Iran said talks with the United States on ending the conflict have made progress, but both sides remain “far” from a final agreement. Iran’s parliamentary speaker gave the update as tensions stayed high in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the waterway will stay closed until the US ends its blockade on Iranian ports, calling the move a breach of the ceasefire. US President Donald Trump said “very good conversations” were taking place with Tehran. He added the blockade would continue until the US transaction with Iran was “100% complete”. The US military said 23 ships had been turned back since the blockade began. (PC: BBC)

Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be a major threat to Kolkata Knight Riders in the Powerplay at Eden Gardens. KKR are still winless after six matches and sit last on the table. RR are third with eight points from five games. Sooryavanshi has scored 200 runs from 76 balls this season. He has hit 36 boundaries, with 33 of them in the first six overs. KKR have struggled badly with the new ball. They have conceded 60 boundaries in 180 legal Powerplay balls, the worst rate in the league. If KKR stop Sooryavanshi early, they can bring their spinners into the game. (PC: HT)

Actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have announced that they are expecting their second child. The couple shared the news in a joint Instagram post on Sunday. The picture showed their daughter Dua holding a positive pregnancy test kit. Deepika added two evil eye emojis in the caption. Deepika and Ranveer married in Lake Como, Italy, in 2018. They welcomed their first child, Dua, on September 8, 2024. Deepika had earlier said motherhood changed her life and priorities. She said, “You’re now responsible for another human being.” Both actors also have new film projects lined up. (PC: Instagram)

Former Union minister and BJP leader Dinesh Trivedi is set to become India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh, according to reports. He is expected to replace career diplomat Pranay Verma, who will move to Brussels as India’s envoy to the European Union. Trivedi, 75, earlier served as Railway Minister and Minister of State for Health in the UPA government while with the Trinamool Congress. He joined the BJP in 2021. His appointment comes as India and Bangladesh work to improve ties after recent tensions. The move also signals that the Narendra Modi government may send senior political leaders to key foreign posts. (PC: HT)

Two Indian men were shot dead in Italy’s Covo town in Bergamo province after leaving a gurdwara, local media reported. The attack happened late Friday near Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji during a Vaisakhi gathering. The victims were identified as 48-year-old Raginder Singh and 48-year-old Gurmit Singh. Reports said the gunman fired several shots and fled in a car. Police recovered around 10 shell casings from the scene. Investigators are looking into the case as a planned attack. An eyewitness told reporters the shooter was “an Indian” who also visited the gurdwara. A third person was reportedly grazed by bullets. (PC: India Today)

Iran said the continuing US blockade on its ports is a “breach of ceasefire terms” agreed earlier this month. Iran and the United States had accepted a conditional two-week ceasefire that included allowing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has now closed the key waterway again. Its navy said the strait will remain shut until the US lifts the blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy also said comments by US President Donald Trump on Hormuz “carry no validity”. Trump said on Saturday that Iran wants to close the strait, but the US would not allow “blackmail”. (PC: BBC)

Opposition parties are likely to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate implementation of the women’s reservation law without linking it to delimitation. The issue was discussed at a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi. Leaders also planned a campaign to say they support women’s reservation. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accused the BJP of using the quota law to change the Constitution and weaken reservation for Dalits and tribals. He said a “clean” Bill should be introduced without seat increase or delimitation. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the party’s stand has remained unchanged. (PC: The hindu)

A distress audio clip has emerged from an Indian-flagged tanker that came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz. In the recording, a crew member of Sanmar Herald is heard telling Iranian forces, “You gave me clearance to go... You are firing now. Let me turn back.” Two Indian-flagged tankers were forced to turn back after Iranian gunboats opened fire, reports said. No injuries or damage were reported. The second vessel was identified as Jag Arnav. India later summoned Iran’s ambassador and raised concern over the safety of merchant ships and sailors. Confusion continues over movement rules in the strategic waterway. (PC: NDTV)

DUSU president Aryan Maan and several ABVP workers allegedly forced their way into Delhi University’s Gargi College after being stopped at the gate. College rules allow male visitors only after verification on special occasions. The incident was linked to student council elections held on Friday. Reports said a candidate complained of unfair treatment and contacted Maan. Police officers later escorted Maan and others out of the campus. Students were also seen raising slogans against ABVP. AAP shared a video of the incident and questioned BJP and ABVP over “sanskaar”. Police said no untoward incident was reported and no complaint has been received so far.

Iran said major differences still remain in talks with the United States as the ceasefire deadline approaches next week. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is involved in the negotiations, told state television that some progress had been made. He said there were “many gaps” between the two sides. He added that talks had not reached the stage of discussing final terms. His comments suggest any deal is still some distance away. The two-week ceasefire is due to expire on Wednesday. Tensions also remain high after Iran again moved to close the Strait of Hormuz during the latest standoff in Gulf waters this week. (PC: India Today)