The Times of India

In a significant move, Pragyan Ojha has taken over as the chairman of the BCCI's Men's Selection Committee following Ajit Agarkar's departure. Joining him is former spinner Ramesh Powar, who brings a wealth of coaching experience. Ojha's appointment comes after Agarkar's successful leadership, which saw India clinch major ICC titles. The Cricket Advisory Committee fully backed Powar during recent discussions, as they aim to build on the team's impressive achievements.

Kokila from India has elevated her previous bronze medal achievement to a silver at the Asian Para Games held in Aichi-Nagoya. She showcased her skill by narrowly defeating reigning world champion Yi Liu in the semifinals. Although she faced Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy in the final, who clinched gold with a swift ippon, Kokila's silver illustrates her increasing prowess in the -52kg para-judo category.

Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have decided to part ways after a tough year, focusing on their commitment to their daughter Skai. Svitolina shared that her emotional challenges significantly influenced their separation. Both athletes are asking for understanding and privacy during this transition as Monfils also announced plans to retire from professional tennis.

Kapil Parmar achieved a remarkable feat by winning a bronze medal in the mens J1 -70kg judo competition at the Asian Para Games. His victory came when he defeated Indonesia's Rafli Ahnaf Shidqi by ippon in an impressive match lasting just over a minute. In another notable achievement, Kokila, a visually impaired athlete, reached the finals after defeating Yi Liu of China.

An Se-young has made history by surpassing Susi Susanti's impressive record of 46 titles, clinching her 47th international title with a thrilling win against Akane Yamaguchi in the Denmark Open final. This remarkable achievement contributes to her reign as world No. 1 for 105 weeks and highlights her extraordinary prowess in women's singles badminton, even overcoming an ankle injury during the match.

Aakash Chopra expressed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may not find a place in India's T20I squad soon. He noted the lack of available spots due to consistent performances from established top-order batters. Chopra suggested releasing Sooryavanshi for the Ranji Trophy if he continues to sit on the bench. He also defended Tilak Varma, stating that critiques of his performance are not justified.

Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara achieved a remarkable feat in the women's 10m air rifle event. Mona secured the gold medal with a score of 250.0 points. Avani followed closely behind, earning a silver medal at 249.6 points. Both shooters showcased their skills throughout the competition, finishing well ahead of their rivals. This performance adds to India's success at the 2026 Asian Para Games.

Kokila has triumphed by defeating China's Yi Liu in the para-judo semifinals and is now set to vie for gold against Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy. Meanwhile, Kapil Parmar is striving for a bronze in the mens J1 -70kg after a tough semifinal defeat. Additionally, Sheetal Devi equaled the world record in the women's compound ranking round, showcasing Indias impressive prowess at the Asian Para Games.

Mohammed Shami's omission from India's Test lineup against New Zealand has stirred controversy and prompted questions regarding the selectors' judgment. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif is advocating for clarity, highlighting Shamis impressive domestic performances. Having excelled as the top wicket-taker in the recent ODI World Cup, his lack of inclusion raises concerns about his fitness and bowling workload. Amid ongoing discussions, Shami's role remains critical to India's aspirations in intern

Ravi Shastri shared his enthusiastic endorsement of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami's selection for the T20I squad. With India's important tour to New Zealand commencing on October 22, Shastri underscores the need to strategically manage Jasprit Bumrahs workload in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, highlighting that seasoned players are vital to thrive in the tough conditions of New Zealand.

The match against Sri Lanka was his 355th in international cricket. However, he fell short of a half-century, getting out for 45 to Pavan Rathnayake off Eshan Malinga.

France is reeling from violent protests, widespread looting and mass arrests, and US President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on French President Emmanuel Macron. In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump declared, France is burning! and blamed the country's immigration policies for the unrest, urging France to close its borders and take control before it is too late. The outburst comes after nationwide demonstrations over rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public

France is reeling from scenes of destruction as violent protests, looting and fires leave streets scarred across major cities. From smashed luxury-store windows in Marseille to burning buildings in Lyon and clashes in Paris, the aftermath has left residents shocked, angry and demanding answers. Protesters also looted shops in Lille and Paris, carrying away goods as police deployed tear gas. Footage from Limoges showed a historic 143-year-old building engulfed in flames, with part of its roof col

Barack Obama has stepped into the growing Ilhan Omar controversy, accusing the Trump administration of weaponising the federal government against political opponents as the investigation into the Minnesota congresswoman deepens.Obama said the government cannot selectively target people because of their political beliefs or criticism of the president, warning that the action against Omar could set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.At the same time, Omars sister Sahra Noor has been

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a defiant message on sovereignty and economic independence as tensions with the United States continue to dominate Canadian politics.Speaking in Edmonton, Carney invoked the 51st state controversy before warning that forces outside Canadas borders were trying to break us so they can own us. He urged Canadians to remain united and declared that true independence means being free to determine the countrys own future.Carney later sharpened the economic

Legendary filmmaker John Carpenter is reflecting on the childhood dream that set him on the path to becoming a director. Speaking about his journey, Carpenter recalled watching the 1956 science-fiction film Forbidden Planet when he was just eight years old. The experience left such a lasting impression that he knew he wanted to make movies. Carpenter also opened up about growing up in Kentucky, where people viewed his ambitious dream with disbelief. Recalling how others thought he was crazy for

Marco Rubio fired back at Volodymyr Zelensky after the Ukrainian president suggested problems with Starlink access were deliberate, flatly denying that the United States ordered any slowdown.Rubio said he was not sure Zelensky knows what hes talking about and insisted Washington had nothing to do with it. He said nobody ordered Starlink speeds to be reduced and added that, to his understanding, the service had since been restored.Rubio was then challenged over criticism that the Trump administra

Katie Zacharias stunning five-day stint as White House press secretary has become the target of a sharp Canadian television spoof. The popular satirical show This Hour Has 22 Minutes took aim at Donald Trumps former press secretary, with a comedian impersonating Zacharia in a sketch that pokes fun at her brief tenure, public speaking and controversial lawyer credentials. The spoof features a memorable jab Katie, you are a lawyer, maybe as the comedian mocks questions surrounding Zacharias prof

Israeli protesters have returned to the streets of Tel Aviv less than two weeks before the October 27 election, demanding accountability from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza war, the occupation and the security failures surrounding the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack. Demonstrators gathered at Habima Square carrying Israeli flags and anti-war placards. Protester Iris Shmueli said Netanyahu has failed in his role all along the way, accusing the prime minister of taking credit for

A desperate plea for calm is drowned out by scenes of looting and chaos on the streets of Paris. A supermarket in the French capital was ransacked on October 17 as protests over the rising cost of living spilled into shops, with people seen grabbing products from the shelves. Amid the frenzy, one French woman appeared to plead with the crowd to stop, creating a striking contrast between the protests economic grievances and the destruction unfolding around her. Videos shared on social media showe

Amazon has warned it could shut 15 warehouses and move thousands of delivery jobs out of New York City over the Delivery Protection Act, a labour bill backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The bill would require Amazon to directly employ 5,000 contracted delivery drivers. Logistics experts say the retail giant is likely to follow through, pointing to its decision to close seven warehouses in Montreal, Canada, after a union drive.

Pakistan has declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suspending the regional government and centralizing control. This decision comes in response to the deteriorating security situation and ongoing protests against the authorities. The move has prompted a crackdown on opposition leaders, further limiting political dissent and freedom. Additionally, residents are facing renewed uncertainty and instability as military involvement increases in civilian matters.

India will be represented by 166 athletes across 10 disciplines at the October 18-24 event. The contingent features several Paralympic medallists, world champions and emerging talents, including archer Sheetal Devi, badminton stars Pramod Bhagat and Suhas Yathiraj, and para-table tennis player Bhavina Patel.

Former UFC contender Jimmy Rivera knocked out Brandon Meyer in the fourth round at BKFC 95 in Newark. Rivera, now a New Jersey police officer, faced Meyer, who spent 12 years in federal prison before entering combat sports. Despite securing victory, Rivera apologised to Meyers children, who witnessed the brutal finish from their fathers corner.