Times of India

Dripping with a thousand sub-plots, here’s a game for the past, present and tomorrow.

Argentina head into the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain after becoming the first team to score at least two goals in 13 consecutive World Cup matches. The defending champions have also scored in 16 straight World Cup games. Lionel Scaloni's side now aims to extend both streaks as they chase back-to-back titles against Spain.

A US judge has allowed Meta Platforms to proceed with planned layoffs of 26 employees. These employees had sued the company alleging AI-driven discrimination in job cuts. The judge declined an emergency request to halt the layoffs while claims proceed. He stated the court may reconsider if new evidence emerges about AI usage. Meta denies wrongdoing and states human decisions guided the workforce reduction.

England secured a 6-4 victory over France in a thrilling World Cup third-place playoff. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick, inspiring England's dominant performance throughout the match. Kylian Mbappe also netted twice, surpassing Lionel Messi's World Cup scoring record. This high-scoring contest marked the end of Didier Deschamps' tenure as France's head coach. The memorable match captivated a sell-out crowd at Hard Rock Stadium.

A division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court's Gwalior bench commuted the death sentence of a man convicted of raping and murdering a nine-year-old girl to life imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life. While upholding his conviction, the court ruled the case was heinous but did not meet the “rarest of rare” standard.

Spain have quietly put together one of the most complete tactical campaigns of the World Cup, reaching the final with a new identity that goes beyond the tiki-taka era. Under Luis de la Fuente, La Roja have blended control with verticality, aggression and defensive discipline, shutting down elite attacks while playing with purpose. Now, only Lionel Messi's Argentina stand between Spain and a second World Cup title.

Christopher Nolan's film 'The Odyssey' is performing strongly at the Indian box office. The movie collected a net total of twenty-two crore rupees on its second day. Its gross collection reached forty-seven crore rupees, with net earnings at thirty-nine crore. The English version led the collection, earning seventeen crore rupees on Saturday. 'The Odyssey' is expected to surpass fifty crore rupees by its third day.

In an impressive World Cup run, Jude Bellingham scored seven goals, featuring a brilliant solo strike that led England to a third-place win. His record-breaking achievement outshined past legends in the sport and silenced doubts about his place in the lineup, paving the way for future generations of English players to aspire to his legacy.

Stephen Constantine believes Lionel Messi is not football's greatest player ever. He ranks Pelé, Maradona, and Ronaldinho above the Argentine star. Constantine suggests Argentina's tactics help Messi conserve energy during matches. He predicts Spain will defeat Argentina in the World Cup final. The former India coach highlights Spain's collective work ethic as key.

England emerged victorious in an exhilarating 6-4 clash against France during the third-place playoff. Kylian Mbappé marked his place in history as the World Cup's leading goal scorer. Bukayo Saka showcased his talent by netting a remarkable hat-trick, while Jude Bellingham secured England's bronze medal with a final flourish. France's aspirations to equalize fell short amid the high-scoring excitement of the match.

Two additional US service members died defending against Iranian attacks in Jordan. This brings the total American military deaths in the conflict to sixteen. The ongoing conflict is largely fought through drones and missile strikes. Iranian authorities reported at least fifty people killed and over five hundred injured. Civilians and foreign workers across the region have also suffered casualties.

Supreme Court clarified that abusive language is not obscenity under law. Mere swear words and profanities do not constitute an offense. The court set aside a conviction for using abusive slurs during an altercation. Obscenity requires a lascivious element appealing to prurient interests. Such words must also cause annoyance to others in public places.

Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket successfully launched into low Earth orbit on Saturday. This historic mission placed six payloads into their targeted orbit successfully. India now becomes the third nation with private orbital launch capability. The Hyderabad-based startup achieved this significant milestone on its first attempt. This launch signifies a new era for private Indian space industry operations.

But Rubio downplays radical islamist extremism

Police are examining Rahul Singh's smartphone for digital evidence related to his death. An FIR was registered against four individuals for abetment to suicide charges. Rahul's brother alleged sustained harassment and financial disputes led to his extreme step. Investigators are reviewing communications and financial transactions for crucial details. The forensic report will determine the exact cause of the scientist's death.

Investigators Detect FEMA Violations, Recommend ED Probe

A 21-year-old woman was fatally stabbed by her estranged live-in partner in Nashik. The accused then died by suicide hours after the violent attack occurred. The victim had recently ended their relationship and moved to Nashik for work. Police are registering a case based on a complaint from the victim's fiancé. The incident highlights a tragic end to a troubled relationship.