India

Pandavani legend Teejan Bai, Padma Vibhushan awardee, dies at 69 after illness

Renowned Pandavani folk artist Teejan Bai passed away at the age of 69 following a prolonged illness. She had been hospitalised at AIIMS Raipur after experiencing breathing difficulties and physical weakness, where her condition gradually worsened. Bai was widely regarded as a pioneer of the Pandavani tradition, a storytelling art form rooted in the Mahabharata. Throughout her distinguished career, she received several prestigious honours, including the Padma Vibhushan, for her contributions to Indian folk culture. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the country.

France beat Paraguay 1-0 as Mbappe penalty sparks post-match controversy

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay, decided by a Kylian Mbappe penalty. The match ended in controversy when Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill threw the ball at Mbappe after the French striker appeared to snub his handshake. The incident drew widespread attention given Mbappe's high-profile status in world football. After the game, Mbappe addressed the tension, stating that France are capable of playing a physical and combative style when required.

Bryan Johnson reveals autoimmune gastritis diagnosis linked to thyroid and iron issues

Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson has disclosed that he is battling autoimmune gastritis, a condition in which the immune system attacks the stomach lining. The disease often goes undetected and has been connected to his pre-existing hypothyroidism and iron deficiency. Johnson described it as a complex health challenge that compounds his existing medical conditions. He is now exploring experimental treatment approaches to address the disease. Johnson used his disclosure to highlight how serious health conditions can go unnoticed until they become critical.

PoK Man Who Crossed LoC to Reach Lover Returned Across Border

A man from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir crossed the Line of Control illegally in an attempt to reach his lover on the Indian side. The two had reportedly planned the crossing in advance, with the man intending to surrender to the Indian Army upon entry. He was prepared to face the legal consequences mandated for illegal border crossing into the country. Authorities ultimately sent him back across the border rather than detaining him for a prolonged period.

Padma Vibhushan folk singer Teejan Bai passes away at 70 in Raipur

Legendary Pandavani folk singer Teejan Bai died at the age of 70 in Raipur following a prolonged illness. The Chhattisgarh-born artist had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS Raipur since late May. She was widely acclaimed for her powerful storytelling through renditions of Mahabharata tales, bringing the traditional Pandavani art form to international audiences. Her lifelong dedication to folk arts earned her some of India's highest civilian honours, including the Padma Vibhushan.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 15, becomes India's youngest international cricketer

Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his international debut for India on Saturday during the second T20I against England, aged just 15 years and 99 days. He became India's youngest-ever international cricketer and the second-youngest debutant among Full Member nations in cricket history. The teenager contributed a quick 14 runs off 10 balls, hitting two sixes in his brief outing. Despite his impactful cameo, India were unable to win the match against England.

France edge Paraguay 1-0 to reach World Cup quarters; Paraguay slammed for conduct

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay, with Kylian Mbappe scoring the decisive penalty. The match was heavily overshadowed by the behaviour of the Paraguayan players following their elimination. Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart labelled Paraguay's players 'an absolute disgrace', while pundit Micah Richards called their conduct 'embarrassing'. France will next face Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Indonesian Troops Recover Body of US Pilot Shot Dead by Papua Rebels

American pilot Nicholas F Goselin was shot and killed by rebels in Indonesia's Papua Highlands province on Thursday. Goselin was employed by Indonesian aviation company PT AMA at the time of the attack. The incident occurred shortly after his aircraft landed at the Ipdeheik airstrip in the remote mountainous region. Indonesian troops subsequently recovered his body from the site, with the operation captured on camera.

Antonelli Takes British GP Pole After Sprint Win, Hamilton Starts Third

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone after a strong qualifying session. Antonelli also won the Sprint race earlier in the weekend, marking a dominant performance for the young driver. This was his fifth pole of the season, underlining his rapid rise in Formula 1. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will line up second on the grid, with Lewis Hamilton — who had topped practice and claimed Sprint pole — starting third. The front row lockout for Mercedes and Ferrari sets up a closely contested battle in Sunday's main race.

Trump offers mediation in Ukraine war after separate calls with Putin and Zelenskyy

US President Donald Trump has offered to help end the war in Ukraine after holding separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia has claimed recent battlefield gains, though Ukraine has pushed back against those assertions. Trump's diplomatic envoys are expected to continue mediation efforts in the coming days. The stalled peace negotiations and the ongoing conflict are set to feature prominently at the upcoming NATO summit.

Ketan Agarwal's Grandfather Dies of Cardiac Arrest Weeks After Grandson's Death

Devichand Agarwal, grandfather of Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal, has died of a cardiac arrest reportedly triggered by the shock of his grandson's death. Ketan Agarwal died at Lohagad Fort in Pune, and the case is being investigated as a murder. His fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her alleged lover have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators have also recovered a Snapchat message from Goyal in which she reportedly expressed doubts about her upcoming wedding to Ketan.

Ram Temple Trust Faces Probe Over Alleged Daily Theft of Up to Rs 8 Lakh in Donations

The Ram temple trust in Ayodhya has called an emergency meeting amid a growing donation theft scandal. Investigations suggest that early warnings about the alleged pilferage were overlooked by authorities. A trust employee named Avinash Shukla has emerged as a key suspect in the case. Authorities are scrutinising a suspected daily theft of Rs 6–8 lakh from donation collections, along with unexplained financial gains among staff. CCTV footage and the close relationships between employees and trust members are also being reviewed as part of the inquiry.

Trump Warns Iranian Leaders at Khamenei's Funeral Amid US-Israel War on Iran

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who led the country for 36 years, was killed on February 28 during coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The attacks marked the start of an active military conflict in the Middle East. As Khamenei's funeral took place, US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to remaining Iranian leaders. Trump stated that the US had the capability to eliminate them, signaling an aggressive posture as the region descended into war.

Trump delays $5m sexual abuse payout to Jean Carroll; latter senses conspiracy

Ukrainian Drones Strike St. Petersburg Oil Terminal and Kronstadt Naval Base

Ukrainian drones attacked an oil terminal in St. Petersburg's Kirovsky district and military targets near Russia's Baltic coast overnight. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov confirmed the terminal was hit, stating no casualties were reported. President Zelensky claimed responsibility for the strikes, saying they targeted oil infrastructure that generates revenue for Russia and the naval base at Kronstadt. The attacks mark an escalation in Ukraine's campaign against Russia's energy sector. The strikes come as Russia faces growing fuel shortages, with long queues forming at petrol stations across the country.

Ibrahimovic Says Ronaldo's Ego Is Holding Portugal Back at 2026 World Cup

Portugal secured a dramatic victory over Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, but the win has reignited debate over Cristiano Ronaldo's place in the starting lineup. Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic publicly criticized the decision to keep the 41-year-old Ronaldo as the team's attacking focal point. Ibrahimovic argued that Ronaldo's iconic status is being prioritized over current performance, which he believes could cost Portugal a World Cup title. Although Ronaldo did find the scoresheet, it was substitute Gonçalo Ramos who scored the late winner, drawing attention to Portugal's depth. The result has left fans and pundits questioning whether the veteran forward should remain the team's first-choice striker.

Delhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam Bail Pleas Again

A Delhi court has once again denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, both accused in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. The court cited a Supreme Court ruling dated January 5, 2026, which had earlier dismissed their bail petitions, as the primary reason for rejection. The judge held that the lower court was bound by the apex court's prior decision and found no fresh grounds to reconsider the pleas. Both accused thus remain in custody as the case continues.

Xi Jinping vows to strengthen China-North Korea ties amid regional tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed willingness to work with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to build long-term and stable bilateral relations. Xi's statement came as a response to a congratulatory message sent by Kim Jong Un. The move follows growing regional tensions and North Korea's increasing military cooperation with Russia. Xi emphasized the historical ties between the two nations and reaffirmed China's commitment to deepening their strategic partnership. The development highlights China's significant economic influence over North Korea.

'Lets have some fun': Trump says July 4 speech will go on 'no matter what' despite storms

Karnataka child rights body to mandate CCTV with parental access at all daycares

The Karnataka Commission for Protection of Child Rights has announced plans to make CCTV cameras with live parental access mandatory at all daycare centres in the state. The decision follows an alleged toddler abuse incident at a Bengaluru daycare facility. The case involves a nanny accused of locking a child in a bathroom, while another staff member faces allegations of suspicious video recording. Authorities are treating the move as a step toward greater safety and transparency in childcare settings. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.