The Wankhede crowd went in to tizzy when India's cricket God and the Argentine football captain came together on stage and exchanged pleasantries and presents.
Shanker Heisnam, a 19-year-old from Manipur, earned his first ATP ranking point by defeating Stijn Pel of the Netherlands at the Central Excise & CGST ITF M25 Kolkata. He will face top seed Luca Castelnuovo in the next round. Leo Borg, son of Bjorn Borg, also advanced.
India's Tanvi Sharma defeated Japan's Natsuki Nidaira to reach the semifinals of the Orleans Masters Super 300 badminton tournament.
The core issues to be settled -- access to Hormuz, Israel's aggression in Lebanon, the question of Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief and compensation -- are thorny enough to require weeks of patient negotiation. The most likely outcome of the opening sessions is that both sides take the measure of each other, establish what is and is not negotiable, and return home without having broken anything. That would count as progress.
The 'rescue' operation occurred within kilometres of Iran's underground tunnel complex at Isfahan, assessed by the IAEA and US intelligence as holding a substantial portion of the country's 60 per cent enriched uranium stockpile. Retired senior US military officers have highlighted that the mission's footprint -- hundreds of special operators, multiple heavy-lift aircraft deep inside Iran -- appears outsized for recovering a single airman. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.
Indian badminton player Tanvi Sharma progresses to the semifinals of the Orleans Masters Super 300 tournament after defeating Japan's Natsuki Nidaira. Other Indian players also participated in the tournament.
Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid, extending their lead in La Liga after Real Madrid's loss to Mallorca. Key goals from Lewandowski and Rashford secured Barcelona's victory, while Muriqi's late goal sealed Mallorca's win against Real.
Defending champion Eugenio Chacarra is in a good position to contend for another Hero Indian Open title, while Freddy Schott leads after the first round. Veer Ahlawat is the best-placed Indian golfer.
'I may be known in the South but in Bollywood, no one knows me, not yet. I just wanted to be seen.'
US President Donald Trump welcomed Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team to the White House on Thursday as he boasted about the United States' ongoing operation in Iran.
To be sure, Trump is furious, as the trajectory of the war is in a state of Zugzwang, as chess players call it. Trump and Netanyahu stare at two choices -- retreat in humiliation and concede Tehran's demands -- recognition of its rights, reparations, and binding security guarantees -- or perish in a quagmire, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Iran is fighting a different war: Older, slower, and in some ways more dangerous. Iran doesn't need to shoot down an F/A-18. It only needs to make the Strait of Hormuz feel dangerous long enough for insurance markets, shipping companies, and oil futures traders to do the rest. Prem Panicker continues his must-read daily blog on the war in the Middle East.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reflects on his childhood, political journey, and personal influences in a recent interview, discussing his early reading habits, experiences with political violence, and his approach to governance.
Leaders and common people flocked to St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican to listen to Pope Leo's inaugural mass.
The club did not directly confirm it, but welcomed the new pontiff after his election on Thursday.
MLS enters its 31st season amid World Cup buzz and Lionel Messi's impact, with Don Garber calling it a defining moment for the league's future.
2025 was a period of profound transformation across the globe. From historical leadership changes in the United States and the Vatican to groundbreaking scientific achievements and rising geopolitical tensions, these events reshaped international relations.
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner had an audience on Wednesday with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, himself a keen tennis player, the Vatican said.
The pontiff, the first leader of the global Catholic Church from the United States, appeared for about seven minutes on Rate Field's jumbotron during the event, organized by the Chicago archdiocese and featuring several other local personalities, including Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky.
'We had prepared tapioca and crabs for him, and he enjoyed the Kerala cuisine thoroughly.'
Weighing 6,100 kg, the communication satellite would be the heaviest payload to be placed into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in LVM3 launch history from Indian soil.
The voice of the six bells of St Peter's Basilca announced that the Church has its new Pope.
500 years after Britain's then King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic church over its refusal to sanction his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, 'his successor, King Charles III, prayed with Pope Leo XIV beneath the sublime frescoes of the Sistine Chapel in an act of rapprochement between the Catholic church and the Church of England', The Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.
'Mob fury has become very common these days. And these attacks are all planned very well.' 'In all these attacks, you see that they have a very clear cut plan to make the victims as the oppressors and the guilty.' 'The attackers escape and they face no consequences as they have the backing of some political leaders.'
'If I count how many films I refused and how many heroines got awards in those films...'
2026 is all set to be big, when it comes to movie releases from Bollywood as well as pan-India releases from Tamil and Telugu cinema.
ISRO is developing a third launch pad at Shriharikota to accommodate heavier satellites and next-generation launch vehicles. The new facility will support both crewed and uncrewed missions.
'I remember our priests saying that he liked sea food. So, they cooked sea food for him without masala and spice.' 'It seems he enjoyed Kerala food very much.'
The world welcomed 2026 with spectacular celebrations across continents. From dazzling fireworks illuminating iconic landmarks like the London Eye, Marina Bay, and Copacabana beach to intimate gatherings at historic sites, the New Year brought together diverse cultures in joyous unity.
Sunil Chhetri penned an emotional tribute after meeting his childhood idol Lionel Messi during the Argentine legend's GOAT India Tour event at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium.
Tendulkar also hoped that 'India also reaches the height that we all aspire to (in football).'
Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla, who is following in the footsteps of his famed astrologer father, the late Bejan Daruwalla, helps you navigate the Naya Saal.
For long stretches, the atmosphere felt less Mumbai and more Camp Nou. Chants of 'Barca... Barca' and 'Suarez... Suarez' echoed through the stands as Messi interacted with youngsters, celebrities and former India football captain Sunil Chhetri.
'The way our President was greeted, that itself shows how far India has come.' 'People were aware of who she is, people know who our prime minister is.' 'Everybody knows India now and everybody respects India.'
Namrata Thakker picks her 10 favourite Leo movies.
Christmas Karma narrowly misses being a highway pile up, mainly because its heart is in the right place, believes Deepa Gahlot.
Inter Miami secured their first MLS Cup crown on Saturday, beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at Chase Stadium as Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende struck late from a pair of Lionel Messi assists.
Ichhapur tea-seller Shib Shankar Patra is one of two diehard fans handpicked for a special meet-and-greet with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry.
'When my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed that his son would one day grow up to become its leader.' Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com profiles Dr Leo Varadkar who will step down as Ireland's taoiseach (prime minister) next week.
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