Minerva Academy scripted history by defeating defending champions HJK 1-0 to win the Helsinki Cup 2026 in Finland. The Indian youth side produced a disciplined performance in the final, with the decisive goal securing the club's first title at the prestigious international tournament. The victory marked a major milestone for Indian youth football, as Minerva completed an impressive campaign against strong European opposition. Players and coaching staff celebrated the historic triumph, calling it a proud moment for Indian football. The success is expected to boost the reputation of India's youth development system on the global stage.  

The United States launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Iran after Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following an incident involving a commercial vessel. The US military said it struck 140 Iranian military targets, including missile sites, drone facilities and communication networks. In response, Iran claimed it targeted a US base in Jordan and launched missiles and drones toward the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, prompting air defence operations across the region. The latest escalation has heightened tensions in the Middle East and raised fresh concerns over global shipping, energy supplies and regional security. (PC: BBC)

India on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, calling the incident "deeply worrisome" amid the escalating US-Iran conflict. The Ministry of External Affairs said attacks on civilian ships threaten maritime security and global trade, urging all sides to respect international law and ensure safe navigation. According to officials, 10 of the 11 Indian crew members have been rescued, while one remains missing. New Delhi said it is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with regional authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals. (PC: HT)

The Middle East conflict escalated sharply after the United States launched strikes on 140 Iranian targets following Tehran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran announced the closure after intercepting a vessel it claimed was using an "unauthorised route." The US said the strikes targeted missile and drone sites, naval assets, ammunition depots and surveillance systems. Hours later, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, triggering air defence operations and missile alerts across the Gulf. The latest escalation has further weakened diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and raised concerns over regional stability.  

At least 2 people were killed and several others injured after gunfire broke out during the annual Salsa on St. Clair street festival in Toronto, Canada. Police said an exchange of gunfire between 2 individuals triggered panic among thousands of festival-goers. Officers recovered 2 firearms from the scene and launched an investigation, but no arrests had been made. Authorities are managing multiple crime scenes and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the attack, calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.  

Fresh US strikes on Iranian military targets have sharply escalated tensions across the Gulf, prompting Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE to activate emergency security measures. Iran claimed it launched missile and drone attacks on several US military bases, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, though these claims remain unverified. Kuwait reported intercepting hostile aerial targets, while Bahrain and Qatar issued emergency alerts. The US said it struck around 140 Iranian military sites to weaken Tehran's capabilities. The growing conflict has also raised concerns over regional security, global energy supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: India Today)

6 The United States carried out fresh military strikes on Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The assault left the vessel severely damaged and one civilian crew member missing, escalating tensions in the strategically vital waterway. In response, Iran reportedly shut the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting one of the world's busiest oil shipping routes and raising concerns over global energy supplies. The latest confrontation has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, prompting international calls for restraint and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

Nigeria's military says it has killed more than 300 armed bandits during a two-day offensive in Zamfara State, one of the country's most violence-hit regions. Backed by local vigilantes, troops targeted around 1,000 heavily armed criminals involved in kidnappings, cattle rustling, and extortion of farmers. Officials described the operation as a major success in restoring security after an earlier failed attempt. Zamfara has faced years of deadly attacks by criminal gangs, many of which are increasingly linked to jihadist groups. Authorities vowed to continue military operations to curb insecurity across northwestern Nigeria. (PC: AFP)

Pakistan has inducted Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir into a high-level committee tasked with addressing the country's rapidly growing population, further expanding the military's role in policymaking. Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed the panel to devise strategies for population management, alongside senior ministers overseeing finance, planning and health. Kamal argued that Pakistan's current resource-sharing formula discourages provinces from reducing population growth and proposed lowering the population-based weight in the National Finance Commission allocation. The government has also removed taxes on contraceptive products to improve access to family planning. Pakistan is projected to become the world's fourth most populous country by 2030. (PC: News18)

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling retribution "the demand of the nation" in his first public message since assuming office. In a written statement aired on state television, Mojtaba pledged revenge against those responsible for the deaths of his father and others killed during the recent conflict. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, with Mojtaba succeeding him on March 8. Despite taking office, he has yet to appear publicly. The statement comes as tensions persist between Iran and the US, even as both sides continue diplomatic talks. (PC: India Today)