Rediff

As the U.S. Open approaches, several top players are vying for the men's singles title, with Arthur Fils emerging as a strong contender after his Cincinnati Open victory, while Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, and rising star Rafael Jodar also pose significant threats.

A Chinese humanoid robot, Tiangong Ultra, achieved a remarkable feat by running the 100 metres in 8.64 seconds, surpassing Usain Bolt's human world record. This achievement occurred at the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, showcasing significant advancements in robot mobility and embodied artificial intelligence. The event highlighted the rapid progress in robotics, with spectators noting improved capabilities and developers seeing it as a crucial test bed for future applications.

Novak Djokovic is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open, but recent physical struggles, particularly in high heat and humidity, raise questions about his ability to endure the demanding tournament. Despite his experience, the 39-year-old faces a challenging field and needs to manage his energy carefully to achieve his historic goal.

As devastating flash floods swept through parts of Nepal, triggered by torrential rains and a surge in the Bhote Koshi River, Nepali residents and workers in Delhi spent Wednesday anxiously trying to reach family and friends back home, with reports of deaths and hundreds missing causing widespread worry.

Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has ignited a political firestorm with his controversial remarks suggesting sugar should be very expensive and avoided by those over 40, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition amidst rising inflation concerns.

'I have a vested interest -- to serve the people of Maharashtra and ensure safe food. That is my vested interest, if at all there is one.'

Angad Cheema delivered a career-best, bogey-free 11-under 61 in Round 2 of the Rs one-crore Telangana Open, establishing a two-shot lead at 13-under 131. Delhi's Rashid Khan is in second place, while Hyderabad's Vishesh Sharma holds third. The cut was made at one-under 143, with 50 players advancing.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has declared himself 90 percent fit and available for the second Test against England at Lord's, aiming to lead a rejuvenated side after their innings defeat in the first match. He emphasised the need for senior players, including himself, to take responsibility and hinted at potential changes if performance doesn't improve.

A Delhi court has dismissed the Delhi Race Club's plea for an interim stay on an eviction order issued by the central government, ruling that the club failed to establish a prima facie case in its favour and did not renew its lease after 1994.

The BJP has criticised the Allahabad High Court's observations regarding the wearing of a hijab in school, stating that such matters should be left to school administrations and not courts. BJP spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam argued that faith is a significant personal aspect and courts should not dictate personal attire, while also acknowledging that schools have the right to set uniform policies. The High Court had dismissed a petition seeking permission for a girl to wear a headscarf, ruling it

Former India spinner Neetu David, now head of scouting for UP Warriorz, highlights the need for focused power-hitting training in women's domestic cricket to strengthen both WPL teams and the national side, despite promising spin talent at junior levels.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has issued a stark warning that the national team's consistent poor performances are causing a significant decline in its fan base. He emphasised that while fans don't expect wins every time, they demand a fighting spirit and competitive attitude, which the team is currently lacking, leading to growing disinterest among supporters.

Nathan Lyon, Australia's second-highest Test wicket-taker, faces increasing pressure on his automatic selection in the Test squad.

Avtar 'Kuku' Kohli, a notable figure in Hindi cinema, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, following a heart attack.

A Delhi court has taken into custody Arjun Sharma, a man wanted in connection with the alleged murder of his former girlfriend, Nikitha Godishala, in the United States. Sharma was arrested on non-bailable warrants as part of an extradition request under the India-US Extradition Treaty.

The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) is set to review a controversial rule allowing DPL franchises to pick three local league players outside the auction, following widespread disrepute caused by the inclusion of cricketer Dev Chaudhary in the New Delhi Tigers squad.

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's smash the patriarchy remark and his defence of actor Kriti Sanon's outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement, sparking a wider debate on women's choices and cultural attire.

Six-year-old Aditya gained attention for his bold comments during a student protest in Patna against Bihar Public Service Commission examinations. Despite social media rumours of his arrest, police clarified he was held for safety and returned to his parents, advising them to be more careful. The protest saw clashes, lathi-charge, and injuries.

Purely relying on Yash's aura to the point of draining him dry, Toxic doesn't have an smidgen of storytelling in its body rolling in sex, shock and sounds of bullets fired at anyone and everyone.

Dolly Parton, who passed away at 80, expressed a unique final wish to be laid to rest in a 'beautiful bed of plush cotton.'

A father's joy at the birth of his son turned to crushing sorrow after a fire swept through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a government hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra, killing his newborn and two other infants. Swapnil Barge had been searching for his wife and day-old son, only to receive the devastating news hours later.

A devastating fire in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a government hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra, resulted in the deaths of three newborns. Eyewitnesses and grieving parents allege that fire alarms remained silent and water sprinklers failed to activate, pointing to severe safety lapses and hospital negligence. While 36 infants were rescued, families are demanding accountability for the tragic loss of life.

Delhi Police have arrested seven individuals, including a former bar singer and an ex-banker, for allegedly posing as CBI officers to conduct fake raids and extort money or valuables in Delhi and Mumbai. The gang reportedly used fake ID cards and notices to intimidate targets.

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has become the country's highest run-scorer in ICC World Test Championship history, surpassing Shubman Gill, and also overtook MS Dhoni as India's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.

Vin Diesel has affirmed his unwavering devotion to Meadow Walker, the daughter of his late Fast and Furious co-star Paul Walker.

Indian officials communicated their standard practice for VVIP visits regarding media arrangements.

Actor and politician S Devan, formerly the BJP's state vice-president, has announced his decision to join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Devan cited a lack of space within the BJP and a desire for political change as reasons for his departure. He is expected to be offered the TVK state president post, with a formal announcement following a meeting on September 10.

'I wanted to make an out-and-out entertainer, a film where people could come into the theatre, laugh, have fun, and walk out feeling entertained. That was my thought when I took up Korean Kanakaraju.'

Australia secured an innings and 51-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Test, but the performance highlighted persistent issues with their top-order batting, particularly for Marnus Labuschagne, raising questions ahead of their South Africa tour.

District authorities in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, successfully resolved a dispute between Northeastern and local students at a private nursing college, which arose from a missing mobile phone. The intervention led to the safe relocation of Northeastern students and a warning to the college management to improve facilities and foster inclusivity.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath surprised social media by delivering a speech in English at the India-Japan Business Conclave, with a video clip of his address quickly spreading online and drawing widespread reactions.

India has successfully manufactured and test-fired its first fully indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, named 'Sher', at the Korwa facility in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in defence self-reliance with 100 per cent Indian components.

Rahul Gandhi's aggressive street politics is giving him a fresh political edge, but overplaying his role could hurt his credibility with the wider opposition, predicts M R Narayan Swamy.

India's campaign in the FIH Women's World Cup concluded after a goalless draw against Australia in their final second-round match. The result allowed Australia to advance to the semifinals based on a superior goal count, despite India needing a win to progress.

Haryana defeated Jharkhand 2-1 to win the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship. Madhya Pradesh secured third place by beating Chhattisgarh 3-1 in the bronze medal match. Haryana made a strong comeback after conceding an early goal, with Bhavya and Khushi scoring to secure their victory.

East Bengal FC's women's team defeated Sabah FA 2-0 to secure their place in the AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage for the second consecutive time, a historic first for an Indian club. Goals from Olivia Anokye and Soumya Guguloth sealed their victory, topping Group A with a perfect record.

France achieved a historic double victory at the World Championships, with Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue winning mixed doubles and Alex Lanier securing the men's singles title. This unprecedented success is attributed to decades of strategic investment in a national badminton system, including national and regional centres, coach education, and a focus on holistic player development, aiming to elevate France among traditional Asian powerhouses in the sport.

Three FIRs have been lodged against 39 named and more than 900 unnamed people in connection with clashes that broke out between the police and protesting job aspirants in Jharkhand's Giridih and Hazaribag, officials said on Sunday.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representatives talks on the India-China boundary issue with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. These crucial discussions precede Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to India for the BRICS summit, offering a potential opportunity for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The talks aim to address the long-standing border dispute and recurring tensions, with both sides emphasising the importance of p

The India Under-20 men's football team secured a 1-0 victory over Yemen in their second friendly match in Bengaluru. Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam scored the decisive goal. This win comes as the Blue Colts prepare for the upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers in Uzbekistan, scheduled from August 31 to September 6.

Bangladesh has stated there is o rush for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India, emphasising that Dhaka will not compromise its national interests. State Minister Humaiun Kobir indicated the visit would occur after sufficient bilateral progress. The visit is crucial for mending India-Bangladesh ties, which have been strained, particularly following the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh's subsequent extradition request.

Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and 19 former captains urged Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to ensure independent medical assessment, treatment and court-ordered family visits for Imran Khan.

Fresh guidelines issued to the Delhi police by a central agency advise personnel to remain calm during protests, avoid rising to provocation and being pictured as villains by the demonstrators filming them, police sources said on Sunday.

The 12-year-old daughter of NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar's personal assistant was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Baramati, Maharashtra. Police have launched an investigation, examining all possible angles, after the girl went missing following an argument with her mother.

Congress MLA and former Haryana Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Sharma has urged Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to remove Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda from the Congress Working Committee (CWC) over his remarks praising former party leader Sajjan Kumar.

North Zone coaches Ajay Sharma and Sarandeep Singh are under scrutiny for controversially dropping Sanat Sangwan, the Ranji Trophy's third-highest run-scorer, for the Duleep Trophy quarter-final against West Zone, opting instead for Yash Dhull, who had a significantly poorer Ranji season.

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka assembly R Ashoka on Sunday announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally Janata Dal-Secular would lay siege to Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on August 24 seeking the removal of planning and statistics minister B Nagendra from the cabinet.

Four individuals, including a student, were injured when a sound box system collapsed during the pre-release event for actor Yash's film 'Toxic' at Malla Reddy University in Hyderabad. The incident occurred after attendees climbed the structure, leading to a police case against the event organisers and university management.

Promising Indian golfer Arjun Prasad has officially joined the AM Green Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) ahead of its second half of the season, set to begin in late September. Prasad, 27, brings a strong performance record, including a recent professional title win and multiple top-10 finishes, making him a significant addition to the league's roster alongside other notable players.

Captain Pat Cummins praised Australia's emphatic Mackay response after their Darwin shock, while Cameron Green's gritty 67 and commanding series batting silenced doubts over his Test place.