Times of India

Chennai Super Kings, reeling from five consecutive losses after an initial win, face mounting pressure in IPL 2025. Their recent defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday saw a record low score at their home ground. Sitting in ninth place with just two points from six matches, is it all over for CSK and their playoff chances?

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee declared that her state would not implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, following violent protests in areas like Jangipur and Murshidabad. She appealed for peace and harmony, emphasizing that the law was enacted by the central government. Banerjee cautioned against political misuse of religion and warned of legal action against those inciting riots.

Following violent unrest in Jalangi, Murshidabad, BJP leaders have launched sharp attacks on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of inaction after a BDO office was vandalized during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. Suvendu Adhikari condemned the violence, blaming "radical elements" for undermining the Constitution. BJP leaders are alleging appeasement politics and failure to protect Hindus.

Rahul Gandhi met with textile design workers, highlighting the lack of OBC representation at the top of the industry. He shared the story of Vicky, a talented entrepreneur, and his hardworking factory workers, emphasizing the undervaluation of skill and the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities in accessing education and networks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Shri Anandpur Dham in Madhya Pradesh, a spiritually significant site known for its peace and devotion. During his visit, he offered prayers at the Shri Paramhans Advait Mandir and the Guruji Maharaj Temple, praising the community's dedication to service and the spiritual tradition nurtured there.

What should have been a normal Wednesday turned into a nationwide digital crisis last month. People were unable to make payments or even log into their payment apps, causing widespread frustration. Whether you were trying to buy groceries, pay for a ride, or send money to a friend, the failure of UPI was causing problems everywhere

A moderate 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan, with tremors felt in Jammu and Kashmir. The earthquake, occurring at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, raised concerns about potential aftershocks. Pakistan's location on the boundary of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes. Earlier, Tajikistan, Pakistan’s neighbor, was also jolted by a 4.2 magnitude earthquake.

UPI faced another widespread outage, disrupting payment and fund transfer services for thousands. Downdetector reported over 2,200 complaints, highlighting transaction failures across major platforms like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and banking apps including SBI, ICICI and HDFC. This marks the third UPI disruption in approximately three weeks, raising concerns about the reliability of the digital payment system.

Virender Sehwag criticised MS Dhoni's brief innings during Chennai Super Kings' crushing defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, dismissing any notion that Dhoni's presence could have salvaged the innings. CSK suffered a historic loss, their first three consecutive defeats at Chepauk, managing a paltry 103/9.

China is standing firm in its trade dispute with the US, asserting its economic resilience and denouncing what it views as American bullying. Despite retaliatory tariffs and efforts to diversify trade, the US-China trade relationship remains substantial, though the trade deficit has widened. The tariffs are causing disruptions for businesses, with some facing increased costs and supply chain challenges.

Mayawati has questioned the silence of the leader of opposition on the Waqf Amendment Bill. She says both Congress and BJP have failed the Dalit community. She also criticizes the growing trend of privatization. Mayawati had earlier urged the Centre to review the Waqf law. The Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 received presidential assent recently.

Gujarat Titans have been dealt another injury setback as Glenn Phillips is out of IPL 2025 with a groin issue sustained while fielding against Sunrisers Hyderabad. This follows Kagiso Rabada's departure earlier. Phillips, yet to debut for GT in IPL 2025, was anticipated to bring his fielding and batting prowess to the team.

Member states of the International Maritime Organization have voted in favour of a global pricing system to help curb maritime carbon emissions, the UN shipping body announced Friday. A majority of members -- 63 states -- voted for the carbon pricing system, including the European Union, Brazil, China, India and Japan.

Tamil Nadu's political landscape sees a resurgence as AIADMK and BJP reunite, prompting strong criticism from DMK's MK Stalin, who dismisses it as a doomed alliance. Stalin questions the alliance's ideological foundation and commitment to Tamil Nadu's interests, while Amit Shah assures a stable partnership.

A devastating explosion at an aluminum foil factory in Umred MIDC, Nagpur district, claimed the lives of five individuals. The incident occurred in the factory's polished tubing unit, with 87 people present at the time. Two victims died during hospital treatment, while three missing individuals were later confirmed dead.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for obstructing the Ayushman Bharat scheme, predicting a BJP victory in the state. Speaking in Odisha, Nadda cited Delhi and Odisha as examples where resistance to the scheme preceded electoral setbacks for opposing parties.

Over 110 individuals were apprehended following unrest in West Bengal's Murshidabad district during a demonstration against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The violence, which spread to other districts, involved torched vehicles and clashes with police. Authorities have imposed restrictions and suspended internet services in affected areas.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the party's alliance with the NDA, hailing it as crucial for Tamil Nadu's progress and expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his support. This came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the alliance, stating that they will contest the upcoming elections together, with Modi leading nationally and Palaniswami heading the state campaign.

Congress leader Udit Raj casts doubt on the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, labelling it a 'game' and questioning his significant role. Despite this skepticism, former home minister P Chidambaram welcomes the extradition, highlighting the UPA government's initial involvement in the process.

An Indian Army JCO was killed in a gunfight with terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control in Jammu's Akhnoor sector, marking a ceasefire violation by Pakistan. This incident occurred shortly after brigade commander-level talks aimed at de-escalating border tensions. Separately, in Kishtwar, security forces eliminated three Pakistani terrorists during a joint operation, recovering a cache of weapons.