Cristiano Ronaldo has ruled out making an immediate decision on his international future after Portugal's dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. The 41-year-old responded to retirement speculation sparked by comments from his sister, saying he will decide only after Portugal's World Cup campaign ends. Ronaldo scored the equalising penalty following a VAR review and became the oldest player to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. He was named Player of the Match as Portugal advanced to the Round of 16, where they will face Spain in a highly anticipated Iberian clash.  

India has formally asked Venezuelan authorities to investigate the death of Indian seafarer Rakesh Chauhan after his body was returned with several vital organs reportedly missing. The Ministry of External Affairs said the Indian Embassy in Caracas has taken up the matter and sought a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding his death and the handling of his remains. Chauhan's family has questioned the official account of his death and demanded justice. The government has assured full diplomatic support as it presses Venezuela for answers and a transparent investigation into the disturbing case. (PC: HT)

India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved defence procurement proposals worth nearly ₹52,000 crore to strengthen the Army, Navy and Air Force. The approvals focus on advanced missile systems, anti-drone technology, air defence, surveillance equipment and unmanned warfare capabilities. The move aims to improve India's operational readiness and enhance its ability to counter emerging security threats. The proposals received Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), allowing the procurement process to move forward. Officials said the acquisitions will significantly modernise the armed forces and strengthen India's overall defence preparedness through advanced military technology. (PC: India Today)

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has resigned following the team's disappointing FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, ending his tenure less than three years after taking charge. Germany's tournament ended with a shock Round of 32 defeat to Paraguay in a penalty shootout, extending the country's poor run in recent World Cups. Reports said Nagelsmann stepped down after talks with the German Football Association (DFB), despite having a contract until 2028. The DFB is now expected to begin discussions with former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who has emerged as the leading candidate to rebuild the four-time world champions ahead of future international tournaments. (PC: NDTV)

Air India has started using shorter flight routes through Jordan and Syria after security conditions improved in parts of the Middle East. The airline said the change will reduce travel time while keeping safety as the top priority. Earlier, many flights had to take longer routes because of regional tensions and closed airspace. Air India is also restoring more international services to Gulf countries. Air India Express has restarted flights on several routes, including Kuwait, Muscat, and Salalah. The airline said it will continue to closely monitor the situation, as airspace availability can change depending on regional developments.

5 people died after an LPG tanker crashed and caught fire near a toll plaza in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district. The tanker was travelling from Kanpur to Varanasi when it hit a divider, causing a gas leak and a massive fire. Driver Dharmendra Dwivedi died after getting trapped inside the burning vehicle. Several toll workers also suffered serious burns. Four later died during treatment, taking the death toll to five. Two injured workers are still in hospital. Police have started an investigation into the incident. CCTV footage showed the tanker crashing moments before the fire broke out.

The Centre has summoned Meta officials after a BBC report claimed that Instagram displayed ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directed the ministry to seek an explanation from the company. The government will ask how such ads appeared on Instagram and what steps Meta is taking to stop them. The BBC said it found ads with disturbing titles that were linked to Telegram channels selling illegal content for ₹99. Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, has not yet responded publicly. The government is expected to review the company's safety measures.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has demanded strict action in the alleged Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft case. In a statement, the RSS said the incident has "deeply hurt the sentiments" of millions of devotees. It added that "anyone found guilty" should receive the strictest punishment under the law. The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case. Eight people have been arrested so far. The SIT is also rechecking the temple trust's financial records from the past five years. The investigation is continuing, and more questioning is expected.

India on Friday said its stand on the Indus Waters Treaty has not changed. The Ministry of External Affairs said the treaty remains in abeyance because of Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan must end such support in a credible and permanent way. His remarks came after Pakistani ministers warned India against stopping the flow of water under the treaty. Pakistan said any move to restrict water would be illegal and could affect regional peace. India suspended the treaty after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and has maintained its position since then.

A Polish woman has sparked online debate by accusing sections of the media of applying double standards in reporting Europe's ongoing heatwave. She argued that extreme temperatures in some countries receive extensive international attention, while similar or worse conditions elsewhere are often overlooked. Her comments, shared widely on social media, have fueled discussions about media priorities, regional representation, and consistency in climate reporting. The controversy comes as Europe experiences severe heat, prompting health warnings, wildfire risks, and disruptions across several countries. The debate highlights growing public scrutiny of how climate-related events are covered by global news outlets.