take centre stage in Trump's Gulf visit

U.S. President Donald Trump secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to invest in the United States after the oil power accorded him a gala welcome at the start of a tour of Gulf states. A slate of high-profile business deals across Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi were being unveiled this week, with artificial intelligence and emerging technologies taking centre stage as Gulf nations race to secure a foothold in the global AI economy. Here is an overview of major deals and announcements made on the sidelines of Trump's Gulf visit: * Amazon Web Services and Saudi Arabia's AI startup Humain announced plans to invest $5 billion-plus in a strategic partnership to build an "AI Zone" in the kingdom. * U.S. chip firm AMD and Humain announced plans to build AI infrastructure that will see them invest up to $10 billion to deploy 500 megawatts of AI computing capacity over the next five years. * Saudi Arabian DataVolt plans to invest $20 billion in AI data centres and energy infrastructure in the United States. * Google , DataVolt, Oracle, Salesforce , AMD, and Uber are committing to invest $80 billion in technologies in both countries. * Construction consulting firms Hill International, Jacobs, Parsons, and AECOM are building key infrastructure projects such as King Salman International Airport, King Salman Park, The Vault, Qiddiya City, and more, totalling $2 billion in U.S. services exports. * Additional major exports include GE Vernova's gas turbines and energy solutions totalling $14.2 billion and Boeing 737-8 passenger aircraft for AviLease totalling $4.8 billion. * Healthcare firm Shamekh IV Solutions will be investing $5.8 billion, including a plant in Michigan to launch a high-capacity IV fluid facility. * Hassana Investment Company and Franklin Templeton signed a memorandum of understanding valued at $150 million to explore a strategic partnership related to investments in Saudi private credit opportunities. * Saudi Aramco will sign on Tuesday memorandums of understanding with U.S. liquefied natural gas producer NextDecade and utility firm Sempra, Aramco's chief executive said. * U.S. chip giant Nvidia and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund-owned AI startup Humain announced a partnership. * U.S.-based investment platform Burkhan World Investments said it signed memorandums of understanding with Saudi partners, totaling $15 billion in new investment commitments.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/hP5Gix1
via IFTTT

No RCB Jersey In IPL Match vs KKR, Virat Kohli Fans Plan Ultimate Tribute

As Virat Kohli announces his retirement from the Test format in the middle of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans have planned a brilliant tribute for one of the country's favourite cricketing heroes. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already finalised the resumption plans for the T20 league, with the remainder of the season getting underway on May 17, when RCB will go head-to-head against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.

Making a plea to all RCB and Kohli fans, a campaign has been launched, urging all fans to wear whites in the stadium for the match, instead of RCB's red and black jersey. The intent is to pay tribute to Virat, who decided to hang his boots from the longest format of the game on Monday.

RCB fans request everyone to wear Test White jersey to give a great tribute to Virat Kohli.

- Amazing initiative by the fans! pic.twitter.com/phcg0ZfGMQ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 13, 2025

The message reads as below:

"For the next RCB match, could you help spread the word and encourage fans to wear Test whites in the stadium as a tribute to Virat Kohli?

He made so many of us fall in love with Test cricket, and even though I'll never get to see him play in whites live, I just want him to know how deeply loved he was in his favourite format.

This gesture could be a powerful way to show that his legacy goes far beyond stats - it lives in the hearts of fans.

Please think about it and help us make it real. It would mean the world to many of us.

I even made a template. I also think we can raise fund to give away the jerseys outside Chinnaswamy. That's our best chance. Even if not jerseys plain white t-shirts should do."

The message is already being shared on social media by influencers, raising awareness around the campaign.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/TfGsBaV
via IFTTT