World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura questions FIDE’s safety protocols (Photo by Michal Walusza) New Delhi: The year was 2015. At the age of 55, veteran grandmaster (GM) Praveen Thipse had not won a chess tournament in four years. He arrived at the inaugural Dr. Hegdewar Open in Delhi hoping to break the streak, but by…
A University of Washington professor was fired for sending an email criticizing the Iran war. In recent weeks, at least three cases across the United States have brought renewed attention to the limits of academic expression, particularly around the Middle East.At the center of one such case is Arya Fani, an associate professor at the…
USA GM Hikaru Nakamura blasts FIDE. New Delhi: World No. 2 American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has criticized the world chess body FIDE for what he sees as excessive anti-cheating measures at the 2026 Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. Kicking off his fourth qualifier with a loss to fellow American Fabiano Caruana, Nakamura took to his YouTube…
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday that Iran will participate in the upcoming World Cup despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.“Iran will be in the World Cup … that’s why we’re here. We’re happy because they’re a very strong team, I’m very happy,” Infantino said at halftime during Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica…
Iran’s players pose for a team photo at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran (left) and US President Donald Trump receive the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino on December 5, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo) Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said that Iran will participate in the future. FIFA World Cup…
People are waving national flags of Iran. (AP Photo/Wahid Salemi) New Delhi: Iran’s participation in 2026 FIFA World Cup Uncertainty due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The country’s soccer authorities are now looking to move their matches out of the United States, citing security concerns and political issues, even though the tournament is…
Koniro Hampi, Divya Deshmukh, and R. Praganandha with sister R. Vaishali (Photos by Andrey Anusov and Michael Valuza/FIDE) NEW DELHI: Even as Conroe Hampi’s possible withdrawal from the candidates’ tournament in Cyprus over the Iran war raised concerns, India’s next generation trio of Divya Deshmukh, R Vaishali and R Praganandha are set to compete in…
FILE – President Donald Trump stands on stage next to the FIFA World Cup after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington on December 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin, File) Iran has reacted strongly to the US President’s comments, stressing that no…