Veteran prosecutor and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed Special Public Prosecutor in the alleged murder of Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal, who police say was killed by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary. Nikam said he accepted the responsibility after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the victim's family requested him to handle the case, describing the crime as one that had "shaken the entire nation." The state has also approved a fast-track court. Nikam previously led prosecutions in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, 1993 Bombay blasts, and Gulshan Kumar murder cases, making him one of India's best-known prosecutors.

FIFA has introduced a sponsor-free version of its Player of the Match trophy at the 2026 World Cup, allowing Muslim players, underage athletes and others to avoid appearing alongside alcohol branding. While Michelob Ultra remains the award's official sponsor, eligible players can request a trophy featuring only FIFA branding. The policy gained attention after Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari received a logo-free trophy following his standout display against Scotland. Similar awards have been presented to players from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Qatar, Ivory Coast, Canada and Switzerland. FIFA previously adopted the approach during the 2025 Club World Cup, citing respect for religious, cultural and personal preferences. (PC: (AP Photo)

FIFA is on course to exceed its projected $3 billion revenue target from ticket sales and hospitality at the 2026 World Cup, driven by record attendance and soaring ticket prices. Data shows Portugal’s group-stage clash with Colombia, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, carries the tournament’s highest resale entry price at $3,392, while Lionel Messi’s Argentina round-of-32 match starts at $2,949. The tournament has already broken the all-time World Cup attendance record, with median ticket prices reaching $913. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire said FIFA has shifted its focus from traditional supporters to premium-paying spectators, comparing the expanded 104-match tournament to "104 Super Bowls" marketed for global audiences. (PC: Getty Images)

The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has climbed to 589 as international rescue operations intensified across the devastated country. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes, among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, have left thousands injured and caused widespread destruction. Rescue teams from Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, the United States and other countries have joined search efforts alongside United Nations humanitarian agencies. Authorities said damaged hospitals, power outages and destroyed transport infrastructure, including the main international airport, are hampering relief operations and delaying aid deliveries. Rescuers continue searching collapsed buildings for survivors as emergency assistance pours into the country.

An Indian-origin businessman, identified as Kishore Gujarati, was injured in a shooting in Portugal's Cidade Nova area of Odivelas, prompting a police investigation into the attack. A Facebook account claiming to belong to "Rahul RK Meena" took responsibility for the shooting and threatened further violence against others, though authorities have not verified the authenticity of the post or linked the incident to organised crime. The message warned recipients of previous calls to prepare for more attacks and mentioned several alleged gangs. Investigators are examining all angles, while officials cautioned against speculation circulating on social media. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear as the investigation continues. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the recently brokered ceasefire by launching four one-way attack drones at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claimed one drone struck the upper deck of a cargo vessel while US forces intercepted the remaining three, calling the attack a “foolish violation” of the agreement. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denied the allegations, dismissing reports of a direct confrontation with the United States as “a complete lie.” The reported incident follows an earlier attack on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship near Oman, raising fresh concerns over maritime security and threatening the fragile truce aimed at restoring safe navigation through the strategic waterway.

The Bombay High Court has cleared the removal of 208 mangrove trees, eliminating a major hurdle for Maharashtra’s ₹76,220-crore Vadhvan Port Project. The court permitted the National Highways Authority of India to fell mangroves for an eight-lane access-controlled highway linking the upcoming port in Palghar to NH-48, calling the project one of public importance with significant economic benefits. The bench noted all environmental, coastal regulation zone and forest clearances had been secured, alongside compensatory afforestation measures, including planting 1.33 lakh mangroves and depositing over ₹4.83 crore. The greenfield port, expected to rank among the world’s top 10 container ports, will now move ahead at full pace. (PC: The Pioneer)

The United Kingdom has overtaken India in global unicorn rankings, pushing India to fourth place as artificial intelligence-driven valuations reshaped the startup landscape, according to the latest Hurun report. The UK’s rise was fuelled by rapid growth in AI companies and stronger investor confidence, helping it surpass India in the number of privately held startups valued at over $1 billion. The United States and China retained the top two positions globally. The report highlights how AI has become the biggest driver of unicorn creation and valuation growth, while Indian startups faced a slower funding environment despite continued entrepreneurial activity. India, however, remains among the world’s leading startup ecosystems overall. (PC: Your Story)

Seattle’s FIFA World Cup clash between Egypt and Iran has become the tournament’s most culturally sensitive fixture after local organisers designated it as a Pride Match ahead of the city’s Pride Weekend. Rainbow flags, drag performances and LGBTQ+ celebrations will accompany the match despite objections from Egypt and Iran, where homosexuality is illegal. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei refused to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, insisting his team’s focus is solely on football, while organisers said the event was scheduled before the World Cup draw and celebrates Seattle’s identity rather than targeting either nation. FIFA clarified the game is not an official Pride Match but confirmed rainbow flags complying with stadium rules will be permitted inside.(PC: SD Pride)

At 94, Andhra Pradesh-born Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma has renounced her United States citizenship to fulfil her final wish of spending the rest of her life as an Indian citizen. She moved to the US after her husband’s death to live with her son, oncologist Buchaiah Choudhary, and became an American citizen in 2000. After nearly 18 years in the US, she returned to India in 2018 when her son joined NRI Hospital in Mangalagiri. A native of Chinthagumpala village in Bapatla district, Mahalakshmamma recently met District Collector J. Venkata Murali, requesting expedited processing of her citizenship application, saying she wishes to spend her remaining years in her motherland.