FIFA's decision to suspend USA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban has sparked fresh debate during the 2026 World Cup. Reports said only FIFA disciplinary committee chairman Mohammad Al-Kamali approved the decision, while the other members were not consulted. Balogun had received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was due to miss the Round of 16 match. FIFA said the ban was suspended for 12 months after reviewing the case. Reports also said US President Donald Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the incident. FIFA has not announced any further changes to its disciplinary process. (PC: @ Getty Images)

India defeated England by 270 runs in the first women's Test match ever played at Lord's. Chasing 457, England were bowled out for 186 on the final day. Kranti Gaud starred with five wickets and became the first woman to enter the Lord's Test honours board. Yastika Bhatia scored a century, while Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma made important runs. England's Sophie Ecclestone became her country's highest wicket-taker across all formats in women's cricket. The historic match marked 50 years since Lord's hosted its first women's international and ended with a memorable Indian victory.

Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to charge a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran has always protected the waterway and should be recognised for keeping it safe. However, he called the proposed 20% fee too high and said Iran would be fair. Trump said the US would act as the guardian of the strait and collect the fee to cover security costs. The exchange comes as tensions remain high over shipping and regional security in the Gulf.

More than half of NDA supporters are reluctant to use E20 petrol, according to a C-Voter survey, underscoring persistent concerns over the Centre’s ethanol blending policy. The survey found 52.5% of NDA voters would not prefer E20 fuel, while 18.1% supported its use and 29.5% remained undecided. Around 50% of respondents feared E20 could damage vehicle engines, while many also expressed concerns about reduced mileage. The findings suggest apprehensions over vehicle performance continue to outweigh policy support, even among the ruling alliance’s voter base. Most respondents also said E20 petrol should be priced lower than regular fuel if it is to gain wider consumer acceptance across the country. (PC: Drivespark)

At the first-ever conference of police chiefs from 119 border districts, States raised concerns over illegal migrants allegedly appearing on electoral rolls despite Assam’s special voter list revision, misuse of the Nepal border by radical elements to reach Punjab, and the growing use of encrypted apps such as WhatsApp, Skred and Zangi for arms and narcotics smuggling across the Pakistan border. Officials also highlighted increased drone activity along the Pakistan border for transporting weapons and drugs. The meeting discussed the migration of residents from border villages due to inadequate infrastructure and employment opportunities, stressing the need to strengthen border communities through initiatives such as the Vibrant Villages Programme. (PC: PTI)

Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died aged 38, weeks after being removed from FIFA World Cup 2026 officiating duties following his arrest in London over allegations of sexual assault that were later dropped. Dutch authorities are investigating the cause of his death. The Royal Dutch Football Association expressed shock and condolences, describing Dieperink as a respected international referee and valued colleague. FIFA had withdrawn him from the World Cup despite UK police closing the case without further action after determining the evidential threshold had not been met. Dieperink officiated 84 Eredivisie matches and also served as a video assistant referee at UEFA Euro 2024 before his final domestic assignment in May. (PC: Getty Images)

Ticket prices for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final have dropped sharply days before the July 19 showpiece, with TicketData.com reporting a 28% fall over the past week and a 19% decline in three days. The cheapest resale ticket now costs $7,149, down from $12,200 on June 22. Prices for quarterfinals and semifinals have also fallen by roughly 46-50%. Experts attribute the decline to FIFA's dynamic pricing, fluctuating demand and brokers offloading inventory after overestimating interest. Despite FIFA reporting record attendance and viewership, 1,366 final tickets remained available at MetLife Stadium, priced between $7,380 and $32,970, after FIFA released an additional 1,500 seats to the market. (PC: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

A 36-year-old US national, identified as Jordan Brown, was detained by the Sashastra Seema Bal while allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal from Uttar Pradesh without valid travel documents. Police said Brown claimed he entered India via a sea route in 2025 after losing his passport in Thailand, travelling through Sri Lanka before settling in Goa. No travel documents were recovered during his apprehension near the Sonauli border. Authorities have registered a case under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, and his claims are being verified. The incident comes days after the NIA arrested five Ukrainians and one US national in a separate terrorism-related investigation.

Poland has highlighted India's growing diplomatic influence, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin closely listens to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Polish Secretary of State Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski described India as a "very important international player", noting its credibility stems from not being perceived as hostile towards Russia. He said India's voice carries significant weight in efforts to prevent further escalation as the war continues without a clear resolution. The remarks underscore New Delhi's increasingly prominent role in global diplomacy, with India maintaining engagement with both Moscow and Western partners while consistently advocating dialogue, diplomacy and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

US President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of what he called an "Iranian blockade", saying Washington would assume responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and seek a 20 per cent reimbursement fee on all cargo transiting the strategic waterway. The announcement followed Trump's earlier statement that the United States would "take control" of the Strait and become its "Guardian". The move marks a sharp escalation in US rhetoric amid intensifying military tensions with Iran following days of exchanges in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes, carrying a significant share of global energy shipments through the region daily.