Indian women's boxing head coach Santiago Nieva is confident the team can secure an elusive gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games, building on their strong performance at the Commonwealth Games. Despite facing tough competition from powerhouses like China and Kazakhstan, Nieva believes the current squad is the best the country has seen and is capable of overcoming challenges, including previous struggles against Chinese opponents, by focusing on controlling bouts.
India's Davis Cup Final 8 aspirations are in peril after losing both singles matches to Korea in their Qualifier tie. Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal both squandered promising starts, leaving India trailing 0-2 and needing to win all three remaining matches to advance.
The BCCI's member units have authorised office-bearers to make a decision regarding the extension of chief selector Ajit Agarkar's contract, which is set to expire early next month, and to fill vacancies in the junior selection committee.
A Delhi court has granted default bail to US national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, who was arrested in connection with an NIA case involving a drone warfare training camp linked to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The bail was granted on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, with conditions to remain in Delhi and cooperate with the investigation. The NIA's chargesheet did not invoke UAPA provisions, instead citing the Immigration and Foreigners Act, leading to the default bail.
Five years after the Tokyo Olympics were held without spectators, Japan's Asian Games in Nagoya are struggling to generate local enthusiasm, with many residents unaware of the event despite the return of fans.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. Both athletes have significant achievements, with Bhaker making history at the Paris Olympics and Toor winning gold in previous Asian Games editions. Their selection highlights the importance of shooting and athletics to India's medal tally.
India's Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza has reached the women's singles semifinals in Teqball at the Asian Games, putting her one win away from securing the country's first-ever medal in the sport. She topped her group after defeating Japan's Yuina Sakamoto and Cambodia's Koemyean DY. The Indian mixed doubles pair of Quimcy and Mohammed Anas Imran Beg also remain in contention for a medal through the repechage round despite an earlier quarterfinal loss. Teqball is making its debut at the Asian Games.
Mamata Banerjee's faction of the Trinamool Congress announced support for the Congress candidate in the Nandigram assembly bypoll after its own candidate withdrew. This decision comes amidst a bitter dispute with the Election Commission over the freezing of TMC's traditional symbol and name, which Banerjee termed "arbitrary" and accused the BJP of trying to destroy opposition parties.
Dave Cousins, India's new national compound archery head coach, believes a historic first Olympic medal for India is inevitable. He is preparing the team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and has long-term plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, noting the changing Asian archery landscape and the impressive work ethic of Indian archers.
Rohit Sharma declares his 'forever' loyalty to Mumbai Indians on his Sony show
Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the Mamata Banerjee camp's candidate for the Nandigram bypoll, withdrew her nomination just hours after the Election Commission assigned a new party name and symbol to the faction. This development leaves the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress without a candidate in the crucial Nandigram constituency.
A doctor's driver at Kanshiram Hospital in Kanpur allegedly examined patients and wrote prescriptions while the assigned doctor was in court. A video surfaced, leading to an official inquiry by a three-member committee and the driver's subsequent removal.
Surendra Koli, who was at the centre of the sensational Nithari killings and subsequently acquitted in all 13 cases, was found hanging at his tea stall in Haridwar, police confirmed, with investigations ongoing into the suspected suicide.
Abhishek Sharma's record 30-ball century against Afghanistan had a little help from mentor Yuvraj Singh.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram has commended India's professional approach to hockey, urging other Asian nations to adopt similar strategies to improve their global standing. He highlighted India's journey from past Olympic glory to recent bronze medals, positioning it as a model for development in the sport.
The Election Commission has allotted the 'Football Player' symbol to the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls, while the rival Arup Roy-led group will contest with the 'Envelope' symbol.
South Korea's men's hockey team faced confusion when organisers mistakenly played North Korea's banned national anthem before their match, compounding earlier complaints regarding organistional issues at the Asian Games.
RBI Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu has dismissed concerns that the new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 will increase cash transactions. He also clarified the 'cash paradox' of rising digital payments alongside cash in circulation, explaining cash's dual role. Murmu further detailed the RBI's extensive regulatory changes aimed at reducing compliance burdens and emphasised that accountability for AI-driven decisions in finance will remain with institutional boards.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed mixed on Friday. While a drop in crude oil prices offered some relief, weakness in IT stocks and several Tata Group counters, including a significant dip in Tata Chemicals and ongoing boardroom issues at Tata Sons, limited a broader market recovery.
Olympic Council of Asia Director General Husain Al Musallam defended Japan's decision not to have a dedicated Athletes' Village for the Aichi-Nagoya Games, citing cost and sustainability. This comes amidst criticism over accommodation chaos. Musallam confirmed that future Asian Games in Doha (2030) and Riyadh (2034) will feature dedicated villages, emphasising flexibility and legacy considerations. He also supported the increasing number of athletes, highlighting the importance of sport in current global crises.
Directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal is set in rural Maharashtra and explores a traditional ritual.
A Grade Senior Civil Police Officer in Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram, was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) for allegedly accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe from a lawyer. The officer, Biju G B, demanded money for providing accident case documents.
A significant boardroom battle has erupted at Tata Sons, India's largest conglomerate, following the board's decision to proceed with a public listing and extend N Chandrasekaran's tenure as executive chairman, moves opposed by Noel Tata, who represents the majority shareholder Tata Trusts.
India's Asian Games soft tennis campaign came to an end on Friday after the men's team suffered a 0-2 defeat to Indonesia in the quarterfinals.
India's Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza has reached the women's singles semifinals in Teqball at the Asian Games, securing a chance for the country's first-ever medal in the sport. She defeated top-seeded Yuina Sakamoto and Cambodia's Koemyean DY to top her group, and a win in the semifinals will guarantee a historic medal.
A Delhi court has granted default bail to US national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, who was arrested in a terror-conspiracy case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). While initially charged under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, the NIA is still probing potential Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) offences related to assisting ethnic armed groups and providing drone training.
India's Chef de Mission for the Asian Games, Sahdev Yadav, said that he only learned after arriving in the city that organisers had removed around 30 to 35 Indian athletes from the accommodation list.
Hriday Chheda, a gold medallist from the 2022 Asian Games, acknowledges the increased expectations for India's dressage team at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Japan, emphasising the importance of staying calm and delivering a strong performance.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has dismissed concerns about organisational chaos at the Asian Games, attributing criticisms to attempts to "politicise" the event. Despite widespread issues like accommodation scarcity, lengthy check-ins, and athlete complaints, OCA officials insist challenges are normal and are being handled effectively. They also addressed a diplomatic complaint from South Korea regarding a historical figure at a welcome ceremony and defended cost-saving measures like container-style accommodation.
Bollywood stars attend the screening of Vibe written, directed, produced, and starred by Kunal Kemmu along with Preity Zinta, Sparsh Shrivastava and Vanshika Dhir in Mumbai.
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir believes the national team possesses the talent to breach the 300-run mark in T20 cricket soon, emphasising the importance of impactful performances over individual milestones.
Scientists are stunned by the discovery of a nine-million-year-old capybara tooth fossil in Chile's Atacama Desert, a region currently devoid of capybaras. This finding not only marks the oldest record of the semi-aquatic rodent in coastal Chile but also significantly challenges the long-standing scientific view that the Atacama Desert has been continuously dry for 40 million years, suggesting a much wetter past.
Its unresolved, noncommittal conclusion is exactly the sort of anticlimactic reality Daayra wants to bring our attention to. Neither justice nor revenge can undo the fate met by the world's Nirbhayas or Arushis, observes Sukanya Verma.
Lust Stories 3 continues its tradition of offering attractively-wrapped pieces of provocation in a box. Only this time, it doesn't dwell too deep into the emotions of sex and enjoys it for what it is, discovers Sukanya Verma.
A 40-year-old man in Amreli, Gujarat, allegedly killed his five-year-old daughter and then died by suicide, citing severe financial distress. The tragic incident, discovered by his wife, involved the man leaving suicide notes and decorating the room, suggesting a final, desperate act.
Aaron Rai has made an impressive start at the BMW PGA Championship, leading the field with a 6-under 66. Playing alongside major champions Rory McIlroy and Ryan Fox, Rai's strong performance puts him in a prime position, while McIlroy and Fox also remain in contention after their opening rounds.
The Congress party has strongly refuted claims by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance Chairperson Bhartruhari Mahtab that opposition MPs supported levying a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions. Congress MP Manish Tewari termed Mahtab's remarks "erroneous and fallacious," clarifying that the committee's recommendation was to "explore" revenue models, not to implement MDR. The party accused Mahtab of misleading due to his recent switch to the BJP.
The National Stock Exchange of India's (NSE) mega Rs 22,569-crore initial public offering (IPO) was fully subscribed on the second day of bidding, driven by strong interest from qualified institutional buyers and non-institutional investors.
A 20-year-old man, Zeeshan, was allegedly shot dead in Samardheera village, Maharajganj, following an argument stemming from an old enmity. Police have detained three individuals and recovered the weapon.
India's Pranavi Urs finished Tied-9 after the rain-affected first round of the La Sella Open golf tournament in Spain, carding a 3-under score. Italian Anna Zanusso leads the field, while other Indian golfers like Diksha Dagar, Avani Prashanth, Vani Kapoor, and Hitaashee Bakshi also competed, with varying results.
