Former India coach Stephen Constantine shares his views on Lionel Messi, ranking him below Pele, Maradona, and Ronaldinho due to his reliance on teammates for defensive work. He also predicts Spain will win the upcoming final against Argentina, despite acknowledging Argentina's experience and Messi's match-winning ability. Constantine further discusses England's semi-final exit and criticises hydration breaks and refereeing controversies.
A new study reveals that India's annual gross primary productivity (GPP) increased significantly from 1985 to 2014 and is projected to continue rising until 2100, even under high-emissions scenarios. This enhancement is attributed to stronger precipitation and carbon dioxide fertilisation effects, with the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Northeastern India, and the Western Ghats expected to see the largest increases.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty extended their winning streak to a fourth consecutive day, driven by strong buying in blue-chip bank stocks and a decline in global crude oil prices. Fresh foreign fund inflows also contributed to the optimistic sentiment in the domestic equity market.
Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's health has significantly deteriorated on the 16th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, protesting alleged examination irregularities. His blood glucose and weight have dropped, prompting calls from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and political leaders like AAP's Atishi and CPI(M) MPs for government intervention and accountability.
Spain, led by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, defeated France 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, securing their place in the final. Yamal, who played a crucial role in the victory, has already expressed his team's readiness for the title clash in New York. This marks Spain's first World Cup final appearance since their 2010 triumph.
9 fascinating facts about the dinosaur that shattered auction records.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant slump in early trade, driven by escalating tensions in West Asia and a sharp rise in crude oil prices, alongside a bearish trend in other Asian markets.
Yastika Bhatia's historic century and a brilliant bowling display put India firmly in control of the first-ever women's Test at Lord's, leaving England facing a huge challenge to save the match.
By taking one of the oldest stories and finding new meaning within it, Christopher Nolan has created the most timely film of his career, asserts Mayur Sanap.
Poland's Secretary of State, Wladyslaw T Bartoszewski, has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with preventing Russian President Vladimir Putin from using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine in late 2022, highlighting Modi's significant influence on the Russian leader.
India's retail inflation rose to 4.38 per cent in June, driven primarily by costlier food items, pushing it above the Reserve Bank of India's median target of 4 per cent for the first time under the new series.
Former England Test coach Brendon McCullum has apologised for the team's performance during his tenure, acknowledging that the 'Bazball' approach did not yield desired results in key series against Australia and India. His departure follows a home series defeat to New Zealand and mounting pressure after the Ashes loss.
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed due to 'recent illegal movements' by the US military, demanding transit permits, while the US Central Command (CENTCOM) insists the strait is 'open to all vessels' and vows to ensure 'freedom of navigation'.
Second seed Elena Rybakina was defeated by Elise Mertens in the third round of Wimbledon, ending her bid for a second Grand Slam title this year and the world number one ranking. Mertens dominated after winning the first set tiebreak, securing a 7-6(4) 6-1 victory.
Paytm's parent company, One 97 Communications Ltd, has seen its domestic ownership increase to 51.6% in Q1 FY27, solidifying its status as an Indian-Owned and Controlled Company. This rise is driven by increased investments from mutual funds and insurance companies, reflecting growing investor confidence following Paytm's first full-year profit in FY26 and improved operating performance.
Paytm's parent company, One 97 Communications Ltd, has seen its domestic ownership increase to 51.6% in Q1 FY27, solidifying its status as an Indian-Owned and Controlled Company. This rise is driven by increased investments from mutual funds and insurance companies, reflecting growing investor confidence following Paytm's first full-year profit in FY26 and improved operating performance.
The Italian Football Federation has appointed legendary former captain Paolo Maldini as its new Technical Director, aiming to leverage his experience to revitalise the national team's international standing after recent World Cup qualification struggles.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has implemented a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for its personnel in Manipur, mandating the use of bulletproof vehicles and restricting stray movements, following recent ambushes on Assam Rifles troops. Concurrently, two elite CoBRA battalions have been deployed to conduct operations against armed miscreants, aiming to strengthen security and restore peace in the violence-hit state.
India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant drop of USD 5.654 billion, settling at USD 666.933 billion for the week ending June 26, following interventions by the RBI and public appeals by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conserve forex.
After 78 years of living with kerosene lamps, the remote village of Bihmari Bongaon in Assam has finally received electricity, marking a significant transformation for its residents and opening new opportunities for education and comfort.
In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court on Friday said the mere absence of a train ticket on the body of a deceased passenger cannot be a ground to deny compensation to the victim's family in a railway-accident case.
Brazil's national football team, the 'Selecao', suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup last 16, marking their sixth consecutive early exit and extending their title drought to 24 years. Fans criticised missed opportunities and manager Carlo Ancelotti's defensive tactics.
Pakistan's Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem admits feeling pressure as he prepares to defend his title at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Nadeem, who will lead Pakistan's contingent, is set to renew his rivalry with India's Neeraj Chopra, who missed the last Games. Despite recent injury setbacks for both athletes, Nadeem is confident in his preparation, including an international meet in Switzerland, to regain his form and secure another gold.
Inflows into foreign currency non-resident (bank), or FCNR (B), deposits have significantly underperformed market expectations, leading to a more than 1 per cent depreciation of the rupee against the dollar this week. Analysts point to fading RBI support measures, tepid interest due to rising global bond yields, and narrowing interest rate spreads compared to 2013 as key challenges.
Argentina battled their way into the semis after edging Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time and coming from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2.
It happened in 2017, two years after Scaloni ended his playing career. De la Fuente, then in charge of Spain's youth teams, was among the figures who helped guide a recently retired player taking his first steps towards management.
'Those under pressure from the BJP and the police, or due to court cases, the ED, CBI, CID, local police officers, or the STF, I request that you make your decision before July 21.'
Argentina has advanced to the World Cup final after defeating long-time rivals England with two late goals, sparking widespread celebrations across the country, particularly in Cutral Co, Patagonia, home to a new 85-foot statue of Lionel Messi.
'She taught us that acting wasn't something people did because they couldn't do anything else. It was a skill. A skill that needed to be constantly polished and shaped, and the respect you command with that.'
An Argentine war veterans federation has urged football fans to prioritise the World Cup semi-final against England as a sporting event, rather than using it to reignite sovereignty claims over the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. They emphasised diplomacy for territorial disputes and called for respect for fallen soldiers without promoting hatred.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente attributes his team's commanding 2-0 victory over France and progression to the World Cup final to a revived "spirit of 2010" and strong team unity. He praised the squad's commitment, solidarity, and talent, highlighting their collective goal-oriented approach and humility. Spain has now equalled Italy's unbeaten record and looks forward to the final, with De la Fuente emphasising the team's continuous potential for growth.
Retiring England women's cricket icons, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont were paid a heartfelt tribute by the Indian cricket team after the historic one-off Women's Test at Lord's on Monday.
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul highlights Lionel Messi's contentment and record-breaking performance as a significant morale booster for the team, who are 'one step away' from another World Cup final and preparing to face England.
A Joint Committee of Parliament has deferred the adoption of a draft report on a bill proposing the suspension, not permanent removal, of the prime minister, Union ministers, and chief ministers if detained for 30 days on serious criminal charges, opting for more consultations.
If your All India Rank (AIR) is in the three digits, you could get a seat at one of the prestigious AIIMS colleges and pay tuition fees of just under Rs 10,000 for the entire course. At the other end of the spectrum, if your AIR is in the lakhs, you could end up shelling out a crore at a private or deemed institution.
Alexander Zverev ended the fairytale Wimbledon run of Briton Arthur Fery with a 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4 win on Friday to reach the final, where he will have an opportunity to win back-to-back Grand Slam trophies after his French Open success.
One 97 Communications Ltd, operating Paytm, is set to issue its first bonus shares, following a landmark year of achieving its maiden full-year profit and gaining significant market share. The board will meet on July 20 to decide on the bonus issue, reflecting confidence in its financial strength and aiming to improve stock accessibility for retail investors.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia believes Lionel Messi needs to win the 2026 World Cup to truly equal Diego Maradona's legendary status, despite Messi's 2022 triumph. Bhutia rates Maradona higher due to his single-handed 1986 World Cup victory, while also tipping Spain as slight favourites over Argentina in the upcoming final.
Kranti Gaud announced herself on the Test stage with a stunning maiden five-wicket haul, while Smriti Mandhana's unbeaten fifty put India firmly in control against England.
A 34-year-old 'differently-abled' man, SabariVarman, arrested for selling tobacco products, died in judicial custody in Tamil Nadu's Kanniyakumari district, prompting his family to allege police brutality and stage protests demanding an investigation.
