The decision was made following Germany's World Cup exit in the Round of 32 following their loss to Paraguay.
The 2026 World Cup has been marred by widespread controversy surrounding the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, with coaches, players, and fans criticising its application, consistency, and impact on match outcomes, leading to a significant increase in interventions and red cards.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has rebranded as World Tennis, announcing an ambitious vision to increase global participation by 30% to 140 million players by 2035. The organisation, which governs the sport and runs major competitions, plans to reinvest 85% of its income annually for the next decade to achieve its strategic goals, including powering future stars and elevating national competitions. The name change aims to enhance recognition and foster greater collaboration within the sport.
Mumbai's coastal luxury residential redevelopment pipeline is valued at approximately 6,000 crore, with 75-80 projects expected to launch over the next eight to nine quarters, driven by improved infrastructure and demand for waterfront living.
Croatia's World Cup exit sparked controversy after coach Zlatko Dali launched a furious attack on the refereeing following their 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade on Thursday, recovering from a sharp fall in the previous session, driven by foreign fund inflows and buying in key blue-chip stocks. Track Sensex, Nifty on July 9, 2026.
Former India selector Sarandeep Singh has advocated for the inclusion of 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian playing eleven for the upcoming T20 series opener against England. Singh believes Sooryavanshi, who was in stellar form in the IPL and for India A, should be given an opportunity to debut, potentially becoming India's youngest cricketer.
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
It, however, conceded that 20 per cent blending of ethanol with petrol leads to 3-5 per cent lower mileage in vehicles than conventional petrol, but said the blend offers a significantly higher octane rating, superior anti-knock properties, faster combustion, better pickup, smoother acceleration, and cleaner engine operation.
Cheteshwar Pujara suggests earmarking 25-30 domestic players for Test cricket, even if they aren't part of the Indian Premier League, while acknowledging the rise of white-ball specialists.
India skipper Shubman Gill has strongly rejected the idea of pruning ODIs to 40 overs, instead advocating for more triangular or quadrangular series to revive the struggling format amidst the rise of T20Is.
Noel Tata, a veteran of the Tata group, announced his decision to step down as the chairman of Voltas, following a similar move at Trent, citing the development of a new generation of leaders within the company.
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.
Hollywood veteran Jodie Foster has controversially suggested that Brad Pitt's recent film "F1" was created using Artificial Intelligence, citing its formulaic structure and dialogue. She discussed the growing influence of AI in the film industry, acknowledging its potential to replace jobs but also its utility if filmmakers can control the technology.
State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has approved the development of a 1.75 million tonnes (mt) strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) in Mangaluru, a project deemed of national importance, with plans for broad commercial utilisation.
Fourteen civil society organisations from Manipur have urged the Centre to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state before the completion of Census 2027. They argue this is essential to address concerns over demographic changes and alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar, which they believe has altered the state's population profile.
Investor interest in precious metal exchange-traded funds (ETFs) rebounded sharply in June, with silver ETFs attracting an estimated 4,900 crore and gold ETFs around 2,900 crore in net inflows, following a significant correction in gold and silver prices.
Meghalaya has shown significant progress in digital transactions and financial inclusion, recording 32.76 crore digital transactions and nearly 10 lakh Jan Dhan accounts by 2025-26. Efforts like the JAM Trinity and financial literacy programmes have expanded banking access, with a high percentage of bank account holders adopting digital modes. The next phase focuses on enhancing financial literacy and cyber resilience, especially in rural areas.
India captain Shreyas Iyer described his team's 125-run defeat against England in the third T20 International as 'atrocious,' criticising the bowling unit and the team's overall performance.
'The Dravidian parties wanted to prevent the TVK from forming a government.'
Having governed Odisha for 24 uninterrupted years, the BJD now finds itself in the unfamiliar role of Opposition. Its organisational overhaul following the 2024 defeat has yet to produce a recognisable second line of leadership.
Tributes continued to pour in for former India captain Sourav Ganguly a day after he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, with batting great Sachin Tendulkar and former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh congratulating one of India's most successful captains.
India's T20I team is facing significant challenges under its new leadership, with captain Shreyas Iyer and vice-captain Tilak Varma under scrutiny after consecutive series losses in the UK. The team's poor performance, especially after a recent T20 World Cup win, has led to questions about player selections and management decisions, particularly concerning Tilak Varma's form and role.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear appeals challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision to designate the Bhojshala complex as a Goddess Saraswati temple, a ruling that also quashed Muslim prayer rights at the historic site.
India is navigating a complex diplomatic landscape, attempting to balance its 'forever honeymoon' with the Israel-UAE-Bahrain axis against its historical ties with Iran, as evidenced by recent high-level visits and evolving geopolitical realignments in the Middle East, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
The Indian corporate bond market witnessed a significant surge, with companies raising nearly Rs 16,000 crore in a single day, primarily led by state-owned financial institutions and NBFCs. This strong momentum, driven by improved borrowing conditions and investor confidence, is expected to persist.
'...Or will we take a positive approach and learn from those mistakes so that it is not repeated in future?'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Seychelles, engaging in biodiversity conservation efforts with President Patrick Herminie. The visit included observing Aldabra Giant Tortoises and planting the unique Coco de Mer, symbolising India and Seychelles' commitment to environmental protection and strengthening bilateral ties.
The outgoing Army Chief was accorded ceremonial honours and paid tribute at the National War Memorial.
Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief, urged Kashmiri Pandits to move beyond past grievances and invest in a shared future in the Kashmir Valley. Speaking at the Kheer Bhawani mela, she highlighted the warmth between communities and called for government support for Pandits, while also appealing to them to isolate those who seek to use them for political agendas.
The US Department of Transportation has proposed new rules to reverse a five-decade ban on overland supersonic flights, driven by advancements in quiet supersonic technology like NASA's X-59 aircraft. This move aims to enable a new era of faster air travel while addressing noise concerns, with final rules expected by mid-2027.
Kylian Mbappe admitted VAR confusion distracted him before his missed penalty against Morocco but said France's talented squad still has plenty to prove despite reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a 2-0 victory.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles is gearing up for the next phase of electric vehicle adoption in India, targeting over 30% EV penetration by FY31. The company plans to launch four new products and over ten refreshes by FY31, expanding its portfolio to ten EV nameplates. This strategy aims to move beyond early adopters to engage the early and late majority consumers, focusing on enhanced range, faster charging, and improved battery technology.
Dublin-born defender Roberto Lopes, who represented Cape Verde in a recent tournament, received a hero's welcome upon his return to Dublin. Cape Verde, making their debut, impressed by reaching the knockout stage and narrowly losing to reigning champions Argentina, captivating fans globally. Lopes expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from Ireland.
Senior PCB selector Aaqib Javed has revealed that Shan Masood's leadership and game management issues led to Babar Azam's reinstatement as Pakistan's Test captain. The PCB plans to give Babar a long-term run, backing him for two to three years to bring stability ahead of challenging tours to the West Indies and England.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association has upgraded the M Chinnaswamy Stadium's floodlighting system to advanced LED technology, replacing older metal-halide lights. This upgrade ensures superior illumination, energy efficiency, and compliance with modern broadcasting standards, enhancing the experience for players, officials, and viewers.
Julien Alfred became the third-fastest woman in 200m history with a 21.51-second win, while Emmanuel Wanyonyi broke a 27-year-old world record in the rarely contested 1,000m at the Monaco Diamond League.
Iran's football coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has strongly criticised the United States for imposing travel restrictions on his team during the World Cup, claiming it unfairly hampered their preparation and performance.
The next-generation missile is expected to be substantially smaller and lighter than the current BrahMos, which weighs around 3 tonnes. The reduction in weight could allow fighter aircraft to carry more missiles per sortie, enhancing combat effectiveness.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, saw early gains driven by strong buying in blue-chip bank stocks, fresh foreign fund inflows, and a decline in global crude oil prices, boosting investor confidence.
