Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh nominated for FIDE Excellence Awards

The Daily Catch-Up: Your essential round-up of today’s biggest stories

West African leopard population grows in Benin park amid regional pressures

The West African leopard, with only 354 individuals remaining, is showing signs of recovery in Benin's Pendjari National Park. A study tracking the species between 2017 and 2023 recorded a significant increase in leopard density within the protected area. This progress has been achieved despite ongoing regional conflict and mounting human pressures on the ecosystem. Rangers and scientists have deployed innovative monitoring and protection strategies to safeguard the population. Conservationists say the park's success provides a hopeful model for protecting threatened wildlife in politically unstable regions.

Messi and Yamal to Meet in World Cup Final 19 Years After Iconic Photo

Argentina's Lionel Messi and Spain's Lamine Yamal are set to face each other in the World Cup final, creating a remarkable coincidence rooted in history. Nineteen years ago, Messi held a baby Yamal during a charity photoshoot event. Yamal has since risen to become one of Spain's brightest football talents, representing Barcelona at the highest level. Messi, who departed Barcelona in 2021, and Yamal, who emerged as a global star thereafter, will now meet on football's grandest stage. The final marks an extraordinary full-circle moment between the two players separated by nearly two decades.

Vijay's Jana Nayagan reworked after footage leak, set for July 23 release

Tamil film Jana Nayagan, starring Vijay, has undergone significant changes ahead of its scheduled July 23 theatrical release. The film's producer confirmed that major modifications and new additions were incorporated into the final cut. These revisions came after portions of the footage leaked online prior to the movie receiving its censor certificate. Reports also indicate that Vijay's title card in the film has been updated by the makers. As a result, audiences are expected to see a substantially different version of the film than what had circulated online.