A*STAR

Japan and India met in a one-off T20 international as part of the Suzuki Cup, with match highlights published by Star Sports drawing massive attention. The fixture between an established cricketing power and a developing Japan side drew millions of engagements as fans reacted to the result and performances.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains below its 10-day average following the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28. Before the conflict, the strait typically handled around 125 large commercial vessels a day, including tankers, gas carriers, bulkers and container ships. The continued shortfall points to lingering disruption and caution among shipowners in one of the world's most important oil transit routes.

The World Road Cycling Championships are taking place, with Dutch fans following the action closely. In live coverage, Mathieu van der Poel is reported to be making moves in the peloton, while Tim van Dijke has suffered a crash. Attention in the Netherlands is firmly on how the Dutch riders fare in the race.

Ed Sheeran has issued a public apology, saying he is sorry for 'making mistakes,' and described the situation in Gaza as 'unjustifiable.' The British singer's remarks drew wide attention, with audiences debating both his statement on the war and his acknowledgment of past errors. ABC News reported the apology, which quickly circulated among fans and commentators worldwide.

Lucasfilm has tapped Jon Watts to direct its next Star Wars movie. Watts is best known for helming Marvel's Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland. Details on the film's plot and release timing have not been announced, and the news was reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Director Jon Watts, known for Marvel's Spider-Man films, will direct the next Star Wars movie, according to Variety. The announcement gives Lucasfilm's long-gestating film slate a concrete new name, though details on the plot, timeline and release date have not been disclosed. Fans and industry watchers are debating what the choice of Watts signals for the franchise's direction.

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are preparing a tribute to George Michael, prompting renewed interest in the singer's death at 53 in 2016. Coverage has revisited the circumstances of his passing, with the pop star's cause of death drawing fresh attention as the awards ceremony approaches.

India cricket star Virat Kohli has announced he will retire from international cricket after the 2027 World Cup. The 37-year-old batter is one of the most decorated players in the sport's history, and the announcement sets a timeline for the end of a two-decade career. Fans and pundits are reacting to the news, weighing how Kohli's final years with India will unfold ahead of the tournament.

Tigst Assefa's attempt at a world record at the Berlin Marathon was undone by cramps, while Guye Adola took the men's title in the German capital. The race, one of the world's fastest marathon courses, saw the Ethiopian star fall short of the mark despite her record-breaking pedigree, handing attention instead to Adola's victory.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has dismissed the idea that Premier League managers should have a say over whether their players are rested for England duty, calling it 'madness'. His comments sharpen the ongoing club-versus-country debate over player workload and international fixtures, with clubs frequently pressing to protect stars from congested schedules.

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan says he wants to defuse tensions with star forward Mohamed Salah ahead of the national team's World Cup qualifier against South Sudan. The dispute, widely reported in the build-up to the match, has raised questions about Salah's role in the squad. With qualification stakes high, Hassan is attempting to settle the matter before kickoff.

A young star from Italian club Como has made his position clear on a potential move to Real Madrid, even as several Premier League clubs monitor his situation. The player is reportedly keen on the Spanish giants despite strong interest from England, with his stance adding intrigue to an increasingly competitive transfer battle.

The MTV Video Music Awards are taking place with Taylor Swift in position to make history at the ceremony. Madonna leads the list of nominees, adding to the occasion's legacy as one of music's biggest nights. Coverage focuses on the potential records broken, the leading nominees, and which stars take home Moon Person trophies during the show.

Inter Miami are set to take on the Columbus Crew in MLS, with attention focused on whether Lionel Messi will feature. Sports Illustrated reports uncertainty over the Argentine star's availability for the match, making his fitness the main talking point ahead of kickoff between the two Eastern Conference sides.

American actor Adam Brody, known for his Jewish background and roles in television comedy and drama, has accused Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza. The claim was reported by The Jerusalem Post. It remains unclear in what setting the remarks were made, and no broader reaction has been detailed. His comments stand out given his Jewish identity and add to ongoing debate among public figures over Israel's conduct in the Gaza war.

Actor Adam Brody, who is Jewish, has described Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide', according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. His comments add a prominent Jewish voice in Hollywood to the growing number of public figures criticising Israel's conduct of the war, and are likely to fuel ongoing debate over the language used to describe the conflict.

Madonna opened the MTV Video Music Awards with a provocative performance that featured celebrity cameos. The pop star's appearance drew wide attention as the show's opening moment. Specific details about the cameos and the performance itself were not provided in available reports, and reaction beyond the initial coverage remains limited.

LeBron James says he had considered signing with the New York Knicks when he was a free agent, though he ultimately never joined the team. The remarks shed light on how close the NBA star came to playing in New York, prompting fans to debate how the franchise's fortunes might have differed with James in a Knicks uniform.

Novak Djokovic has provided an update on his fitness ahead of his first match since his surprise early defeat at the US Open. The Serbian star says he is ready to return to competition, and attention is on how he bounces back from the New York upset in his first tournament since.

Lamine Yamal delivered a standout performance as Spain came from behind to beat England 3-2 in their opening Nations League match. The 17-year-old winger was central to Spain's comeback, drawing praise from fans and pundits alike, while England were left to rue letting a lead slip in a dramatic contest.