Top seed Aliona Falei and Zhibek Kulambayeva secured their spots in the singles main draw of the WTA 250 Chennai Open after winning their final-round qualifying matches on Sunday. Weronika Falkowska and Kyoka Okamura also advanced.
India's badminton contingent, led by HS Prannoy, is set to compete at the USD 500,000 Super 500 Korea Open. Newly-crowned Hylo Open champion Lakshya Sen has withdrawn, placing more responsibility on Prannoy. Young talents like Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod, and Anmol Kharb will also feature, alongside Indian doubles pairs.
India aims to become a globally competitive and technologically self-reliant semiconductor powerhouse by 2047, leading in next-generation chip technologies. This vision, highlighted at the ESTIC 2026 conclave where DRDO played a key role, focuses on developing a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem, creating high-value jobs, and ensuring digital security and economic strength through indigenous chip capabilities.
Virtual Eye will now provide the full suite of DRS technology to assist umpires and enhance the viewing experience during India's tour of New Zealand involving five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.
Researchers have developed 'Lumina', a groundbreaking cosmological simulation that recreates the universe's first two billion years in extraordinary detail. This model tracks the interactions of ordinary matter, dark matter, and radiation, offering a powerful new tool to test theories of cosmic evolution against observations from telescopes like JWST. Lumina is the largest and most detailed simulation of its kind, covering a vast volume and uniquely capturing helium reionisation.
In this new series on busting common health concerns, senior diabetologist Dr Rajiv Kovil tells Rediff's Divya Nair why sugar-free substitutes are not entirely safe or healthy for diabetics.
A recent scientific study by Dr. Dinesh Amalnerkar and Dr. Ravindra Chaudhari in Pune has demonstrated that a silk-based nanocomposite material, particularly one containing silver nanoparticles, can effectively kill Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae and pupae. This research, published in 'Nature Scientific Reports', offers a promising new approach for dengue control, especially as Pune faces a surge in cases. While showing high mortality rates in lab tests and minimal environmental impact, further field research is needed before large-scale deployment.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stressed the critical importance of understanding and mitigating AI-related security threats, even over productivity gains. He highlighted how AI systems are uncovering numerous software vulnerabilities, necessitating new methods for detection and repair. Altman's remarks follow recent incidents where AI agents exposed serious flaws in widely used programming languages and even breached isolated test environments.
The Union Sports and Education Ministries, in collaboration with UNESCO, have launched the 'Sports Values in Every Classroom Toolkit' to promote clean sport values and integrity among students nationwide. The initiative, announced at NADA India's Clean Sport Conclave, aims to integrate values like respect and fairness into education through multilingual video modules. Ministers Mandaviya and Joshi emphasised the importance of this partnership in strengthening India's sporting ambitions and bridging the gap between education and sports.
The Indian trio of Ribhav Verma, Anshul Mishra, and Arkesh Bhatia faced a challenging opening day at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in New Zealand due to strong winds and a difficult course layout. While they struggled, defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand delivered an exceptional eight-under 63 to take a commanding lead. The Indians now need a significant improvement on Friday to make the halfway cut.
Television actress Urmila Sanawar faces a fresh First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case, a day after her arrest in Uttar Pradesh. The new FIR, filed by a Dehradun resident, alleges "objectionable and defamatory allegations" made by Sanawar against Sikkim Governor Dushyant Kumar Gautam and BJP national general secretary BL Santosh. Sanawar is scheduled to undergo a narco-analysis test as part of the CBI inquiry, while the Uttarakhand Congress has criticised her arrest, claiming it is an attempt to shield influential individuals involved in the murder case.
South Africa has made significant changes to their squad for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, dropping Tristan Stubbs and calling up Matthew Breetzke. Ryan Rickelton will take over as wicketkeeper, likely leading to Kyle Verreynne's exclusion from the playing XI. These changes come after their heavy defeat in the first Test, with lead pacer Kagiso Rabada expected to return.
India's teenage tennis stars Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi and Vaishnavi Adkar achieved their maiden WTA Tour-level victories at the Chennai Open on Tuesday. Maaya upset world number 115 Katarzyna Kawa in a thrilling three-set match, while Vaishnavi fought back from a deficit to defeat Britain's Jodie Burrage. These wins mark a significant milestone for the young Indian players.
A doctor in Kollam, Kerala, was arrested for allegedly assaulting police personnel and possessing a small quantity of ganja. He was remanded to judicial custody for the assault, while both he and a woman doctor were granted bail in the narcotics case.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act will be introduced in the next Parliament session. These amendments aim to criminalise the trafficking and distribution of prohibited substances to athletes, imposing jail terms of up to five years for suppliers, including medical practitioners. India is committed to sporting integrity and has already strengthened its anti-doping framework, conducting extensive tests and awareness sessions.
The third and final edition of the Chennai Open WTA 250 tournament begins, offering Indian wild card entrants Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi a crucial last opportunity to earn ranking points on home soil. The tournament marks India's exit from the WTA main Tour calendar, making it a significant event for the local players to test their skills against an international field, despite a depleted draw due to withdrawals.
India A will play three four-day matches against New Zealand A in Christchurch starting October 24, serving as a crucial build-up for the senior Indian team's two-Test series against New Zealand later in the tour. These matches are part of New Zealand Cricket's domestic red-ball schedule.
Ten individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged sale of illicit liquor in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district, following claims that several villagers died after consuming spurious alcohol. The arrests include managers and salesmen from licensed shops, and a high-level team is investigating the deaths.
The Data Security Council of India (DSCI) has released an India-focused AI liability guide to clarify accountability and responsibility for agentic AI systems. The guide aims to help enterprises understand how existing legal doctrines apply to autonomous, multi-vendor AI, addressing who bears consequences when AI agents act independently and issues arise. It is a live discussion paper intended to foster responsible AI adoption and is open for industry feedback.
Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge is a strong contender for India's ODI squad for the New Zealand tour, following impressive performances against Australia A. His recent form, coupled with injury concerns for other all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya, makes him an attractive option for the expanded squad needed due to a tight schedule.
Indian golfer Pranavi Urs, fresh from strong performances including a top-four finish at the Hero Women's Indian Open and an Asian Games gold, is set to compete in the USD 1.2 million Wistron Ladies Open in Chinese Taipei. She will face an experienced international field, including defending champion Yani Tseng and recent Indian Open winner Pornanong Phatlum.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will lead the Indian challenge at the USD 500,000 Hylo Open Super 500 badminton tournament in Germany, fresh from her French Open runner-up finish. Other prominent Indian shuttlers like Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and HS Prannoy will also be in action, aiming for strong performances.
Haryana has rolled out UPI-based digital payment systems and expanded online OPD pre-registration facilities across 610 public healthcare institutions. This initiative aims to reduce queues, simplify registration, and enhance patient convenience, while still retaining traditional cash and walk-in options for those not using digital methods.
Nandan Nilekani, head of the task force on exam reforms, stated on Tuesday that technology and a systematic approach can solve the issue of question paper leaks. He suggested generating exam papers from a large question bank at the last minute to remove economic incentives for leaks and also proposed moving towards computer-based testing.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have developed an innovative, low-cost device capable of screening for anaemia and sickle cell disease using just a single drop of blood. This point-of-care approach measures blood smear length to detect differences in viscosity, which are indicative of these conditions. The patented device is designed for cost-effective manufacturing and ease of use, making it ideal for areas with limited access to conventional diagnostic laboratories. The technology is currently licensed to an IIT Bombay startup and is moving towards regulatory approval.
The Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide on two show-cause notices issued to grappler Vinesh Phogat within two weeks. The notices concern alleged anti-doping rule violations and misconduct. The court emphasized the need for a sportsperson to be mentally relaxed for competitive events and stated that any decision taken after two weeks would be held in abeyance until January 20, 2027. Phogat's petition challenges these notices, which she claims are arbitrary and impede her return to competitive wrestling.
The Supreme Court has permitted the bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali on November 7 and 8, 2026, with specific time restrictions. The court emphasized that the right to engage in practices with religious colour is qualified and cannot override constitutional restrictions on environmental pollution. It also issued detailed guidelines for manufacturers, traders, and authorities to ensure compliance and monitor air quality.
Seven players from the Kabaddi Champions League, including Naveen Goyat and Surjeet Narwal, have been selected for the Indian men's squad participating in the Commonwealth Championship in Ahmedabad from October 23 to October 31, highlighting the league's role in national team development.
The first phase of Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan concluded on Thursday with a 63 per cent voter turnout across 16 districts. Despite long queues, some villages boycotted the polls over local administrative issues. These elections are seen as a crucial test for the ruling BJP and opposition Congress ahead of the 2028 assembly elections.
Police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested the son of a Congress leader in connection with a spurious liquor case that allegedly led to multiple deaths in Dewas district. The accused is alleged to have supplied a chemical to the kingpin, who reportedly used AI to learn how to make the illicit alcohol. The Congress leader claims his son is innocent, stating the chemical was sold as paint thinner with a proper invoice.
The Delhi High Court has permitted the termination of a 31-week pregnancy for a 16-year-old sexual assault victim, citing that it would not be appropriate to burden the minor with childbirth and raising a child. The court recognised the termination as a human right affecting the victim's dignified existence and directed the state to cover medical expenses, ensuring foetal tissue preservation for DNA testing and offering adoption if the child is born alive.
The CBI has registered an FIR against five individuals for allegedly defrauding Haryana villagers of Rs 2.41 crore in a sophisticated fake government job scam. Aspirants underwent fake tests, medical exams, police verifications, and even a three-month "training" programme, believing they had secured government positions, only to discover they were duped by individuals posing as politically connected figures.
Customs officials at Pune airport seized 1.265 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at Rs 44.27 lakh, from an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok. The passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the drug supply chain.
A Delhi court has framed charges against a bus driver and conductor for the alleged kidnapping and gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl inside a sleeper bus in August. The accused face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act, with the trial set to begin with the victim's evidence on October 24.
A new study challenges the common belief that menopause is a gradual process, revealing that the female body undergoes abrupt, "physiological cliff"-like changes in various health measures around the time of the last menstrual period. These shifts, observed in over one million women, begin more than a decade before menopause, offering a new window for preventive care.
A junior Bangladeshi minister, Ishraque Hossain, conducted a raid on a suspected drug den in a Dhaka slum on Saturday, carrying a pistol and accompanied by plainclothes associates. He detained several individuals and handed them over to police, who stated they were not informed in advance. A video of the incident, uploaded by Hossain, sparked widespread debate on social media regarding the appropriateness of his actions.
Ahmedabad Customs officials arrested a passenger arriving from Vietnam and an individual waiting to receive him at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Sunday for allegedly carrying and coordinating a consignment of marijuana. Seven vacuum-sealed packets containing approximately 2.117 kg of suspected marijuana were recovered from the passenger's baggage.
13-year-old amateur golfer Ojaswini Saraswat has made history by becoming the youngest Indian ever to make the cut at a Ladies European Tour event, achieving this feat at the Hero Women's Indian Open with a remarkable three-under 69 in the second round.
Pat Cummins has played down concerns Usman Khawaja's autobiography could reopen Sandpapergate, saying the 2018 scandal was dealt with.
Eugenio Chacarra of Spain holds a two-shot lead at the DP World India Championship after a strong third round was suspended due to fading light at the Delhi Golf Club on Saturday. Chacarra reached 14-under par, with compatriots Angel Hidalgo and Joost Luiten trailing at 12-under. The tournament has faced schedule disruptions due to earlier weather delays, setting up a demanding final day for players, including top contenders like Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy, and Indian golfers led by Om Prakash Chouhan.
