Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his international retirement after more than two decades representing Portugal, a career marked by record-breaking achievements including 234 appearances and 146 goals. His farewell, delivered via social media, follows a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus over his place in the team. Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major title at Euro 2016 and two Nations League trophies, but the World Cup remained elusive. His departure contrasts sharply with Lionel Messi's recent international embrace, leaving a melancholic end to an unparalleled career.
Kakatiya Knights secured a decisive 6-0 victory over Mighty Marathas in their final round-robin match of the Archery Premier League. This win serves as a strong precursor to their upcoming clash in the first qualifier on Sunday, where both teams will vie for a spot in the final. The Knights' compound archers were particularly impressive, maintaining perfect scores despite challenging conditions.
A security delegation from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has arrived in Pakistan to review arrangements for England's upcoming ODI tri-nation series tour. The delegation will inspect venues and meet officials to ensure security plans are robust for the series, which also involves Sri Lanka and runs from October 18 to 31.
India voted against a Pakistan-sponsored UN resolution on conventional arms control at regional and sub-regional levels, reiterating its long-held position that arms control is a global issue. Despite Israel also opposing the resolution, India firmly dismissed any suggestion of diplomatic coordination, emphasizing its decision was based on national considerations.
Flight disruptions between India and Saudi Arabia are continuing, with Akasa Air extending its service suspensions to Jeddah until November 18 and Riyadh until November 30. This follows similar suspensions by Air India and Air India Express until November 14, all due to the prevailing security situation and attacks on infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy has advised nationals to remain vigilant and is assisting affected travellers.
Indian shuttler Tanvi Patri has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the badminton semifinals at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. The 15-year-old defeated Thailand's Kungkaew Kakanik and will now face Japan's Yuzuno Watanabe in the last four.
The Indian Navy successfully rescued an Iranian fishing vessel, Azini, and its 20 crew members from pirates off the coast of Somalia in a 48-hour operation. The mission, involving marine commandos and an IAF C-17 aircraft, prevented the vessel from being used as a 'mother ship' for further attacks, reinforcing India's commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
India's keeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been signed by Brisbane Heat for the Women's Big Bash League season, replacing the injured Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen.
Indian shooters experienced a challenging day at the ISSF World Championships in Doha, failing to secure medals in the 10m air rifle mixed team and 25m rapid fire pistol events. A disqualification due to an apparel violation further marred their performance, and the team is yet to win an individual medal in an Olympic discipline or secure a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The Andhra Pradesh CID has successfully dismantled a transnational cryptocurrency investment fraud amounting to nearly Rs 15 crore, which targeted a woman from Tenali. The investigation involved tracing funds through multiple crypto wallets and international platforms, leading to the identification of eight accused and securing a court order for the return of the defrauded assets.
Barricades around Delhi's Jantar Mantar have been removed following its denotification as an authorised protest site. This decision, based on recommendations from a Home Ministry committee, was communicated to the Supreme Court by Delhi Police, citing concerns over public safety, traffic, and security. Three alternative protest venues have been designated.
Indian immigration authorities are eliminating the mandatory physical stamping of boarding passes for international travellers from September 1, allowing e-boarding passes on smartphones for clearance. This move by the Bureau of Immigration aims to reduce passenger inconvenience and errors, with physical passes still accepted but not stamped. A pilot project for digital immigration entry/exit for Indian passport holders is also underway.
Congress MP and dismissed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has moved a local court seeking anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case. JNU dismissed Akoijam in October over allegations from at least 11 female students, leading to an FIR by Delhi Police. The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed JNU's termination decision, with the case listed for hearing in January.
India achieved significant success at the ISSF World Championships in Doha, securing a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team event and a gold medal in the men's 50m pistol team competition. Ravinder Singh also won an individual silver in the men's 50m pistol. Elavenil Valarivan reached the individual final but finished sixth. India currently stands second in the medal tally.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified allegations of election fraud by Arab-led parties, describing suspected foreign interference as an "earthquake". The Central Elections Committee has asked the internal security agency, Shin Bet, to investigate these claims, which come amid an inconclusive election where neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition secured a majority. President Isaac Herzog has called for a thorough investigation while cautioning against general suspicion of the Arab community.
Akshay Kumar's ruthless serial killer role and Sidharth Malhotra's folklore horror to Manoj Bajpayee's powerful drama and international award-winners on OTT this weekend.
A Delhi court has directed the city police to provide seven working days' prior notice to Congress MP and dismissed JNU professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam before taking any coercive action, including arrest, in a sexual harassment case. The court noted that while police are not currently contemplating arrest, they must serve a physical notice if circumstances change. This comes after JNU dismissed Akoijam based on an internal committee's findings, a decision later stayed by the Delhi High Court.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that his primary role is to make the 'right decisions' for the team, even if they are not the 'popular ones', emphasising the importance of player security and backing consistent performers.
Indian athletes secured five medals, including two silvers, at the ongoing Asian Games in Nagoya. Long jumper Ancy Sojan and high jumper Sarvesh Kushare each won silver, while decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, 3000m steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, and 200m runner Harita Bhadra clinched bronze medals, contributing to India's growing tally.
Duncan Cruttenden of the United Kingdom and Annie Williams of the United States clinched the men's and women's titles respectively at the 35th Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race in Darjeeling. India's Ramanjit Oberoi and Mexico's Nahila Hernandez won the 100K Stage Race. The event, supported by the Ministry of Tourism, promoted adventure sports and sustainable tourism with participants from several countries.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Odisha FC 3-2 in a high-scoring Indian Super League match in Kolkata on Thursday. Dejan Drazic scored twice and Lee Erwin netted the winner in the 88th minute, propelling MBSG to the top of the league table.
Indian tourists can now use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to book tickets online for Dubai's Burj Khalifa and major attractions in Singapore, including Universal Studios. This initiative, facilitated by NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) through strategic partnerships, aims to simplify international travel payments for Indians and strengthen digital and economic links with these countries.
India has once again raised alarms over the escalation in the security situation in the Red Sea area and strongly condemned Houthi strikes targeting Saudi Arabian territory, "including on civilians and economic assets."
New Zealand secured a seven-wicket consolation victory over India in the fifth and final Twenty20 international in Hamilton. Tim Seifert's explosive 93 and Glenn Phillips' unbeaten 65, which set a new bilateral T20I series batting record, powered the Black Caps to chase down India's target of 192. Despite the loss, India won the series 3-2.
The Delhi High Court has stayed the termination of JNU professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who is also a Congress MP, following allegations of sexual harassment. The university had dismissed him on October 9 based on an internal committee's findings, but Akoijam denies the allegations, calling it a "witch hunt." A police FIR has also been registered against him.
Pune, India, has been selected to host the UCI Road World Championships in 2032, marking the first time the prestigious cycling event will come to the country. This historic achievement is the result of a collaborative bid by the Government of Maharashtra and the Cycling Federation of India, supported by the Government of India, aiming to establish Pune as a premier global cycling destination. The decision was announced at the UCI Congress in Montreal after Pune's successful presentation, highlighting India's growing potential in the sport.
Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Pramod Bhagat clinched a gold medal in men's singles SL3 and a silver in men's doubles SL3-SU5 at the Japan Para Badminton International. Fellow Indian shuttler Sukant Kadam marked a significant career milestone by securing his 100th medal, alongside a silver in men's singles SL4 and men's doubles.
Twenty-year-old Indian compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru expresses strong confidence in India's ability to secure an Olympic medal at Los Angeles 2028. Following his success at the Asian Games, he believes recent landmark performances, including securing a mixed team compound quota and recurve team victories over South Korea, have positioned India to challenge traditional powerhouses and achieve Olympic glory. He highlights the importance of consistency and institutional support in this journey.
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a career marked by numerous club and international accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards and a World Cup title.
Salman Khan, a 28-year-old farmer's son from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, has won a historic bronze medal in men's double sculls rowing at the Asian Games in Nagoya. This marks India's first-ever podium finish in this event, bringing pride to his hometown and inspiring young athletes.
India's Arjun Reddy Aluguvelli caused an upset by defeating eighth seed Adithya Kiran from the UAE at the Indian Junior International Grand Prix badminton tournament. Other Indian players, Jagsher Singh Khangurra and Vaibhav Singh, also secured hard-fought victories.
Five-time champions India secured their third consecutive win at the men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, defeating Japan 4-1. Striker Abhishek Nain scored two field goals, while captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnukant Singh also found the net. Japan's lone goal came from Shota Yamada via a penalty stroke. India will next face Malaysia on Sunday.
Oman and Iran discussed efforts to resume navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without obstacles during a telephone conversation between their foreign ministers on Thursday, with both sides emphasising the need for sustainable understandings to ensure maritime safety, facilitate international trade and energy flows, and prevent further confrontations in the region.
The Keralam government has allotted the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi to Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters FC for its home matches in the 2026-27 season at a rent of Rs 3.5 lakh per match, along with a Rs 25 lakh security deposit. The decision acknowledges the club's contribution to football in the state and the promotion of sporting interests.
India is proposing the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA) for AI Training, a national framework designed to enable startups, researchers, and companies to train AI models using data from hospitals, banks, and public agencies while ensuring privacy and security. This initiative aims to unlock significant AI-driven value for India's GDP by 2030.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has called for continued institutional support for Indian badminton players, highlighting the significant financial challenges faced by younger shuttlers without sponsors. She pointed out the vast disparity in prize money between tennis and badminton, despite similar high expenses for international competitions. Sindhu's comments come after she and Lakshya Sen had to self-fund their recent European tour, prompting a discussion on investment in India's sporting future.
Indian swimmer Rishabh Das secured the sixth position in the men's 100m backstroke final at the Asian Games, clocking 54.77 seconds. China's Xu Jiayu won gold, while other Indian participants, Utkarsh Patil, Benediction Beniston, and Akash Mani, had disappointing results in their respective events.
Delhi Police has implemented a comprehensive multi-layered security system for the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, deploying 15,000 personnel, 200 paramilitary companies, and over 500 CCTV cameras. The arrangements aim to ensure maximum security for visiting dignitaries while minimising public inconvenience, with extensive coordination across agencies and states, and robust measures at the main venue, Bharat Mandapam.
India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on maritime security cooperation, committing to deepen defence ties and oppose unilateral actions that impede freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, a move seen as directed at China's increasing military presence.
New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner has become the third player from his country to claim 150 T20 International wickets. He achieved this feat during the fourth T20I against India, where he also surpassed Ish Sodhi for the most T20I wickets against India. Santner's performance contributed to New Zealand's 87-run victory in Auckland.