India

Mikel Merino Makes World Cup History With Late Winner Against Belgium

Spain midfielder Mikel Merino scored a decisive late goal against Belgium, sending La Roja into the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals. The strike, delivered as a substitute, etched Merino's name into World Cup history, though the specific record was not detailed in the report. The victory extended Spain's unbeaten run in regular time during the tournament. Spain will next face France in a high-stakes semifinal clash.

Pakistan Forces Kill 75 Rebels in Balochistan After 18 Police Officers Executed

Pakistani security forces killed 75 militants in Balochistan following a deadly attack on police personnel. Armed rebels abducted 18 police officers during the assault. The officers were later discovered blindfolded and shot dead after the attackers retreated into nearby mountains. The operation was launched by Pakistani forces in response to the killings.

New Gurugram-Rewari Highway to Cover 46 km in 45 Minutes, Boosting Realty

A new highway connecting Gurugram and Rewari is set to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities. The 46-kilometre corridor is expected to allow commuters to complete the journey in approximately 45 minutes once operational. The improved connectivity is anticipated to drive up property prices in the region. Real estate experts believe faster access between the two cities will attract greater residential and commercial investment along the corridor.

Google CEO Pichai thanks Bezos Earth Fund for backing FireSat wildfire detection project

Google CEO Sundar Pichai publicly acknowledged partners, including the Bezos Earth Fund, for their support in launching new wildfire detection satellites. The FireSat satellites are capable of detecting fires that current technology cannot identify. The expanded network follows a successful pilot program that was initiated the previous year. A major new investment from the Bezos Earth Fund, founded by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, has helped advance the project. The initiative is designed to deliver near real-time wildfire monitoring on a global scale.

Former UK MP Found Dead With Serious Injuries, Murder Suspect in Custody

A former UK Member of Parliament was found dead at her home in Haytor Vale, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in southwest England, on Thursday. Police reported that the woman, 78, had sustained serious injuries. Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the suspected murder. The investigation is ongoing in the southwest England location.

Telangana farmer kills six including POCSO complainant and own family, flees

A farmer in the Shabad area of Telangana allegedly killed six people across two locations. The murders followed a POCSO complaint filed against him, prompting him to target the teenage victim, her mother, and her grandmother. He subsequently returned home and killed his own wife and two young sons. The accused drove the teenage girl to a lake, where he killed her before fleeing the scene. Police have launched a manhunt to track down the absconding suspect.

India and New Zealand forge strategic partnership with 18 pacts targeting 2030 goals

India and New Zealand have elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership after Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon signed 18 cooperation agreements. The pacts span key sectors including defence, trade, and security, serving as a roadmap for future collaboration between the two nations. On the trade front, both countries have set an ambitious target of reaching NZD 7 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. The agreements also commit both nations to strengthening maritime security and improving disaster management capabilities. The deal marks a significant milestone in India-New Zealand relations, broadening the scope of engagement across critical areas.

Jaipur schoolgirl death: Family demands fuller chargesheet, accountability from school

The family of Amaira Meena, a Jaipur schoolgirl who died under disputed circumstances, has alleged that the police chargesheet filed in the case is incomplete. Newly emerged footage has intensified concerns about child safety and institutional responsibility at the school. The family is seeking additional charges against the class teacher and school management, who they believe played a role in the incident. They have also questioned why the school principal and founder were omitted from the chargesheet. A parents' body has separately called for a broader investigation into alleged irregularities at the school.

Shubman Gill visits Wimbledon Royal Box, meets Federer during England tour

Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill received a Royal Box invitation at Wimbledon 2026, making him only the fourth Indian captain to receive such an honour. During the visit, Gill met tennis legend Roger Federer and watched matches alongside batting great Sachin Tendulkar. The appearance came shortly after Gill attended the British Grand Prix as a VIP guest. Gill is currently in England leading the Indian team for an ongoing ODI series.

Iran Warns of Reciprocal Action as Trump Declares Nuclear Talks Over

Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated after President Donald Trump declared that a potential nuclear deal is no longer on the table. Iran's government responded with a warning of reciprocal action against the United States following Trump's remarks. The Iranian foreign ministry also pushed back against Trump's assertion that Tehran had approached Washington to continue negotiations. Iran explicitly denied having made any such request, contradicting the US president's public statements on the matter.

US demands Iran publicly guarantee Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping

The United States is pressing Iran to issue a public statement guaranteeing the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. American officials have warned of negative consequences should Tehran refuse to comply with the demand. Iran has linked recent shipping disruptions in the area to a malfunctioning system component. President Trump declared a ceasefire had ended after six days, citing alleged violations by Iran. Fifteen vessels have recently transited the strait, while a larger number remain waiting to pass through.

Centre Directs Correct Text and Pronunciation for National Anthem and Song

The Indian government has issued a directive emphasizing the use of correct text and pronunciation when singing the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and the national song 'Vande Mataram'. Both compositions hold significant national importance, with 'Vande Mataram' having played a historic role in India's freedom struggle. The government has reaffirmed that 'Vande Mataram' holds equal status and honour alongside 'Jana Gana Mana'. The directive aims to ensure that both songs are performed with proper respect and accuracy across the country.

New Zealand's Sky Tower Lit in Indian Tricolour to Mark Modi's Historic Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in New Zealand, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in four decades. Modi was received at the airport by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. To mark the occasion, Auckland's iconic Sky Tower was illuminated in the colours of the Indian national flag. Modi expressed gratitude to PM Luxon for the warm welcome extended to him upon his arrival.

Dhamaal 4 Opens Strong With Rs 13.75 Cr Net on Day 1, Beats Forecasts

Ajay Devgn's Dhamaal 4 had a strong opening day at the box office, collecting approximately Rs 13.75 crore net in India on its first day of release. The film outperformed initial industry estimates, positioning itself as the top new release of the week. It attracted healthy audience turnout throughout the day despite competition from other films. Globally, the film's earnings crossed Rs 21.5 crore on its opening day. Trade analysts anticipate collections to rise further as the weekend sets in.

Passenger partially sucked through window after Ryanair flight suffers mid-air emergency

MP Ethanol Scam: SIT Formed After Subsidised Rice Diverted to Private Mills

Madhya Pradesh police have constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe an alleged scam involving the diversion of subsidised rice. Consignments originally designated for ethanol production plants were reportedly rerouted to private mills instead. The diverted rice was then allegedly fed back into the procurement and milling cycle, compounding the fraud. So far, four individuals have been arrested in connection with the suspected racket. Authorities say they are determined to uncover the full scale of the exploitation.

Before Delhi protest, National Conference asks INDIA bloc to join in

'Can be executed': Bangladesh MP after Sheikh Hasina confirms she will return to Dhaka

12-Year-Old Dies as Building Gallery Collapses on Neighbour's House in Thane

A 12-year-old boy was killed and two others injured after a structural collapse in Thane, Maharashtra. A section of a building's gallery gave way and fell onto an adjacent house. The occupants of the neighbouring home were asleep when the incident occurred. Authorities have begun a preliminary investigation into the cause of the structural failure.

FIFA sells World Cup final pitch pieces at $450 amid fan and player backlash

FIFA is selling individual pieces of turf from the World Cup final pitch at USD 450 (approximately Rs. 42,989) each. The initiative has drawn sharp criticism from both fans and players, who have raised concerns about the poor quality and irregular texture of the turf. The move comes alongside a broader wave of discontent over skyrocketing ticket prices for the tournament. Shipping for the turf pieces is currently restricted to customers in the United States and Europe, further limiting accessibility for global fans.