Monthly science current affairs January 2016

Science News For The Month Jan and Year 2016

New weapon to fight Zika: The mosquito

Mosquitoes, genetically engineered to pass a lethal gene to their offsprings, could become one of the newest weapons in the battle between humans and mosquitoes, which kill hundreds of thousands of people a year by transmitting malaria, dengue fever and other diseases.
2016-01-31

Male mice without Y chromosome can father offsprings

Scientists have created male mice without a Y chromosome - a symbol of maleness - that are still able to sire offspring with assisted reproduction.
2016-01-29

Antarctic fungi survive Martian conditions on ISS

Tiny fungi from Antarctica have survived hostile conditions similar to those on Mars simulated on the International Space Station, scientists including one of Indian-origin have found. The results provide new information for the search for life on the red planet, researchers said.
2016-01-29

London to New York in 11 minutes

Charles Bombardier, the man behind concept aircraft Skreemr which could travel at Mach 10, has now unveiled the Antipode. It is a hypersonic jet that he claims will cover the distance between London and New York in a mind-boggling 11 minutes. In theory, Bombardier claims it can carry 10 people up to 20,000km in less than an hour.

Schizophrenia may be linked to gene flaw

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history. People with the disorder may hear voices other people don't hear. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them.
Scientists reported that they have taken a significant step toward understanding the cause of schizophrenia, in a landmark study that provides the first rigorously tested insight into the biology behind any common psychiatric disorder.
2016-01-29

Neuroticism predicts depression disorders: Study

Young people who are high on the personality trait of neuroticism are more likely to develop both anxiety and depression disorders, researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have found.
2016-01-28

Alzheimer's may get transmitted through ‘medical accidents

Fears are growing that Alzheimer's may be passed from person to person after researchers reported a 2nd case suggesting the disease could be transmitted by "medical accidents". Swiss doctors found signs of Alzheimer's in brains of people who died of the rare, brain-wasting Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
2016-01-27

New IVF tech promises to help older women conceive

Fertility doctors have applied for permission to use an controversial IVF procedure that promises to dramatically improve the chances of women older than 30 having babies by rejuvenating their eggs.
2016-01-26

Genetic pattern in womb linked to IVF failure, study finds

Scientists have identified a genetic pattern in the womb that could predict whether or not IVF treatment is likely to be successful. The discovery would help clinicians understand why in vitro fertilization fails repeatedly in some women.
2016-01-25

Forget the jab: Tiny current to deliver anaesthesia

Scientists have found a new method to deliver anaesthesia using a tiny electric current instead of a needle. The advance could help improve dental procedures and avoid contamination and infection, researchers said.
2016-01-25

Diamonds throw up Earth's secrets

Diamonds dug up from ancient rock formations in South Africa between 1890 and 1930 have unveiled secrets of how the Earth was shaped more than 3.5 billion years ago, a new study has found.
2016-01-25

All 5 visible planets dazzle sky for a fortnight

End of January has brought a sky show for the star gazers as all five planets visible to the naked eye Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have aligned in southern sky for nearly a fortnight starting January 22 before the sunrise.
2016-01-24

Unearthed: Oldest dinosaur species in UK

A new carnivorous dinosaur species unearthed in the Wales, dating back 200 million-years, is possibly the oldest known Jurassic dinosaur from the UK, according to a new study.
2016-01-22

Researchers find possible ninth planet beyond Neptune

The solar system may host a ninth planet that is about 10 times bigger than earth and orbiting far beyond Neptune, according to research published on Wednesday.
2016-01-22

2^74,207,281 - 1 is the largest prime number

A computer has helped scientists find the largest prime number ever with over 22 million digits, breaking the previous record by around 5 million digits.
2016-01-21

Found: Lost ancient city in Honduras

Archaeologists have begun excavations in what they believe to be the legendary lost city of Ciudad Blanca, or White City, in the Honduran jungle.
2016-01-21

Tree frogs thought extinct rediscovered in India

A new genus of tree frogs that was thought to have died out more than a century ago has been rediscovered in India
2016-01-21

After funding for brain research, Infosys's Kris Gopalakrishnan now turns eye on stem cell research

After having donated a little over Rs 250 crore in two years (Rs 225 crore for the setting up of a brain research centre and Rs 30 crore to set up brain research chairs) to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Infosys Co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan has turned his eye on stem cell research.
2016-01-20

Water ice found on comet's surface

Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have identified two large patches of water ice on the surface of comet 67P, perhaps the most studied comet in history.
2016-01-19

Stage set for launch of IRNSS-1E satellite on January 20

IRNSS-1E, the fifth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System 'IRNSS-1E', will be launched on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C31 from the spaceport of Sriharikota on January 20.
2016-01-17

Diabetes drug may slow growth of pancreatic cancer: Study

Researchers including those of Indian-origin may have uncovered a novel mechanism behind the ability of the diabetes drug metformin to inhibit the progression of pancreatic cancer.
2016-01-17

Diabetes drug may slow growth of pancreatic cancer: Study

Researchers including those of Indian-origin may have uncovered a novel mechanism behind the ability of the diabetes drug metformin to inhibit the progression of pancreatic cancer.
2016-01-17

Zinnia is first flower grown in space

The first flower has finally bloomed in outer space. Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly has tweeted a photo of the first ever flower grown in space on Saturday. The flower was grown as part of an experiment astronauts are conducting on how plants grow in microgravity.
2016-01-17

Second largest black hole detected in Milky Way

Astronomers have detected signs of a black hole with a mass 100,000 times that of Sun around the centre of our galaxy Milky Way. The team assumes that this possible "intermediate mass" black hole is a key to understanding the birth of the supermassive black holes located in the centres of galaxies.
2016-01-17

An example of egg-freezing

Former Miss World Diana Hayden recently gave birth to a healthy baby girl at the age of 42, having frozen 16 of her eggs eight years ago.
2016-01-16

Nasa's Jupiter probe breaks distance record

Nasa's Juno mission to Jupiter on Wednesday broke the record to become humanity's most distant solar-powered emissary, when the spacecraft reached about 793 million kilometres from the Sun.
2016-01-14

'Spermbots to aid fertility treatments

Scientists have developed motorised spermbots by attaching tiny metal helices to sperm cells that can aid poor swimmers to reach an egg, an advance that could improve fertility treatments.
2016-01-14

Largest canyon lies under Antarctica?

Move over, Grand Canyon! The world's largest canyon over 1,000 kilometre long and up to one kilometre deep may lie under the Antarctic ice sheet, scientists, including those from India have claimed.
2016-01-14

WHO declares end to Ebola epidemic after 11,300 deaths

World Health Organization declared an end to the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever on Thursday after no new cases emerged in Liberia, though health officials warn that it will be several more months before the world is considered free of the disease that claimed more than 11,300 lives over two years.
2016-01-14

NASA's Juno spacecraft breaks solar-powered travel record of 792 million kms

In the early hours of January 14, a new record for the farthest distance travelled by a solar-powered vehicle emerged when NASA's Juno spacecraft to Jupiter reached a mind-boggling 793 million kilometres from the Sun.
2016-01-14

Most energetic light ever observed from neutron star

Scientists have discovered the most energetic pulsed-emission radiation ever detected from a neutron star called Crab Pulsar located 6,500 light years away from Earth. It has 1.5 times the mass of our Sun, concentrated in about just 10km diameter and rotates 30 times per second.
2016-01-14

India to join ocean energy systems association

The central government approved the country's entry into the 'International Energy Agency - Ocean Energy Systems' (IEA-OES).
2016-01-13

Anti-HIV drugs can be used to treat Ebola

Drugs normally used to treat HIV may also be effective at inhibiting the Ebola virus that is transmitted from human to human by infectious body fluids, a new study has claimed.
2016-01-12

Country's first Vascular surgery within the womb performed in Lucknow

Country's first vascular surgery within the womb was performed by team of doctors at Sanjay Gandhi's Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science's department of maternal and reproductive health.
2016-01-12

Government institutions develop healthier variety of mustard using conventional breeding method

India's public research institutions the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) have jointly developed a low erucic acid mustard variety namely Pusa Mustard-30 (PM-30) which will not only be beneficial for health but also increase the productivity.
2016-01-12

Teenager invents system to stop germs travelling around planes

SARs outbreak is estimated to have cost the aviation industry $40 million, and according to WHO a flu outbreak could cost three trillion pounds to resolve.
2016-01-12

SpaceX to retry ocean rocket landing after success on land

Technology entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX will attempt to land its next Falcon 9 rocket on a barge in the Pacific Ocean. The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying a Nasa ocean-monitoring satellite, is slated to blast off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on January 17. SpaceX has tried ocean landings twice without success.
2016-01-11

'Moon villages' could be a reality by 2030

Villages on the Moon, constructed through coopera ion between astronauts and robotic systems on the lunar surface, may become a reality as early as 2030, scientists say.
2016-01-11

90% of phone users suffer from 'phantom vibration syndrome'

Nine of 10 people suffer from phantom vibration syndrome where they mistakenly think their mobile phone is vibrating in their pocket it has been claimed.
2016-01-11

Heart put on hold for 40 minutes in rare surgery at BHU hospital

Doctors at the department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University conducted a rare surgery for the first time during which heart was stopped for around 40 minutes. A team of 20 medical and paramedical personnel was involved in this four-hour-long surgery.
2016-01-09

Last chance for comet lander Philae to respond before it's goes away forever

In a last desperate throw of dice, scientists from the European Space Agency have sent a signal to Philae, the tiny lander sitting on Comet 67P some 237 million kilometers away from Earth.
2016-01-09

High sugar intake tied to cancer

Higher sugar intake not only increases the risks of diabetes and obesity but can also cause breast and lung cancer, according to a new study.
2016-01-08

Biggest galaxy cluster from early Universe found, 10 billion light years away

A massive, churning galaxy cluster 1,000 times more massive than the Milky Way galaxy has been discovered by astronomers, some 10 billion light years away. What makes this cluster unique is that it formed when the Universe was just 3.8 billion years old.
2016-01-08

US scientists create efficient hydrogen biofuel

Scientists at a US university have created a highly efficient biomaterial that catalyses the formation of hydrogen one half of the "holy grail" of splitting H2O to make hydrogen and oxygen for fuelling cheap and efficient cars that run on water.
2016-01-06

Whitefly can be killed by kaolin spray, finds Colombian study

Researchers from the National University of Colombia have found that Kaolin or China clay can be effectively used to eliminate whitefly, a dangerous pest that can wipe out thousands of hectares of crops.
2016-01-06

Largest blue star sapphire worth $100m found in Lanka

The world's largest blue star sapphire, weighing 1404.49 carats and valued at $100 million, has been found in a mine in Sri Lanka.
2016-01-05

Periodic table gets four new elements

The periodic table has been given four new elements. Elements 113, 115, 117 and 118 will now be added to the table's seventh row, after they were verified by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry on 30 December. But they are yet to receive their final names or symbols.
2016-01-04

Scientists sequence first ancient Irish human genomes

A team of scientists in Ireland has sequenced the first genomes from ancient Irish humans, which is now being used to answer pivotal questions about the origins of the country's people and their culture.
2016-01-02

Rare space radio waves to test Einstein's theory

Scientists have developed a new way to test one of the basic principles of Einstein's theory of general relativity using brief blasts of rare radio signals from space.
2016-01-01

Source: Times of India News

Monthly sports current affairs January 2016

Sports News For The Month Jan and Year 2016

3rd T20I: India beat Australia by 7 wickets to clean sweep series

India held their nerves in the final over as they completed a nail-biting seven-wicket victory against Australia in the third and final T20I to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
2016-01-31

Djokovic beats Murray to win 6th Australian Open title

Novak Djokovic crushed Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3)  to match Roy Emerson's record of six Australian Open titles and leave the Briton heartbroken again at Melbourne Park.
2016-01-31

Srikanth, Pranaav-Akshay enter Syed Modi finals

Indian doubles duo of Akshay Dewalkar and Pranaav Jerry Chopra stunned world no. 7 Koreans Kim Gi Jung and Kim Sa Rang in an edge-of-the-seat semifinals.
2016-01-30

Anand held by Russian GM Oparin in Gibraltar Chess

Former world champion Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw by Russian Grandmaster Grigoriy Oparin in the fourth of the Masters section of Tradewise Gibraltar Chess festival.
2016-01-30

Qualifiers Nikkita-Aditi enter All India Sub-Junior Ranking badminton semis

Qualifiers Nikkita and Aditi stunned local players Poojitha Goudi Cherla and M Meghana Reddy 21-17, 22-20 in the 25-minute quarterfinal.
2016-01-30

Srikanth wins, Pranaav-Akshay stun World No 8

K Srikanth entered the semi-finals but it was the stunning win of doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar over their world number eight opponents from Denmark that was the highlight of the day at Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold.
2016-01-29

Viswanathan Anand wins second game in Gibraltar Chess; Harika defeats Nigel Short

Grandmaster Dronavalli Harika scored a sensational victory over former world championship challenger Nigel Short of England, while Viswanathan Anand won his second game in a row in the third round of the Masters section of Gibraltar Chess Congress.
2016-01-29

Neymar fined $112,000 for Brazil tax evasion

Barcelona star Neymar lost an appeal against a $112,000 fine slapped on him for tax evasion during his years with Santos in 2007 and 2008.
2016-01-29

Srikanth, Kashyap in QF; Sindhu out

Malaysia Open winner PV Sindhu, who has moved up to No. 11 in world rankings, suffered a setback but but K Srikanth and P Kashyap gave the Indians something to cheer about.
2016-01-29

Sindhu moves to World No. 11 in BWF rankings

Riding on her title-triumph at the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold, India's PV Sindhu jumped one place to be just outside the top 10 in the latest BWF rankings.
2016-01-28

Himachal mulls astro turf in Bilaspur

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister said that possibilities would be explored to set up Astro turf hockey field in Bilaspur, besides extending and widening the Indira Stadium at Rohru.
2016-01-28

Kohli's Pakistani fan faces 10-year jail for hoisting tri-colour

A Pakistani die-hard fan of Indian batsman Virat Kohli is facing up to 10 years imprisonment after being arrested for hoisting the Indian tri-colour atop his home in Punjab Province which he had done to show his love for the cricketer.
2016-01-28

Tyson Fury told to avoid making offensive comments

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has been reminded of his responsibilities by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) following offensive comments he made last year.
2016-01-27

Saina, Sindhu to be in action in 12th SAG

World's top-ranked players Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu and a host of renowned shuttlers have been named to represent the country in the upcoming 12th SAG scheduled to be held here.
2016-01-27

Tanuku lad Sanjeeva Rao newest badminton sensation

He is barely 14 but his accomplishments are baffling. Despite hailing from an economically weak family, sheer determination has led him to pursue his passion badminton. His hard work paid dividends by making a mark in the sport.
2016-01-26

Belous is Chennai Open champion, Vijayalakshmi finishes 2nd

Russian GM Vladimir Belous emerged Champion while India's Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi finished second after the 10th and final round of the Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament.
2016-01-25

India name strong boxing team for SAG

India named a strong 10-member boxing team for the forthcoming South Asian Games to be held in Shillong from February 13 to 16.
2016-01-25

Saina Nehwal dedicates Padma Bhushan award to coach Vimal

India ace shuttler Saina Nehwal dedicated her Padma Bhushan award to coach U Vimal Kumar under whose guidance she rose to top of world rankings.
2016-01-25

IOA mulls recognising either BI or IABF on HC orders

The Indian Olympic Association has sought feedback from its state units to take a decision on giving recognition to either Boxing India or Indian Amateur Boxing Federation though both have been derecognised by the world body, AIBA.
2016-01-25

Padma Bhushan for Sania, Saina; Deepika to get Padma Shri

Women dominated this year's Padma awards for sports with tennis star Sania Mirza and ace shuttler Saina Nehwal getting the nod for Padma Bhushan, while archer Deepika was chosen for Padma Shri.
2016-01-25

Despite draw Das wins weekend rapid chess title

Roneet Das reigned supreme in the 22nd NDCA Weekend Rapid Chess tournament at the NDCA Hall, Surendra Nagar, in Nagpur.
2016-01-25

BAI greets Sindhu with Rs 5 lakh reward on winning in Malaysia

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) congratulated star shuttler P V Sindhu for winning the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix and announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for her efforts.
2016-01-24

With an eye on Olympics SGSU launches water sports academy

Vice-chancellor of SGSU Dr Jatin Soni said that they have invited some renowned names associated with water sports like Arvind Raturi, Vipin Sharma, Dr. Anand Vaidya, Rajen Shah and Alkesh Bangadiwala to train the trainers here.
2016-01-23

Mary Kom, Sarita, Pooja to represent India in SAF Games

MC Mary Kom, L Sarita Devi and Pooja Rani are all set to represent India in the upcoming 12th South Asian Games 2016 to be held in Guwahati and Shillong.
2016-01-22

Sindhu, Srikanth, Jayaram in quarters

Ajay Jayaram made a gallant fightback to join Kidambi Srikanth and PV Sindhu in the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold in Penang.
2016-01-22

Banter on the field: Faulkner misses run-out chance, Virat Kohli asks why are you 'fast asleep'

According to Australian newspaper 'Perth Now', when Faulkner missed a chance to run Kohli out, the Indian vice-captain did not miss an opportunity to ask the Aussie as to why was he "fast asleep".
2016-01-21

IBF: welterweight champion Kell Brook to fight Bizier

Britain's Kell Brook will make the third defence of his IBF welterweight title against Canadian mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier in Sheffield, northern England on March 26, he announced.
2016-01-20

Court recalls non-bailable warrant against MS Dhoni

An Andhra Pradesh court on Tuesday recalled its order issuing a non-bailable warrant against cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni in connection with a case of allegedly hurting religious sentiments by posing as Lord Vishnu on the cover of a magazine.
2016-01-19

Sachin Tendulkar keen to 'wash away' India's hygiene problems

The ICC, in partnership with UNICEF and BCCI announced its plan to launch the Cricket for Good and Team Swachh campaign in New Delhi.
2016-01-18

Indian women boxers shine in AIBA Tournament in Serbia

Indian women boxers packed quite a punch at the 5th AIBA Nations Cup in Ruma, Serbia, notching up a rich haul of 4 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze medals at the tournament.
2016-01-18

Rajiv Ouseph helps Delhi Acers win Premier Badminton League title

Rajiv Ouseph won the the final match, Delhi's nominated trump game, against RMV Gurusaidutt 15-11, 15-6 to overturn a 2-3 deficit. The match was played between Delhi Acers and topsy-turvy Mumbai Rockets.
2016-01-17

Uttarakhand to get its first synthetic turf hockey ground at Maharana Pratap Sports College

Uttarakhand is all set to gets its first synthetic turf (poly grass) hockey ground at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun. The brand new ground would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
2016-01-17

Wilder wins by KO, trades tough talk with Fury

Unbeaten Deontay Wilder kept his share of the world heavyweight crown with his 35th knockout in 36 fights, then traded verbal sparring with unbeaten British rival champion Tyson Fury in the ring.
2016-01-17

Charlies Martin wins vacant IBF heavyweight championship

Charles Martin remained undefeated and won the vacant IBF world heavyweight championship in an underwhelming bout against injured Vyacheslav Glazkov on Saturday night at the Barclays Center.
2016-01-17

Indian shuttlers can win two medals in Rio Olympics: BAI chief

With the profile of Indian badminton surging in recent years, the governing body of the sport in the country, BAI is hopeful of winning at least two medals by the country's shuttlers in the Olympic Games later this year.
2016-01-16

Sayantan Das achieves Grandmaster norm; Popov wins title

International Master Sayantan Das defeated Vitaliy Bernadskiy of Ukraine to achieve Grandmaster norm in the tenth and final round of 14th Parsvnath Delhi International Chess Festival.
2016-01-16

Mumbai Rockets beat Awadhe Warriors to enter PBL final, face Delhi Acers

World No. 2 Saina Nehwal suffered a crushing defeat in Awadhe Warriors' Trump match as Mumbai Rockets stormed into the final with an emphatic 3-0 win in the second semi-finals of the Premier Badminton League.
2016-01-15

Tommy Sugiarto takes Delhi into PBL final

Delhi Acers' Tommy Sugiarto proved to be the difference again, guiding his side past Chennai Smashers 15-11, 15-14 and into the final of the Premier Badminton League.
2016-01-15

Pradeep Kumar makes International Master norm

R A Pradeep Kumar continued with his brilliant run and held Vietnamese Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hua to a draw in the eighth round of 14th Parsvnath Delhi International chess.
2016-01-14

Vijender's India debut set for July

Star Indian boxer Vijender Singh will fight his first professional bout on Indian soil come July followed by "something huge" in September-October.
2016-01-13

Hall of Fame outfielder Monte Irvin dead at 96

Monte Irvin, a Hall of Fame outfielder and the fourth black player in Major League Baseball, died  night of natural causes at his home in Houston, Texas. He was 96.
2016-01-13

Russian grand master Bukavshin dies of suspected stroke aged 20

Russia's 20-year-old chess grand master Ivan Bukavshin died of a suspected stroke, the Russian Chess Federation said on its website.
2016-01-12

Squash gold medallist 'auctions' kidney on social media

Ravi Dixit, a 20-year-old squash player who won gold in the 2010 Asian junior championship, has "auctioned" his kidney to fund his campaign for next month's South Asian Games.
2016-01-12

Warriors beat Smashers to enter PBL semis

A Saina Nehwal-less Awadhe Warriors was more than enough to beat the PV Sindhu-led Chennai Smashers 4-1 on the last day of the Hyderabad leg of the Premier Badminton League.
2016-01-11

Pradeep downs Artur Gabrielian at Delhi International Chess tournament

R A Pradeep Kumar caused another flutter in the premier group of Parsvnath Delhi International Chess tournament, stunning Grandmaster Artur Gabrielian of Russia in the fourth round.
2016-01-11

Rockets beat Hunters 4-1 in Premier Badminton League

The Mumbai Rockets achieved a brilliant come-from-behind victory to beat hosts Hyderabad Hunters 4-1 to solidify their position in the points table of the Premier Badminton League.
2016-01-11

Tennis star Andy Murray helps Syrian refugees with every ace scored

Andy Murray has helped raise more than 83,000 pounds ($121,000) for Syrian refugee children by donating money for every ace he scored through his Andy's Aces initiative, the UN children's agency (UNICEF) said.
2016-01-11

Saurabh bags weekend rapid chess title

Saurabh Lokhande pipped Roneet Das and Pujjam Bansod to clinch the title of the 20th NDCA Weekend Rapid Chess tournament at the NIT Recreational Centre, Surendra Nagar, here on Sunday.
2016-01-11

SAI to set up badminton, boxing extension centres in Uttarakhand

In a major boost for the development and promotion of sports in Uttarakhand, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is soon going to set up two Sports Extension Centres for badminton and boxing at Almora and Pithoragarh respectively.
2016-01-09

Siril Verma is the new junior world No. 1

The 16-year-old Siril Verma, who is a member of the Hyderabad Hunters team in the Premier Badminton League.
2016-01-08

Delhi Acers beat Hyderabad Hunters to record first win in PBL

Acers recorded first victory of the tournament overcoming the Hunters 4-1 on an eventful day.
2016-01-07

India's Siril Verma tops junior badminton rankings

Siril Verma climbed up a whopping 11 places to occupy the number one spot in junior men's singles category in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings.
2016-01-07

Pacquiao 'to retire' after Bradley fight

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao said he would end his legendary career after fighting Timothy Bradley in April to concentrate on his political career, dousing hopes for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
2016-01-05

Badminton player Arundhati weds Arun Vishnu

It's love-all for shuttlers Arundhati Pantawane and Arun Vishnu as they formed another 'Indian badminton couple' by tying the nuptial knot at the VCA Jamtha Club House.
2016-01-04

1976 Olympic champion boxer Howard Davis Jr of US dies at 59

Olympic champion boxer Howard Davis Jr., who won the 1976 gold medal and was named over U.S. teammate Sugar Ray Leonard as the most outstanding fighter in the Montreal Games, has died of cancer.
2016-01-02

World's richest chess meet for juniors will be held in Mumbai

The first IILF Wealth Mumbai Junior and International Open Chess Tournament will be held from January 28 to February 5.
2016-01-01

Players will adjust to 15-point format, say PBL coaches

All the Indian and overseas players will have no difficulty in adapting to the 15-point a game format in the Premier Badminton League commencing on Saturday, said the participating teams' coaches.
2016-01-01

Attri confident of making it to Rio Games in men's doubles

Manu Attri sounded upbeat about his and partner B Sumeeth Reddy's chances of booking a qualifying spot at the August 5-21 Rio Olympic Games although they are currently ranked 17th in the world.
2016-01-01

When Gopichand dances with his trainees!

One normally does not see Gopichand dancing to the tunes but the rhythmic beats of 'dhol' got the best of him and he broke into a jig with his much-younger trainees.
2016-01-01

Japan's Uchiyama fends off challenge to WBA title

Undefeated champion Takashi Uchiyama of Japan successfully defended his World Boxing Association super featherweight title for the 11th time, beating Nicaraguan Oliver Flores with a technical knockout.
2015-12-31

Source: Times of India News

Monthly Current Affairs January 2016

Current Affairs For The Month January 2016

ISIS warns of attack on Britain that will 'turn children's hair white'

The Islamic State terror group has warned Britain of an attack more severe than the Paris strikes, saying the country will receive the "lion's share" of the slaughter for its "declaration of war against Muslims".
2016-01-31

45 killed, 110 injured in blasts near Syria shrine

Syrian state news agency SANA, quoting an interior ministry source, said a group of militants had detonated a car bomb near a public transport garage in the Koua Sudan area. Two suicide bombers then blew themselves up nearby as people were being rescued.
2016-01-31

3rd T20I: India beat Australia by 7 wickets to clean sweep series

India held their nerves in the final over as they completed a nail-biting seven-wicket victory against Australia in the third and final T20I to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
2016-01-31

Djokovic beats Murray to win 6th Oz Open title

Novak Djokovic crushed Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3)  to match Roy Emerson's record of six Australian Open titles and leave the Briton heartbroken again at Melbourne Park.
2016-01-31

Peace sabotaged, China says on US ship sail-by

China strongly condemned the United States after a US warship deliberately sailed near one of the Beijing-controlled islands in the hotly contested South China Sea to exercise freedom of navigation and challenge China's vast sea claims.
2016-01-31

New weapon to fight Zika: The mosquito

Mosquitoes, genetically engineered to pass a lethal gene to their offspring, could become one of the newest weapons in the battle between humans and mosquitoes, which kill hundreds of thousands of people a year by transmitting malaria, dengue fever and other diseases.
2016-01-31

Rohith Vemula wasn't a dalit, Sushma Swaraj says

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has reportedly said that the University of Hyderabad PhD scholar Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide, was not a member of the dalit community.
2016-01-30

US warship sails near island claimed by China

A US navy guided-missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of an island claimed by China and two other nations in the South China Sea, in an operation the Pentagon said aimed to challenge efforts to restrict freedom of navigation.
2016-01-30

Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to win Australian Open title

Angelique Kerber became the first German to win a Grand Slam title since her childhood idol Steffi Graf in 1999 when she upset world number one Serena Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to clinch the Australian Open.
2016-01-30

Rohith Vemula's suicide: Rahul Gandhi joins hunger strike

Stepping up the offensive on dalit scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide issue, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday sat on a day-long fast along with agitating students of Hyderabad Central University.
2016-01-30

Send 10,000 students to US for PhD: Murthy

Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy has said India and the US should work on an agreement to send 10,000 Indian students to the US to do their PhDs in important areas in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, every year over the next 50 years.
2016-01-30

SC to decide gay sex be made legal or not.

More than two years after the Supreme Court turned down a plea to decriminalise gay sex in India, there is still hope for the LGBT community as the apex court has agreed to examine on February 2 whether it had erred in passing the judgment.
2016-01-29

Govt proposes law allowing passive euthanasia

The committee has not agreed to active euthanasia since it has more potential for misuse and as on date it is prevalent in very few countries worldwide, the Centre said in its response to a petition filed by Common Cause, an NGO.
2016-01-29

Solar scam accused denies 'affair' with CM

In a new twist to the solar panel scam, prime accused Saritha S Nair levelled fresh charges against chief minister Oommen Chandy, saying he had urged her to create a company involving his family members including son Chandy Oommen to do renewable energy business.
2016-01-29

'Chinese warplanes no match to Western fighters'

China has built a potent military machine over the past 30 years but is struggling to develop advanced engines that would allow its warplanes to match Western fighters in combat. Western restrictions on arms exports to China prohibit the sale of Western engines for military use.
2016-01-29

2nd T20I: India beat Australia by 27 runs, clinch series

India defeated Australia in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to win the series with a game remaining. Riding on Virat Kohli's unbeaten 59 and Rohit Sharma's 60, India produced another good all-round performance to record a 27-run win in the match. Chasing 185 to win, Australia slumped after a brilliant start as they were restricted to 157/8 in 20 overs.
2016-01-29

Mark Zuckerberg became $6bn richer in one day

As most of Mark Zuckerberg's fortune is tied to his holdings in Facebook, the stock price increase made him richer by $6 billion in one day. He now stands behind Bill Gates, Amancio Ortega, Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos and Carlos Slim Helu in the list of world's richest people.
2016-01-29

Zika's 'explosive' spread potential makes Rio Olympics dangerous

With about 500,000 people expected to visit Brazil for the Olympics this year, researchers are scrambling to figure how much of a risk it might pose in spreading the Zika virus around the world. Infectious disease specialists are particularly focused on the potential for Zika to spread to the United States.
2016-01-29

How the Zika virus spread around the world

With new cases emerging every day, the virus with links to alarming birth defects and neurological syndromes has now completely circumnavigated the world, mostly in a matter of months. That's pandemic behaviour, a leading virologist says.
2016-01-29

London to New York in 11 minutes

Charles Bombardier, the man behind concept aircraft Skreemr which could travel at Mach 10, has now unveiled the Antipode. It is a hypersonic jet that he claims will cover the distance between London and New York in a mind-boggling 11 minutes. In theory, Bombardier claims it can carry 10 people up to 20,000km in less than an hour.
2016-01-29

Mahindra KUV100: 5 pros and 5 cons to know

Mahindra & Mahindra recently launched the KUV100 at a starting price of Rs. 4.42 lakh. Mahindra, a company that is known for its SUVs, wants to now create a new "micro-SUV" segment in India.
2016-01-29

26/11 trial a test of Pak sincerity: MEA

The 2008 Mumbai attacks again took centre stage in Indo-Pak bilateral ties with New Delhi declaring on Thursday that 26/11 remained a test case for Pakistan’s stated commitment to fighting India-specific terror groups.
2016-01-28

3 Wipro employees arrested for hacking British client TalkTalk

Three Wipro employees in Kolkata have been arrested in connection with a security breach in the customer records of a UK-based telecom client TalkTalk. A TalkTalk spokesperson said it is reviewing its relationship with Wipro. TalkTalk had suffered a major cyberattack in October that had compromised the personal and financial details. TalkTalk Telecom Group plc is a company which provides pay television, telecommunications, Internet access, and mobile network services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom.
2016-01-28

Patanjali toothpaste reduces Colgate's mkt share

Patanjali Ayurved, the home-grown foods-to-FMCG player that recently took on Swiss multinational giant Nestle by launching its own noodle brand, is eating into the market share of another MNC giant, Colgate Palmolive, in the toothpaste segment.
2016-01-28

Now, you can book only 6 rail tickets per month

You can now buy only six online train tickets a month from one user ID.
2016-01-28

CBI to probe two serving major generals for 'disproportionate assets'

The defence ministry has asked CBI to probe complaints against two serving major generals for allegedly having assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
2016-01-28

Djokovic beats Federer to enter Oz Open final

Champion Novak Djokovic foiled a stirring fightback from Roger Federer to defeat the Swiss 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Australian Open and charge into a fifth successive Grand Slam final.
2016-01-28

Liquor ban in Bihar: Man hurls shoe at Nitish, arrested

A man hurled a shoe at chief minister Nitish Kumar, but it missed the intended target. The incident took place during a function at which Nitish Kumar reiterated the ban on sale of liquor in Bihar from April 1, police said.
2016-01-28

Govt releases list of first 20 smart cities: Bhubaneswar, Pune, Jaipur, Surat among first 20

The selected cities will be equipped with basic infrastructure, efficient urban mobility and public transport, IT connectivity and e-governance mechanisms.The selected cities are: Bhubaneswar, Pune, Jaipur, Surat, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Vishakapatnam, Sholapur, Davangere, Indore, NDMC, Coimbatore, Kakinada, Belagavi, Udaipur, Guwahati, Chennai, Ludhiana and Bhopal.
2016-01-28

India-Pakistan to clash in Asia Cup on Feb 27

The Indian cricket team will start its their Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh on February 24 before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in what promises to be a high-voltage encounter on February 27.
2016-01-28

Court orders FIR against Chandy in solar scam

Saritha Nair, one of the main accused in the case, revealed before the solar judicial commission that she had delivered Rs.1.90 crores in two instalments, as part of the Rs. 7 crores bribe demanded by Chandy, through his then staff member Jikumon.
2016-01-28

Pakistani fan of Kohli faces 10 yrs in jail for flying Indian flag

A Pakistani die-hard fan of Indian batsman Virat Kohli is facing up to 10 years imprisonment after being arrested for hoisting the Indian tri-colour atop his home in Punjab Province which he had done to show his love for the cricketer.
2016-01-28

HC blow to India's tallest skyscraper in Mumbai

In a fresh setback for India's tallest skyscraper, Palais Royale at Worli, the Bombay high court on Wednesday held that the 13 upper floors of the 56-storey building as well as a 15-storey public parking tower next to it were "completely illegal".
2016-01-27

Doval gets report that says Rohith not a Dalit

A secret intelligence report has claimed that both the grandmother and mother of Rohith Vemula, a Hyderabad Central University research scholar who recently committed suicide, have declared the family's caste as Vaddera, which is a backward caste and not part of the 'Dalit' fold.
2016-01-27

Top 3 auto companies hold 70% market share

Being the top three automobile brands in India has its perks. India is the only country in the world where the top three auto manufacturers increased their market share to 70% for April-December 2015 compared to 67% in 2012, according to industry data. They are Maruti, Hyundai, Mahindra and Mahindra
2016-01-27

Literacy rate up, but so is illiteracy

The overall literacy rate in the country may have gone up to 74.4%, but the drop in the illiteracy rate has not matched the increase in population.
2016-01-27

Get passport in a week with just four documents

The ministry of external affairs has announced two major changes that will fast-track the process for first-time passport applicants and make it more convenient to secure an appointment at the local passport seva kendra. Documents are 1.Aadhar Card 2.Pan Card. 3.Voter ID 4.An affidavit regarding no criminal issues.
2016-01-27

AI Kanishka bombing convict released from jail

Inderjit Singh Reyat, the only person ever to be convicted in the 1985 Air India bombings, was released from a Canadian prison on Wednesday after serving two decades behind bars.
2016-01-27

Sack erring govt officials who don't mend ways PM's order to secretaries

In a stern message to government officials refusing to mend their ways despite repeated complaints, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked secretaries to carry out assessment of such employees and recommend action, including dismissal and slashing their pension.
2016-01-27

Apple CEO bets big on India's economic reforms

In an investor call, Apple CEO Tim Cook said India has a very good business environment for the future and the company is putting increasingly more energy in the country. He added that Apple will continue to invest in India for the long-term.
2016-01-27

Ghulam Ali's Mumbai concert cancelled: Reports

Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's Mumbai concert, scheduled to be held January 29, has been cancelled. Ghulam Ali was scheduled to attend the music launch of "Ghar Wapsi", a movie directed by TV show host-turned-filmmaker Suhaib Ilyasi.
2016-01-27

France 'marginally' reduces Rafale price

The French have "marginally" reduced the price of Rafale combat planes but India is seeking more and the multi-billion dollar deal could take at least another six weeks to be finalised, government sources said on Wednesday.
2016-01-27

India to take up balloon intrusion in Rajasthan with Pakistan

It's a standard military practice to fly aircraft, helicopters, drones and the like near a border to test an adversary's sensors and reaction time.
2016-01-27

Live chat while batting distract Smith in T20

The use of on-field microphones by players in Twenty20 matches came under fire after Steve Smith lost his wicket while commentating against India.
2016-01-27

Corruption index: India ranks 76, China at 83

India's score in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2015 remained unchanged at 38 as it was in the previous year. This means it has climbed to 76 position from 85 last year. China remained at 83.
2016-01-27

'Netaji files in Japan, UK must be declassified'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made public digital copies of 100 secret files relating to Subhas Chandra Bose on his 119th birth anniversary. Netaji's grand-nephew, Surya Kumar Bose, speaks to TOI's Rohit E David on the declassified files and much more.
2016-01-26

Fresh bid to tag Masood Azhar 'global terrorist'

India could make a fresh bid to tag Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar, the alleged mastermind of the Pathankot attack, as a global terrorist. The move will also serve as a test for China, which had blocked an earlier Indian proposal to this effect at the United Nations Security Council in 2010 at the behest of Pakistan.
2016-01-26

Deborah seals Track Cycling World C'ships berth

Deborah Herold from the Andamans created history again by qualifying for the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships for the first time in India's history, ahead of South Korea and Japan in the main draw.
2016-01-26

President approves central rule in Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh came under central rule with President Pranab Mukherjee giving assent to the Union Cabinet's recommendation on such a course following political instability in the state.
2016-01-26

1st T20I: Kohli, bowlers help India beat Australia by 37 runs

The format change finally brought some cheers for Team India as their preparations for World Twenty20 got off to a perfect start. Bowlers seemed to have found their mojo back as they helped India defend their total for the first time on this tour. Australia were bowled out for 151 in 19.3 overs in a massive chase of 189.
2016-01-26

R-Day: India showcases military might, French troops march in a first

French troops march first time at New Delhi's Rajpath on the country's 67th Republic Day.
2016-01-26

Padmas for Dhirubhai, Sri Sri, TOI Group chairman

Times Group chairman Indu Jain, who is known for her social work under the aegis of Times Foundation, has been named for the Padma Bhushan award.
2016-01-25

India, France busy in bargaining over Rafale's cost

India and France are yet to resolve their major differences over the cost for 36 Rafale fighters even nine months after the Modi-Hollande summit in Paris on April 10 last year gave the go-ahead for the negotiations.
2016-01-25

Pak Taliban chief Fazlullah killed in drone strike

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah has reportedly been killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan, according to Pakistan media reports.
2016-01-25

Padma awards for Rajinikanth, Sania, Saina

Superstar Rajinikanth, founder of the Reliance empire late Dhirubhai Ambani, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and media baron Ramoji Rao have been chosen for Padma Vibhushan, country's second highest civilian award, this year.
2016-01-25

India signs pact to buy 36 Rafale jets, but talks on price to go on

India and France inked an inter-governmental agreement(IGA) on the sale of 36 French fighter jets, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the financial details of the deal were yet to worked out, adding this, too, would conclude soon.
2016-01-25

Eye on China: India to set up satellite tracking station in Vietnam

The ISRO will fund and set up the satellite tracking and data reception centre in Ho Chi Minh City to monitor Indian satellite launches. The move, which could irritate Beijing, deepens ties between India and Vietnam, who both have long-running territorial disputes with China.
2016-01-25

Builder to pay Rs 20k/month for delay in project

2016-01-25

IAF demands fast on midair refuellers

A frustrated IAF has asked the defence ministry to make a decision, one way or the other, on its long-pending case for the almost $2-billion acquisition of six Airbus-330 MRTT midair refuelling aircraft or tankers to boost the strategic reach of its fighters and bombers.
2016-01-24

India and France sign 16 deals, PM Modi hails ties

PM Narendra Modi termed trust and friendship with France as an important asset for India. He and French President Francois Hollande said they are committed to closer economic ties and united in fight against terrorism
2016-01-24

PV Sindhu wins second Malaysia Masters title

Without breaking a sweat, Sindhu, who is also the inaugural Times Of India Sports Awards (TOISA) badminton winner, wrapped up proceedings in less that half an hour. It has to be rated as one of her most clinical performances over the years, even though she was up against an unseeded opponent.Sindhu won the title for the second time in her career with a 21-15, 21-9 win over Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour
2016-01-24

Amit Shah re-elected BJP chief

BJP chief Amit Shah has been re-elected party president for a second term. Top party leaders led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a bevy of Union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states proposed his name for the party president's post during the nomination process.
2016-01-24

US relies on Saudi money to support Syrian rebels

The CIA and its Saudi counterpart have maintained an unusual arrangement for the rebel-training mission, which the Americans have code-named Timber Sycamore. Under the deal, the Saudis contribute both weapons and large sums of money, and the CIA takes the lead in training the rebels.
2016-01-24

Rafale deal on right track, will take time says Hollande

French president Francois Hollande has indicated that the nearly Rs 60,000-crore Rafale jets deal is unlikely to be signed during his current visit although it is on the "right track".
2016-01-24

'Nehru letter' calling Bose war criminal starts Congress-BJP row

One of the disclosures in the Netaji files, made public on his 119th birthday, is that Nehru had written to then British PM Clement Attlee about Subhas Chandra Bose, saying, "Your war criminal has been allowed to enter Russian territory by Stalin.
2016-01-23

Tejas takes part in international show for 1st time

After the indigenously-developed Dhruv helicopter - part of the Sarang team - demonstrated its capabilities in the skies with four helicopters mesmerizing the huge crowd gathered at the event, Tejas took flight for the first time at an international air show.
2016-01-23

Netaji had died in the 1945 aircrash, says 1995 Union Cabinet note

The Cabinet note was prepared for the government to take a stand on bringing the "mortal remains" of Netaji from Japan to India, kept in the Bose Academy in Tokyo.
2016-01-23

Five dead, two hurt in Canada school shooting

Five people were killed and two critically injured in a school shooting in a remote part of Saskatchewan on Friday and a suspect is in custody, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
2016-01-22

Hollande visit to fix deadline for 6 N-reactors

India and France are expected to announce a roadmap and deadline for construction of six new nuclear reactors by French company Areva when President Francois Hollande meets Narendra Modi for bilateral discussions on 25-01-2016.
2016-01-22

China's richest man plans $10bn project in India

Billionaire Wang Jianlin's Dalian Wanda Group agreed to spearhead a $10-billion project to build an industrial park in India, in what could become one of the biggest development projects in the country.
2016-01-22

Maha govt challenges Salman's acquittal in SC

Maharashtra government moved the Supreme Court on Friday challenging the Bombay High Court's verdict acquitting Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case in which one person was killed and four others were injured.
2016-01-22

Karan Johar: Freedom of expression, democracy biggest jokes in world

Filmmaker Karan Johar's controversial remarks on intolerance kicked up a storm with the Congress hitting out against the Modi government accusing it of stifling freedom of expression and BJP dismissing the criticism saying India is the most tolerant country.
2016-01-22

Prashant Kishor named Bihar CM's adviser

Election strategist Prashant Kishor has been made adviser to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, a role that makes him eligible for a Cabinet minister rank. He had helped the Mahagathbandhan of the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress to trounce the BJP in Bihar assembly polls last year.
2016-01-22

Apple India head quits, 2nd top-level exit in Jan

Apple has launched hunt for a new head for its India business, following the exit of long-time country manager and former AOL executive Maneesh Dhir, under whose watch sales from India grew from a mere $100 million to over $1 billion, according to people directly familiar with the developments.
2016-01-22

Your PF to earn 8.95% interest this fiscal?

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) finance panel has recommended raising the interest rate on statutory savings of over 5 crore subscribers from 8.75% to 8.95% during the current fiscal.
2016-01-21

Student's FB post on Babri led to contact by ISIS

Akhlaq-ur-Rehman, who was arrested for planning a terror attack ahead of this Republic Day as part of an ISIS cell, wanted to vent his emotions but found that no one was really bothered what a teenager thought about Babri Masjid. So, the angry polytechnic student took to Facebook to express himself.
2016-01-21

Bengaluru techie met her 'killer' on Facebook, 19 days before murder

Nineteen days before she was killed, 31-year-old Kusum Rani, a techie with IBM in Bengaluru, befriended a man on Facebook Sukhbir, but little did she know that he was going to be her nemesis.
2016-01-21

Amitabh, Priyanka India's new brand ambassadors

After about a month of speculation, actors Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra have been chosen as the brand ambassadors for the government's 'Incredible India' campaign.
2016-01-21

INS Viraat sets off on last tour of duty

The 28,000-tonne INS Viraat, which embarked six Sea Harrier jump-jets as well as six Sea King and four Chetak helicopters from Goa, is headed for Visakhapatnam to take part in the International Fleet Review from February 5 to 8.
2016-01-20

Development more important than tigers says SC

The Supreme Court said conservation of tigers was important, but could not be at the cost of movement of human beings from one place to another and general economic development of the country.
2016-01-20

ISIS picks new set of Bhatkal bros for S Asia ops

When ISIS chose the Ansar-ut Tawhid fi Bilad al-Hind as its associate for operations in south Asia, it knew it was making the right choice. The AuT was initially led by two brothers who had left India to fight against it, but fell apart. Later, a section of it rose again with focus on India.
2016-01-20

Investor wealth dips by Rs 1.84 lakh crore

The BSE Sensex ended at a fresh 20-month low on Wednesday dropping to their weakest since before the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on increasing concerns the country will be hit hard by the growing turmoil in global markets.
2016-01-20

'Taliban' militants go on shooting rampage at Pak university, kill 21

Heavily-armed "Taliban suicide attackers" stormed a prestigious university and opened indiscriminate fire on students and teachers, killing at least 25 people and wounding 50 others in Pakistan's restive northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
2016-01-20

Student's suicide is not a caste issue says Smriti Irani

Union HRD minister Smriti Irani said the the suicide of a student in Hyderabad Central University was not a dalit versus non-dalit issue.
2016-01-20

Ind v Aus: Umpire wears helmet in ODIs for 1st time

It may have looked alarming to onlookers, but Australian umpire John Ward knew fully well what he was doing when he took his mark behind the non-striker's stumps with a helmet on his head.
2016-01-20

As Hyderabad boils, chief minister goes shopping

The whole nation may be talking about the horrific suicide of a Dalit student at the prestigious central university in Hyderabad and the subsequent protests across the country, but guess what Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was busy with? He did not even comment on the issue, and he was busy shopping for a fresh pair of clothes!
2016-01-20

15,000-strong dharma sena in UP readies for war with Islamic State

An outfit known as Hindu Swabhiman is raising what it calls a "dharma sena" to wage war against the Islamic State, which it believes will occupy western UP by 2020.
2016-01-19

Nobody will beg J&K Pandits to return: Farooq

Twenty-six years after Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee the valley, ex-CM of J&K Farooq Abdullah has put the blame on them for not returning to their homes. "They have to realise that nobody is going to come with a begging bowl and say come and stay with us. They have to make the move," he said.
2016-01-19

Stephen Hawking: Humanity will wipe itself out

"Nuclear war, global warming and genetically-engineered viruses could wipe out humanity. But we might be able to save ourselves, if we escape the Earth," Hawking said.
2016-01-19

'ISIS letter' threatens killing PM Modi, Parrikar for banning beef

Goa Police have circulated this letter to all the police stations in the state and handed over the case to the Anti Terrorist Squad.
2016-01-19

Aamir damaged India's brand, says Amitabh Kant

Defending Aamir Khan's exit as the brand ambassador of the Incredible India campaign, department of industrial policy and promotionsecretary Amitabh Kant said the actor had damaged the brand identity of the country with his remarks on intolerance.
2016-01-19

Nation salutes 25 young bravehearts

Twenty-five children, three girls and 22 boys, were felicitated in New Delhi afternoon by India Council for Child Welfare with the National Awards for Bravery 2015. Their acts were as diverse as their backgrounds.
2016-01-18

To fight China's Andaman and Nicobar forays, India deploys submarine hunters

India has begun to deploy its latest long-range maritime patrol aircraft and spy drones at its forward military base in the Andamans to counter Chinese naval threat.
2016-01-18

Gayle smashes 12-ball 50 to equal world record

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle smashed fifty from 12 balls for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League to match India's Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest half-century in Twenty20 cricket.
2016-01-18

Marriages last the longest in north India, Maharashtra; least in northeast

Sociologists say the duration of marriage across India has less to do with fidelity and love, and more with customs, health and the couple's age at the time of marriage.
2016-01-17

Abdullahs rule out alliance with BJP in J&K

The National Conference leadership denied it is seeking an alliance with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, where political activity has gathered pace since the death of chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed earlier this month.
2016-01-17

Virat Kohli becomes fastest to 24 ODI centuries

Virat Kohli on Sunday became the fastest to register 24 hundreds and pile up 7,000 runs in one-day cricket. He left behind South African AB de Villers (166) in terms of getting to the landmark early. Also, Kohli left his idol Tendulkar far behind in terms of the quickness in the number of tons and runs scored so far.
2016-01-17

Suicide attack near Afghan official's home in Jalalabad, 11 killed

At least 11 people were killed and 20 others injured following a suicide attack near the residence of a senior Afghanistan official in Jalalabad.
2016-01-17

Laser walls for riverine areas of Indo-Pak border

More than 40 vulnerable unfenced stretches along the India-Pakistan border will be covered by laser walls soon with the home ministry giving it a top priority to check any infiltration of terrorists in the wake of the Pathankot attack.
2016-01-17

How Guzman Chapo was finally caught, again

The Mexican marines had been on the trail of the world's most wanted drug lord Guzman's trail for more than six months, ever since he humiliated the nation by escaping its most secure prison through a tunnel that led into the shower floor of his cell.
2016-01-17

Seven ancient Buddhist caves found in Mumbai

Seven caves have been discovered in the forests of the sprawling Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli, on the northern fringes of the city.
2016-01-16

Prime Minister Modi starts up new business era with tax breaks and mega fund

The government on Saturday unveiled a raft of measures ranging from tax waiver for three years, ending inspector raj and a mega fund to help boost the start-up eco-system.
2016-01-16

Haryana sex ratio rises over 900 after a decade

Infamous for skewed sex ratio, Haryana has seen improvement in it with the number of girls crossing 900 mark for December month, a development which has happened for the first time in 10 years.
2016-01-16

PM Modi announces big push for startups; Rs 10,000 crore fund to be set up

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the new 'Start-Up India' scheme to promote and nurse entrepreneurship in the country ensuring minimum interference from the government with attractive tax incentives.
2016-01-16

KUV100: Flipkart, Mahindra tie up to sell car

Utility Vehicle manufacturer, Mahindra & Mahindra has tied up with online marketplace Flipkart to facilitate online bookings for its new model, SUV - KUV100. The compact SUV can be booked online from 18 January 2016.
2016-01-16

Japan's SoftBank bets on India over China, to hike investment to $10 billion

Betting on India emerging bigger than China, Japan's SoftBank said it has invested %2 billion in Indian firms in the last one year and will look to scale up the investment to $10 billion in the coming year.
2016-01-16

India to seek US help to find out if Pakistan equipped Pathankot attackers

The binoculars used by the six Pathankot militants were made in USA and have US Army markings. This suggests that either the Jaish-e-Mohammad stole them from one of the bases of US Army in Afghanistan or it was taken from Pakistan army, which also procures military equipment from the US.
2016-01-15

Supreme court revives euthanasia debate

Bringing alive the dormant debate over the complex and emotive passive euthanasia issue, the Supreme Court asked the Centre whether a terminally ill person, medically diagnosed to be in the last stages of life, could be kept alive on life support system even though he had willed against it?
2016-01-15

Housing projects without green nod illegal: SC

In a jolt to hundreds of builders who have completed housing projects without environment clearance, the Supreme Court on Friday termed such constructions illegal, conceding that it might have committed a mistake by previously staying a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order halting construction of these projects.
2016-01-15

 61st Britannia Filmfare Awards 2015

Bajirao Mastani won the most awards with nine including Best Film. Other winners included Piku with five awards, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Roy, Talvar, and Tanu Weds Manu Returns with two, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bombay Velvet, Dil Dhadakne Do, Hero, Masaan, Tamasha with one.
2016-01-15

Hindu Sena chief arrested for attack on Pakistan Airlines office in Delhi

Owning responsibility for the attack, Vishnu Gupta vented anger at Pakistan and held it responsible for the attacks at Pathankot air base as well as at the Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif recently.
2016-01-15

IS claims responsibility for Jakarta attacks

Isis has reportedly claimed responsibility for the Jakarta attacks in a statement released through one of its allied propaganda agencies. Seven people, including five suspected attackers, died in suicide bombings and shootings in the Indonesian capital on Thursday morning.
2016-01-14

Soon, buses to run on ethanol in Delhi, UP

Government will come out with a new 'larger' policy within a month to promote ethanol blending with petrol, transport minister Nitin Gadkari said.
2016-01-14

Serial blasts hit Indonesian capital Jakarta, 7 dead

Gunfire and explosions in the Indonesian capital Jakarta killed at least seven people, including four suspected attackers, with police flooding the streets amid fears gun-toting militants were still on the run.
2016-01-14

Government set to cut rates on PPF, NSC

The government is set to reduce interest rates on small savings products such as public provident fund and National Savings Certificate over the next few days - a move that will impact returns on your bank fixed deposits but also pave the way for banks to pare lending rates in the coming months and reduce the EMI burden.
2016-01-13

Jaish chief arrested? India to seek Pak's confirmation, decide on talks today

Pakistan's reported detention of Maulana Masood Azhar, head of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed and the alleged mastermind of Pathakot terror attack kept alive the prospect of an early engagement of foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, but a wary India will await verification before taking a decision.
2016-01-13

Indra Nooyi becomes Yale's biggest alumni donor

The prestigious Yale School of Management will name its deanship in honour of PepsiCo's India-born CEO Indra Nooyi as she gifted an undisclosed amount to her alma mater, becoming the school's biggest alumni donor and the first woman to endow a deanship at a top B-school.
2016-01-13

Jethmalani offers to defend Sonia in Herald case

Former BJP leader and senior advocate Ram Jethmalani has offered to defend Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the case filed against them by BJP member Subramanian Swamy, who has alleged irregularities in the transfer of shares of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper.
2016-01-12

SC questions ban on women's entry at Sabarimala

"The temple cannot prohibit entry (women), except on the basis of religion. Unless you have a constitutional right, you cannot prohibit entry. Anyway, we will examine it on February 8," a SC bench said.
2016-01-11

MI5 tried to recruit 'new Jihadi John'

Britain's intelligence services had tried to recruit Indian-origin IS terror suspect Siddhartha Dhar as a double agent before he managed to flee to Syria, a media report here claimed. Dhar, who was dubbed the "new Jihadi John" after he emerged as key suspect as the masked terrorist seen in a recent Islamic State (IS) video threatening an attack on Britain, was allegedly contacted twice by MI5 officers before he was arrested for terrorist offences.
2016-01-10

India a tolerant country, Taslima Nasreen says

India is a tolerant country with a few intolerant people and it is time to focus not just on Hindu fundamentalists but on Muslim fundamentalists as well, Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen said. She said while there was talk about Hindu fundamentalists, one has to talk of Muslim fundamentalists.
2016-01-10

PM Modi needs good scientific advisers: CNR Rao

Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs the right scientific advice to turn his vision to reality and should also start mission-mode projects, feels India's Bharat Ratna-winning scientist and scientific adviser to many PMs CNR Rao.
2016-01-10

Sri Lanka government proposes new constitution

Sri Lanka's new government presented its plan for a new constitution aimed at devolving power and preventing the sort of ethnic tensions that led to a long and bitter civil war that ended in 2009. The move is to takes some steps to promote post-conflict reconciliation and address alleged war crimes.
2016-01-10

Govt aiming at 9% GDP growth this year: Jaitley

The government is working to enhance public expenditure in physical, social and rural infrastructure to push economic growth one and half percentage points higher than the 7-7.5% expected for the current financial year, said Union finance minister Arun Jaitley.
2016-01-09

Gopal Subramanium panel appointed to prob DDCA

The Centre said the Gopal Subramanium panel appointed by the Delhi government to investigate alleged corruption in DDCA is "unconstitutional and illegal".
2016-01-08

+92 3000597212: No. of Pakistani terror handler

If the Nawaz Sharif government has any doubt that the six men who attacked Pathankot airbase were Pakistani citizens, it might want to pull out the call details of two numbers - 92-3017775253 and +92 300097212, say investigators.
2016-01-07

Pathankot attack: Jaish chief Masood Azhar identified as one of the 4 handlers

Those identified by Indian agencies are Masood Azhar, Rauf, Ashfaq and Kashim, the sources said. Rauf was mastermind of hijack of Air India plane in Kathmandu.
2016-01-07

South Korea seeks US strategic weapons after North's nuclear test

South Korea is in talks with the United States to deploy US strategic assets on the Korean peninsula, a South Korean military official said, a day after North Korea said it successfully tested a hydrogen nuclear device.
2016-01-07

Gayle to take legal action against Fairfax Media

Under-fire Chris Gayle has sought the services of a leading Australian lawyer to start defamation proceedings against Fairfax Media over allegations that the West Indian cricketer indecently exposed himself to a woman in Sydney during the World Cup last year.
2016-01-07

J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed dies in Delhi

J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, admitted in AIIMS since December 24, passed away. Sayeed took over as chief minister of PDP-BJP coalition on March 1 last year.
2016-01-07

'Operation Dhangu' saved Pathankot airbase and kept it functioning

2016-01-07

43% vacancies in HCs, pendency may hit 1 crore

The disposal of cases suffered as the process for appointment of judges came to a standstill because of the Constitutional tug-of-war between the Legislature and Judiciary over NJAC.
2016-01-06

India to stay at top in growth: World Bank

The World Bank projected that India would remain comfortably the fastest growing large economy in 2016, at a rate more than a percentage point higher than China's.
2016-01-06

Sanjay Dutt set to walk out of jail on February 27

The incarcerated Bollywood actor, whose five-year sentence for his involvement in the 1993 blasts was confirmed by the Supreme Court in March 2013, will be freed next month.
2016-01-06

North Korea 'successfully' explodes its first hydrogen bomb

North Korea said it had successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test, marking a major step forward in its nuclear development, if confirmed.
2016-01-06

Science congress a circus: Nobel winner

In a damning indictment of the Indian Science Congress, Indian-born Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan has refused to attend the Congress ever again. Calling homeopathy and astrology useless and harmful practices, Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan came down heavily on the two.
2016-01-05

Govt okays quotas for women in paramilitary

The government took an important step to improve gender equality in the paramilitary by approving reservation of 33% women at the constable rank in two major central paramilitary forces CRPF and CISF and also setting a 15% quota in the border forces BSF, SSB and ITBP.
2016-01-05

Afghan guv wields gun to save Indian mission

A former Mujahideen, governor of Afghanistan's Balkh province Ata Mohammad Noor wielded the gun to protect the Indian consulate at Mazar-i-Sharif after it was attacked by heavily-armed militants who tried to storm in.
2016-01-05

Man arrested for insulting Pathankot martyr

A special investigation team of police arrested a Malappuram native who posted an insulting comment about the Lieutenant colonel Niranjan E Kumar, who was killed in a grenade blast at Pathankott in Punjab.
2016-01-05

15-year-old Mumbai cricketer Pranav Dhanawade scores a record 1009

Pranav Dhanawade, who has broken a century-old cricketing record, became the first batsman to score 1000-plus runs in an innings in any form of cricket.
2016-01-05

India beat Afghanistan 2-1 to win SAFF Cup title

Indian football team finally ended their four-year trophy drought as they defeated Afghanistan 2-1 in the final of the SAFF Cup 2015.
2016-01-03

Odd-even scheme in Delhi first day

2016-01-01

Shyam Benegal to head censor board revamp panel

The censor board has been mired in controversy since the beginning of the year when Pahlaj Nihalani took charge as chairperson.
2016-01-01

Haryana IAS Officer Khemka promoted to Principal Secretary

2016-01-01

Source: The Times of India News

The Rann Festival of Gujarat

The Rann Festival of Gujarat| A Great Desert Festival of India | Its Feature and Glory

Rann Tent City

The Rann festival is a desert festival celebrated in Kutch/Kachchha district of Gujarat in India each year from end week of December to the end of February in next year. The name behind the festival is familiar to local language ie 'Rann' means Desert. The local people often called it as 'Rann Utsav' which literally means desert festival. The very familiar peculiarity of celebrating this festival is its seasonal natural glory which often attracts spectators to draw the beauty posture of a rude nature where lives were not easy.

The Desert Festival History

Rann Location

If we go back to the history, before the starting of this festival the place was full of anxiety and fear that a few person were interested in it and that also for occasionally on business purpose but now a days the place is getting crowd day to day as travel has been renamed to adventurous activity and people choosing travel as their essential part of life. The first 'Rann Utsav' started in December 2005 for a 3 days event only, now it has been changed to a three months festival starting from December to February. It was Mr. Narendra Modi (Hon-able Prime Minister of India) under whose Chief Ministerial Term the festival development model was created and its success pave the way to become Prime Ministerial Candidate of India in May 2014 for him.

The Desert Festival Features and Glories

The Main Attraction

• Snow white Rann

The main attraction of the place is white snow like flat soil which covered with salt and blazes in the sun shine as the rain water has dried up, in the winters every year and create an illusionary lake that fills the dry Rann till the eye can see. It's best on full moon nights to see the moon shining on the salt. (December 25, January 24, and February 22)

• Chir Batti

At night, an unexplained strange dancing light phenomena known locally as Chir Batti(ghost lights) occurs in the Rann, the adjoining Banni grasslands and the seasonal wetlands.

• Mirages

Since the Rann is flat like a sheet of paper in the afternoons with bright sunshine a shimmering mirage forms which is like an illusionary lake that fills the dry Rann till the eye can see.

Culture and Heritage

A lot of women and young girls make their living by selling different types of embroidered cloths. The embroidery is of various styles such as Rabari, Ahir, Sindhi, Banni, Mutwa, Ari and Soof - and some styles include mirror or bead inlay.

Although it's becoming commercial and overcrowded day to day, the days are filled with folk dances and music, adventure sports, handicrafts, food stalls, and excursions to surrounding destinations. Hundreds of luxury tents are set up on the fringe of the white salt desert to accommodate visitors.

Amitabh Bachchan in his promotions for Gujarat Tourism titled Khushboo Gujarat Ki has also extensively shot in the Rann of kutch. Several scenes in Salman Rushdie Booker Prize winning novel 'Midnight's Children' take place in the Rann of Kutch, including a scene where the protagonist faints from heat stroke in the Rann's brutal climate

                                                                                                                

Traditional 'Bugga' style cottages

Traditional Bugga House

Traditional Bugga Interiors

Traditional 'Bugga Style Cottages' are very famous here. These are very suitable for the desert climate and having different economy prices for different class of  people.

Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Award Recipients of 2016

Following is the list of the recipients of the Padma Bhushan in 2016:

Name	Field	State	Country
Anupam Kher	Art	Maharashtra	India
Udit Narayan	Art	Maharashtra	India
Ram V Sutar	Art	Uttar Pradesh	India
Heisnam Kanhailal	Art	Manipur	India
Vinod Rai	Civil Service	Kerala	India
Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad	Literature & Education	Andhra Pradesh	India
N. S. Ramanuja Tatacharya	Literature & Education	Maharashtra	India
Barjinder Singh Hamdard	Literature & Education	Punjab	India
D. Nageshwar Reddy	Medicine	Telangana	India
Tejomayananda	Others	Maharashtra	India
Hafeez Contractor	Others	Maharashtra	India
Ravindra Chandra Bhargava	Public Affairs	Uttar Pradesh	India
A. V. Rama Rao	Science & Engineering	Andhra Pradesh	India
Saina Nehwal	Sports	Telangana	India
Sania Mirza	Sports	Telangana	India
Indu Jain	Trade & Industry	Delhi	India
Dayananda Saraswati†	Others	Uttarakhand	India
Robert Blackwill	Public Affairs	Foreigner	USA
Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry	Trade & Industry	NRI/PIO	Ireland

Following is the list of the recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in 2016:

Padam Vibhushan award 2016
1. Ms. Yamini Krishnamurthi — Art-Classical dance — Delhi
2. Rajinikanth — Art-Cinema — Tamil Nadu
3. Smt Girija Devi — Art-Classical Vocal — West Bengal
4. Ramoji Rao — Literature and Education-Journalism — Andhra Pradesh
5. Dr Viswanathan Shanta — Medicine-Oncology — Tamil Nadu
6. Ravi Shankar — Others-Spiritualism — Karnataka
7. Jagmohan — Public Affairs — Delhi
8. Dr Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre — Science and Engineering — Karnataka
9. Avinash Dixit(Foreigner) — Literature and Education — USA
10. Late Dhiru Bhai Ambani (Posthumous) — Trade and Industry — Maharashtra
   


Source: www.wikipedia.org

Monthly Sports Current Affairs December 2015

Sports News For The Year 2015 and Month Dec

Japan's Uchiyama fends off challenge to WBA title

Undefeated champion Takashi Uchiyama of Japan successfully defended his World Boxing Association super featherweight title for the 11th time, beating Nicaraguan Oliver Flores with a technical knockout.
2015-12-31

Premier Badminton League unveils its official Anthem

Premier Badminton League today unveiled its official Anthem on its Facebook page. The anthem composed by musical duo Salim-Sulaiman instigates India to "Halla Macha De" during the entire League and come out full-on to support their team.
2015-12-31

I was destined to become World No. 1: Saina Nehwal

"I have had five podium finishes this year, two gold and three silver medals. I became World No. 1, not once, not twice, but thrice! I slipped and got back again, slipped and got back again. What more can I ask for?" Saina said.
2015-12-31

Next bout on February 13, Vijender hits the gym on holiday

When most people are looking for a place to party on new year's eve, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh is running around trying to gain access to a decent gym.
2015-12-31

Pacquiao to fight Bradley in April: Arum

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring on April 9 in Las Vegas to take on Timothy Bradley for a third time, promoter Bob Arum said on Wednesday.
2015-12-31

Experienced Boe keen to launch Rockets

Being the most experienced member of the side comes with riders but doubles specialist Mathias Boe is not one who will shirk responsibility.
2015-12-31

National School Chess Championship in Nagpur from January 5

The Nagpur Chess Academy (NCA) will be hosting the prestigious fifth National School Chess Championship at Naivedhyam Eastoria Hall from January 5 to 7.
2015-12-31

Vaishnavi wins maiden All India badminton title

2015-12-31

Trump matches will add to excitement in PBL: Gopichand

The introduction of trump matches in the upcoming Premier Badminton League (PBL) will add to the excitement level in the event that kicks off here on January 2 next year, said national team coach Pullela Gopichand.
2015-12-30

Gopichand said they can evaluate ourselves before Rio Games

Not looking too far ahead towards the Rio Olympics, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand said there were a few top-notch tournaments for self-analysis before the mega event.
2015-12-30

PBL great platform for young shuttlers to learn: Prannoy

Indian shuttler HS Prannoy believes Premier Badminton League (PBL) has given a great platform to budding talents to learn and play alongside some of the best in the business.
2015-12-30

Laishram Sarita Devi: Loving mother, champion boxer, guiding light

Sarita is a former world champion and four-time Asian champion boxer who has spent the past 15 years inside the square ring. But there is life beyond the ring, and it was on full display when she met some friends and fans.
2015-12-30

Japan's 'Monster' Inoue defends WBO title

"Monster" Naoya Inoue of Japan successfully defended his World Boxing Organization junior bantamweight title, flooring Philippine challenger Warlito Parrenas with a quick knockout.
2015-12-29

I won't settle for anything less than gold at Rio Olympics: PV Sindhu

She proved that she is a force to reckon with on court yet again, when she picked up her third consecutive title at Macau recently, ending the year with a flourish.
2015-12-29

India can win medals in badminton in Rio: Kanetkar

Former shuttler Nikhil Kanetkar expressed confidence that India have bright chances to grab medals in badminton in the 2016 Olympic Games.
2015-12-28

Prannoy excited about Premier Badminton League

Rising Indian shuttler HS Prannoy is excited and all set for the opening clash between his team Mumbai Rockets and Awadhe Warriors in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) on January 2.
2015-12-28

Jacqueline, Salim-Sulaiman to perform at PBL opening ceremony

Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez and Music composer duo Salim-Sulaiman will perform in the opening ceremony of the Premier Badminton League which will kick-start on January 2nd.
2015-12-28

State shuttlers complain about Subhedar Hall facilities

Top seed in the 55 plus men's singles Gautam Ashra of Mumbai came down heavily on the organizers for providing poor facilities. He along with several outstation players are furious over the lack of basic facilities at the Nagpur University's Subhedar Hall.
2015-12-28

Lokhande claims weekend rapid chess crown

Saurabh Lokhande won the Ramesh Kadbe Memorial 19th Weekend Rapid Chess tournament, organized by the Nagpur District Chess Association, at the NDCA Hall, Surendra Nagar, here on Sunday.
2015-12-28

Seeds sail into state veterans badminton semis

The second day of the Maharashtra Veterans State Badminton Championship went according to the script as there was no major upset witnessed at the Subhedar Hall here on Sunday.
2015-12-28

State veterans badminton championship begins in Nagpur

City's experienced shuttlers Kiran Makode and Jayandra Dhole started their campaign on winning note in the Maharashtra Veterans State Badminton Championship which got underway at the Subhedar Hall here on Saturday.
2015-12-27

A year of maiden overs for Indian cricket

Wedding bells rang this year as cricketers gave up their 'available' status to enter a brand new innings of their lives. From Bhajji to Suresh Raina, let's take a look at who got hitched and who will be soon.
2015-12-27

Saina may attain full fitness by Republic Day

Here is some good news for badminton buffs, more particularly for the fans of Saina Nehwal.
2015-12-27

PBL announces Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador

Premier Badminton League announced Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar as the brand ambassador for the much-awaited badminton League (PBL) beginning January 2, 2016.
2015-12-26

Maharashtra veterans badminton championship from Saturday

The Maharashtra Veterans State Badminton Championship will be held at the Subhedar Hall from December 26 to 29.
2015-12-25

Manu-Sumeeth regains World No. 17 in BWF ranking

Riding on their maiden Grand Prix title triumph in the Mexico Open, Indian men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy jumped three spots to regain their career-best ranking of World No. 17 in the latest BWF rankings.
2015-12-25

Kashyap hopes PBL would help him regain form before Rio Games

Coming back from an injury, ace shuttler Parupalli Kashyap is hopeful that the coming PBL would help him rediscover his form and ranking, particularly in the run-up to Rio Olympics.
2015-12-25

Centre Point School shuttlers are CBSE national champions

Centre Point School, Katol Road, emerged champions in the CBSE National (U-14) Badminton Championship which concluded at the Sunbeam School, Varanasi, on Thursday.
2015-12-25

Parupalli Kashyap hopes for PBL opener against Kidambi Srikanth

Parupalli Kashyap is eager to take on friend and rival Kidambi Srikanth in his opening match of the Premier Badminton League.
2015-12-24

Hope we field our biggest-ever squad at Rio Olympics: Gopichand

With just four months to go before the qualification process for Rio Olympics ends, chief national coach Pullela Gopichand is confident of fielding India's biggest-ever badminton contingent at the Games.
2015-12-24

Practice with Mathias Boe helped me win title, says Chirag

Chirag Shetty trained with former All England champion Mathias Boe last week and got instant results.
2015-12-23

Harbhajan Singh to invest in Sri Lanka

The star Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh is to invest in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Finance announced on Wednesday.
2015-12-23

Fury's potential rivals to fight it out on same card

Four fighters seeking a potential showdown for an undisputed heavyweight boxing crown against Britain's Tyson Fury will meet on the same New York card on January 16.
2015-12-23

Tendulkar co-owned Smaaash signs Ronaldo for soccer centre

Smaaash Entertainment, a sports-centric virtual entertainment company co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar has tied up with football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to launch its first Smaaash Soccer Centre in Dubai and Jeddah.
2015-12-22

PBL will witness exciting doubles battle: Ashwini Ponnappa

Lauding the six PBL teams for having competent doubles players, ace Indian women's shuttler Ashwini Ponappa predicted an exciting battle in the second edition of the badminton league.
2015-12-22

Trump Match will be a big challenge for coaches: Kidambi Srikanth

Kidambi Srikanth on Tuesday said the new rule of 'Trump Match', introduced in the second edition of Premier Badminton League (PBL), will be a big challenge for coaches as it could make or break the fortunes of the teams.
2015-12-22

Can't let our guard down during PBL: Sindhu

P.V. Sindhu is gearing up to give her best for Chennai Smashers and said in the 15-point format of the game, you cannot let your guard down even for a bit.
2015-12-22

Rasika upset in quarters of All India Senior Ranking

Sixth seed Rasika Raje was shocked by unseeded Sai Uttejitha Rao in the All India Senior Ranking Badminton tournament at Cochin on Monday.
2015-12-22

Maiden Grand Prix title for Manu-Sumeeth in Mexico

The fast rising doubles combination of Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy claimed their maiden Grand Prix crown with a 22-20, 21-18 victory over Bodin Issara and Nipitphon Puangpuapech in the Mexico Open final.
2015-12-22

Jockey DK Ashish dies after tragic fall

Jockey DK Ashish breathed his last at 00.55 hours at a private hospital in Kolkata on Monday, succumbing to severe head injuries sustained barely 36 hours earlier at the city racecourse.
2015-12-22

Arjun Maini ties up with T-Sport for second F3 season

The 18-year-old first drove for the team at this year's Macau Grand Prix, piloting the car to a top 10 finish.
2015-12-21

PBL will prepare me for tough international calendar: Kashyap

Parupalli Kashyap is now all set to make a comeback at next month's Premier Badminton League and the ace Indian shuttler said the tournament will provide him much-needed match practice.
2015-12-21

Fury makes apology as Murray lifts BBC award

Tyson Fury, the boxer at the centre of controversy over comments about women and homosexuals, made an apology at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in Belfast on Sunday.
2015-12-21

Dean Jones reaches Lahore after 'deportation' row

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones reached Lahore tonight to take over as the coach of a team in Pakistan's new Twenty20 league after being deported on arrival in Islamabad last night for not having a valid visa.
2015-12-21

Pakistan interior affairs ministry to probe airline in Jones' fiasco

The ministry of interior affairs has ordered action against the foreign airlines which brought former Australian batsman Dean Jones to Islamabad from Dubai without a valid visa.
2015-12-21

Rasika beats Vrushali to enter quarterfinals

Sixth seed Rasika carved out two contrasting victories to book her place in the last eight.
2015-12-20

Dani finishes runner-up in Turkey international badminton tournament

The nineteen-year-old Dani caused two big upsets in the tournament to storm into the final.
2015-12-20

Mohammad Azharuddin denies he married for third time

Former India cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin on Sunday denied reports that he has married for a third time.
2015-12-20

Third time's the charm: Mohammad Azharuddin gets married, again

Azhar and Shannon were spotted together during a vacation in Paris in 2013, when Shannon had claimed that Azhar was just a friend. On Saturday however, Azhar, while visiting his deceased driver Jaan Mohammad's family in order to offer condolences, introduced Shannon as his wife.
2015-12-20

We'll benefit from high-intensity matches during PBL: Srikanth

India's ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has set his eyes on the Premier Badminton League, saying they will really benefit from the high-intensity matches when the event gets underway on January 2nd.
2015-12-20

WBA president plans India trip to promote pro-boxing

Professional boxing in India is all set to get a massive fillip with the president of WBA -- one of the four organisations which sanction world championship bouts -- Geroldo Jesus Mendoza planning a trip to the country.
2015-12-20

Vijender Singh enjoys knocking out big-talking rivals

Vijender Singh on Sunday said his rivals should think twice before making tall claims as it gives him immense pleasure to demolish their threats with his punches.
2015-12-20

Twin titles for Malvika in West Zone Junior Badminton

Malvika Bansod signed off 2015 badminton season in style with an excellent performance in the PNB MetLife West Zone Junior Badminton Championships which concluded at Goregaon Sports Club in Mumbai on Saturday.
2015-12-20

Vijender Singh registers third straight win in pro boxing

Star Indian boxer Vijender Singh kept his unbeaten run intact since turning pro earlier in the year with a victory over Samet Hyuseinov of Bulgaria via Technical Knock-Out.
2015-12-19

Glory inside ring, ignominy outside for Indian boxing

The administration of the sport itself remained in a state of paralysis but Vijender Singh's stunning professional plunge and Shiva Thapa's World Championships medal lifted the gloom to an extent for the rudderless ship called Indian boxing in the year going by.
2015-12-19

Controversial champ Fury to attend BBC award show

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury plans to attend the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award show despite the controversy over his nomination.
2015-12-19

Barthelemy defeats Shafikov to claim IBF lightweight title

Unbeaten Cuban Rances Barthelemy won a 12-round unanimous decision over Denis Shafikov to claim the vacant International Boxing Federation lightweight world title Friday in Las Vegas.
2015-12-19

Hyuseinov's taunt: Vijender still hits like an amateur

Vijender Singh would be keen on another knockout victory when he takes on the experienced Bulgarian boxer Samet Hyuseinov in his next professional contest in Manchester on Saturday.
2015-12-19

Ronaldo meets Beirut bombings orphan

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo gave a warm welcome Friday at the club's stadium to a little Lebanese boy who last month lost both parents in a Beirut attack that was claimed by the Islamic State group, the club said.
2015-12-19

Denmark's Boe trains with Mumbai youngsters

Whenever Mathias Boe, the Danish doubles super star, gets a free time he rushes to meet his girlfriend and actress Tapsee Panu with whom he is going steady since 2013.
2015-12-19

Nagpur shuttlers move up in Junior Badminton Championship

City shuttlers Malvika Bansod, Ashani Joshi, Aditi Sadhankar and Nikita Joseph advanced in the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship being played at the Goregaon Sports Club in Mumbai.
2015-12-19

Awadhe Warriors take on Mumbai Rockets in PBL opener

Saina Nehwal's team Awadhe Warriors take on Mumbai Rockets in the opening match of the Premier Badminton League in Mumbai on January 2 next year as the lucrative event resumes after a two-year gap.
2015-12-18

Virat Kohli's mobile game most sought after on Google Play

Virat Kohli's digital popularity continues to rise rapidly with his mobile game 'Virat Cricket Challenge' topping the charts on Google Play.
2015-12-18

There's not much scope for professional female boxers: Mary Kom

Mary Kom, the five-time World Amateur Boxing champion, visited Kanpur after almost a year on Wednesday to inaugurate a boxing championship and interact with the students at a local school.
2015-12-18

Saina to resume practice from next week in Bengaluru

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal is set to return to practice here from next week after recovering from an ankle injury, her father Harvir Singh said.
2015-12-18

Vijender eyes another knockout show against Hyuseinov

Boxer Vijender Singh would be eyeing a third successive knockout victory but the task seems easier said than done against an experienced and aggressive Samet Hyuseinov when the two square off in the star Indian boxer's maiden six-round professional contest.
2015-12-18

Ronaldo to invest EUR37m in 'CR7' hotels

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo announced he will invest over $40 million in hotels bearing his 'CR7' moniker in his native Portugal, Madrid and New York.
2015-12-18

Parupalli Kashyap confident of hitting top form

With the plummeting form of the top international men's shuttlers, Indians like Parupalli Kashyap and Srikanth Kidambi can fancy their chances at next year's Rio Olympics.
2015-12-18

Biopic on Saina is story of 'tigress beti': Amol Gupte

Filmmaker Amol Gupte, who is making a film on Indian badminton champion Saina Nehwal, says that the biopic is different as it is the story of a "tigress beti".
2015-12-18

Nagpur's BVM bag bronze medal in CBSE chess nationals

BVM, Shrikrishna Nagar, Nagpur secured the 3rd place in the National CBSE Chess Championship held recently at Kolkata.
2015-12-18

I don't need extra rounds to finish off Hyuseinov: Vijender Singh

Vijender Singh, who competes in his first six rounds contest this Saturday night at the Manchester Arena, says he won't need the extra rounds to finish off experienced Hungarian Samet Hyuseinov in his third professional bout.
2015-12-17

Srikanth, Kashyap drop a place each in badminton rankings

India's Kidambi Srikanth and Parupalli Kashyap dropped a place each to be ninth and 15th, respectively, in the world badminton rankings released.
2015-12-17

Rohit Sharma set to launch new cricket comic series

Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma is set to launch a new environmental superhero team called, 'HYPER TYGERS' in collaboration with Graphic India, UK based ISM Komix and Cornerstone Sport.
2015-12-17

Saina Nehwal shines in a subdued season for Indian badminton

Saina Nehwal continued to break new grounds in a year that saw her reach the pinnacle of world badminton but it turned out to be a subdued season, marred by injuries and poor form, for the rest of the Indian shuttlers.
2015-12-17

Wilder, Szpilka send message to heavyweight rivals

Unbeaten world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and his next challenger, Poland's Artur Szpilka, took aim at rival champion Tyson Fury in announcing their January 16 matchup in New York.
2015-12-17

'Macho' Camacho among seven elected to Hall of Fame

Puerto Rico's late boxing legend Hector "Macho" Camacho was among nine people announced as the newest inductees into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
2015-12-17

Concerns as ex-Ivory Coast defender vanishes

German police are looking for ex-Bundesliga player Steve Gohouri after the Ivory Coast international vanished after claiming he was heading to Paris to see his family.
2015-12-17

Shafikov faces Barthelemy for vacant lightweight crown

Unbeaten Cuban Rances Barthelemy fights for his second world title when he faces Russian southpaw Denis Shafikov in Las Vegas for the vacant International Boxing Federation lightweight crown.
2015-12-17

Hope floats after Rohtak girls sting like Mary Kom

Today, Jony Phogat, Nisha Phogat and Manisha Narwal are all set to fly to Serbia to represent India in the Junior World Boxing Championship for girls in January.
2015-12-17

BAI applauds Supreme Court's decision on PBL

With the SC squashing the High Court's stay order on the Premier Badminton League, Badminton Association of India has applauded the decision.
2015-12-16

Supreme Court gives green signal for Premier Badminton League

The Supreme Court allowed Badminton Association of India to hold Premier Badminton League which is scheduled from January 2.
2015-12-16

Meghalaya HC stays Premier Badminton League, BAI challenges order in SC

A fortnight before Premier Badminton League(PBL) is to start, clouds of uncertainty is hanging over the sporting event with Meghalaya High Court has stayed the tournament scheduled to be held from January 2 to January 17.
2015-12-15

I'm sorry India but your man Vijender is losing: Hyuseinov

Promising to be the most dangerous opponent that Vijender Singh has faced so far in his nascent pro career, Bulgarian Samet Hyuseinov said the Indian still punches like an amateur.
2015-12-15

PBL to have Trump Match, best of three games for 15 points

The Premier Badminton League will see the introduction of a 'Trump Match', a rule which could prove to be the game changer when the 16-day long event gets underway on January 2nd.
2015-12-15

Shiva Thapa, Mandeep Jangra among four boxers to receive IOC scholarships

In a massive fillip to their Olympic dreams, Shiva Thapa and Mandeep Jangra were among the four Indian boxers selected by the IOC for a scholarship.
2015-12-15

Virat Kohli set to have a mobile game on him

Indian Test captain Virat Kohli is set to have a game on him with a leading mobile game publisher announcing the launch of Virat Cricket Challenge.
2015-12-15

Academies needed in every state to catch up China: Prakash

India needs to set up a badminton academy in every state to hone the amount of talent the country has and bridge the huge gap that exists currently with powerhouse China, feels shuttle legend Prakash Padukone.
2015-12-15

Another one gets bowled over

Rohit Sharma married his long-term girlfriend and manager Ritika Sajdeh in Mumbai.
2015-12-15

Kevin Pietersen lets rip at Qantas 'muppets'

England exile Kevin Pietersen has let rip at Australian carrier Qantas, calling them "muppets" after he was refused entry to an airline lounge for wearing flip flops.
2015-12-15

Tejas, Keerthana make semis

Tejas Kallolkar faced a tough fight from Chinmaya Venkatesh before prevailing 21-16, 20-22, 23-21 to reach the semifinals of U-15 boys event in the Hollyhock sub-junior state-ranking tournament on Monday. Also advancing were Saket CS, Ajinkya Joshi and Bhargav S Gowda.
2015-12-14

Anand finishes 9th in London Classic; Carlsen wins

Reigning world champion Carlsen also won the Grand Chess Tour after winning the Classic on a lucky final day for him.
2015-12-14

Vijender Singh laughs off Hyuseinov's threats of a thrashing

Samet Hyuseinov has promised to send Vijender Singh back to India "beaten and broken" come December 19 but the Indian boxing star merely breaks into laughter at the very mention of the threat, saying he would respond in kind inside the ring.
2015-12-14

Engaging sports psychologist will help Saina in Rio: Prakash Padukone

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone says that in order to improve on the mental aspect, which he feels will play a vital role in clinching the gold at 2016 Rio Olympics, top shuttlers Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu should engage the services of a sports psychologist at the earliest.
2015-12-14

TATA OPEN - Sameer wins battle of siblings

Younger sibling Sameer Verma kept his top billing intact, beating elder brother Sourabh, to clinch the Tata Open International Challenge here at the CCI courts.
2015-12-14

Momota, Nozomi make it a double for Japan

Nozomi Okuhara and Ken to Momota extended their dream run to compete a grand double for Japan in the Metlife BWF Super Series Finals here at the Hamdan Sports Complex.
2015-12-14

Japan's Okuhara, Momota win Superseries Finals titles

Japanese shuttlers Kento Momota and Nozomi Okuhara emerged champions in the men's and women's singles categories, respectively, in the BWF Superseries Finals.
2015-12-13

Anand draws with Caruana at London Chess Classic

Viswanathan Anand brought an end to his run of three consecutive defeats and drew with Fabiano Caruana of United States in the eight and penultimate round of the London Chess Classic.
2015-12-13

MMA: Chinese fighter dies in Philippines after bid to make weight

Mixed martial arts fighter Yang Jian Bing of China died after collapsing from severe dehydration in his attempt to make the weight for a flyweight bout in the Philippine capital.
2015-12-13

Joshua wins British heavyweight title with 15th knockout

Olympic champion Anthony Joshua defeated former kick-boxer Dillian Whyte to take the British heavyweight title with a bruising seventh-round knockout and edge closer to a possible shot at the world crown.
2015-12-13

It's a family affair in men's final

Verma brothers Sameer and Sourabh kept the Indian flag flying high by reaching the men's singles finals of the $15,000 Tata Open International Challenge here at the CCI.
2015-12-13

BWF World Super Series Finals: Top seeds Marin, Long crash out

The penultimate day's play of the BWF World Super Series Finals turned out to be a nightmare for the top seeds.
2015-12-13

Cheers have just got louder for Saina

The 'Saina Squad' provided the much-needed vocal support from the back of the court inspiring the Indian ace to come up with a spectacular performance to down the world No. 1.
2015-12-13

BWF Super Series Finals: World champs Chen and Marin ousted in day of shocks

Both world singles champions, Chen Long and Carolina Marin, were beaten in straight games on a day when the 2015 form-book was torn up in the Super Series finals n Dubai.
2015-12-12

AICF felicitates medal winners of world youth chess meet

The All India Chess Federation felicitated the 11 medal winners in the last World Youth and Cadet Chess Championship at Halkidiki in Greece.
2015-12-12

Anand suffers another defeat at London Chess Classic

Viswanathan Anand's failed to change his fortune as the former world champion suffered his third defeat in four games at the London Chess Classic.
2015-12-12

Tai ends `drained' Saina's campaign

After raising the hopes with a stunning victory over Carolina Marin, Saina Nehwal failed to repeat her dazzling performance on Friday and crashed out of the BWF World Super Series Finals.
2015-12-12

Bayern's Ribery wins damages in cut short by Luxembourg

An appeal court in the EU small Duchy Reduced the damages on Thursday by one million euros ($ 1.1 million) from the 2.67 million euros
2015-12-12

Manny Pacquiao delays announcement of next opponent

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has delayed the planned announcement of his next opponent in what could be the final fight of his legendary career.
2015-12-11

Saina Nehwal crashes out as Indian challenge ends at BWF Superseries Finals

India's challenge ended at the BWF Superseries Finals after Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth lost their respective women's and men's singles matches in contrasting styles.
2015-12-11

Carolina Marin's shock loss pushes her to the verge of the exit

Carolina Marin, the world champion, the BWF player of the year, and the favourite to win the Super Series finals for the first time, was pushed to the edge of the exit after a second surprising defeat in two days.
2015-12-11

Anand loses to Grischuk, slips to ninth spot in London Chess Classic

Viswanathan Anand continued his roller-coaster ride in the London Chess Classic as he went down to Russian Grandmaster Alexander Grischuk in the sixth round that concluded here.
2015-12-11

Felt a bit nervous in comeback bout: Sarita

The one-year ban could not waver her focus but Asian Games bronze-medallist boxer L Sarita Devi today conceded that she did feel a moment of self-doubt while stepping into the ring for her comeback bout during the just-concluded training-cum-competition trip to China.
2015-12-11

Legend Schayes dies after cancer battle at age 87

2015-12-11

Police drop probe into 'homophobic' Fury comments

Newly crowned world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will not face police action over comments he made about homosexuality, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said late.
2015-12-11

Indians inspire Artyom to take on the Chinese

Uzbekistan's Artyom Savatyugin decided to play badminton with motivation from his father Oleg.
2015-12-11

Saina stuns Marin to stay in the hunt in Dubai

Against the run of play, Saina notched up a superb win, outsmarting Spain's Marin 23-21, 9-21, 21-12 in an hour and 15 minutes.
2015-12-11

Honduran footballer Arnold Peralta shot dead

Arnold Peralta, who previously played for Scottish giants Rangers and was in the Honduras squad for the London Olympics in 2012, was assassinated in his home city of La Ceiba, police spokesman Commissioner Leonel Sauceda told AFP.
2015-12-11

BWF Superseries Finals: Saina Nehwal scripts sensational victory against Carolina Marin

Saina Nehwal scripted a remarkable victory over Carolina Marin to turn around her campaign at the BWF Superseries Finals even as Srikanth faced exit after suffering his second straight loss.
2015-12-10

British board asks Fury to explain comments

Tyson Fury has been asked to attend a British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) hearing to explain his controversial recent media comments, the organisation announced on Thursday.
2015-12-10

Chen moves closer to another big final

Chen Long, the world number one from China who is making a good job of escaping from the shadow of the greatest player of all time, made certain of qualifying for Saturday's semi-finals in Dubai with a gear-changing second win at the group stage the Super Series finals.
2015-12-10

Didn't want to scare myself with funky hairstyle: Dravid

Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid says he never had any crazy hairstyles because he did not want to get up in the morning and "scare myself" by looking at the mirror.
2015-12-10

Srikanth on brink of exit from BWF Superseries Finals

Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth was pushed to the brink of exit after he suffered his second consecutive loss in the BWF Superseries Finals, losing in straight games to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen.
2015-12-10

Anand to meet Grischuk in round six of London Classic

Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand will have his task cut out when he takes on Russian Alexander Grischuk in the sixth round of the London Chess Classic.
2015-12-10

Let's share this pain suffered by people of Chennai: Umesh Yadav

Nagpur boy and Indian cricket team's feisty fast bowler Umesh Yadav bares his emotions in a heart-to-heart with Nagpur Times.
2015-12-10

Saina and Srikanth start on a losing note

The vociferous 'Saina Squad' failed to lift the off-colour Indian against an in-form Nozomi Okuhara who capitalised on Saina's sluggish movement .
2015-12-10

Boxer Muhammad Ali appears to take jab at Trump over Muslim comments

Former boxing champion Muhammad Ali, one of the best-known U.S. Muslims, appeared to join the chorus condemning the proposal by Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump to temporarily stop Muslims from entering the country.
2015-12-10

Believe in Jesus, Fury says as gay comment row grows

Tyson Fury turned to divine inspiration on Wednesday to answer his growing number of critics after days of courting controversy over his comments about women and homosexuality.
2015-12-10

IBF confirms its heavyweight belt stripped from Fury

The IBF has confirmed it stripped British boxer Tyson Fury of its world heavyweight belt because his next fight is not against its mandatory challenger.
2015-12-10

Hobbling Nehwal facing Super Series finals exit

Saina Nehwal, who became the first Indian woman to claim the world number one spot earlier in the year, looks certain to end her 2015 with an early departure from the Super Series finals in Dubai.
2015-12-10

Interview: Resurgent Ajay Jayaram making rapid strides

For an athlete who may have narrowly missed the cut for Olympics and faced career-threatening injuries, Jayaram's rise to the top has all the elements of a tale worth admiring.
2015-12-10

Aryamann, Anoushka shine in junior nationals

Two Gujarat shuttlers Aryamann Tandon and Anoushka Parikh did the state proud by winning bronze medals at the 40th Junior National Championships that concluded in Jaipur.
2015-12-09

Saina, Srikanth lose in BWF Superseries Finals

Ace Indian shuttlers, Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth, had a disappointing start to their campaign at the BWF Superseries Finals as they suffered straight-game defeats on the opening day of the prestigious event.
2015-12-09

Bhavya loses in round two after downing Indonesian rival

Bhavya Rishi of India wore down her Indonesian rival Sima Fatma Kusuma in three games but then lost in the second qualifying round of the women's singles at the $15,000 Tata Open International Badminton Challenge.
2015-12-09

School girl Bhavya downs Indonesian rival to enter main draw

Bhavya Rishi of India wore down her Indonesian rival Sima Fatma Kusuma in three games in the qualifiers to enter the main draw of the women's singles at the $15,000 Tata Open International Badminton Challenge.
2015-12-09

Chen Long makes up for Lin Dan's absence

World champion Chen Long began his defence of the title at the BWF Superseries Finals in Dubai with performances on and off court that helped make up for the absence of his legendary compatriot Lin Dan.
2015-12-09

'Repugnant' Fury not welcome at awards ceremony

Newly crowned world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury was in the spotlight again as Britain's Sports Journalists' Association told him to stay away from its annual awards ceremony.
2015-12-09

Indian boxers garner mixed results on last day of China trip

After a couple of comprehensive wins, L Sarita Devi (60kg) tasted defeat as Indian boxers wrapped up their training-cum-competition trip to the Chinese city of Qian'an with mixed results.
2015-12-09

Gareth Bale backs Virat Kohli's start-up venture Sport Convo

Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale on Wednesday announced his support for Indian Test captain Virat Kohli's social networking start-up venture 'Sport Convo'.
2015-12-09

Anand back in business after crushing Topalov in London

Viswanathan Anand bounced back from his fourth round loss and beat his former world championship challenger Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in the fifth round of London Chess Classic.
2015-12-09

Saina supports CAF India's Tamil Nadu Flood Relief Appeal

India's top shuttler and World No. 2 Saina Nehwal joined hands with Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India, a non-profit organization, to lend support to the flood victims of Tamil Nadu.
2015-12-09

GSFC offers job to national-level shooter forced to sell noodles

Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation (GSFC) has come forward with a job offer for Pushpa Gupta, a 21-year-old national-level shooter, who was forced to sell noodles from a cart in order to earn a living and support her family.
2015-12-09

Fury stripped of IBF belt: Report

British heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has been stripped of one his world titles less than two weeks after winning it, the BBC reported.
2015-12-09

If Saina can, why can't our men do it, asks Prakash Padukone

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone feels men shuttlers need to work harder to reach the pinnacle.
2015-12-09

Police investigate 'homophobic' Fury comments

British police are investigating newly crowned world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury over comments he made about homosexuality, a spokeswoman from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
2015-12-09

For Santosh, it's a Dakar rally encore

It's often easy to get too focused on the final goal that the journey gets blurred.That's what happened with Chunchunguppe Shivashanka Santosh, better known as CS Santosh, who became the first Indian biker to compete at the treacherous Dakar Rally last year.
2015-12-09

Superseries Final: Saina Nehwal, K Srikanth head the Indian challenge

Eight, set and go. The Hamdan Sports Complex is ready to witness high class badminton action as the world's top eight shuttlers fight for their share of the biggest prize money on offer in the sport during the Superseries Finals which begins here.
2015-12-09

Cricket South Africa's official Facebook page hacked, Explicit content posted

Followers of Cricket South Africa's official Facebook page were in for a rude shock as their news feed started filling up with explicit content and images.
2015-12-09

Nithin bags fine double

Fifth seed Nithin HV bagged a fine double, winning the U-15 singles and doubles titles at the ASA state sub-junior ranking badminton tournament in Bengaluru.
2015-12-08

Shuttler Carolina Marin wins Female Player of the Year award

All England and World champion Carolina Marin pipped India ace Saina Nehwal to win the Female Player of the Year award from BWF President Poul-Erik H¸yer in Dubai night.
2015-12-08

No expectations, I just hope to give a good fight, says Saina

Saina Nehwal is not expecting big results from BWF Super Series Finals but said she will give her opponents in pool A a tough fight.
2015-12-08

Prakash Padukone worried about lack of depth in women's group

While praising the depth in the Indian men's ranks and expecting it to last for the next ten years, badminton legend Prakash Padukone lamented that the distaff side did not possess the same depth in class after world no. 2 Saina Nehwal and no. 12 P V Sindhu.
2015-12-08

Anand loses to Nakamura in London Chess Classic

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand suffered a defeat at the hands of Hikaru Nakamura of United States in the fourth round of London Chess Classic.
2015-12-08

Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth eye good show at BWF Super Series Finals

After a much-needed rest following a feet injury, Saina Nehwal will look to continue her rampaging form, while Kidambi Srikanth would be hoping to carry on his confidence from Indonesia Masters.
2015-12-08

PBL: Srikanth, Ashwini were our targets, says team Bengaluru

Bengaluru Top Guns bagged world No. 9 Kidambi Srikanth for a staggering $80,000 and doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa for $30,000, apart from a rough gem in China's Suo Di for her base price.
2015-12-08

Sub-junior badminton: Bhargav, Nithin in final

Bhargav defeated Abhiman Andekuli 21-15, 21-13 while Nithin HV ousted Saneeth S Dayanand 21-19, 21-17. The duo then teamed up to enter the doubles final, where they will face Ajinkya Joshi and Saket CS.
2015-12-08

Sarita continues winning return in China training trip

Asian Games bronze-medallist L Sarita Devi (60kg) continued to shine in her return to competitive boxing, notching up a second successive victory in the training-cum-competition assignment.
2015-12-07

Saina Nehwal, Lee Chong Wei top buys at PBL auction

Saina Nehwal and Lee Chong Wei were the costliest buys, fetching the maximum prize of $100,000, while PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth were bought for a whopping $95,000 and $80,000 respectively.
2015-12-07

BWF World Superseries 2015: Chen Long aims to crown his most successful year

World number one Chen Long hopes to crown by far the most successful year of his career by retaining his title at the Super Series finals starting here on Wednesday - though the late withdrawal of his legendary compatriot Lin Dan offers the hint of a long term warning.
2015-12-07

Viswanathan Anand misses his chances before surviving against Magnus Carlsen

iswanathan Anand finally put up a brave front in a difficult situation to draw with world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the third round of the London Chess Classic.
2015-12-07

Vijender to face experienced Bulgarian Samet Hyuseinov next

High on confidence after two knockout wins, Vijender Singh will face his most experienced opponent so far when he squares off against Bulgarian Samet Hyuseinov.
2015-12-07

Srikanth goes down fighting in final

The 22-year-old, did all that he could, but on a day when the crowd and chair umpire turned against him even lady luck deserted him.
2015-12-07

Saina to play for Lucknow in PBL

Interestingly, the auction for Saina Nehwal and Chong Wei was over on Sunday night itself.
2015-12-07

World chess chief hands over powers after US sanctions

The head of the World Chess Federation (FIDE), Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, has temporarily transferred most of his powers to his deputy after being added to a US sanctions list for alleged ties to the Syrian regime, the organisation said.
2015-12-06

Fury stands by controversial views on women

New world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has repeated views on women that have seen him accused of sexism and declared that he is "a good role model" for children.
2015-12-06

Anand draws with Aronian in London Classic second round

Former world champion Viswanathan Anand came out unscathed with his first black game and got an easy draw against Levon Aronian of Armenia in the second round of the London Chess Classic.
2015-12-06

Chinmaya claims boys U-16 title

Chinmaya Venkatesh defeated Saketh Upadhya 21-16, 21-19 to claim the boys U-16 title in the 12th Ramesh Padukone-Mehul Sirur memorial inter-school badminton tournament at the Canara Union.
2015-12-06

Professionalism may come at a price but has its rewards, says Prakash Padukone

Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone stressed the need for elite Indian sportspersons to be open to the idea of investing their earnings on their careers and not look to depend solely on federations, foundations or the government for support.
2015-12-06

Saket, Chinmaya enter final of Ramesh Padukone-Mehul Sirur memorial inter-school badminton

Saket CS beat Shivadeep Jayanth 21-8, 21-18 to set up a boys U-14 final against Chinmaya Venkatesh in the 12th Ramesh Padukone-Mehul Sirur memorial inter-school badminton tournament
2015-12-06

Dipika Pallikal to contribute Rs 2 lakh to flood relief fund

India's top squash player and Chennai resident Dipika Pallikal pledged a contribution of Rs 2 lakh to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund in the wake of the devastating floods that have hit the city and the state.
2015-12-06

BIZARRE: Irked by cracked windscreen, driver parks cab on cricket pitch to lodge protest

In Queensland's Warehouse Cricket Association B1 fixture between Macgregor and Griffith universities, a straight lift from Macgregor's Nigel Sherborne went sailing over the boundary and smashed the windscreen of a parked cab.
2015-12-06

50 shuttlers up for auction at badminton league on Monday

A list of 50 shuttlers will be up for auction for the Premier Badminton League (PBL) here, the organisers announced.
2015-12-06

Uttarakhand's Lakshya and Chirag Sen win national junior badminton championship

Uttarakhand's Lakshya Sen and his brother Chirag Sen clinched the under-17 and under-19 singles titles respectively at the 40th National Junior Badminton championship played at Jaipur on Sunday.
2015-12-06

Kidambi Srikanth loses Indonesian Masters final

Indian shutter Kidambi Srikanth lost his men's singles final at the $120,000 Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold.
2015-12-06

National level shooter reduced to selling noodles for survival

Lack of funds have forced Pushpa Gupta, a 21-year-old national-level shooter, to leave the 'expensive' sport and sell noodles from a cart in order to earn a living and support her family as well and it's a heartbreaking sight as she has hung her shiny medal on the cart to attract customers.
2015-12-06

Sarita, Shiva, Devendro win in China

Asian Games bronze-medallist L Sarita Devi (60kg) returned to competitive boxing after her one-year ban with a resounding victory in the opening contest of the training-cum-competition assignment in the Chinese city of Qian'an.
2015-12-06

Mary Kom loses in semis of Olympic Test event

Five-time world champion, London Olympic bronze-medallist and Asian Games gold medallist MC Mary Kom lost on points to United States' Virginia Fuchs in the Brazilian city, which will host the Olympic Games next year.
2015-12-06

Vijender Singh: People enjoy when I knock out a guy

The pro boxer talks about how he deals with the blows in the ring and the highs and lows in life.
2015-12-06

INDONESIA MASTERS - Srikanth enters final

Shrugging off his poor form this season Kidambi Srikanth waltzed into the finals of the Indonesia Masters Grand Prix Gold with a dominant victory against local lad Antony Ginting 21-12, 21-19 in Malang .
2015-12-06

Harbhajan launches BookMySports, India's first digital sports platform

Offspinner Harbhajan Singh anchored website launch of India's first-ever comprehensive sports platform BookMySports at a five-star in the capital.
2015-12-05

Anand draws with Adams in London Classic Chess opener

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand failed to press hard with his white pieces and had to settle for a draw with Michael Adams of England in the first round of the London Chess Classic.
2015-12-05

It's upto players to choose between country and PBL: Gopichand

Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand said that Premier Badminton League helps shuttlers to boost their career but it's left to the players to decide whether they should play for the country or the PBL especially when they are recovering from an injury.
2015-12-05

Star Sports to be broadcast partner of Premier Badminton League

The Premier Badminton League announced Star Sports as their official broadcast partner for the upcoming season, which begins on January 2.
2015-12-05

Srikanth storms into Indonesian Masters final

Kidambi Srikanth is showing signs of having regained his old form as he entered the men's singles final of the $120,000 Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold with a straight games victory.
2015-12-05

Motor racing: Verstappen sweeps hat-trick of awards

Dutch rookie Max Verstappen, signed controversially as a 16-year-old by Toro Rosso, has swept a hat-trick of awards after confounding his critics in an impressive debut Formula One season.
2015-12-05

BBC defends shortlist after Tyson Fury slur on women

Asked about British heptathlete Ennis-Hill in the interview, he said: "I think she's good, she's won quite a few medals for Britain, she slaps up good as well, when she's got a dress on she looks quite fit."
2015-12-04

Mary Kom enters semifinals of Rio Olympics Test event

Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom (51kg) assured herself and India of at least a bronze medal by advancing to the semifinals of the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) Olympic Test event in Rio de Janeiro.
2015-12-04

Mary Kom enters semifinals of Rio Olympics Test event

Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom (51kg) assured herself and India of at least a bronze medal by advancing to the semifinals of the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) Olympic Test event in Rio de Janeiro.
2015-12-04

Indonesian Masters: Sindhu crashes out, Srikanth enters semis

Kidambi Srikanth remained India's lone challenge at the $120,000 Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold as PV Sindhu lost her women's singles quarterfinal on Friday.
2015-12-04

Saina Nehwal to donate Rs 2 lakh for TN flood victims

Star shuttler Saina Nehwal would donate Rs two lakh for the people affected by heavy rains and flood in Tamil Nadu, her father said.
2015-12-04

Sindhu, Srikanth make the QF grade

A day after facing tough time against a lower ranked player, Sindhu faced no such problems as she thrashed unseeded Indonesian Wulan Cahya Utami Sukoputri 21-12, 21-9 in the pre-quaterfinals.
2015-12-04

Saina Nehwal nominated for BWF Woman Player of the Year Award

Saina Nehwal has been nominated for the BWF Woman Player of the Year Award after a consistent season which saw her occupy the world number one spot for a brief period. Saina will vie for the coveted honour along with world No. 1 Carolina Marin, 2014 winner Zhao Yunlei and Bao Yixin.
2015-12-04

Shuttler Prannoy knocked out of Indonesian Masters

H.S. Prannoy was knocked out of Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold when he lost his men's singles second round contest to Chinese shuttler Shi Yuqi.
2015-12-03

Saina, Sindhu static; Srikanth slips in BWF Rankings

Despite clinching the Macau Open title for the third time, ace shuttler PV Sindhu remained static at 12th position in the latest BWF world rankings released on Thursday.
2015-12-03

Sindhu, Srikanth reach third round of Indonesia Masters

Top seeds P V Sindhu and K Srikanth notched up contrasting victories to advance to the third round of the $120,000 Indonesia Masters Grand Prix Gold tournament on Thursday.
2015-12-03

Sania Mirza counters MP government's charges

Seeking to counter charges levelled against her by the Madhya Pradesh government, tennis star Sania Mirza on Thursday issued a statement justifying the need for a chartered plane to attend the central Indian state's annual sports awards ceremony.
2015-12-03

Injuries didn't leave me, could have won more titles: Saina Nehwal

Saina dished out some superb performances this year to win the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold and India Open Super Series, before conquering the world No. 1 ranking and reaching the finals of World Championships, All England Championships and China Open Super Series Premier.
2015-12-03

Benzema says victim of 'persecution' in sex-tape case

Karim Benzema claimed that he was a victim of "persecution" in the sex-tape blackmail case which has rocked French football.
2015-12-03

Sindhu survives Mariska scare

Sindhu, who won her third straight title at Macau, faced stiff resistance in the first round.
2015-12-03

MP dumps Sania after her demand for jet

Instead of inviting Sania, sports minister invited senior badminton coach Pullela Gopichand to attend the function.
2015-12-03

Klitschko to take up Fury rematch option

Former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko said on Wednesday he will take up the contractual option of a rematch against Tyson Fury in an attempt to win back his belts.
2015-12-02

Rohit Sharma meets PM Modi, invites him for his wedding

India cricketer Rohit Sharma met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament House to invite him for his marriage on December 13.
2015-12-02

Four Indians reach second round of Indonesia Masters

Indian shuttlers had a good day at Indonesia Masters as four of them, including P V Sindhu and K Srikanth, reached the second round of the $120,000 Grand Prix Gold tournament.
2015-12-02

Dhoni to play charitable golf event in US

India limited-over skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will participate in a two-day Executive Golf Invitational event to be held at the Phoenician Golf Club in USA from December 5.
2015-12-02

Chadha keen to spin a Web

World No. 39 Anirban Lahiri's success on the USPGA Tour seems to have inspired Abhijit Singh Chadha to set his sights on the world' most lucrative Tour.
2015-12-02

Former boxing champ Taylor pleads guilty to Arkansas charges

Taylor, 37, had earlier indicated he would contest the charges that include shooting and wounding a cousin in 2014 near the boxer's suburban Little Rock home.
2015-12-02

Gaurav Bidhuri fetches 2nd WSB stint, picked by USA Knockouts

Indian boxer Gaurav Bidhuri bagged a second successive stint in the IBA's semi-professional World Series of Boxing after being picked by USA Knockouts in the draft.
2015-12-01

South African team scores high on the wild pitch in India

Nagpur Test match between India and South Africa created a lot of furore recently, with many South African players and commentators blaming the pitch at the VCA Stadium, Jamtha for the debacle of the Proteas.
2015-12-01

Fury accuses Klitschko camp of trying to drug him

Tyson Fury has accused Wladimir Klitschko's camp of being "cheats" and says he refused to accept any water after beating the Ukrainian in Saturday's world heavyweight title fight for fear of being drugged.
2015-11-30

Sindhu, Srikanth eye Indonesia Masters title

After completing a hat-trick of titles at Macau Open, Indian shuttler P V Sindhu is now training her eyes at the Indonesia Masters Grand Prix Gold.
2015-11-30

Karnataka name 20-member squad for Junior National Badminton Championships

Karnataka named a strong 20-member squad for the Junior National Badminton Championships (U-17, U-19) to be held at Jaipur from Dec 2 to Dec 6.
2015-11-30

Badminton legend Lin Dan outlines sharper focus for Rio 2016

Two-time Olympic badminton champion Lin Dan will scale back commercial activities in a bid to turn his focus squarely on next year's Olympic Games, has said.
2015-11-30

BAI to give Sindhu 10 lakh for Macau Open win

Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Monday announced a cash award of Rs 10 lakh for PV Sindhu in recognition of her impressive title victory at the Macau Open.
2015-11-30

My immediate target is Indonesia Open: PV Sindhu

Two-time World Championship bronze-medallist PV Sindhu finished runners-up at Denmark Open, her maiden Super Series final appearance, and then clinched her first trophy of the season at the Macau Open on Sunday.
2015-11-30

PV Sindhu grabs a rare title hat-trick in Macau

PV Sindhu, who lost almost half of 2015 to a heel injury, extended her unbeaten reign in Macau and not only ended her title drought but also brought cheer to the Indian ranks, starved as they have been for titles in the last six months.
2015-11-30

The 2015 Formula One season in numbers

The 2015 Formula One season in numbers after the final race in Abu Dhabi on Sunday:
2015-11-29

'Lucky' Fury already relishing Klitschko rematch

Tyson Fury insists he is just a 'normal person who got lucky' enough to become the new world heavyweight champion and is already relishing a rematch against Wladimir Klitschko.
2015-11-29

Hope to be fit ahead of World Superseries Finals: Saina Nehwal

Still recuperating from a foot injury, World championship silver medallist Saina Nehwal exuded confidence of regaining her fitness ahead of the prestigious BWF World Superseries Finals.
2015-11-29

Perez secures fifth place in season-ending Abu Dhabi GP

Sergio Perez ended his 2015 Formula One season with a solid fifth place as Sahara Force India enjoyed a double-points finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last race on the calender, here today.
2015-11-29

I haven't been to Taj Mahal yet and that's one place on my wish list: Martina Hingis

In a quick chat with Martina Hingis before her Champions Tennis League match in Chennai, she opened up about her partnerships with Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, her plans post retirement, visits to India and more.
2015-11-29

Sarita, Shiva in Indian team for China exposure trip

On a comeback trail after serving out her one-year ban, Asian Games bronze-medallist L Sarita Devi will be seen in competitive action from December 1 as part of a 13-strong Indian team.
2015-11-29

Briton DeGale beats Bute to defend title

Former olympic gold medalist James DeGale successfully defended his IBF super middleweight title for the first time with a unanimous decision over Canada's Lucian Bute.
2015-11-29

PV Sindhu wins Macau Open Grand Prix Gold third year in a row

Star Indian shuttler PV Sindhu defeated Minatsu Mitani of Japan in the summit clash of Macau Open Grand Prix Gold to win the title third year in a row in Macau. Sindhu came through with a 21-9, 21-23, 21-14 scoreline against the sixth-seed Mitani.
2015-11-29

A day after Nagpur Test, wildlife fun for players

Cricketers getting time to relax is rarity these days. This series has been different. The first Test match in Mohali finished in three days and in Banglaore the last four days got washed out.
2015-11-29

Fury vows to be 'most charming champ since Ali'

Britain's Tyson Fury has vowed to be "the most charismatic champion since Muhammad Ali" after delivering on his promise to dethrone Wladimir Klitschko and become the new world heavyweight champion.
2015-11-29

Klitschko demands Fury rematch after bruising loss

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko demanded a rematch minutes after losing his four world titles to British challenger Tyson Fury in a stunning unanimous points decision.
2015-11-29

Source: Times of India News

LATEST ABBREVIATIONS USED

Premier Badminton League (PBL)
Nagpur District Chess Association(NDCA)
London Chess Classic(LCC)
British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC)
Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation (GSFC)
World Chess Federation (FIDE)
Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold(IMGPG)
International Boxing Association's (AIBA)
Badminton Association of India (BAI)

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Monthly Sports Current Affairs November 2015
Monthly Sports Current Affairs October 2015