Rediff

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has returned home from England amidst a PCB inquiry into his calf muscle injury, which is suspected to be faked. This follows the team's poor performance and drastic measures taken by the board, including sending players home and replacing coaches. Imam-ul-Haq has a history of similar injury allegations.

A devastating flood in Baireni, Nepal, transformed a school playground into a sea of sand and buried classrooms under sludge. Timely warnings from teachers, prompted by an upstream guardian, allowed 400 students to evacuate safely just before the flood hit. The school remains closed, covered in debris, while UNICEF estimates 17,000 children need humanitarian aid following the floods that killed over 900 people.

Qatar remains committed to hosting November's MotoGP and Formula One races despite regional uncertainty, with Lusail preparations continuing and Formula One set to decide the race's fate.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has cancelled its planned September 5 protest after the Centre assured the Supreme Court of closing FIRs against NEET paper leak protesters and providing compensation to families of students who died. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought three months to finalise compensation modalities.

Indian shuttlers Unnati Hooda and the men's doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun faced early exits at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament. Hooda lost in women's singles, while the doubles pair retired due to apparent fitness issues, marking a challenging start for the Indian contingent.

Olympian Vinesh Phogat has moved the Delhi High Court challenging two show-cause notices issued by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and subsequent disciplinary proceedings.

Flash floods in Nepal, triggered by an ice and rock collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, have devastated hydropower projects, leaving hundreds of workers stranded. Survivors recount terrifying escapes from rising floodwaters and tunnels, while international teams assist in ongoing rescue operations to locate those still missing.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that an Indian citizen was among 12 people killed in recent Russian aerial bomb and drone strikes on Odesa, Ukraine. Dozens more were injured in the attacks that occurred since Monday evening.

The Indian Embassy in Nepal has released a detailed procedure for identifying and repatriating the mortal remains of foreign nationals, including Indians, who perished in the recent devastating flash floods. The process involves a nine-step protocol by Nepali authorities, DNA matching for unidentified remains, and assistance from the Indian Embassy for coordination and repatriation.

With the death toll crossing 900 and nearly 4,000 people still missing, the trauma of loss, displacement and uncertainty is settling in among thousands of survivors, prompting the government to step up its mental health response.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMA issued an alert to people living along the banks of the Bishnumati River after its water level near the Gongabu area crossed the danger mark.

Naomi Osaka showcased a distinctive Allen Iverson-inspired outfit with a billowing tulle train at the U.S. Open, continuing her trend of bold Grand Slam fashion statements, before securing a hard-fought victory.

India said the Hague-based Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction over its sovereign decisions on the Indus Waters Treaty.

Lionel Messi's mother, Celia, shared an emotional statement reflecting on the deep connection her late husband, Jorge Messi, shared with their son's footballing journey, noting the bittersweet timing of Messi's international retirement just weeks after his father's passing.

Security personnel reportedly justified the action due to child theft concerns and identity verification.

The proposed arrangement would involve sub-assembly kits produced at Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Alabama, and guidance electronics units manufactured at Raytheon's facility in Tucson, Arizona, being shipped to India for final assembly and integration.

Australia A has announced a 14-member squad for their upcoming series against India A in Puducherry. The tour, featuring both four-day and one-day matches, is crucial for exposing players to subcontinental conditions and preparing them for future senior team tours to India, including a Test series next year. The squad includes several players with prior international experience.

The US District Court for the Eastern District of New York has revoked the naturalisation of Gurmeet Singh, an Indian-origin man, after he was convicted of rape and kidnapping. Singh had concealed these serious criminal acts during his naturalisation process, leading to the federal court's decision to strip him of his US citizenship.

Southern chief ministers fear population stabilisation could reduce their parliamentary representation and tax devolution benefits.

'It appears to be a combination: A glacier breaking away, and a dam-like formation downstream reaching capacity and releasing water suddenly.'

Bukayo Saka's second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for Arsenal against Aston Villa, marking their second consecutive win in the Premier League season. The win places Arsenal alongside Manchester City, Hull City, and Chelsea with six points, while Aston Villa remains without points or a goal.

Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, has announced his retirement from the national team, a decision he described as 'a decision that hurts the soul.'

Kashi Rudras captain Karan Sharma revealed that a conversation with KL Rahul during his Lucknow Super Giants stint profoundly influenced his cricketing philosophy, with Rahul's advice to prioritise the process over results helping him navigate challenging phases and slumps.

The father of a three-year-old boy, who allegedly endured hours of physical abuse inside his playschool in northeast Delhi, has claimed that CCTV footage showed his son tied to a chair for nearly three hours, beaten and kicked repeatedly, and, in one instance, a person placing hands on the child's private parts.

The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that authorities in Muscat are examining claims that the family of Indian merchant navy captain Ashish Kumar received ransom calls following his disappearance after a drone or missile attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Indian men's football team, led by head coach Khalid Jamil, will play high-profile friendlies against Panama, five-time world champions Brazil, and two-time world champions Uruguay in September and October.

Zimbabwe secured a dramatic five-run victory over hosts Namibia in the third match of the T20 tri-series, taking four wickets in the final over to defend their total of 195-6.

Lionel Messi leaves as a World Cup winner and twice Copa America champion, the man who stepped out of Diego Maradona's immense shadow to create an Argentine legacy entirely his own.

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a career marked by numerous club and international accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards and a World Cup title.

A court in New Delhi has acquitted 12 persons accused of murder, rioting, and dacoity in a 2020 northeast Delhi riots case, saying that criminal liability cannot be fastened on a person merely because he was a member of an unlawful assembly without proof of his individual acts.

A food tampering racket in Navi Mumbai, involving the alteration of expiry dates on popular brands like Maggi and Lay's, has been busted by the Maharashtra FDA and Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch, leading to the seizure of products worth over Rs 75 lakh.

China on Monday dismissed claims linking its massive hydropower projects in Tibet to the August 26 flash flood disaster in Nepal, calling them malicious speculation.

Devastating flash floods in Nepal, triggered by an ice and rock collapse, have led to over 900 deaths and 4,000 missing. Rescue operations by security personnel are severely hampered by critical shortages of specialised equipment, including thermal cameras, body bags, ropes, and helicopters. International assistance from India and China is aiding the search for missing workers, highlighting Nepal's long-standing disaster management capacity issues and inadequate funding.

A Chinese military trading company executive has been arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive defence information to intelligence agencies from two countries, China's top spy and anti-espionage agency said on Monday.

The Supreme Court will hear a plea from the Centre to quash FIRs against students involved in NEET examination paper leak protests. This development comes amidst planned fresh protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and follows previous court directives regarding the nature of charges against student protesters.

The Supreme Court was informed that sanction is awaited to prosecute Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his remarks against Army officer Col Sofiya Qureshi. The SIT probe is complete, and a chargesheet will be filed once sanction is obtained. Shah had previously apologised for his controversial comments.

Five people were killed after a massive explosion at a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Monday afternoon, officials said.

All-rounders Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are expected to recover from their respective injuries and be available for selection for India's upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, providing a significant boost to the squad.

The Supreme Court has upheld the Bombay High Court's decision to cancel the bail of Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra, and Ajay Gupta, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa. This ruling comes after a devastating fire at the nightclub last December claimed 25 lives and injured over 50. The apex court has directed the trio to surrender within two weeks and mandated the lower court to expedite the trial process.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that married daughters of deceased employees are entitled to compassionate appointments, stating that marital status should not be a disqualification. The court found the bank's rejection of claims based solely on marital status to be arbitrary and discriminatory, especially when married sons were granted similar benefits. This landmark decision emphasizes dependency over marital status as the criterion for such appointments.

A special POCSO court in Vadodara has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the gang-rape of a minor girl during Navratri two years ago. The court described the crime as most heinous and ordered Rs 10 lakh compensation for the survivor, emphasising the seriousness of violence against women, especially during a religious festival.

'God has given me a second life.'

Over 900 workers and employees are missing from various hydropower project sites in Nepal following massive flash floods triggered by an ice and rock collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. Rescue teams, assisted by experts from India and China, are intensifying efforts to locate and extract hundreds believed to be trapped inside tunnels, with 279 already rescued amidst ongoing challenges.

American Sofia Kenin defeated compatriot Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6(6) in a US Open first-round match that started at 12:13 am on Monday, marking the latest start in women's tournament history.

'In the wake of this tragedy, India will provide power to Nepal if and when the requirement for the same is communicated to India as per their needs.'

The death toll from devastating flash floods in Nepal has tragically risen to 903, with 4,247 people still reported missing, including security personnel and foreigners. India has dispatched an 18-member team of forensic experts to assist with DNA analysis and identification of victims.

The August 26, 2026 flash flood and mudslides devastated Nepal, leaving homes destroyed, families grieving, and thousands unaccounted for.'Drone views reveal mud-covered villages while survivors search for belongings and mourn loved ones. Relief operations continue as military and police forces airlift survivors, transport victims, and assist communities in the aftermath of the disaster.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has withdrawn Sri Lanka's hosting rights for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy in 2027, citing government interference in Sri Lanka Cricket's administration. This decision, stemming from the presence of a government-appointed Transformation Committee, could also jeopardise the Sri Lankan women's team's participation and will have financial implications for the board.

The Indian Under-17 Women's football team played two goalless draws against Uzbekistan in friendly matches held in Tashkent. These matches served as preparation for the upcoming AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.

In a significant development, the Russian side has submitted a detailed proposal to the Defence Ministry in response to the Indian tender for acquiring five more squadrons of the S-400 Sudarshan long-range air defence systems for the Indian Air Force.