Mullanpur: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, left, with head coach Ricky Ponting (PTI photo)

Punjab Kings head coach ricky ponting praised the captain a lot Shreyas Iyer The PBKS captain scored a sensational unbeaten century to keep the franchise alive in the race for the IPL 2026 playoffs. Punjab ended their six-match losing streak with an impressive seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday, chasing 197 in just 18 overs. Shreyas played a brilliant inning of 101 not out in 51 balls and scored his first IPL century, while Prabhsimran Singh scored 69 runs in 39 balls to form a match-winning partnership of 140 runs for the third wicket. Reflecting on the win, Ponting acknowledged that Punjab have faced a tough road in recent weeks, but credited the team for responding under pressure. “We’ve done it the hard way, let’s put it this way. We’ve done what we needed to do today. Carelessness again in the field, they gave away 20 more runs than they should have got. “Very clinical chase, especially being in trouble early on,” Ponting said after the match. The former Australia captain had special praise for Shreyas, revealing why Punjab invested heavily in him in the auction and lauded both his leadership and temperament. “Captain, he has done this all season. This is his first IPL century tonight. We will celebrate it and then sit back tomorrow and wait for the results,” he said. “That’s why I spent as much money in the auction as I did a few years ago (on Iyer). He’s a talented guy, a very mature player now, a very mature leader. Often he keeps his emotions under control on the field. The respect he gets from his players is second to none.” Ponting also highlighted Shreyas’s influence inside the dressing room and said that the PBKS players fully accept their captain’s leadership. Ponting said, “The moment he stands in front of the group and speaks, no one bats an eye at a single word he says. He’s been a pleasure to work with. I’m really happy with his season last season.” The PBKS coach also backed Shreyas for a bigger role in India’s white-ball setup in the future. “It’s great to see him back in the Indian ODI team. I really think he has a big and bright future in the Indian T20 team as well,” he said. Punjab’s win moves them to fourth place with 15 points from 14 matches, although their playoff hopes still depend on results elsewhere. Rajasthan Royals face Mumbai Indians on Sunday, and PBKS needs a defeat for Rajasthan to stay in the top four. Ponting admitted that Punjab’s dramatic drop in form after a strong performance in the first half of the season had hurt their campaign. “The level of cricket we played in the first half was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. And then we made some crucial mistakes at different times in the last six games,” he said. The Australian great also praised Prabhsimran Singh for continuing his impressive season and credited the young opener’s growing confidence. Ponting said, “Fantastic player. It’s probably only in the last few years that he’s realized how good he is. He and Priyansh have been excellent for us over the last few seasons. It will be great for him to see him play a mature innings in a good run chase tonight.” Punjab’s fate now hinges on Sunday’s results, with Ponting revealing that the team will be keeping a close eye on the remaining playoff-deciding fixtures. He concluded, “We will try to get the boys together and watch it (RR-MI game).”

Pune: Prime Minister Narendra ModiAn appeal to ban foreign travel for a year can boost domestic tourism, provided the government emphasizes on it.Tour operators highlighted two constraints in the Indian tourism industry. First, exorbitant domestic airfares. Second, high hotel rents during holidays. He demanded some kind of limit to be imposed to encourage inland travel.Nilesh Bhansali, president of the Travel Agents Association of Pune, said domestic tourism should be made more affordable if people are expected to avoid foreign travel. “Sometimes, a flight from Mumbai to Leh costs more than a trip to Dubai. Hotel charges in destinations like Goa often double or triple during long weekends, making domestic travel unaffordable for many,” he said.Prime Minister Modi earlier this week appealed to Indians for frugality amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruption in global energy supplies due to rising fuel prices. He encouraged people to use public transport, avoid unnecessary gold purchases, revive the practice of working from home and reduce non-essential foreign travel to conserve resources.Travel industry representatives said the advisory could further hurt the struggling international travel segment, but would boost domestic tourism. “International travel is suffering due to high aviation turbine fuel (ATF) price. It has made every aspect of holidays costlier. Such appeals will have an impact on the travel industry, which has been facing tough times since the beginning of this year,” said a travel company official on condition of anonymity.Mehboob Shaikh, president of the Central and South Maharashtra chapter of the Travel Agents Association of India, said travel agents would be affected if there is a further decline in international travel. “We make most of our profits from international packages, flights, visas and foreign exchange. Domestic travel may increase, but it cannot compensate for international business. International travelers spend a lot more per trip. Naturally, revenue per customer will decline with the decline in foreign travel,” he said.Sheikh said the expensive ATF has also pushed up domestic airfares, limiting the scope for the expected shift towards domestic tourism. “Nonetheless, this is a good opportunity to strengthen the domestic travel market,” he said.Santosh Gupta, owner of Shri Vinayak Holidays, believes that the Prime Minister’s appeal will not have any immediate impact on travel behavior. “Nothing can stop people from travelling. Post-Covid, travel has resumed in a big way. People are adjusting their budgets and continuing to travel despite the high price of ATF. Summer holidays remain the favorite travel period for most Indians,” Gupta said. times of IndiaHaving said that, visible impacts may emerge during the winter travel window.Makarand Angal, owner of Go Holidays, said some travelers are reconsidering foreign holidays. “Two of my clients were planning to travel to Hong Kong and Macau, but at the last moment they went to Kashmir,” he said.Sujit Palikar, an IT professional from Kharadi, is planning to travel to Australia with his family next month. He said Modi’s appeal surprised him. “This has raised doubts. We are reviewing our plans,” he said.According to Angle, domestic tourism provides better customer satisfaction. “Domestic travel is easier to manage and strong competition keeps prices relatively under control,” he said.Another travel company representative said, “Travel today is not just a luxury. People travel for business, education, family needs, mental well-being and experience. If airfares and hotel tariffs within India become more reasonable, we will strongly promote domestic tourism.”

New Delhi: The central government has ordered Delhi Gymkhana Club (DGC), one of the oldest clubs in India, located next to the PM’s residence in Lutyens’ Delhi, to hand over the premises by June 5 for “strengthening and security of defense infrastructure and other critical public safety purposes”.The government had given 27.3 acres of land on permanent lease to DGC in 1928. The Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said it has ordered “re-entry” of the property with “immediate effect” – meaning premature termination of the lease and repossession.It added that on such “re-entry”, the entire plot of land, with all its buildings, structures, lawns and fittings, would “fully vest” in L&DO. The order directed the DGC to “hand over peaceful possession of the premises”; In case of non-compliance, possession will be “taken away in accordance with law”.The club has been operating from 2, Safdarjung Road since 1913, when it was called the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club. After independence its name was changed to Delhi Gymkhana Club. The current buildings were constructed in the 1930s. For over a century, entry into the DGC has been less about money and more about fitting into Delhi’s ‘elite class’, as it is a symbol of power and privilege.The move to take back the land parcel comes at a time when L&DO has issued similar instructions to those living on other government lands along Lok Kalyan Marg. While the exact purpose of the move is not yet known, people aware of the development have not ruled out the possibility of this land parcel, along with other lands vacated around the area, being used for redevelopment, including the construction of highly secure residences and establishments for top government officials.L&DO said in its notice that the club is located in a very sensitive and strategic area of ​​Delhi. “The land is necessary to meet immediate institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects, integrated with the restoration of surrounding government lands,” it says.In a message sent to members, DGC Secretary General said the General Committee (GC) held an urgent meeting on Saturday and decided to send an “urgent response” to L&DO requesting clarity on the issues in the interest of members and employees. He said the committee members would demand an immediate meeting with ministry officials. “The immediate priority of the GC is to ensure that the operations of the Club continue without any disruption,” it said.Recently, the Center had defended in the Delhi High Court its move seeking eviction of the Indian Polo Association, which runs the Jaipur Polo Ground opposite the PM’s residence. The government, citing the sensitive situation of the area and national security concerns, had argued that it was also taking steps to acquire other such land parcels in the area for larger public purposes.A senior DGC member said, “A strong case will be made against L&DO’s order to seek relief from the court. But let’s see how much we can oppose the government’s claim of taking back the land for defense and security purposes. Moreover, the order comes near the expiry of the current lease.”

Foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes in Canada can now delay deportation proceedings under revised Immigration Tribunal guidelines that come into effect next month.The updated policy takes effect June 1 and broadens the criteria for postponing admissibility hearings. These hearings determine whether a foreign national can remain in Canada or whether he or she must be deported after a criminal conviction.Under the new guidance, tribunal members will be allowed to consider ongoing criminal appeals when deciding whether to delay proceedings. Previously, such requests were to be granted only in “exceptional circumstances”, and pending appeals were “not generally sufficient reason” to postpone hearings.The revised rules direct decision makers to assess a number of factors before granting a delay, including “whether the appeal has been filed and the likelihood that it will be completed in a timely manner.”Members are also expected to consider whether “the outcome of the appeal may render the case.” [Immigration Division] leading to unnecessary proceedings”, as well as “prejudice to the parties” and whether adjourning the hearing would “unreasonably delay the proceedings”.There has been political backlash over these changes, with the Conservatives warning that they could make it easier for convicted foreign nationals to remain in Canada long-term.Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner criticized the policy, saying it risks creating weaker outcomes for serious criminal offenders.“Instead of changing IRB guidance that could open the door to more delays that would allow non-citizens convicted of serious crimes to stay here in Canada, the Liberals should support one law for all and deport when the law requires them to do so,” he wrote in an email.He also urged Immigration Minister Lina Metlez Diab to intervene, saying that the minister should “clearly direct the IRB to enforce the consequences already set out in law for deporting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes in Canada.”Under Canadian law, foreign nationals convicted of serious criminal offences, including organized crime activity or crimes punishable by at least 10 years in prison, may be declared inadmissible and deported.According to Canada Border Services Agency data, 934 foreign nationals were deported in 2025 after being deemed inadmissible due to criminality. Another 260 were laid off in the first quarter of this year. Authorities deported 132 people last year for cross-border criminality and 98 for organized crime ties.Before deportation can occur, the Immigration Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board must first hold a formal admissibility hearing.James Joseph, a former IRB adjudicator and former director of policy at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, warned that the revised guidance could encourage offenders to appeal against convictions merely to delay removal proceedings.He said, “Canadian law states that if a foreign national or permanent resident is convicted of a sufficiently serious crime, they must leave Canada. That is the will of Parliament, as expressed in the laws of Canada.”He added: “Who does the IRB think is going to undermine Canadian law by imposing a policy that would suspend inadmissibility hearings which are a necessary step in the deportation of serious criminals from Canada?”The IRB defended the policy, saying the updated guidelines were intended to improve consistency, fairness, and transparency in the way requests for deferrals are handled. The board also noted that if officers believe a person is a danger to the public, the Canada Border Services Agency has the power to arrest and detain them while proceedings continue.

New Delhi: Amid growing reports of young people abusing pregabalin due to its sedative, euphoric and dissociative effects, the Center has brought the widely prescribed pain and nerve drug under the strict Schedule H1 category, tightening rules on its sale and prescription.The Union Health Ministry amended the Drugs Rules, 1945 through the Drugs (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 to include pregabalin under Schedule H1. The final notification was issued on 13 May and published in the Gazette of India on 20 May.The ministry said the decision was taken following the seizure of illegally stockpiled and unauthorized sold supplies in some parts of the country, as well as reports from several states about the misuse of pregabalin.Pregabalin is prescribed for chronic pain, nerve disorders, fibromyalgia, and certain neurological conditions. However, authorities said recreational abuse of the drug is on the rise due to its sedative and “high”-inducing effects.Dr Rajesh Sagar, department of psychiatry, AIIMS, said abuse of pregabalin is emerging as a serious public health concern, especially among young people, as many users wrongly view it as a safe drug rather than an abuse-prone substance.She said families should keep an eye out for warning signs such as unusual sleepiness, slurred speech, dizziness, changes in behavior, decline in academic or work performance and mixing the drug with alcohol or other sedatives. Dr Sagar said bringing pregabalin under Schedule H1 will help strengthen prescription control and monitoring, but regulation alone will not be enough to prevent abuse.The revised classification means that the drug can now be sold only on a valid prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner. Pharmacies will also have to maintain a separate register to record prescriptions and sales details.The ministry said the move is aimed at preventing unauthorized access, strengthening prescription monitoring and curbing illicit trafficking.This amendment was made after consultation with the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). Under the amended rules, Pregabalin has been inserted as serial number 51 under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, and the amended rules will come into force 180 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Chennai: Opposition parties including DMK, AIADMK and PMK came down heavily on the TVK government over the kidnapping, alleged sexual assault and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Sulur in Coimbatore district.leader of the opposition Udayanidhi Stalin He said that within 12 days of the TVK government assuming power, more than 30 major crimes have taken place in the state. He urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to give top priority to law and order to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. He said incidents of sexual harassment, ganja smuggling, kidnapping and murder, attacks by miscreants and alleged excesses by ruling party officials have raised serious questions on the law and order situation in the state.Referring to the incident in Coimbatore that had sparked outrage across the country, Udhayanidhi said the “brutal crime had sent shock waves across India” and residents of the city protested overnight demanding justice for the victim. “The call for justice is echoing from all sides. The people of Coimbatore are protesting throughout the night condemning this cruel act,” he said. Demanding immediate action against the accused, Udhayanidhi said the “real culprits” behind the murder should be given stringent punishment at the earliest.Expressing grief, AIADMK General Secretary said Edappadi K Palaniswami Said that it is sad to see that the TVK government has failed miserably to stop such a terrible crime. “Instead of being a reels government, it should be a real government,” he wrote on Twitter, demanding strict action against criminals. He said reports of the girl being sexually assaulted before being murdered had created widespread fear and anger among the public. He stressed that “the lack of immediate, decisive action exposes serious shortcomings in the law and order machinery of the state”.Former AIADMK minister and Thondamuthur MLA SP Velumani, who is co-leading a rebel AIADMK faction, said on Twitter, “I urge the government to pay special attention to the safety of women and children and take appropriate steps to ensure that such incidents, which happened during the previous DMK regime, do not happen.”While PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss demanded speedy justice, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran said the rising wave of crimes against women and children in the state has raised serious questions on the current law and order situation as well as the foundation of social humanity.

Iranian-born founder Kiana Ehsani reacts to the new green card rule.

Iranian-American founder Kiana Ehsani reacted to the new green card rules and shared a heartbreaking update on her life. Although she is not a green card applicant, and is already a green card holder, Ehsani said the situation is no better for her. Ehsani said, “Today I had to go to Turkey for my wedding.” He said that his wedding had to be canceled because all flights to and from Iran have been canceled and his family cannot leave Iran.Ehsani said they chose Turkiye for the wedding because it is close to Iran. She was to get married on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea at sunset, accompanied by close family members from both sides.Instead of going to Turkey, he said, he learned of new green card rules that require applicants to return to their home countries to apply. He wrote, “This means that every Iranian friend of mine who is here on a visa will have to go back home (on what flight?) to get a green card??? As if it’s that simple? We all know it is a huge challenge for Iranians to go back to the US (waiting months and months for a visa, with the possibility of never coming back).”Ehsani said he has been in the United States for 11 years and has been a green card holder for five years, which makes him eligible to apply for citizenship. But it doesn’t matter because Iranians are no longer allowed any kind of immigration due to the US-Iran war.“And it’s a typical Friday for an Iranian. These days, when people ask how I’m doing and handling everything, I just say: It’s fine, it’s fine. Someday it’ll be fine. But the reality is: Nothing is fine. I’m in constant pain. I haven’t seen my family and loved ones for years, I barely hear about their well-being, and I’m constantly worried about them. I just lose myself in work. Because it’s the only distraction that bothers me.” Can keep me from losing my mind. I am not well. None of us are okay. We’re barely keeping it together…” she wrote.Ehsani, a PhD in computer science from the University of Washington, was a co-founder of Vercept, which has now been acquired by Anthropic.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of Twisha Sharma death case on Saturday. News agency ANI reported that a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant is likely to consider the matter on Monday.The case included allegations of dowry harassment and abetment of suicide against Tvisha’s husband and in-laws, including a retired district judge. Also read: Twisha Sharma case timelineNoida-based model-turned-actress Tvisha Sharma married lawyer Samarth Singh, son of retired District Judge Giribala Singh, in December 2025 and moved to Katara Hills area of ​​Bhopal.On May 12, Twisha was found dead at her in-laws’ house in Katara Hills. Her family later accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment and abetting her suicide.The police had registered an FIR on May 15 against the retired judge and his lawyer son in the alleged dowry death case. The next day, the police formed a six-member SIT to investigate the case.As public attention on the case grew, Twisha’s family staged a brief protest outside the Chief Minister’s official residence on 17 May after not being able to meet him.On May 18, a sessions court in Bhopal had rejected the bail plea of ​​Samarth Singh. Bhopal Police also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to his arrest.Tvisha’s family demanded an independent investigation into the case on 19 May, questioning the police investigation and alleging a “posthumous character test” of the deceased by the accused party while speaking to the media.A day later, the family met the Chief Minister, who assured them that he would demand a CBI inquiry into the case. The same day, a Bhopal court rejected a petition seeking a second post-mortem investigation, while the police increased the reward for the arrest of Samarth Singh to Rs 30,000.Police later issued a third and final notice to Giribala Singh to record his statement, while Samarth Singh filed a fresh bail plea before the court.According to his lawyer, on May 22, Jabalpur police took Samarth Singh into custody from the district court premises when he had reached there to surrender.