The Asian Games' mixed martial arts competition features modified rules, including traditional uniforms and shin guards, to make the sport more palatable for potential Olympic inclusion. While intense, this version differs significantly from UFC fights. The sport faces challenges, including rival governing bodies vying for Olympic recognition, but FIMMA hopes the current format will appeal to IOC officials.
Indian shooters Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Mane finished fourth in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the Asian Games, missing out on a medal. Valarivan cited struggles with her position, while Mane focused on consistency. Both expressed determination to learn from the experience.
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.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the deaths of four people during protests in Leh last year. Speaking on the first anniversary of the violence, Wangchuk expressed fear for his life, alleging threats, and called for the judicial inquiry report into the incident to be made public. He criticised the use of automatic weapons against protesters and questioned the branding of local youth as "anti-national," linking the violence to unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
Researchers at IIT Delhi have successfully designed India's first working indigenous micro Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). This significant development aims to reduce the country's reliance on imported GPUs, which are crucial for AI, Machine Learning, and various embedded applications, and could help bridge the digital divide.
Libras are ruled by Venus so it's no surprise that their style is often romantic, polished and beautifully balanced.
Mushtaq Khan, celebrated for his memorable roles in films like Welcome and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, passed away after a battle with cancer.
Indian skipper Shubman Gill sustained an elbow injury during a net session after being hit by a Mohammad Siraj delivery, though he later returned to practice. Meanwhile, veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also batted together. Separately, the West Indies cricket board announced a 25% reduction in retainer fees for players as part of a financial restructuring.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo has been announced as the International Event Ambassador for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The Bahamian sprinter, known for her explosive finishes and consistent performance, will visit New Delhi to be part of the event, aiming to inspire runners with her journey of progress and consistency.
Quimcy D'Souza, a self-funded and self-coached Indian teqball player, competed at the Asian Games with the aim of popularising the sport in India. Despite narrowly missing out on two bronze medals, D'Souza views her journey as a crucial first step towards establishing teqball in the country and inspiring more athletes.
'Eastern Ladakh set the relationship back by about 10 steps. So far, especially since Galwan, we may have taken just 4 steps forward.'
'I can't imagine anybody else doing the kind of things he did in the war,' Group Captain Deb Gohain asserts about Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cook, the 1965 War hero who passed into the ages last week.
Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar has urged the 30-member Indian shooting contingent for the Asian Games to prioritise individual medals over team events. He also highlighted the need for significant improvements in coaching, advocating for more former international medallists in the system, and stressed the importance of better grassroots talent identification, drawing comparisons with China. Kumar also commented on the void left by coach Jaspal Rana's death and questioned recent selection policies.
Indian Olympic Association president P T Usha has voiced strong objections to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games organisers' decision to forgo a conventional Athletes Village, opting instead for dispersed accommodation including a cruise ship. Usha, a former Asian Games athlete, highlighted the importance of a centralised village for athlete interaction and expressed concerns about logistical challenges and venue distances. She believes the traditional village system will endure despite this experiment and shared her excitement for India's performance and future hosting ambitions.
KPMG in India CEO Yezdi Nagporewalla expressed concern over the high valuations of global AI companies, deeming them unsustainable. He believes India, despite a late start, has a strong chance to develop its own unique Local Language Models due to its robust tech ecosystem and global capability centres.
Dr Pooja Chaudhary, consultant-obstetrics, gynaecology and laparoscopic surgery at Motherhood Hospitals, explains how you can manage your thyroid-related health problems.
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the UN General Assembly, strongly criticised Pakistan for its support of terrorism, asserting India's right to self-defence and stating that friendship cannot coexist with terrorism. He also highlighted India's global responsibilities, contributions to the Global South, and its stance on reformed multilateralism and AI.
Indian women's kabaddi captain Pushpa Rana led her team to a record-extending fourth Asian Games gold medal, defeating a strong Iranian side 37-34. Rana highlighted the team's reliance on their raiders and the pressure of maintaining India's dominance in the sport.
An unidentified woman, found dead in the Bhakra Canal near Jhansa last week, is now suspected to have been murdered. A post-mortem report indicates she died from a fatal head injury, not drowning, and showed signs of restraint. Police are investigating, checking missing persons records in Punjab, and reviewing CCTV footage as no one has claimed the body.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the UN General Assembly, condemned the targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers in the Gulf, calling it "simply unacceptable." He also voiced deep concern over the "weaponisation of everything," which he stated has severe consequences for Global South nations, impacting peace, progress, and development globally. India urged restraint, de-escalation, and protection of civilians, while also highlighting the 4F crisis (food, fuel, fertiliser, finance) faced by developing countries.
A man in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, who allegedly shot dead his wife and two priests, was killed in a police encounter after a seven-hour standoff during which he threatened to kill his children.
Jay Meena, once a mischievous schoolboy rusticated for a prank, has made history by winning India's first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis. His journey from a troubled youth to a bronze medallist at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is a testament to destiny and the guidance of his coach. Meena hopes his achievement will boost the sport's profile in India and pave the way for its inclusion in future events like the Commonwealth Games.
A speeding BMW crashed on the Mumbai Coastal Road early Sunday morning, resulting in the deaths of three occupants and critically injuring a fourth. The driver lost control near Lotus Jetty. Police have launched an inquiry into the tragic incident.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as the preferred opening pair, while urging Yashasvi Jaiswal to continue working hard for his opportunities. Kotak also highlighted the invaluable experience of senior players like Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja in preparing the team for the 2027 World Cup, emphasising a series-by-series planning approach. He also confirmed Shubman Gill's fitness for the upcoming match.
China has made a strong start at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with teenage swimmer Yu Zidi setting a new Games record and Olympic champion Pan Zhanle defending his title.
Shaque: Trust No One has a promising mystery and enough juicy red herrings to keep you guessing, but its convenient writing and dated clichs eventually derail the show.
India's first-ever Mixed Martial Arts medallist, Suchika Tariyal, has alleged that "weird weight rules" at the Asian Games robbed her of a deserving gold medal. She claims she was clearly winning her semifinal bout but the outcome was declared a draw, leading to her bronze medal instead of a potential gold.
Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, staged a violent protest, alleging a campus rape, prompting police to register an FIR and form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) amidst university denials.
Iran's women's kabaddi team faced immense challenges during their Asian Games preparations, including frequent camp changes due to regional conflict, psychological stress on young players, and difficulties arranging international friendly matches due to sanctions.
Hunkkaar: The Roar is a fairly familiar fight for justice that builds far too many flimsy narratives around its core conflict, runs out of ammunition and speaks out of turn in a needlessly cussing tone, notes Sukanya Verma.
In the latest episode of The Rediff Podcast, Saurabh Sachdeva gets candid about the years of struggle and the lessons he had to unlearn to find his place in cinema.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival in Washington marks a pivotal moment for global diplomacy, as he advocates for a "partners, not rivals" approach to US-China relations amidst high-stakes discussions on trade, technology, and international stability.
Former badminton coach Vimal Kumar expresses optimism about India's medal prospects at the upcoming Asian Games, suggesting they can surpass their previous tally of three. He stresses the critical need for Indian singles players, including Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty, to overcome inconsistencies and deliver under pressure. Kumar also highlights the challenges posed by the new 15-point format and the highly competitive nature of men's singles badminton.
Indian shooter Rudrankksh Patil secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games in the men's 10m air rifle event, expressing mixed feelings about his performance and a long-standing frustration over not receiving the Arjuna Award despite his world champion status and multiple achievements. He also reflected on past setbacks and the mental challenges of elite sport.
Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV), stated that the uncertainty surrounding how long commodity costs will remain elevated is a greater concern for the company than the actual price increases. He noted that commodity prices have risen significantly over the past five to six months, impacting margins and necessitating faster cost-reduction efforts, though no major production or supply-side issues are currently foreseen.
Asian Games debutant Kartik Karkera, an orthopaedic doctor, expresses confidence in securing a podium finish in the men's marathon despite facing faster international competitors. He believes the challenging heat and humidity will make it a tactical race, playing to his strengths, and prioritises a medal over a personal best. Karkera also highlights the advantage of his 1500m background and medical knowledge in his training.
'I have seen all the storms and floods. I have crawled and reached here.'
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal believes his World Cup success with Spain and LaLiga title with Barcelona should give him the advantage over Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe in the race for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
Oxford United withdrew its "United 93" clothing line and apologised after recognising its association with the 9/11 hijacked flight, accepting responsibility and promising stricter merchandise approval processes.
Indian wushu player Roshibina Devi secured her second consecutive Asian Games silver medal, defeating Zhang Xiaoyu of China in the women's 60kg final. This achievement comes amidst controversy surrounding her inclusion in the squad, following accusations of unfair selection by omitted player Divyanshi Choudhary. Roshibina dismissed the allegations, attributing the decision to the federation, and expressed happiness with her medal despite the pre-Games disturbances. She also highlighted the need for Indian wushu players to improve their mental fortitude to compete with dominant Chinese athletes.
