'Applying AI to change the lives of Indians and at population scale -- just like we did with DPI [digital public infrastructure] -- is really where it's going to go.'
Kolkata's iconic 'FIFA Gully' has transformed a small neighbourhood lane into a colourful World Cup attraction, with murals and giant cut-outs of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and other football stars celebrating the city's enduring love for the beautiful game.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly sought support from the Trump administration following the collapse of his plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, facing mounting criticism and feeling 'isolated' by negative media coverage.
Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup match, with Goncalo Ramos scoring the winning goal in stoppage time after Cristiano Ronaldo had equalised from a penalty. The victory ends Luka Modric's fifth World Cup bid, and Portugal now advances to face Spain in the round of 16.
Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse Racing secured a dominant victory at the British MotoGP, leading from the start after championship leader Jorge Martin faced an early technical issue. Despite Martin's setback, he recovered to finish second, extending his overall championship lead. Marco Bezzecchi finished third, while defending champion Marc Marquez had a challenging race, finishing seventh.
Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia have signed a trilateral defence pact, agreeing to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. Analysts suggest this alliance could significantly diminish the United States' strategic influence in West Asia and elevate Pakistan's geopolitical standing, potentially acting as a deterrent in regional conflicts.
Global players' union FIFPRO has highlighted a "growing pattern of abuse," including racist and discriminatory attacks, against players at the World Cup, both online and in person. The union is demanding urgent collective action from football stakeholders, law enforcement, and social media platforms to protect players and ensure meaningful consequences for perpetrators.
England captain Harry Kane continued his record-breaking run, scoring a match-winning brace against DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup. His goals not only secured England's progression but also saw him surpass football legends like Pele in World Cup goals and join Cristiano Ronaldo as only the second player with 20+ goals across both FIFA World Cup and Euro Championships. England now faces Mexico in the Round of 16.
A new report highlights that publishers need to adopt clear records, AI-specific provisions, and transparent disclosure of AI use to manage legal and commercial risks as the copyright framework around artificial intelligence evolves. Jointly developed by SS Rana & Co and Ficci, the 'Copyright In The AI Age' report emphasises practical governance measures while courts and regulators work on legal principles. It also addresses concerns about authorship, creators' rights, and research integrity amidst increasing AI integration in publishing.
Rohit Sharma is set to make his television debut with a new entertainment show for Sony Entertainment Television, titled The Rohit Sharma Show, expected to launch in September.
A shooting incident in San Jose, California, near a World Cup fan zone, resulted in one fatality and one serious injury. Police are investigating the incident as a homicide, which occurred at San Pedro Square, a popular gathering spot for World Cup watch parties.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated the transmission of quantum information over commercial fibre-optic infrastructure, a significant step towards building practical quantum networks. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of cost and maintaining fragile entangled states outside laboratory settings.
Amid the sea of green that washed over Mexico City after the country's World Cup victory over Ecuador on Tuesday, one shop defiantly hoisted the Ecuadorian flag and welcomed all the downtrodden fans of Mexico's opponents to a place of refuge. Welcome to the Losers Cafe, a coffee shop in the cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Condesa that is comforting fans of the losing teams.
Croatia's World Cup exit sparked controversy after coach Zlatko Dali launched a furious attack on the refereeing following their 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
Germany's national football team has been eliminated from the World Cup in the round of 32, marking their third consecutive early exit from the tournament. The German Football Association (DFB) has announced that changes will be made, with DFB President Bernd Neuendorf stating they will examine the reasons for the team's underperformance. The future of coach Julian Nagelsmann, who wishes to stay, is now uncertain.
Erling Haaland scored two crucial late goals to lead Norway to a stunning 2-1 victory over five-times champions Brazil in the World Cup Round of 16, securing their place in the quarter-finals. Neymar's late penalty was not enough for Brazil, who also missed an earlier spot-kick.
Cricket South Africa has revised the India women's team tour schedule to include three T20Is, a Test, and three ODIs, extending the tour until December 30.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21. He will face a formidable field of javelin throwers, including Commonwealth Games champion Rumesh Pathirage, Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, and world champions. This marks Chopra's third competition since returning from injury, following his silver medal win at the recent Commonwealth Games.
The Indian government has clarified that consumers will not be charged for UPI transactions, and most merchant transactions will also remain free. This comes amidst speculation following an amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. Any future merchant discount rate (MDR) would be nominal, threshold-based, and aimed at ensuring UPI's long-term sustainability and infrastructure development.
World Cup winner and TV pundit Bastian Schweinsteiger on Friday rejected claims his comments on African football were racist, saying he was merely delivering an analysis of a playing style.
Paraguay's President Santiago Pena declared a national holiday to celebrate the country's stunning 4-3 penalty shootout victory over four-time world champions Germany in the World Cup round of 16.
Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0 in a crucial World Cup Round-of-32 match, with Jhon Arias scoring the decisive goal in the 14th minute. This victory propels Colombia into the last 16, where they will face Switzerland.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed optimism about the state securing hosting rights for the World Athletics Championship 2031 after meeting a delegation from the international governing body. The delegation is assessing Gujarat's sports infrastructure and readiness for both the 2028 U20 Championships and the 2031 senior championships, highlighting the state's growing ambition to host major global sporting events.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is set to be football's largest tournament but will unfold against a backdrop of significant geopolitical tensions, including conflicts, strained alliances, and complex immigration policies, challenging its traditional role as a symbol of global unity.
South Korea's national football association has issued a deep apology following a media report alleging it provided 'sexual services' to foreign referees during international matches over a decade ago, specifically in 2011 and 2012.
France showcased their tactical superiority and attacking prowess to defeat Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final, effectively neutralising Morocco's usually exhilarating offensive style with a dominant midfield and relentless pressure.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is holding a crisis meeting with top officials in Morocco to address the fallout from his failed attempt to sell commercial rights to the World Cup, a move that has led to widespread criticism and calls for his removal.
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina says the World Cup's new anti-time-wasting rules have been a major success, speeding up play, reducing injuries and improving discipline while defending VAR's controversial decisions.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21.
Gianni Infantino's bid for a fourth term as FIFA president faces challenges from traditional football powers, but his strategy relies heavily on the support of smaller, emerging nations that benefit significantly from FIFA's development grants.
Ten-year-old Indian chess prodigy Aarit Kapil has secured his second International Master (IM) norm at the Rudar GM Closed Tournament in Serbia. With impressive victories against strong opponents and a current lead in the tournament, Aarit is now just one norm away from achieving the coveted IM title, showcasing his exceptional talent on the international stage.
Japan delivered a commanding 4-0 win over Tunisia in the World Cup's 1,000th match on Saturday to move to the brink of the knockout stages, while the North Africans were eliminated after a second successive defeat in Group F.
Cabo Verde's star goalkeeper Vozinha has expressed confidence ahead of their FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash against Argentina, vowing to make history. The debutant nation has impressed with three draws in the group stage, becoming the smallest country to reach the knockout phase. Vozinha also achieved a rare feat, becoming only the third goalkeeper over 40 to register multiple clean sheets in the tournament. Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has acknowledged Cabo Verde as a tough opponent.
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is 'extremely optimistic and well-prepared' for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, believing that runs will flow if he trusts his game, despite a recent drought of Test centuries.
England say they are relishing the challenge of facing hosts Mexico at the high-altitude Azteca Stadium, with Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford insisting the hostile atmosphere will motivate the team in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash.
Indian badminton prodigy Tanvi Sharma, 17, secured her first BWF World Tour title by winning the women's singles at the Taipei Open Super 300. She defeated Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen in straight games, showcasing her potential as a rising star in the sport.
Spain secured their spot in the World Cup Round of 16 with a convincing 3-0 win over Austria, featuring two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal. The dominant performance saw Spain maintain their perfect defensive record, setting up a clash with either Portugal or Croatia in the next stage.
The Netherlands secured the top position in World Cup Group F with a decisive 3-1 victory over Tunisia. Tunisia's campaign ended disastrously, marked by an early own goal and a series of errors, following previous heavy losses and a coaching change.
The Indian Army celebrated the exceptional performance of its athletes at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, where a contingent of 20 Army athletes secured 16 medals, including eight gold. This achievement highlights the Army's dedication to fostering world-class sporting talent and advancing India's athletic ambitions, particularly through initiatives like Mission Olympics 2036.
Vidarsa K Vinod, a 27-year-old shooter from Kerala, has secured a spot in India's Asian Games squad for the 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 Positions events, overcoming significant financial hurdles and training setbacks through resilience and family support.
