In a dramatic turn of events following India's five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan's Interior Minister and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President, Mohsin Naqvi. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had requested that the trophy be presented by a neutral official, but Naqvi insisted on conducting the ceremony himself. In protest, the Indian players declined to take the trophy, leading Naqvi to storm off the stage with the silverware. The incident has sparked outrage, with the BCCI planning to lodge a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Naqvi's actions. Despite the controversy, the Indian team celebrated their victory without the physical trophy, with Captain Suryakumar Yadav expressing disbelief at the unprecedented situation. The incident has added a political dimension to the sporting rivalry between the two nations. (PC: PTI)

The BCCI will raise a strong protest at the ICC meeting in Dubai this November against Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi. The dispute began when the Indian team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, “India cannot take the trophy from the person who is waging a war against our country.” He added that Naqvi’s act of walking away with the trophy and medals was “unexpected, very childish.” India beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final, winning all three matches against them in the tournament. (PC: AFP)

Social media platform X said it will appeal against a Karnataka High Court order that forces it to follow government takedown notices. The company called the order “deeply concerning” and warned it could let millions of police officers issue arbitrary removal requests, threatening free expression. The court dismissed X’s petitions against the Centre’s blocking orders, saying regulation of social media is “the need of the hour.” It also ruled that Article 19 rights apply only to Indian citizens, not foreign firms. The bench stressed that platforms must follow Indian laws and cannot seek protection under US jurisprudence. (PC: India Today)

The Asia Cup final ended in fresh controversy after India refused to take the winner’s trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, also Pakistan’s interior minister. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said his team will donate their match fees to civilians and children affected by India’s Operation Sindoor. Earlier, India’s Suryakumar Yadav pledged his fee to armed forces and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Agha criticised India’s actions, calling them “disrespectful to cricket.” While Pakistan posed with the trophy, Indian players collected only individual awards. The presentation ceremony was delayed for over an hour amid the row. (PC: AFP)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP and RSS of attacking Ladakh's unique cultural identity. His remarks come amid escalating protests in the region, where demonstrators are demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The protests have intensified following the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk and the imposition of a curfew in Leh. Gandhi emphasized the need to preserve Ladakh's distinct traditions and autonomy, highlighting the region's concerns over political and cultural marginalization. The situation remains tense, with authorities monitoring developments closely. (PC: X)

A coordinated online campaign targeting Indian H-1B visa holders caused major travel disruptions as users rushed to the U.S. following H-1B fee announcements. Ms. Tamanam faced repeated crashes on airline websites, with checkout pages timing out faster than normal. After multiple attempts, she rebooked a one-way Qatar Airways ticket to Dallas for around $2,000 — over double her original round-trip fare. The campaign, originating from 4chan and shared among far-right supporters on Telegram, encouraged users to “clog the flight reservation system” to delay Indians’ travel. Many faced panic-induced high costs. (PC: Reuters)  

Actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has approached the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench, requesting a CBI or Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the Karur rally stampede that resulted in 40 deaths and over 60 injuries. The party alleges a conspiracy, citing incidents of stone-pelting and a police lathi-charge at the venue. The court is scheduled to hear the plea today. Simultaneously, Vijay's Chennai residence received a bomb threat, prompting a security sweep by the police, including the deployment of sniffer dogs and a bomb disposal squad. The investigation into the threat is ongoing.

Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has staunchly defended her husband following his arrest under the National Security Act (NSA). In an interview with ThePrint, she dismissed accusations of inciting violence in Leh, calling them a “witch-hunt”, and argued that his peaceful activism reflects Gandhian principles, not menace. She refuted claims of provocation during a protest that turned violent—where 4 died and over 70 were injured—saying his remarks were taken out of context. Angmo also addressed allegations of foreign links and misused funding, asserting that both HIAL and SECMOL (institutes founded by them) operate transparently with legitimate domestic funding. (PC: The Print)

Tens of thousands of people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged unprecedented protests on Sunday, demanding sweeping political and economic reforms from Islamabad. The demonstrations, led by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), put forward a 38-point charter, which includes scrapping special refugee seats in the PoK assembly, reducing electricity tariffs linked to the Mangla hydropower project, and ensuring subsidised flour. Authorities imposed an internet blackout from midnight, deployed heavy security forces, and sealed key entry points to contain unrest. Talks between protest leaders and officials collapsed after 13 hours, as the AAC rejected compromises favoring political elites. 

After India’s Asia Cup 2025 win over Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the victory as “Operation Sindoor on field,” linking cricket success to India’s military operation. Responding sharply, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said: “No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the spirit of the game.” The war of words added fuel to the ongoing controversy after India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi, escalating political tensions into the sporting arena. (PC: Cricbuzz)