News for 'First World'

Mbappe takes blame after France's FIFA World Cup heartbreak

Mbappe takes blame after France's FIFA World Cup heartbreak

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

France captain Kylian Mbappe admitted his side failed both tactically and technically in their 2-0 FIFA World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, ending their hopes of a third successive final appearance.

Southampton's Utilita Bowl to host first men's Ashes Test in 2025

Southampton's Utilita Bowl to host first men's Ashes Test in 2025

Rediff.com23 Jul 2026

Southampton's Utilita Bowl will host a men's Ashes Test for the first time in 2025, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the concurrent scheduling of the men's and women's Ashes series against Australia, mirroring the successful 2023 format.

US Open PIX: Wimbledon champion Noskova sails past Tararudee; Muchova mauls Boulter

US Open PIX: Wimbledon champion Noskova sails past Tararudee; Muchova mauls Boulter

Rediff.com3 Sep 2026

Linda Noskova eased to a straight sets win over Thailand's Lanlana Tararudee on Wednesday to reach the US Open third round.

Xi, Putin, Pezeshkian: BRICS' power-packed guest list

Xi, Putin, Pezeshkian: BRICS' power-packed guest list

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together numerous world leaders including presidents from China, Russia, South Africa, Iran, and Egypt, along with prime ministers and foreign ministers from other nations. The summit will feature bilateral talks and highlights the expanded BRICS grouping's growing global influence and India's significant role as a founding member and current chair.

India-Afghanistan cricketing bond celebrated at 'Koh-E-Zafar'

India-Afghanistan cricketing bond celebrated at 'Koh-E-Zafar'

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Afghanistan Cricket Board hosted 'Koh-E-Zafar' in New Delhi to celebrate the strong cricketing friendship between India and Afghanistan.

Hockey World Cup: India rout Pakistan to finish second in Pool D, stay in semi race

Hockey World Cup: India rout Pakistan to finish second in Pool D, stay in semi race

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored a brace each to help India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in their final Pool D match of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, on Wednesday.

Spain Coach Slams Argentina's 'Intolerable' World Cup Final Brawl

Spain Coach Slams Argentina's 'Intolerable' World Cup Final Brawl

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has strongly condemned the post-match clashes that marred the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, calling the behaviour of Argentina's players 'unacceptable' after his side lifted the trophy with a dramatic extra-time victory.

Young Golfer Hissi Besra Shines At US Kids India North Championship

Young Golfer Hissi Besra Shines At US Kids India North Championship

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Hissi Besra, a promising young golfer, secured the US Kids India (North) title in the Girls 11-12 section with an outstanding round of 5-under 67. The tournament also saw strong performances from other junior golfers like Nihal Cheema, Rayirth Jain, and Drona Singh Dhull, showcasing emerging talent in Indian junior golf.

New Study Reveals Asymmetric Expansion Of Extreme Heat Seasons Globally

New Study Reveals Asymmetric Expansion Of Extreme Heat Seasons Globally

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

A new study published in AGU Advances reveals that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and expanding beyond traditional summer months globally. This expansion is asymmetric, occurring earlier in spring in regions like western Europe and northwestern India, and later into autumn in areas such as the western US and eastern China. Researchers highlight the challenges this poses for human acclimatisation and community preparedness, as existing infrastructure like cooling centres are built around historical summer calendars.

Ribhav Saroha to lead India at Junior Davis Cup Finals

Ribhav Saroha to lead India at Junior Davis Cup Finals

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

India's Under-16 tennis star Ribhav Saroha will captain the national team at the upcoming junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo, Egypt. The team, also featuring Hruthik Katakam and Tavish Pahwa, will compete against top international sides from November 2 to 8.

India's 501-strong squad eyes a new Asian Games high

India's 501-strong squad eyes a new Asian Games high

Rediff.com6 days ago

India's large contingent of 501 athletes is set to compete at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, aiming to showcase the nation's growing sporting depth and its ambition to become a global top-10 sporting power by 2036. Despite initial accommodation challenges, the focus is on building on the momentum from the record 2022 Hangzhou Games, with strong medal hopes in shooting, athletics, cricket, badminton, and hockey.

FIH Hockey World Cup: What makes India's attack so dangerous?

FIH Hockey World Cup: What makes India's attack so dangerous?

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

The Indian men's hockey team's forward line, including Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, and Shilanand Lakra, is meticulously preparing for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup. They are focusing on chemistry, consistency, and the evolving role of modern forwards, which now includes being the first line of defence. Senior players like Mandeep are mentoring younger talents, emphasising teamwork, mental fortitude, and converting chances.

'Start getting excited': CSA CEO's 2027 World Cup plea

'Start getting excited': CSA CEO's 2027 World Cup plea

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki expressed excitement as the brand identity and 12 host venues for the 2027 ODI Cricket World Cup were unveiled, marking the tournament's return to Africa after 24 years with a new three-stage format.

'Mirzapur Has Changed The Scale At Which My Work Was Being Seen'

'Mirzapur Has Changed The Scale At Which My Work Was Being Seen'

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

'Morally ambiguous characters are most interesting to play.'

Real Madrid's Valverde headlines Uruguay squad for India friendly

Real Madrid's Valverde headlines Uruguay squad for India friendly

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

Uruguay has announced a star-studded squad, including Real Madrid's Federico Valverde and Liverpool's Darwin Nunez, for an international friendly against India in Kolkata on October 6. The match will also mark Diego Forlan's debut as head coach for Uruguay, who will also face Panama and Brazil in other friendlies.

Manas Dhamne On Finding Consistency In Professional Tennis

Manas Dhamne On Finding Consistency In Professional Tennis

Rediff.com4 days ago

Indian tennis prodigy Manas Dhamne, 18, discusses his journey as a professional, highlighting the need to regain his instinct for closing out tight matches and achieving consistent performance. Despite recent challenges, Dhamne believes his game is strong and focuses on mental consistency and continuous improvement rather than major technical changes or specific ranking targets.

Kevin Pietersen Returns To England Set-Up As White-Ball Mentor

Kevin Pietersen Returns To England Set-Up As White-Ball Mentor

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a Specialist Mentor for the England men's white-ball teams, aiming to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Big call on India's openers ahead of Afghanistan T20I

Big call on India's openers ahead of Afghanistan T20I

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

Former India cricketer Vivek Razdan has shared his preferred batting lineup for India's first T20I against Afghanistan, advocating for Shreyas Iyer to retain his number four spot and Sanju Samson to open the innings. Razdan emphasized performance over the left-right batting combination, highlighting Samson's recent T20 form. The series opener will also see a selection dilemma with multiple openers available and marks Iyer's first home series as captain.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi says World Cup final loss will leave lasting pain

FIFA World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi says World Cup final loss will leave lasting pain

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

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.

Zaheer Khan's big new role with Yuvraj Singh revealed

Zaheer Khan's big new role with Yuvraj Singh revealed

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has joined the ownership group of Vancouver Anchors, a franchise in the Canada Super 60 league, reuniting with his former teammate Yuvraj Singh. Khan brings his extensive international cricket experience to the league, which features men's and women's competitions and aims to promote global cricket growth.

US Open PIX: Zverev demolishes Khachanov, meets Shelton in final

US Open PIX: Zverev demolishes Khachanov, meets Shelton in final

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov in a hard-fought US Open semi-final, winning in three sets. This victory propels him to his sixth major final and second at Flushing Meadows, marking a significant achievement in his career.

'Never thought I'd see this': Gauff on historic Black feat

'Never thought I'd see this': Gauff on historic Black feat

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Coco Gauff celebrates the historic U.S. Open semi-final clash between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, marking the first time two Black American men will compete at this stage in a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Gauff, also in the women's semi-finals, expressed her pride and admiration for Tiafoe's inspiring presence on tour.

FIFA World Cup watch party ends in tragedy in Jordan

FIFA World Cup watch party ends in tragedy in Jordan

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

A stampede occurred in central Amman during a crowded gathering of fans watching Jordan's World Cup match against Algeria, resulting in one death and eight injuries. The incident took place at Hashemite Square due to heavy congestion and crowd movement.

Sehwag to Host Rise and Fall

Sehwag to Host Rise and Fall

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

Rise and Fall Season 2 will feature Virender Sehwag as host, with 15 celebrities divided into Rulers and Workers, navigating power, money, alliances and shifting strategies.

'I Am Not A Junior Anymore': World Jr Squash Champion Anahat Singh Targets More Senior Events

'I Am Not A Junior Anymore': World Jr Squash Champion Anahat Singh Targets More Senior Events

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

Anahat Singh, the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships, discusses her historic victory and dismisses the notion of Egyptian players having a psychological advantage.

When Asian Games made headlines for all the wrong reasons

When Asian Games made headlines for all the wrong reasons

Rediff.com6 days ago

The Asian Games, a major multi-sport event, has a long history of controversies extending beyond the sporting arena. From diplomatic disputes and selection rows to doping scandals and disputed decisions, these incidents have often highlighted the intersection of politics, national interests, and sports.

How Satwiksairaj And Chirag Shetty Conquered China Masters

How Satwiksairaj And Chirag Shetty Conquered China Masters

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, fresh off their China Masters victory, reveal their "no Plan B" philosophy, focusing on strengths and tactical adjustments. They attribute their success to improved physical condition post-World Championships and meticulous reviews, which helped them secure their 10th BWF World Tour title and boost confidence for the upcoming Asian Games.

China Masters: Hooda Out, Doubles Pair Retires In Opening Round

China Masters: Hooda Out, Doubles Pair Retires In Opening Round

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Indian shuttlers Unnati Hooda and the men's doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun faced early exits at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament. Hooda lost in women's singles, while the doubles pair retired due to apparent fitness issues, marking a challenging start for the Indian contingent.

Shreyas Iyer stresses importance of game time for Jasprit Bumrah's return

Shreyas Iyer stresses importance of game time for Jasprit Bumrah's return

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

India T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer has highlighted the importance of regular game time and confidence for Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning from injury ahead of the Afghanistan T20I series, the Asian Games, and the ODI World Cup.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo ends World Cup drought, creates history in Portugal's must-win clash

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo ends World Cup drought, creates history in Portugal's must-win clash

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics in emphatic fashion by scoring in Portugal's crucial FIFA World Cup Group K match against Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday, becoming the first player in history to score at six different editions of a FIFA World Cup.

Infantino on course to survive FIFA vote as opponents explore new battle plan

Infantino on course to survive FIFA vote as opponents explore new battle plan

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Infantino appears to have enough global support to secure re-election, forcing opponents without a credible challenger to consider shifting from defeating him to curbing presidential powers.

'Pressure keeps me alive': Shooter Rudrankksh Patil eyes Asian Games medal

'Pressure keeps me alive': Shooter Rudrankksh Patil eyes Asian Games medal

Rediff.com6 Sep 2026

Rudrankksh Patil embraces pressure ahead of Asian Games 2026, saying it helps him stay focused as he targets strong performances in two events.

Chennai Grand Masters: Pranesh Defeats World Champion Gukesh

Chennai Grand Masters: Pranesh Defeats World Champion Gukesh

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

GM M Pranesh secured a significant victory over world champion D Gukesh, while GM Nihal Sarin defeated Arjun Erigaisi in the penultimate round of the Chennai Grand Masters. These results allowed French GM Alireza Firouzja to take the sole lead in the tournament.

Gukesh vs Sindarov: Geneva Set to Stage Youngest-Ever World Chess Final

Gukesh vs Sindarov: Geneva Set to Stage Youngest-Ever World Chess Final

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

The FIDE World Championship Match 2026 will feature reigning champion Gukesh D and challenger Javokhir Sindarov in Geneva, Switzerland. Both players will be 20, making it the youngest World Championship contest in history and signalling a generational shift in chess. The match will consist of 14 classical games, with tie-breaks if needed.

Hyderabad's Vishesh Sharma Wins Telangana Golconda Masters

Hyderabad's Vishesh Sharma Wins Telangana Golconda Masters

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

Local golfer Vishesh Sharma, 19, secured his first professional title at the Rs one crore Telangana Golconda Masters, finishing one stroke ahead of Amardeep Malik. The victory significantly boosts his season earnings and secures his spot in the DP World India Championship.

Rybakina beats qualifier Zheng to reach US Open semis and rise to No. 1

Rybakina beats qualifier Zheng to reach US Open semis and rise to No. 1

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Second seed Elena Rybakina ended Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen's stirring US Open run with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory on Wednesday, advancing to the semi-finals and securing the world number one ranking for the first time.

Navneet Kaur wants hockey team to repeat cricket's feat

Navneet Kaur wants hockey team to repeat cricket's feat

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Veteran striker Navneet Kaur believes the Indian women's hockey team is inspired by the cricket team's ODI World Cup triumph and aims to script a similar title-winning story at the FIH Women's World Cup.

Xi arrives in Delhi for BRICS summit, talks with Modi at 6 pm

Xi arrives in Delhi for BRICS summit, talks with Modi at 6 pm

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to India in seven years for the BRICS Summit and bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address crucial aspects of India-China relations, including trade, investment, and persistent border tensions.

From World No. 2 to Asian Games Medal Hope: Manav Thakkar's Next Big Mission

From World No. 2 to Asian Games Medal Hope: Manav Thakkar's Next Big Mission

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

'Being World No. 2 will give us good confidence when we compete at the Asian Games.'

Trump hails 'GREAT player' Harry Kane after England's World Cup win

Trump hails 'GREAT player' Harry Kane after England's World Cup win

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

United States President Donald Trump has praised England captain Harry Kane as a 'GREAT player' following his pivotal role in England's 3-2 FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 victory over co-hosts Mexico, where Kane scored his sixth goal of the tournament.