Every mainstream state school in England will receive individual attendance targets and increased monitoring as official data shows persistent absence rates remain double pre-pandemic levels.
FIFA apologized for errors regarding Gianni Infantino's failed plan to sell World Cup stakes, while senior staff in Morocco backed his presidency amid calls for him to step down.
Fifa apologised for errors regarding Gianni Infantino's failed plan to sell World Cup stakes, while senior staff in Morocco reaffirmed their support for his presidency.
The UFC's Freedom 250 card on the White House South Lawn caused a $30m loss due to high production costs and no public ticket sales, despite drawing 34m worldwide views, parent company TKO Group announced.
Republic of Ireland's Nations League match against Israel in Serbia will be played behind closed doors due to security concerns, while Israel's home fixture in Hungary will allow a small number of supporters.
Bangladesh's state minister for foreign affairs asked India to clarify whether it supports an upcoming virtual address by former PM Sheikh Hasina in Delhi, warning it could impact bilateral ties.
A petition urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to skip the 9/11 commemoration due to his controversial views and alleged radical connections has garnered over 70,000 signatures. Mamdani dismisses the motion, affirming his intent to attend, while a smaller victims' group supports him.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, influential US politician and dealmaker, will be memorialized in Washington with services attended by lawmakers, foreign leaders like Netanyahu and Zelenskyy, and President Trump, honoring his global stature and military service.
Ascot Racecourse has reported record post-Covid attendance and £10.5m in pre-tax profits, announcing a British-record £2.5m prize fund for next year's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. This strategic move aims to elevate the race's prestige, attracting a strong field including Japanese contenders.
BBC Sport examines how rising WSL attendances, fan engagement initiatives and matchday issues are shaping the women's game in England. Arsenal's large crowds highlight growth, but scheduling and accessibility remain major concerns.
Donald Trump hosted the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House, receiving a custom jersey and ring. Key players attended, but Mookie Betts and Kike Hernández notably did not, citing family and injury rehab, amidst controversy over ICE raids in Los Angeles.
The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai experienced its most vibrant event since 2018, with record attendance and high temperatures. Driven by global AI frenzy and official endorsement, tickets were scalped for over 1,000 yuan, attracting industry insiders, parents, and job-seeking graduates.
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter criticized the 2026 World Cup, claiming it "lost its credibility" due to political influence and urging stakeholders to reclaim the sport. This came after Spain's victory in the 48-team tournament, which FIFA hailed as a success despite various off-field controversies.
The U.S. condemned China's "dangerous and aggressive" actions against Philippine navy personnel in the South China Sea, after a Chinese coast guard officer reportedly injured a Filipino sailor. The incident occurred at Second Thomas Shoal ahead of U.S. and Chinese foreign ministers' meetings in Manila.
Hong Kong's first-time lawmakers in the eighth Legislative Council have submitted fewer questions to the government compared to veterans but recorded higher attendance. Political observers suggest this reflects a balance between respecting the executive-led system and providing checks.
Hong Kong's HK$40 million Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX), set for October 2026, has cut ticket prices and diversified programming. New leadership aims to attract attendees and boost the city's cultural image amid a tough global economy, maintaining delegate expense coverage.
Barnaby Joyce defended Pauline Hanson's support for "mass deportations" of visa overstayers, while denying she backs the White Australia policy. Hanson's European trip, including an interview with far-right figure Tommy Robinson and a meeting with Restore Britain's Rupert Lowe, sparked controversy, with her daughter and Joyce claiming her comments were taken out of context.
South Korea's Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) reached 8 million fans for the season in a record 443 games, surpassing the 2025 record of 465 games. The league is on track to break its single-season attendance record of 12.3 million, with average attendance up year-on-year.
President Xi Jinping opened China's 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, elevating its status and signaling AI's role as a technological imperative and cornerstone of China's geopolitical strategy amid US tech restrictions.
FIFA successfully staged its first World Cup final halftime show, uniting global music icons like Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, and Coldplay. The 11-minute spectacle celebrated togetherness and unity, featuring diverse acts from six continents, football legends, and beloved characters.
An SIT probe into the Ayodhya Ram temple donation theft revealed nine major procedural and security lapses, including lack of frisking, unmonced uniforms, mixing of cash, and absence of denomination-wise records, enabling large-scale embezzlement.
Tadej Pogacar won stage six of the 2026 Tour de France on the Col du Tourmalet, taking a commanding overall lead. His rival Jonas Vingegaard finished nearly three minutes behind, with Pogacar's dominance described as 'ogre-like'.
Tadej Pogacar won stage six of the 2026 Tour de France on the Col du Tourmalet, taking a commanding overall lead. He distanced rival Jonas Vingegaard significantly, showcasing his dominance and potentially securing his fifth win.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced a new first-half attendance record, drawing 7,633,775 fans over 424 games in the 2026 season. This surpasses the previous record set in 2025 and indicates the league is on pace to exceed last year's single-season mark.
