Samantha Stosur's win over world number one Caroline Wozniacki was not the only surprise for an unsuspecting crowd at the WTA Championships, where music, dance and even a frightened feline vied with the tennis for attention.
She finished fifth in the Group B qualification round and made it to the finals as the eighth best across two groups on the fifth day of competitions.
The first World Cup in the Middle East has been anything but insulated from the troubles of the volatile region, set against a backdrop of anti-government protests in Iran and an upsurge in Israeli-Palestinian violence.
'I could not reach the semifinals last time but I am hoping to reach the finals this time'
The United States stormed into the World Cup last 16 on Tuesday by beating Iran 1-0 at a cacophonous Al Thumama Stadium after Christian Pulisic bundled the ball home in a Group B showdown shrouded by decades of enmity between the two nations.
Former Arsenal manager and world governing body FIFA's current chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger will play a role in Indian football's grassroots programmes and talent development.
With seven points from eight matches, India finished third in Group E behind toppers Qatar and Oman, and ahead of Afghanistan (4th in group with six points from eight matches).
A 35-year-old man with travel history to Zimbabwe and South Africa has tested positive for Omicron, becoming the second patient of the new COVID-19 variant in Delhi, sources said on Saturday.
His first throw of 88.39 metres earned him automatic qualification for the final.
He pulled out of the Birmingham CWG (July 28-August 8) just two days before the start of the multi-sport event as he was advised a four-week rest by his medical team. He then underwent rehabilitation in Germany.
The Taliban have postponed the formation of a new government in Afghanistan for next week, their spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said on Saturday, as the insurgent group struggles to give shape to a broad-based and inclusive administration acceptable to the international community.
Federal Bureau of Investigation director Christopher Wray on Thursday expressed concern that foreign terrorist organisations (FTOs), such as the Islamic State and Al Qaeda, may either launch or inspire large-scale attacks against the United States.
Considering that Qatar is a trusted ally of Washington for decades, it is expected to be a steady influence on the Taliban leadership, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Brazil are pre-tournament favourites to win a record-extending sixth title.
Preparing turf for the World Cup, being held for the first time in the Middle East, is environmentally costly. Qatar has also countered the risk of fungus and disease outbreaks with a maintenance regime involving chemical cocktails, grass mowers that vacuum debris and an underground system that sucks excess moisture, said a UEFA pitch consultant.
Serbia's Jelena Jankovic crushed leg-weary Caroline Wozniacki to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Championships while American holder Venus Williams reached the last four on Friday without hitting a ball.
Serena Williams stayed on course to end the year as world number one when she beat Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6, 7-5 on the opening day of the WTA Championships after sister Venus suffered a shock defeat on Tuesday.
'There's this one scene in Gulmohar that belongs to Manojji and everyone was excited for him.' 'The evening before we were to shoot it, everyone, from Sharmilaji to the junior most actor, wished him luck.'
'He was suddenly nervous.'
'The next day, 14 actors, from Sharmilaji and Amol Palekar to Suraj Sharma, all watched him perform.' 'It was like being back in film school.'
Garbine Muguruza was relieved to finally avoid tripping at the last hurdle and end her trophy drought
Sumit storms into Thailand open boxing semi-finals
The Taliban government will follow the pattern of the Iranian leadership.
Anderson Peters of Grenada and Tokyo Olympics silver winner Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic had come up with 93.07m and 90.88m throws respectively
Spain's Rafael Nadal began his ATP Tour season by demolishing Frenchman Fabrice Santoro 6-0, 6-1 at the Qatar Open in Doha on Tuesday. Roger Federer, seeded second behind Nadal, and third seed Andy Murray also notched easy wins to reach the second round.
Summary of all that made news on Monday
Medvedev squandered a two-set lead against Nadal in their previous meeting in the Melbourne final in January, allowing the Spaniard to clinch his 21st Grand Slam title.
World number three Serena Williams and fourth-ranked Ana Ivanovic withdrew from the WTA Championships on Friday.
Chopra has now set his sights on this year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
A picture of a Socceroos fan holding up a sign saying, "Give us a public holiday", was widely shared on social media.
The Indo-Slovenian pair will next play top seeds, Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.
'My approach has been to do my best on the day according to the situation'
Despite dependence on the ISI for years of sustenance, Taliban leaders may harbour resentment over the ISI's excessive control, notes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at the Research and Analysis Wing.
A red alert was declared in 8 districts of Kerala on Thursday by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) as rains continued to lash various parts of the state and disrupted the day-to-day lives of the people as roads got flooded or caved in and many got displaced from their homes to relief camps.
'If you try to use every resource that you have, you won't feel like you've let yourself down. Don't think because wherever you came from that you cannot be successful. No matter if you make an Olympic team, you gave your heart and you put your heart out there to be as successful as you could be.'
India's Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra said he is looking forward to starting his Diamond League season in Stockholm on June 30.
A US drone killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri at a house in Kabul, where he had been living with his family, on Saturday.
Blue Tigers rise to third spot.
Bring out your inner child with this recipe.
The 25-year-old represented Kenya in the 5,000m event at the Tokyo Olympics and finished fourth in the finals after clocking 14:39.62 seconds.
Janendra Jain and Parth Goswami are the two lawyers in the panel while Yashpal Rana is the other member.
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