Despite initial challenges like unsold tickets and a rained-out fan festival, visitors are flocking to Toronto for the first-ever World Cup soccer match in Canada. Fans are drawn by factors such as lower drinking age compared to the US, cultural similarities, and Canada's diverse immigrant population, creating a unique and determined atmosphere for the tournament.
Five members of the Iranian women's football team, who initially sought asylum in Australia, have withdrawn their claims and are returning to Iran.
Curacao and Cape Verde, two of the smallest nations globally, have achieved an unprecedented feat by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia says FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup format significantly improves India's chances of qualification while creating new opportunities for emerging football nations across Asia and beyond.
The World Health Organization has requested information from the Indian government regarding the alleged supply of spurious oxytocin injections linked to the deaths of five women in Kota hospitals. This comes after regulatory action, including the cancellation of manufacturing licenses for Jackson Laboratories units, following joint inspections by drug control bodies. The government is investigating the matter, emphasising a zero-tolerance approach to quality violations.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered probes into multiple allegations of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion at a Spanish multinational in Pune, a government-run ITI in Solapur, and a TCS unit in Nashik. The CM highlighted a pattern of such incidents in corporate firms and suggested forming a panel of women legislators to review existing laws and recommend improvements.
Seattle's LGBTQ community members say they hope that this Friday's World Cup "Pride Match" between Egypt and Iran, two countries where homosexuality is criminalised, can be an opportunity to change minds.
Portugal's latest bid for World Cup glory begins in Houston on Wednesday when they take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Group K clash.
Dropped Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has posted a heartfelt message on social media proclaiming his love for his country and wishing the World Cup squad well at the tournament without him.
Australia's coach Tony Popovic expresses confidence in his team's ability to challenge favourites Turkey in their World Cup opener in Vancouver, despite being considered underdogs. He also confirmed the squad is fully fit, including Mohamed Toure.
A private security agency has denied involvement in the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The agency stated it only recruited personnel for housekeeping at an SBI branch at the bank's request, disclaiming responsibility for their duties or the alleged theft, which is currently under SIT investigation.
Tashi Network and DroneVerse successfully conducted a live drone swarm field trial in Delhi, demonstrating advanced autonomous capabilities for defence and internal security. The trial showcased decentralised mesh technology, allowing drone swarms to maintain mission coherence even with communication disruptions, marking a significant step towards India's technological sovereignty in autonomous warfare.
Virat Kohli is progressing well after the hamstring injury suffered during the IPL final and will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence on June 22 for re-evaluation, with fitness clearance expected after a test in Bengaluru.
David Beckham has tipped Japan as a dark horse for the 2026 FIFA World Cup while backing England to end their 60-year wait for glory. The former captain also highlighted France, Spain, Argentina and Brazil as title contenders.
A Bangladeshi national, Zahid, who had been absconding for 17 years and carried a reward of Rs 25,000, has been arrested in Saharanpur by a joint team of police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). He was wanted in a 2009 case under the Foreigners Act and was found with a fake Aadhaar card and other suspicious documents.
Iran's World Cup campaign has left many Iranian-Americans torn between supporting Team Melli and opposing the country's leadership, highlighting deep divisions within Los Angeles' influential Iranian diaspora.
Anthropic has labelled the US government's directive to suspend its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models as a "misunderstanding" and is actively working to restore access, warning that the current standard for narrow jailbreak findings could "essentially halt all new model deployments for all frontier model providers."
Goalless Turkey were ousted from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after losses to Australia and Paraguay in Group D, thwarted by poor finishing and a staunch opposition defence.
Police in Rajasthan's Tonk district are investigating the suspected murder of a 70-year-old woman, Harbai, whose decomposed and dismembered body was found stuffed in sacks in a forest area. Forensic teams are collecting evidence, and authorities are searching for her brother while her daughter has been informed.
The 5th Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championships are set to begin in Goa, featuring nearly 300 players from 16 countries. Defending champions India will compete across various categories, facing strong contenders like Hong Kong and Indonesia. The event, described as the "Asian Games of bridge," highlights India's growing role in the sport.
Sardar Azmoun, one of Iran's top football players, has been expelled from the national team for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government, Iranian media has reported.
Haryana Police successfully rescued a 12-year-old boy kidnapped from Panipat within 11 hours, arresting three accused who had demanded a Rs 1.50 crore ransom. The operation involved extensive technical and intelligence resources, culminating in a police encounter in Rohtak where the accused were apprehended. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini monitored the swift and coordinated police action.
Sabri Lamouchi's dismissal as Tunisia coach after a single game at the World Cup places him on an ignominious list that includes one of the most successful coaches in tournament history.
There are strong possibilities of some Union ministers being sent to take organisational roles in the BJP and party office-bearers being inducted into the Modi ministry.
The BJP team under the new national president Nitin Nabin, who took charge in January, is expected to be announced within this month, with sources suggesting that some holding positions in the government may move to the party.
A Metropolitan Police investigation into a "sophisticated" west London organised crime network dealing in heroin and crack cocaine has resulted in three Indian-origin men being sentenced to a total of over 22 years.
Morocco, Norway, Turkey, Colombia, Mexico and Japan are among the leading dark horses for FIFA World Cup 2026, with each side possessing the talent and momentum to challenge football's traditional powers.
An FIR has been registered following a devastating fire in an Aliganj building in Lucknow that killed 15 people. The complaint alleges severe negligence, including the absence of adequate fire safety measures, emergency exits, and proper ventilation for smoke, in the commercial establishment. Four individuals, including the building owner and operators of businesses within, have been arrested as investigations continue.
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom will meet Iranian FA officials in Istanbul to offer reassurance over Iran's participation in the World Cup, amidst concerns raised by recent geopolitical tensions and visa issues.
Indian youth boxers Gunjan, Radhamani Longjam, and Chandrika Pujari secured victories at the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok, while Priyansh Sehrawat and Prachi faced defeats.
Thousands of people flooded one of the world's great urban boulevards on Saturday, attempting to set a world record for the Mexican wave - naturally, in the country that gave the beloved stadium ritual its name.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's national team has been forced to cancel World Cup buildup events in Kinshasa due to the Ebola virus outbreak and will instead continue preparations in Belgium.
US President Donald Trump announced he halted planned military strikes on Iran following requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, citing ongoing discussions that could lead to a deal.
Goa is set to host the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championship from June 21 to 27, attracting 350 players from 16 Asia-Oceania countries. India, having previously hosted in 2018, will field strong 'A' and 'B' teams across various categories, including Asian Games medallists, aiming to add to its 20 previous medals.
Set in the crucial 21 days between 25 July and 14 August 1947, Josy Joseph's upcoming book The Birth of a Nation: The Twenty-One Days That Made India uncovers the dramatic story of how India nearly fragmented into multiple independent states before independence.
India's women's hockey team is preparing for the World Cup and Asian Games with a mix of overseas tours, competitive exposure, and national camps, according to chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.
A potential agreement between the United States and Iran, including a comprehensive ceasefire and gradual lifting of US sanctions, may be announced soon, according to reports. The agreement aims to de-escalate tensions and establish a framework for resolving disputes.
US President Donald Trump announced a finalised peace deal between the US and Iran, set for signing on June 19 in Switzerland, with key figures like J D Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner from the US side, and Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf representing Iran, alongside Pakistani mediators Field Marshal Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, and Mohsin Naqvi, playing crucial roles in the diplomatic breakthrough.
With a dazzling hat-trick against Algeria, Lionel Messi once again defied age, expectations and logic at the World Cup, prompting coach Lionel Scaloni to call his performances "inexplicable" and admit he is simply no longer surprised by the Argentine legend's brilliance.
World Cup fever in Argentina, home of the defending champions, has boosted sales of counterfeit jerseys and soccer trading cards, sparking protests from retailers who are already under pressure from President Javier Milei's market-opening policies.
