Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi will captain the team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement ends doubts about Messi's participation after a recent injury scare while playing for Inter Miami.   Messi, 38, is set to play in his sixth World Cup, extending his record. Medical tests showed he is dealing with muscle fatigue, but Scaloni played down concerns over his fitness.   Argentina have named a 26-player squad for the tournament. The defending champions will begin their campaign against Algeria on June 16 in the United States. (PC: Reuters)

British MP Rupert Lowe has sparked controversy after saying, "I don't believe we should import millions of Pakistanis and Indians to do jobs that unemployed Brits should be doing." The remarks were made in a series of social media posts and triggered widespread criticism.   Lowe also criticised immigration policies and claimed that migration was changing the cultural identity of some parts of the UK. Critics accused him of promoting racial and religious divisions through sweeping statements about immigrant communities.   Official data, however, shows Indian and Pakistani communities form a small share of the population in his constituency. (PC: Reuters)

The Indian Air Force will help transport question papers for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. The move aims to strengthen security and prevent paper leaks.   Pradhan said the government is working with several departments, including the Home Ministry, postal services and state governments, to ensure a fair examination process. He added that the Air Force's support will help deliver question papers safely and on time, especially during the monsoon season.   The decision comes after the May 3 NEET-UG exam was cancelled following a paper leak controversy.

A Russian drone crashed into a residential building in Romania during an overnight attack aimed at Ukraine. Two people suffered minor injuries and several residents were evacuated after a fire broke out. Romanian authorities said the drone entered the country's airspace before crashing in the city of Galati. Fighter jets and a helicopter were deployed in response. Romania called the incident a serious violation of international law and summoned the Russian ambassador. NATO allies also condemned the crash, warning that Russia's actions threaten regional security. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the Ukraine war spilling into neighbouring NATO countries. (PC: AFP)

Japan has suspended imports of Indian mangoes after officials found problems in pest-control procedures at an export treatment facility in Uttar Pradesh. The decision affects popular varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra and Banganapalli. Japanese inspectors raised concerns during a visit in March and later stopped accepting shipments certified after March 25. Japan follows strict rules to prevent the entry of pests like fruit flies. The ban is the first of its kind in nearly 20 years. Exporters say the move is a major setback as Indian mangoes earn premium prices in Japan. Farmers are also facing crop losses due to extreme weather. (PC: AFP)

The Centre is considering using Indian Air Force logistics to transport NEET-UG 2026 question papers for the re-exam on June 21. The move comes after the cancellation of the May 3 exam following a paper leak controversy.   A high-level meeting was held at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's residence to review preparations. Officials from the Education Ministry, NTA and PMO attended the meeting.   Around 23 lakh students are expected to appear for the re-exam. The government plans stricter security at every stage, including paper printing and distribution. So far, 13 people have been arrested in the paper leak case. (PC: PTI)

Blue Origin rocket exploded during a test at its launch pad in Florida on Thursday. The blast created a huge ball of fire and smoke around the test site at Cape Canaveral.   The company said the incident happened during a hotfire test ahead of an upcoming launch. All personnel were accounted for and no injuries were reported. Local authorities said there was no threat to the public.   Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos said it was too early to know the cause of the explosion. Investigations are underway. The company said it will rebuild damaged equipment and continue its space missions.

Sikkim has been declared a fully literate state under the ULLAS programme. The announcement was made during the convocation ceremony of Sikkim University in Gangtok. President Droupadi Murmu was present at the event.   With this achievement, Sikkim becomes the fifth fully literate state in India and the third in the Northeast. The ULLAS programme aims to improve adult literacy and lifelong learning.   Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said the achievement reflects the state's commitment to education and inclusive growth. He praised learners, teachers, and volunteers for their efforts in reaching every part of the state and making the mission successful.

7 Asiatic lions have died in Gujarat's Gir Forest after being infected by a suspected virus. Officials believe the disease may be Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), but tests are still underway. 17 lions have been placed in quarantine, and eight have tested positive for the infection. The Gujarat government has launched an emergency response to stop the disease from spreading. Around 250 forest staff and 12 veterinarians are monitoring and treating the animals. Health checks are being carried out across the Gir region. Authorities say no new cases have been found outside the affected areas so far.

A company reportedly received a staggering $500 million monthly bill for using Anthropic’s Claude AI after failing to impose usage limits on employee licences, according to an Axios report. AI tools typically charge based on token consumption, meaning higher usage results in significantly higher costs. The unnamed firm allegedly allowed unrestricted employee access, leading to massive token overuse and an estimated Rs 4,770 crore expense within a single month. The report highlights growing concerns among businesses over the rising operational costs of large-scale AI adoption. Microsoft has reportedly reduced Claude-related usage and plans to shift toward internal AI tools, while Uber previously exhausted its annual AI budget within months, reflecting broader industry concerns about AI sustainability. (PC: India Today)