Pakistan has inducted Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir into a high-level committee tasked with addressing the country's rapidly growing population, further expanding the military's role in policymaking. Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed the panel to devise strategies for population management, alongside senior ministers overseeing finance, planning and health. Kamal argued that Pakistan's current resource-sharing formula discourages provinces from reducing population growth and proposed lowering the population-based weight in the National Finance Commission allocation. The government has also removed taxes on contraceptive products to improve access to family planning. Pakistan is projected to become the world's fourth most populous country by 2030. (PC: News18)

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday praised India's remarkable economic transformation and called for stronger business ties to unlock new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. Speaking at the "India-New Zealand: A Winning Partnership" event in Auckland, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Luxon highlighted India's rapid growth and encouraged businesses to deepen engagement. He identified food and agriculture, tourism, education and technology as key sectors for future collaboration. Stressing the vast potential for bilateral cooperation, Luxon said stronger commercial partnerships would benefit both economies by opening new markets. Modi's two-day visit to New Zealand is aimed at expanding strategic, economic and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Vinicius Junior has broken his silence following Brazil's shock FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 exit, saying it would have been "unfair to remain silent" after the team's disappointing campaign. In a heartfelt social media post, the Real Madrid forward admitted he needed time to process the defeat before sharing his thoughts. Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, were among the tournament favourites but suffered a surprise elimination against Norway. Vinicius apologised to fans, describing the frustration as immense despite the squad's quality. Looking ahead, the 26-year-old vowed to continue fighting for Brazil's dream of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup title at the 2030 tournament. (PC: Getty Images)

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling retribution "the demand of the nation" in his first public message since assuming office. In a written statement aired on state television, Mojtaba pledged revenge against those responsible for the deaths of his father and others killed during the recent conflict. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, with Mojtaba succeeding him on March 8. Despite taking office, he has yet to appear publicly. The statement comes as tensions persist between Iran and the US, even as both sides continue diplomatic talks. (PC: India Today)

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has backed Lionel Messi to remain the team's penalty taker despite the captain missing both spot-kicks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ahead of Argentina's quarterfinal against Switzerland, Scaloni insisted the decision rests with Messi. "Leo will take penalties if he wants to," he said. Messi missed from the spot against Egypt but later inspired Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback by setting up Cristian Romero before scoring the equaliser. The 39-year-old has registered eight goals and one assist in the tournament. Scaloni added that Messi's influence remains decisive, saying the forward continues to be the world's best player as long as he wants to keep playing. (PC: X)

At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat carrying 32 Indian passengers and four Vietnamese crew members capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island on Saturday. According to Vietnamese authorities, 21 people were rescued, several with injuries, after nearby boats and rescue teams launched emergency operations. The vessel overturned in rough seas while returning from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island to An Thoi Port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said the government was extending all possible assistance. The Indian Embassy set up emergency control rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and is coordinating with Vietnamese authorities. Officials are investigating the cause, with rough weather suspected.

Egypt’s national football team received a hero’s welcome after returning home from its historic FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. Thousands of fans gathered to celebrate Mohamed Salah and the Pharaohs after they reached the Round of 16 for the first time before narrowly losing 3-2 to defending champions Argentina. The celebrations included an open-top bus parade through New Alamein, while President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected to honour the squad for its achievement. Egypt’s exit, however, remained controversial, with head coach Hossam Hassan alleging FIFA favoured Argentina through questionable refereeing decisions. FIFA rejected the accusations, maintaining that all match officials performed their duties independently and impartially throughout the tournament.

Indian-origin Google engineering manager Sheetal Wrzesien, 57, was shot dead during an alleged domestic dispute at her home in Cobb County, Georgia, while her 23-year-old son was critically injured. Police arrested her husband, Kirk B Wrzesien, 56, at the scene without incident and charged him with felony murder, aggravated assault and firearms offences. Authorities said officers responded to reports of gunfire and found Jason Wrzesien outside the house with critical injuries, while Sheetal was pronounced dead inside. A Georgia Tech graduate, Sheetal had over two decades of experience in the technology sector and served on the university’s College of Computing advisory board, mentoring women in STEM fields. (PC: Facebook)

At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat carrying 32 Indian passengers and four crew members capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island on Saturday. The vessel overturned about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai while travelling to An Thoi Port, throwing everyone into the sea. Nearby boats launched rescue efforts, but many passengers were trapped inside the vessel. The Indian Embassy has set up control rooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and is coordinating with Vietnamese authorities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and assured all possible assistance. Officials are verifying the identities of the victims as search and rescue operations continue amid rough sea conditions.

An Indian man has been sentenced to 121 months, or more than 10 years, in prison in the United States for transporting and possessing child pornography. Ashish Kapoor, also known as Romy Kapoor, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Louisiana. Investigators said he travelled from Mumbai to New Orleans with child pornography stored on his mobile phone. Authorities also found he later downloaded more illegal material using his home internet connection. Officials recovered over 600 images. After completing his prison term, Kapoor will serve five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.