World

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said YouTube recorded over 1.7 billion unique viewers for World Cup-related videos, making it the platform’s most-watched tournament. Related content crossed 200 billion lifetime views, while creators and fans drove record digital engagement during the event

More than 2,000 volunteers in Warsaw are helping Polish scientists restore a nearly six-metre Mastodonsaurus skeleton, a prehistoric aquatic predator from 240 million years ago. The rare fossil discovery could provide new insights into the species and will become a major museum exhibit

US President Donald Trump has threatened strikes on Iran’s underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility amid escalating tensions. The deeply buried site near Natanz remains inaccessible to UN inspectors, raising concerns over uranium enrichment capabilities and challenges for potential military operations

US President Donald Trump announced phased tariffs on imported generic medicines, keeping them at zero until 2028 before raising them to 100 and 200 per cent. The policy aims to boost domestic manufacturing and could significantly affect India's pharmaceutical exports

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila, reviewing India-China relations, border stability and regional issues. He stressed peace along the border, welcomed normalisation measures, and called for resolving trade, market access and supply chain concerns through diplomacy

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck western Nepal early Wednesday, with its epicentre in Kotdewal, Bajhang district. Tremors were felt in Bajura and Darchula, but no damage was reported. Nepal remains highly earthquake-prone due to its location in an active tectonic zone

US President Donald Trump has approved a 30-year civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could permit uranium enrichment in the kingdom and generate major opportunities for US firms. The deal, expected to be signed on Wednesday, will now be submitted to Congress for review.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched fresh strikes on Iranian military targets, including command centres, missile and drone sites, and air defence systems, to curb Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Four Indian seafarers were among 10 people killed after a merchant vessel was attacked off Ukraine's coast. India condemned the strike, called attacks on commercial shipping deplorable and said its mission in Ukraine was assisting the affected crew members.

President Droupadi Murmu and Moldovan President Maia Sandu agreed to strengthen trade, investment and cooperation in sectors including AI, healthcare and renewable energy. Murmu's historic visit, the first by an Indian President to Moldova, aims to deepen bilateral ties

Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI has paused new subscriptions for its Kimi K3 model after overwhelming global demand exceeded computing capacity. The launch has intensified competition with US AI firms, highlighting China's growing influence in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence race

India and Spain have agreed to begin technical discussions on interoperability between UPI and Bizum. During his Europe tour, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also advanced trade, investment and technology cooperation while reaffirming efforts to conclude the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

India and the Maldives signed MoUs to establish fitness and recreation centres across 42 islands under India's grant assistance. The initiative aims to improve community health, empower women and youth, and further strengthen bilateral development cooperation between the two neighbouring countries

Congo's Ebola outbreak has claimed 930 lives, with 37 deaths reported in 24 hours, as health authorities struggle to contain the rapidly spreading virus. Violence, attacks on health workers, unpaid staff and unknown transmission chains continue to hamper response efforts

An Indian diaspora policy group warned that a new four-year cap on F-1 and J-1 visas could disrupt international students’ degrees and research in the US. FIIDS urged delaying implementation, citing risks to universities, innovation, and America’s global competitiveness

Russian President Vladimir Putin met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, thanking Pyongyang for supporting Moscow’s Ukraine war. The meeting fuelled speculation over a possible Kim Jong Un visit to Russia amid expanding military and strategic ties between the two countries

Andy Burnham is set to become the UK’s new prime minister after replacing Keir Starmer as Labour leader. He will formally take office after meeting King Charles III, promising political stability, improved living standards and a less divisive approach to governance

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to the Philippines for ASEAN meetings and the Quad ministerial, focusing on Indo-Pacific security and partnerships. The visit aims to strengthen US ties with ASEAN nations and deepen cooperation with Quad allies India, Japan and Australia 

France captain Kylian Mbappe won the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals, becoming the first player to win the award twice. He surpassed Lionel Messi and delivered a record-breaking tournament despite France’s semi-final defeat against Spain

Spain won their second FIFA World Cup title after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time, but the final was overshadowed by post-match violence. Argentina players were involved in heated clashes, including Leandro Paredes’ confrontation with Spain’s Eric Garcia

The Trump administration said oil movement through the Strait of Hormuz has recovered to nearly two-thirds of pre-war levels despite Iran conflict. Officials vowed to safeguard shipping, while former NATO commander James Stavridis warned Iran could expand tensions by targeting the Suez Canal

The US launched fresh airstrikes on Iran after another American service member was killed, while Iran fired missiles toward Jordan, escalating regional tensions. Attacks targeted military sites, disrupted Gulf security, threatened shipping, and deepened concerns over energy supplies and wider conflict

US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance welcomed their fourth child, Alec Neel Vance, becoming the first sitting vice president in over 150 years to have a baby while in office. Mother and child are healthy

Spain clinched the men’s World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champions Argentina in East Rutherford, thanks to Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute strike. Despite Spain’s dominance in possession and attempts, Argentina held on until Torres broke the deadlock. With this win, Spain became the first nation to hold both men’s and women’s World Cup crowns simultaneously.