A cattle herder in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district survived a terrifying lioness attack after remaining calm while pinned to the ground for nearly 30 minutes. A viral video shows the injured man gently petting the lioness as it stood over him, though officials have not confirmed that this caused the animal to let him go. Villagers tried to drive the lioness away by shouting and throwing stones, but it eventually walked off on its own. The man was rushed to a hospital with injuries. Forest officials are investigating the incident and have urged caution in lion habitats.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will urge NATO leaders to provide more Patriot air defence systems during the alliance's summit in Ankara after recent Russian missile attacks killed more than 50 civilians in Kyiv. Zelensky is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump, arguing that Russia's intensified strikes show weakness rather than strength. While Ukraine has increased long-range drone attacks on Russian military and energy targets, Kyiv says it urgently needs stronger air defences to intercept ballistic missiles and protect civilians from escalating attacks. (PC: BBC)

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)

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said an oil tanker caught fire after being struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, sailing southbound, reported damage to its port side following the impact. UKMTO said the fire was brought under control, with no casualties or environmental damage reported. The incident has renewed concerns over security in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. Authorities are investigating the attack as maritime agencies continue to closely monitor the situation. (PC: NDTV)

Commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz came under fresh threat after suspected Iran-linked missile strikes damaged two vessels and set a tanker on fire off the coast of Oman. According to US officials, missiles hit commercial ships navigating the strategic waterway, while British maritime authorities reported a tanker ablaze after being struck by an unidentified projectile. No casualties were immediately reported, and all crew members were reported safe. The attacks have renewed concerns over the security of one of the world's busiest oil shipping routes, with tensions rising despite recent diplomatic efforts to reduce conflict between the United States and Iran. (PC: India Today)

A decades-old controversy over missing highly enriched uranium from a US nuclear plant has resurfaced following renewed attention to declassified government documents. In a 2014 analysis, the "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists" argued that newly released records strengthened suspicions that uranium from the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation (NUMEC) in Pennsylvania may have been diverted to Israel's nuclear programme during the 1960s. However, the documents do not provide conclusive proof of theft, and the issue remains disputed. The authors said the declassified files reveal senior US officials took the allegations seriously, but the full historical record has never been publicly released. (PC: Ai)

Ukraine has warned of a serious shortage of interceptor missiles after a large Russian attack killed 19 people in Kyiv and the surrounding region. Officials said Russia fired 23 ballistic missiles, and none were intercepted because of limited air defence supplies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to approve stronger support at the upcoming NATO summit. He said Ukraine needs more Patriot air defence missiles to protect civilians. The overnight attack also included cruise missiles and drones, many of which were intercepted. Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings as residents described widespread destruction and growing fear after the latest strikes.

Global oil prices fell on Monday after OPEC+ agreed to increase crude production from August. Brent crude dropped to around $71.55 a barrel, while US WTI crude slipped below $69. The group plans to raise output by 188,000 barrels per day as it continues to roll back earlier supply cuts. Oil prices also eased as exports through the Strait of Hormuz recovered after tensions between the United States and Iran declined. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have restored exports to near-normal levels. Higher global supplies are expected to improve availability and increase competition among major oil producers. (PC: Freepik)

At least 11 people were killed and 46 injured after Russia launched fresh missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Five children were among the injured. Officials said several apartment buildings were damaged, with rescue teams searching for survivors at more than 20 sites. Three more people died in the wider Kyiv region. The attack came days after another deadly strike and ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to speed up air defence support. He said delays in supplying missiles would cost more lives and encourage further Russian attacks. (PC: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has reignited his public dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by sharing a Truth Social post featuring a photo of the two leaders with the caption, “Restraining order needed.” The post came weeks after Trump claimed Meloni had “begged” for a photo with him during the G7 Summit in France, an allegation she strongly denied. Meloni called Trump’s remarks “completely made up” and said Italy “does not beg.” The exchange has further strained relations between the two leaders, with the earlier controversy also leading to diplomatic tensions between the United States and Italy. (PC: HT)