Indonesia coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, who works with two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu, had a close call after an explosion occurred near their location at Dubai International Airport as they were travelling to Birmingham for the All England Championships.Sindhu and Irwansyah were stranded at the airport after flight operations were suspended amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The tournament is set to start on Tuesday.

Explosions were reported in parts of the Gulf after Iran launched missiles in response to military action, including in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This led to the suspension of all flights at Dubai airport.“In Dubai at the moment, flights getting cancelled. There was an explosion in airport, so we are stuck here at the moment,” Irwansyah told news agency PTI.“They have put us in the hotel, we are okay but again there is a little bit of worry at the same time. We want to go to All England. I hope we can fly out today because Sindhu’s match is on Wednesday.”The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said it was monitoring travel issues linked to the situation in the Middle East along with Badminton England.“We remain in regular contact with teams and players whose journeys to Birmingham for the YONEX All England Open 2026 may be affected.The safety and wellbeing of all athletes, officials and support personnel remain our highest priority,” BWF said in a statement.“BWF is working with the tournament organisers and national associations to assess travel conditions, while our operations teams maintain real-time oversight of the situation and stand ready to assist delegations experiencing delays or route changes.“This includes reviewing and preparing potential contingencies within the competition schedule should any players experience delayed arrival.We will continue to share updates as the situation evolves and more information becomes available.”Sindhu shared her experience on social media on Sunday morning.“The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour. A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were holed up at the airport,” she wrote.“My coach had to quickly run out of the area as he was closest to the smoke and debris. It was an extremely tense and scary moment for all of us.”Most Indian players scheduled to compete in the tournament have already reached Birmingham. Men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, men’s singles player Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and women’s doubles pair Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly are in the city.Malvika Bansod has also arrived, but Unnati Hooda remains in India after her direct flight from New Delhi to Birmingham was cancelled at short notice.“I was supposed to travel today around 11 but early morning came to know that the flight has been cancelled. Now seats are not available in connected flights. I am in touch with BAI and they are in conversation with BWF to maybe schedule my matches late,” Unnati said.Former India coach Vimal Kumar was also set to leave on Saturday but was informed of his cancellation shortly before boarding in Bengaluru.Doubles coach B Sumeeth Reddy will travel via Singapore along with mixed doubles pair Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani.“There are some players we are trying to send via Singapore, some have reached. Satwik and Chirag have reached, “Badminton Association of India secretary Sanjay Mishra said.The United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran on Saturday. US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to remove its leadership.The strikes led to airspace closures across parts of the Gulf, affecting several international carriers including Emirates and Air India.Air India said it has cancelled all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat, Riyadh and Tel Aviv until further notice.Dubai International Airport has suspended operations indefinitely due to airspace restrictions following the missile strikes.

Mumbai: Medical literature has long held that heart disease primarily affects men and that women have a natural biological “shield” to a certain extent owing to the presence of oestrogen, but recent data from the civic-run Sion Hospital indicates that that protection is breaking down.Cardiac procedures among women at the hospital surged nearly 20% in two years—from 742 cases in 2023 to 884 in 2025. Even those in the age group of 20-40 underwent such procedures; the most common age group impacted was 50-60. Moreover, coronary angioplasty, which is performed in instances of heart attack, accounted for 20% of all cardiac procedures performed in women. Diabetes, tobacco and hypertension remain the primary risk factors. Dr Pratap Nathani, head of the department of cardiology at Sion Hospital, said what is more concerning is that these are women who were referred to them through various OPDs and departments. “It never happens that they reach us because they believe it is a heart attack. It is common for women to neglect all types of illness. On top of that, symptoms of heart attack in women are not classic. So, the ones we can save are just by luck.” He said the crisis in women is masked by “atypical symptoms” like acidity or fatigue, back pain, abdominal pain, jaw or neck pain, nausea, flu-like symptoms and even anxiety. “These could be mistaken for a wide range of ailments.” Such is the case with a patient Dr Vidya Suratkal has been treating at Lilavati Hospital for the last four years: A 28-year-old woman walked in with gastrointestinal issues but walked out with an angioplasty after an angiography detected blockages. “She came back multiple times with different arteries each time. She also underwent a bypass now. There is no clear identifying factor or cause in her case.” While doctors at Sion Hospital found stress to be a contributing factor in 16% of the cases—which ranged from financial to domestic—the cause in 1% of the cases every year is unknown. Both Dr Nathani and Dr Suratkal said factors like pollution have a correlation with heart issues, but more data is needed for a clearer link. Dr Nathani said women are naturally protected because of oestrogen, “but urban life, stress, lack of proper sleep, and even the increasing incidence of smoking among women is tearing apart that protective layer”. Dr Charan Lanjewar, cardiologist at civic-run KEM Hospital, is more cautious about drawing many conclusions from the uptick. “There are multiple factors. Diagnostic services have improved over the last few years. Besides, at BMC or govt hospitals, schemes like MJPJAY (Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana) have started covering more procedures, which could also play a role in the increase in cases.”

Mumbai: A modified nasal spray could help reduce anxiety and pain in adults undergoing certain medical procedures, as per a prospective study conducted by a city hospital.The intranasal spray contained medicines commonly used by anaesthetists, such as ketamine, midazolam and lignocaine, to sedate patients and reduce pain associated with surgeries. The study, conducted from July 2023-June 2024, was recently published in International Journal of Clinical Anesthesia and Research.Over 300 adults scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopy at H N Reliance Hospital, Girgaum, were enrolled into two groups: a control group received standard sedation via IV drip and the test group got pre-operative medications through the intranasal spray. “The intranasal drug delivery system achieved better pain control, mobility and lower post-operative anxiety versus the intravenous procedural sedation group,” said author Dr Misha Mehta. “When patients are brought to the OT, they are anxious—for the first time, they are away from their family and they are also worried about the instruments in the OT. This spray puts them in a trance-like sleep from which they can awaken when spoken to,” said senior author and anaesthesiologist Dr Hemant Mehta. An article in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Science in Jan 2025 said: “The rapid advancement of AI has facilitated the emergence of automated anaesthesia systems, significantly enhancing the precision, efficiency, and adaptability of anaesthesia management in complex surgical environments.” The intranasal anaesthetic spray is a step in this direction; the team administered the spray to patients before surgery, and then at four-hour intervals. “Patients feel anxious about IV medications. The nasal spray eliminated that fear and post operation, they didn’t have symptoms such as vomiting,” said the doctors. Additional professor Dr Ashish Mali from BMC-run Nair Hospital said such sprays could help with anxiety but may not be enough for sedation. “Sedation dosages depend on the kind of surgery being performed.” A pre-operative IV drug as anaesthesia is preferred in case a patient’s blood pressure drops during surgery and doctors scramble to find blood vessels. “Also, nasal sprays, while convenient, may not be suitable for all patients. It may be useful for dentistry, in paediatric patients, and certain non-invasive procedures like a long MRI scan or endoscopy,” said Dr Mali.

A major military escalation is unfolding in the Middle East, with the United States and Israel launching coordinated strikes on multiple locations, including Tehran. In retaliation, Iran has reportedly targeted American bases across the region, triggering a dangerous exchange of missiles that threatens civilian lives. Amid this volatile situation, reports have emerged claiming that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks. The development has allegedly led to a nationwide mourning period, even as uncertainty and fear grip the region.While the reported death has shocked many, reactions on social media appear sharply divided. Several viral videos purportedly show groups of Iranian women celebrating in public, expressing relief and joy. Among those reacting online was actress Elnaaz Norouzi, known for her work in Indian projects, who shared her response through Instagram stories. She described the development as “the most incredible news,” suggesting that many had been waiting decades for such a moment.

In one of her posts, she wrote, “This is the most incredible news for us. The news we’ve been waiting for for 47 years has arrived. Khamenei is dead. God is greatest.” She followed it with another story featuring the same news headline accompanied by “thank you” and celebratory emojis, indicating her strong emotional reaction.

Elnaaz Norouzi speaks about ongoing war situation

Elnaaz Norouzi also posted a video message addressing the broader conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran. She stated that she has been closely following developments on television and social media. According to her, many people outside Iran do not fully understand the realities faced by ordinary citizens inside the country. She warned that uninformed commentary could worsen tensions and spread misinformation.She further claimed that if civilians lose their lives in the conflict, responsibility would lie with the Iranian leadership, which she accused of suppressing its own people for decades. In her view, the current crisis reflects long-standing political issues rather than a sudden escalation.https://www.instagram.com/p/DVTBRLEgi46/

Long-standing protests and calls for change

The actress also highlighted that demands for political change in Iran have existed for years. She noted that public protests have repeatedly taken place, though demonstrators often felt their voices went unheard. According to her, the present war has put ordinary Iranians at greater risk, intensifying fears about safety and stability. Despite the turmoil, she expressed hope that civilians would remain unharmed.Elnaaz Norouzi has previously voiced support for women’s rights and personal freedoms in Iran. She has spoken about restrictions imposed on women, including dress codes, limitations on mobility and barriers to employment. Women’s groups have staged numerous protests against these policies over the years, and the actress has publicly aligned herself with such movements advocating greater freedom.

In a high-pressure encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe’s talisman Sikandar Raza delivered a moment of magic that left fans and commentators in awe. Defending a modest total, Raza produced a peach of a delivery to clean up South Africa captain Aiden Markram, handing Zimbabwe the perfect start in their bid to upset the Proteas. The dismissal came at a crucial juncture and instantly shifted the momentum, injecting belief into the Zimbabwean camp.

Sikandar Raza delivers a peach to get rid of Aiden Markram

It was the fifth ball of the third over when Raza unleashed his trickery. Bowling to Markram, he fired in a well-disguised carrom ball that pitched on a good length. The delivery skidded on and stayed unusually low. Markram, attempting to punch it off the back foot, was caught in two minds.

Before he could bring his bat down in time, the ball sneaked under it and crashed into middle stump. The sight of the stumps rattling sent the Zimbabwean players into wild celebrations. It was not just a wicket — it was a statement.

Raza’s variation, subtle change of pace, and clever use of length showcased his experience on the global stage. In a format where batters often dominate, this was a reminder of how skill and deception can still outfox the best.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: Jonny Bairstow stuck in Abu Dhabi amid Iran-Israel & US tensions, seeks help

Zimbabwe post fighting total

Earlier in the evening, Zimbabwe had opted to bat first, hoping to put scoreboard pressure on South Africa. However, their decision did not unfold as planned. Regular wickets disrupted their rhythm, preventing them from fully capitalizing on the powerplay and middle overs.

Despite the stumbles around him, Raza stood tall. The veteran all-rounder played a captain’s knock, scoring a brilliant 73 off just 43 deliveries. His innings was studded with eight crisp boundaries and four towering sixes. He rotated strike smartly and accelerated at the right moments, ensuring Zimbabwe posted 153/7 in their allotted 20 overs — a total that looked competitive but far from imposing.

Every run seemed valuable on a surface that offered some grip and variable bounce, something Raza later exploited with the ball.

Kwena Maphaka shines for Proteas

For South Africa, young pacer Kwena Maphaka was the standout performer with the ball. He finished with impressive figures of 2/21 in his four overs, maintaining tight lines and building pressure during key phases.

All-rounder Corbin Bosch also picked up two wickets, but his spell proved expensive. Conceding 40 runs in four overs, Bosch struggled to contain Zimbabwe’s late surge, especially against Raza’s calculated aggression.

Also READ: Former Pakistan cricketers react after Men in Green knocked out of T20 World Cup 2026

The United States has said it has destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, declaring it had “cut off the head of the snake” in a sweeping assault.In a statement, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said a large-scale American strike had wiped out the IRGC’s main command facilities. “America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters,” it said. The command accused the corps of having “killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years”, adding that the latest operation had dealt a decisive blow.The announcement came on the second day of joint US-Israeli bombardments that also killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in one of the opening strikes. Washington said major combat operations were continuing as part of Operation Epic Fury, with B-2 stealth bombers deploying 2,000-pound bombs against hardened missile facilities and US naval forces striking targets in the Gulf of Oman.CENTCOM confirmed that three US service members had been killed in action and five seriously wounded, marking the first publicly acknowledged American casualties in the conflict. “Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions,” it said, adding that identities would be withheld until families were notified. No details were given about where the deaths occurred.President Donald Trump, speaking from his Florida resort, focused on battlefield gains. He said 48 Iranian leaders had been killed “in one shot” and that nine Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed. Posting on Truth Social after the casualties were reported, he wrote: “We have destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian Naval Ships, some of them relatively large and important.” He did not mention the American fatalities.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they had struck the USS Abraham Lincoln with four ballistic missiles, but CENTCOM denied this. “The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign,” it said.The conflict has already spread beyond Iran and Israel. Tehran has fired missiles and drones at Israeli cities and at US military installations across the Gulf. Nearly two dozen people were killed in Pakistan after protesters attempted to storm a US consulate, while airspace closures across the region left hundreds of thousands stranded.Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called the deaths of US troops “heartbroken” news and urged Congress to restrain what he described as a “reckless decision to go to war”. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz wrote simply: “Freedom is never free.”With Iran’s provisional governing council now meeting to name a successor and Washington insisting that “heavy and pinpoint bombing” will continue, fears are mounting of a wider regional war and deepening global economic shock.

Mumbai: The transport department moved to plug critical staffing gaps, seeking govt approval to recruit 461 assistant inspectors (AIs)—the RTO officials in the field in khaki — to strengthen enforcement and improve public-facing services such as vehicle registration, driving licence issuance, and vehicle fitness certification.The additional AIs are expected to support routine checks, documentation scrutiny, and on-road enforcement, while also enabling a sharper focus on road safety initiatives, besides manning 263 laser-based speed guns.

The recruitment push followed a recent promotion exercise in which 328 personnel were elevated to the post of Inspector. With this, staffing in the inspector cadre improved significantly. Against a sanctioned strength of 910 inspectors, 854 posts are currently filled. Officials noted that the current position marks a major turnaround from previous years, when vacancies in the inspector cadre were estimated to be around 30%, affecting the consistency of enforcement drives and the ability to monitor compliance across regions.“With more inspectors available, enforcement can be more regular and supervision more effective,” said a senior official from the transport commissioner’s office, adding that improved staffing will help ensure better follow-up on violations and more uniform implementation of rules.However, vacancies persist in the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (Assistant RTO) cadre, which plays a key role in the administration and oversight of transport services. Of 183 sanctioned posts, around 140-plus are filled, leaving about 40 posts vacant. The department initiated recruitment measures: advertisements were issued for 21 posts, and 51 candidates are currently undergoing training, officials said.The department plans to use the additional manpower to scale up road safety operations, including wider deployment of interceptor and radar vehicles and formation of dedicated teams for speed monitoring and enforcement. Officials said these measures are intended to improve deterrence against speeding and other high-risk violations.The administration said timely approvals and faster recruitment will be crucial to sustaining service delivery and strengthening road safety outcomes, particularly as traffic volumes rise and enforcement demands increase across urban and highway corridors.

England cricketer Jonathan Bairstow (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Cricket has been caught up in rising tensions in the Middle East, leaving players from both England and Pakistan stuck in Dubai.England Lions were in the UAE to play Pakistan Shaheens, but everything changed after Iran carried out missile and drone strikes in the region.

As a result, the UAE closed its airspace, grounding flights and cancelling Sunday’s match. Among those stranded are Jonny Bairstow, former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, and 24 other players and staff members.With flights suspended, the team has been unable to leave Dubai. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) says it is working to make sure everyone stays safe and can return home when possible. An ECB spokesperson said, “The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and the government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.”“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and official advice in relation to the future of these trips,” the spokesperson told BBC.Bairstow also shared his frustration publicly. Posting on X, he wrote, “@emirates we haven’t had any communication post flight getting cancelled. Tried the lines of communication but nothing. Could someone please be in contact.”It’s not just the men’s ‘A’ teams affected. England’s women’s side had plans for a training camp in Dubai, which will now not go ahead. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also staying in touch with the Shaheens and keeping a close watch on developments. For now, there’s no clear timeline on when UAE airspace will reopen, leaving both teams waiting for updates.