Actor Taapsee Pannu comes out in support of Jaya Bachchan

Tensions in West Asia have flared up once again after the United States military carried out fresh strikes against Iranian military targets. According to the US Central Command, the latest barrage hit Iranian air defence sites, radar systems, and maritime assets along southern Iran and Larak Island. The strikes were executed in response to alleged Iranian attempts to attack commercial vessels and American forces in the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, Iran responded with missile and drone fire, claiming strikes on US military bases in the region. The escalation comes amid ongoing tensions over commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with India Today, former Australian captain and Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting shared his perspectives on India's upcoming Test series against Australia and Shreyas Iyer's leadership of the Indian T20I side. Ponting noted that India must evaluate their home pitches, stating, 'They need to be a bit more thoughtful with the way that they prepare their wickets there.' Backing Iyer amid scrutiny over his initial results as India captain, Ponting emphasized his faith in the cricketer's leadership, observing, 'No doubt in my mind he was the right man for it, and he'll be the right man for that job.'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Vijay Joseph opened the sluice gates of the Mettur Dam in Salem, releasing water to farmers across the Cauvery Delta region following an 80-day delay. The traditional June opening was postponed to September due to severe rainfall deficits and inadequate water releases from Karnataka into the Stanley Reservoir. Current water storage provides roughly 35 to 40 days of irrigation, missing the Kuruvai planting season and leaving Samba cultivation reliant on future reservoir inflows and the northeast monsoon. TVK spokesperson Sathya Kumar cited natural conditions for the delay, emphasizing plans to pursue dialogue and enforce Supreme Court rulings regarding Karnataka's water allocations. A broadcast discussion further addresses legal and diplomatic avenues in the Cauvery water dispute, alongside Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s proposal to link the Godavari and Kaveri rivers. The report also details political protests in Karnataka over alleged recruitment irregularities and covers flood aftermath and survivor accounts from Nepal's Trishuli region.