The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has said that an oil tanker carrying Indian crew was drifting with its engine switched off near the Strait of Hormuz before it was struck by US forces.

A CENTCOM spokesperson said the vessel had stopped due to engine failure and was drifting after its crew repeatedly sought additional time to carry out repairs. US officials said the tanker was struck only after it failed to comply with directives issued by US forces enforcing a blockade on vessels allegedly transporting Iranian oil. The military said the strike was aimed at disabling the ship by targeting its engine room rather than sinking it.

The incident involved a tanker carrying Indian seafarers near the Gulf of Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. The strike triggered a fire onboard, prompting rescue efforts by Omani authorities and maritime agencies. Indian authorities closely monitored the situation and coordinated with local officials regarding the welfare of the crew members.

The incident has drawn concern in India, with the government emphasising the safety of Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in the conflict-hit region. The Ministry of External Affairs has remained in touch with the authorities concerned as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to pose risks to international shipping.

In June, three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike on another oil tanker. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of the word’s oil trade, and the latest incident has renewed concerns over the security of merchant vessels operating in the region. Maritime experts have warned that escalating hostilities could further disrupt commercial shipping and endanger civilian crews navigating one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 final was marked by an unforgettable celebration as football, music and entertainment came together on one stage at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ahead of Spain’s victory over Argentina, fans witnessed a grand closing ceremony followed by the tournament’s first-ever official Halftime Show, featuring internationally renowned artists and football legends.

The event showcased performances, cultural celebrations and visual spectacles that reflected the global appeal of the FIFA World Cup.

Star-studded closing ceremony opens the final

The festivities began before kick-off with streamer IShowSpeed performing his World Cup song Champions. Opera tenor Christopher Macchio followed with a rendition of America the Beautiful, while Post Malone and Swae Lee energized the crowd with their hit Sunflower.

Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson performed the United States national anthem before FIFA Music Ambassador Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini took the stage to perform the official FIFA anthem Desire.

Former World Cup-winning captains Andres Iniesta and Mario Kempes later carried the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy onto the pitch before actor Tom Cruise concluded the ceremony with a message highlighting football’s ability to unite people across the world.

National anthems and legendary introductions

Before the final got underway, Spain’s national anthem was performed by trombonist Indalecio “Inda” Bonet alongside Spanish Brass, while Argentine singer Maria Becerra delivered her country’s national anthem.

Adding to the excitement, renowned announcers Bruce Buffer and Michael Buffer introduced the teams in front of a packed stadium.

First-ever FIFA World Cup Halftime Show makes history

After a scoreless first half, the FIFA World Cup introduced its inaugural official Halftime Show, marking a new chapter in the tournament’s history.

Madonna opened the performance with her hit Music, joined on stage by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

The entertainment continued with The Muppets performing Seven Nation Army, followed by BTS performing Dynamite.

Actor Jason Sudeikis appeared in character as Ted Lasso before Justin Bieber performed a special version of Everything Hallelujah with football-themed lyrics.

Shakira and Burna Boy returned to perform the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song Dai Dai, having also featured during the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City.

Grand finale celebrates unity through music and football

The Halftime Show concluded with an ensemble performance featuring the PS22 Chorus, a live band, The Muppets, Sesame Street characters and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who curated the historic production. Together they performed the original song We Dance before a fireworks display brought the celebrations to a memorable close.

The ceremony highlighted football’s global reach by combining sport, music and culture, creating one of the most elaborate entertainment spectacles in FIFA World Cup history.

Spain are the new FIFA World Cup champions after defeating Argentina 1-0 following extra time in a hard-fought final, ending the defending champions’ reign and lifting the trophy for the second time.

The match remained deadlocked until Ferran Torres found the breakthrough in extra time, scoring the only goal of the contest to hand Spain football’s biggest prize.

Ferran Torres seals Spain’s historic triumph

Spain and Argentina battled through a tense final before Torres produced the decisive moment in extra time. The goal proved enough to separate the two sides as Spain secured their second FIFA World Cup title.

The victory also brought Argentina’s successful title defence to an end after a closely contested encounter.

Lionel Messi ends campaign in tears

The defeat marked an emotional conclusion for Lionel Messi, who is widely expected to have played his final FIFA World Cup match.

After receiving his runners-up medal, the Argentina captain was seen leaving the field in tears following his team’s narrow defeat.

Trophy ceremony draws mixed reaction

The medal and trophy presentation was attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Leaders from fellow tournament co-hosts Canada and Mexico were also present for the final.

Trump and Infantino were booed by sections of the crowd during the trophy ceremony.

Star-studded halftime show grabs attention

Apart from the football action, the World Cup final also featured a high-profile halftime entertainment show inspired by the Super Bowl format.

The performance included Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and Burna Boy, with the show curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.