Times of India

Belgium ended the United States’ World Cup 2026 dream with a ruthless 4-1 victory in Seattle, reaching the quarter-finals after punishing costly defensive errors. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku completed the rout. Despite dominating possession, Mauricio Pochettino’s hosts fell short of a first World Cup quarter-final since 2002.

French captain Kylian Mbappé condemned racist social media posts by a Paraguayan senator. The senator's remarks targeted Mbappé's background and appearance after a World Cup match. Paraguay's government and the French Football Federation also denounced the senator's unacceptable comments. French officials, including President Macron, voiced strong support for Mbappé and condemned racism. This controversy follows similar remarks made by a former Paraguayan goalkeeper before the game.

Caviar has unveiled luxury versions of Apple's rumored foldable iPhone Ultra. These custom devices feature 24K gold and genuine crocodile leather. The "Flagship" collection offers four distinct design solutions for the upcoming phone. Technical specifications are based on rumors, including a titanium body and advanced cameras. Pre-orders for these exclusive reimagined iPhones start at $13,840.

Cristiano Ronaldo stated Portugal's Euro 2016 win holds immense personal value. He expressed disappointment after Portugal's World Cup exit, his final campaign. Ronaldo affirmed he gave his best and has no regrets about his efforts. He won three titles for Portugal, ending their trophy drought. The Euro 2016 victory remains a defining achievement in his career.

A newlywed woman died after allegedly falling from a building in Delhi. Her family accused her husband and relatives of dowry harassment and abuse. The woman had reportedly told her mother about physical beatings and fears for her life. Police have arrested her husband and registered a dowry death case. Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Oil prices saw a slight increase Tuesday after a tanker was struck near the Strait of Hormuz. This incident raised security concerns on a vital global oil shipping route. However, market gains were limited as traders focused on rising crude supplies. The United Arab Emirates and OPEC+ have agreed to increase their oil production levels. Saudi Arabia also lowered its August crude selling price for Asian markets.

Alpha continues its steady box office run after a strong opening weekend. The film collected an estimated Rs 3.85 crore net on its fourth day. Its total India gross collection reached an estimated Rs 45.34 crore. Overseas earnings pushed the worldwide gross to an estimated Rs 63.64 crore. The movie is now on its way to the Rs 100 crore milestone.

Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup journey concluded with Portugal's Round of 16 elimination. He expressed sadness and confirmed this was his final tournament appearance. Ronaldo stated he gave his best and leaves with a clear conscience. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez praised his influence and legacy in football. Ronaldo's career includes major international titles and scoring records.

Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup journey came to an emotional end as Portugal faced defeat against Spain. While sadness enveloped him, he remained proud of his legacy, being the sole player to score in six different World Cups. Having secured three titles with Portugal, including the 2016 Euros, he announced this bittersweet event as his last World Cup appearance, marking the conclusion of an era.

Saudi Arabia significantly reduced crude oil prices, reflecting intense competition among producers. Major Persian Gulf nations are increasing their oil output, restoring pre-war export levels. This move coincides with OPEC+ allies agreeing to further boost production targets for August. Lower oil prices and increased supply will benefit Indian refiners and reduce government subsidy burdens. Reduced energy costs for Indian companies will help control inflation and support consumer spending.

The Dallas Cowboys nearly completed a draft-day trade with the Kansas City Chiefs to move up for safety Caleb Downs, head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed. The Chiefs instead traded to No. 6 for Mansoor Delane, forcing Dallas to adjust and trade from No. 12 to No. 11, where they still selected Downs. Schottenheimer said Downs topped the Cowboys' draft board, while the rookie is already being tipped as a breakout player entering training camp.

India lodged a protest at a Dhaka seminar after a map showed Kashmir as part of Pakistan. An Indian diplomat immediately raised objections during the presentation by a former ambassador. The diplomat stated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The former ambassador claimed the map was for representational purposes only. The seminar was organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.

An ARAI report noted rubber part deterioration in E10 vehicles using E20 fuel. Metallic components showed no adverse impact, and emissions remained within legislative limits. One BS-VI turbocharged engine experienced issues after durability testing, unlike a BS-IV engine. Two-wheeler engine durability tests showed acceptable performance with E20 fuel. Fuel consumption increased by two to six percent for vehicles using E20.

France’s World Cup win over Paraguay was overshadowed by a racism controversy involving Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla. After a tense post-match incident between Kylian Mbappe and Orlando Gill, Amarilla posted offensive remarks about the France star on X. Mbappe responded publicly, condemning the comments and defending Paraguay’s players while calling out racism and hatred.

The National Investigation Agency has charged Hafiz Saeed for the Pahalgam attack. This attack tragically killed twenty-five tourists and one local resident. Evidence includes digital trails and on-ground examination by the agency. Saeed, LeT chief, faces charges under new Indian penal codes. He will be tried in absentia for waging war against India.

Amitabh Bachchan personally called The House of Abhinandan Lodha founder and chairman Abhinandan Lodha at around 3 am to enquire about buying land in Ayodhya and transferred Rs 15 crore the very next day after learning the price, the real estate entrepreneur has revealed. Bachchan has steadily expanded his real estate portfolio in Ayodhya over the past few years.