Times of India

The Washington Wizards have signed rookie forward Julian Reese to a two-way contract, bringing him closer to his NBA debut. Reese, brother of WNBA star Angel Reese, previously played for the Raptors' G League affiliate. His sister expressed immense pride in his journey. Reese could potentially play against his former organization soon.

Pace or spin, Sanju Samson took the West Indies down with aplomb and never lost shape in the process. He hit the ball where it was meant to be hit but his ice-cool nerves stood out during his 50-ball 97*, which included 12 boundaries and four sixes. India will now face England in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium.

Donald Trump, once a critic of 'endless wars,' now presides over a presidency marked by muscular interventions. His second term features forceful actions in Venezuela and Iran, alongside territorial ambitions towards Greenland. This shift from a 'peace president' to one employing high-stakes brinkmanship redefines 'America First' as forceful global reshaping, aiming for dominance rather than negotiated equilibrium.

Following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Tehran launched a wide-ranging retaliatory campaign targeting US and Israeli military assets across the Middle East. Multiple Gulf nations reported missile and drone attacks, with US Central Command confirming three American service members killed. The scale of the strikes raises questions about regional air defence capabilities and potential escalation.

Prime Minister Modi launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu's DMK, accusing leaders of prioritizing scams over public welfare and failing to protect state interests. Addressing a rally, he asserted NDA's victory in the upcoming elections, highlighting issues like Katchatheevu, Jallikattu, and women's safety, while also inaugurating development projects.

Exporters have raised strong concerns that the conflict could disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, both of which are crucial maritime corridors.

Actor-comedian Rajpal Yadav recently addressed the media in Mumbai amid the ongoing Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case, arriving at the press conference with his lawyer Bhaskar Upadhyay. During the interaction, he spoke about his legal battle, the support he has received and the scale of his upcoming work. Reacting to Sonu Sood’s recent comment about offering him work, Rajpal said, “Please get over the misconception that I need to keep asking for work."

Saudi Arabia and Israel have quietly converged, driven by shared concerns over Iran's regional influence. Despite public diplomacy, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly urged a US strike, warning of a stronger Iran if action was delayed. This alignment, fueled by geopolitical rivalry and Iran's nuclear ambitions, risks hardening sectarian divides and intensifying the struggle for Islamic world leadership.

Recent conflicts have exposed troubling vulnerabilities in Chinese weaponry. Pakistan's air defenses buckled against Indian missiles, Venezuela's radars went dark during a US raid, and Iran's systems faltered under airstrikes—patterns that point to shoddy engineering and weak software. Taken together, these incidents suggest systemic quality-control problems that erode buyer confidence and fuel a credibility crisis for China's arms industry.

After the US and Israel's airstrikes on Iran and their counter-attack on US military installations around the Gulf, it has affected the airspace in the global business hub of Dubai. Zimbabwe were due to fly out through that region on their way back home after a positive tournament.

It has now been confirmed that Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc tied the knot with his fiancee Alexandra Saint Mleux in Monaco around this weekend. The couple's post-wedding drive in a vintage red Ferrari in Monaco went viral. Now Alexandra has confirmed their wedding by changing her surname on Instagram along with a cute picture on her Instagram Stories.

Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a "dangerous red line" that necessitates retaliation. Following joint US-Israeli strikes, Iran launched a significant wave of attacks across the Middle East, targeting countries hosting US bases.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, triggering celebrations and mourning across the nation. The US and Israel see this as an opportunity for regime change, while Iran's leadership signals escalation with retaliatory strikes. The country faces a critical juncture as popular anger clashes with the security apparatus's control.

The IDF reported destroying two Iranian F-4 and F-5 fighter jets at Tabriz airport, ready for takeoff, as part of ongoing escalations. This strike, aimed at disrupting the Iranian air force and defense systems, follows joint US-Israel strikes in Iran. Military analysts note that targeting ground aircraft significantly impacts operational readiness during heightened tensions.

Alyssa Healy concluded her ODI career with a brilliant century, scoring 158 as Australia posted 409/7. Beth Mooney also contributed an unbeaten 106, leading Australia to a commanding 185-run victory over India in the final ODI. This win secured a 3-0 series sweep for Australia.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passageway which is not only important for the transit of around 202-25% of the world’s crude oil trade, but also for trade in other crucial commodities.