Times of India

Harry Kane produced a match-winning brace as England beat DR Congo 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. Trailing early, England were rescued by Kane’s second-half double in an 11-minute spell, taking him past Pelé on the World Cup scoring chart. The captain also moved into England’s second-highest knockout scorer as they reached the Round of 16.

The Supreme Court has mandated distinct methods for calculating road accident compensation, acknowledging the income disparity between salaried individuals and the self-employed. For salaried persons, the previous year's income tax return will be the benchmark. Self-employed individuals' compensation will be based on the average of their last three years' income tax returns, accounting for income fluctuations. This ruling aims to standardize compensation assessments across high courts.

A US Navy Sea Hawk helicopter made an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea early Tuesday, with one crew member still missing. Three of the four crew members were rescued and are in stable condition. The US Navy is conducting search operations for the missing individual. The cause of the incident is under investigation, with no indication of hostile action amid regional tensions.

An organized child trafficking network has been uncovered in Ahmedabad, with children being recruited from impoverished families in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Village chiefs allegedly act as brokers, facilitating the movement of children for begging at lucrative spots like temples and traffic signals. Authorities have identified 276 trafficked children and are preparing criminal cases against exploiters, aiming to rehabilitate the victims.

A 30-year-old woman faced brutal public humiliation in Ujjain's Jharda area after resuming a live-in relationship with a man recently released from jail. Her clothes were torn, face blackened, hair cut, and she was paraded with a shoe garland by her partner's father, relatives, and villagers. Police have registered a case against 11 accused and arrested three, citing anger over her return after a prior rape case.

Former J&K CMs Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, alongside nearly 60 Indian signatories, have urged India and Pakistan to resume dialogue for regional peace. Their letter highlights the lost opportunities for millions of young people due to ongoing hostility. Kashmir's chief cleric also supported the call, emphasizing that engagement is the only way to resolve differences and build a prosperous South Asia.

WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, designed for privacy by allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers, is sparking concerns about increased online impersonation in India. Entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo highlighted how scammers could create similar usernames to public figures, making it difficult to verify authenticity. This has ignited a debate, with many questioning Meta's commitment to combating fraud across its platforms.

Flash floods in Doda's Bhalessa area have disrupted road connectivity to several villages, with restoration efforts underway. Meanwhile, heavy rains have forced the suspension of annual pilgrimages to Machhail Mata and Mindhal Mata shrines in Kishtwar for pilgrim safety. Authorities are urging residents to avoid vulnerable areas and media to verify information to prevent panic.

Tragedy struck near the Atal Tunnel late Monday night as a road accident claimed the life of Kailash Kumar from Rajasthan and left three others injured. Their vehicle reportedly lost control, plunging onto an under-construction cement structure. The injured, also from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, are receiving medical attention. This unfortunate incident highlights the dangers of travel in the region.

Scientists have engineered 'SpudCell,' a lab-made system from chemicals that mimics life's core functions like growth and division. While not fully alive due to reliance on external components, this breakthrough offers a simplified model to understand essential life processes. Researchers aim to enhance its self-sufficiency, paving the way for custom biological machines and deeper insights into fundamental biology.

Ayodhya police are intensifying their probe into alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement. Arrested accused Avinash Shukla reportedly revealed a scheme where cash was hidden in temple washrooms before being smuggled out. Investigators are examining CCTV blind spots, key access to the counting room, and financial trails, including alleged investments in property. Recoveries so far total over Rs 79 lakh in cash and valuables.

Following the Supreme Court's affirmation of birthright citizenship, President Trump plans to seek congressional action to limit it. A proposed bill by Republican lawmakers would require at least one parent to be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. While the administration cites birth tourism, government lawyers admitted to the Supreme Court that the practice's prevalence is unknown, with data suggesting it affects less than 1% of births annually.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is in New Delhi for a three-day visit, aiming to bolster economic security and strengthen supply chains, particularly in semiconductors and critical minerals. Discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also cover regional and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific, where India is seen as a vital partner. This visit follows PM Modi's trip to Tokyo last year, reaffirming a robust Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

US President Trump reported over $1.4 billion in income from cryptocurrency ventures, including his family's World Liberty Financial and a $TRUMP meme coin. He stated he doesn't manage personal finances, attributing profits to the strong stock market. Despite ethics concerns over crypto-friendly policies enacted during his term, the White House denied any conflicts of interest, asserting Trump made the US the 'crypto capital'.

India all-rounder Shardul Thakur expressed his disappointment over being "underutilized" during last year's Test series in England. He believes he could have made a significant impact had he been given more bowling opportunities, citing a "calculation error" in how he was used. Despite the missed chances, Thakur remains hopeful for future national team call-ups, emphasizing his readiness to contribute.

In a heartfelt endorsement, US Congressman Ro Khanna rallied behind Aisha Farooqi, a Pakistani American candidate vying for Michigan's 11th Congressional District. Their conversation, shared through video, celebrated South Asian heritage and America's rich tapestry of diversity, even venturing into discussions about Bollywood, food, and sports. Khanna proudly represents California's 17th, emphasizing the power of personal connections in politics.

Tehran had also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Khamenei's funeral. However, New Delhi chose Bihar governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita to represent India at the multi-day funeral, which is set to begin on July 4.

Norway's star striker Erling Haaland celebrated his team's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 qualification with a series of fun social media posts, including cowboy and Viking themes. His dramatic 86th-minute winner against Ivory Coast secured their spot, making him the fastest to 60 international goals for Norway. They now face Brazil in the next round.

A heartwarming airport encounter has captured the internet's attention. A passenger shared a video of Afjal, an IndiGo employee who is deaf and mute, expertly assisting travelers at baggage check-in. The video highlights Afjal's professionalism and cheerful demeanor, proving that effective communication transcends spoken words. Social media users lauded Afjal's dedication and praised the airline for its inclusive hiring practices, sparking a wider conversation about creating more accessible workplaces.

China has unveiled stringent new regulations to bolster oversight of its overseas investments, particularly in critical tech sectors like AI and semiconductors. These rules, effective Wednesday, aim to safeguard national security and technological capabilities amidst escalating US competition. While designed to enhance outward investment quality, they could complicate global expansion for Chinese firms and access to Chinese capital for foreign partners, raising concerns about technology transfers and broader geopolitical implications.