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.
The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) will commence in Hyderabad on October 8, featuring 12 international archers, including Olympic bronze medallist Casey Kaufhold and other Olympic medallists like Mete Gazoz and Alejandra Valencia. The 11-day tournament aims to establish India as a key destination on the global archery calendar.
India has removed a key regulatory hurdle, allowing exporters to receive payments in Indian currency while retaining incentives under the country's foreign trade policy, a move aimed at promoting wider use of the rupee in international trade.
Ladakh has inaugurated its first international-level artificial ice hockey rink, a state-of-the-art facility costing Rs 42 crore. Equipped with a 24x7 chilling system, it allows year-round training, overcoming the previous limitation of a short natural ice season. This development is expected to boost winter sports, nurture local talent, and promote sports tourism in the region.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is reviewing its internal processes and protocols following lapses in three papers of the UGC-NET June 2026 examination, leading to re-tests for English, Commerce, and Sociology. The agency stated it proactively identified issues and is taking corrective measures to ensure fair and error-free examinations, amidst strong criticism from opposition leaders.
Ten-year-old Indian chess prodigy Aarit Kapil has secured his second International Master (IM) norm at the Rudar GM Closed Tournament in Serbia. With impressive victories against strong opponents and a current lead in the tournament, Aarit is now just one norm away from achieving the coveted IM title, showcasing his exceptional talent on the international stage.
Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his immediate retirement from all formats of international cricket, stating that the time is right for him to 'move on' after a career spanning over a decade.
The controversy within Hockey India regarding the change in the Indian teams' jersey colour has intensified. President Dilip Tirkey's deadline for Executive Director Commander RK Srivastava to submit documents explaining the decision was missed, leading to the Secretary General requesting an emergency Executive Board meeting. This issue, along with unaddressed harassment complaints, highlights significant internal strife within the organisation.
The US is reportedly considering a USD 100,000 fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, which allow international students to work in the US after graduation. This move by the Trump administration follows a rejected H1-B visa fee proposal and could significantly impact foreign graduates and tech companies. The Department of Homeland Security is also exploring a USD 100,000 bond for green card applicants.
What makes the tiger the undisputed king of the jungle?
Mumbai-based racer Aditya Patnaik achieved his maiden international victory by winning Round 3 of the Sporting Class at the Gold Vios Championship Malaysia. After finishing third in Race 1, Patnaik secured the top spot in Race 2 at the Sepang International Circuit, earning MYR 15,000.
Conservation takes many forms. Protecting the environment from excessive light pollution is one campaign. There are now more than 200 places in 22 countries certified by Dark Sky International as dark sky preserves.
Argentina's veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi has announced his retirement from international football after a 17-year career, which included winning the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Senior India batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, concluding a career that began in 2013 and included 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is.
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to retire from international football in September, with speculation suggesting his final match will be Portugal's UEFA Nations League fixture against Wales.
An Indian delegation, led by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, is undergoing training in Glasgow to learn about staging a multi-sport event. This is part of Ahmedabad's preparations to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking the event's return to India after two decades. The training covers various aspects of Games operations, including venues, transport, accreditation, and athlete accommodation, and includes sports diplomacy sessions.
International mutual fund schemes have seen a significant resurgence in investor interest, attracting approximately Rs 7,600 crore in net inflows over the past year, a stark reversal from previous outflows, driven by their strong outperformance against domestic markets and limited AI-linked investment opportunities in India.
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially commenced its international flight operations with an Air India Express service to Abu Dhabi, marking a significant boost in connectivity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and establishing a new global gateway.
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh inaugurated the 19th Governor's Taekwondo Cup in Imphal. He highlighted the tournament's long history since 1980 and the All-Manipur Taekwondo Association's success in producing over 40 international players. Singh emphasised taekwondo's role in instilling discipline, respect, and self-confidence, promoting respectful competition.
Kerala Police has launched a probe after an internal application, crucial for handling files, became dysfunctional, with officials suspecting a cyber attack. The system, maintained by Keltron through a private firm, has been non-functional for four days, affecting internal file movement. Police have confirmed no data breach, and public-facing services remain operational.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have become the first Indian pair to feature together in 400 international cricket matches.
Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta secured the championship at the Pune International Grandmaster Round Robin Chess Tournament. International Master Aswath S finished as runner-up, achieving his final Grandmaster norm to become India's 98th Grandmaster. Kushagra Mohan took third place, while Advik Agarwal earned his second International Master norm.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, easing restrictions on Russian athletes. This move, welcomed by the Kremlin, allows Olympic sports bodies to consider reintegrating Russian athletes as neutrals, though some sports like track and field are not following suit.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) reported a 20.8 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit for Q1 FY27, reaching 357.9 crore, despite macroeconomic headwinds like geopolitical tensions in West Asia impacting international travel and airline catering business.
Hyundai India Couture Week 2026 served up two very different visions of couture this weekend. While Falguni Shane Peacock looked beyond India's borders for inspiration, Rohit Bal turned the spotlight firmly onto the artisans who shaped his legacy.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has stated that 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for international cricket, but must follow the established process for selection.
Brazilian football legend Neymar Jr. has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's shocking 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The 34-year-old forward, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, confirmed his decision after the match, marking the end of a celebrated career with the national team.
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma missed the cut at the BMW International Open on his return to competitive golf. Meanwhile, Germany's Thomas Rosenmueller shot the day's best round to move into contention for the title, just two strokes behind the leaders.
Neymar has suggested he may have played his final match for Brazil following their 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16, a result that eliminated the five-time champions. The emotional 34-year-old scored a penalty but indicated his international career might be over, marking Brazil's worst World Cup performance since 1990.
England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket following the ongoing Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The 22nd Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament, scheduled for January 2027, will feature a record-breaking prize pool of Rs 1.32 crore, making it the open tournament with the highest prize money globally. The event will have three categories, attracting FIDE-rated players, Grandmasters, and amateurs alike, with over 3,000 participants expected. This tournament has historically been crucial for developing Indian chess talent, including stars like D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa, and aims to establish New Delhi as a global chess hub.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted India's growing global sporting stature, evidenced by the increasing number of international events the country is hosting. He announced that India is set to host 36 international events between January 2025 and June 2026, along with 9 events this year and 19 in 2027-2028. Mandaviya also spoke about government support for athletes, transparent selection processes for major events like the Commonwealth Games, and improved domestic athletic performances, citing 26 national records broken in Indian athletics recently.
India is set to host 11 international sporting events in the next six months, including the Badminton World Championships. The Sports Ministry has pledged to provide top-notch facilities, addressing previous criticisms of playing conditions, and is actively preparing for future Olympic bids.
Indian rugby player Sumit Kumar Roy highlights the critical role of international exposure and the Rugby Premier League in the team's recent success, including a silver medal in Asia's top rugby sevens competition. The team aims for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics, learning from global players and focusing on discipline. Uruguay's Diego Ardao also emphasizes the need for skilled coaches and dedicated players to develop the sport in India, acknowledging the nation's vast potential despite the long road ahead for Olympic aspirations.
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc delivered a sensational ten-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the second Test at Mackay, surpassing Ravichandran Ashwin and Chaminda Vaas in the all-time international wicket-takers list, and earning both 'Player of the Match' and 'Player of the Series' awards.
Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and 19 former captains urged Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to ensure independent medical assessment, treatment and court-ordered family visits for Imran Khan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations from Kolkata's iconic Red Road on June 21, with over 210 Indian Missions organising events at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide under the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'.
Gold and silver prices are expected to continue their upward trend next week, driven by anticipation of key US inflation data and Federal Reserve signals, though profit-booking may occur at higher levels.
Jai Moondra, a left-arm medium pacer from Rajasthan, made a dream international debut for Ireland, taking a wicket with his first ball against India. His journey is remarkable, having left a secure corporate job at Intel after pursuing an MTech in Dublin to chase his cricketing dream, culminating in a historic victory for Ireland.
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