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.
A Delhi court has criticised Gurugram Police for a "botched" investigation into the murder of real estate professional Yuvraj Singh Manchanda, particularly for cremating his body without identification. The court noted discrepancies between the post-mortem report and Delhi Police's findings regarding the cause of death, highlighting significant delays in uploading details to the ZIPNET database.
Actress Florence Pugh has voiced strong support for a Cornell University student who was allegedly gang-raped, criticising the university's lenient handling of the accused. Pugh expressed her outrage at the systemic failure to protect women and the disproportionate consequences faced by victims versus perpetrators.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has strongly criticised current skipper Babar Azam following Pakistan's disastrous Test series against England. Akram questioned Babar's awareness of team changes and suggested he should not have taken on the captaincy again, especially after the team's poor performance and subsequent sanctions.
FIFA has accused UEFA of waging a 'misinformation campaign' and attempting to influence its upcoming presidential election, urging a US court to reject a discovery request related to a controversial, now-abandoned investment proposal for World Cup commercial rights.
Fourth seed Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 to reach the US Open quarter-finals. Gauff, the defending champion, delivered a dominant performance and will next face Mirra Andreeva.
Iga Swiatek sits 10th in the WTA Finals qualifying race and hopes to finish strongly in Wuhan, Ningbo and Tokyo after a challenging season and recent coaching changes.
Rohan Bopanna, India's former world number one doubles player, has been excluded from the AITA's Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster. This exclusion is due to his failure to meet the mandatory one-year retirement criterion, as he announced his professional retirement on November 1, 2025, just shy of the October 16, 2026, deadline for the roster. Despite inquiring about his eligibility and receiving initial assurance, his continued participation on the Pro ATP tour until October 2025 meant he was still considered active.
World number two Aryna Sabalenka exited the China Open in the third round after a straight-sets loss to Nikola Bartunkova, marking another setback in a challenging season where she has not won a trophy since the 'Sunshine Double' earlier this year.
Iga Swiatek's left-leg injury paved the way for Maja Chwalinska's stunning Wuhan upset, while Sonay Kartal defeated error-prone Jelena Ostapenko to reach her maiden WTA 1000 final.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has ignited a controversy by suggesting India should learn from Albanian protesters who allegedly burnt down their Supreme Court due to its perceived support for a corrupt prime minister. Raut shared a video of the purported events, drawing sharp criticism from Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, who highlighted Raut's recent apology to the Supreme Court.
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.
Novak Djokovic enters the US Open with renewed hopes of a record 25th Grand Slam, boosted by Sinner's injury and Alcaraz's uncertain return, but faces Zverev.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan have strongly criticised the Maharashtra government, particularly Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. They cited recent incidents like the firing at actor Tiger Shroff and the murder of a Shiv Sena worker, demanding a "regime change" and accountability from the government.
German tennis star Alexander Zverev has secured the ATP's year-end world number one ranking, a 'dream come true' for the 29-year-old, following Carlos Alcaraz's shock defeat to Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters.
Six US Democratic lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar, have urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address alleged excessive force during student protests in India and concerns over voter purges during his upcoming visit. They also accused Indian diplomatic missions of surveillance of protesters in the US and called for investigations into human rights violations and potential arms sales implications.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has criticised the newly introduced fees on UPI payments, stating they will lead to increased inflation for the common man. He dismissed government claims that customers would not be burdened, arguing that merchants would pass on the costs. Hooda demanded the immediate withdrawal of these fees, highlighting that the government's move contradicts its 'Digital India' initiative.
The Calcutta High Court criticised the Election Commission for reassigning the 'envelope' symbol to the Democratic Trinamool Congress, previously used by the ISF, for the Nandigram by-election. Justice Krishna Rao questioned the EC's fairness, especially when 183 free symbols were available, and adjourned the hearing until Friday.
Militants ambushed 14 Meitei men in Manipur on Monday, killing three and injuring three others. The attack, which occurred in the Sunurok hills, sparked widespread protests in Imphal, with locals placing bodies outside the Chief Minister's residence. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters. Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the killings and held security review meetings, while the opposition Congress demanded his resignation, citing the state's ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023. Security forces have launched a combing operation with drones and sniffer dogs.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has criticised the Centre for introducing a 0.4% charge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, alleging the decision was influenced by pressure from the United States and its payment companies like Visa and Mastercard. He highlighted a perceived shift in the government's stance on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI, claiming it would ultimately burden consumers and small businesses while benefiting American firms.
India's teenage tennis sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran has made a significant mark on the professional circuit by winning the W35 Lagos tournament in Portugal, becoming the youngest Indian to achieve a pro singles title since Sania Mirza. The 17-year-old, who also secured the doubles crown, views this as just the beginning of her professional journey, aiming to compete in more senior events and improve her world ranking. She recently moved her training base to France and plans to focus on physical and technical improvements in the coming months.
Tennis World No 6 Elina Svitolina has announced her separation from French tennis star Gael Monfils, revealing how the emotional toll of Russia's war on Ukraine left her struggling to find herself.
Carlos Alcaraz and Andre Agassi are advocating for significant changes to Grand Slam scheduling, particularly to avoid late-night finishes that impact player welfare and fan attendance. Alcaraz's US Open campaign ended in a 3:33 a.m. finish, prompting his call for matches to conclude by 11 p.m. Agassi supports guaranteed downtime for players, highlighting a broader push for improved working conditions in professional tennis.
World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the upcoming Wuhan Open due to a foot injury, following a recent defeat at the China Open. Despite ongoing struggles with a lower leg and foot problem, Rybakina had a successful season, securing her third Grand Slam title and qualifying for the WTA Finals. She plans to rest and recover before her next scheduled competition in Ningbo.
An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Punjab Police, Iqbal Singh, was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Tarn Taran on Sunday evening. This incident follows two other recent attacks on ASIs in Punjab, drawing strong criticism from opposition parties regarding the state's law and order situation.
The Indian government has strongly refuted Elon Musk's allegations that Starlink's satellite communication services are being blocked in the country, asserting that a fair and non-discriminatory regulatory framework is in place for all telecom providers. The government emphasised that compliance with security norms is mandatory for all licensees, including Starlink, Jio Satcom, and Eutelsat OneWeb, all of whom are currently undergoing security assessments.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised commentators who express pessimism about India's demographic dividend, asserting that the country's youth are actively driving economic growth and innovation. She also highlighted the dual nature of AI and the need for robust safeguards in emerging technologies like quantum computing to balance innovation with safety.
The Congress party has accused the Indian government of imposing new charges on UPI transactions due to pressure from the United States, specifically to benefit American card companies. The opposition party demanded the withdrawal of the decision, calling it "anti-national" and alleging it fills the coffers of US firms while burdening Indian citizens. The government, however, clarified that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges apply only to commercial transactions above Rs 2,000 and are not levied on consumers, a stance supported by the BJP which accused Congress of spreading "fake news".
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations have accused the government of attempting to influence electoral outcomes by allegedly deleting over 13 crore voters. They have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in voter rolls and criticising the police crackdown on protesters. Leaders questioned the government's protection of the CEC and linked voter deletions to the narrow victory margin in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
BSP chief Mayawati has accused her nephew Akash Anand, recently expelled from the party, of being involved in spreading rumours about her ill health. She detailed a phone call made by Akash to a party in-charge inquiring about her health and reiterated her stance on keeping family members away from political positions, except for her brother Anand Kumar who assists her. She also mentioned the ongoing protest by panchayat assistants in Uttar Pradesh.
Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to five-day judicial custody in Tihar Jail following their alleged violation of peace bonds and unauthorised protest at Jantar Mantar.
Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc likens winning upcoming away Test series in South Africa, India, and England, plus retaining the ODI World Cup, to Rory McIlroy's golf Grand Slam, acknowledging the team's ageing profile and the immense challenge ahead.
Irish golf star Rory McIlroy met and applauded India's Asian Games gold-winning golfer Pranavi Urs for her "tremendous resilience and character" during her recent victory. McIlroy, in India for the DP World India Championships, praised Urs's ability to overcome a triple bogey to secure gold and her contribution to India's team silver.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's decision to grant a one-year extension to autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi, alleging it was due to 'pressure from Delhi' and a message to BJP's ally Shiv Sena.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Punjab to meet families of individuals who died in incidents linked to the state's drug menace. He assured justice to the families of Gulzar Singh, Bikramjit Singh, and anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who were victims of drug-related issues. The visit comes amidst a political slugfest ahead of upcoming Assembly elections, with opposition parties criticising the AAP government over the drug problem.
Congress workers and police clashed outside the Jaipur Police Commissionerate during a protest demanding the registration of a zero FIR regarding the alleged assault on NSUI leader Ritu Barala by Delhi Police. Jaipur Police refused, citing an ongoing investigation in Delhi, while Congress leaders insisted on the legal provision for a zero FIR and accused the BJP government of denying justice. BJP leaders, in turn, called the protest a "political drama."
Ishan Kishan continued his impressive form in crucial matches by scoring his maiden first-class double century, a blistering 250 off 301 balls, for East Zone against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final before retiring hurt due to cramps.
The DP World India Championship, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and DP World PGTI, is set to begin at the Delhi Golf Club on Thursday. The event features top international golfers like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, alongside a strong Indian contingent including Saptak Talwar, Khalin Joshi, and Veer Ahlawat, who are vying for the DP World PGTI Order of Merit title and a spot on the DP World Tour.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Tommy Paul 6-3 1-6 6-3 to reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, while Rafael Jodar made history by becoming the youngest semi-finalist after beating Casper Ruud 4-6 6-4 6-3. Medvedev will face Jodar next, with Alexander Zverev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina contesting the other semi-final.
A protest in Mumbai's Shivaji Park area, supporting the Cockroach Janta Party's stir against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, intensified on Sunday with the arrival of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and MNS' Amit Thackeray. Police detained dozens of protesters, including social activist Anjali Damania, leading to further condemnation from the Thackeray cousins who criticised the police action and the BJP government.