Shock

• India's economy is facing a slowdown characterized by weak domestic demand and poor productivity, despite surface-level indicators of high growth and low inflation. • External shocks are exposing critical structural weaknesses, specifically a growing crisis regarding jobs and wages across the country. • These factors are pushing India toward a "middle-income trap," a stagnation phase previously experienced by other developing nations.

• Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations ever to compete in the World Cup, secured a major shock result by holding European champions Spain to a draw. • Spain struggled throughout the match, with Ferran Torres hitting the crossbar from point-blank range during a "wretched afternoon" for the favorites. • The result highlights a continuing decline for La Roja, who have faced surprise group stage exits and consecutive round-of-16 defeats since their 2010 World Cup victory.

Eleven skydivers and a pilot were killed in Sunday crash as aircraft for Skydive Kansas City was taking off in ButlerThe Missouri skydiving community is mourning the loss of several of its members after a plane crash south of Kansas City killed 11 skydivers and a pilot.The crash occurred around noon on Sunday in Butler, Missouri, as an aircraft supporting operations for Skydive Kansas City was taking off, the company said in a statement on Monday, as reported by the local news outlet KCTV. Continue reading...

Charlie Verco managed to grab hold of the woman and bring her back to shore after the Sydney shark attack on Saturday Elite paddleboarder Charlie Verco has only seen one shark bigger than the one he saw on Saturday at Sydney’s Coogee beach.The North Bondi athlete was training for the world championships in Hawaii in July on Saturday morning when he heard a swimmer shouting “shark”. Continue reading...

• BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has released his score predictions for the opening round of group games at the 2026 World Cup. • Sutton predicts a 0-0 draw between Ecuador and Ivory Coast, citing both teams' strong defensive records during their respective qualifying campaigns. • In his overall tournament forecast, Sutton has picked Japan as the eventual winners and the Netherlands as the runners-up.

• Asian football teams have a history of delivering major World Cup shocks and inspiring underdog performances, dating back to North Korea in 1966 and Japan in 2022. • The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will have a record nine representatives in the upcoming expanded 48-team tournament. • Participating nations include Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.

• BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has released his score predictions for the opening round of group games at the 2026 World Cup. • Sutton predicts a 0-0 draw between Ecuador and Ivory Coast, citing both teams' strong defensive records during their respective qualifying campaigns. • In his overall tournament forecast, Sutton has picked Japan as the eventual winners and the Netherlands as the runners-up.