Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian concluded his visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit, announcing that Iran and the UAE agreed to move past previous tensions. This diplomatic breakthrough occurred during talks with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince on the summit sidelines. Pezeshkian also met with PM Modi to discuss bilateral ties and West Asia developments, with Modi emphasising dialogue for regional peace. The BRICS summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, calling for global governance reforms and de-escalation in West Asia.
Al Hilal rallied to defeat Al Kholood 2-1 in the Saudi King's Cup final, with a late first-half goal from Theo Hernandez securing the victory.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has threatened "continuous, effective and painful" attacks on US bases and interests across the region if Washington resumes military action against Tehran, amid escalating tensions and a US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
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.
The 20th Asian Games have officially commenced in Nagoya, Japan, with a vibrant opening ceremony. Emperor Naruhito declared the Games open, which saw contingents from 45 nations and the OCA Refugee Team participate in the athletes' parade.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that the Makkah Defence Alliance, a newly formed pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, stands ready to activate its collective defence provisions in response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Indian squash players Anahat Singh and Ramit Tandon secured victories in their respective first-round matches at the London Squash Classic, a PSA Gold event.
Indian athletes are set for a packed day of competition at the Asian Games, participating in various sports including athletics, boxing, canoe sprint, hockey, kabaddi, rowing, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, and wushu. Several medal events are scheduled in rowing and shooting, with key matches in team sports like hockey and kabaddi.
A Kishore Kumar song, a birthday cake, a prince's break from protocol to thank his driver, a Persian painting on the ceiling of the presidential residence -- the BRICS Summit had many memorable moments.
A new study from Stanford University suggests the human brain may have evolved as two independent organs, challenging the long-held belief of a single progenitor cell. Researchers found two parallel nervous systems developing without intersection, which could explain difficulties in growing hindbrain neurons in labs and open new avenues for treating neurological diseases.
The United States launched military action against two Iranian launch systems on Larak Island, prompting Iran to claim retaliation with ballistic missile launches targeting two US air bases in Jordan.
India's bid to host the 2038 Asian Games will not be decided before 2028, as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has revealed that five other countries are also vying for the same edition.
An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan's Punjab province has sentenced Al-Qaeda operative Sadiq Akbar to 31 years in jail for plotting a terror attack. Akbar was arrested in Sahiwal with explosive materials and IED components, having travelled from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to carry out the attack on his group's orders.
The National Investigation Agency's (NIA) chargesheet in the 2025 Red Fort blast case alleges that the accused followed the 'Lone Mujahid Pocket Book/How to Become an Assassin', an AQAP-linked manual detailing explosives and covert operations. The chargesheet identifies Umer Un Nabi, who died in the explosion, as the alleged mastermind and 'operational in-charge' of a revived Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) module.
The 18th BRICS Summit got underway in New Delhi with leaders of partner countries gathering in the capital to discuss the changing global economic and geopolitical landscape.
Japan hosted a vibrant opening ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, showcasing its technological advancements and cultural heritage. The event, themed 'Harmonic Heart Beat', welcomed 11,000 athletes from 45 nations, despite prior logistical challenges.
Scottish striker Lee Harry Erwin has signed a one-year contract with Indian football club Mohun Bagan, bringing his experience from European and Asian clubs to bolster the team's attacking options.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr defeated Damac 4-1 to clinch the Saudi Pro League title, securing the club's first league crown since 2019 and Ronaldo's maiden Saudi triumph.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims to have captured a US unmanned submersible near the Strait of Hormuz and launched ballistic missile strikes against a US airbase in Jordan and two US Navy destroyers. These actions are stated as retaliation for recent US attacks on Iranian oil tankers. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) had previously reported destroying Iranian crude oil carriers after IRGC missile attacks on US warships. The escalating tensions have led to regional air defence activations and warnings to tanker crews.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together numerous world leaders including presidents from China, Russia, South Africa, Iran, and Egypt, along with prime ministers and foreign ministers from other nations. The summit will feature bilateral talks and highlights the expanded BRICS grouping's growing global influence and India's significant role as a founding member and current chair.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reiterated the nation's unwavering commitment to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, underscoring its role in regional security following an attempted drone attack near the holy city of Mecca. The pact, signed by Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, establishes a framework for collective deterrence against armed attacks.
The trophy is supposed to be the full stop to a tournament, not another comma in an India-Pakistan controversy, points out K R Nayar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed BRICS leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the 18th BRICS summit in Bharat Mandapam. The leaders were photographed against the backdrop of Tamil Nadu's iconic Ramanathaswamy temple, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site. Modi explained the temple's importance to President Xi, highlighting its unique status as a Char Dham and Jyotirlinga shrine, and its historical and religious significance linked to Lord Ram.
Qatar remains committed to hosting November's MotoGP and Formula One races despite regional uncertainty, with Lusail preparations continuing and Formula One set to decide the race's fate.
The BRICS grouping adopted a consensus joint declaration in New Delhi, successfully navigating differences on the West Asia conflict but notably omitting any direct mention of US strikes on Iran or Iranian military attacks on Gulf Arab nations. The declaration also criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and called for a concerted approach against terrorism.
Ahead of Xi Jinping's visit, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held extensive talks in Beijing on August 25 on the boundary issue and reached an eight-point consensus.
Researchers at BRIC-RGCB in Thiruvananthapuram have developed a novel nanopore-based sensing technology. This innovation allows for the early and highly sensitive detection of biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and ALS, addressing a critical challenge in current diagnostic methods. The technology, published in Nature Nanotechnology, uses self-assembling dual-diameter nanopore sensors to identify disease-specific biomarkers even at low concentrations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for a three-day visit to attend the BRICS summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on expanding trade, investment, and energy cooperation amidst global geopolitical challenges.
The highlight of the successful BRICS Summit was its ability to deliver a joint statement that all members, including Iran and the United Arab Emirates, embroiled in the war in West Asia, signed.
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training with Al-Nassr just days after marrying his long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez in a private ceremony in Cascais, Portugal.
India's para-archers, led by Paralympics champion Harvinder Singh and world No. 1 Sheetal Devi, concluded their World Archery Para Series Stage III campaign with an impressive haul of two gold and four bronze medals. Sheetal Devi secured an individual gold in a dramatic shoot-off and a bronze in the mixed team event, while Harvinder Singh and Bhawna won gold in the recurve mixed team. India also claimed additional bronze medals in individual and mixed team categories.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the BRICS summit, urging the bloc to play a significant role in achieving peace and tranquillity in West Asia and the Gulf region. He highlighted BRICS' growth over two decades, its efforts in tackling global challenges, and its steadfastness in safeguarding the interests of the Global South. Xi called for opposing the Cold War mentality, strengthening multilateralism, and promoting cooperation in emerging domains like AI, as China prepares to chair the next summit.
Haiwaan's staggeringly foolish notions make for unintended comedy, rues Sukanya Verma.
Cristiano Ronaldo has fuelled speculation about his retirement plans after saying the upcoming year will probably be the last of his playing career.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the BRICS summit, called for a fundamental shift in global governance, advocating for the replacement of the current 'pyramid of privilege' with a 'platform of partnership' where the Global South becomes a 'rule shaper' rather than a 'rule follower'.
'An experience I will never forget, what a welcoming, friendly, and welcoming people.'
New Delhi is under a thick blanket of security as it hosts top world leaders for the BRICS Summit. Extensive security measures, including thousands of personnel and CCTV cameras, are in place. Commuters can expect temporary traffic restrictions and diversions due to VVIP movements, though officials aim to minimise public inconvenience.
A question has been raised whether the Mecca Pact will have a negative impact on our doctrine that the Operation Sindoor has only been suspended and that it would be resumed if Pakistan engages in terrorism in the future. But the Mecca Pact only speaks of aggression, not defence against terrorism, points out Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
Reigning Indian Super League champions East Bengal are set to face Kuwaiti league runners-up Al Arabi SC in a critical AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage knockout fixture. The single-leg qualifier will determine a spot in the group stage, with East Bengal navigating squad challenges under new coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 969th career goal as Al-Nassr thrash Al-Wasl 4-0 to reach the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals, moving closer to the 1000-goal milestone.
