FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said discussions on expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams will take place only after the conclusion of the 2026 tournament. The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will already feature 48 teams for the first time. Infantino said FIFA will first assess how the expanded 48-team format performs before considering any further increase. The proposal for a 64-team tournament has sparked debate within world football, with supporters citing greater inclusivity and critics warning about scheduling, player workload and the overall quality of the competition. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside 27 Gauhati High Court judgments that had upheld Foreigners Tribunal decisions declaring the appellants as foreigners in Assam. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta ruled that citizenship cases must be decided through a fair, lawful and reasonable process. The court sent all 27 cases back to the concerned Foreigners Tribunals for fresh hearings, stressing that questions of citizenship carry significant constitutional importance. The ruling gives the affected individuals another opportunity to present their cases before the tribunals under due legal procedure. (PC: The Indian Express)

Chennai Super Kings and head coach Stephen Fleming have mutually ended their 18-year association, bringing to a close one of the most successful partnerships in IPL history. Fleming, who became CSK's head coach in 2009 after playing in the inaugural 2008 season, guided the franchise to 5 IPL titles and 2 Champions League T20 trophies. The decision followed "open and honest" discussions between Fleming and the franchise management after CSK missed the playoffs for 3 straight seasons. Fleming thanked the franchise, calling his time with CSK the greatest privilege of his coaching career and saying the team would always remain close to his heart. (PC: NDTV)

At least 27 people were killed and 22 others remain in critical condition after a massive fire tore through Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok's Chatuchak district late Sunday. Officials said the blaze spread rapidly after breaking out near the stage, filling the venue with thick smoke and trapping customers inside. Preliminary findings suggest an electrical short circuit in an air conditioner may have caused the fire, though investigations are ongoing. Authorities also suspect flammable ceiling materials and possible obstruction near an emergency exit worsened the tragedy. The Thai government has ordered a full investigation. (PC: BBC)

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras High Court's order imposing a blanket ban on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu, providing interim relief to the state government led by Chief Minister Vijay. The apex court issued notices to the Centre and other parties while agreeing to examine the legality of the High Court's directive. Tamil Nadu argued that the order went beyond the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which already regulates cattle slaughter under specific conditions. The case will now be heard in detail by the Supreme Court. (PC: HT)

Iran said it launched fresh missile and drone attacks on American military assets across the Gulf, claiming to have targeted Patriot air defence systems, drone fleets and key US bases. The strikes came after renewed US attacks on Iranian military sites linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Explosions and air raid sirens were reported in Bahrain and Kuwait as regional tensions escalated. The US has not confirmed the extent of the damage but said its forces remain operational. The latest exchange has raised fears of a wider regional conflict and further disruption to global energy supplies and shipping.

Indian-origin Google engineering leader Sheetal Wrzesien, 57, was allegedly shot dead by her husband at their home in Smyrna, Georgia, in a suspected domestic violence incident. Their 23-year-old son, Jason Wrzesien, sustained a gunshot wound and was hospitalised. Police arrested 56-year-old Kirk B. Wrzesien at the scene and charged him with felony murder, aggravated assault and firearm-related offences. Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the public, while the motive remains under investigation. A senior technology executive with over two decades of experience, Sheetal previously worked at Home Depot, held two software patents, and served on leadership boards associated with the Georgia Institute of Technology. (PC: X)

Bengaluru-based startup Vimag Labs is developing software-defined, magnet-free electric motors to reduce dependence on China's dominance in rare earth minerals used for EVs. Instead of permanent magnets, the company's patented technology uses copper coils, steel and proprietary software to generate magnetic fields, delivering comparable performance while enabling over-the-air updates and potentially improving driving range. Founded after pandemic-related supply disruptions, Vimag says its motors can be manufactured entirely in India using conventional materials and electronics. The startup has secured five Indian patents, is testing its technology with leading EV manufacturers, and plans to ship between 1,000 and 10,000 motors this year as it scales production and prepares a fresh funding round. (PC: India Today)

FIFA's decision to suspend United States striker Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup ban has sparked fresh controversy after reports claimed only disciplinary committee chairman Mohammad Al-Kamali approved the move without consulting the other 17 members. Balogun, sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, became the only player at the tournament to have his suspension deferred for 12 months following US President Donald Trump's request to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the incident. FIFA confirmed Trump's intervention, though it said the decision was made independently. The unusual process has drawn scrutiny, as high-profile disciplinary rulings are typically decided by multi-member panels rather than a single official. (PC: Getty Images)

Seventeen-year-old Indian-American Riddhi Chauhan is leading nearly 300 students as Battalion Commanding Officer of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens, New York. Arriving before 7 am four days a week, she oversees drill practice, battalion operations, training and cadet welfare while balancing academics. Chauhan previously served as Academic Commander, STEM Commander, Platoon Leader and Inspection Commander, helping her school achieve national academic success and build its first SeaPerch underwater robot. She has also mentored more than 200 cadets and is preparing to join the Naval Academy Preparatory School, aiming to become a US Naval Officer. (PC: X)