Taapsee Pannu made her Bollywood debut with Chashme Baddoor, but it was her performance in Baby that gave her recognition in the Hindi film industry. It wasn’t a big role, but with just a few scenes, Taapsee had left a mark.
Today, Baby completes six years of its release, so Taapsee tweeted, “Dear actors, Number of minutes don’t matter, the impact u leave with what u do in those minutes ...... matters :) 7 minutes that changed the direction of tide for me FOR GOOD. Yours truly , Naam Shabana @neerajpofficial @ShitalBhatiaFFW @akshaykumar.”
Akshay replied to her tweet, “Absolutely! Always make the most of what you have...proud of you and your onwards and upwards journey :)”
— (@)
Well, Taapsee’s performance as Shabana Khan had impressed one and all, and that’s why the makers decided on a spin-off titled Naam Shabana which revolved around how she became an agent.
In these six years, Taapsee has featured in some amazing Hindi movies like PINK, Naam Shabana, Mulk, Badla, Mission Mangal, Saand Ki Aankh, and Thappad.
Currently, she is one of the busiest actresses in Bollywood. Taapsee will be seen in movies like Haseen Dillruba, Rashmi Rocket, Looop Lapeta, and Shabaash Mithu. The shooting of Haseen Dillruba has been wrapped up, and currently, the actress is shooting for Rashmi Rocket.
There have been reports of her starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rajkumar Hirani’s next. But there’s no official announcement about it.
A few days ago, while talking to Bollywood Hungama about the movie, Taapsee had stated, “If and when I am doing such a film, I will be the happiest to announce it without being asked.”
IRAN on Monday warned of “serious” consequences following US air strikes on its nuclear facilities, as its ongoing conflict with Israel entered the 11th day.
Despite international calls for de-escalation, aerial attacks continued. Air raid sirens were heard across Israel, and AFP reporters confirmed several blasts over Jerusalem.
The Israeli military said it had hit missile sites in western Iran and destroyed fighter jets and helicopters at six Iranian regime airports.
US president Donald Trump said American warplanes used “bunker buster” bombs to strike facilities in Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. “Obliteration is an accurate term,” he said, claiming the attacks had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Other officials said it was too early to assess the full extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear programme, which is seen by Israel and some Western countries as a key threat.
Iran calls strike a hostile act
Iran’s armed forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said on state TV that the US “hostile act”, which followed over a week of Israeli bombardments, would lead to a broader conflict.
“The fighters of Islam will inflict serious, unpredictable consequences on you with powerful and targeted (military) operations,” he said.
Oil prices jumped over four per cent early Monday as markets reacted to the escalation. China called on both Iran and Israel to prevent the conflict from widening.
Oman, a mediator in stalled nuclear talks between Iran and the US, condemned the American strikes and appealed for calm.
Iran’s foreign ministry accused the US of undermining diplomatic efforts. “Future generations will not forget that the Iranians were in the middle of a diplomatic process with a country that is now at war with us,” ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.
Britain, France and Germany jointly urged Iran to avoid any further actions that could destabilise the region.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Israel’s bombing campaign, launched on June 13, “a big mistake”.
US issues alert as tensions rise
US secretary of state Marco Rubio urged China to help prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil flows.
With Iran threatening US bases in the region, the State Department issued a global alert for Americans overseas.
In central Tehran, protesters gathered on Sunday waving flags and chanting against US and Israeli strikes.
In Semnan province, east of Tehran, 46-year-old housewife Samireh told AFP she was “truly shocked” by the attacks. “Semnan province is very far from the nuclear facilities targeted, but I'm very concerned for the people who live near,” she said.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said the US strikes showed Washington was backing Israel in its campaign against Iran and promised a response.
Trump hints at regime change
The Pentagon said the US did not intend to overthrow Iran’s government, but Trump made comments suggesting otherwise.
"It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,'" he wrote on Truth Social. "But if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???"
He later repeated his claim of success. “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!” he wrote, without releasing any images.
Top US general Dan Caine said in a Pentagon briefing that all three sites had suffered “extremely severe damage”.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would stop its attacks once its goals were met. “We are very, very close to completing them,” he said.
IAEA calls for restraint
According to Iran’s health ministry, more than 400 people have died in Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran’s attacks on Israel have killed 24 people, according to official figures.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the UN Security Council that craters were visible at the Fordo facility but said it was not yet possible to assess underground damage. “Armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place,” he said.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, scheduled to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday, said the US had chosen to “blow up” nuclear diplomacy by joining the war.
Russia condemned the US and Israeli strikes but has not offered military support. It has also downplayed its commitments under a recent strategic agreement with Iran.
Russia, China and Pakistan circulated a draft resolution in the UN Security Council calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Iran.
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Prime minister Keir Starmer with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain ahead of bilateral talks at 10 Downing Street on June 19, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE UK and Bahrain have signed a £2 billion investment and collaboration partnership aimed at supporting key sectors of the UK economy, including financial services, technology, manufacturing, and clean energy.
The Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership (SIP), announced on June 19, doubles the £1 bn investment committed in 2023.
The deal was signed during a meeting in London between prime minister Keir Starmer and Bahrain’s crown prince and prime minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Focus on growth sectors and job creation
According to the UK government, the investment will drive forward its “Plan for Change” and support the upcoming modern Industrial Strategy. The partnership is expected to create new jobs and contribute to growth across the UK.
Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said, “This £2 bn commitment is yet another major vote of confidence in the UK economy, backing the key growth sectors we’ve identified in our upcoming modern Industrial Strategy.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves added, “This £2 bn investment into the growth-driving sectors where Britain thrives will create good jobs paying decent wages in all corners of our country, putting more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.”
The agreement will also provide British companies with opportunities to benefit from Bahrain’s business environment and support innovation, productivity and development there.
UK joins Bahrain-US security agreement
As part of the same visit, the UK formally became a member of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), a trilateral agreement between Bahrain, the US and the UK.
The UK had announced its intention to join the agreement in December 2024 during a ministerial visit to Manama.
The agreement supports regional stability and security cooperation, with the UK government stating that it will help strengthen defence ties and contribute to economic growth through strategic partnerships.
The UK and Bahrain also reiterated their defence cooperation, including ongoing work between the UK Armed Forces and Bahrain’s military.
Bahrain hosts the UK’s largest naval base outside the UK, and receives regular training support from British forces.
Investor delegation visits UK cities
During their UK visit, a delegation of Bahraini investors toured cities including Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield.
The group explored business and project opportunities aligned with the UK government’s growth priorities.
Longstanding UK-Bahrain relations
The UK and Bahrain have maintained close political, military, and economic ties for decades.
Bahrain was a British protectorate from the 19th century until its independence in 1971.
The two countries have since signed multiple agreements covering security, trade and investment.
Bahrain continues to host British military facilities, and bilateral relations remain strong.
The UK government has identified Gulf investment and trade as a priority for boosting domestic growth and strengthening international partnerships.
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The DGCA’s latest action is not connected to the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 plane that killed all but one of the 242 people onboard. (Photo: Reuters)
INDIA’s aviation regulator has warned Air India over repeated violations in scheduling pilots beyond the mandated flight duty time, according to government directives.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Air India to remove three officials involved in crew scheduling – a divisional vice president, a chief manager of crew scheduling, and one planning executive – for lapses linked to two flights from Bengaluru to London on May 16 and 17 that exceeded the 10-hour flight duty limit, Reuters reported.
The order, dated June 20, pointed to "systemic failures in scheduling protocol and oversights" and noted the absence of strict disciplinary action against those responsible.
Oversight unrelated to crash
The DGCA’s latest action is not connected to the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 plane that killed all but one of the 242 people onboard. However, it reflects increasing scrutiny of the airline’s operations.
Earlier this week, Reuters reported that authorities had also warned Air India for flying three Airbus planes that were overdue for mandatory checks on emergency equipment, including escape slides.
DGCA order highlights lapses
In its latest directive, DGCA’s assistant director of operations Himanshu Srivastava wrote: “Of particular concern is the absence of strict disciplinary measures against key officials directly responsible.”
Air India, in a statement to Reuters, said it has complied with the DGCA’s order. The airline also said its chief operations officer would oversee the Integrated Operations Control Centre for the time being.
“Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices,” the airline added.
The DGCA stated that the airline had voluntarily disclosed the pilot duty violations.
Previous safety warnings
Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group in 2022, has faced various challenges in rebuilding its reputation following years of criticism over service quality.
The DGCA, like many global aviation regulators, routinely issues fines or warnings to airlines for safety and compliance lapses. In February, the Indian government told parliament that aviation authorities had taken action in 23 cases of safety violations last year.
Of these, 12 cases involved Air India and Air India Express. The largest penalty was a $127,000 fine on Air India for having “insufficient oxygen on board” during some international flights.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Ollie Pope celebrates his century on day two of the first Test match between England and India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds on June 21, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
OLLIE POPE scored a fighting century as England responded to India’s 471, despite Jasprit Bumrah’s three-wicket haul and Rishabh Pant’s quick hundred on the second day of the first Test at Headingley on Saturday.
England were 209-3 at stumps, trailing by 262 runs, with Pope unbeaten on 100 after being dropped on 60.
England were 4-1 when Pope walked in, after Bumrah had Zak Crawley caught by Karun Nair at first slip with a delivery that moved sharply in the overcast and bowler-friendly conditions.
Bumrah strikes but Pope holds firm
After Pope reached his hundred, the day ended with two big moments involving Yorkshire players. Joe Root was dismissed for 28, steering a delivery from Bumrah straight to first slip. In the day’s final over, Harry Brook was caught at midwicket by Mohammed Siraj while attempting a pull shot, but the third umpire ruled it a no-ball.
Bumrah finished with 3-48 from 12 overs, having taken all three England wickets to fall so far in this five-Test series.
Pope came into this match after scoring 171 in last month’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe. His record in 13 previous Tests against India had been modest, with an average of 24.60, including a top score of 196 in Hyderabad last year.
He continues to enjoy the support of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
"He probably couldn't walk out in tougher conditions, Jasprit running down the hill with the lights on," said opener Ben Duckett, who made 62 and shared a 122-run partnership with Pope.
"There's no better feeling than that, scoring a hundred against that attack after coming out at 4-1. You can see that in the way he celebrated but it didn't just mean a lot to him, it meant a huge amount in the dressing room as well."
India collapse after strong start
Bumrah could have had more wickets but for dropped catches. Ravindra Jadeja dropped Duckett at backward point on 15. Bumrah eventually got Duckett when the batter inside-edged a drive onto his stumps.
Later, Pope was dropped by Yashasvi Jaiswal in the slips when attempting a steer shot, the same one he had used to reach fifty.
Duckett called Bumrah the "best bowler in the world" and added, "It is hard as an opener as he bowls so many different balls."
Pope reached 95 with a square cut off Shardul Thakur and then brought up his hundred with a single off Bumrah. His 125-ball innings included 13 fours.
Earlier in the day, India looked set to cross 500, with Pant (134), Yashasvi Jaiswal, and captain Shubman Gill all scoring centuries.
But their innings collapsed, with the last seven wickets falling for 41 runs. Stokes took 4-66 from 20 overs, while Josh Tongue took 4-86 and wrapped up the innings.
India resumed on 359-3, with Gill on 127 in his first innings as captain, and Pant on 65. Pant went to his century by hitting Shoaib Bashir for six over deep midwicket, despite losing grip with one hand.
He celebrated his hundred with a somersault. It was his seventh century in 44 Tests and fourth against England. His innings came off 146 balls with 10 fours and four sixes.
Gill and Pant added a double-century stand before Gill was out for a career-best 147, miscuing a shot off Bashir to deep square leg.
Pant was later out lbw to Tongue without offering a shot. Tongue then removed the tail.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation at the White House following US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. (Photo: Reuters)
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Sunday that American air strikes had "totally obliterated" Iran's key nuclear sites, as the United States entered the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The move marked a major escalation in the regional crisis.
In a televised statement, Trump warned that the US would carry out more strikes if Iran did not agree to a peace deal soon. Hours later, Iran launched two waves of attacks on Israel.
"Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success," Trump said from the White House. He confirmed that the targeted sites included Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment plant at Fordo, and other facilities at Isfahan and Natanz.
"Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace," he added.
The air strikes followed Trump's earlier claims that he would avoid another long-term military engagement. His decision to intervene comes after Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran last week, prompting warnings from Tehran that it would retaliate if the US got involved.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the US strikes and said, "Trump's decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history."
Iran's armed forces responded by launching missiles at several locations in Israel, including Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv.
Israeli emergency services reported that at least 23 people were injured. Police confirmed at least three direct hits.
In Tel Aviv’s Ramat Aviv neighbourhood, one missile tore through apartment buildings.
"Houses here were hit very, very badly," said Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai. "Fortunately, one of them was slated for demolition and reconstruction, so there were no residents inside.
"Those who were in the shelter are all safe and well. The damage is very, very extensive, but in terms of human life, we are okay."
Israel said it had carried out further strikes on western Iran in response.
The Israeli military said it had "struck missile launchers ready to launch toward Israeli territory, soldiers in the Iranian Armed Forces, and swiftly neutralised the launchers that launched missiles toward Israeli territory a short while ago".
‘Many targets left’
Iranian state media confirmed that Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz were hit.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as "lawless and criminal", and said Tehran would defend its sovereignty.
"The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences," he wrote on X.
"Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people."
The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency said it had not recorded any rise in radiation levels following the strikes. Iran also said there were "no signs of contamination".
Saudi Arabia reported no radioactive effects in the Gulf and expressed "great concern" over the situation.
Keir Starmer urged Iran to "return to the negotiating table" over its nuclear programme. Oman, which has acted as a nuclear negotiator in the past, condemned the US strikes and called for de-escalation.
Trump had earlier said he would decide "within two weeks" whether to support Israel militarily, but acted earlier than expected.
He warned that any future attacks would be "far greater" if Iran did not agree to a diplomatic settlement.
"Remember, there are many targets left," Trump said.
According to US media reports, the strikes involved B-2 stealth bombers using bunker-buster bombs, along with Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines.
‘Full payload of BOMBS’
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said a "full payload of BOMBS" had been dropped on Fordo, adding, "all planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors".
Photographs released by the White House showed Trump wearing a red "Make America Great Again" cap in the Situation Room with senior national security officials before the operation.
After his address, Trump warned Iran against any retaliation. Iran and its allied groups have previously targeted US military bases in the region.
On Saturday, Yemen’s Huthi group had said it would resume attacks on US ships in the Red Sea if Washington entered the war.
Trump had increased pressure on Iran since Israel first struck on 13 June, repeating his stance that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
Israel and Iran have exchanged a series of strikes since then.
A senior White House official told AFP that Trump had spoken to Netanyahu after the attacks and that Israel was given a “heads up” in advance.
Iran maintains that it is not seeking to develop a nuclear weapon. On Saturday, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said the country’s right to pursue a civilian nuclear programme "cannot be taken away... by threats or war."