Jay Meena secured India's first-ever soft tennis medal at the Asian Games, winning a bronze after a hard-fought semifinal loss to Japan's Takuya Kurosaka. Meena, playing in his third Asian Games, showed resilience but ultimately settled for bronze.
India's six-member golf contingent, led by silver medallist Aditi Ashok, is set to compete at the Asian Games. The team, comprising experienced professionals like Yuvraj Sandhu, Veer Ahlawat, and Diksha Dagar, aims to add to India's seven past golf medals. They face a strong international field, including PGA Tour stars like Tom Kim and Keita Nakajima, on a challenging course.
Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games with a throw of 84.35m, marking his first major international medal. This achievement has relieved him of years of pressure from family and friends, allowing him to compete with a freer mind. Despite not achieving his personal best, Yadav is optimistic about future competitions, aiming for 88m-90m throws next year and dedicating his medal to his father.
Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty announced that India's private sector is projected to invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore and contribute 30 GW towards the nation's goal of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047. This marks a significant policy shift, facilitated by the SHANTI Act, encouraging private participation in nuclear energy beyond the traditional public sector model. The country is also exploring Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for industrial needs and advancing its three-stage nuclear power programme, leveraging its substantial thorium reserves.
A senior Pakistan Army general has confirmed the presence of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia, operating in "multiple capabilities" and "domains" amidst escalating Houthi attacks. This deployment is linked to the Makkah defence pact, a trilateral agreement with Turkiye and Saudi Arabia for collective deterrence, though specific details remain classified. Both Pakistan and Turkiye emphasise the defensive nature of their involvement.
An Indian captain and Israeli passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv heroically fought off a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Germany secured their first win under new coach Juergen Klopp against Serbia in the Nations League. Portugal continued their strong run despite Cristiano Ronaldo's absence, while the Netherlands staged a comeback draw against Greece. Other results included Wales beating Norway and Ireland drawing with Austria amidst protests.
World champions Spain defeated England 3-2 in a thrilling Nations League opener at Wembley, capitalising on two significant defensive errors. Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner after England had briefly mounted a comeback. The article also covers Croatia's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic and Scotland's 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has increased its on-ground support for Indian athletes at the Asian Games in Japan, providing transport for shooters and accommodation for staff, following reports of logistical issues and international criticism against the Organising Committee.
Police have registered cases against senior DMK leaders A Raja, P K Sekar Babu, and Vasantham Karthikeyan for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Energy Resources and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar during recent party protests. The controversy stems from CM Vijay's comments questioning DMK chief M K Stalin's MISA detention during the Emergency, which the DMK claims is a long-standing narrative.
An Indian pilot and several passengers are being hailed as heroes after thwarting a co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv. The incident involved a mid-air struggle, a rapid descent, and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, with international leaders praising the bravery that saved 174 lives.
Prince Kurisinkal Noble and Manu Francis secured India's first-ever Asian Games silver medal in men's skiff sailing. Hailing from Kochi, their journey is deeply connected to the sea, with Noble overcoming personal tragedy after losing his fisherman father in the 2018 Kerala floods. Their decade-long partnership and debut Asian Games performance mark a significant achievement for Indian sailing.
Kazakh businessman Timur Turlov has been elected the new president of the world chess governing body FIDE, succeeding Arkady Dvorkovich. Turlov won a closely contested election against German entrepreneurs Wadim Rosenstein and Jan Henric Buettner, securing a four-year term. His victory comes amidst scrutiny over Russian influence and FIDE's financial independence, with Turlov campaigning on expanding digital reach and supporting smaller federations. He also addressed concerns about his ties to the outgoing administration and FIDE's commercial partner, Freedom Holding Corp.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to several Indian medallists at the Asian Games, including Parul Chaudhary (bronze in 5000m), javelin throwers Yashvir (silver) and Rohit (bronze), Pinkcy Balhara (bronze in kurash), Esha Singh (silver in 25m pistol), and Murali Sreeshankar (silver in long jump), commending their performances and wishing them future success.
Brazilian football legend Neymar Jr. has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's shocking 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The 34-year-old forward, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, confirmed his decision after the match, marking the end of a celebrated career with the national team.
We have to perform in both batting and bowling, Axar Patel says ahead of India's Asian Games 2026 cricket final against Pakistan on Saturday.
The Election Commission of India has defended its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters' lists, asserting that differing views among Commissioners are a normal part of deliberations and all orders carry full legal sanction, following reports of two Commissioners red-flagging issues.
Alexander Isak scored the only goal, securing a 1-0 Premier League victory for Liverpool against AFC Bournemouth. Despite the win, Liverpool's attack, featuring Gakpo, Wirtz, and Barcola, struggled to create chances, managing only six shots on goal. Captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the team's need to improve but highlighted the importance of the three points and a clean sheet.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged BRICS nations to expand trade in national currencies and build an inclusive global economic framework. He criticised "unilateral sanctions" by Western powers, stating they make emerging economies vulnerable and impact global food security. Pezeshkian emphasised BRICS' role in creating a balanced world order and highlighted Iran's geopolitical and energy capacities for cooperation.
Defending champions U Mumba TT, led by Captain Manush Shah and Anna Hursey, secured a commanding 8-3 victory over Kolkata ThunderBlades in the Ultimate Table Tennis semi-final. This win sets up a title clash against Dempo Goa Challengers, marking U Mumba TT's second successive UTT final appearance.
Jai Moondra, a left-arm medium pacer from Rajasthan, made a dream international debut for Ireland, taking a wicket with his first ball against India. His journey is remarkable, having left a secure corporate job at Intel after pursuing an MTech in Dublin to chase his cricketing dream, culminating in a historic victory for Ireland.
India successfully facilitated a significant diplomatic meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. This interaction, a diplomatic breakthrough given ongoing West Asia conflicts, occurred as BRICS adopted a declaration urging restraint and protection of civilians in the region, highlighting the bloc's commitment to peace and stability.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu stated that no decision has been made regarding allowing Delhi and Mumbai airport operators to own and run airlines, as the government is carefully considering the implications of relaxing cross-ownership restrictions, including potential conflicts of interest and the need for more airlines.
Salesforce executives, including South Asia CEO Arundhati Bhattacharya, predict a significant shift in India towards wider enterprise AI adoption, moving from experimentation to production deployments. The company plans to invest in physical infrastructure and talent upskilling in India. Salesforce's vision for the "agentic enterprise" involves a four-layer architecture, emphasising the need for robust security and governance for autonomous agents. Executives also highlighted the evolving nature of jobs, with AI handling repetitive tasks and creating new specialised roles, positioning India as a potential leader in agentic innovation by 2030.
Matheus Cunha scored a late deflected goal to secure a 1-1 draw for Manchester United against Fulham in the Premier League. This result spared United a third consecutive defeat, after Lisandro Martinez's own goal had given Fulham the lead.
Indian badminton players Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma have successfully advanced to the women's singles semifinals of the Taipei Open. While Hooda secured a straight-game victory over fellow Indian Devika Sihag, Sharma triumphed in a tough three-game match against Thailand's Supanida Katethong. However, Kiran George faced defeat in the men's singles quarterfinal.
President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to Indian athletes, including Mirabai Chanu, for their impressive medal-winning performances on Day 4 of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She highlighted significant achievements such as Chanu's silver in weightlifting, ending a 28-year drought, and historic bronze medals in shooting and soft tennis.
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain's parents expressed immense joy and pride after their daughter clinched a gold medal at the Asian Games. They highlighted her hard work and dedication, noting her long-standing goal to upgrade her previous silver to gold. The family also shared Lovlina's future aspirations, including an Olympic gold and upcoming world championships.
India's men's cricket team is set to begin its Asian Games campaign against Afghanistan, but heavy rain is forecast, potentially leading to a washout. If the match is abandoned, India would advance to the semifinals due to higher seeding. The team, led by Shreyas Iyer, features a strong contingent of international players aiming for a gold medal, following the women's team's recent victory.
Sri Lanka defeated England by 16 runs in the second One-Day International at Headingley, levelling the three-match series 1-1. Captain Kusal Mendis's century and a dramatic return by an injured Jos Buttler highlighted the high-scoring encounter, with Sri Lanka ultimately prevailing despite England's strong start.
Brazil's star-studded line-up, including Vinicius Jr and Marquinhos, is set to face India in a friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, with veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu captaining the Indian side.
AIIMS Jammu is poised to become the first hospital in India to receive armed security from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) due to its strategic location near the India-Pakistan international border. This move marks a significant shift in security policy for healthcare facilities, which the Ministry of Home Affairs had previously resisted. The CISF is also slated for deployment at Kolkata Metro and Donyi Polo Airport.
Indian rugby player Sumit Kumar Roy highlights the critical role of international exposure and the Rugby Premier League in the team's recent success, including a silver medal in Asia's top rugby sevens competition. The team aims for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics, learning from global players and focusing on discipline. Uruguay's Diego Ardao also emphasizes the need for skilled coaches and dedicated players to develop the sport in India, acknowledging the nation's vast potential despite the long road ahead for Olympic aspirations.
The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is set to host its first-ever T20I against reigning world champions India, a landmark event expected to significantly elevate cricket's profile and drive its long-term growth in Japan, according to JCA COO Alan Curr.
India opener Smriti Mandhana has significantly strengthened her position in the ICC T20I rankings, moving closer to the top four after a remarkable 124 against Hong Kong, China.
The annual MTV Video Music Awards saw major triumphs for global music icons Taylor Swift, Madonna, and K-Pop sensation BTS, with Swift making history as the most-awarded artist and Madonna earning the coveted Artist of the Year title.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the Indian women's cricket team for winning the gold medal at the Asian Games. Shah praised their "bedazzling" performance and "unmatched cricketing prowess" after they defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final held in Japan.
BRICS leaders, in their New Delhi Declaration 2026, have called for wider access to Artificial Intelligence resources and stronger international cooperation to ensure the technology is safe, secure, inclusive, and reliable. The declaration outlines a broad technology agenda covering AI, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, telecom, quantum technologies, and advanced manufacturing, committing to implement the grouping's statement on 'Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence'.
Indian shooter Esha Singh secured a silver medal in the women's 25m pistol final at the Asian Games after a dramatic series of shoot-offs. Her father, Sachin Singh, expressed immense pride, calling it a 'double gold' due to the challenging circumstances and multiple shoot-offs his 21-year-old daughter overcame. He also highlighted disturbances during the match and thanked supporting organisations.
Israeli envoy Reuven Azar praised Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for foiling an alleged co-pilot's attempt to crash a flydubai plane en route to Tel Aviv. Azar detailed Israel's immediate response, including scrambling fighter jets, and highlighted the combined efforts of the captain, Israeli passengers, and crew in ensuring a safe landing in Saudi Arabia, saving nearly 180 lives.
