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Vance says US-Iran talks have laid a ‘good foundation’ for a deal to end the war.

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Vance says US-Iran talks have laid a ‘good foundation’ for a deal to end the war.

High-level talks between Iran and America have resulted in very good progress.

Vice President J.D. Vance said, as he departed Switzerland on Monday, that the two sides had agreed to a road map toward reaching a final agreement to end the war within 60 days.

“We laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal,” Vance said in a press conference before leaving for America. He added, “The final deal is the house.” We have established the groundwork. We have not built the house, but we have laid a successful foundation to get the American people a better place.”

Technical talks were continuing in the mountain resort of Bürgenstock after the first round of marathon talks between senior leaders of the two countries. They had a difficult start, first being cancelled and then facing new threats from President Donald Trump.

Vance confirmed that Iran had threatened to pull out over those comments, but he defended Trump. Vance said, “We told the Iranians yesterday that when you engage in what we might call ‘millennium trash talk’, you should expect the President of the United States to respond and correct the record.”

The talks ultimately resulted in a joint statement issued by mediators Qatar and Pakistan, which struck a uniformly positive tone and described a “constructive environment.” Mediators said Washington and Tehran agreed to establish new communication lines to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open and end fighting in Lebanon.

Vance said Iran had agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to return to the country.

He also said Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner had come up with “a very interesting solution” to freeing up Iran’s assets, which would involve US and Qatari approval and then using the money to purchase US soy, corn and wheat. He said it was a “classic Trump deal.”

Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Monday that the negotiating team, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had left Switzerland after about 18 hours of intensive talks and consultations. But the agency said Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi was leading the Iranian team in the technical talks.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Reports: Germany, Netherlands, and Japan Shine on Matchday Two

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Reports: Germany, Netherlands, and Japan Shine on Matchday Two
FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Reports: Germany, Netherlands, and Japan Shine on Matchday Two

The second matchday of the FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered drama, history, and statement performances across North America. From Germany’s stoppage-time escape to the Netherlands’ five-star display and Japan’s record-breaking victory, here are the full match reports from the latest round of fixtures.

Group E: Germany 2-1 Cote d’Ivoire – Undav Sends Germans Through

Venue: Toronto, Canada

Germany became the first European side to reach the knockout phase, but they did it the hard way. Julian Nagelsmann’s men came from behind to defeat a resilient Côte d’Ivoire side 2-1, with substitute Deniz Undav emerging as the hero with two second-half goals.

The Ivorians took a deserved lead in the 30th minute when captain Franck Kessie blasted home a rebound after Germany failed to clear their lines. The African side had started brightly, with Amad Diallo and teenager Yan Diomande consistently threatening the German defence.

Germany struggled for fluency before the break, with Kai Havertz having a goal disallowed for offside. Nagelsmann responded by introducing fresh attacking options after the hour mark, a decision that immediately transformed the game.

One of those substitutes, Deniz Undav, brought Germany level in the 68th minute, finishing cleanly following a cross from Nadiem Amiri. The momentum had shifted decisively, and Undav completed the turnaround in the 94th minute, reacting quickly to a pass from Felix Nmecha and converting under pressure to seal the victory.

The result sends Germany through to the Round of 32, while Côte d’Ivoire must now regroup for their final group match against Curaçao.

Group E: Ecuador 0-0 Curacao – Historic First Point for Caribbean Side

Venue: Kansas City, Missouri

Curacao made history by securing their first-ever World Cup point in a remarkable goalless draw against Ecuador. The hero of the day was goalkeeper Eloy Room, who produced a record-breaking performance with 15 saves to keep the Caribbean side alive in Group E. .

Ecuador piled on relentless pressure from the opening minutes, with Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata repeatedly testing Room. The goalkeeper stood firm, making a series of outstanding saves, including denying a close-range header and a powerful strike from inside the box in the dying moments.

Despite long spells under pressure, Curacao created occasional openings of their own through Tahith Chong and Juninho Bacuna. But Room remained the pivotal figure throughout, clinching a result that keeps Dick Advocaat’s side in contention ahead of their final group match against Côte d’Ivoire.

For Ecuador, the dropped points are a setback for their qualification hopes.

Netherlands players celebrate during their 5-1 victory over Sweden at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Group F: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden – Brobbey and Gakpo Run Riot

Venue: Houston, Texas

The Netherlands bounced back from their opening draw with Japan in devastating fashion, thrashing Sweden 5-1 to move to the top of Group F. .

Coach Ronald Koeman made a bold call to start Brian Brobbey ahead of Crysencio Summerville, and the decision paid off immediately. The Sunderland forward struck twice in the opening 17 minutes, completing a pair of flowing moves with close-range finishes.

The Swedes briefly thought they had pulled one back before halftime, but a VAR review ruled the effort from a set piece offside. Any hopes of a Swedish resurgence were extinguished early in the second half when Cody Gakpo took control with two quick goals, capitalising on defensive errors and sharp counterattacks.

Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden, but Summerville ended any hopes of a late fightback, adding a fifth in the final minute to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

The result all but mathematically guarantees the Netherlands a place in the last 32.

Group F: Tunisia 0-4 Japan – Samurai Blue Make History

Venue: Guadalupe, Mexico

Japan delivered a masterclass in Monterrey, overwhelming Tunisia 4-0 in the 1000th match in World Cup history.

The Asian giants wasted no time asserting their dominance, taking the lead inside four minutes through Daichi Kamada after Keito Nakamura’s low delivery caused chaos in the penalty area.

Japan continued to dictate proceedings and doubled their advantage in the 31st minute. Ayase Ueda, who had been a constant menace, received the ball on the edge of the box and drilled a precise effort into the bottom corner.

Any hopes of a Tunisian comeback were extinguished in the 69th minute when Junya Ito latched onto a simple forward pass, shrugged off his marker, and calmly slotted the ball underneath the advancing goalkeeper.

Ueda completed the rout late with his second goal of the evening, rising to meet a cross and sending a looping header into the net, becoming the first Japanese player to score twice in a World Cup match.

The emphatic victory strengthens Japan’s position in Group F and leaves them needing only a point from their final fixture against Sweden to secure automatic qualification for the Round of 32. For Tunisia, the defeat leaves them on the brink of elimination.

Group D: Turkey 0-1 Paraguay – Fastest Goal and Red Card Drama

Venue: San Francisco, California

Paraguay secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Turkey in a match filled with drama, including the tournament’s fastest goal and a controversial red card.

Matias Galarza scored after just 65 seconds, capitalising on a defensive error to unleash a powerful long-range shot past goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir. The goal set a new record for the fastest strike in the 2026 World Cup.

Turkey dominated possession and created numerous chances but lacked finishing. Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz, and Mert Muldur all came close, with Muldur hitting both the crossbar and post from a free kick in the 32nd minute.

The turning point came at the end of the first half when Miguel Almiron received a direct red card after covering his mouth with his hand during an argument with Muldur. After consulting VAR, referee Ivan Barton applied FIFA’s new World Cup rule and issued the red card.

Despite playing with ten men for the entire second half, Paraguay defended heroically. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill made a series of outstanding saves to deny Turkey, who have now taken 62 shots across two matches without scoring a single goal.

The victory gives Paraguay 3 points and opens the door to the knockout stages, while Turkey is officially eliminated.

Matchday Two Results Summary

MatchResultKey Story
Germany vs Côte d’Ivoire2-1Undav’s stoppage-time winner sends Germany through 
Ecuador vs Curacao0-0Curacao’s first-ever World Cup point 
Netherlands vs Sweden5-1Brobbey and Gakpo each score twice 
Tunisia vs Japan0-4Japan’s historic four-goal performance 
Turkey vs Paraguay0-1Fastest goal and red card drama 

Looking Ahead

With the group stage reaching its halfway point, the race for qualification is intensifying. Germany has already secured their place in the knockout rounds, while the Netherlands and Japan are well-positioned to join them.

The expanded 48-team format means the top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32. Every match from here on carries enormous significance.

Stay tuned for more FIFA World Cup 2026 match reports as the action continues across the 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The World Cup hero could join Man United or Liverpool for just £60 million after making significant contributions.

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The World Cup hero could join Man United or Liverpool for just £60 million after making significant contributions.

The midfielder has been in excellent form for Germany at the World Cup and could move to the Premier League this summer.

 

Felix Nmecha has become Germany’s new hero. (Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Felix Nemecha is available for just £52m as he continues his World Cup success.

The Germany international has contributed to three goals so far, including the assist for the winning strike against Ivory Coast on Saturday.

Nmecha is reportedly open to leaving Borussia Dortmund this summer. Desperate for a return to England, Manchester United are tracking him among clubs. The 25-year-old left the Manchester City academy set-up for a fresh start at Wolfsburg in 2021, before making a £26m switch to BVB two years later.

Since the move, the midfielder has contributed 21 goals in 112 outings for the Bundesliga outfit and earned a place in Germany’s World Cup squad. He scored and assisted in the country’s crushing 7-1 rout of Curacao before adding another assist to help seal progression to the knockout rounds.

The 25-year-old’s fame has never been higher. Reports suggest that although Nemecha signed a new Dortmund contract in March, his long-term future at the club remains uncertain.

It is understood that a deal worth around £52m could be agreed, a figure which has sparked considerable interest in the midfielder. However, United may face stiff competition from Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Felix Nemecha.

Felix Nemecha shines at the World Cup. (Photo: Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Nemecha’s brother Lucas also progressed through the youth system at City before joining Felix at Wolfsburg. The striker is now back on English soil with Leeds United, and his younger brother could follow suit this summer.

Team Talk reports that the midfielder’s camp believes there is a real chance for the player to secure a move during the window, with interest in his talent likely to remain strong throughout the big tournament.

A number of Premier League supporters have taken to social media to express their excitement at Nemecha’s display against Ivory Coast, urging their respective clubs to make their move. One Chelsea supporter wrote, “Felix Nemecha, what a player. I need him with Caicedo.”

Another commented: “If Xabi Alonso needs a midfielder who can carry the ball, win duels, cover ground, dominate transitions, and influence games at Chelsea, then I have two names: Felix Nemecha and Angelo Stellar. “I have 2 names, Felix Nemcha and Angelo Stellar.”

An Arsenal supporter added: “Felix Nemecha is a midfield general. He literally does everything with the ball: a 6’4″ midfielder who flows like a ballerina, is defensively solid like a bull, and passes the ball like a proper teacher. He should definitely be on Arsenal’s shortlist.”

One United supporter stated, ‘INEOS’s Felix Nmecha is not a gamble; he is a proven midfielder. ‘If Matthies Fernandes is not going to work, we must do everything for him.”

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Belgium and Iran Play Out Goalless Draw in FIFA World Cup 2026

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Belgium and Iran Play Out Goalless Draw in FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium and Iran Play Out Goalless Draw in FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium and Iran

Belgium and Iran play out a goalless draw in one of the most closely contested matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage. Despite several opportunities at both ends of the pitch, neither side managed to find the breakthrough as the match ended 0-0.

The Group G encounter was played in Los Angeles and carried significant importance for both teams. Belgium entered the match looking to build on their opening draw against Egypt, while Iran hoped to follow up their entertaining 2-2 result against New Zealand with a positive performance.

In the end, both teams earned a point, leaving qualification for the knockout stage finely balanced heading into the final round of group matches.

A Tactical Battle from Start to Finish

The match began with Belgium controlling possession and attempting to dictate the tempo. The European side created several chances during the opening stages, with their midfield working hard to supply opportunities for the attackers.

Iran, however, remained disciplined throughout the contest. Their defensive organisation frustrated Belgium and prevented the Red Devils from turning their possession into goals. Whenever Belgium advanced into dangerous areas, Iran’s defenders and goalkeeper responded effectively.

While Belgium enjoyed more of the ball, Iran looked threatening on the counterattack and showed that they could create problems whenever space became available. The tactical discipline displayed by both teams turned the match into an intriguing battle rather than a high-scoring affair.

Alireza Beiranvand Emerges as the Match Hero

One of the biggest reasons why Belgium and Iran played out a goalless draw was the outstanding performance of Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Beiranvand produced a series of crucial saves throughout the match and was widely regarded as the standout performer on the pitch. He repeatedly denied Belgian attackers and kept his team in the game during periods of sustained pressure.

The Iranian goalkeeper stopped several of Belgium’s best chances, displaying excellent positioning, quick reactions, and composure under pressure. His performance earned widespread praise from fans and football analysts alike.

Belgium Reduced to Ten Men

The game changed significantly in the second half when Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy received a red card for bringing down Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi during a promising attack.

The dismissal left Belgium with ten players for the final stages of the match and shifted momentum towards Iran. Many expected the Asian side to take advantage of the numerical superiority, but Belgium continued to defend strongly despite being a man down.

The red card added tension and excitement to the closing stages, yet neither side was able to find the decisive goal.

Belgium and Iran

Iran Comes Close to Breaking the Deadlock

Iran had several promising moments during the match and nearly took the lead on more than one occasion. One of their biggest opportunities came when Mehdi Taremi found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed after a VAR review determined that he was offside.

The decision was a major disappointment for Iran, whose supporters believed they had witnessed the opening goal of the match. Despite that setback, the Iranian players continued to push forward and looked dangerous on the counterattack.

Their ability to create chances against a strong Belgian team demonstrated why they remain serious contenders for a place in the knockout rounds.

Belgium Frustrated by Missed Chances

For Belgium, the result will likely feel like a wasted opportunity. The team created enough chances to win the match but struggled to convert their opportunities.

Experienced stars such as Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku were unable to make the decisive impact that many supporters expected.

Belgium dominated possession for long periods and registered multiple attempts on goal, but a combination of excellent goalkeeping and strong Iranian defending prevented them from securing all three points.

Group G Qualification Race Intensifies

The fact that Belgium and Iran play out a goalless draw means the battle for qualification in Group G remains completely open.

Both teams now have two points after two matches, meaning they still have a chance to reach the knockout rounds. Belgium will face New Zealand in their final group match, while Iran is scheduled to play Egypt in another crucial encounter.

With every team in the group still capable of progressing, the final round of fixtures promises plenty of drama. Goal difference, defensive records, and individual moments of brilliance could ultimately decide which nations advance.

Fans Praise Iran’s Resilience

Many football fans and commentators praised Iran for their disciplined and determined performance. Despite facing a team with greater international experience and a higher profile, Iran remained organised and competitive throughout the match.

The team’s resilience was particularly impressive given the pressure they faced from Belgium’s attack. Their ability to secure a valuable point against one of Europe’s strongest football nations highlights the progress made by Iranian football in recent years.

Conclusion

Belgium and Iran play out a goalless draw in a match that featured strong defending, excellent goalkeeping, and plenty of tactical intrigue. Although neither side managed to score, the game was far from lacking drama, with a red card, a disallowed goal, and several excellent saves providing key talking points.

For Belgium, the result means they still have work to do in their final group match. For Iran, the draw marks another important step towards potential qualification for the knockout stage.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues, both teams remain firmly in contention, ensuring that Group G will remain one of the most closely watched groups in the tournament.

Today’s Top FIFA World Cup 2026 News (21 June 2026)

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to deliver exciting results, surprise performances, and intense competition as teams battle for places in the knockout stage. Here are the biggest World Cup stories from today:

Spain Dominates Saudi Arabia

Spain produced one of the most impressive performances of the tournament so far, defeating Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Group H. The victory strengthens Spain’s position in the group and boosts confidence ahead of the final group-stage matches.

Japan Thrashes Tunisia

Japan continued its strong World Cup campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Tunisia in Group F. The result places Japan in a strong position to qualify for the knockout rounds and highlights the team’s attacking quality.

Belgium and Iran Play Out Goalless Draw

Belgium and Iran shared the points after a tense 0-0 draw in Group G. Despite several chances, neither side could find a breakthrough, leaving qualification from the group finely balanced.

Cape Verde Stuns Uruguay

One of the biggest surprises of the day came in Group H, where Cape Verde took a shock lead against Uruguay. The result underlines how competitive this World Cup has become, with smaller nations proving capable of challenging traditional football powers.

Germany Continues Strong Form

Germany remains one of the tournament favourites, having maintained an unbeaten start to the competition. The Germans have impressed with their attacking football and defensive organisation, making them one of the teams to watch.

England’s Powerful Start Draws Attention

England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia earlier in the week remains one of the standout performances of the tournament. The Three Lions have shown strong attacking form and are emerging as serious contenders.

Argentina and France Prepare for Key Matches

Football fans are eagerly awaiting upcoming matches involving Argentina and France. Both teams won their opening fixtures and will look to secure qualification for the knockout stage in the coming days.

Scotland Faces Tough Qualification Battle

Scotland’s hopes of progressing remain alive, but the team faces a challenging path after its recent defeat to Morocco. Their final group-stage match will be crucial.

United States Impresses on Home Soil

The United States has enjoyed a strong start to the tournament, including victories over Paraguay and Australia. Playing in front of large home crowds has provided a significant boost to the American squad.

Knockout Race Intensifies

With several groups entering their decisive stages, the battle for qualification is becoming increasingly competitive. Every goal, point, and result could determine which teams advance to the Round of 32.

Players Making Headlines

  • England’s attacking stars continue to impress.
  • Japan’s young talents are attracting worldwide attention.
  • Germany’s forwards are among the tournament’s top scorers.
  • Argentina’s experienced squad looks determined to challenge for another title.

Matches to Watch Next

  • Argentina vs Austria
  • France vs Iraq
  • Norway vs Senegal
  • Jordan vs Algeria

Football fans around the world are expecting more drama as the FIFA World Cup 2026 moves closer to the knockout rounds, where every match becomes a win-or-go-home battle.

Butterscotch fans should be wary of Tiramisu’s treatment of trifles

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Butterscotch fans should be wary of Tiramisu’s treatment of trifles

Trifle and tiramisu seem similar. Both the sweets are made by coating sponge cake or biscuits with something creamy. The trifle is British, soaking sponges in alcohol and layering custard, fruit, jelly and whipped cream on top.

Tiramisu is Italian, soaking a sponge in coffee and topping it with sugar, eggs and a mixture of mascarpone, a rich Italian cream cheese and bitter cocoa powder.

There are even recipes for tiramisu trifle that combine the two.

It’s like being married to a vampire and a beautiful long-necked woman. Tiramisu is everywhere. You can find it on restaurant and café menus, in supermarkets, at parties, and as a delicious treat in its own right.

You can get tiramisu syrup, tiramisu chocolate, tiramisu cupcakes and tiramisu-flavoured protein powder. There are also recipes for tiramisu and gulab jamun! But when was the last time you tasted a proper trifle? It may seem strange to say that tiramisu is taking the life out of little things, but the evidence suggests just that.

Trifle was once common in India. It was a British introduction that stuck, rich yet refreshing with all that fruit and cold custard. The wine made it sophisticated, yet the jelly was delightfully reminiscent of childhood.

Even a small thing provides a lot of scope for intriguing changes. My mother broiled the dried apricots to coat the fruit, which added a mild yet tart flavour.

In My Bombay Kitchen, Nilofar Ichaporia King writes of how, when her mother found alcohol difficult to obtain during Bombay’s Prohibition years, she used Drakshasava, an Ayurvedic herbal tonic made based on fermented grape juice. His friends liked it so much that they continued using Drakshasava even when alcohol became available again.

But variability may be one reason the trifle is lost. Tiramisu means one thing: that powerful hit of coffee, chocolate, and cream, which is why it’s so easy to distinguish how it tastes. Its brown and cream colours are also distinctive. When American naturalists discovered that, due to global warming, grizzly and polar bears were encountering each other and producing brown and cream-coloured cubs, they dubbed them Tiramisu bears.

Unlike trifle, tiramisu is often made in single portions, made from a large bowl and spooned out. This is ideal for today’s market, where a distinctive image and taste, along with personalised portions, are far superior to quiet, communal offerings of small things.

My friend Vatsala tells me the trifle remains popular in Coonoor, where she lives. The popularity is probably due to its connection with the army.

In A Memsahab’s Cookbook, Kikki Sahota includes a recipe for a ‘boozy trifle’, which uses a mixture of heated rum and jam to soak the base. But she also has a recipe for tiramisu where coffee is mixed with brandy.

Instead of the hard-to-locate mascarpone, a mixture of strained curds and cream is used, a simpler method that may have helped spread the popularity of tiramisu.

This recipe also explains why Indian tiramisu often has a mild, irritating, sour taste, but the strong coffee covers it up.

Sadly, it may be too late for that little thing. Except in areas like Coonoor, the kind of society in which it flourished has probably passed away.

But it’s not too late to avert a similar threat to another much-loved flavour. The British also brought butterscotch, and its butter-caramel flavour remains popular, especially in yellow ice cream with crunchy pieces of toffee.

In a New York Times article on India’s love for butterscotch, food scholar Pushpesh Pant links it to the deep Indian love for ghee and jaggery, which have a similar taste.

Still, I have a feeling that the classic butterscotch flavour is becoming increasingly rare. In its place is now salted caramel, where a sprinkle of salt highlights the same butter and burnt sugar flavours.

I love salted caramel, but it would be a pity if its growth displaced the butterscotch, the way tiramisu has done with the trifle.

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How England’s 27-year-old Trevoh Chalobah revealed his World Cup dream.

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How England’s 27-year-old Trevoh Chalobah revealed his World Cup dream.

Trevoh Chalobah was in New York when he found out he was going to be a part of it. But when Thomas Tuchel tried to spread the news, there was a delay. Chalobah was in Times Square. It wasn’t until he returned to his hotel that he discovered Tuchel was in touch. Chalobah was about to have a holiday. He was going to be included in England’s World Cup 2026 squad.

“I was shocked,” the defender explained. “When I saw the message, he asked if I was free to call, and I said yes. We spoke on FaceTime and he broke the news to me. I was just pleased. Chalobah became England’s 27th man to benefit from Tino Leveramento’s misfortune. When the Newcastle full-back crashed out of the tournament, Chalobah was the one who replaced him.

He remembered his reaction. “I just called my family and called my agent. It was early in the morning, so I texted my agent and said, ‘Wake up, wake up,'” she said. “He thought I was in trouble or something.”

Chalobah was not selected in the first round.

Instead, it was the opposite, as in Touchell’s contact. The England manager had initially been the dispenser of bad news. Chalobah was not selected in the first round. And yet there was hope. “He said, ‘You’re close,'” she recalled. “I was disappointed that I couldn’t make it but he said, ‘Be prepared.'”

Chalobah also remained nearby. It was an apt choice of holiday destination. The city where England will face Panama, where they will probably play the World Cup final. Chaluba was keeping himself in shape.

He held sessions in New York and had his own personal trainer. But he had given away his boots at the end of the season and had to fast-track his requests with his sponsors for a new pair.

Chalobah’s first caps for both Chelsea and England came under Thomas Tuchel (Getty)

But he was also trying to switch off. “Before New York, I was in Monaco for F1 – I went there this weekend – then I went to Cannes,” he said. I was just enjoying my vacation before I left for New York on Saturday.

He planned to cross to America. Los Angeles was going to be his next destination. He is still checking to see if his hotel in California is refundable. “I’m still trying to get my money back,” he said with a smile.

Even if he doesn’t, he can accept it. Chalobah has now realised that wish. In 2018, when the teenager joined League One Ipswich on loan, he posted a picture of himself with the World Cup on social media, captioned “one day”. Eight years later, he reflected: “It’s always been a dream and that day I decided to tweet it.”

Chalobah and Mark Gehry during a training session
Chalobah and Mark Gehry during a training session (P.A)

He hopes that day will come when he plays against Ghana in Boston. He is ready to join. Paddling for two hours with Ivan Toni and Ezri Konsa is part of his bid to speed it up. Chaluba won, he reported. Which one is a contender for a place: While the 26-year-old is versatile, Tuchel has told him he sees his role as a right-sided centre-back.

And Tuchel is well aware of this fact. “We have this really fun, happy relationship, and I love it,” Chaluba said. He made his first appearances for both Chelsea and England while Tuchel was in charge. Tuchel also wanted to take him to Bayern Munich. “We’ve always had this special relationship.”

Others have not always been so convinced of Chaluba’s merits. He has spent time in the Chelsea bomb squad, with their owners seeing their academy product as an opportunity to make a net profit in the PSR era. But he has always found a way back into controversy.

He played 47 matches last season. He also hopes to play a role under Xabi Alonso. He has yet to speak to the Spanish. But Alonso should admire the fighting spirit of a player who has always responded to setbacks.

“I love my career,” Chaluba said. “It’s not just part of football but going through life as a person; there are always ups and downs, and it’s never smooth sailing, but for me, I’ve loved every minute.”

Chalobah celebrate after their FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds.
Chalobah celebrated after his FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds. (Getty)

Getting his World Cup call-up, he said, was “No. 1″ in his career so far. It was even more special because he had faced the disappointment of not starting in 26.

I think that’s the beautiful thing about it,” he smiled. When you don‘t expect it and get a call like that, it shows that when you think it’s all over, it can still happen. I proved that tweet to be true.”

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TMC’s exposure is a lesson for other parties

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TMC’s exposure is a lesson for other parties

Is the rebellion within TMC a familiar pattern or a unique phenomenon?

Rarely in the political history of India has any party unravelled so quickly after an election defeat as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) seems to have done in the past two weeks. Is the rebellion within TMC a familiar pattern or a unique phenomenon?

The short answer is that it is both.
The pattern is familiar, as the last few years have seen frequent fractures in Indian politics. Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) split in 2022-23; then earlier this year, seven Rajya Sabha MPs from AAP joined the BJP, and now six Shiv Sena (UBT) members are likely to merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Sena.

However, what has unfolded in West Bengal in the past two weeks is qualitatively different. Public outcry has led to some regional parties collapsing so dramatically and breakaway factions taking away a significant share of MLAs in both the Assembly and the Lok Sabha.

TMC Bhawan by EM Bypass in Kolkata ——– Suparna Goswami

The common thread connecting Shiv Sena, NCP, AAP and now TMC lies in the intersection of two forces. The first challenge is that of intergenerational succession. Most regional parties have evolved into family-centric political enterprises.

As long as the founders remain electorally influential, they rarely face questions. Problems arise when the next generation takes command.

Previously, political families or dissidents fought succession battles, but they often lacked the resources to mount a serious challenge. Now, ambitious lieutenants may accept the authority of a founder, but they are most likely to disband their troops when leadership is passed to a family heir.

And with the political dominance of the BJP since 2014, such dissidents have an alternative home.

Allying with the ruling party may ensure their political survival, protection from scrutiny, or a faster path to political advancement. BJP supporters will say that the party did not create these circumstances of rebellion.

Yet, it has become remarkably effective at exploiting them and reshaping the opposition it faces.
Yet, the story of Bengal goes beyond just succession and the BJP’s strategy. After all, other regional parties have experienced leadership changes and electoral defeats without such rapid disintegration.

There has been no such abandonment so far from the Samajwadi Party, which has been out of government since 2017, or the RJD, which has largely been out of government since 2005, except for a few years in alliance with Nitish Kumar.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) suffered one of its most dramatic recent defeats in Andhra Pradesh. It also remained intact as an organisation. Even after years of factionalism following Jayalalithaa’s death, the AIADMK retained a significant core organisation after the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections.

Many MLAs who supported Vijay during the floor test returned to former CM E Palaniswami. In neighbouring Odisha, the BJD lost to the BJP after ruling for almost a quarter of a century. Despite its high centralisation around Naveen Patnaik, the party retained a distinct organisational identity and administrative reputation that survived electoral defeat.

Why has TMC proved to be weaker? The answer lies in the nature of party building itself. Unlike other parties, where ideology or long-standing social identity creates loyalty beyond office, the TMC, in its 15 years in office, has relied on something different:

fusion between the party and the state. As political scientist Dwaipayan Bhattacharya has noted, under the Left Front the party-society model transformed into a “franchise model” in which the TMC leadership promoted local strongmen in return for complete loyalty and voting for the party.

These local owners exercised full autonomy to run their areas as individual fiefs, thereby erasing the distinction between party and state.

Such systems are likely to yield formidable electoral machines, but they also tend to produce extremely fragile organisations. Once the ecosystem of political influence, physical control over territory, and access to state resources collapsed, the incentive to remain loyal also collapsed.

Moreover, in the winner-take-all political culture of West Bengal, regime change often leads to social, economic and even violent consequences for local actors.

TMC’s troubles provide lessons beyond Bengal as well. For parties, especially family-centric ones, closing leadership pipelines, discouraging internal competition, and stifling organisational renewal can quickly turn electoral defeat into organisational collapse.

For the Congress, which has grappled with similar problems for decades, the message is equally uncomfortable: leadership succession without organisational renewal can maintain control but rarely creates flexibility.

And for the BJP, its successes hide a caveat of stoking division within the opposition. Many of the weaknesses he exploits – centralisation and excessive reliance on individual leaders – are hardly unique to him. As long as the BJP remains electorally dominant, these issues will continue to be visible. The TMC episode shows how flexibility can slip away as power begins to decline.

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US Open 2026 tee times: Complete R4 pairings for final round at New York’s Shinnecock Hills and UK & Ireland tee times | Golf News

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US Open 2026 tee times: Complete R4 pairings for final round at New York’s Shinnecock Hills and UK & Ireland tee times | Golf News
US Open 2026 tee times: Complete R4 pairings for final round at New York’s Shinnecock Hills and UK & Ireland tee times | Golf News

Byash329

June 21, 2026

Grouping and tee times for the final round of the 126th US Open, held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

A level par 70 was enough to extend Wyndham Clarke’s lead from four strokes to six, with the American heading into the final day at seven under as he approaches a wire-to-wire victory.

Clark faces Sunday’s pairing with Scotty Scheffler, one of two players to post an under-par third round, while the world No. 1 is still in contention to claim the major needed to complete the career Grand Slam.

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Wyndham Clarke hit one of the shots of her life during the third round, with a spectacular birdie putt on the 16th to tie for fifth.

He tees off at 2.30pm local time (7.30pm UK time), with Sahith Thigala, Sam Stevens and Tom Kim tied for second with Scheffler, the only other players still under par for the tournament.

Rory McIlroy’s third-round 73 dropped him to a tie for 17th place and saw him 10 off the lead, with the Masters champion clashing with Akshay Bhatia in the final round (5.13pm UK time).

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Golf

Rory McIlroy shot 3-over 73 during his third round to slide down the leaderboard

Sunday R4 tee times

USA unless otherwise stated; (x) indicates amateur; All times UK and Ireland

Starting with a hole.

1245 Dylan Woo, James Nicholas

1256 Peter Uhlen, Russell Henley

1307 Patrick Rogers, Eric Lee (x)

1318 Neil Shipley, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN)

1329 Adrien Dumont de Chaussart (Bell), Nico Echavarria (Col.)

1340 Caleb Surt, Ben James

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Wyndham Clarke told Sky Sports he was disappointed after bogeying the 18th hole and suggested he should go further.

1351 Jackson Van Paris, Spencer Tibbits

1402 Kurt Katayama, Max Grieserman

1418 Marek Fleming (x), Jacob Bridgeman

1429 Johnny Keefer, Ludvig Åberg (Swe)

1440 Ryan Fox (Nzl), Angel Hidalgo (Esp)

1451 Miles Russell (x), Jackson Quinn (x)

1502 Robert McIntyre (Sco), Chris Gutter up

1513 Harry Higgs, Andrew Putnam

1524 Michael Brennan, Jordan Spieth

1535 Bud Cawley, Ben Kohls

1551 Cameron Young, Joaquin Neiman (Chi)

1602 Laurie Cantor (English), Justin Thomas

1613 William May, Nicholas Norgard (Dean)

1624 Max McGreevy, Justin Rose (English)

1635 Ben Griffin, Tyrell Heaton (English)

1646 Pearson Cody, Dustin Johnson

1657 Ryo Hisatsune (Jpn), Gary Woodland

1713 Akshay Bhatia, Rory McIlroy (NIRL)

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Golf

Rory McIlroy made three consecutive birdies during his third round at the US Open

1724 Maverick McNally, Brian Harmon

1735 Zach Blair, Aaron Roy (English)

1746 John Parry (English), J. T. Poston

1757 Sungjae IM (cover), Michael Kim

1808 Ryder Cowan (x), Alex Fitzpatrick (English)

1819 Cory Connors (Ken), Keegan Bradley

1835 Matt Fitzpatrick (English), Colin Morikawa

1846 Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Xander Schauffele

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In the Audi Performance Zone, Paul McGinley takes a look at Tommy Fleetwood’s Super Swing

1857 Sam Burns, Keith Mitchell

1908 Emiliano Grillo (Arg), Sam Stevens

1919 Tom Kim (Cor), Sahith Thigala.

1930 Scotty Scheffler, Wyndham Clark

Who will win the US Open? Watch the final round live on Sky Sports Golf from 4pm on Sunday.



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Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s explosive innings of 94 runs in 29 balls gave India the tri-series title. cricket news

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s explosive innings of 94 runs in 29 balls gave India the tri-series title. cricket news

India’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi (SLC via PTI photo)

Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting to guide India A to a stunning 66-run win over Sri Lanka A in the tri-series final on Sunday.

The teenage sensation scored 94 runs in just 29 balls, one of the most devastating innings seen in List A cricket.

With his explosive innings, India A scored 377 runs for nine wickets and in reply restricted Sri Lanka A to 311 runs.

While fast bowler Yash Thakur returned figures of 3/45 and spinner Vipraj Nigam claimed 3/60, the contest was largely made up of Suryavanshi’s remarkable attack at the top of the order.

Sri Lanka A faced a difficult target from the start and needed both a strong start and a consistent partnership to stay in the contest. Instead, their innings faltered early, with Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando and Nuwanidu Fernando all out inside the first 10 overs and just 75 runs on the board.

The hosts attempted to rebuild through a 53-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Sadira Samarawickrama, who scored 52, and captain Sahan Arachige, who contributed 38 runs. Later, Wanuj Sahan scored 62 runs and shared a 77-run partnership with Vijaykant Vyaskanth (39) for the seventh wicket.

However, those efforts were never enough against a target that required sustained scoring of more than eight runs per over. Sri Lanka A eventually crossed the 300-run mark but never seriously threatened India’s total.

Earlier, Suryavanshi dominated India A’s innings.

bounced back in style after being asked to bat first in a relatively quiet tournament. The 15-year-old player from Samastipur, Bihar, entered the field with the intention of attacking and immediately put the Sri Lankan bowlers under immense pressure.

He rewrote the record books by completing his half-century in just 11 balls, surpassing the previous List A record held by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne, who took 12 balls to score his half-century in 2005.

His first 11 scoring shots produced an astonishing 50 runs. The sequence read 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6 as he tore apart the bowling attack from the start.

He achieved this feat with two consecutive sixes off fast bowler Dulaj Samuditha. Suryavanshi mixed brute force with excellent timing throughout his stay.

Initially targeting the leg side against the seamers, he later extended his range to the off side after Sri Lanka A adjusted their field placements. Even well-executed deliveries disappeared into the stands as he continued his attack.

The standout features of the innings were his lofted drives over extra cover. Three effortless sixes in that area highlighted the extraordinary bat speed, balance and confidence that have established him as one of India’s most exciting young prospects.

Along with Priyansh Arya, who scored 39, Suryavanshi added 132 runs for the opening wicket and looked on course to register the fastest century in List A cricket.

The fireworks finally ended in the ninth over when spinner Sahan Arachige was caught at mid-off. Arya departed in the next over, giving Sri Lanka A a ray of hope.

After this, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 40 runs and added 63 runs for the third wicket with captain Tilak Verma. Tilak led the innings with a smashing 67 off 90 balls as the scoring rate slowed down for a while.

India A lost wickets at regular intervals in an attempt to gain momentum in the end, but late arrivals Anukul Roy, who scored 39 from 15 balls, and Vipraj Nigam, who scored 27 from 20 balls, ensured that the total went over 350.

Ultimately, however, the final belonged to Suryavanshi, whose extraordinary innings set the stage for a comprehensive win and a reminder of his immense potential.

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