Legendary football manager Jose Mourinho disclosed that he had agreed to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 but ultimately chose to return to Chelsea, a decision he made 'with his heart'.
A senior Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) technician was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Beed for allegedly accepting a Rs 13,000 bribe. The technician demanded money to replace a faulty electricity meter and restore power supply to a complainant's residence.
The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship saw thrilling performances on its second day, with Audrey Werro defeating Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson in the women's 800m and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden clocking the season's fastest time in the women's 100m. Other notable winners included Kenny Bednarek in the men's 100m, Collen Kebinatshipi and Marileidy Paulino in the 400m, Haruka Kitaguchi in javelin, Klaudia Kazimierska in 1500m, Miltiadis Tentoglou in long jump, and Sandi Morris in pole vault.
Donald Trump announced a landmark agreement with Venezuela, claiming it to be the 'biggest oil deal in world history'. The deal reportedly grants the US majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven crude oil reserves, aiming to double American oil reserves and lower domestic gasoline prices.
In a major operational milestone, US fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets are set to participate in joint combat drills alongside the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the first time during the upcoming multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti 2026.
A Delhi court has granted default bail to six Ukrainian nationals arrested in connection with an NIA probe into a drone-warfare training camp linked to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, after the agency failed to file a chargesheet under UAPA within the stipulated time.
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 later on Friday (local time). A White House official confirmed the development to ANI without revealing further details.
Indian debutant Paritosh was eliminated from the Puyo Puyo Champions esports event at the Asian Games after a 0-5 loss to South Korea's Kang Dongshin in the quarterfinals. India also faced a defeat in the Pokemon UNITE event.
Tejaswin Shankar, India's national record holder in decathlon, secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games but expressed significant disappointment, stating he "lost the silver" rather than "won a bronze." He revealed his competitive drive, particularly against Japan's Yuma Muruyama, whom he beat in the final 1500m race. Shankar also discussed his demanding competition schedule and his strategy to achieve 8300 points for World Championships qualification, alongside his duties as a teaching assistant in the USA.
Five British nationals arrested on suspicion of terror charges related to an explosives threat near RAF Fairford have been released on police bail. The Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) investigation is ongoing, with stringent conditions placed on the suspects. Iran has denied any involvement, while former US President Donald Trump claimed US intelligence assisted in the arrests.
India, through First Secretary Petal Gahlot, strongly criticised Pakistan at the UN General Assembly, labelling it a "puppet regime" and warning of consequences for its continued support of terrorism. This came after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the Kashmir issue and credited Donald Trump for intervening in a hypothetical 2025 conflict. India highlighted Pakistan's internal political issues, its history with Osama Bin Laden, and the human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while also condemning its blasphemy laws and treatment of minorities.
The White House has launched 'Trump TV', a 24/7 streaming platform featuring past speeches and administration updates, amidst an escalating dispute with major news organisations over White House press access, which President Trump defends by accusing outlets of 'fake news'.
Americans Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Kenny Bednarek secured double sprint gold at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, each winning the 100m and 200m titles and a $300,000 jackpot. Jefferson-Wooden's 200m time of 21.47 seconds made her the third fastest woman in history, while Bednarek, known as "Kung Fu Kenny," dominated the men's 200m. The event, designed for television, drew sellout crowds and featured other star athletes like Gianmarco Tamberi and Mondo Duplantis, with World Athletics president Sebastian Coe noting its potential for future Olympic and World Championship elements.
The Bombay High Court severely criticised the Maharashtra FDA for its "undue haste" and "high-handed" actions, forcing the regulator to withdraw orders against Cipla Pharma and five restaurants at the Mumbai Cricket Association premises. The court admonished the FDA for violating principles of natural justice and taking a "pedantic instead of pragmatic view," even threatening contempt action against officials.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif repeatedly refused to answer reporters' questions regarding Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed during his visit to the United Nations headquarters for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Pharma major Lupin is significantly increasing its focus on biosimilars, aiming for a turnover of nearly $500 million from this segment over the next five years, driven by new product launches and expanded presence in key global markets like the US, Europe, and Japan.
Trump has enacted a new law imposing significant sanctions on Russia and Iran, which could lead to tariffs of up to 100% on major energy importers like India and China.
Indian long-distance runner Gulveer Singh clinched a silver medal in the men's 10,000m at the Asian Games, clocking 28:29.38 minutes. This achievement marks an upgrade from his previous bronze and adds to his impressive tally of international medals, including a silver at the Commonwealth Games. Gulveer attributed his success to a strategic race plan and dedicated support team.
India's title defence at the Chess Olympiad suffered a setback after a loss to hosts Uzbekistan, leaving them two points behind the leaders.
The Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI) is advocating for increased government support and improved grassroots infrastructure to make golf more accessible to young players in India. WGAI president Kavita Singh and Hero MotoCorp executive vice-president Sanjay Bhan challenged the perception of golf as an elitist sport, highlighting the need for public facilities and resources to foster talent and change mindsets. They stressed that government intervention is crucial for developing the sport and creating career opportunities beyond playing.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is establishing an in-house foundry in Bastrop, Texas, to produce high-spec gas turbine blades and vanes. This strategic move aims to alleviate a critical supply chain bottleneck hindering power generation for AI data centres in the US and accelerate natural gas turbine availability by up to 18 months. The facility will also leverage synergies with aerospace component manufacturing.
Top US and Chinese officials, including Vice Premier He Lifeng and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, held "candid, in-depth and constructive" talks in New York on economic and trade issues, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence. These discussions precede Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to Washington and occur amidst new US sanctions targeting countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, and the US unveiling an "AI Force."
Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his three-day visit to the US, stating that his discussions with President Donald Trump had injected "new substance" into the China-US relationship. Both leaders expressed optimism for future cooperation, with agreements reached on certain trade goods and discussions held on AI capabilities.
The United States has announced a new round of trade measures against Canada, including bans on Canadian dairy, alcoholic beverages, and motorcycles, and reshuffled existing tariffs. This escalation comes after Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on American goods. The US administration cited Canada's retaliatory actions as the trigger, contrasting it with other nations that chose negotiation over retaliation.
Trade negotiations between the United States and Canada have collapsed, leading to the US imposing 50% tariffs on nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian imports, with Canada immediately vowing to retaliate dollar-for-dollar.
A US Congress-constituted advisory body on religious freedom, the USCIRF, has urged the Trump administration to revoke the visa issued to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing concerns over alleged violent attacks against religious minorities by RSS subgroups.
Mohammed Asif, alias Hashim Moosa, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and a retired havildar from the Pakistan Army's elite Special Services Group (SSG) who once served in former president Pervez Musharraf's security convoy, was killed in a gunfight in central Kashmir's Budgam district.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is facing a thinning of its top management as Managing Director Dinesh Pant exits to join Irdai, leaving one of four MD posts vacant. This comes amidst broader staffing challenges across several public sector insurers and a headless Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB).
A global research report by HCLTech indicates that integration has surpassed supply chain constraints as the primary challenge for the semiconductor industry. The study, which surveyed 300 senior leaders, highlights increasing dependency on semiconductors across industries, with 98% of enterprises more reliant now than three years ago and 99% expecting further increases. AI is also driving the strategic importance of semiconductor architecture.
The US military has refuted Iran's Revolutionary Guards' assertion that an oil tanker struck a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the Panama-registered vessel, El Gaia, was previously hit by an Iranian missile and then a drone, highlighting ongoing Iranian attempts to impede commercial vessels in the crucial maritime trade route.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised delegates who walked out of the United Nations General Assembly during his speech, labelling them 'moral cowards.' He also addressed rising antisemitism and accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of fostering an unsafe environment for Jewish residents.
Indian table tennis mixed doubles pair Diya Chitale and Manush Shah secured a coveted Asian Games medal, overcoming a recent slump in form and the personal tragedy of Diya's coach Peter Engel's death. Their triumph is seen as a fitting tribute to Engel and fuels India's hopes for an Olympic medal in the future.
American tennis star Taylor Fritz was unexpectedly defeated by Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in a five-set thriller during the third round of the U.S. Open, marking Fritz's earliest exit from his home major in four years. Cerundolo's improved play in the latter sets secured his first-ever spot in the U.S. Open fourth round.
US lawmakers are racing to amend the Russia sanctions bill before recess. One amendment specifically names India, China, and other countries as potential targets for 100% tariffs due to their oil trade with Russia. Another significant amendment proposes to scrap the tariff section entirely, while others address presidential waiver powers and aid to Ukraine.
India has stated its commitment to protecting its economic interests and ensuring energy security after the US House of Representatives passed a bill allowing the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries, including India and China, for purchasing Russian crude oil. The Ministry of External Affairs affirmed India's resolve to maintain diversified energy sourcing and has articulated its concerns to US interlocutors regarding the bill's potential implications.
Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski defeated Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4, 7-6(6) to win the U.S. Open men's doubles title, marking their second Grand Slam doubles title of the year.
The political confidence required to place high-end Japanese aircraft and personnel on Indian soil is itself a data point.
It indicates a level of trust that would have been difficult to imagine when India-Japan defence ties were largely symbolic, explains Varun Arya.
In recent years, China and Russia have pushed for de-dollarisation within BRICS, which India has resisted. One reason is that India does not want to hurt its relationship with the United States, and another is the fear of China controlling trade because the renminbi is considered the strongest currency in the bloc today.
India's Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra has warned that the upcoming rabi (winter) crop season is likely to be challenging for rainfed areas due to the strengthening El Nio weather pattern, potentially affecting foodgrain production. This comes as Maharashtra declares drought in nearly 74 per cent of its talukas, highlighting the immediate impact of climate change.
US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, announced during his visit to Srinagar that the United States would reconsider its travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged the efforts by the central government and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in enhancing safety in the region, expressing hope that more Americans would visit the "incredibly beautiful place." Gor also met with CM Abdullah to discuss strengthening US-J&K relations.
