Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he wants to see greater hunger and a desire to improve from his players as he prepares for his first Premier League season in charge.
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has staunchly defended the officiating in Argentina's 3-2 World Cup victory over Egypt, dismissing allegations of bias and asserting that match officials operated with complete independence, despite Egypt's complaints about unfair treatment.
Indian para swimmer Tejas Nandakumar has been ruled out of the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games due to a classification issue. His entry, initially accepted, was later rejected by organisers after a validation process by World Para Athletics, citing his R-2025 class status as ineligible for the G2026 competition.
Ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash against England, Argentina fans are engaging in traditional 'cabalas' or superstitions, including freezing captain Harry Kane's name, to bring their national team good fortune on the pitch.
'For a community of people that love cinema as much as you guys do here, this will be one of those moments you'll be comparing every cinema experience you have after this one to The Odyssey.'
The Sports Ministry has granted conditional recognition to the interim Executive Committee of the Judo Federation of India (JFI), which was elected following a Delhi High Court order. The recognition is subject to the outcome of ongoing court cases and strict compliance with the National Sports Governance Act, with warnings of suspension or revocation for irregularities. The JFI is required to amend its constitution, conduct final elections, and submit monthly compliance reports.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on US military installations in Bahrain, describing the operations as the second phase of its retaliatory campaign. This announcement follows US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirming its own large-scale offensive targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
As Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike enters its 19th day, critics question why the government has remained silent despite mounting concerns over student welfare, observes Harishchandra.
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.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is preparing to announce the hosts for its three World Cup events in 2027, which will include the first-ever Doubles World Cup. This new event is being introduced to align with the return of doubles to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, aiming to boost player participation and interest in the category.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the licence of Mumbai's renowned K Rustom ice cream parlour due to severe hygiene and food safety violations. An inspection revealed live rats and flies, expired flavouring agents, and ice cream with insufficient milk fat, leading to the parlour's closure under the 'Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' campaign.
Jaspreet Kaur and Jhandu Kumar, two Indian para powerlifters, have overcome significant personal challenges, including polio and poverty, to qualify for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was among the biggest attractions in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on Friday as he watched Alexander Zverev beat Britain's Arthur Fery to reach his maiden men's singles final at the All England Club.
Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi stated, "We thought we'll go to the fountainhead of this hate discourse. This whole hate narrative according to us was being spread by the RSS," explaining the delegation's decision to meet RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in 2022.
India too can rise to the top if the 1.4 billion Indians back home are given better opportunities to use their innate talent and capacity to work hard, with right incentives in a more meritocratic rules-based system, asserts Ajay Chhibber.
Former cricketers and experts are questioning India's decision to omit specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI, suggesting the team's focus on batting depth might be compromising its wicket-taking ability.
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.
Lionel Messi's unparalleled influence extends beyond his on-field performance, transforming opponents into admirers. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Messi effect,' sees rival players expressing awe and seeking mementos after matches, highlighting his profound impact on the current generation of footballers.
Shaji Kailas delivers familiar mass moments, but Varavu never rises above its dated revenge formula.
France's journey to the World Cup semi-finals is not just about star players like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but also a deep-seated unity and player-led analysis forged in private conversations and hotel rooms, according to midfielders Adrien Rabiot and defender Jules Kounde.
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.
Hollywood mourns the loss of beloved Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill, who passed away at 78 in Australia.
Nirmal Kumar, an Indian survivor of the recent speedboat tragedy near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, has recounted the horrific moments when a sudden, violent wave capsized their boat, trapping 15 passengers underwater. The accident, which occurred on July 11, claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists, with 10 from Tamil Nadu. Kumar, who lost a childhood friend, highlighted the lack of immediate medical supplies and appealed for government assistance for the grieving families.
The seventh edition of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) tournament is set to begin in Panaji, featuring top Indian and international players. Indian paddlers like Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, and Diya Chitale view the tournament as crucial preparation for the upcoming Asian Games, aiming to build momentum and gain competitive experience. The league also introduces an AI-powered review system.
France's defender Ibrahima Konate states the team is not afraid of Spain ahead of their World Cup semi-final, despite acknowledging Spain's exceptional quality and formidable defence. Having lost to Spain in previous tournaments, France is preparing thoroughly, focusing on containing individual talents like Lamine Yamal while aiming for their fifth World Cup final appearance.
India's top badminton players, including the men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, singles stars Lakshya Sen, P V Sindhu, and rising talent Ayush Shetty, are set to compete at the USD 950,000 Japan Open Super 750 tournament. The event marks a crucial stage for many Indian shuttlers to make significant runs on the BWF World Tour.
Nasa astronaut Anil Menon, along with Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, has embarked on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, lifting off from Kazakhstan.
For the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the timing of Rath Yatra is a matter of scriptural injunction rather than convenience.
In the throes of a financial crisis, the state's ruling Congress government has little to be triumphant about as Assembly elections approach next year, points out Aditi Phadnis.
Esha Gupta has mastered the art of regal dressing. Sweeping gowns, dramatic capes, and delicate pastel hues make the Dhamaal 4 actress' look like an empress from the Victorian era.
India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has challenged the T20 team to shed its 'underachievers' tag in foreign conditions, emphasising the need for quicker adaptation to varied playing environments after recent series losses.
The RSS's annual Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak in Belagavi addressed alleged irregularities in the counting of donation box offerings at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, expressing confidence in the ongoing SIT probe. The meeting also reviewed training activities, centenary year programmes, and discussed critical issues such as population imbalance and drug abuse.
Following a poor performance against England, all-rounder Washington Sundar's place in India's T20 team is being heavily debated by fans and critics. His inability to consistently deliver with both bat and ball has led to questions regarding his continued selection.
The Union Territory administration in Ladakh has announced the establishment of an Autonomous Hill Development Council (AHDC) for each of its seven districts, significantly expanding democratic decentralisation. This move extends elected local self-governance beyond Leh and Kargil, with a proposed Union Territory-level body under a customised Article 371 framework to oversee these councils.
Germany's Football Association (DFB) has held initial, constructive discussions with Juergen Klopp in New York regarding him taking over as the national team head coach. Both parties are confident of reaching a deal, pending agreement with Klopp's current employer, Red Bull. Klopp is the DFB's preferred choice to succeed Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's disappointing World Cup exit.
When I planned my 27th birthday trip to Kerala, I had a very clear vision in mind. There would be beaches. There would be the backwaters. There would be long boat rides, cute cafs and perhaps a fancy dinner overlooking the water. What I did not anticipate was celebrating my birthday with Lionel Messi.
Despite India's T20I struggles, former captain Rohit Sharma has arrived in London early to prepare for the upcoming ODI series against England. He has been undergoing training sessions at local clubs and reconnecting with friends, aiming to be fully ready after recovering from a hamstring injury.
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.
A central government committee has upheld the ban on the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer film Satluj, citing concerns over India's sovereignty and integrity, sparking political debate in Punjab.
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin is set to return to Kolkata next month for an anti-fundamentalism literary event, nearly two decades after she was forced to leave the city amid violent protests over her writings. The BJP government in West Bengal is projecting this as a reversal of past capitulation to religious fundamentalism.
