16-year-old Dhinidhi Desinghu secured India's first-ever swimming medal at the Youth Olympics in Dakar, winning bronze in the women's 100m freestyle. Despite her personal disappointment at not achieving her time goal or winning gold, she acknowledges the immense pride in her historic achievement for Indian swimming, a sport with low visibility, especially for women. She also discusses the greater pressure she felt at the Youth Olympics compared to her Paris Olympics experience.
Newly crowned Formula One world champion Kimi Antonelli, the youngest driver to win the title, paid tribute to his childhood hero Ayrton Senna, highlighting the late Brazilian's talent, work ethic, and dedication as continuing influences on his approach to the sport.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat, who retired from international cricket in June, is planning a return to top-flight cricket by playing for the UAE national team after his cooling-off period ends in February 2027. He is currently playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 and training in Dubai, expressing his enjoyment of this "second innings" in cricket.
New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell lauded India opener Abhishek Sharma's "world-class hitting" after his century helped India secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the T20I series. Mitchell acknowledged the series loss but expressed hope for a fightback in the remaining two matches, while also reflecting on New Zealand's errors.
Australian batter Chris Lynn has served a one-month suspension after testing positive for a cocaine metabolite following the T20 Blast Finals Day in England.
Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton has indicated significant squad changes for the upcoming Pro League as the team enters a transition phase targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Fulton plans to select a new squad for the February Pro League and will assess players after the New Zealand tour to form a core group for future assignments. He also highlighted the need for improvement against higher-ranked European teams despite recent Asian Games success.
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has expressed confidence in his ability to continue racing into the 2030s, potentially participating in the sport's return to Africa, citing his sustained reaction times and commitment to performance.
For AP, retirement will bring a change of uniform. For the rest of us, it will be another reminder of how far we have travelled since those days at the Academy. The Air Force will miss him. Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) salutes Amar Preet Singh, his NDA coursemate, as he retires as chief of the air staff.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has advised Babar Azam to seek specialised batting help in Australia or South Africa to overcome his prolonged slump. Babar's struggles were evident in the recent tri-series final, and he faces pressure to regain form ahead of upcoming series and the 2027 ODI World Cup, despite support from some former players.
Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, and former Australian skipper David Warner were among numerous cricket personalities who extended Diwali greetings to fans via social media. They were joined by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, former Indian cricketers, and IPL franchises in sharing messages of happiness, prosperity, and togetherness for the festival of lights.
Hungarian tennis player Panna Udvardy highlights the severe mental toll of online abuse faced by professional tennis players, citing Britain's Jodie Burrage receiving death threats after a Chennai Open match. Udvardy, who also experienced threats including harm to her family, calls for stronger protective measures as players endure constant hostility regardless of match outcomes.
A new global survey by HP reveals that a majority of Indian students are concerned that while AI helps them work faster, it prevents them from learning material as deeply. Despite these worries, students remain optimistic about AI's role in future job markets and feel confident in using AI tools responsibly. The report calls for policymakers to focus on durable skills and core education.
Six Games, Big Impact: Naman Dhir Catches India's Eye.
Real Madrid have nominated 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal as a director, with the tennis legend accepting the invitation as speculation over future presidential succession continues.
Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani has become the world's biggest billionaire wealth gainer, adding over USD 6 billion to his fortune in a single day, as shares of his flagship company surged following stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings.
Shuchita Patel, an Indian-American Democrat, is making a historic bid for Forsyth County Commissioner in Georgia, a region with a dark racial past. Running against a 16-year unopposed incumbent, Patel aims to bring change and stand up to what she calls a "bully" opponent, driven by a desire to create a better community for future generations amidst a deeply divided American political landscape.
Indian shuttler Tanvi Patri secured a historic silver medal at the Youth Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this feat in individual badminton. She fought valiantly in a three-game final against China's Zhang Yi Xin, showcasing immense potential.
Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu clinched her second title of the season, bagging the Hylo Open Super 500 tournament. She defeated world No. 25 Line Hojmark Kjrsfeldt of Denmark in straight games, showcasing great control and quality in her stroke-play. This victory provides a significant boost to her confidence and her chances for the season-ending World Tour Finals.
Kazakhstan's decision to support foreign-born tennis players like Elena Rybakina and Alexander Bublik has been a successful investment, according to 26-year-old Zhebik Kulambayeva. Their success has significantly boosted tennis culture in the country, inspiring a new generation of players. Kulambayeva, currently competing at the Chennai Open, also shares her experiences on the professional circuit and her affinity for playing in India.
Naomi Osaka admits she has contemplated retirement as motherhood shapes her priorities, but the four-time Grand Slam champion believes she is close to rediscovering her title-winning form.
Mumbai Indians face a crucial decision regarding their captain for the upcoming IPL season, weighing options between veteran Rohit Sharma and young Tilak Varma, amidst a coaching staff overhaul and potential trade of Hardik Pandya.
Jio Platforms' Managing Director Akash Ambani has outlined an ambitious vision for the company's future, vowing to take it to new heights of growth and excellence while democratising technology across India, including space-based connectivity, following its blockbuster initial public offering.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's ambitious plan to sell a 20% stake in a commercial entity managing the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors has been abandoned following widespread opposition, including a boycott threat from UEFA.
Kapil Dev, president of DP World PGTI, advocates for golf to shed its 'elite' image, highlighting its potential for career opportunities and relationship building. Speaking at the announcement of the 27th BT Golf season, he emphasised how corporate support and media partnerships, like that between Business Today and DP World PGTI, are crucial for increasing the sport's visibility and integrating it with corporate India. Other speakers, including PGTI chief Amandeep Johl and golfer Saptak Talwar, echoed the importance of such collaborations for the growth of golf as a sport and a business networking tool.
The Brazil national football team's training session in Kolkata drew an unprecedented media turnout, resembling a World Cup event, ahead of their friendly match against India. Despite the excitement, the event was marred by significant accreditation chaos for journalists. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti's squad is building towards the 2028 Copa America, with the India match serving as a crucial assessment opportunity.
Preeti Lobana, Google India VP, stated on Wednesday that Google views AI as an "economic equaliser" and a democratic technology. Speaking at Google Cloud Day, she highlighted AI's potential to empower businesses, especially SMEs, in India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. Google has committed USD 15 billion to scale India's digital and AI infrastructure, including an AI hub in Visakhapatnam, to support the IndiaAI Mission.
India and China are in what experts call 'a cooperation-versus-competition situation'.
Oracle India head Shailender Kumar states that Indian businesses have transitioned from AI pilot projects to full-scale deployment, realizing significant benefits. While challenges like cost, skills, and infrastructure exist, companies are keen to adopt AI once tangible advantages are proven, with governance and regulation evolving alongside the technology's maturity.
England coach Brendon McCullum has lauded Harry Brook's leadership and tactical awareness, despite the team's failure to reach the final of the one-day international tri-series in Pakistan, stating the young captain grew significantly from the challenging assignment.
Ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has withdrawn his candidature from the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes' Commission polls, leaving 10 contestants for nine positions. Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu are prominent candidates in the virtual elections scheduled for Tuesday. The commission's rules mandate specific representation for medallists and Olympians, with Manjeet Singh already elected unopposed.
Following astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's historic visit to the International Space Station, a significant surge in interest for space science careers is observed among Indian students. Srimathy Kesan of Space Kidz India highlights this shift from traditional fields like engineering and medicine, while Nobel laureate Didier Queloz emphasises the crucial role of curious young scientists in shaping the future.
'Uranium supply is going to come under increasing pressure.'
IIT-Kharagpur announced the establishment of India's first dedicated academic school for Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI), named the Benjamin Gupta School of Physical AI. Funded by a Rs 35 crore investment, including contributions from alumnus Vinod Gupta and an anonymous donor, the school will focus on developing intelligent systems that interact with the physical world, moving beyond conventional data-driven AI. Academic programmes are expected to commence soon, aiming to foster reliable and responsible AI technologies for various applications.
India's manufacturing and services sectors are set to create over 35 crore new jobs by 2030, necessitating urgent skilling and industry-academia collaboration. Key sectors like automotive, logistics, telecom, clean energy, and textiles will drive this growth, highlighting the need for competency-driven learning to prepare the workforce.
Indian endurance athlete Kavita Chand sets a historic record on Mount Kilimanjaro, completing the Uhuru Peak round trip in 22h 36m via the Mweka route.
Tilak Varma, India's 24-year-old batting sensation, has rapidly established himself as a formidable force in T20 cricket. This article highlights his journey from a promising Mumbai Indians talent to a key player for India, showcasing his remarkable records including a hat-trick of T20 centuries, being the first Indian to cross 150 runs in T20s, and his exceptional performance in successful run-chases and knockout matches.
The Standing Committee on Information Technology will review 17 critical subjects, including social media regulation, AI safety, deepfakes, cybersecurity, and the semiconductor ecosystem, during 2026-27. This comprehensive review aims to address growing concerns around digital platforms, AI misuse, and infrastructure development, with India's cybersecurity agency already issuing warnings about AI-driven threats.
Indian tennis sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi's impressive run at the Chennai Open concluded in the quarterfinals with a 3-6, 3-6 defeat to American Robin Montgomery. Despite the loss, the 17-year-old's performance, reaching the WTA Tour-level quarterfinals, has been hailed as a significant step forward for Indian women's tennis, showcasing her fearless approach and potential.
Indian top-order batter S Meghana has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket at the age of 30, expressing gratitude for her career and her intention to remain involved in the sport through mentoring.
Vaishnavi Adkar, India's women's tennis number one, is leveraging her distinctive heavy topspin forehand as a key weapon in her game. The 21-year-old, currently ranked 344, aims to break into the world's top 200, a goal she believes is achievable with her unique playing style and structured training. Her recent successes, including an ITF W100 final and a W35 title, highlight her rapid ascent in Indian tennis.
