There is growing acceptance of the idea in the international community that engaging the Taliban government is a far better approach than ostracising it, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Two Mongolian wrestling coaches who stripped off in protest at the judging at last month's Rio Olympics have been suspended for three years, the sport's international federation said on Wednesday.
Olympic-bound Ravi Dahiya could not take advantage of a tiring Gulomjon Abdullaev in the final after outclassing the same Uzbek wrestler in his opening round and settled for a silver medal at the Poland Open in Warsaw on Wednesday.
With Simranjit (60kg), Sakshi (54kg), and Jaismine (57kg) progressing into the last-4 stage, the women's team has confirmed India a medal in each weight category.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Wednesday
Afghanistan witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US aimed to complete the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan by August-end, ending a nearly two-decade of its military presence in the war-ravaged country.
Mary Kom, who is an Asian Games winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, will start the tournament as favourite in the women's category.
Hosts Dempo SC went down tamely 0-4 to Nasaf FC of Uzbekistan in a Group-A encounter of the AFC Challenge Cup, at the Balewadi Sports Complex, in Pune, on Tuesday.
Pakistan on Friday released the sketch of an Uzbek national it claimed was the mastermind of last month's deadly attack on Karachi airport, days after the military said he was killed in North Waziristan during an ongoing operation.
Ramkumar Ramnathan continued India's domination of the home tie by outclassing Sanjar Fayziev 6-3, 6-2 in just 67 minutes in the first reverse singles at the KSLTA stadium.
Chinese supporters have been visible and vocal.
Former Japan and Fenerbahce coach Zico, who left Uzbek champions Bunyodkor last month, has signed a three-year contract with CSKA Moscow, the Russian premier league club said.
The Indian ace will meet Uzbek wild card Iroda Tulyaganova in the first round at the Australian Open, which begins on Monday.
Commonwealth Games silver-medallist L Devendro Singh (49kg) assured himself of a medal and a place in the upcoming World Championships by storming into the Asian Championships semi-final in Bangkok on Tuesday.
The Indian juggernaut seemed unstoppable as four boxers, including Asian champion Amit Panghal (52kg), advanced to the quarter-finals with impressive victories.
Indian tennis ace Leander Paes and Andre Begemann of Germany went down to local hero Denis Istomin and Mikhail Elgin of Russia in the doubles finals at the ninth edition of the $125000 Tashkent ATP Challenger at the Olympic Tennis School in Tashkent on Friday.
Former Commonwealth Games gold-medalist Manoj Kumar (64kg) put up a spirited show but could not match the power of fifth seed Fazliddin Gaibnazarov in his pre-quarterfinal bout to bow out of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. The 29-year-old Indian went down 3-0 in the contest which was not particularly engaging in its quality of boxing but showcased Manoj's fighting spirit.
Olympic-bound Indian boxer Amit Panghal described his silver-winning performance at the recently-concluded Asian Championships in Dubai as the best of his career so far.
Olympic quick takes - Brazil lifter Reis suspended from Games after positive drug test.
Saipov was charged with providing material support to the Islamic State group and violence and destruction of motor vehicles.
Gail India Ltd said on Monday it will set up LPG plants in Uzbekistan as part of its globalisation drive.\n\n
Dheeraj, whose performance under the woodwork during the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India earned him accolades, is the third player after skipper Amarjit Singh and defender Anwar Ali from that squad, to get a call in the senior team camp.
Rohan Bopanna and debutant N Sriram Balaji were clinical in routing their rivals as India sealed the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie against Uzbekistan by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead, in Bengaluru, on Saturday.
Boxer Amit Panghal was tested but advanced to the quarterfinals of Asian Olympic qualifiers while the second-seeded Mary Kom produced a typically clinical performance to dismantle New Zealand's Commonwealth Games bronze-winner Tasmyn Benny for a 5-0 triumph.
Just one win away from winning an Olympic medal after a comprehensive victory over his opponent in his pre-quarterfinal bout, Indian boxer Vikas Krishan says he wants nothing less than a gold in the Rio Games.
Agency reports said he had been staying in the house belonging to a Kyrgyz friend.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the first leg of his eight-day visit to Central Asia and Russia. Here are top moments from his visit
The Tehreek-i-Taliban which claimed responsibility of the brazen attack on the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, is made up of Chechens, Arabs, Afghan Taliban, Uzbeks and Central Asians, has become a fearful force to deal with. Vicky Nanjappa tells you why
India's women recurve team kept itself in medal contention by moving to the semifinals of the Asian Games even as the men's recurve team suffered a close 3-5 defeat against Hong Kong to crash out in the elimination round of the archery competition.
The Indian youngster won the singles and doubles crown in the ITF Grade 4 Junior championship there.
Specially designated global terrorist Sirajuddin Haqqani, who carries a reward of $10 million US bounty on his head, is the acting interior minister while his uncle -- Khalil Haqqani -- has been named as acting minister for refugees.
Sagaliuk's defeat in quarterfinals shut the repechage door on the Indian.
Images from the Friday's play at the Australian Open.
'I surprised myself also today'
Swiss maestro Roger Federer has revealed that Wimbledon, where he won his first Grand Slam title, could be the ideal place for a farewell tournament when he decides to call time on his illustrious career.
Former World Championships bronze medallist Vikas Krishan (75kg) was the lone Indian to make it to the finals, as three others settled for bronze medals after losing hard-fought semi-final contests, in the Asian Boxing Championships, in Jakarta, on Friday. He defeated Iraq's Waheed Abdulridha 3-0 to set up a clash with Uzbekistan's Bektemir Melikuziev in Saturday's final.
The United States on Wednesday warned that Pakistan faces a "serious" threat from the Taliban and offered its assistance to fight against terrorism after the recent attacks in Karachi.
Remember the US withdrawal agreement was signed in February 2020. In the intervening period, a proper evacuation plan ought to have been in place. It was not. Consequently, tens of thousands of Afghans who had worked as interpreters, drivers, suppliers of goods and services, etc, face brutal retribution from the Taliban, Virendra Kapoor points out.
Sakshi Chaudhary prevailed in a split verdict against the Asian Games bronze-medallist in an engrossing second-round bout after both the boxers got opening-round byes.
