World

US President Donald Trump has nominated longtime aide Sergio Gor as US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. The 38-year-old aide, praised for loyalty and organisational skill, has been key in vetting thousands of Trump appointees.

Elavenil Valarivan clinched 10m air rifle gold with an Asian finals record, leading India’s dominant showing at the Asian Shooting Championship. India tops the medal tally with 17 gold medals

At least 15 militants, including a suicide bomber, were killed in an overnight clash with Pakistani security forces in South Waziristan’s Azam Warsak area. Several militants were hiding in a mosque, while a separate attack in Bannu killed a retired army office

A new dinosaur species, *Istiorachis macarthurae*, with a dramatic sail-like spine has been identified from Isle of Wight fossils. Discovered by Jeremy Lockwood, it likely evolved its striking features for sexual selection, broadening understanding of Early Cretaceous iguanodontians

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that granting Ukraine concessions to Russia would be “a trap” rewarding Moscow’s aggression. As peace talks stall, Ukraine escalated strikes on Russian infrastructure, including the Druzhba pipeline, deepening tensions with Hungary and EU allies

Iran’s foreign minister will hold a call with France, Germany and the UK as a European deadline looms for triggering UN sanctions under the “snapback” clause of the 2015 nuclear deal. The IAEA’s blocked access remains central to the standoff

The world's leading authority on food crises, the IPC, has officially declared famine in Gaza City for the first time in Middle East history. One-third of Gaza’s population is at risk of catastrophic hunger by next month without urgent action.

 A rocket attack targeted the UN mission compound in Janzour, near Tripoli, as UN envoy Hanna Tetteh briefed the Security Council. No casualties occurred. Libyan authorities found rockets and a launcher, and investigations are underway amid the country’s ongoing political turmoil

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Gaza City could face destruction unless Hamas accepts ceasefire terms, including hostage release and disarmament. His statement followed PM Netanyahu’s authorisation for a possible military seizure of the city, escalating threats amid the ongoing conflict

A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the South Atlantic’s remote Drake Passage late Thursday, prompting a tsunami advisory for Antarctica’s coast. The quake, southeast of Ushuaia, Argentina, caused no reported damage or casualties, though the region lies in an active seismic zone

Saudi Arabia launched the Nusuk Umrah platform, allowing global pilgrims, including Indians, to apply directly for visas and book services like accommodation and transport. The app, available in seven languages, aims to simplify and enhance the Umrah pilgrimage experience

New research reveals Antarctica is experiencing abrupt, accelerating changes: shrinking sea ice, melting ice shelves, weakening ocean currents, and destabilizing ice sheets. These shifts threaten wildlife, ecosystems, and global coastlines, with rising sea levels and climate disruption inevitable without urgent emission cuts

A woman was shot dead near Rockefeller Early Childhood Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, prompting a temporary school lockdown. No students were harmed. Authorities took the suspected shooter into custody, and police continue to investigate the domestic dispute that triggered the incident.

With global powers chasing competing visions, multipolarity is being shaped more by rivalry, and less by cooperation

Israel is preparing a large-scale military operation in Gaza City, calling up tens of thousands of reservists even as negotiators push for a ceasefire to end 22 months of war. Human rights groups warn the assault could worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brushed off Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu’s attack that he had “betrayed Israel” by recognising a Palestinian state, saying Canberra seeks peace and global stability.

US President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India, including 25% on Russian oil imports, to pressure an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. India rejected the move as “unjustified,” vowing to protect its national interests and economic security

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said India won’t initiate normalisation with Pakistan after repeated betrayals, urging Islamabad to dismantle terror networks on its soil. He stressed India would reciprocate once Pakistan demonstrates genuine intent to curb terrorism.

Iga Swiatek defeated Jasmine Paolini to claim her first Cincinnati Open title, her 24th career trophy and second of 2025, boosting confidence ahead of the us open where she is seeded no. 2

Carlos Alcaraz won his first Cincinnati Open title after Jannik Sinner retired ill in the final, earning his eighth masters 1000 crown and boosting his bid for the year-end no. 1 ranking

The Ukraine war enters its fourth year as Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin benefits Russia by sidelining Kyiv and weakening Western unity. Zelenskyy’s Washington visit with European leaders sought damage control, but Trump’s vague commitments leave Ukraine’s prospects uncertain

Russia has warned the UK against interfering in ongoing US-Russia efforts to settle the Ukrainian conflict. Putin and Trump are maintaining close contact, while Zelensky is open to bilateral or trilateral meetings, including $90 billion in US weapons support.

The Alaska summit produced good optics but no substance — Putin gained legitimacy, Ukraine sidelined

Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini advanced to their first Cincinnati Open final, setting up a high-stakes clash. Swiatek seeks her 11th WTA 1000 title, while Paolini eyes her third career crown