The alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple is expected to be a key issue at the RSS's three-day annual Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak beginning July 10 in Belagavi, Karnataka. According to senior RSS functionaries, the controversy has become a major concern because it is affecting the organisation's public image. While the meeting will also discuss national issues such as the Census, leaders believe the temple donation case will dominate discussions. The RSS may also review the role and future of functionaries linked to temple operations as investigations into the alleged financial irregularities continue. (PC: The Indian Express)

Paraguay goalkeeper Gatito Fernández sparked attention after appearing to throw the ball toward France captain Kylian Mbappe following his side's 1-0 defeat in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The incident occurred after Fernández felt Mbappe had ignored his attempt to shake hands at full-time. Speaking after the match, the goalkeeper said his reaction came in the heat of the moment and insisted there was no disrespect intended. Fernández added that he respects Mbappe and acknowledged the French forward may not have noticed the handshake. The incident quickly went viral on social media.  

The United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of its independence with fireworks, military flyovers, concerts and public events across the country despite severe weather disruptions. In Washington, DC, President Donald Trump addressed a crowd at the National Mall after thunderstorms delayed the celebrations. The event featured a flyover by the new Air Force One and a large fireworks display. Heavy rain, thunderstorms and extreme heat affected celebrations in several states, causing event cancellations, power outages and travel disruptions. Communities nationwide also hosted parades, concerts and citizenship ceremonies to mark the historic milestone. (PC: BBC)

Iran strongly criticised US President Donald Trump after he said the United States could eliminate Iran's remaining leadership with "one shot" during the funeral ceremonies of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran described the remarks as lacking "civilisation" and "honour", saying they violated diplomatic norms and showed disrespect during a period of national mourning. Trump, however, added that such action would not be taken because Washington wanted to keep negotiations with Iran alive. The exchange comes as thousands gather in Tehran for Khamenei's funeral, with tensions between the two countries remaining high despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. (PC: India Today)

A 63-year-old man was killed after a tree collapsed on a shop in Mumbai's Kurla area as relentless monsoon rain continued to batter the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, warning of more extremely heavy rainfall. Widespread waterlogging, traffic congestion, tree falls and infrastructure damage have disrupted normal life across Mumbai. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from waterlogged and coastal areas. Heavy rain alerts have also been issued for several states, including West Bengal, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, as the southwest monsoon intensifies. (PC: HT)

Cabo Verde's remarkable FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign has put the island nation in the global spotlight, with tourism experts expecting a significant rise in visitor interest. The country became the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage before narrowly losing 3-2 to Argentina. Following its impressive run, travel companies reported a sharp increase in searches for Cabo Verde, including a surge from the United States and Europe. Tourism already contributes about a quarter of the country's economy, and officials hope the World Cup exposure will attract more visitors, investment and long-term growth. However, analysts say converting global attention into sustained tourism revenue will depend on expanding flights, accommodation and local tourism infrastructure.  

Security forces launched a major anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants. Officials said two suspected terrorists, including top Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Zakir Ahmad Ganie, were trapped during the encounter in Chanpora village. The joint operation involved the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group. Ganie, a resident of Kulgam, is wanted in several terror cases and has been linked by investigators to the Pahalgam terror attack probe. The operation was continuing at the time of reporting, with security forces maintaining a tight cordon around the area. (PC: India Today)

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shared an emotional message on social media after making his international debut for India in the second T20I against England. The young batter scored 14 runs off 10 balls in his first match and thanked fans, teammates and senior players for their support. Calling it an honour to represent India, he promised to always give his best for the team. Although India lost the match by four wickets as England chased 191 to level the five-match series, Sooryavanshi's debut remained one of the biggest highlights of the game. (PC: NDTV)

The Centre has issued a notice to Meta, directing Instagram to immediately remove all paid advertisements and content facilitating Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM), sources said. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has also ordered action against any algorithmic amplification of sexually exploitative content and sought a detailed explanation from Meta within seven days. According to sources, failure to provide the required information could invite action under the Information Technology Rules and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The notice follows allegations that paid Instagram advertisements promoted child sexual abuse content, with officials rejecting any defence that the material originated from third-party sources. (PC: Times Now)

A 21-year-old Indian student from Karnataka died in a suspected drowning incident near Leipzig, Germany, during an outing with friends, prompting an ongoing police investigation. Mohammed Aniz Abubakker, a third-semester Bachelor of Business Administration student at Rahn Education Institution in Halle, had moved to Germany around 18 months ago for higher studies. After a trekking trip with classmates, the group visited a water recreation area near Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena, where Aniz reportedly went missing before rescue teams recovered his body. German police have questioned four students, including two Indians, as part of the investigation. The Indian Embassy in Berlin is assisting with the repatriation of his mortal remains to Mangaluru. (PC: AP)