'Our biggest opportunity lies with the younger age-group teams.' 'If you look at the senior national team, our chances are about 50-50.' 'The gap becomes smaller as you move down the age groups.' 'At the Under-20 level, it's closer to 60-40.' 'By the Under-17 level, it's around 80-20. That's where I feel we have our best chance.'
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced a Rs 100 crore allocation for sports infrastructure and athlete development during a Sports Conclave in Raipur. The state government is focused on promoting sports, nurturing talent, and providing employment opportunities for outstanding sportspersons, alongside organising major sporting events like the Bastar and Surguja Olympics.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has appealed to his Tamil Nadu counterpart C Vijay Joseph to defer his proposed August 3 visit to Bengaluru. The request comes amidst widespread protests in Karnataka following a decision by the CWMA upholding a direction for Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
India's Harjinder Kaur secured a silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games, achieving a personal best of 227kg.
India-China border trade via Uttarakhand's Lipulekh Pass is set to resume on August 1 after a gap of more than six years, with the neighbouring country granting permission to 20 Indian traders to visit Purang (Taklakot), according to officials.
Having registered a ninth-place finish in the 2023 edition held at Bhubaneswar, India will be aiming to bring the gold home, riding on the back of the momentum of two back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, an Asia Cup title win, two Asian Champions Trophy wins and an Asia Cup gold.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk emphasised the enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent resistance, stating, "His path is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. This experiment is successful today."
The Assam government has decided to withdraw all police cases registered against individuals involved in protests concerning the NEET question paper leak and to release those arrested or detained during these demonstrations, citing the need for systemic reforms in the education ecosystem.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) reported a healthy 14.6 per cent consolidated revenue growth in Q1 FY27, largely driven by a robust 17.6 per cent increase in domestic operations, offsetting geopolitical disruptions. Brokerages anticipate sustained growth, with Motilal Oswal Research projecting 12-14 per cent growth in FY27, supported by strong leisure demand and an asset-light expansion pipeline.
Zimbabwe T20 captain Sikandar Raza believes the upcoming three-match T20I series against India will be a closely contested affair, with both teams having an equal chance of victory.
Gautam Gambhir, known for his serious demeanour, surprised fans by sharing a series of memes on Instagram featuring a rare smile.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for global collaboration in Artificial Intelligence development, stating it should be a "symphony" rather than a "solo performance." His remarks came at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, where 29 countries also signed an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), an independent intergovernmental body headquartered in Shanghai. China also pledged 5,000 AI research projects and training for developing nations.
Indian para-athlete Dilip Mahadu Gavit, fresh off winning the Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medal in the men's T47 100m with a Games record, dedicated his triumph to his coach Vaijanath Kale on Guru Purnima, crediting him for spotting his talent and transforming his career.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for global collaboration in artificial intelligence development, emphasising a "symphony of global collaboration" over a "solo performance" by any single nation. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi highlighted the need for ethical AI governance, shared prosperity, and addressing challenges like the widening digital divide. He also announced China's commitment to support developing countries with 5,000 AI research projects and training programmes. The event also saw 29 countries sign an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) in Shanghai.
TVS Motor Company has launched the TVS Apache Junior Programme, a new initiative to identify and train young racing talent aged 10-14 years. The programme, conducted at the Madras International Karting Arena, provides structured training using purpose-built TVS Apache RR 200 Mini motorcycles, aiming to create a clear pathway for aspiring riders into professional motorsport.
The southwest monsoon has intensified across India, bringing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and prompting red alerts for several states, alongside concerns over landslides and urban flooding.
The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench has set aside a government order providing jobs to relatives of those who died in a stampede at Karur last year, citing violations of constitutional rights and existing compassionate appointment rules. The court highlighted that such appointments overlook others on waiting lists and could open "floodgates" for similar demands.
India will officially receive the Commonwealth Games flag at the closing ceremony on August 2, marking its role as the host for the 2030 centenary edition in Ahmedabad. The ceremony will feature a cultural presentation by Shankar Mahadevan and Rashmika Mandanna, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend.
Defending Commonwealth Games javelin champion Arshad Nadeem is prepared for the qualification round despite a challenging build-up due to adverse weather in Switzerland. His coach, Salman Butt, confirmed his readiness for the event in Glasgow, where he will face a strong field including India's Neeraj Chopra.
Shambhavi Choudhary, an MP from the Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas), has condemned the alleged use of AK-47 rifles and lathicharge against student protesters in Bihar. While acknowledging the presence of anti-social elements, she emphasised the right to peaceful protest. The condemnation follows a police constable's suspension for allegedly using an AK-47 during a protest in Siwan, Bihar, amidst widespread demonstrations against the NEET paper leak.
'...after seeing how our children are being subjected to such oppression at the hands of these masked men carrying sticks.'
Defending the law for regulating appointment procedures of the chief election commissioner and the deputies, the Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it would be wrong to assume that the prime minister and the other ministers would act in "bad faith" and against "democracy" because they have a numerical majority in the selection procedure.
A new study reveals that the impacts of invasive species on biodiversity are most severe in the Global South, challenging previous assumptions. Factors like rapidly developing economies, weak governance, and limited management capacity make these regions particularly vulnerable, leading to higher ecological and economic damages.
After six days of stalemate, a discussion on the anti-paper leak bill began on Tuesday in Lok Sabha with the government describing it as a reaffirmation of ruling dispensation's commitment to safeguard the welfare of students but opposition hit back over the lathi-charge on protesters, saying every blow on them hurt the government's prestige more than the backs of the youth.
The number of individuals reporting a gross total income of 100 crore or more in their income tax returns has quadrupled to 576 in Assessment Year 2025-26, up from 142 in AY 2021-22, according to data shared in Parliament.
Sanju Samson reveals Virat Kohli's advice on fitness, discipline and lifestyle, while explaining why he quit cricket's 'rat race' before becoming India's T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea by senior advocate Kapil Sibal challenging the interpretation of the Tenth Schedule's 'deemed merger' provision, which allows MLAs and MPs to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, citing its 'huge repercussions on our polity'.
'Coming from a small village in Bihar, I never imagined that the stories I would become a part of would one day travel across the world and be celebrated in this manner.'
Indian weightlifter Valluri Ajaya Babu secured a silver medal in the men's 79kg category at the Commonwealth Games, setting a new Games record in snatch and narrowly missing gold to Malaysia's Erry Hidayat Muhammad. This marks India's sixth weightlifting medal at the current Games, showcasing Babu's remarkable performance and potential.
Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, renowned for his success with Chennai Super Kings, has been appointed England's new Test head coach, with Joe Root returning as captain after a comprehensive recruitment process by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The 'CHESS+' initiative, Championing Excellence in Sport Skills, has been launched to establish a structured chess curriculum in schools across India. This program, a collaboration between the All India Chess Federation and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, aims to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students, starting with a pilot in 30 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
Heightened security deployment will remain in force across New Delhi and Central Delhi districts to maintain law and order as the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) warned of fresh protests if FIRs registered against demonstrators are not withdrawn.
India's teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blasted an impressive 81 runs on Sunday to steer his side to a 3-0 whitewash of hosts Zimbabwe in their Twenty20 series at the Harare Sports Club.
Misir Besra, a banned CPI (Maoist) politburo member with a bounty of over Rs 1 crore and wanted in 141 cases, has been arrested from Jharkhand's Dhanbad district. His arrest is considered a significant achievement in anti-Maoist operations in the state.
Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the United States, has launched a new social-first series called 'More to Love'. This campaign aims to leverage the success of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which was hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, to encourage international fans to return and explore more of the country's diverse attractions, including its national parks and various states. The campaign is being amplified globally, including in India.
Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a strategic move by Olympic leaders to tap into India's massive fan base and commercial power, aiming to attract billions of new viewers and strengthen the Games' appeal in key markets.
FIFA's proposal to create a $20 billion subsidiary for the World Cup, offering up to 20% stakes to external investors, aims to democratise global football finance but has been condemned by UEFA as selling the game's "soul."
Indian athletes delivered a strong performance at the Commonwealth Games, with weightlifters Gyaneshwari Yadav and Bindyarani Devi securing silver and bronze medals respectively. Several athletes, including long jumpers M Sreeshankar and Lokesh Sathyanathan, boxers Sachin Siwach and Ankush, and swimmers Sajan Prakash, Aryan Nehra, and Swatik Patel, also advanced to their respective finals or quarter-finals, showcasing India's diverse talent across multiple disciplines.
Indian table tennis star Sathiyan Gnanasekaran believes the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league is serving as ideal preparation for the national side ahead of the upcoming Asian Games, highlighting its role in team bonding and match practice.
Indian gymnast Protistha Samanta has successfully qualified for the women's vault final at the Commonwealth Games, finishing fifth in the qualification round. While Samanta secured her spot, fellow Indian gymnasts Pranati Nayak, Eshitaa Rewale, and Nishka Agarwal did not advance in individual or all-around events. The Indian women's team also finished ninth in the overall team competition.
