Early data from the World Cup indicates that sportswear giant Adidas is currently gaining a significant advantage over rival Nike in brand visibility and sales. Adidas, an official sponsor, is seeing a substantial surge in apparel spending and foot traffic, particularly driven by jersey sales. While Nike's business is also growing, it is being outpaced by Adidas, which appears to have a more resonant product offering. Nike, facing declining market share and intense competition, is relying on the World Cup for a boost, though its footwear presence remains strong.
Authorities in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, have initiated demolition proceedings against the Mughal Banquet Hall in Kairana after it was found to be an unauthorised structure and allegedly served beef at a wedding reception. Four individuals, including the groom and hall owner, have been arrested in connection with the case, with a car also seized.
A devastating fire ripped through a three-floor commercial building in Lucknow, claiming the lives of at least 12 students and trapping several others. Rescue operations are ongoing, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing ex-gratia for the deceased and injured.
A light sport aircraft crashed into Beijing's Citic Tower, the city's tallest skyscraper, causing an immediate evacuation and scattering debris. The incident, which occurred in the prominent business district, has raised concerns, with authorities yet to comment and the origin and circumstances of the crash remaining unknown. The aircraft was identified as a Sunward SA60L Aurora, and the crash highlights recent stringent regulations on recreational flying in Beijing's airspace.
A 20-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh, identified as Suhail, has been arrested in Davangere, Karnataka, on suspicion of having links with a Pakistan-based terror organisation. He was working as a painter and was found to be in contact with individuals in Pakistan via WhatsApp and social media. The arrest followed inputs from the National Investigation Agency, and authorities are investigating potential connections to previous cases.
World number one Jannik Sinner survived an early scare in his Wimbledon title defence but the Italian shook off the rust and fought past Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-3 on Monday to reach the second round.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has demanded the immediate disqualification of six party MPs who defected to the Eknath Shinde-led camp, alleging a larger political conspiracy. He accused the BJP of exploiting the Ram Mandir issue and systematically sidelining its own state leaders, while also questioning the rebel MPs' motives and wealth.
A baby Indian Rock Python was safely rescued from the locomotive cabin of the Madgaon-CSMT Janshatabdi Express upon its arrival at CSMT, Mumbai. The incident, occurring during the monsoon season, highlights wildlife seeking shelter and marks the second reptile rescue in the city recently.
Ayodhya Police have taken Ram Shankar Yadav into custody following an FIR alleging embezzlement of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The complaint, lodged by a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, names nine individuals and others for systematic theft and misappropriation of funds. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, and its preliminary findings led to the FIR. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has vowed a 'zero-tolerance' policy and urged evidence submission to the SIT.
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian has resigned from the council of ministers following the conclusion of his Rajya Sabha term. President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation, which was effective immediately.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct a nationwide mock drill on Saturday ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination the day after as part of its preparations to ensure the smooth, secure and transparent conduct of the test, official said on Friday.
A clarification by the ministry of external affairs that the passport is not a proof of citizenship has once again brought to the fore the need for a legal framework to provide citizens with a single document to establish they are Indians.
A seven-year-old boy missing from Meerut was found murdered. Police arrested a man, Arpit Sharma, who confessed to the crime, revealing he had a relationship with the boy's mother and the child knew about it. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full motive.
An Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Border Security Force (BSF), ASI Lal Singh, allegedly committed suicide using his service rifle at a camp in Paloura, Jammu. Officials have initiated an inquest to determine the circumstances and motive behind the incident. Singh had recently rejoined his unit after a month-long leave.
A 94-year-old woman, K Mahalakshmamma, who lived in the United States for over two decades, has renounced her American citizenship to return to her native village in Andhra Pradesh and die as an Indian citizen. She underwent an oath-taking ceremony before the Bapatla District Collector, and her application for Indian citizenship restoration has been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has successfully deployed advanced drone technology for inspecting high voltage transmission corridors, leading to an 85 per cent reduction in power outages. This initiative has improved operational efficiency, workforce safety, and enabled precise fault detection and predictive maintenance across over 11,000 transmission towers and 3,370 km of lines.
We have Yoga Day. We have Hindi Day. We have, I am fairly certain, so many days, though I have never met anyone enjoying these days, notes Binu Alex.
US President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Tehran has consented to long-term, comprehensive monitoring of its nuclear infrastructure. Concurrently, Washington will ease shipping constraints in the Strait of Hormuz and release bound financial concessions, subject to stringent American oversight.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, confirmed that the US will continue to assess Iran's travel arrangements for the tournament despite their complaints about restrictions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is on a state visit to Pakistan to discuss the full implementation of an agreement signed between Iran and the US, alongside regional and international developments. The visit also aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors, following recent high-level talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland regarding regional security.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi, stressing the importance of respecting each other's "core interests" and implementing leaders' consensus for stable bilateral relations. Wang highlighted that India and China should view each other as partners, not rivals, and properly handle sensitive issues like the border dispute to foster cooperation and accelerate the modernisation of the Global South.
The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will finally get to watch her son play at the World Cup after receiving a visa to travel to the United States, following his tearful revelation that she missed his heroics against Spain due to travel issues.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has strongly refuted a video circulating on social media that falsely claims the NEET-UG 2026 paper was leaked, asserting that the recent re-examination was conducted successfully with comprehensive security measures.
The Indian Railway Ministry has issued a new circular allowing sportspersons to carry oversized and bulky sports equipment, such as javelins, on trains. This relaxation, however, excludes pole-vault poles due to technical feasibility. The equipment can be transported in designated luggage spaces on a priority basis, subject to freight charges, and existing weight limits will not apply.
During his visit to Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani donated Rs 10 crore (Rs 100 million) to the temple committee to support the development of pilgrim facilities and infrastructure.
Less than two months after ending the TMC's 15-year rule in the state, the BJP government is expected to table one of its most ambitious and politically sensitive promises, setting the stage for what could become the first major ideological confrontation of the post-election period.
A post-mortem report for the 15 victims of the Lucknow Aliganj fire revealed that they died from suffocation due to smoke inhalation, not major burn injuries. Doctors found soot in nasal passages and swelling around faces, indicating heavy smoke exposure. The tragedy has led to a high-level probe, arrests, and a directive for fire safety inspections across Uttar Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's family is under scrutiny after an Indian Express newspaper report revealed their extensive land purchases in Ujjain, particularly in areas benefiting from state infrastructure projects, raising questions of propriety and conflict of interest.
A tripartite pact -- amid the promise of removing AFSPA from almost all of the North East -- revives hydrocarbon exploration along the Assam-Nagaland border after decades of dormancy.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust secretary, Champat Rai, has declined to provide financial details, including income, expenditure, and donations, citing an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. This decision follows a complaint to the Prime Minister's Office by BJP leader Rajneesh Singh, seeking transparency on the utilisation of funds for the Ram temple project.
A suspected Pakistani drone was sighted over a forward village along the International Border in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir. The drone, seen moving from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, briefly hovered before returning. Security forces conducted a search operation for potential payloads but found nothing objectionable.
The ICC Player Protection Programme, in partnership with AI moderator Freedom2hear, is actively shielding women cricketers from social media abuse. Over 100 players, including India's Radha Yadav and England's Amy Jones, have joined the initiative, which has already removed nearly 60,000 harmful comments during the ongoing T20 World Cup, ensuring player well-being and confident fan engagement.
The iconic Boeing 747-200B, which served as Air Force One for 35 years, completes its final presidential flight, marking a significant transition for US presidential air travel.
The police arrested a self-styled godman and seven of his associates in Pune for allegedly sexually assaulting, physically torturing and financially exploiting a woman over several years under the guise of possessing divine powers, officials said on Thursday.
The US forces conducted strikes against Iran, on Friday, as a powerful response to Thursday's attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, said Central Command (CENTCOM) in a statement.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has strongly refuted a video circulating on social media that falsely claims the NEET-UG 2026 paper was leaked, asserting that the recent re-examination was conducted successfully with comprehensive security measures.
A 22-year-old woman in Chhattisgarh refused to marry her groom after he arrived heavily intoxicated at their wedding ceremony, leading to a scuffle. Her decision, made despite a prior warning to the groom about his drinking, has been widely praised and led to her felicitation by local police for taking a stand against alcohol addiction. The groom's family has agreed to compensate the bride's family for wedding expenses.
Three members of a family, Somasundar, Muthulaxmi, and their younger daughter Supriya, were found stabbed to death in their Bengaluru apartment. Police suspect the elder daughter and her boyfriend are responsible, possibly due to the parents' disapproval of their relationship. The suspects are currently absconding, and an investigation is underway.
Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez has withdrawn her plea from the Supreme Court, challenging a Delhi court's order to frame charges against her in a Rs 200 crore money laundering case.
The visit was expected to project Assam as the gateway to Southeast Asia and reinforce the state's emergence as a preferred investment destination.
