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Strait of Hormuz remains open as 55 commercial ships pass safely

Strait of Hormuz

The situation remains unclear as conflicting claims have emerged regarding maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s announcement of a full closure in response to alleged violations of a ceasefire and ongoing regional tensions involving Lebanon and Israel.

Iranian officials, including representatives from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have stated that the waterway has been closed to all shipping and warned commercial and oil tankers to avoid the area for safety reasons.

The move was described as a response to alleged U.S. non-compliance with agreements and continued Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon.

However, the United States military has not confirmed these claims, and no independent verification has been provided to support a complete shutdown of the strategically vital passage.

The contradictory statements from both sides have created uncertainty in international shipping markets, particularly given the Strait of Hormuz’s critical role in global oil transportation.

At this stage, the status of maritime traffic through the strait remains disputed, and observers are closely monitoring developments amid heightened regional tensions.

Algeria files official complaint over refereeing after 0–3 loss to Argentina

Algeria files

ALGIERS:  Algeria has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA’s referees committee following its 0–3 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026, raising concerns over officiating decisions during the match.

The complaint reportedly highlights several incidents from the first half, including an alleged challenge involving Argentina captain Lionel Messi, during which Algeria claims Messi made contact with captain Aïssa Mandi’s leg. The referee did not issue any disciplinary action.

Algerian players and supporters had called for a review of the incident at the time, but officials allowed play to continue.

Messi later went on to score a hat-trick, playing a decisive role in Argentina’s dominant win.

Analysts also questioned the refereeing decisions after the match, particularly the absence of a red card for what they described as a potentially serious foul.

The complaint further references another incident involving Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who is accused of striking Ibrahim Maza in the face with an elbow. No action was taken by match officials on that play either.

The controversy has sparked widespread debate on social media, with some users questioning whether Messi’s global stature influenced refereeing decisions.

Brazil Coach confirms Neymar set for World Cup return against Scotland

Brazil Coach

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has delivered encouraging news for fans, confirming that star forward Neymar is expected to return for the FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage clash against Scotland.

The 34-year-old forward, Neymar, has been sidelined since mid-May after suffering a calf injury, ruling him out of Brazil’s opening Group C matches against Morocco and Haiti.

Speaking to the media following Brazil’s 3–0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia, Ancelotti said Neymar’s recovery is progressing well and that the player is close to full fitness.

He added that Neymar will begin individual training sessions before rejoining full team practice from Monday, making him available for the final group match against Scotland.

Neymar has not featured for Brazil since October 2023 and has been working on a full recovery in recent weeks.

Brazil began their World Cup campaign with a 1–1 draw against Morocco but bounced back strongly with a convincing victory over Haiti to strengthen their position in Group C.

Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz over ceasefire violations

Iran announces

TEHRAN: Iran has announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic, citing alleged U.S. violations of a memorandum of understanding and continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

In a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the strategic waterway was being shut “with immediate effect” for all shipping.

The statement accused the United States of failing to meet its obligations under a reconciliation agreement, while also blaming Israel for ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps separately confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz had been fully closed since Saturday morning, according to Iranian media reports.

The IRGC warned that all commercial, oil, and cargo vessels should avoid the area, saying their safety could be at risk if they approach the strait.

Iranian officials said the closure was a response to what they described as U.S. breaches of ceasefire commitments and continued regional escalation. They warned that further measures could follow if hostilities continue.

The announcement came as an Iranian delegation headed to Switzerland for talks with U.S. officials, while senior American envoys, including Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff, were already reported to be in the region.

No timeframe was given for how long the closure would remain in effect.

Donald Trump criticizes Italian PM Meloni in fresh social media post

Donald Trump

WASHINGTON : US President Donald Trump has once again drawn attention after issuing sharp and sarcastic remarks targeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in comments that some global leaders have described as inappropriate.

In a social media post, Trump claimed that during the G7 summit in France, Meloni repeatedly sought to take photos with him. He suggested that declining popularity in Italy was pushing her to seek closer ties with the United States.

He also alleged that Meloni did not support the U.S. position on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and further claimed that Italy refused to allow U.S. forces access to its airbases and runways, creating logistical challenges for military operations.

Trump additionally criticized NATO, arguing that the alliance did not fully support the United States despite Washington’s substantial financial contributions to European defense.

He further asserted that the United States had already “defeated Iran militarily” and suggested that Meloni was now seeking renewed engagement with Washington for domestic political gain.

Concluding his post, Trump wrote a blunt message: “It’s too late now. Thank you, no.”

Nora Fatehi’s prediction for key match becomes center of attention

Nora Fatehi

BOSTON: Morocco secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Scotland in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match on Saturday, extending their strong run in the tournament, while an on-field prediction by actor and dancer Nora Fatehi drew widespread attention on social media.

Morocco struck almost immediately, taking the lead just 71 seconds into the match. After the early breakthrough, the African side maintained a disciplined defensive shape and successfully preserved their advantage for the remainder of the game.

The match was played in Boston, where Morocco’s quick start proved decisive against a Scotland side unable to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities.

Fatehi was present in the stadium supporting Morocco and was seen wearing the national jersey. Ahead of kickoff, she posted a video on Instagram predicting a 1–0 scoreline, a forecast that later proved accurate.

She also shared additional posts highlighting the teams’ previous World Cup encounters, noting that Morocco and Scotland had met again after nearly 28 years, including an earlier 3–0 victory for Morocco in past competition.

Her correct prediction quickly went viral online, with fans praising it as a “lucky forecast” and amplifying clips and images from the stadium.

The win strengthens Morocco’s position in Group C as the tournament progresses.

Tina Ahuja reacts to rumors about Govinda and Sunita Ahuja’s marriage

Tina Ahuja

Bollywood actor Govinda’s daughter, Tina Ahuja, has responded to ongoing rumors surrounding her parents’ marriage, saying that while such reports do affect her emotionally, she has learned to ignore them over time.

According to Indian media, the 36-year-old actress shared in a recent interview that she has been hearing speculation and gossip about her parents since childhood.

Tina said most of the stories are either baseless or exaggerated, which often causes mental stress, but she now prefers not to respond to such claims.

She added that instead of clarifying rumors, she chooses silence, as she has been exposed to such narratives throughout her life.

Govinda’s daughter also noted that earlier such stories were limited to magazines and newspapers, but with the rise of the internet, they have now spread across social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Tina Ahuja said that public figures and their families must develop strong mental resilience, as media speculation is a constant part of the entertainment industry.

She further emphasized that living with continuous rumors is never easy, but people gradually learn to cope with it over time.

‘Taare Zameen Par’ child star Sachit Sethe becomes dentist

‘Taare Zameen Par’

Sachit Sethe, who appeared as a child actor in the Bollywood hit film Taare Zameen Par, has reportedly become a qualified dentist after stepping away from acting.

Sethe played the role of the elder brother of Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary’s character), a highly intelligent student who consistently excelled academically in the film.

In real life as well, Sethe went on to pursue academic excellence. After the success of the film, he left acting to focus on education and later studied dentistry.

According to reports, he completed his dental studies at DY Patil University, where he earned a gold medal in the field of periodontology, which focuses on diseases of the gums and supporting structures of teeth.

He is now said to be a registered dental practitioner in the United Kingdom.

Sethe is reportedly active on Instagram under the name “Sachit Engineer,” while his co-star Darsheel Safary continued working in films after Taare Zameen Par, Sethe gradually stepped out of the public spotlight.

Suniel Shetty praises Akshay Kumar’s sense of humor

Suniel Shetty

Veteran Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has praised fellow actor Akshay Kumar, highlighting his playful nature and strong sense of humor.

In an interview with Indian media, Shetty said Akshay Kumar has a “mischievous DNA,” adding that his fun-loving personality has remained unchanged over the years.

He noted that Akshay often brings something new to every scene, whether it is acting or action sequences, by adding elements of humor and spontaneity that enhance his performances.

Shetty also praised the comedic timing of actors Govinda and Salman Khan, saying he is always impressed by their effortless humor and natural comic style.

He said their ability to perform comedy with ease and timing continues to stand out in the industry.

Upcoming Film

Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar will next be seen together in Welcome to the Jungle, which is scheduled for release on the 26th of this month.

The film features a large ensemble cast, including Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Farida Jalal, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, and Rajpal Yadav, among others.

Veteran Indian actress Suhasini Mulay marries at 75

Veteran Indian actress

Veteran Indian actress Suhasini Mulay has revealed that she got married at the age of 75, sharing an unusual and heartwarming story behind her late-life marriage.

According to Indian media reports, Mulay spent nearly six decades unmarried before deciding to enter matrimony at the age of 60, eventually marrying a scientist named Atul after an unexpected online connection.

In a recent interview, the actress said she had never found a suitable partner earlier in life. Her life changed when she created a Facebook account initially on a friend’s advice to help with professional opportunities.

While browsing the platform, she came across Atul’s profile, which immediately caught her attention. She said she found his profile interesting and decided to message him first, marking the beginning of their conversation.

The two began exchanging messages and later moved to email communication. According to Mulay, Atul mentioned that he was also searching for a life partner, though he never directly proposed marriage. Instead, their relationship developed gradually through indirect conversations and mutual understanding.

After becoming friends, the couple decided to marry and tied the knot within 75 days of knowing each other.

Reports suggest that Suhasini Mulay is now 75 years old, and her story has drawn attention for its unconventional yet simple path to marriage.