TARA ANSON-WALSH: In a week when the world's events have cast a long and uneasy shadow over proceedings, football has felt both insignificant and profoundly important.

The speech ends with strong words about unity, pride, and protecting culture. It also repeats the idea that some beliefs came “from outside,” along with the line “Khasi by blood, Indian by accident.” ...

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for decades while violently crushing dissent, was killed early in the attack. In the ...