Djed Spence, initially a controversial World Cup squad selection and criticised for his early performance, has emerged as a crucial impact substitute for England. His pace, energy, and passion off the bench have silenced critics, playing a vital role in England's progression to the semi-finals despite a broken jaw.
'There is no need for panic as there is widespread protective immune memory in the population from vaccination as well as prior infections.'
A sensational New York Times report alleging that Israel's Mossad secretly groomed former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to lead a post-Islamic Republic Iran is being scrutinised for its strategic timing amidst Iran's sensitive post-Khamenei transition.
'Earlier, people used to hand money directly to priests after a ritual, and priests would keep it in their own pockets. We completely stopped that practice.'
India has lodged a 'strong protest' with Iran over recent strikes on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the death of one Indian sailor and injuries to several others, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomatic engagement.
Indian rally duo Naveen Puligilla and Musa Sherif secured a comfortable victory in the ARC3 class and an impressive fourth overall finish at the 2026 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, moving up to second in the ARC3 championship standings.
Spain and Portugal are set to clash in the World Cup Round of 16 in Texas, a rematch of last year's Nations League final. The match features a generational battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal, with Spain entering unbeaten in 34 matches and Portugal looking to overcome recent struggles.
The Indian government has allocated an additional 2 million tonnes of surplus broken rice from FCI stocks for its ethanol blending programme, while simultaneously issuing a detailed rebuttal to widespread misinformation regarding the E20 fuel, addressing concerns from water consumption to engine damage and environmental impact.
Smriti Mandhana is more suited to lead India in the longer formats after Harmanpreet Kaur's tenure ends while the much younger Shafali Varma can be handed the reins of the T20 side following another pre-mature exit from the World Cup, former captain legendary Mithali Raj said.
Shubman Gill has affirmed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are indispensable to India's ODI team, highlighting their vast experience and skill.
VVS Laxman will lead India's support staff for the upcoming Zimbabwe T20I series and the Asian Games, providing a break for the senior team's regular staff. This arrangement allows for simultaneous international commitments, with Gautam Gambhir coaching the ODI squad against West Indies.
The Indian government has approved two major manufacturing initiatives worth nearly Rs 1.9 lakh crore (USD 22 billion) to expand the country's semiconductor ecosystem and scale up mobile phone production, aiming to strengthen its position as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
Hockey India has announced a 15-member sub-junior men's squad for a national coaching camp in Chandigarh. The camp, led by Sardar Singh, will prepare the team for the inaugural Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Muscat, Oman, focusing on the new format's tactical and technical demands.
Shaji Kailas delivers familiar mass moments, but Varavu never rises above its dated revenge formula.
England manager Thomas Tuchel insists his players are not focusing on the historical rivalry with Argentina ahead of their World Cup semi-final, stating the occasion itself is significant enough and their preparation centres on the game at hand.
World Cup music isn't random; FIFA's 'Stadium Entertainment Team' curates over 750 songs, mixing global classics with country-specific favourites, with each team having signature, warm-up, and goal-scoring tracks.
The Union Home Ministry has designated 23 individuals based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their involvement in infiltration, recruitment, logistics, financing, and operational planning targeting India.
A Pakistani national, Avesh Khan, was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Rajasthan's Barmer district after crossing the India-Pakistan border and handed over to the police for questioning.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is reportedly planning to launch its much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO), estimated at around Rs 30,000 crore, in September, potentially valuing the exchange at over Rs 5 lakh crore.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appointed 70-year-old Dutchman Herman Kruis as their National Hockey Coaching Advisor on a two-year contract. This move is part of a comprehensive strategy to revive Pakistan hockey after a series of poor performances, including 15 consecutive losses in the FIH Pro League. Kruis will focus on developing young talent and preparing teams for international events, working alongside Director of High Performance Tahir Zaman and current head coach Manzoor-ul-Hasan.
Gwadar is viewed as a critical pearl in China's maritime strategy as it would give a permanent logistical footprint near an important choke point - the Strait of Hormuz and the oil rich Persian Gulf, explains Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).
A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a comprehensive bill imposing extensive sanctions on Russia, with India identified as one of five countries that could incur tariffs for its continued purchase of Russian oil.
Former Pakistan captain and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has strongly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to remove Shan Masood as Test captain.
India showcased a dominant performance at the Asian Boxing Championships, with nine U-19 boxers advancing to the finals and six securing bronze medals. Additionally, eight U-23 boxers had previously reached their respective finals, highlighting India's strong presence across multiple categories.
Tamil Nadu's Baranica Elangovan broke her own national record in pole vault at the Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition in Bhubaneswar.
Former India captain Subrata Paul asserts that goalkeepers were instrumental in the success of teams at the recent FIFA World Cup, often outshining attacking players. He highlights specific goalkeepers like Vozinha, Unai Simon, Emiliano Martinez, and Thibaut Courtois for their exceptional performances and discusses the evolving role of modern goalkeepers in tactical play.
Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in his career when Argentina meet the Three Lions in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final, ending a 20-year wait for one of football's most anticipated match-ups.
The aim is to win over the country's enterprises, developers and startups as AI systems shift from answering questions to autonomously executing tasks.
India has secured six medals in the U-19 men's category at the Asian U-19 and U-23 Boxing Championships in Jakarta. Six Indian boxers advanced to the semifinals after impressive quarterfinal victories, showcasing the nation's emerging talent in the sport.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 191-member Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, comprising 126 athletes and 51 officials. The Ministry has stipulated that expenses for Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Committee members will not be covered by the government. Additionally, National Sports Federations are required to conduct background checks on their contingents, and a performance report must be submitted post-Games.
Ongoing search operations are intensifying in Wayanad as one more individual is still missing after a devastating landslide at the Anakkompoyil Meppadi tunnel project claimed seven lives.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed confidence in teenager Lamine Yamal, stating that the forward's most significant World Cup performance is yet to come, potentially in the semi-final against France or the final.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has criticised the Indian cricket team's selection policy, particularly regarding the T20I debuts of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the inconsistent opportunities given to Sanju Samson. Jaffer believes Sooryavanshi was rushed into the team due to media hype, while Samson deserves a more consistent run.
Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian football star, has announced his retirement from international football following Algeria's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 by Switzerland. Mahrez confirmed his decision after Algeria's 2-0 defeat, concluding a distinguished career with 119 appearances, 40 goals, and 45 assists, including a pivotal role in Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have significantly advanced the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, securing crucial agreements on defence, critical minerals, and maritime security, including BrahMos missile supply and Sabang port development.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted India's growing global sporting stature, evidenced by the increasing number of international events the country is hosting. He announced that India is set to host 36 international events between January 2025 and June 2026, along with 9 events this year and 19 in 2027-2028. Mandaviya also spoke about government support for athletes, transparent selection processes for major events like the Commonwealth Games, and improved domestic athletic performances, citing 26 national records broken in Indian athletics recently.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, at just 15 years and 91 days, has become the youngest player to represent India in international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 37-year-old record. He also set a new benchmark as the youngest T20I debutant from a Full Member nation, making his debut against Ireland in Belfast.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed it had struck the US Al-Azraq air base in northern Jordan with 10 ballistic missiles on what it described as an "enemy command and control centre in West Asia" in retaliatory strikes in response to a recent attack on Tehran by Washington.
Cape Verde head into the biggest match in their football history full of belief, with coach Pedro Leitao Brito insisting his side will play "with courage" against defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot and Pedro Porro added another goal as Spain advanced to its first World Cup final since winning in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday.
