Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Indonesia's highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia, by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during his state visit to Jakarta. The award recognises Modi's contribution to strengthening India-Indonesia ties and expanding cooperation in trade, defence, connectivity and regional security. Accepting the honour, Modi dedicated it to the people of India and described it as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two countries. The honour comes as both nations seek to deepen their strategic partnership across the Indo-Pacific region.

Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup journey ended in heartbreak as Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16. Moments after the final whistle, Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal paused his team's celebrations to console the emotional 41-year-old, whose tears reflected the end of his World Cup career. Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner sent Spain into the quarter-finals, while Ronaldo later confirmed it was his final World Cup appearance. The touching exchange between football's rising star and one of its greatest legends quickly went viral, earning praise from fans around the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war is "getting closer than people realise" after holding separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump said he will continue discussions on the conflict during the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey, expressing optimism about peace efforts. His remarks come despite continued Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. The Kremlin confirmed ongoing contact with Washington, while Zelensky has also signalled hope that diplomatic efforts could move forward. No breakthrough or formal peace agreement has been announced yet. (PC: NDTV)

An Indian-origin businessman, Gaurav Srivastava, allegedly posed as a CIA operative to gain access to Indonesia's top political and defence leadership and influence multibillion-dollar military deals, according to an investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The report says Srivastava built close ties with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, including during his tenure as defence minister, while claiming links to the CIA. The allegations are based on civil lawsuits filed by his former business partner, who accused him of using the false identity to secure access to discussions involving fighter jets and other defence equipment worth nearly $13.9 billion. The claims have not been proven in court. (PC: The Indian Express)

Iran has thanked India for sending a high-level delegation to the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, calling it a "gesture of friendship." The message came as Iran's Tasnim News Agency claimed that US diplomatic pressure led 13 countries to withdraw or reduce their participation in the state funeral. The report alleged that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged governments to avoid attending, although Washington has not publicly confirmed the claims. India was among the countries that maintained representation at the ceremony in Tehran. (PC: India Today)

The UK's Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has officially recognised 9,909 previously forgotten soldiers of the British Indian Army who died during World War I. Their names were uncovered after years of research using historic Punjab Registers preserved at the Lahore Museum. The update is the CWGC's largest revision of casualty records in more than 80 years. Many soldiers had been left out under colonial-era policies because they died away from the battlefield. The recognition honours their sacrifice and acknowledges the contribution of soldiers from pre-Partition Punjab to the war. (PC: BBC)

India and Indonesia are set to launch the restoration of the historic Prambanan, the world's largest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Yogyakarta. The restoration project follows a 2025 commitment by both countries and highlights their shared cultural and civilisational heritage. The initiative is expected to deepen bilateral ties while preserving one of Southeast Asia's most significant Hindu monuments. The announcement comes as India and Indonesia expand cooperation in defence, trade and cultural diplomacy during Modi's two-day visit. (PC: X)

Belgium mocked FIFA and US President Donald Trump after defeating the United States 4-1 in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Moments after the victory, Belgium's official team account posted a photo of Romelu Lukaku celebrating with the caption, "Overturn this," in an apparent dig at FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's suspension before the match. The ruling followed Trump's public intervention, drawing criticism from Belgium and several European football bodies. Belgium backed up its protest with a dominant performance to book a place in the quarter-finals.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has criticised the removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film Satluj from ZEE5, calling it an attempt to suppress historical truth. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami urged authorities to restore the film, saying, "No ban can erase the history." The film is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed alleged illegal killings and disappearances in Punjab during the 1990s. The film was reportedly taken down following government directions citing security concerns, reigniting debate over censorship, historical representation and freedom of expression. 

Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that Portugal's 1-0 Round of 16 defeat to Spain marked his final FIFA World Cup appearance, ending a tournament journey that began in 2006. The 41-year-old captain said he was heartbroken but stopped short of announcing his retirement from international football. “It was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll now have time to reflect,” Ronaldo said after the match. Despite winning the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League with Portugal, the World Cup remained the only major trophy to elude one of football's greatest players. (PC: X)