India
Kolkata Airport Mosque Prayers Suspended Over Aviation Security Concerns
Access to the Bankra mosque near Kolkata airport has been suspended for two days due to urgent road repair work in the area. Devotees are expected to resume prayers on Monday if the work is completed on schedule. Local residents expressed surprise at the length of the restriction tied to road repairs. Airport officials have flagged the mosque as a potential threat to aviation security. Talks over relocating the mosque have reportedly been revived after previously being rejected.
Kane and Bellingham become first duo to each score six goals in one World Cup
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have made World Cup history by becoming the first pair of teammates from the same nation to each score six goals in a single tournament. Bellingham netted twice in England's quarterfinal win, helping the Three Lions secure a place in the semifinals. Their combined tally set a new benchmark in World Cup history for a duo representing one country. England edged past Norway in extra time, ending Erling Haaland's scoring run in the process. England will now face Argentina in the semifinal as they push for a place in the World Cup final.
UP Woman Critical After Drinking Acid from Water Bottle
A woman in Uttar Pradesh is in critical condition after accidentally drinking acid that had been placed in a water bottle. CCTV footage captured the moment she took a sip from the bottle and immediately rushed to spit it out. The incident raises serious concerns about the deliberate tampering of the bottle with a corrosive substance. Authorities are investigating the case to determine who was responsible for placing the acid in the bottle.

Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to reach World Cup semifinals
Defending champions Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to advance to the FIFA World Cup semifinals. Alexis Mac Allister gave Argentina an early lead in the 10th minute, but Switzerland leveled the score in the second half. A red card shifted the momentum in Argentina's favor, allowing them to push harder in extra time. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez then scored to seal the victory for Argentina. The South American side will next face England in the semifinal on Wednesday.
China mulls restricting overseas access to homegrown AI models like Qwen and DeepSeek
China is considering placing curbs on foreign access to its leading artificial intelligence models, according to a Reuters report. The Ministry of Commerce has summoned major Chinese tech firms including Alibaba, ByteDance, and Z.ai for consultations on the proposed restrictions. The move could significantly impact US companies such as Airbnb, Cursor, and DoorDash, which have been relying on cost-effective Chinese models to manage rising AI expenses. While existing open-weight models would remain accessible, future releases may be subject to the new limitations. The development signals Beijing's intent to tighten control over its AI assets amid ongoing US-China tech tensions.
Hyderabad Student Missing in Finland for Two Months Found Dead in Sea
Manideep Reddy, an 18-year-old student from Hyderabad, has been found dead in the sea near Helsinki, Finland. He had been missing for over two months before his body was discovered. According to his family, Manideep had spoken with his mother shortly before he disappeared in Helsinki. The case has drawn attention to the safety concerns faced by Indian students studying abroad.

Trump Administration Rolls Back Endangered Species Act Habitat Protections
The Trump administration has modified the Endangered Species Act in a move that critics say will allow harm to protected wildlife habitats. The changes were jointly introduced by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce. Both agencies framed the rollback as restoring the law to its original intent rather than expanding it. Officials argued that previous interpretations of the act had resulted in years of regulatory overreach. The modification marks a significant shift in how habitat protections for endangered species will be enforced going forward.

Bengaluru Woman Alleges Delivery Agent Forced Entry, Exposed Himself After Toilet Refusal
A woman in Bengaluru has alleged that a delivery agent forcibly entered her apartment without her consent. The agent had reportedly asked to use her washroom, and after being refused multiple times, he allegedly exposed himself. The woman described feeling deeply shocked and unsafe inside her own home. She emphasized that her refusal should have been sufficient to end the interaction. As of the report, no formal police complaint has been filed in connection with the incident.
Cloudburst Floods Hotels and Homes in J&K's Pahalgam
A sudden and intense cloudburst struck the forest areas of Awoora and Dehwathu in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The extreme rainfall event caused widespread flooding, inundating hotels and residential properties in the region. Videos of the flooding circulated widely, showing the extent of water damage to buildings and infrastructure. The localized nature of the cloudburst concentrated heavy rainfall over a short period, overwhelming the area's drainage capacity.

Shreyas Iyer's seventh straight loss as captain ends India's T20I rankings reign
Shreyas Iyer suffered his seventh consecutive defeat as India captain after England claimed a dominant series victory. England posted a massive total of 257 runs, with Buttler and Brook sharing a record partnership. India's bowlers were unable to contain England's batters throughout the innings. Although India's batting showed some resistance while chasing, the side fell well short of the target. The loss also brought an end to India's extended stay at the top of the T20I international rankings.
Pune Garbage Dump Collapse Kills 8, One Person Still Missing
A deadly collapse at the Moshi garbage depot in Pune claimed eight lives on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1:30 pm when a large heap of garbage caved in on an administrative building within the facility. The depot is operated by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. One person remains unaccounted for and is believed to be trapped under the debris.

Ship Catches Fire Near Oman, British Crew Evacuates Safely by Lifeboat
A vessel caught fire off the eastern coast of Oman, prompting its crew to abandon ship. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the incident after being notified by military authorities and the ship's security officer. The crew successfully evacuated and were reported safe aboard a lifeboat. The incident occurred shortly after a US military strike in the region, though a direct connection has not been confirmed.
Indian-Origin Google Engineer Shot Dead by Husband in Georgia, Son Wounded
An Indian-origin Google employee was fatally shot by her husband at their home in Cobb County, near Atlanta, Georgia. Their son was also injured in the attack. The accused, 56-year-old Kirk B Wrzesien, was arrested on Tuesday night at the family residence. He is currently being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Centre.

PM Modi mourns death of legendary playback singer S. Janaki at 88
Veteran playback singer S. Janaki has passed away at the age of 88, marking the end of a remarkable musical career. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing her death as an irreparable loss to Indian music and culture. Over a career spanning six decades, Janaki lent her voice to thousands of songs across seventeen languages. Her extraordinary versatility made her one of the most celebrated singers in Indian music history. Her melodies are expected to endure and continue captivating audiences for generations to come.
US Strikes Iran After Tehran Closes Strait of Hormuz Over Vessel Incident
Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following an incident in which it fired on a vessel it claimed was travelling an unauthorised route. The United States responded with military strikes against Iran, citing the closure as a poor strategic choice by Tehran. Iran subsequently responded to the US strikes, escalating tensions in the critical waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most vital oil shipping lanes, making its closure a significant global concern.

