☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-briefing-bengaluru-stampede-rcb-10049238/ We are starting today’s edition with an update from Trumpworld, where the President has signed a proclamation to ban travel to the United States from 12 countries, citing national security reasons and protection from “foreign terrorists”. These countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. People from seven other countries will face restricted entry. https://www.inexp.in/VSesl9 *🚨 Big Story* An evening meant for celebrating the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s long-awaited IPL title win turned into one of sorrow when a stampede broke out in Bengaluru, leaving 11 people dead and 47 injured. https://www.inexp.in/9t9qo8 *What went wrong?* At the heart of the tragedy lies an apparent lack of planning, an underestimation of the number of fans who would gather, and confusion over the free passes available for entry to the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Mixed signals from RCB and the Bengaluru traffic police sowed early confusion — would the parade happen or not? Then came the tipping point. https://www.inexp.in/DhZHdy *From the top:* The RCB management stated that, although they were unaware of the situation outside, once informed, they “immediately amended” their programme. Cricket authorities, meanwhile, have distanced themselves from the incident. The IPL Chairman denied having any prior information about the victory parade. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asserted that its role ends with the final match and has nothing to do with the celebrations afterwards. However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Sakia stated that the cricketing body will take a call on how future celebrations are held. https://www.inexp.in/MP2F0J *The state response:* The state has announced free treatment for those injured and compensation for the victim’s kin. He also announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident. https://www.inexp.in/G2z6yo *⚡ Only in Express* The wait is over for India's long-overdue population Census. The government announced that data collection for the Census, along with caste enumeration, would commence early next year and give a snapshot of the country’s population as of March 1, 2027. The process will be two-phased. https://www.inexp.in/LNwLTf The Wednesday announcement has reopened the debate on delimitation, the process of redefining constituencies based on the population. Why does a 2027 Census threaten the status quo? We explain. https://www.inexp.in/KMnyjU Also, take a look at this comprehensive picture of the 1931 census, the last time caste was enumerated. Shyamlal Yadav explains the process and its findings. https://www.inexp.in/r86Sq5 *📰 From the Front Page* *For the record:* Seven years ago, 45 faculty members took Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to court over its disciplinary action against them for joining a one-day strike. Since then, the proceedings have taken a curious turn. At least seven have discreetly exited the legal fight, offering “unconditional” apologies. Records reviewed by The Indian Express show that the disciplinary actions against these staffers vanished. Some even got promoted. Meanwhile, those still locked in the courtroom standoff claim they have been told that only an apology and the withdrawal of the case were preconditions for a promotion. JNU, however, denies these allegations. https://www.inexp.in/Re64mW *📌 Must Read* *Tragic:* A honeymoon in Meghalaya ended with a dead groom and a missing bride. What went wrong? What has the police found? Read. https://www.inexp.in/Vfl4z3 *The global outreach* : We spoke to members of all-party delegations about their post-Operation Sindoor global outreach. JD(U)'s Sanjay Jha revealed they "felt a tilt towards Pakistan" in Malaysia, while CPI(M)'s John Brittas said they fielded many questions about the ceasefire and loss of equipment in the war. https://www.inexp.in/wpYBCG *Quid pro quo:* As trade negotiations with the US enter their final stage, India could soon open its market and lower tariffs on a range of American products. From defence equipment to oil and cars, here are the sectors that will likely be impacted. https://www.inexp.in/me86vQ *⏳ And Finally...* In our latest ‘fresh take’, I write about the debate over the em dash — or the so-called “ChatGPT hyphen”. The em dash was once the mark of a great writer, the most versatile of all the punctuation marks. It allowed one to interrupt, expand or digress as necessary. Lately, however, it has earned a bad rap. I, for one, welcome its newfound notoriety and hope it forever remains an imprint of human messiness. https://www.inexp.in/+6cV5X That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta