In the immediate aftermath of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing, Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani struck a defiant tone, vowing retaliation against the United States and outlining plans for a transitional leadership structure.“The Americans have stabbed the Iranian people in the heart and we will stab them in their heart,” Larijani said in remarks, according to Al-Jazeera. He warned that the reaction from Iran’s armed forces would be much stronger. “ They must know they cannot just hit and run.”

Larijani also confirmed that a temporary leadership mechanism would be activated following Khamenei’s death, according to Times of Israel. “An interim leadership council will soon be formed. The president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council will assume responsibility until the election of the next leader. This council will be established as soon as possible. We are working to form it as early as today,” Larijani said. His comments signal both retaliation abroad and political management at home, as Iran navigates one of the most critical moments in the history of the Islamic Republic.

Who is Ali Larijani?

Ali Larijani, 67, is one of the most powerful figures in Iran’s political and security establishment. A former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and longtime conservative politician, he currently serves as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s top national security body.In recent months, as tensions with the United States and Israel escalated and nationwide protests gripped Iran, Khamenei reportedly leaned heavily on Larijani to steer the country. Iranian officials describe him as a trusted and loyal adviser with direct access to the supreme leader.Conservative analyst Nasser Imani said Khamenei “fully trusts Larijani,” calling him the right figure for a “sensitive juncture” because of his political experience and strategic thinking.Larijani’s responsibilities have expanded significantly. He has overseen internal security measures during protests, coordinated with regional actors such as Russia, Qatar and Oman and played a role in nuclear negotiations with Washington. He has also been involved in contingency planning in case of war or disruption to the leadership.Larijani comes from an elite political and religious family. He served as speaker of Parliament for 12 years and previously held the post of secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from 2005 to 2007 before returning to the role on August 5 this year.He was also tasked in 2021 with negotiating a 25-year strategic agreement with China worth billions of dollars, reflecting his standing within the system.Although Larijani is a central figure in Iran’s leadership circle, he is not considered a likely successor to Khamenei because he is not a senior Shiite cleric, a key requirement for the position of supreme leader. However, officials say that he sits at the top of contingency lists for managing the country in the event of leadership disruption, according to The New York Times.Observers describe Larijani as a calculating conservative with a mix of pragmatism and nationalism. While some critics link him to harsh crackdowns on dissent and allege complicity in human rights abuses, supporters view him as one of the few remaining figures capable of holding together a system under pressure.

The makers of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda‘s film, ‘Ranabaali’, dropped the first song, ‘Endhayya Saami’, from the film as a special tribute to the couple’s new chapter in life. And now, the actress has reacted to the surprise released by the producers. She expressed that they had no idea about the music video. Let’s take a look at what she has to say.

Rashmika Mandanna reacts to ‘Endhayya Saami’ song drop

The song features a poignant sequence from the period drama, capturing Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s characters as they tie the knot and step into his home, observing every traditional ritual. It beautifully traces the gradual blossoming of their love story, unfolding with tenderness and emotional depth. Towards the end of the music video, a caption appears, which reads, “Happy married life, Vijay & Rashmika.“

Reacting to the same, Rashmika took to her Instagram Story and wrote, “This is such a lovely surprise for us (heart-shaped hands emojis), and now it’s a surprise for you too (white heart emojis). This is us, Ranabaali and Jayamma.”Take a look here.

More about ‘Ranabaali’

Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film features Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles. Set in colonial India, the movie also stars Arnold Vosloo.This will be Vijay and Rashmika’s first project together as a married couple. The duo has earlier featured in films like ‘Geeta Govindham’ and ‘Dear Comrade’.The makers have roped in the famous duo Ajay-Atul to compose the music for the film. It has been set to hit theaters on September 11, 2026.

More about Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s marriage

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna got married in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on February 26, 2026. The couple had two ceremonies to honor his Telugu Hindu rituals and her Kodava (Coorg) traditions. As per the reports, the duo will be hosting a wedding reception on March 4 in Hyderabad. Reportedly, it will be attended by friends from the industry and other prominent personalities.

In a fairytale ending to a glittering One-Day International (ODI) career, Australian captain Alyssa Healy produced a breathtaking knock of 158 runs off just 98 balls against India at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval on Sunday, with husband Mitchell Starc watching proudly from the commentary box as she walked off into ODI sunset in emphatic style. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter’s farewell innings was nothing short of spectacular, featuring 27 fours and two sixes in a masterclass of aggressive strokeplay that left the Indian bowling attack haples.

Guard of honour precedes Alyssa Healy’s final ODI knock

The emotion was palpable even before Healy took strike. As she walked out to open the batting alongside Phoebe Litchfield in the third ODI, the Indian women’s team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, formed a guard of honour to acknowledge the retiring great’s immense contribution to women’s cricket. The BCCI Women shared images of the tribute on social media, capturing the moment Harmanpreet shook hands with her long-time rival as Healy made her way to the crease.

#TeamIndia formed a guard of honour before the start of play today for Australia Captain Alyssa Healy, who is playing her Final ODI match 👏👏#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Vb9dg1dfhE

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) March 1, 2026

The gesture represented the deep respect Healy commands across the cricketing world, having been one of the most influential figures in the sport’s growth over 16 years at the highest level.

Alyssa Healy races to 150 in just 95 balls

After reaching her century in just 79 balls, Healy accelerated further to bring up 150 off 95 deliveries, tormenting the Indian bowlers with her signature blend of power and precision. The Australian captain appeared destined for a double century before Sneh Rana finally ended her innings in the 37th over with a high full-toss that Healy missed while attempting a reverse sweep .

Her 158-run knock placed Australia in a commanding position at 3-281 when she departed, with a total of 400 or more appearing well within reach. The innings added to her career tally of 3,777 ODI runs at an average of 37.02, which includes eight centuries and 19 fifties across 126 matches.

Also WATCH: Alyssa Healy receives Guard of Honour from India players in her final ODI

Throughout her innings, Healy had a special spectator watching intently. Mitchell Starc, the Australian pace spearhead and Healy’s husband since 2016, was positioned in the Channel Seven commentary box. Cameras captured the moment Healy brought up her century, with Starc remaining silently emotional as the milestone was raised – a contrast to the thunderous applause from the Hobart crowd.

The couple’s cricketing journey together spans decades, having first met as nine-year-olds playing against each other in club cricket before becoming teammates in representative cricket from under-10s through under-16s . They tied the knot in April 2016, and Starc has been a constant presence supporting his wife throughout her career, famously leaving the Australian camp early in March 2020 to watch her Player of the Final performance in the T20 World Cup final against India.

Here’s the video:

An Alyssa Healy century in her final ODI!

And no one is prouder than Mitch Starc in the commentary box 😊#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Ey27zCbPt2

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) March 1, 2026

Earlier in the series, Starc was spotted in the commentary box during the first ODI in Brisbane, donning stylish attire alongside former cricketer Lisa Sthalekar as Healy’s farewell series began. His presence throughout the ODI leg underscored the personal significance of this moment for cricket’s most admired power couple.

When Healy announced her retirement in January, Starc shared a photograph of her sitting on a lawn giving a thumbs-up, accompanying it with a short but deeply felt caption: “Proud of you.”  In a subsequent Instagram tribute, he posted “Proud of ya” with a heart emoji, a message that resonated powerfully with fans worldwide .

Reflecting on his wife’s evolution as a player, Starc had earlier noted how she transformed after taking over the captaincy from Meg Lanning in late 2023. “She watches a lot more cricket than I do. I mean, she’s the captain too. She’s a bit more switched on with all that sort of thing, probably seeing her shift a little bit when she took over the captaincy and putting her personal stuff aside and trying to push that team to achieve all that potential.”

Also READ: Kayla Reyneke earns maiden ODI call-up as South Africa announce squad for New Zealand tour

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

A mob of hundreds stormed the US consulate in Pakistan’s Karachi on Sunday after a joint US-Israel airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Protesters were seen vandalising the property and setting parts of the building on fire.According to news agency Associated Press, at least one protester was killed and several others were wounded after police and paramilitary forces used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.Sindh home minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar sought an immediate report on the situation from Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Azad Khan, according to a statement from his office.The unrest caused significant traffic disruptions. In an update issued around 11 a.m., Karachi Traffic Police said both sides of the road from Sultanabad Traffic Section towards Mai Kolachi had been closed due to the protest, Dawn reported.Meanwhile, authorities continued to monitor the situation as tensions remained high in the port city following developments linked to the Iranian leader’s killing.This came hours after Iran confirmed that Khamenei was killed in airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States — dubbed “Operation Epic Fury”.Iran acknowledged the 86-year-old leader’s death at his Tehran office, a development that has thrown the future of the Islamic Republic into question and raised the risk of regional instability.In retaliation, Iran fired missiles at targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states on Sunday after vowing massive revenge for Khamenei’s killing.Iran’s Cabinet said the “great crime will never go unanswered”, and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its “most intense offensive operation” yet, targeting Israeli and American bases.Iran is observing 40 days of public mourning following Khamenei’s death, according to state media. In Shia Islam, the 40th day after death (Arba’een) holds spiritual significance.The Supreme Leader’s office has declared a period of national mourning, with flags at half-mast and public gatherings planned to pay respects, marking the end of a 37-year chapter in the Islamic Republic’s history.Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said that the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could create a pathway to diplomacy.While talking to CBS News, Trump expressed confidence in the results so far, calling the joint airstrikes by US and Israel “a great day for this country, a great day for the world.”He also warned Iran to not plan any attack on US and Israeli military bases following its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini death.In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump said that if Iran attacks US, then US will “hit them with a force that has never been seen before.”“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before.They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before! Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said.The United States launched nearly 900 strikes within the first 12 hours of a joint operation with Israel.

Strikes in Iran (AP photo)

With the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran launched attacks against the United States and Israel, hitting key US military bases in the region and targeting Israeli sites.Operation Epic Fury, the US-led military action under President Donald Trump, achieved its most critical objective: the killing of Khamenei in strikes early Sunday in Tehran. The operation reportedly also killed Khamenei’s daughter and grandchild, as the attacks hit several key locations in the Iranian capital.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social. The offensive marked a major escalation, with Trump launching a full-scale operation aimed at dismantling the Khamenei-led political establishment and reshaping power dynamics in the oil-rich nation. Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also joined the strikes under the codename Operation Lion’s Roar.

Loud explosions heard in Tehran

Several loud explosions were heard in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian state media reported.The blasts came after Israel said it had launched another wave of strikes. The Israeli military said it targeted Iran’s ballistic missile and air defence systems on Sunday morning.

MEA advisory

The Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory for foreign nationals in India who have had to change travel plans due to the escalating security situation in West Asia.The MEA urged affected individuals to contact their nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for assistance with visa extensions or to regularise their stay. It said the concerned FRROs will facilitate the required formalities.The advisory follows widespread flight cancellations and airspace restrictions triggered by the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict, which has disrupted international travel, including services to and from India.Also read: Why Saturday? How Israel-US strikes targeted Khamenei and his inner circle‘1,200 munitions were dropped by fighter jets in Iran'” IsraelClaiming massive attack against Iran, the Israeli airforce claimed that, “More than 1,200 munitions were dropped by fighter jets of the Air Force in the past day,” while sharing footage from the take-offs for the strikes.

Iran strikes US naval base in Kuwait

Iran also struck US military bases in Kuwait, according to the IRGC. “The American naval base in the Abdullah Mubarak area of Kuwait was hit by four ballistic missiles and 12 drones. All infrastructure was destroyed, and a large number of American personnel were killed or injured. Additionally, the MST-class combat support ship, carrying fuel for American vessels in the Indian Ocean, was hit by Iranian Qadr 380 missiles,” the report said.Also read: More explosions in Dubai, Doha and Manama; airports targeted?

Iran’s top military leadership killed

Apart from Khamenei, Iran also reported that Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi and Defence Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh were also killed in an airstrike on a defence council meeting.The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Maj Gen Mohammad Pakpour, and senior security adviser Ali Shamkhani were also killed, according to IRNA.

Civilian toll rises in Iran

Iranian prosecutor Ebrahim Taheri said 148 people were killed and 95 wounded after a US–Israeli strike hit a girls’ school in Minab county in southern Iran.

Iran forms interim leadership council

A constitutional council has been formed to govern Iran following Khamenei’s death. The body includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and a member of the Guardian Council selected by the Expediency Council.Under Iranian law, the Assembly of Experts must appoint a new supreme leader “as soon as possible.”

Iran vows retaliation

Pezeshkian denounced Khamenei’s killing “as a great crime” and promised a response.“This great crime will never remain unanswered and will turn a new page in the history of the Islamic world and Shiism. The pure blood of this high-ranking leader will flow like a roaring spring and will eradicate American-Zionist oppression and crime,” his office said.“This time too, with all our strength and determination, with the support of the Islamic nation and the free people of the world, we will make the perpetrators and commanders of this great crime regret it,” it added.Pezeshkian also declared seven days of public holidays in addition to the 40-day mourning period. Iran’s parliament speaker said the country had prepared for “all scenarios” including Khamenei’s death.

‘They better not do that’: Trump warns Iran

US President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Sunday after Tehran signalled it might launch heavy attacks in response to recent US‑led strikes. Trump took to Truth Social, saying he had seen reports that Iran planned to “hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before.”“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump wrote. “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

Air raid sirens sound across Israel

Israel’s military said it was responding to Iranian missile fire, with air raid sirens activated across central Israel and parts of the occupied West Bank.“Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country, following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the military said. “The air force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary.”

Explosions reported in gulf cities

Fresh blasts were reported in Dubai, Doha, and Manama as Iran targeted multiple territories in retaliation.Iran’s military reportedly struck Dubai International Airport, the Burj Al Arab, and other high-profile locations. Four people were injured in the airport attack, causing damage inside a passenger terminal.In Iraq, Iran targeted a US base in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said a drone strike hit Bahrain International Airport, causing material damage but no casualties.AFP reporters also heard explosions across Dubai, Doha, and Manama, with thick black smoke seen over Doha after several loud blasts.

US Central Command confirms operations

The head of US Central Command said American forces were engaged in military operations during the first 24 hours of “Operation Epic Fury.”“The President ordered bold action,” Adm. Brad Cooper said.

IRGC carries out sixth wave of attacks

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it was carrying out a sixth wave of attacks in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes.It said it had launched “extensive missile and drone” attacks on Israel and US bases. According to Iranian reports, 27 US bases, Israel’s Tel Nof Airbase, the Israeli army’s command headquarters at HaKirya in Tel Aviv, and a major defence industrial complex were targeted.The IRGC warned it would “implement a different and harsh step of revenge, with successive, regrettable slaps.”

Global reaction remains cautious

The death of Khamenei, who had no designated successor, is expected to increase uncertainty in Iran and raise fears of a wider conflict. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting.Many countries abstained from commenting directly on US-Israeli strikes but condemned Iran’s retaliation. Some, like Australia and Canada, supported the US, while Russia and China criticized the strikes.The 22-nation Arab League called Iran’s attacks “a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability.” Morocco, Jordan, Syria, and the UAE condemned Iranian strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Emirates.Despite the violence, some international leaders have urged a resumption of dialogue to avoid further escalation, as tensions continue across the Middle East.

Regional travel chaos

Airspace closures across Israel and parts of the Gulf stranded tens of thousands of travellers.Emirates suspended flights to and from Dubai. Qatar’s airport closed until at least Monday morning. Israeli airspace remains shut.In Bali, more than 1,600 passengers were stranded after Middle East-bound flights were cancelled.

Protests and security alerts

Protesters in Baghdad attempted to approach the heavily fortified Green Zone housing Iraqi government buildings and the US Embassy. The US Embassy in Jordan urged Americans to remain indoors, citing reports of missiles, drones or rockets in Jordanian airspace.

Zahra Ghanbari (Image credit: X)

NEW DELHI: Football chiefs offered “full support and assistance” to the Iranian team in Australia on Sunday for the Women’s Asian Cup after the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on their homeland. Iran’s 26-strong squad arrived on the Gold Coast days before the strikes on Saturday killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Washington and Tel Aviv seek to topple the Islamic republic.They are due to open their tournament on Monday against South Korea.

The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement it “continues to closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period”.“The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials and fans,” it added.“In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iran women’s national team and officials on the Gold Coast and are offering our full support and assistance.”Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari held a pre-match press conference on Sunday but focused on football, saying the tournament was a chance to show “the potential of Iranian women”.“After the league season in Iran, we came together for three training camps, before coming to Australia where we have had a few fruitful sessions, so I hope tomorrow we can show you a good match,” she said.The 12-team tournament, which kicks off Sunday, will be one of the biggest stages ever for many Iranian players.They made a historic debut at the last Asian Cup in India in 2022 and suffered heavy defeats against China and Taiwan, but it made them national heroes in a country where women’s rights are severely restricted.“In India in 2022, the group was a little easier, now in 2026 we enter with more experience but the group is more tough,” said Jafari of a group that also includes hosts Australia and the Philippines.“But we (still) want to show in these games the potential of Iranian women.”Iran showed grit to come through a challenging qualifying campaign for Australia that culminated with a win against favourites Jordan to seal a back-to-back appearance.Skipper Zahra Ghanbari said she was dreaming big.“I believe this tournament is great with great teams, but we really want to qualify for the World Cup,” said the 33-year-old.“We know these will be tough games, but we have a tough mentality and we want to do our best.”The top six finishers will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

MUMBAI: Even as India sharpened its focus on artificial intelligence at a recent national AI summit, an 18-year-old commerce student from Navi Mumbai has quietly scripted his own global tech milestone.Jeet Santosh Bhaskar, who is yet to complete Class 12, has independently built and launched BrontoAI, a consumer-facing artificial intelligence platform that went live on the Apple App Store on January 25 and is now accessible in 175 countries.What sets the journey apart of a Kharghar (Navi Mumbai) boy is that he has no formal education in computer science.

Bhaskar identifies himself as founder and CEO of Bronto Intelligence, a parent entity currently under process of incorporation, which oversees BrontoAI and MSPConnect — platforms positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence and applied economics.“I had no formal coding background. I don’t communicate much socially. On October 15, my father gave me a MacBook, and that became my primary medium of learning and building,” Bhaskar said.BrontoAI is positioned as a human-centred AI platform rather than a utility-driven chatbot, giving it a distinct advantage for both Indian and international users. Unlike many global apps that deliver rigid, command-based responses, BrontoAI focuses on emotionally aware, context-sensitive conversations that feel closer to natural human interaction.From farm economics to AIHis entrepreneurial journey began with MSPConnect in October 2025 after he studied pricing gaps affecting farmers. The platform was conceived to improve awareness of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and enhance market transparency.Encouraged by the response, Bhaskar began work on BrontoAI, dedicating nearly four months to developing the application. He said he handled the coding architecture and product development independently, while also managing the technical review process with Apple.“I undertook online courses and taught myself coding. My way of learning is step by step. I used a split screen — one side for learning and the other for implementation — and that’s how I mastered the process,” he said.A human-centred designUnlike conventional AI tools that prioritise structured outputs, Bhaskar claims BrontoAI has been designed to communicate in a natural, Gen-Z-native tone that is emotionally aware and context-sensitive.According to him, the platform offers human-like language flow, realistic audio interaction and detailed image generation, with the aim of creating a more intuitive user experience.Academic groundingAlongside his technology pursuits, Bhaskar has focused on economics. He said he has authored two research papers — one examining the gap between MSP awareness and realised selling prices among farmers in Maharashtra, and another on shadow pricing based on perceived affluence.His father, Santosh Bhaskar, said the teenager completed eight advanced economics courses simultaneously and has secured undergraduate admission offers from eight universities abroad.Looking ahead, Bhaskar said he aims to explore the convergence of economics and artificial intelligence.“I want to pursue advanced research in economics while building scalable, human-centred technology platforms from India,” he said.For global users, the app’s strength lies in its Gen-Z-native language flow, realistic voice interaction and advanced image generation, making it intuitive across cultures and age groups without requiring technical expertise. Its design philosophy prioritises how people think and feel, not just what they ask, allowing smoother communication for everyday problem-solving, creativity and learning.From an Indian perspective, BrontoAI’s economic and social grounding enables it to understand developing-market contexts—pricing sensitivity, behavioural economics and real-world constraints—areas often overlooked by Western-centric AI tools. This makes it equally relevant for users in emerging economies and mature markets.By blending applied economics with AI, BrontoAI aims to offer smarter, more empathetic responses, positioning itself as a globally accessible platform that feels less like software and more like a thinking digital companion—an approach that differentiates it in an increasingly crowded global AI ecosystem.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a daylight pre-emptive airstrike in a joint operation by US and Israel on Saturday.Iranian confirmed early Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died following the attack. US President Donald Trump described Khamenei’s death as offering Iranians their “greatest chance” to reclaim control of their country.The operation – dubbed as ‘The Epic Fury’ – was timed to coincide with a meeting of the country’s top leadership, according to US officials.

Why US chose Saturday to carry out the strikes?

The joint US-Israel operation, reportedly planned for months, took place Saturday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek.The attack marked a dramatic escalation in US intervention in Iran, raising the risk of retaliatory violence and a broader conflict, while showcasing the military reach of a president who came to office on an “America First” platform and pledged to avoid “forever wars.”A US official added that the strike was designed to target Khamenei first, in order to maintain the element of surprise, amid concerns that he might go into hiding if given the chance, as cited by Reuters. Two Iranian sources told Reuters that Khamenei met on Saturday with Shamkhani and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani at a secure location shortly before the strikes started.Two US sources and a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said confirmation of Khamenei’s meeting with top advisers triggered the Israeli-US air and naval operation.The CIA monitored Khamenei for several months and shared detailed, high-confidence intelligence with Israel indicating he would attend a meeting of senior Iranian officials in Tehran on Saturday, according to a report by The New York Times.Israeli intelligence independently confirmed the gathering at a leadership compound, where senior defence officials were expected to convene. US and Israeli officials subsequently advanced plans for a strike to capitalize on the opportunity, the report said.The precise location of Khamenei’s meeting was not immediately known. Nevertheless, his high-security compound in Tehran was targeted at the start of the operation, with satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters confirming that it had been destroyed.One source noted that the meeting had initially been expected on Saturday evening in Tehran, but Israeli intelligence detected it taking place Saturday morning, prompting the strikes to be moved forward, as cited by Reuters.It followed tense negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year highlighted his administration’s success in limiting Iran’s nuclear program but framed the latest strike as necessary to prevent a potential resurgence.Tensions have escalated in recent weeks as the Trump administration deployed what officials described as the largest concentration of US warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. While Trump publicly pushed for a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program, Iran faced mounting domestic unrest following nationwide protests.Although Trump declared last year that US strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said Tehran had begun rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Intelligence assessments indicated that Iran had developed the capability to produce high-quality centrifuges domestically—an essential component for enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels.Iran has said it sought to avoid war but maintained its right to enrich uranium. While Tehran has stated it has not enriched uranium since June, it has barred international inspectors from accessing sites targeted in US strikes. Satellite imagery analyzed by the Associated Press showed renewed activity at two of those locations, suggesting efforts to assess damage and potentially recover material.

MUMBAI: The committee appointed by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to examine the unusual cancellation of 18 admissions under the institutional and NRI quotas at NY Tasgaonkar Institute of Medical Science, Karjat, has given the college a clean chit. The findings close the state-level inquiry into a case that had raised questions about how all candidates admitted under these higher-fee quotas withdrew simultaneously.“The committee, in its report, stated that it had contacted all 18 candidates, who informed the panel that they had withdrawn their admissions voluntarily,” a source in the state government said. However, sources familiar with the inquiry process pointed out that the panel relied on phone numbers supplied by the college itself, which had assembled the list of candidates placed before the committee. Sources said some parents are preparing to approach Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with supporting documents, seeking a detailed probe into the entire admission process and the way inquiry was carried out in this matter.On Saturday, at around 3pm, the college published its vacancy position, declaring that 12 institutional quota seats, three NRI quota seats and one state merit seat were vacant. This disclosure came a day after the college had, on Friday evening, selected 12 candidates under the institutional quota from a special list prepared internally and submitted earlier to the Bombay High Court.Dr Pravin Shingare, former head of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, said that in his decade-long tenure as the competent authority for postgraduate admissions, he had never encountered a situation where admissions under the institutional and NRI quotas were cancelled en masse. “And even if such a situation had arisen,” he said, “what prevented the CET Cell from preparing a fresh list of meritorious candidates willing to take admission in this college under the institutional and NRI quotas?”When asked whether the panel sought details from the college on the penalties levied on students who cancelled their admissions after submitting the retention form, a source said there would be no penalty since the seats had not lapsed. However, the rules governing private medical colleges state that “any candidate resigning a seat from an unaided private or minority medical college after the prescribed date will have to pay three years’ fees as a penalty.” The senior official said he would look at the details mentioned in the report on Monday. The state CET Cell has posted an observer at the college campus, said a senior officer from the CET cell.