Times of India

RCB's Director of Cricket Mo Bobat believes the franchise's new identity matches with Rajat Patidar's. Built on fearless intent and collective contributions, RCB's second consecutive title push is strengthened by the experience of Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. They will face Gujarat Titans in the final on Sunday.

The UAE's involvement in the Middle East conflict was deeper than previously known, with coordinated strikes on Iran, including energy facilities, even after an April ceasefire. These actions exposed divisions within the Gulf, as Saudi Arabia expressed concerns about escalating risks to regional energy supplies and global markets.

The White House launched a new space-themed website, Aliens.gov, to highlight immigration enforcement actions. Using extraterrestrial imagery, the site aims to showcase arrests of undocumented immigrants and promote President Trump's agenda. It features a live dashboard and interactive map of enforcement activities, drawing criticism for its dehumanizing language.

Mumbai Indians faced a dismal IPL 2026, plagued by persistent dressing room unrest and damaging leaks of sensitive information. This internal turmoil, escalating since Hardik Pandya's captaincy, has frustrated franchise figures and insiders alike. Management is now prioritising an immediate crackdown on these breaches to restore the team's former glory.

IPL auctions are often won on perception in December, but the real story usually emerges months later. While franchises splashed massive sums on Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana and Liam Livingstone, the smartest buys of IPL 2026 quietly came from the Rs 7-9 crore bracket. Jason Holder topped the charts by a distance, Josh Inglis maximised limited opportunities, and Ravi Bishnoi delivered steady returns. Meanwhile, several marquee signings struggled with injuries, poor form and role mismatches, turning auction-night hype into underwhelming seasons.

Rainfall Pegged At 90% Amid El Nino Shadow

Arsenal star midfielder Declan Rice has been with his girlfriend, Lauren Fryer, for over a decade now even as the two have continued to get trolled for their relationship in public for the last few years. While Lauren Fryer has remained pretty private about her life, Declan Rice has often defended her in public as he spoke about how she has changed his life for the better.

A Bengaluru autorickshaw driver died tragically when a private club's compound wall collapsed on his parked vehicle during heavy rain and strong winds. Shivaboraiah was trapped and crushed by the debris. Police are investigating the cause of the wall's collapse.

'Overwhelming Number Of False Cases Overshadowing Genuine Ones'

A Vienna court sentenced a 21-year-old to 15 years for plotting an ISIS-linked terror attack at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts in August 2024. The foiled plot involved homemade explosives and knives targeting thousands of fans. This verdict arrives as Swift's wedding to Travis Kelce garners immense global attention, highlighting the persistent security threats she faces.

A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to remove President Trump's name from the Kennedy Center. The court ruled that renaming the Washington institution, a memorial to John F. Kennedy, requires congressional approval. The judge mandated the removal of all Trump signage and references within two weeks, following a board decision that faced significant backlash.

University of California faculty are urging the reinstatement of SAT/ACT math requirements for STEM applicants, citing a significant decline in student math skills since the tests were dropped. They argue current admissions practices fail to ensure readiness, forcing instructors to reteach basic math and jeopardizing the quality of STEM education.

French Open 2026 witnessed two huge upsets as Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner crashed out of the tournament. Teenager Joao Fonseca stunned Djokovic in a five-set thriller after coming back from two sets down. Earlier, World No. 1 Sinner collapsed physically in extreme Paris heat and lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, ending his 30-match winning streak and opening up the men’s draw.

A 17-year-old boy, Surya Pratap, died after being stabbed multiple times by his friend Asad in Ghaziabad's Khoda Colony. The incident occurred following an argument, with the accused fleeing the scene. Police are investigating the motive and have formed teams to apprehend Asad.

A British Sikh man was convicted of murder using a kirpan, sparking calls to ban the ceremonial dagger in public. Accusations of two-tier policing arose after officers handcuffed the dying victim, believing a false claim of racial abuse. The victim's mother was convicted of aiding the killer. Investigations into police conduct are underway.

Riyan Parag praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 exit, saying the 15-year-old “doesn't slog” and instead “calculates and plays his shots”. Sooryavanshi smashed 96 off 47 balls, but Gujarat Titans chased down 215 comfortably thanks to Shubman Gill’s 104 and Sai Sudharsan’s 58. Gujarat reached their third IPL final and will face RCB in Ahmedabad.

A Gujarat-origin man residing in the US has pleaded guilty to a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling conspiracy in southwest Missouri. Tushar Patel admitted his role in a racket that generated nearly $9.5 million in illegal proceeds. He faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, operate an illegal gambling business, and money laundering.

Security forces are in the seventh day of a relentless hunt for two to three terrorists in Rajouri's dense forests. The joint operation, bolstered by helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs, intensified with heavy firing and shelling. A terrorist hideout was also discovered and destroyed. Top officers are overseeing the critical anti-terror mission.

Gujarat Titans reached their third IPL final after defeating Rajasthan Royals. Shubman Gill scored a magnificent century to guide Gujarat in their chase. Rajasthan had posted a strong total thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's brilliant knock. Gujarat's opening partnership was key to their success. They will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.