70,000 cops guard Delhi on Republic Day, high alert sounded

Amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, the Indian government has facilitated the evacuation of Indian students from Tehran for their safety, while advising self-sufficient residents to leave as well. Efforts are ongoing to relocate willing individuals from Qom and Mashhad to Turkmenistan, with some already departing via the Armenian border. Need More Context? 🔎

US President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric against Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming he knows his location but will not target him "for now." Trump demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender" amidst escalating tensions with Israel and warned against missile attacks, while asserting US air superiority over Iran and insisting on a decisive end to the conflict rather than a ceasefire. Need More Context? 🔎

Former India Head Coach Ravi Shastri has announced his preferred playing XI for the first Test against England at Headingley, starting June 20, highlighting Shubman Gill's new captaincy and emphasizing experienced players like KL Rahul and Karun Nair. Shastri's lineup includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Rishabh Pant, and a pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, with a potential selection dilemma between Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy for the all-rounder role. Need More Context?...

About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk is a team of dedicated journalists committed to providing timely and comprehensive news updates globally. They excel in gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, analysis, and insightful reports, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments. Need More Context? 🔎

Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Women's ODI Batting Rankings with 727 points, overtaking Laura Wolvaardt, who faltered during a series against West Indies. The rankings saw significant changes after the second ODI, including South Africa's Tazmin Brits and West Indies' Qiana Joseph making notable advances, while spinners Afy Fletcher and Nonkululeko Mlaba improved their positions in the bowling rankings. Need More Context? 🔎

Indian grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna recently mimicked Magnus Carlsen's famous fist smash during an interview with FIDE, following Carlsen's emotional outburst after losing to 19-year-old Gukesh at the Norway Chess tournament. Harikrishna, part of Gukesh’s team, demonstrated the gesture while discussing the pressures of being a chess player, reflecting on the intense emotions involved in competitive play. Need More Context? 🔎