Football fans could witness one last FIFA World Cup showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, depending on how Argentina and Portugal progress in the expanded 48-team tournament. According to the possible draw scenarios, the two legends could meet in the Round of 16, quarter-finals or even the final based on their group-stage finishes and knockout results.   The 2026 World Cup is expected to be the last for both stars. While Messi enters the tournament as a World Cup winner with Argentina, Ronaldo will be chasing the only major trophy missing from his remarkable career. (PC: HT)

Indian-origin engineer Vibhav Altekar is among the co-founders of Saronic Technologies, the US company that developed the autonomous drone boat used to rescue two American Apache helicopter pilots near the Strait of Hormuz. The operation marked the first known use of a remotely operated surface vessel for a US military personnel recovery mission.   Altekar serves as the company's Chief Technology Officer and leads the development of its autonomous systems and software. The AI-powered Corsair drone boat is part of the US Navy's Task Force 59 and is designed for long-range maritime operations and surveillance missions. (PC: NDTV)

Trinamool Congress faced another political setback after Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev resigned from the Upper House and the party's primary membership. The move comes just days after senior leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy quit the party, deepening the crisis for Mamata Banerjee.   A former Congress MP from Assam, Sushmita Dev joined the TMC in 2021 and later became the party's national spokesperson before entering the Rajya Sabha. Soon after her resignation, she met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Delhi, fuelling speculation that she may join the BJP. Sources also suggest she could contest a Lok Sabha by-election from Assam.

The United States carried out air strikes on Iranian military and surveillance sites after an American Apache helicopter was brought down in the Gulf, escalating tensions in the region. US Central Command said air defence systems, radar stations and ground control sites near the Strait of Hormuz were targeted in what it called a "proportional response".   Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it retaliated by attacking US bases in Bahrain and Jordan, while Kuwait said it intercepted another incoming attack. US President Donald Trump confirmed that both helicopter pilots were rescued safely and warned that America would respond to any attack on its forces. Iran vowed that it would leave "no attack or threat unanswered". (PC: BBC)

At least 12 people were killed and nine others injured after gunmen opened fire at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, South African police said. Authorities have launched a manhunt for more than 10 suspects believed to have carried out the attack.   According to police, the attackers arrived in a white Toyota Quantum, entered the settlement through two access points and fired at multiple locations before fleeing. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and an investigation is underway. South Africa continues to struggle with one of the world's highest violent crime rates. (PC: HT)

An Indian couple and their nine-year-old son were found dead after an incident at their residential building in London, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. British authorities have classified the deaths as "unexpected" and said the next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.   According to media reports, the family had been caring for their son, who suffered from multiple serious health conditions and required special educational support. While some reports have linked the incident to the child's illness, friends of the family have disputed that claim. Police have not confirmed a cause and inquiries into the deaths are continuing. (PC: India Today)

India's ambitious Zoji La Tunnel project has reached a major breakthrough milestone, marking a significant step towards year-round road connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari participated in the final breakthrough blast, which connected both ends of the 13.15-km tunnel.   Once completed, the high-altitude tunnel will reduce travel disruptions caused by heavy snowfall and improve access to Ladakh throughout the year. The project is expected to strengthen strategic mobility, boost tourism and support economic growth in the region. Officials have described the achievement as a landmark in India's infrastructure development and Himalayan engineering efforts. (PC: X)

Around 180,000 tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been listed on the tournament's official resale platform, according to a Financial Times report, raising concerns about attendance at some matches. The growing number of resale listings has also pushed ticket prices lower, with the median resale price falling in recent weeks.   The report suggests that demand has been weaker than expected for certain games despite the global popularity of the tournament. FIFA has promoted its official resale system to give fans a secure way to buy and sell tickets, but the large volume of available seats has sparked questions about stadium occupancy during the competition. (PC: X)

Tilfi Banaras has launched 'Becoming', a new visual project created in collaboration with photographer Keerthana Kunnath, spotlighting the lives and journeys of women bodybuilders from Kerala. Shot entirely on analog film, the series brings together handwoven Banarasi textiles and sculpted athletic bodies to explore themes of discipline, craftsmanship and transformation.   The project features four athletes from different walks of life, highlighting their personal stories of determination and self-expression. By placing the women in traditional settings and heritage textiles, the campaign challenges conventional ideas of femininity while celebrating strength and identity. Tilfi says the initiative reflects the shared dedication behind both handloom weaving and competitive bodybuilding. (PC: Tilfi)

Pakistan has rapidly expanded its space-based surveillance network, launching six Earth-observation satellites in just 16 months with significant Chinese assistance. The new constellation includes optical imaging, hyperspectral and remote-sensing satellites capable of high-resolution monitoring, change detection and repeated observation of strategic locations. Analysts say the system could improve Pakistan’s ability to track military deployments, infrastructure projects and other activities across India. Satellites such as HS-1, PRSC-EO2 and PRSC-EO3 reportedly feature advanced imaging and AI-assisted data processing capabilities. Experts note that China’s role extends beyond launch services to technology cooperation and possible data-sharing arrangements. The development highlights the growing importance of space-based intelligence in South Asia’s evolving strategic competition. (PC: CMSA & India Today)