Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final to win back-to-back trophies. (AP)

TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: IPL Trophies are won on the field, but championship dynasties are built in the boardrooms, auction tables and strategy meetings.Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)’s historic back-to-back title wins are the result of an approach that extends far beyond the playing XI. From andy flowersStrategic efficiency and long term planning of Mo Bobat Dinesh KarthikRecognizing the talent of player management and Mallolan Rangarajan, a powerful backroom team quietly built one of the most successful phases in the franchise’s history. Rajat Patidar-led RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.TimesofIndia.com brings to you the people behind RCB’s winning machinery:Andy Flower (head coach)

Andy Flower was appointed head coach of RCB ahead of IPL 2024. (ANI)

The turnaround for RCB started when they appointed Andy Flower as head coach ahead of IPL 2024 and he has led them to two IPL titles in three years.Andy Flower is perhaps the greatest coach of modern cricket. He has mastered all three formats and has an extraordinary resume. He transformed a struggling England team into a world-beating team, overseeing three Ashes wins (2009, 2010–11 and 2013), England’s first global title at the 2010 T20 World Cup, and a historic Test series win in India in 2012, their first in 28 years. Flower later served as a consultant to Australia’s 2023 ODI World Cup-winning campaign before leading Trent Rockets to The Hundred title in 2022 and RCB to their first IPL title in 2025.RCB captain Rajat Patidar also praised Flower, calling him the greatest of all time.“I think he is one of the best coaches, the way he handles players, not just the players who are playing. I think for him the players who are not playing and the new players who are playing their first IPL season are equally important. He spent a lot of time with each individual. So, you know, I don’t have words for him, but he is the best coach I have played with.”Mo Bobat (cricket director)

Mo Bobat (R) is the director of cricket at Royal Challengers Bangalore. (PTI)

Mo Bobat arrived at RCB as Director of Cricket ahead of IPL 2024, and brings with him over a decade of experience at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). As England Men’s Performance Director, he played a key role in building the talent pipeline that contributed to the country’s ODI and T20 World Cup triumphs, while also helping to revitalize the Test team under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Bobat previously worked with RCB as a consultant.After RCB’s win over GT in Qualifier 1, Bobat talked about the number of match-winners in the team, which ultimately proved to be crucial.Bobat had said, “We are obviously happy that we had a number of people who contributed to the win. We had a number of people who stood up with both bat and ball. And you need that to go far in competitions. We are not dependent on one or two players with the bat or one or two players with the ball. And that is a really pleasing thing.”“And if we do this often enough, and if everyone contributes and fulfills their roles, the results should take care of themselves,” Bobt explained his philosophy.Dinesh Karthik (mentor and batting coach)

In Dinesh Karthik, the young members of the RCB team have got an elder brother to guide them. (ANI)

After last year’s IPL, RCB wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma credited Dinesh Karthik for the change in his game.“That man saw in me what no one has ever seen in me. Everyone looked for flaws in me, but that man saw the goodness in me.” Everyone else used to find faults in me, but that man saw my strengths),” Jitesh had told TimesofIndia.com.This year, it was Venkatesh Iyer who worked closely with Karthik behind the scenes when he was not getting game time. When he got the opportunity, Venkatesh scored unbeaten 73 runs while batting at number four in the absence of Patidar due to concussion. From then on, he became a regular in the team.

RCB coaching staff after IPL 2026 title. (Image: X)

In Dinesh Karthik, many Indian players got the elder brother figure who was missing in the RCB dressing room earlier.“When you’re a coach, the dynamics are very different. I’m very happy to see that I have an opportunity to impact someone while I’m playing.” Karthik told TimesofIndia.com during ILT20.Malolan Rangarajan (Spin bowling coach, Player Identification Manager and RCB Women’s head coach)

Malolan Rangarajan is the head coach of RCB’s WPL team and the scout and spin bowling coach of the men’s team. (Image: X)

If Andy Flower and Mo Bobt shaped RCB’s approach, Mallolan Rangarajan helped build its foundation. Former Tamil Nadu off-spinner, Rangarajan has emerged as one of the most respected talent scouts in Indian cricket. As RCB’s head of scouting and fielding coach, he has played a key role in identifying and nurturing players who fit into the franchise’s long-term plans rather than simply chasing star names.Known for his keen eye on talent and deep understanding of domestic cricket, Rangarajan has been instrumental in strengthening RCB’s squad depth, ensuring that the franchise has a steady pipeline of players ready to step in when required. His influence extended beyond recruiting, with his work in the fielding department helping to raise the team’s athletic standards. While the spotlight is often on marquee players and high-profile coaches, Rangarajan’s contributions behind the scenes have been crucial in helping RCB build a balanced, flexible team capable of winning back-to-back IPL titles.Malolan Rangarajan is also the head coach of the RCB women’s team. He has been at the forefront of the Hinterland Scouting initiative, a methodology that explores the Indian cricket landscape at a much deeper level and identifies talent that might otherwise go unnoticed.Omkar Salvi (bowling coach)

RCB’s bowling performance in the IPL 2026 campaign was excellent. Omkar Salvi is the bowling coach of the team. (ANI)

After winning the title, captain Rajat Patidar praised bowling coach Omkar Salvi for revamping RCB’s attack.“I have known Omkar Salvi sir since I started playing my first Ranji Trophy season,” Patidar said.

“Since then, I have been watching him closely. He spent a lot of time with every bowler. I would say there was a lot of hard work in the way Salvi sir worked with the team. We can’t always see what’s happening in the meeting room when he is talking to the players. He spent a lot of time with them individually and I think that really helped every bowler.”

Most robots are made to look like something. Engineers designing machines to navigate in the real world have, for decades, reached for the same reference points: the human skeleton, the quadrupedal gait of a dog, the crawling of insects. These biological templates have produced impressive machines, but they have an underlying assumption that a robot needs forward, backward, and a preferred direction of travel. A team from Duke University’s General Robotics Lab has now directly challenged that notion, and the result is a machine that looks unlike anything in the robotics catalog and, more importantly, moves unlike anything that’s come before.

Duke’s omnidirectional robot with no front or back

The robot is named Argus after the all-seeing giant from Greek mythology, and the name fits. It has 20 modular, telescoping legs that extend outward from a central core, each fitted with a depth camera, giving it an almost perfect circular field of view. There is neither front, nor back, nor above, nor below. It can move, roll, climb, freeze and manipulate objects in any direction, without needing to turn or redirect itself first. The work, led by engineering professor Boyuan Chen with doctoral student Jiaxun Liu and postdoctoral researcher Boxie Xia, is published in the journal Nature. science robotics.

The design principles behind Argus and what it actually measures

The conceptual foundation of Argus is a design principle the team calls Dynamic Isotropy. Instead of asking what the robot should look like, the theory asks how evenly it can move in every direction in space. The team quantified this as a score from 0 to 1, where 1 represents a theoretically perfect machine that can move in any direction with exactly the same force. According to the published study, most advanced robots in use today, including state-of-the-art quadrupeds, humanoid robots, and traditional drones, score below 0.6 on this measure. Argus’s score is 0.91, which is close to the theoretical limit. As Chen said: “When a robot can accelerate equally in every direction, it no longer needs to face the world in any particular way. Back and forth become the same. Left and right become equal. The character of the whole problem of robot control changes.”

Why the dodecahedron geometry of Argus produces almost perfect motion symmetry

To reach that score of 0.91 it was necessary to solve the geometry problem first. The team ran more than 1,500 simulated robot configurations to identify which arrangement of legs came closest to their theoretical maximum. The winning design placed 20 identical cable-driven legs on top of a regular dodecahedron, a three-dimensional geometric solid with 12 pentagonal faces. This arrangement produces almost exactly uniform distribution of both force and visual coverage in all directions. Each leg is telescoping and cable-driven, meaning it can extend and retract to push against surfaces, and each has its own depth camera so that the robot’s perception simultaneously matches its physical reach in every direction. The result looks less like a machine and more like a sea urchin, which is not a coincidence. The study clearly notes the similarity, and the geometry behind it is the same principle that gives sea urchins their remarkable mechanical stability.

Argus detected forests, sand and wet surfaces in real-world tests

It’s one thing to build a robot that performs well in simulation; The Duke team tested Argus extensively in the real world, running it on the Duke campus and surrounding area. According to the study, the Argus rolled on concrete, grass, dense foliage, soft sand, wet surfaces and tree bark without losing stability regardless of its orientation. It cleared obstacles up to five inches high. It climbed vertically between two closely parallel walls by alternately grasping and pushing with different subsets of its legs. It carried a ten-pound payload at almost full speed and pushed a large cube around a location while rolling continuously. Doctoral student Jiaxun Liu, co-first author of the paper, said: “The first time we saw it navigate through trees and rough terrain, even through heavy collisions, we knew it was something different.”

How does Argus keep going even when his legs are broken or his motors are damaged?

One of the more practically important findings from the research concerns the robot’s resilience to damage. Because its 20 legs each contribute only a fraction of the total movement, and because the design distributes force evenly rather than relying on a small number of vital limbs, the Argus continues to function even if one or more motors fail, or a leg breaks. This is no small advantage. Most robots with reduced limbs suffer significant degradation in capability or complete failure if a vital joint is lost. Argus’s architecture makes it structurally tolerant of partial failure in a way that reflects the same mathematics that makes it ubiquitous: Nothing is so impactful that losing it will break the system.

The future of robotics beyond biological design templates

The team is clear that Argus is a proof of concept rather than a finished product, but the implications for robotics design are substantial. Postdoctoral researcher Boxee Xia said the robot proves that dynamic symmetry is not just a theoretical exercise; This produces a deployable machine capable of handling real-world challenges. Chen described Argus as the first member of what he envisions as a broader family of dynamically symmetrical machines: “robots that don’t need to mimic dogs or humans to be agile, tough, and useful.“Researchers have also produced designs with up to 40 legs that score even higher on dynamic isotropy, although these are impractical as prototypes right now given the added mechanical complexity. However, Argus’s dodecahedral architecture sits at a useful inflection point complex to reach the theoretical ideal, which is actually quite simple to build and test in the field.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Met Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing on Monday.The leaders met at Hyderabad House here in the national capital as President U Min Aung Hlaing is visiting India from May 30 to June 2 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.This is the first visit of Min Aung Hlaing to India in his current capacity as President. He will also be accompanied by a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers, senior officials and prominent business leaders.Earlier, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Met Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday.“NSA Shri Ajit Doval met President of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing today,” Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a post on Twitter.Earlier, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met the President of Myanmar on Saturday and appreciated his positive approach towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.In a post on Twitter, Jaishankar said, “Delighted to meet President of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi today. Appreciate his positive sentiment towards deepening our long-standing bilateral cooperation. Looking forward to his meeting with PM Narendra Modi to take our partnership forward for peace, progress and prosperity.”After completing the program in Bodh Gaya, Min Aung Hlaing reached New Delhi.Hlaing reached Bodh Gaya in Bihar on Saturday, where External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed the visit and highlighted India’s civilizational and spiritual ties with Myanmar.Shortly after arrival, President Min Aung Hlaing visited the sacred Mahabodhi Temple, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site and UNESCO World Heritage Site.Speaking at the weekly press briefing earlier on Friday, Jaiswal outlined the broad scope of the upcoming bilateral discussions.

Marcelo Bielsa has made the biggest selection decision of Uruguay’s FIFA World Cup campaign by leaving out veteran striker Luis Suarez from his final 26-man squad. The former Barcelona and Liverpool forward, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, was one of the notable omissions when Bielsa unveiled his squad on Sunday.

While Suarez missed out on a place in the tournament, midfield star Federico Valverde and striker Darwin Nunez are leading a young team that reflects Bielsa’s long-term vision for the national team.

39-year-old Suarez had not completely closed the chapter of his international career Despite announcing his retirement from Uruguayan duty. The experienced forward recently suggested that he would be open to a comeback if the national team requires his services during the World Cup.

However, Bielsa opted to recall the striker, who has been absent from the international setup for almost 20 months. The decision comes months after Suarez publicly criticized the Argentina coach’s management style, which he claimed had created divisions within the dressing room.

Suárez said earlier this year, “I retired from the national team to make room for other players, and because I felt the moment had come when I could no longer be useful to the team. But if they need me, I will never refuse the national team. As long as I’m playing, as long as I’m active, that’s impossible.”

Relations between player and coach appeared strained after Suárez accused Bielsa of creating a difficult atmosphere within the team. Although the former striker later said he had apologized for those comments, it was not enough to convince Bielsa to include him in his World Cup plans.

Suarez’s omission was not the only major talking point From the squad announcement. Nahitan Nandez, another experienced international who featured regularly during the qualification campaign, was also ruled out as Bielsa continued his transition towards a young core.

Bielsa backs youth for World Cup

The team selection underlines Bielsa’s commitment to building a team around players rather than relying on experienced veterans. Uruguay’s defensive foundation will be led by Ronald Araújo, José María Jiménez and Mathias Oliveira, who will provide a mix of leadership and physicality at the back.

Bielsa has in midfield Put their trust in a dynamic group featuring Federico ValverdeRodrigo Bentancur, Manuel Ugarte and Nicolás de la Cruz. This quartet epitomizes the high-intensity pressing style and tireless work rate that has become the hallmark of Bielsa’s teams throughout his managerial career.

The attack will be led by Darwin Núñez, who remains the primary goal-scoring threat for Uruguay despite a difficult club season. The striker has not featured for Al-Hilal since February after the Saudi Pro League side shuffled their foreign player registration following the arrival of Karim Benzema.

Despite concerns over his lack of recent game time, Bielsa remains confident in Núñez’s ability to lead on football’s biggest stage.

Uruguay have been drawn in Group H and will open their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on June 15. They will then face Cape Verde in what is expected to be their toughest test before concluding the group stage against Spain.

With Suarez absent and a new generation taking center stage, Bielsa’s Uruguay are heading into the tournament hoping their youthful energy can compensate for the loss of one of the country’s greatest footballers.

Uruguay squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet, Fernando Muslera, Santiago Mele

Defenders: Guillermo Varela, Ronald Araújo, Jose Maria Jimenez, Santiago Bueno, Sebastian Casares, Mathias Oliveira, Joaquin Piquerrez, Matias Viana.

Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte, Emiliano Martínez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde, Agustín Canobbio, Juan Manuel Sanabria, Giorgio de Arrascaeta, Nicolás de la Cruz, Rodrigo Zalazar, Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Araújo, Brian Rodriguez

Forwards: Rodrigo Aguirre, Federico Vinas, Darwin Nunez

– ends

Russell T Davis’ new show on TV is the talk of the town these days. ‘Tip Toe’ is a brand new series featuring two lesbian neighbors whose boundaries and relationships are tested throughout the show. Davis recently took a look at what goes on behind the scenes with all the actors and crew members and what he wants from the show.

Russell T Davies on making ‘Tip Toe’

Speaking to the BBC, Davies explained how he addresses serious topics in a humorous manner in most of his shows. Elaborating on his process, he said, “Honestly, I see the world going from bad to worse these days. I am very worried about the future of my nieces and nephews.”When asked if he wanted the show to shed light on the issues, Davis only said that he wanted us to live in that reality. He further commented, “I wish television could change the world. If I could I would write more and change it faster. However, I feel compelled to comment on the world.”Speaking further about the show, Davis said that one of the highlights of ‘Tip Toe’ was the fact that alan cumming Was leading it. He told that he had been trying to cast the famous actor in one of his projects for the last 20 years.

Alan Cumming and david morrissey Consider their roles on the show

Alan Cumming and David Morrissey, who are leading the show, also opened up about their roles and working together. Talking about some of the challenging scenes, Morrissey said, “We had to do some difficult things, but the best thing about being with an actor who’s a friend is you can really push it.”Cumming also said, “As the series goes on and we all start liking everybody, and start worrying about them, you almost forget [I’m dead]. But we don’t know how it happened, or when in the story it happened. It’s really clever, it’s mysterious.”

What is the story of ‘Tip Toe’?

The TV series is based on Alan Cumming, who plays Leo Struthers, a 59-year-old man who owns a bar in Manchester’s Gay Village. David Morrissey plays Clive, an electrician and his neighbor in the area. Set in modern Britain, the show deals with the themes of a violent, homophobic feud as the surrounding social strata begins to change.

In a world increasingly illuminated by artificial light, truly dark skies have become a rare treasure. According to researchers, more than 80% of the global population now lives under light-polluted skies, making it difficult to see anything but the brightest stars in many urban areas. Yet a handful of remote deserts, mountains, forests and protected reserves offer exceptional night-sky conditions. These locations provide some of the clearest views of the planets, constellations, meteor showers, and the galaxy, and also serve as important sites for scientific research. From Chile’s Atacama Desert to the vast landscapes of Namibia and Australia, these are among the darkest areas on Earth to see the stars.

10 darkest areas around the world

1. Atacama Desert, ChileThe Atacama Desert in northern Chile is often considered the gold standard for astronomical observations. It is one of the driest places on Earth, with some areas receiving almost no rainfall. Combined with its high altitude and exceptionally clear atmosphere, these conditions make it ideal for studying the universe. The desert hosts world-renowned observatories, including ALMA and the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory. On moonlit nights, the Milky Way appears so bright that it can cast hazy shadows on the ground.

Atacama Desert, Chile

2. Namib Desert, NamibiaThe Namib Desert is one of the oldest deserts in the world and one of Africa’s premier stargazing destinations. Its low population density, dry climate and lack of urban development create remarkably dark skies. Visitors can enjoy unobstructed views of the southern celestial hemisphere including the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, two dwarf galaxies visible to the naked eye.3. Mauna Kea, Hawaii, United StatesStanding 4,207 meters above sea level, Mauna Kea offers the clearest astronomical viewing conditions anywhere on the planet. The mountain rises above most of Earth’s atmospheric water vapor and cloud cover, giving astronomers a stable and transparent window into space. Several major international observatories are located near its summit.4. Aoraki McKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New ZealandLocated on New Zealand’s South Island, the Aoraki MacKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve covers more than 4,300 square kilometres. Strict controls on outdoor lighting help preserve the area’s pristine night skies. Tourists can easily see the Milky Way, star clusters and many constellations of the Southern Hemisphere that are not visible from northern latitudes.

5. Jasper Dark Sky Preserve, CanadaLocated within Jasper National Park in Alberta, the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve is one of the largest accessible dark-sky preserves in the world. The combination of mountainous scenery and minimal light pollution creates excellent conditions for observing stars and planets. This preserve is especially popular during meteor showers and annual astronomy festivals.6. Galloway Forest Park, ScotlandDespite being located in the United Kingdom, Galloway Forest Park remains one of the darkest places in Europe. Named as Dark Sky Park, it offers remarkably clear views of the night sky. On favorable nights, visitors can see more than 7,000 stars, while in heavily light-polluted cities one may see only a few hundred stars.7. Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, IrelandLocated on the southwest coast of Ireland, the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve is recognized as one of the world’s premier dark-sky destinations. Its remote location, rugged landscape and low levels of artificial light provide excellent conditions for viewing planets, galaxies and the Milky Way throughout the year.8. Tibetan PlateauThe Tibetan Plateau, often called the “Roof of the World”, offers high altitude viewing conditions that rival those of many professional observatories. Thin air, low humidity and limited growth contribute to exceptionally dark skies. Many remote parts of the plateau provide breathtaking views of the Milky Way stretching beyond the horizon.9. Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania, United StatesCherry Springs State Park has become one of North America’s most famous locations for amateur astronomy. Surrounded by forests and away from major cities, it has extremely low levels of light pollution. Stargazers regularly gather here to observe deep sky objects, including nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania, United States

10. Australian Outback, AustraliaMuch of the Australian Outback is sparsely populated, making it one of the darkest inhabited regions on Earth. The combination of vast open landscapes and minimal artificial lighting creates ideal conditions for stargazing. The area around Uluru and remote parts of Western Australia offer extraordinary views of the southern night sky, including the center of the Milky Way.

Why are dark skies becoming rare?

Light pollution is increasing around the world as cities expand and artificial lighting becomes more widespread. Scientists have found that excessive light at night can affect wildlife behavior, disrupt ecosystems and reduce people’s ability to connect with the natural world. For astronomers, dark skies are essential for observing faint celestial objects and making new discoveries about the universe.

Preserving humanity’s window to the universe

Many of the world’s darkest regions are now protected through dark-sky reserves, national parks, and conservation initiatives. These efforts help ensure that future generations can continue to experience awe-inspiring views of the planets, stars, and galaxy. As light pollution continues to spread, these rare patches of darkness are becoming increasingly valuable, providing scientists with vital observing conditions and helping people maintain a direct connection with the night sky and the wider universe.

New Delhi: The Union of Indian Universities, already under the scanner over alleged financial and administrative irregularities, is now facing allegations of a potentially much bigger scam related to the certification of players, with AIU president Vinay Kumar Pathak alleging that deserving university athletes have been denied recognition and opportunities for years through systemic manipulation within the administration.Pathak, who initiated disciplinary action following the controversy over India’s participation in the 2025 Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) World University Games in Germany, claimed that vested interests were opposing efforts to clean up the system. “This action has shaken up the corrupt practices. There is a need for further investigation into the certification scam, which has kept meritorious sportspersons away from Indian universities for a long time,” Pathak told TOI.Immediate disciplinary proceedings were initiated against AIU Joint Secretary Baljit Singh Sekhon, who was suspended for lapses related to the World University Games. In a memorandum dated 13 April, the AIU had said that the selected athletes, “including six badminton players and some athletics participants” were not included in the official entry list within the stipulated deadline, leading to denial of recognition despite traveling to the venue and being excluded from the competition.The memorandum described the episode as reflecting “gross negligence, lack of due diligence and failure to discharge assigned responsibilities”. An investigative committee later concluded that Sekhon “is responsible for most aspects of the mismanagement reported at FISU WUG 2025” and cited “negligence in duties, failure to discharge duties, breach of responsibility, irresponsibility, carelessness, failure to act, lapse in judgment”.The scope of the investigation extended beyond procedural flaws in the games. The committee recommended vigilance investigation into “suspicious financial credit transactions” and investigation into foreign travel undertaken by officials in the last two years. Pathak said the investigation has exposed deep institutional irregularities.In a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana in connection with a PIL alleging serious violations of bylaws and challenging his continuation as AIU president, Pathak said he launched a clean-up drive soon after assuming office and constituted high-level committees to probe “deep institutional irregularities”.According to the letter, disciplinary action was taken following the findings of these committees, including dismissal of Gaurav Rai, sending Binu George Varghese back to his parent institution and suspending Sekhon pending investigation. Pathak alleged that the PIL was part of a vindictive attempt to derail the disciplinary proceedings. He argued that the Education Ministry’s status quo order applied not only to the post of the President but also to the General Council and other AIU bodies during the restructuring phase, yet only the continuity of the President was targeted.The panel also recommended professionalization of youth affairs and sports administration, structured collaboration with the Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India and promotion of inter-university leagues and international participation programmes. “If the certification and selection over the past few years is properly examined, many shocking facts may emerge,” Pathak said.

Tensions in West Asia rose sharply on Monday as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted a US military base, while Washington also announced new attacks on Iranian military facilities.The location of the base was not specified in the Guards’ statement, which was broadcast by IRIB and other Iranian state media.The development came as Kuwait’s military said its air defense system was responding to drone and missile attacks. “Kuwaiti air defenses are currently facing hostile missile and drone attacks,” the military said in a post on Twitter. It said any explosion sounds heard by residents were the result of air defense systems intercepting incoming threats and advised people to follow safety and security instructions.

Latest US attacks in Iran

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said it conducted self-defense strikes against Iranian radar and command-and-control sites used for drones in what it described as “aggressive Iranian actions.”According to CENTCOM, the strikes targeted radar and drone control facilities on Goruk, Iran, and Qeshm Island. The operation was carried out on Saturday and Sunday (local time) after it was reported that an American MQ-1 drone operating in international waters was shot down.CENTCOM said U.S. warplanes responded “swiftly” to the incident, destroying “Iranian air defenses, a ground control station, and two unilateral attack drones”, which it said posed a “clear threat” to ships transiting territorial waters.The command described the operation as “measured and deliberate” and insisted that it was carried out in self-defense.“No U.S. service members were harmed,” CENTCOM said. He said he would “continue to protect U.S. assets and interests in response to unjustified Iranian aggression during the ongoing ceasefire.”

Iran has disputed the US account of events. The IRGC said its air defense units shot down a US MQ-1 drone early Sunday after it reportedly entered Iranian territorial airspace, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.The drone was detected by Iranian surveillance and air defense systems and subsequently targeted by advanced air defense missiles, the statement said. Iranian officials claimed that the aircraft was successfully destroyed.The IRGC identified the drone as US military and said it was shot down because it had entered Iranian airspace “with the intention of carrying out hostile operations.”

The latest development comes days after another exchange of attacks between the two sides. The IRGC had earlier said it had targeted a US air base in the region following fresh US attacks on southern Iran.The Iranian missile launch came after the US shot down an Iranian drone over the Strait of Hormuz and attacked a military site in Bandar Abbas, a strategic port city in southern Iran.The IRGC said the attack on the US airport occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning and targeted “the source” of earlier US attacks on Iran, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

Diplomacy continues amid tension

The renewed military exchanges have raised concerns about the sustainability of a fragile ceasefire, even as Washington and Tehran continue indirect talks on a potential deal to end the three-month-long conflict.US War Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that military action could resume if an agreement fails to meet Washington’s requirements.“Our reserves are well suited for this,” Hegseth declared during an address in Singapore.President Donald Trump has reportedly sent back a separate proposed deal with Iran for further amendments. The US President also said he was in “no hurry” to finalize a deal. According to Axios, as cited by CBS News, Trump sought several amendments during Friday’s meeting and sought additional amendments afterward.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged caution on reports related to the talks, saying, “Until there is a conclusion… everything that is being said now is speculation.”Iranian media reported that diplomatic talks were ongoing, with both sides continuing to propose changes to the draft agreement.

Meanwhile, Iran has restored access to a significant portion of its underground missile infrastructure after months of excavation and repair work, according to a CNN report. The report said the development highlighted “the limitations of the American bombing strategy”, which had focused on sealing tunnel entrances.The latest military action has raised fears that the ceasefire could collapse despite ongoing diplomatic efforts with Qatar and other regional players.

Dave Fiji and his wife Jessani (Image/X@ATLNewsFirst)

An Indian-origin pilot has died in a helicopter crash just hours after marrying his long-time partner in the US, turning a joyous wedding celebration into a tragedy. The helicopter pilot also lost his life in the accident, while the bride survived and is recovering in hospital.Dave Fizzy and his wife Jessani boarded a Robinson R66 helicopter after their wedding ceremony in Dawsonville, Georgia on Friday night. According to Atlanta News First, the helicopter was headed to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport as part of a special farewell held after the wedding. However, shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed in a densely forested area near the wedding venue.About 400 guests attended the couple’s wedding at The Revere in Dawsonville.Recalling the celebration, Dave’s father George Fiji said that his son was very happy on his wedding day.He said, “My son was very happy. I was standing there looking at my son and admiring him. He was looking very handsome.”According to family members, Dave and Jason met through church connections in South Carolina and Georgia before their friendship eventually blossomed into a relationship. George described the couple as, “Friends who decided to become life partners.”The helicopter crashed before reaching its destination, following which a major search operation was launched in the forested area.George Fiji said it took several hours for rescue teams to locate the wreckage. “It took them a while to locate the helicopter,” he said.According to the family, Jessani was trapped inside the debris for nearly six hours before emergency responders found her.Describing the heartbreaking scene narrated by his daughter-in-law, George said Jessie realized her husband had died next to her.He said, “When she woke up she saw my son Dave resting on her chest. She saw blood on him and by then his body was completely cold. She’s a nurse, so she knew he was gone.”George said Jason was hit and bruised but survived without any broken bones. “She’s broken, but she’s recovering,” he said.Dave Fiji dreamed of becoming a pilot since childhood and later fulfilled that ambition by joining Delta Air Lines as a first officer, according to his father.Before the helicopter took off, George said his son had expressed concerns about deteriorating weather conditions and poor visibility.“Since my son was the pilot, he told the pilot there was zero visibility and when there’s zero visibility like this, we never fly,” George said.According to George, Jesse later told him that the helicopter pilot responded by saying they would fly at a higher altitude.The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident and has not yet determined the cause of the accident.As the family mourns the passing of Dave Fiji, George said his Christian faith is helping him cope with the tragedy.He said, “Without God there would be many questions – why? God gave us a perfect marriage, and in a matter of hours everything turned into tragedy. The only place we can find answers and peace is in God.”