World Cup poised for kick-off as Benzema blow rocks France
The Hindu
Doha, Qatar The World Cup kicks off with host nation Qatar facing Ecuador on November 20 as the mont
The World Cup kicks off with host nation Qatar facing Ecuador on November 20 as the month-long football showpiece finally gets under way after a tortuous 12-year build-up dogged by off-field controversies.
Foreign government officials, VIPs and celebrities will be in the crowd as the first World Cup staged in the Arab world opens at the Bedouin-tent inspired Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 50 kilometres (31 miles) outside of Doha.
The venue is one of an array of brand new stadiums built for the tournament, which has cost Qatar an estimated $200 billion.
South Korean K-pop star Jung Kook will headline the 30-minute opening ceremony, which organisers said on Sunday would reflect themes of “humanity, respect and inclusion”.
World Cup organisers hope the start of the football will quell the controversies that have overshadowed preparations for the tournament ever since Qatar was named as host nation in a shock FIFA vote in 2010.
Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and the Gulf state’s human rights record have dominated the pre-tournament headlines.
On Saturday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino went on the offensive in an aggressive rebuttal of the opprobrium aimed at the event, arguing that much of the criticism was unfair.
The Banyan launches the Keshav Desiraju Lived Experience Repository in Chennai to preserve mental illness narratives across various formats.
MetLife Stadium will host the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19, with 104 matches across North America.
Former IAS officer Pradeep Sharma sentenced to five years for money laundering, causing ₹1.20 crore loss to the government.
The Dr. Mrs. YGP Centenary Annual Festival of Music and Dance launched at PSBB, celebrating classical arts and education.
CMC hosts a torch rally with 125 volunteers in Vellore to celebrate 125 years of dedicated service.
Government Women's Polytechnic in Nellore faces urgent repairs, yet funds remain unrequested due to budget constraints, risking student safety.
Author Salma and ‘Ervadi’ S. Radhakrishnan honored with Kaviko award at a ceremony in Vellore, receiving recognition and cash prize.
Mangaluru police arrest four individuals and seize half a kg of MDMA worth ₹50 lakh intended for local youth.
Uddhav Thackeray calls for appointing Leaders of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly, stressing the need for constitutional compliance ahead of the Winter Session.
Shashi Tharoor highlights English's significance in India, emphasizing its enriched lexicon through Indian word borrowings at a literature festival.
Cricket fans in Vizag enjoyed a thrilling ODI as Kohli, Rohit, and Jaiswal delivered memorable performances for Team India.
Congress leaders, including Kharge and Gandhi, meet to address the Karnataka leadership struggle, planning further discussions.
Kerala's local body polls focus on regional issues and candidates, not a referendum on the LDF government, experts say.