France will host Euro 2016 after finishing ahead of close rivals Turkey and rank outsiders Italy in a UEFA vote on Friday. France President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared at the ceremony to support his country's bid as the French, who have also hosted two World Cups, were awarded the tournament for the third time.
Italy is extremely popular with Indians.
Switzerland will be among the eight seeded teams at the World Cup draw in December after they leapt to seventh in the latest FIFA rankings announced on Thursday, while Italy were edged out.
Indians work for 8.1 hours every day, more than the average figure for the entire developed world and individual countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Italy and Germany.
Fed Cup holders Italy overcame two stern tests on Sunday to beat Ukraine 4-1 in Kharkiv and book their place in the semi-finals where they will play the Czech Republic.
The group is seeking support in England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany by promising more places in an enlarged tournament and higher revenues from broadcasting rights, Marco Bogarelli, the strategic director of Wanda Sports Holding, the Chinese group's sports arm, told the newspaper.
Another Indian, Yuki Bhambri and his Dutch partner Robin Haase also progressed to the quarter-finals.
The striker has scored more goals for France than Thierry Henry but lives in the shadow of his French strike partner.
As Donald Trump registered a historic comeback in the US presidential election, many former Indian diplomats on Wednesday concurred that the India-US ties will "continue to grow" from strength to strength, even as some of them cautioned that Trump is "highly unpredictable" and New Delhi will have to "wait and watch" to see what position he adopts going forward.
A seven-city European roadshow by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) looks certain to reap dividends by the end of the year, even as Emirate plans a similar event in India.
Germany are determined to snap their tournament losing streak to Italy dating back almost half a century when the two meet in a Euro 2016 quarter-final on Saturday in Bordeaux, players said on Wednesday. The world champions have lost to Italy in every single tournament knockout match they have played against them, starting from a 1970 World Cup semi-final.
Alitalia is owned by CAI, a consortium of investors that bought the then-bankrupt airline in 2008.
Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors are expected to see overseas sales fall sharply following the recent removal of an incentive scheme.
The former world number one said she hoped to motivate young girls into sports with the doll.
World champions Spain returned to the top of the FIFA rankings on Wednesday while Brazil dropped to third place and Italy slumped to 11th. World Cup finalists the Netherlands also leapfrogged Brazil for second, a rise of two places, while England surprisingly moved up a rung to seventh despite a disappointing tournament in South Africa.
Dutch winger Arjen Robben has recovered from a groin injury and is fit to face France in their Group C game at Euro 2008, coach Marco van Basten said on Thursday.
The Dutch, who have not missed a Euro finals since 1984, kept their playoff chances alive with a 2-1 win in Kazakhstan
Hometown favourites Felix and Alexis Lebrun, at 17 and 20, also made it to the round of 32 in singles with clean 4-0 victories, against the backdrop of a packed stadium of French fans cheering for them and shouting their names.
Reigning world champions Argentina continue to top the chart followed by 2022 World Cup runners-up France, England, Belgium and Brazil.
Sweden beat Italy 1-0 to gain the upperhand after their World Cup playoff first leg on a chilly night, while a young England side held Germany goalless and Belgium drew 3-3 with Mexico despite Romelu Lukaku's double but France eased to a 2-0 victory against Wales.
Bhupathi said home comfort and the X-factor of Calcutta South Club's grasscourts hold India in good stead in the tie
Germany's holding midfielder Sami Khedira will miss their Euro 2016 semi-final against hosts France on Thursday after he sustained an adductor muscle injury in their quarter-final win over Italy, coach Joachim Loew said on Monday. Khedira, who had played in every match of the tournament so far, was taken off early in that game after overstretching during a challenge for the ball.
The Dutts love holidays and pictures!
Spain and Italy were placed in the same qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as were the Netherlands and France, but holders Germany were handed a kinder campaign with the Czech Republic their chief rivals in the draw made on Saturday.
World Cup holders Italy have knocked Brazil off the top of FIFA's world rankings after four and a half years.
Meanwhile, the grand pre-shaadi celebrations continue.
Images from the athletics action at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris, on Friday.
With a jam-packed schedule brimming with both legendary athletes and captivating storylines, Paris 2024 promises unforgettable moments.
France, World Cup winners in 1998 and finalists in 2006, missed out on a place in the eight top seeds for Friday's draw, announced by FIFA on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Muslims rallied in Rome and Milan on Saturday to show solidarity with the victims of jihadist attacks.
The medal tally at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
World number one Jannik Sinner's bid for a second Grand Slam title continued to gain momentum as he thumped Christopher O'Connell 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday to reach the US Open fourth round.
This time, let's visit France with Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar.
Meanwhile, France outclassed Ukraine 2-0 and Portugal beat Belgium 2-1 in the other Euro qualifiers.
Germany's players hailed their first victory against Italy in a major tournament as an exceptional moment in their history as they reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals by beating their old rivals 6-5 on penalties.
Italy's Cristiana Girelli bagged a hat-trick and substitute Aurora Galli struck twice as they thrashed Jamaica 5-0 to qualify for the last 16 of the women's World Cup on Friday.
Makes us wonder how these cyclists don't fall short of breath as they pedal to the finish line. Here's a glimpse of the tricky but beautiful terrain that outlines the Tour de France...
Observers from 20 other countries are taking part in the exercise with the nine other countries participating with ships, aviation fleets and gunships.
