FIFA's new hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup have sparked controversy, with coaches including Marcelo Bielsa and Gustavo Alfaro claiming they disrupt football's rhythm and serve commercial interests more than player welfare.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said the hydration breaks introduced in each half of matches at the World Cup add nothing to football while destroying the sport's cultural essence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indian citizens to take precautions during the ongoing heatwave, emphasising hydration and care for vulnerable individuals and animals.
Fans at the World Cup are vocally protesting FIFA's newly introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks, booing the stoppages during matches in Dallas, Toronto, and Boston. Critics argue these breaks disrupt game flow and serve commercial interests, with one match seeing a team concede a goal shortly after a break.
England coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed Bukayo Saka is fully fit and available for the World Cup clash against Ghana, while also voicing concerns that FIFA's mandatory hydration breaks are disrupting the flow and identity of football.
It's been a very tough 2026 summer with many places all over the India map baking in daytime temperatures as high as 46C. Keep yourself well-protected.
With hot weather due and memories fresh of the scorching 2025 Club World Cup, FIFA has for the first time mandated three-minute hydration breaks in each half for all 104 matches of the World Cup starting this week in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered that insects, including fruit flies and mosquitoes, respond predictably to humidity cycles, suggesting humidity acts as a 'zeitgeber' or time giver for their biological clocks. This finding has broad implications for understanding circadian rhythms across animal systems, as insects' survival is closely tied to hydration levels.
Caleb Yirenkyi scored a stoppage-time winner to earn Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama in a chilly and lively World Cup game in which the African side were forced to play the second half without starting goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi on Wednesday.
Climate change has increased the likelihood of temperatures high enough to affect player performance at 97 of the 104 tournament matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups and Portugal's all-time leading marksman at the global finals with two goals in Tuesday's emphatic 5-0 Group K win over Uzbekistan in Houston.
Argentina booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage on Monday as Lionel Messi recovered from an early penalty miss to score a record-breaking double in a 2-0 victory over Austria.
Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics in spectacular fashion, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups.
The Netherlands secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Sweden in a World Cup match, with Brian Brobbey scoring an early double and Cody Gakpo adding two more in the second half. Crysencio Summerville sealed the rout with a late goal, despite Anthony Elanga pulling one back for Sweden. This win places the Netherlands at the top of Group F.
Brazil secured their spot in the World Cup knockout stages with a dominant 3-0 victory over Scotland. Vinicius Jr scored twice, continuing his impressive form, while Neymar made his much-anticipated return to the national team after nearly three years. The win saw Brazil top Group C, with Matheus Cunha also contributing a goal. Scotland's hopes now rest on qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
Bosnia and Herzegovina kept their World Cup hopes alive thanks to a stunning goal from teenager Kerim Alajbegovic, which powered them towards a tense 3-1 win over Qatar on Wednesday and secured third place in Group B to eliminate their opponents.
Ten-man Belgium dominated possession but could not break down a disciplined Iranian defence, with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand producing a string of saves to preserve the result in the Group G encounter.
World Cup matches to have mandatory hydration breaks in each half
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged 22 lakh students appearing for the NEET re-exam to do so "fearlessly and free of anxiety," while the National Testing Agency (NTA) reminded candidates to download fresh admit cards and adhere to entry guidelines.
The United States football team secured its place in the World Cup knockout stage with a convincing 2-0 victory over Australia. An early own goal and an Alex Freeman header sealed the win, despite the absence of key player Christian Pulisic. The team's depth was highlighted as they dominated the match, moving to six points in Group D.
Schools in Delhi are taking precautionary measures to protect students from the ongoing heatwave, including suspending outdoor activities, shifting assemblies indoors, and considering early closure for junior classes.
Switzerland found the keys to break down a resolute Bosnia and Herzegovina defence with four late goals in a 4-1 win thanks to a brace from Johan Manzambi and further strikes from fellow substitute Ruben Vargas and captain Granit Xhaka with a penalty.
Humidity, surprise showers and sticky weather call for one thing: makeup that looks fresh, light and effortless. The no-makeup makeup trend is made for monsoon days, letting your skin breathe while still looking fresh.
Humidity, surprise showers and sticky weather call for one thing: makeup that looks fresh, light and effortless. The no-makeup makeup trend is made for monsoon days, letting your skin breathe while still looking fresh.
Dr Rishikesh Malokar, senior consultant gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and therapeutic GI endoscopist at the Zynova Shalby Hospital, explains how habits such as unmonitored consumption of processed foods, skipping meals, and lack of fibre in the diet can quietly create havoc on the gut.
FIFA has announced a last-minute change to its Stadium Code of Conduct, prohibiting reusable water bottles and other containers at World Cup venues due to safety concerns. This decision, aimed at preventing injury, has raised questions among fans about coping with heat, though FIFA states measures like cooling stations will be in place.
The United States men's national team secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup Group D opener, with Folarin Balogun scoring two goals and Giovanni Reyna adding another.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has instructed officials to ensure the transparent and timely implementation of welfare schemes announced in the budget. She also appealed to the public to take precautions during the ongoing heatwave.
While being in an air-conditioned room can make you feel pleasant and comfortable, it also has its disadvantages, says Dr Manjusha Agarwal, consultant-internal medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai.
The CMF Watch 3 Pro, from Nothing's sub-brand, offers a vibrant AMOLED display, AI-powered features including ChatGPT support, comprehensive wellness tracking, and an impressive 13-day battery life, retailing in India from 6,999.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to ensure the transparent and timely implementation of welfare schemes announced in the budget, warning of potential fund reductions for departments failing to utilise allocated budgets effectively.
'The most important job after colouring your hair is maintaining it, which a lot of Indian women forget.'
'Confidence is built by doing difficult things, one day at a time.'
A simple routine of cleansing, moisturising and sunscreen is more effective than piling up products, advises Dr Rupika Singh, dermatologist and founder of Akiya Aesthetics.
PepsiCo India plans a significant investment of Rs 5,700 crore by 2030 to enhance its production capabilities, focusing on its concentrate plant in Madhya Pradesh, a unit in Assam, and land acquisition in Tamil Nadu to expand its snack business footprint in South India.
Football's global players' union has renewed concerns about the potential impact of heat on the 2026 World Cup, following a scientific analysis indicating a high likelihood of dangerous temperatures for both players and fans.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for heatwave conditions in parts of Kerala, prompting authorities to urge caution. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach up to 41 degrees Celsius in some districts. Strict guidelines have been issued, including the suspension of vacation classes and rescheduling of working hours.
'We should expect extreme heat, extreme rains, floods, landslides and maybe cyclones. Not just this year, in the coming year as well.'
On World Hypertension Day, Dr Anup Taksande, clinical director-cardiology and cardiac interventions at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, explains why you must think twice before reaching out for that pack of chips, sugar-free cereals or instant noodles.
Two school teachers in Odisha, engaged in census work, have died in separate incidents allegedly due to sunstroke, raising concerns about safety during the ongoing heatwave conditions.
