Rediff

Defending champions India, currently unbeaten in the men's hockey Pool A at the Asian Games, are set to face hosts Japan in a crucial match. Both teams have won all their games, but India holds a superior goal difference. The winner of this match will secure the top spot in the pool and a direct semifinal berth, with India's forwards showing exceptional form.

India's Manush Shah and Diya Chitale secured a historic medal in mixed doubles table tennis at the Asian Games by defeating Hong Kong's world No. 4 pair. This marks India's second mixed doubles medal in Asian Games history. While other Indian paddlers faced early exits in various categories, Shah also advanced in men's singles and Yashaswini Ghorpade in women's singles.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey has lodged a police complaint against several HI officials, including the former Executive Director, accusing them of criminal breach of trust, theft, endangerment of life and wrongful abandonment. The complaint stems from an incident where Tirkey's personal belongings, including medicines, were allegedly withheld after an official vehicle was recalled. This incident highlights an ongoing power struggle between Tirkey and HI Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh,

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were back together in the India nets on Thursday, giving fans an early glimpse of the veterans ahead of the ODI series against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram.

Indian shooters Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet secured a gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Asian Games in Japan, earning congratulations from Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for their dominant performance.

Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar, and Rudrankksh Patil combined for a strong team silver in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Asian Games on Friday.

Indian squash players Joshna Chinappa, Velavan Senthilkumar, Anahat Singh, and Abhay Singh have secured at least three medals at the Asian Games by advancing to the semifinals in their respective mixed doubles and singles events. Joshna Chinappa also achieved a personal milestone, securing her sixth Asian Games medal, while the singles gold winners will earn direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

India's last-minute change in the 10m air pistol mixed team pairing ended with gold as Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet won the title on Friday.

Indian badminton players Unnati Hooda and the mixed doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila secured comfortable first-round victories at the Asian Games. This positive start follows mixed results in the team events, where the men's team won bronze and the women's team did not medal.

India's men's and women's kabaddi teams have both secured their spots in the finals of the Asian Games, continuing their unbeaten run. The women's team defeated Nepal 48-24, while the men's team triumphed over Thailand 66-28 in their respective semi-final matches, setting the stage for a potential double gold medal defence.

Indian paddlers concluded their Asian Games canoeing campaign without securing any medals, falling short of their previous performance at the Hangzhou edition. Despite some teams reaching finals, they were unable to make the podium, with the scrapping of a previously medal-winning event cited as a setback.

India's men's foil and women's epee fencing teams were both eliminated in the round of 16 at the Asian Games. The men's team lost to Hong Kong, while the women's team was defeated by Uzbekistan, marking a double setback for the nation in the fencing events.

The Indian women's Kabaddi team defeated Nepal 48-24 to reach the Asian Games final, maintaining their unbeaten streak and aiming for a fourth consecutive gold medal. The men's team also advanced to the semifinals.

The Indian women's hockey team secured its fourth consecutive victory at the Asian Games, defeating hosts Japan 3-1, a win that virtually guarantees them a semi-final berth.

The Indian women's kabaddi team secured a dominant 48-24 victory over Nepal, advancing to the Asian Games final and maintaining their unbeaten streak. They are now poised to win their fourth consecutive gold medal in the event, continuing their historical dominance since women's kabaddi was introduced in 2010.

India's Pokemon UNITE esports team began their Asian Games campaign with a 0-2 loss against South Korea in their opening Group C fixture. The team, comprising six players, is now set to face Japan in their next match.

Indian shooters Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet secured a gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Asian Games, demonstrating a strong comeback after individual disappointments. Additionally, the men's 50m rifle 3 positions team, comprising Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil, and Niraj Kumar, earned a silver medal, with Tomar and Niraj also qualifying for individual finals.

Veteran Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar have secured a medal for India in the Asian Games mixed doubles squash event by reaching the semifinals. The duo dominated their quarterfinal match against the Philippines and will now face Hong Kong in the next round. This marks Joshna's record sixth Asian Games medal and her seventh appearance at the event.

Indian shooters Kamaljeet and Suruchi Singh secured a gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, bouncing back from individual disappointments. They dominated the final, finishing significantly ahead of South Korea.

Indian surfers Sugar Shanti Gayen and Kamali Prakash finished last in their respective women's shortboard heats during surfing's debut at the Asian Games in Tahara, Japan.

Indian swimmers Sajan Prakash, Rishabh Das, and Utkarsh Patil have qualified for the finals in their respective events at the Asian Games. Prakash advanced in the men's 200m butterfly, while Das and Patil secured spots in the 200m backstroke final. However, other Indian swimmers like Dhanshan Shashikumar, Aneesh Gowda, and Dhanush Suresh failed to qualify in their events.

Veteran Indian squash player Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar have secured a medal in the mixed doubles event at the Asian Games by reaching the semifinals. They defeated David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines in a dominant quarterfinal match and will now face Hong Kong in the semifinals. This marks Joshna Chinappa's sixth Asian Games medal.

Indian athletes are set to compete across various disciplines including athletics, badminton, boxing, hockey, kabaddi, shooting, squash, swimming, and table tennis at the Asian Games on Friday, September 25. Key events include finals in athletics and shooting, along with crucial knockout stages in team sports and individual events.

A 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in central Delhi's Anand Parbat area after an accidental collision with three teenagers escalated into an altercation. Police have arrested a 19-year-old man and apprehended two minors in connection with the murder, recovering the alleged weapon.

The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has demanded accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta following the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Aastha Kunj Park. The incident has sparked concerns over women's safety in Delhi and led Lady Shri Ram College to shift classes online. NSUI is calling for immediate legal action, an impartial investigation, and improved security measures around student-frequented areas.

AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj has criticised the Delhi government's handling of women's safety after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped at Aastha Kunj Park, leading Lady Shri Ram College to shift classes online. Bharadwaj questioned the BJP government's achievements in ensuring safety and highlighted daily crimes against women, while also alleging harassment of opposition leaders.

The Supreme Court has ordered the Delhi and Gurugram police to explain why the body of missing Delhi realtor Yuvraj Singh Manchanda was cremated without identification and why details were not uploaded to the CCTNS portal. This directive comes after Manchanda's family alleged they were not informed about the recovery of his body, which was found in Gurugram and cremated before they were notified. The court also referenced its earlier directives on prompt FIR registration for missing persons, hig

Young Delhi cricketer Vansh Bedi reported an alleged corrupt approach during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) to the league's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has informed the BCCI and initiated an inquiry into the unverified allegations, reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on corruption.

A man identified as Asif, accused of raping a 17-year-old girl near Kalkaji Mandir, was arrested after a police encounter in southeast Delhi. Two other suspects, an advocate and his brother, are being questioned. Asif allegedly fired at police during interception, leading to an exchange of fire where he was injured and subsequently apprehended. The incident involved three men posing as policemen, abducting the girl and her friend, and then raping the girl in Astha Kunj Park.

Denied permission for his hunger strike in Mumbai, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday announced he would head to the Maharashtra capital alone on September 15 to stage a protest at Azad Maidan.

Ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit to India for the BRICS summit, Russia has expressed support for New Delhi's peace initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Discussions between Putin and PM Modi will cover defence, energy, technology, and the repatriation of Indian nationals from the Russian military, alongside addressing trade and investment ties.

US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, highlighted the evolving US-India space partnership, moving from cooperation to co-creation at the Bengaluru Space Expo. He emphasised joint design, funding, and co-authoring the future of human discovery, citing the NISAR satellite and India's participation in the Artemis Accords as key examples of this growing synergy.

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that Rahul Gandhi would lead the INDIA bloc in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, dismissing reports of TVK proposing C Joseph Vijay as a prime ministerial candidate. Venugopal highlighted Gandhi's widespread appeal and campaigns on key issues, while also addressing internal alliance differences and criticising the BJP government's actions.

AIIMS Jammu is poised to become the first hospital in India to receive armed security from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) due to its strategic location near the India-Pakistan international border. This move marks a significant shift in security policy for healthcare facilities, which the Ministry of Home Affairs had previously resisted. The CISF is also slated for deployment at Kolkata Metro and Donyi Polo Airport.

BJP MP Raghav Chadha addressed the 12th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, highlighting India's digital transformation journey. He emphasised how technology is widening access and promoting inclusion, citing UPI's success, affordable data, and robust data protection laws. Chadha also discussed India's digital cooperation with Uzbekistan and the importance of digital rights, safety, and skill development for all citizens.

Former CDS Anil Chauhan stated that China poses a long-term and comprehensive challenge to India, with the boundary issue remaining unresolved due to differing perceptions of the Line of Actual Control. However, he emphasised that India's ties with Beijing cannot be solely defined by border disputes, advocating for engagement through platforms like SCO and BRICS. He also highlighted the broader global geopolitical flux and instability in India's neighbourhood as significant security concerns, st

'It is not economical to operate GSLV-Mk II due to its cost and complexity. Future launches to be managed with LVM3.'

India's advanced Earth observation spacecraft, EOS-05, an imaging satellite in geo-orbit, was successfully launched by ISRO from Sriharikota. The satellite, described as he eye in the sky, will provide real-time imagery for agriculture and disaster management.

The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit has strongly criticised Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for advocating the restoration of Article 370, asserting that the constitutional provision has been permanently abrogated and such calls aim to disrupt peace. The party emphasised that Kashmir has moved beyond past conflicts and is focused on development, while reiterating that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, distinct from Article 370.

Professor Philip Maini, an Indian-origin academic at the University of Oxford, is pioneering the application of mathematical biology to understand and develop new cancer therapies. His work focuses on creating models that predict treatment outcomes and developing adaptive therapy strategies to combat drug resistance in tumours, offering a novel approach to improving patient care.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has affirmed that Indian electronic voting machines (EVMs) are manufactured by public sector companies and operate without internet, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring their security and reliability.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded UPI on its 10th anniversary, highlighting its role in India's digital transformation. Launched by NPCI in 2016, UPI has become the world's largest real-time payment system, witnessing a massive surge in transaction volume and value, demonstrating its success in empowering people with swift, seamless, and secure digital transactions.

The United States has sanctioned four India-based companies, including a customs broker and three other firms, for their involvement in importing petroleum and petrochemical products from Iran. This action is part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader US campaign to sever Iran's financial lifelines and prevent funding for its destabilising activities.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted that the success of UPI, which handles nearly half of the world's real-time digital transactions, stems from a collaborative ecosystem including financial inclusion, digital identity, and affordable internet. He attributed this digital payments revolution to the vision of PM Narendra Modi.

Sumit Sarkar was never intellectually dismissive of the Hindutva project. He took it with deadly seriousness for he grasped the challenge it posed to the aspirations and ideals of the anti-imperialist movement that generated multiple imaginings of freedom and ways to attain it, recalls Pradeep Kumar Dutta.

The BJP has announced its new national team under party president Nitin Nabin, featuring 13 vice presidents, a new national treasurer, and several new general secretaries and secretaries, while retaining some key figures.

It is very unfortunate that China has decided to proceed with the controversial mega hydropower plants(despite the apparent opposition of many scientists in China). Why is Delhi silent about the development? asks Claude Arpi.

As India's decline continued on global indices, the government first blamed methodology and then motives. This is where we remain today as we wish each other and ourselves a happy Independence Day, points out Aakar Patel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, declared that India is undergoing a rapid transformation across various sectors and is firmly on track to become a developed nation by 2047.