Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi jointly inaugurated Maruti Suzuki India's new manufacturing plant at Kharkhoda in Haryana, marking one of the country's biggest automobile investments. The Rs 35,000 crore project is Maruti Suzuki's fourth manufacturing facility in India and will add an annual production capacity of 10 lakh vehicles when fully operational. The plant is expected to create more than 21,000 direct jobs while boosting India's automotive supply chain, exports and the 'Make in India' initiative. The inauguration also highlights the growing economic and industrial partnership between India and Japan. (PC: India Today)

The United States ended a 24-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach the Round of 16. Folarin Balogun gave the hosts the lead just before half-time but was sent off after a VAR review in the second half. Despite playing with 10 men, the Americans stayed composed as Malik Tillman scored from a superb free-kick to seal the victory. USA will now face Belgium in the Round of 16, keeping their dream of a deep World Cup run alive on home soil. (PC: NDTV)

A U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush made an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea during a routine operation. Three of the four crew members were rescued safely and are reported to be in stable condition aboard the aircraft carrier, while an intensive search continues for the missing aircrew member. The U.S. Navy said there is no indication the incident resulted from hostile action, and the cause remains under investigation. Naval assets in the region are supporting the ongoing search-and-rescue mission as authorities work to determine what led to the emergency landing. (PC: X)

Twenty-six years after Patrick Kluivert suffered a painful World Cup exit on June 29, history repeated itself for his son, Justin Kluivert. The Netherlands were eliminated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after losing to Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Patrick had endured a similarly heartbreaking defeat in the 1998 World Cup semi-final against Brazil on penalties. The striking coincidence of both father and son experiencing major World Cup heartbreak on the same date has become a poignant moment in Dutch football history, highlighting football’s remarkable cycles across generations. (PC: X)

Russia has begun importing gasoline from India to tackle worsening fuel shortages caused by repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on its oil refineries. The strikes have disrupted refining operations, leading to fuel rationing, long queues at petrol stations, and record-high domestic gasoline prices across several Russian regions. Industry sources say India has already shipped around 60,000 tonnes of gasoline, with additional cargoes expected as Russia plans to import nearly 400,000 tonnes monthly. The move highlights the growing impact of the war on Russia's energy infrastructure and underscores India's expanding role as a key fuel supplier during the ongoing crisis. (PC: India Today)

England secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over DR Congo to book their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, with captain Harry Kane scoring both goals. DR Congo briefly equalised after Kane’s opener, but the England skipper restored the lead with another clinical finish to seal the win. The Three Lions showed resilience under pressure to overcome a determined Congolese side in a tense knockout encounter. England will now face Mexico in the next round as they continue their quest for World Cup glory, with Kane once again proving decisive on football’s biggest stage.

A couple was arrested after illegally climbing the restricted transmission tower atop New York City's Empire State Building and becoming engaged during the risky ascent. The climbers bypassed security barriers to reach the restricted section of the iconic skyscraper, where one partner proposed before the pair descended. Authorities later took both individuals into custody on charges related to trespassing and reckless conduct. Officials condemned the stunt, warning that unauthorized climbs endanger lives and disrupt public safety. The incident has sparked widespread debate online over the balance between viral social media fame and responsible behavior.

Tsunami, a rescue dog once abandoned as a puppy, has become a symbol of hope after helping emergency teams save 13 people trapped beneath rubble following Venezuela's devastating earthquakes. Adopted, trained and deployed for disaster response, Tsunami used its exceptional scent-detection skills to locate survivors in collapsed buildings, enabling rescuers to carry out life-saving operations. The dog's remarkable journey from abandonment to becoming a celebrated search-and-rescue hero has captured global attention. As rescue efforts continue amid widespread destruction and heavy casualties, Tsunami's bravery and dedication have inspired millions and highlighted the vital role of rescue dogs in disaster response.

A group of 117 prominent citizens from India and Pakistan, including former diplomats, academics, activists and public figures, has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging them to end prolonged hostility and restart bilateral dialogue. The signatories called for restoring diplomatic engagement, reopening communication channels, easing visa restrictions and addressing all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, through peaceful negotiations. They stressed that continued confrontation harms regional stability and the welfare of nearly two billion people. The appeal advocates confidence-building measures to foster trust, cooperation and lasting peace between the neighbouring countries. (PC: X)

The southwest monsoon continues to batter several parts of India, leaving at least seven people dead in Himachal Pradesh due to landslides, flash floods and rain-related incidents. In Arunachal Pradesh, 21 people were injured after a bridge collapse triggered by heavy rainfall. Karnataka has also witnessed widespread flooding, disrupting normal life and damaging infrastructure. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall alerts for multiple states, warning of potential floods, landslides and waterlogging. Authorities have launched rescue operations, evacuated vulnerable residents and urged people to avoid unnecessary travel as adverse weather conditions persist. (PC: PTI)