American tennis stars Jessica Pegula and Frances Tiafoe acknowledge significant progress in diversity within tennis, citing increased representation across various demographics and global participation, yet both highlight the persistent challenge of affordability and access for aspiring young players.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has articulated India's position on BRICS, advocating for it to be a "non-West, but not anti-West" platform, a stance he believes is crucial for India's national interest. He highlighted the prestige of hosting the BRICS summit, India's responsibility to represent the Global South, and the significance of bilateral meetings, particularly with China and Russia. Tharoor also addressed the strained India-China relations, citing border issues and trade leverage, and discussed the challenges within BRICS, including difficulties in achieving consensus on global issues and trade imbalances, while also considering the need for diversified international relations amidst unpredictable US sanctions.
The Congress party has strongly refuted government claims that its MPs on the Parliament Standing Committee on Finance supported a fee on high-value UPI payments. Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi and Manish Tewari, stated that the "UPI tax" proposal was not specifically discussed by the committee, accusing the Modi government of diverting attention from public backlash and appeasing US companies. The government, however, cited the committee's report which pressed for a tiered Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework.
Frances Tiafoe discusses his U.S. Open semi-final loss to Ben Shelton, acknowledging the need to improve his match-closing ability. Despite the defeat, he expresses pride in his season, which will see him re-enter the world's top 10, and reaffirms his goal of becoming a Grand Slam champion.
China has called for stronger global governance of artificial intelligence, advocating for international cooperation to develop the technology for humanity's benefit while preventing it from getting out of control. This comes amidst warnings from leading AI researchers in the US about potential existential risks, with China emphasizing both rapid development and robust safeguards, including its new AI Safety Governance Framework 3.0. The issue is expected to be a key topic in upcoming US-China talks.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz secured a dominant 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory over China's Wu Yibing at the U.S. Open, advancing to the fourth round. This win extends his Grand Slam match-winning streak to 17 and keeps his bid for a third Flushing Meadows title alive. Despite a brief challenge from Wu, Alcaraz reasserted his authority, showcasing his speed and accuracy.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% fee on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, sparking strong opposition from political parties and traders. Despite accusations of foreign influence and demands for a rollback, the finance ministry and top functionaries have stated there will be no reversal, citing the need for a self-sustaining digital payments ecosystem.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to secure her place in the US Open final, expressing her desperation to regain control of her season and her strong desire to complete a 'three-peat' at the hardcourt major.
Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday by defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the first round of the US Open, making him the oldest player since Jimmy Connors in 1992 to win a main-draw singles match at Flushing Meadows on his birthday.
Sculptor Akash Tirmal explains how he designed the 22 feet idol of Ganesh Galli's MumbaiCha Raja using Plaster of Paris, without any readymade moulds.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, sparking a political row. The Congress party has labelled it a "Modi tax" and accused the government of succumbing to US pressure, while the BJP has defended the move, clarifying that consumers will not be charged and small vendors are protected. The finance ministry reiterated that the charge is on merchants, not customers.
Uzbek chess prodigy Javokhir Sindarov, set to challenge D Gukesh for the world crown, reveals he will only begin preparations for the highly anticipated match after competing in the Global Chess League and the Chess Olympiad this month, maintaining focus on immediate tournaments.
The Brics proposal for a Grain Exchange, aimed at challenging the dominance of Western trading firms, faces significant operational and implementation hurdles, including settlement currency, regulatory frameworks, and limited participation from key members like India, according to experts.
Alexander Zverev's recent US Open victory is a testament to his family's unwavering support, particularly his mother Irina, who ensured his type 1 diabetes never hindered his tennis ambitions, transforming him from a 'nearly man' to a two-time major champion.
Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia experienced a challenging third round at the season-ending TOUR Championship, dropping to tied-22nd after a disappointing back-nine performance. Despite struggles, his participation in the elite 30-man field guarantees him a spot in all four Major championships next season.
A committee formed by West Bengal's BJP government is considering proposals to rename several prominent roads, bridges, and public places in Kolkata, including those named after communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, and Ho Chi Minh. This move has sparked sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M), who view it as "vendetta politics" and an attempt to disrespect differing ideologies.
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.
Some decades are worth remembering exactly as they were, unfiltered, because that's the only way the people who survived them get to be seen at all, points out Binu Alex.
Frances Tiafoe and Brandon Nakashima have both secured their spots in the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, setting up an all-American showdown.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated the year's top television achievements, creating unforgettable moments.
Linda Noskova eased to a straight sets win over Thailand's Lanlana Tararudee on Wednesday to reach the US Open third round.
Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova enters the US Open with a low-key mindset, insisting her breakthrough Grand Slam victory has not changed her approach or added pressure.
Gold futures experienced their seventh consecutive daily decline, falling to Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams, driven by escalating military exchanges between the US and Iran which have pushed oil prices higher and intensified concerns over inflation and potential interest rate hikes.
A US Air Force colonel, identified by his call sign 'Bravo', survived nearly 50 hours behind Iranian lines after his F-15E fighter jet was shot down near Isfahan. Despite severe injuries, he evaded Iranian forces and was eventually rescued in a complex operation involving US military and intelligence personnel, highlighting a daring mission to leave no man behind.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his opposition to the upcoming event at Madison Square Garden where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address the Indian diaspora. Mamdani, however, noted that the city might lack jurisdiction to cancel the private event, which has also drawn protests from various interfaith and civil rights organisations.
Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia experienced a significant setback during the second round of the Tour Championship, with a back-nine collapse causing him to drop to tied 11th. Despite an impressive start, bogeys and a double bogey halted his charge, though he remains in contention.
Emerging as a prominent voice in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Steinem transformed the national discourse around gender equality, civil rights, and reproductive freedom. She first gained widespread media attention in 1963 with her investigative expos, "I Was a Playboy Bunny," which revealed the sexist and underpaid conditions faced by workers at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Club.
World Cup-winning Spanish footballer Gerard Pique has become a strategic shareholder in the Global Chess League franchise American Gambits. Pique, known for his illustrious football career, expressed his long-standing fascination with chess and his ambition to elevate the sport's global appeal. The fourth edition of the Global Chess League, featuring top grandmasters, is scheduled for September 3-13.
The US Kids Golf India Series is back for its sixth season, featuring over 50 young golfers competing in Gurugram. This series serves as a crucial pathway for Indian junior golfers to gain Priority Status, enabling them to participate in prestigious international championships like the US Kids European and World Championships, where Indian participants have recently achieved notable success. The program's expansion across Asia further solidifies its role in developing future golfing talent.
Fighting in Yemen has intensified as Houthi rebels advance on strategic government-held areas like Marib and Taiz, putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to respond. The conflict is also linked to wider US-Iran tensions affecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with former US President Trump commenting on the situation.
The US-Canada trade war has escalated sharply, with US President Donald Trump on Monday announcing that tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel imports will be raised to 50 percent from January 2027, following the collapse of trade negotiations between Washington and Ottawa last week.
The first round of the US Open saw Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia finish 1-over with four holes remaining, despite a challenging start and fog delays. While Bhatia provisionally stood T-29, other Indian-origin players like Sahith Theegala, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Manav Shah, and Aaron Rai experienced mixed results, with former champion Wyndham Clark leading the field before play was suspended due to darkness.
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.
Ben Shelton's victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the US Open quarter-finals marked the first time in 149 years that no male player with a one-handed backhand reached a Grand Slam semi-final, highlighting the decline of the elegant stroke in modern tennis.
Alexander Zverev defeated Luciano Darderi to reach the US Open quarter-finals, marking his fourth consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final appearance this year.
Jessica Pegula cruised into the US Open second round with a straight-sets win, while 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova became the first seeded casualty despite saving six match points.
'The Chinese military cannot advance much in Ladakh, even if they want to.' 'Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, they can rename a village or two, intrude here or there, but cannot do much more realistically.'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he does not believe India and Iran are pursuing a trade deal, despite a recent meeting between their leaders. He acknowledged that many countries engage with the Iranian regime but reiterated President Trump's warning against helping Iran evade sanctions, threatening penalties for nations that do so.
It was a starry, starry night at Flushing Meadows during the US Open late night matches in New York on Monday.
