Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, a feat that included defeating world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on this significant achievement.
Jude Bellingham delivered an authoritative and relentless performance, scoring two crucial goals to lead England to a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in their World Cup quarter-final, securing their place in the semi-finals.
Norway defender Leo Ostigard has become a father during the FIFA World Cup, witnessing the birth of his first child over FaceTime before rejoining teammates ahead of Norway's crucial Group I clash with Senegal.
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.
World champion D Gukesh is set to compete in the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, facing a strong field including Magnus Carlsen and R Praggnanandhaa. The event, held in Oslo, features top players in both Open and Women's sections, with India having four representatives.
Norway's prolific striker Erling Haaland wasted no time in opening his World Cup account as he found the net twice in a 4-1 defeat of Iraq in Group I on Tuesday that sent a warning to defenders in the rest of the tournament.
R Praggnanandhaa defeated Magnus Carlsen in the Norway Chess tournament, while D Gukesh faced another setback, losing to Alireza Firouzja.
Norway's men's national football team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Senegal, qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages. This achievement sparked wild overnight celebrations across the country, with fans even marching to the Royal Palace in Oslo to share their joy.
Norway made history at the FIFA World Cup by fielding three sons of former World Cup players in the same match: Erling Haaland, Alexander Sorloth, and Kristian Thorstvedt. This mirrored a 1994 World Cup match where their fathers played together. Erling Haaland marked his debut with a brace, leading Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq.
Magnus Carlsen's popularity remains undiminished in Norway, with many believing he is unbeatable on home turf, even as he hints at moving away from classical chess.
France can secure a more comfortable route through the World Cup when they face Norway in their final Group I match on Friday, though finishing top could leave them facing one of the toughest roads to the trophy.
The Indian contingent at the Norway Chess tournament faced a difficult day as all four players, including world champion D Gukesh, suffered defeats in Round 6. Magnus Carlsen gained momentum, while Wesley So took the lead.
Norway Chess has consistently innovated to enhance the experience for players and fans, introducing features like the 'confession box' and the Armageddon tie-break to make elite chess more engaging and decisive.
Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title.
R Praggnanandhaa described his Norway Chess triumph as the biggest achievement of his career, emphasising that defeating some of the world's strongest players - including the great Magnus Carlsen - made the title particularly memorable.
Greece secured a surprising 1-0 victory over hosts Germany in their Nations League Group A2 match, with Dimitris Kourbelis scoring the decisive goal. This defeat marks a difficult start for new German coach Juergen Klopp, who has now failed to win either of his first two matches in charge. The win puts Greece atop their group, while Germany remains on one point.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honoured Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa with a Rs 50 lakh cash incentive for winning the Norway Chess title, making him the first Indian to achieve this feat. The Chief Minister also played a game of chess with the young Grandmaster.
D Gukesh defeated R Praggnanandhaa in a classical battle at the Norway Chess tournament, while Divya Deshmukh leads the women's section after a victory over China's Zhu Jiner.
D Gukesh surrendered to Wesley So in Armageddon, while red-hot Frenchman Alireza Firouzja tore past R Praggnanandhaa to storm to the top.
Cristiano Ronaldo abruptly left Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen, plunging his international future into doubt, shortly after coach Jorge Jesus acknowledged tensions between them. Ronaldo stated he would reveal the reasons for his departure 'in due course'.
On a dramatic Tuesday in the Champions League, Club Brugge secured a stunning 4-3 victory over Inter Milan, highlighted by Nicolo Tresoldi's hat-trick. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich was held to a 3-3 draw by Viking Stavanger after a late equaliser, while Barcelona recovered from a deficit to defeat Galatasaray 4-1. Atletico Madrid also overcame Manchester United 2-0, and Arsenal secured a 3-0 win against Lille, marking a night of significant results for Europe's top clubs.
Jio Platforms' initial public offering has garnered an overwhelming institutional demand of approximately Rs 2.5 lakh crore, significantly exceeding its Rs 8,110-crore anchor book, with global and domestic investors vying for a stake in the Reliance Industries subsidiary.
Alireza Firouzja takes the lead at Norway Chess after a strong performance, while D Gukesh faces a setback. In the women's competition, Divya Deshmukh shines with a victory.
D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa secured important wins in Round 7 of the Norway Chess tournament, while Divya Deshmukh defeated Koneru Humpy, boosting India's chances in the competition.
R Praggnanandhaa dealt another stunning blow to hometown hero and World No 1 Magnus Carlsen, defeating the Norwegian in a classical game for the second time at Norway Chess 2026.
Declan Rice scored a late equaliser for Arsenal in a 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Real Madrid secured a dominant 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig, largely due to Thibaut Courtois's saves. Manchester United suffered a bruising 4-1 defeat to Como, with Nico Paz starring for the Italian side. Other European matches saw Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Aston Villa, Real Betis, and LASK secure wins.
Divya Deshmukh has embraced the 'confession box' at Norway Chess, highlighting its potential to enhance player clarity and viewer engagement, despite its slow adoption among Indian grandmasters.
Germany secured their first win under new coach Juergen Klopp against Serbia in the Nations League. Portugal continued their strong run despite Cristiano Ronaldo's absence, while the Netherlands staged a comeback draw against Greece. Other results included Wales beating Norway and Ireland drawing with Austria amidst protests.
New Portugal manager Jorge Jesus included 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in his first squad for upcoming Nations League matches, emphasising that team selection will strictly depend on current performance.
D Gukesh emerged victorious after a bruising, nerve-jangling marathon battle against Vincent Keymer, and R Praggnanandhaa outplayed Alireza Firouzja but world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen suffered a rare opening-round defeat at Norway Chess, which began amid towering bookshelves at the historic Deichman Bjorvika public library in Oslo.
Erling Haaland urged Manchester City supporters to stick together and stay positive as the club appeals its financial verdict ahead of Sunday's crucial Liverpool clash at Anfield amid off-field turmoil.
'Growing up in Bangladesh, I always felt that I was a piece of meat. As soon as I walked down the street, I could be the president of Bangladesh and I would still be a piece of meat because I am a woman.'
India has reiterated its commitment to human rights and democracy following criticism from a Norwegian newspaper commentator during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Norway.
Lionel Messi has made the 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist after another prolific season, while five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo was omitted despite helping Al-Nassr secure the Saudi Pro League title.
The Indian chess team, including defending champions, faced significant delays and were left without hotel rooms for over five hours upon arrival in Samarkand for the 46th Chess Olympiad, prompting captains to voice their frustration on social media.
The Brazil national football team's training session in Kolkata drew an unprecedented media turnout, resembling a World Cup event, ahead of their friendly match against India. Despite the excitement, the event was marred by significant accreditation chaos for journalists. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti's squad is building towards the 2028 Copa America, with the India match serving as a crucial assessment opportunity.
Brazil's star centre-back Marquinhos discusses the significance of their FIFA international friendly against India in Kolkata. He views the match as a "golden opportunity" for the Selecao to gain experience and kickstart a new cycle after their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Marquinhos acknowledges India's strong fan base for Brazil and emphasises the team's commitment to every game, regardless of its "friendly" status, as they focus on rebuilding confidence and winning.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed respect for the Indian team ahead of their match in Kolkata, viewing it as an opportunity for his squad rather than a test. He discussed the challenges of managing a national team, the importance of commitment and joy in football, and the ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup, including significant squad changes and the blend of youth and experience. Ancelotti also reflected on Brazil's recent World Cup disappointment and the evolving nature of football.
India is set to host five-time world champions Brazil in a historic invitational football friendly in Kolkata. The match, while offering invaluable exposure for the Indian team, has also drawn criticism over its cost and the decision to withdraw from the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The event carries political significance and marks a key step in Brazil's rebuilding process.
Five-time world champions Brazil are set to play India in an invitational friendly at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, marking their first-ever international meeting. The match, while a spectacle for Indian fans, has drawn criticism regarding its cost and impact on Indian football development, with former captain Bhaichung Bhutia questioning its value over long-term investment. For Brazil, it's part of a rebuilding process, while India aims to gain invaluable experience against a top-tier team.
