Five Indian Air Force personnel were killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday.   The aircraft went down during landing and caught fire, prompting an emergency response at the airbase. The IAF confirmed the deaths and expressed condolences to the families of the personnel killed in the accident.   Officials said a court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash. Reports said the co-pilot survived and is undergoing treatment. The AN-32 is a key transport aircraft used by the IAF for logistics and operational missions. (PC: X)

FIFA has come under criticism after a cooling break during the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa was reportedly extended to accommodate a television commercial break.   According to multiple reports, the referee delayed the restart as the broadcaster was still showing advertisements. Even then, some viewers missed the first few seconds of play after the match resumed. FIFA had introduced mandatory three-minute cooling breaks for player welfare, with broadcasters instructed to return before the restart. The incident has sparked backlash from fans, who argue that commercial interests should not interfere with the flow of the game or the viewing experience. (PC: X)  

Brazil have suffered a major setback ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, with star forward Neymar ruled out of the opening Group C match against Morocco because of a calf injury.   Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar could even miss the entire group stage as the 34-year-old continues his recovery. The veteran forward has not trained with the squad since being called up and also missed the team's warm-up matches.   Ancelotti said Brazil included Neymar not only for his footballing ability but also for his experience and leadership. However, the team will now have to begin its World Cup journey without its biggest star, with Vinicius Jr and other attacking players expected to carry the load.  

An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft met with an accident while landing at the Jorhat airbase in Assam on Saturday. According to the IAF, the aircraft was involved in an accident, with initial reports suggesting that a fire broke out after touchdown inside the base premises. Firefighting teams were immediately deployed, and senior Air Force officials rushed to the site. Authorities said the incident occurred at the Rowriah airbase area, but the condition of the crew members and any possible casualties have not yet been confirmed. The cause of the accident is under investigation, with more details awaited from the IAF. 

Pop star Ariana Grande has asked the White House not to use her music after a social media video featured her song Bye. The video showed border agents detaining people and promoted President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Grande called the use of her song “barbaric” and “inhumane” in a comment on the post. The White House defended its immigration actions and criticised illegal immigration. After Grande’s response, the video was muted and her comment was removed. She joins several artists who have objected to Trump and his team using their music for political purposes. (PC: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV)

Iran has said a deal with the United States to end months of conflict is close to being finalised. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US blockade on Iranian shipping. US officials confirmed parts of the proposed deal and said economic benefits for Iran would depend on meeting its commitments. The agreement would also begin talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. The Strait of Hormuz is a key global oil route. Both sides expressed optimism, but final approval is still pending before the deal can be signed. (PC: Reuters)

Bollywood star Nora Fatehi’s FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem Siir Siir has crossed 20 million views on YouTube within 24 hours of its release. The song was created with music producer Sanjoy and French singer Vegedream. Reports say it surpassed the first-day viewership of Shakira’s FIFA track Dai Dai, which received 8.2 million views. Fatehi said the song reflects her Moroccan, Canadian and South Asian roots. She also highlighted the strong Indian contribution behind the project. The track has become one of FIFA’s biggest music launches and is gaining popularity across the world.

Iran has accused the United States of attacking Indian-linked commercial vessels in the Gulf region after three Indian sailors were killed. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the strikes evidence of “state piracy” and offered condolences to India. The remarks came after US President Donald Trump claimed Iran had attempted a drone attack on Indian ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran rejected the allegation and called it baseless. Meanwhile, India lodged a strong protest with the US over a Navy strike on the tanker MT Settebello. Twenty-one Indian sailors were rescued after the attack. (PC: Reuters)

The United States kicked off its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a star-studded opening ceremony in Los Angeles, where global music icons Katy Perry, Blackpink's Lisa and rapper Future headlined the celebrations. Brazilian singer Anitta, Nigerian star Rema and South African artist Tyla also performed, turning the event into a grand musical spectacle ahead of the USA's Group D match against Paraguay. Thousands of fans packed the stadium as football and entertainment came together to mark the beginning of the tournament, highlighting the global appeal of the World Cup. (PC: HT)

India has achieved a major defence milestone after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out three flight tests of advanced missile systems. The trials validated key ballistic missile defence and anti-ship warfare technologies, strengthening India's multi-layered air defence capabilities.   Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the successful tests place India among a select group of nations with proven ballistic missile interception technology. The achievement is expected to boost the country's strategic deterrence and indigenous defence programme under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The successful trials mark another significant step in enhancing India's ability to counter advanced aerial and missile threats. (PC: Economic Times)