Virat Kohli expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebration. Kohli, who led RCB’s lap of honour inside the stadium, said he was “absolutely gutted” and “lost for words” over the incident. He shared the team's official statement on Instagram and added his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. The chaos unfolded as thousands gathered to celebrate RCB’s historic IPL 2025 title win, their first in 18 years. The tragedy has sparked nationwide grief and calls for better crowd management at public events. (PC: India Today)

At a UN press event, Pakistan's Bilawal Bhutto faced a sharp rebuttal after alleging that India used the Pahalgam terror attack to demonize Muslims. Veteran US journalist Ahmed Fathi countered by citing Muslim Indian officers, notably Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who represented India during Operation Sindoor. Bhutto, left flustered, launched into a rant with unsubstantiated claims. He also admitted Pakistan faces hurdles in raising the Kashmir issue internationally. Bhutto, known for past provocative remarks, had earlier declared “The Indus is ours or their blood will flow,” drawing criticism from AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, who slammed Bhutto’s political immaturity and hypocrisy on terrorism.

In a bizarre turn of events ahead of the third ODI at The Oval, England players were forced to ditch their team bus and hop on Lime bikes due to massive traffic caused by road closures in London. The West Indies team wasn’t as lucky — their bus got stuck, resulting in a 40-minute toss delay and an hour’s delay in the match start. England skipper Harry Brook revealed the team’s bike detour, while Windies captain Shai Hope joked they should’ve walked. Despite England leading 2-0, the match holds significance for 2027 World Cup qualification points for both teams.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep grief over the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory event, which claimed 11 lives and injured 47. Modi called the mishap “heart-rending” and prayed for the injured. Rahul Gandhi stressed that “no celebration is worth a human life” and demanded strict safety protocols. President Murmu termed the incident “shocking and heartbreaking.” Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot urged an investigation into security lapses. KSCA announced ₹5 lakh compensation per deceased family as a gesture of solidarity, not as replacement for lives lost. (PC: India Today)

Israel has issued a warning regarding the "Freedom Flotilla" led by climate activist Greta Thunberg, which is en route to Gaza carrying symbolic humanitarian aid. The vessel, named Madleen, departed from Catania, Italy, with 12 activists aboard, aiming to challenge the Israeli blockade imposed in March 2025. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated, "We are prepared," referencing past actions against similar flotillas. The activists reported being followed by drones, later identified as belonging to the Greek Coast Guard. Thunberg emphasized the mission's non-violent nature, asserting the importance of continued humanitarian efforts despite potential interception. (PC: Daily Mail)

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, has been identified in the UK, with confirmed cases in Northern Ireland and Wales. This Omicron subvariant, first detected in January 2025, now accounts for over 10% of global infections. It has rapidly spread to multiple countries, including the US, Australia, Thailand, and is currently the dominant strain in China and Hong Kong. While NB.1.8.1 does not appear to cause more severe illness, it is believed to infect cells more efficiently and may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, and nausea. Health authorities continue to monitor its progression and advise the public to remain vigilant. (PC: BBC)  

After a stampede at the RCB victory event in Bengaluru left 11 dead, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the cricket board had no role in organising the event. He called the incident “very unfortunate” and said, “There were some lapses. It’s a lesson to learn.” The celebration was organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Thousands gathered without passes. A collapsed slab reportedly triggered the panic. Saikia said BCCI may make new rules for such events. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar also confirmed the state had denied permission for the open-bus parade due to safety concerns. (PC: AFP)

India has experienced several tragic stampedes since 2024, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries across various states. In July 2024, a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, claimed 121 lives, mostly women and children, due to overcrowding. Later that year, a stampede at a cinema hall in Hyderabad resulted in the deaths of a woman and her child. Early 2025 saw multiple incidents, including a stampede in Tirupati during temple token distribution, and a deadly crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj with over 30 fatalities. February witnessed a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, killing 18. In May, Goa’s Shirgao festival experienced a stampede causing six deaths. Most recently, in June 2025, Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium saw a stampede during the RCB IPL victory celebrations, resulting in 11 deaths and many injuries. These events underscore the urgent need for enhanced crowd control and safety measures at mass gatherings. (PC: Free Press Journal)

Karnataka Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded to criticism regarding the timing of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) felicitation event following the tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium. He stated the felicitation ceremony was completed within 10-15 minutes and insisted the event did not contribute to the crowd surge that led to the stampede. Shivakumar emphasized that the ceremony was wrapped up swiftly to avoid prolonged gatherings. The tragic incident left 11 dead and over 40 injured during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations, prompting widespread scrutiny of crowd management and event timing. (PC: Wikipedia)

Following a deadly stampede that claimed 11 lives and left over 40 injured outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations, police issued urgent warnings to the public. Using loudspeakers and public address systems, authorities appealed to fans—particularly women and children—not to approach the stadium, citing dangerous overcrowding. Despite the official cancellation of the team’s open-bus parade, massive crowds had gathered, overwhelming safety arrangements. Emergency services remain on high alert as the state grapples with the tragic aftermath of what should have been a joyous occasion. (PC: Times of India)