Lionel Messi said Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain had left "immense" pain but praised his team for reaching a second successive final and thanked supporters for uniting behind the national side.
I was armed with two dictaphones -- and a bottle of whisky that the editor had paid for, to lubricate the conversation.
Indian MMA fighter Sangram Singh secured the STRIKE Asia Championship title by defeating Pakistan's Mohammed Abid Ali with a stunning knockout in just 80 seconds. This victory extends Singh's unbeaten professional record and highlights his successful transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts, further solidifying his status as a top Indian combat sports athlete.
Bangladesh secured a 2-1 T20 series victory over Zimbabwe, winning the final match by four wickets. Opener Tanzid Hasan's unbeaten 66 and a crucial partnership with Towhid Hridoy were instrumental in chasing down Zimbabwe's target of 143.
The West Bengal Congress on Tuesday held its Martyrs' Day programme in Kolkata after several years, commemorating the youth wing workers killed in the 1993 police firing, and said the attendance at the gathering marked the party's revival in the state.
Following India's disappointing limited-overs tour of the UK, head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management are facing intense scrutiny over selection decisions, particularly the omission of Kuldeep Yadav in the third ODI. Former cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh criticised the team's logic, while also praising Rohit Sharma's century under pressure. The tour has sparked broader discussions about team selections and optimal talent utilisation.
Dr. Roopak Ikhe, an anaesthesiology diploma student, undertook the protest alone.
Didier Deschamps has revealed that a "stifling atmosphere" around him led to his decision to step down as France coach after 14 years.
Delhi Police executed a meticulously planned overnight operation, involving white sheets and potential network jammers, to shift activist Sonam Wangchuk to a government hospital after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike, following directions from the Delhi High Court.
The CBI has revealed that Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, a coaching centre owner arrested in the NEET paper leak case, allegedly paid Rs 5 lakh to an NTA panel member, P V Kulkarni, for leaked chemistry questions. The agency recovered handwritten notes matching NTA's master question sets from Motegaonkar's phone, taken days before the exam.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have become the first Indian pair to feature together in 400 international cricket matches.
The Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS, Delhi, has appealed to President Droupadi Murmu for an independent, time-bound inquiry into the alleged use of force against peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar and raised concerns over activist Sonam Wangchuk's reported inability to leave Safdarjung Hospital.
The appointment comes as Agnikul prepares for Mission 02, a flight that will attempt, for the first time on Indian soil, the recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster and the extension of a rocket's upper stage into an on-orbit platform.
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal has strongly criticised the Central government's crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters, comparing the police brutality to that of the British Raj. He announced the launch of a helpline to provide medical and legal aid to injured protesters and their families.
Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the United States, has launched a new social-first series called 'More to Love'. This campaign aims to leverage the success of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which was hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, to encourage international fans to return and explore more of the country's diverse attractions, including its national parks and various states. The campaign is being amplified globally, including in India.
Forty-six militants of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group) surrendered before security forces in Manipur on Tuesday, the police said.
The India and England players wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence ahead of the start of the third and final at Lord's on Sunday to pay tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers, who died on Friday, July 17, 2026.
India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the series-deciding third and final One-Day International against England at Lord's due to swelling in his left knee, sustained during the second ODI in Cardiff.
Hundreds of students and supporters returned to Jantar Mantar to protest alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, asserting that police action on Monday had only strengthened their resolve. The demonstration, joined by parents, reiterated demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and called for greater transparency and fairness in competitive exams.
The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order protecting India cricketer Abhishek Sharma's personality rights, restraining third parties from misusing his name, image, and AI-generated content for commercial or personal gain. The court directed online platforms to remove infringing material, citing the spread of false and obscene content that damages his reputation and commercial value.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who recently assumed charge as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Telangana Police, paid a courtesy call on Telangana Director General of Police CV Anand.
Azim Premji's private investment firm, Premji Invest, has quietly built a formidable portfolio of 11 AI startups, primarily in the US, with a combined valuation of $43 billion. The firm has participated in 19 funding rounds since 2021, with a notable focus on US-based companies, many of which were founded by Indian entrepreneurs.
A BEST bus operating on a wet lease crashed into a roadside divider on the Sion-Panvel highway in Mumbai's Mankhurd area, resulting in one fatality and ten injuries. The driver claimed brake failure. This incident marks the third major BEST bus accident in Mumbai this month.
Kushagra Ojha scored an unbeaten century, guiding India U-19 to a strong position of 253 for three against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the second Youth Test. After a shaky start where India lost two early wickets for no runs, Ojha, along with Yashbardhan Chauhan (78) and Manal Chauhan (55*), built crucial partnerships to stabilise the innings.
Delhi Capitals all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma has been signed by English county Hampshire for the upcoming One-Day Cup. The move was facilitated by the GMR Group, which co-owns both teams. Sharma, known for his explosive batting and record-breaking T20 fifty, will bring his power-hitting skills to the 50-over domestic tournament in England.
Court-appointed administrator Justice Gita Mittal has proposed extensive constitutional amendments for the All India Tennis Association (AITA). These reforms aim to align AITA with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, by significantly increasing athlete representation in decision-making bodies, downsizing the Executive Committee, and establishing independent ethics and dispute resolution committees. The changes, which include inducting Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit into key committees and reducing state association representation, await approval at an upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting.
The Ram Temple trust in Ayodhya has implemented a new, two-shift system for counting cash donations, overseen by the State Bank of India (SBI), following an embezzlement scandal. A new team, including ex-servicemen and supervisors, has been deployed to enhance security and transparency in the process, aiming to prevent future theft and restore public trust.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, accusing the global governing body of 'destroying the football industry' through the expansion of international competitions at the expense of domestic leagues and clubs. Tebas also criticised the handling of a US player's ban and the proposed expansion of the men's World Cup.
The halftime interval in Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is set to last more than 15 minutes because of the installation required for the tournament's first halftime entertainment show, broadcasting sources said on Friday.
A government primary school headmistress in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, was suspended and an FIR registered against her after she allegedly brandished a knife and cleaver on school premises. The incident, which was captured on video, led to an inquiry. The teacher claimed she carried the weapons for personal safety, while her husband suggested mental health issues.
The NDA's parliamentary party meetings will now be known as 'Mangal Milan', with the first under this new name scheduled for July 21. This change was informally discussed in the Union cabinet. Additionally, the newly formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), comprising 20 MPs who defected from the TMC, is seeking formal recognition and parliamentary facilities, including a party office and designated floor leaders.
Former HCL Technologies CEO Vineet Nayar's new book, "Humans First, Machines Second: 30 Sparks for Winning in the Age of AI," argues that the greatest risk of the AI era is not advanced machines, but humanity losing faith in its unique capabilities. The book advocates for investing in human potential over solely adopting technology faster.
Former HCL Technologies CEO Vineet Nayar's new book, "Humans First, Machines Second: 30 Sparks for Winning in the Age of AI," argues that the greatest risk of the AI era is not advanced machines, but humanity losing faith in its unique capabilities. The book advocates for investing in human potential over solely adopting technology faster.
Himachal Pradesh is on high alert with schools and colleges shut in several districts as heavy rainfall triggers landslides, flash floods, and road closures, prompting authorities to issue warnings and activate emergency centres.
Approximately 27 workers are trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim's Namchi district following a landslide and suspected gas leak. Rescue operations are underway, but the presence of gas, believed to be methane, is complicating efforts, causing dizziness among rescue personnel. Teams from NDRF, SDRF, and West Bengal are involved in the challenging operation to save the workers.
Families of the AI-171 crash victims are demanding the release of black box data and cockpit voice recorder transcripts, questioning the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) decision to withhold this crucial information while promising only a final probe report.
Mumbai witnessed a second consecutive day of protests by Opposition parties and residents, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET fiasco and condemning the police crackdown on a CJP-led march in Delhi.
French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja defeated reigning world champion D Gukesh in a 69-move battle at the Chennai Grand Masters 2026, taking the sole lead after the second round. Indian players M Pranesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin all secured draws against their respective opponents in the prestigious tournament.
India has advised its nationals to postpone travel to Iran and urged those already there to consider leaving due to increasing instability and conflict in the region. The advisory from the Indian Embassy in Tehran highlights heightened caution and the need to monitor the security situation.
Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has paid an emotional tribute to the late Sir Garfield Sobers, hailing him as the West Indies' greatest player whose legacy will endure.
