Who says India doesn't produce football talent? Chandigarh-based Minerva Academy, owned by Ranjit Bajaj, answered that question in style during the Helsinki Cup 2026 in Finland. The young Indian side stunned a Finnish club with a 19-0 victory, scoring 19 goals without conceding once in a remarkable display of attacking football. That dominant performance set the tone for a dream campaign, as Minerva went on to defeat defending champions HJK 1-0 in the final to lift the prestigious youth tournament. The title marks a historic achievement for Indian football and highlights the growing quality of the country's young talent.  

Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda created history by winning the women's trap gold medal at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Lonato, Italy. The 26-year-old topped the qualification round with 121 out of 125 before shooting 27 out of 30 in the final to clinch her maiden individual ISSF World Cup title. France's Carole Cormenier took silver, while Italy's Erica Sessa won bronze. Neeru became the first Indian woman to win a World Cup gold in the trap event and secured India's first individual shotgun medal of the 2026 ISSF World Cup season. (PC: Olympics)

Kolkata has emerged as India's fastest-growing housing market, recording stronger demand growth than Bengaluru and Hyderabad, according to a new real estate report. The city bucked the national slowdown in residential sales, supported by steady home prices, improved affordability and rising buyer confidence. Industry experts said Kolkata's balanced pricing and increasing interest from end-users have helped drive demand, while several other major cities witnessed slower growth. The report suggests homebuyers are increasingly looking at value-driven markets, making Kolkata one of the country's strongest-performing residential real estate destinations despite a broader moderation in housing sales. (PC: X)

Bangladesh authorities have arrested 7 people accused of operating an alleged extremist network disguised as a martial arts training organisation in Dhaka's Jatrabari area. A Dhaka court granted police 3 days' remand to question the suspects as investigators probe claims that the group recruited members and provided combat training under the banner of the "Fatah Combat System". Police allege the network aimed to establish a caliphate and used religious programmes to attract recruits. The defence denied the allegations, saying the accused were only teaching martial arts. Investigators are continuing efforts to identify other suspected members.  

India has announced a 1-day state mourning on July 13 following the death of Qatar's Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away at the age of 74. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the national flag will fly at half-mast across India on all buildings where it is regularly displayed, and there will be no official entertainment during the mourning period. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Sheikh Hamad, calling him a visionary leader and a valued friend of India who played a key role in strengthening ties between the 2 countries.  

Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan has received death and rape threats after sentencing 14 men to life imprisonment for the 2022 lynching of cattle trader Nazir Ahmad in Madhya Pradesh. The court convicted the men of murder, attempted murder, rioting and other offences, describing the attack as a case of mob lynching. Following the verdict, abusive videos targeting Khan over her religion spread on social media, prompting authorities to provide her police protection. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought a report on the security measures taken, while judicial bodies have condemned the threats and demanded strict action. (PC: BBC)

South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, just weeks after representing his country at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Mamelodi Sundowns player featured in all 3 of South Africa's group-stage matches and helped the team reach the knockout stage before they were eliminated by Canada. Adams had recently won the CAF Champions League with Sundowns and was regarded as one of South Africa's brightest young footballers. The South African Football Players Union confirmed his death, while the cause has not been disclosed. Tributes have poured in from FIFA, teammates, clubs and fans. (PC: NDTV)

The Election Commission has made it mandatory for new voters to provide details of their parents' status in the previous Special Intensive Revision (SIR) while applying for inclusion in the electoral rolls through Form 6. The new declaration has been added to the online registration process to help map family records and reduce the number of supporting documents required from first-time applicants. Officials said the move was first introduced during the Bihar SIR exercise and has now been extended to all new voter registrations. The Commission clarified that Form 6 itself has not been amended; the requirement has been added through official instructions. (PC: India Today)

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar who transformed the Gulf nation into a global economic and diplomatic power, has died at the age of 74. He ruled from 1995 to 2013 before voluntarily handing power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a rare peaceful transition. During his reign, Qatar expanded its liquefied natural gas industry, launched the influential Al Jazeera network, and secured hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar has declared four days of national mourning to honor his legacy. (PC: AP)

An Iranian newspaper has published a controversial "revenge list" featuring US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid heightened tensions following the Iran-US conflict. The publication claimed the leaders should be held accountable for military actions against Iran, intensifying concerns over regional instability and security. While the list does not represent an official Iranian government statement, it has drawn international attention due to the volatile geopolitical situation. The development comes as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation, with global leaders urging restraint to avoid a broader conflict across the Middle East. (PC: X)