Putin issues direct threat to West in hawkish Ukraine address

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? 🔎

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of instigating a "forever war" and pushing the region to the brink of nuclear conflict during an ABC News interview. He emphasized the need to target Iran's leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, to end hostilities and warned that Iran poses a global threat, stating that military action is necessary to combat their nuclear ambitions. Need More Context? 🔎

US President Trump warned Tehran to evacuate amid rising tensions and nuclear concerns following an Israeli airstrike on Iran's state broadcaster, which severely damaged a uranium enrichment facility. While Iran seeks US intervention, Trump suggested a potential diplomatic deal after the G7 summit, contrasting with other leaders advocating for de-escalation. Need More Context? 🔎