When Ancy Alexander lost her husband, Aneesh Ananth, suddenly at the age of 44, her counsellor encouraged her to become physically active as a way of coping with grief. Although Ancy had never played a sport before, she decided to try football because it reminded her of her husband, who had loved cricket, tennis and football. She hoped that playing the game would be a meaningful way to honour his memory.

Her search for opportunities to play women’s football led her to Sisters in Sweat (SIS), an organisation founded by former national hockey player Swetha Subbiah and national-level footballer Tanvie Hans. SIS began in 2017 when a group of women came together simply to play football, exercise and have fun. The first session attracted 17 women and was so successful that they wanted to continue meeting every weekend.

Since then, SIS has grown from a WhatsApp group into a larger community offering activities such as basketball, pickleball, swimming, tennis, running, yoga and Pilates. It now operates in seven cities and has more than 12,000 women and girls between the ages of 16 and 60. One of the major challenges it addresses is access. Many sports facilities are dominated by men, which can make women, particularly beginners, feel uncomfortable or intimidated.

For many participants, sport provides more than exercise. It offers confidence, independence and a sense of identity. In a society where women’s lives can often be heavily shaped by expectations and limited choices, sport gives them a space where they can make decisions, compete, have fun and simply be themselves. The rise of women’s recreational sport is taking place alongside significant progress in competitive sport. Indian women athletes such as Manu Bhaker, P. V. Sindhu, Lovlina Borgohain and members of the national cricket team have become role models for younger generations. Their achievements demonstrate that women can succeed at the highest levels of sport and inspire others to participate.

The stories of athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds make this progress even more powerful. Asmita Dey, for example, grew up in a small village in Tripura as the daughter of a cycle mechanic. Financial difficulties did not prevent her from pursuing sport, even though her family had to take loans to support her participation in overseas training camps. Similarly, para-athlete Sharmila Dhanker began competing in shot put at the age of 34 after overcoming childhood polio, an early marriage and an abusive relationship. Her journey shows that it is never necessarily too late to begin a sporting career.

Despite these successes, many girls continue to leave sport as they grow older. Research has linked participation in sport with improved confidence, academic performance and career opportunities, yet girls drop out at higher rates than boys. Fear of judgment, lack of confidence, inadequate facilities and social expectations all contribute to this decline. In India, access to sport often becomes particularly limited after girls leave college, while basic requirements such as safe playing spaces and clean toilets remain inadequate.

Organisations such as Sisters in Sweat and Ready Set Girl are trying to change this situation by creating communities where women and girls can participate in sport without feeling that they have to become professional athletes. Their message is that sport does not always have to be about medals, representing a state or playing for the country. It can simply be about enjoyment, friendship, competition and having a space to move freely. The greatest benefit of women’s participation in sport may not be a medal. Sport can give women the confidence and freedom to occupy public spaces, make decisions, travel, develop their abilities and express themselves. For women who play simply because they enjoy it, the act of playing itself is a victory.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Rescue teams continued their efforts on Friday to reach three workers who remain trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Chamoli district after a sudden inflow of water and debris disrupted work at the site. The incident took place in the Pipalkoti area, where construction work was underway as part of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project. A sudden surge of water and debris entered the tunnel while workers were inside, leaving several people trapped underground and prompting an immediate rescue response.

Rescue agencies have managed to bring a number of workers out of the affected section, while seven workers have reportedly died in the incident. Several rescued workers were also taken for medical treatment. The search for the three workers still inside the tunnel remains the main priority for authorities. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and other emergency agencies have been deployed at the site. Heavy machinery is being used to remove mud, rocks and other debris blocking access to the affected section. Rescue teams are also working to control the water accumulating inside the tunnel.

The operation has proved difficult because of unstable ground conditions and the large amount of debris inside the structure. Rescuers are having to carefully clear the passage while ensuring that further movement of rocks or water does not put their own teams at risk. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the area and reviewed the ongoing rescue operation. Officials briefed him on the conditions inside the tunnel and the efforts being made to reach the trapped workers. The administration has directed rescue agencies to use all available resources to locate and evacuate them safely.

The accident has once again highlighted the challenges involved in carrying out major infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand's mountainous terrain. The region is vulnerable to landslides, sudden water movement and other geological hazards, making safety and emergency preparedness particularly important at underground construction sites. For now, rescue teams remain focused on reaching the three workers still trapped inside the tunnel. Operations are continuing as authorities work to clear the obstruction, manage the water and create a safe route for their evacuation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, on Thursday, August 13, 2026. According to initial reports, Badal was allegedly attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang while visiting the religious site. He was subsequently rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The incident reportedly occurred during Badal’s visit to a gurdwara in Nanded. The exact circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain unclear, and authorities are investigating what led to the alleged assault. Badal reportedly suffered an injury to his hand in the incident. A member of his security team was also injured while attempting to intervene. Both were taken to a private hospital, according to reports. Further information about Badal’s condition was awaited as authorities continued their investigation.

Police have reportedly taken the alleged attacker into custody. Investigators are examining eyewitness accounts and other evidence to establish the sequence of events and determine the motive behind the attack. The incident has attracted significant attention because of Badal’s prominent political position and his previous experience of being targeted.

In December 2024, Badal survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. A gunman had fired at him while he was performing religious service, but the attempt was foiled after people nearby intervened. The latest incident in Nanded is expected to raise fresh questions about security arrangements for political leaders visiting religious places and other public locations. Authorities are continuing to investigate the attack, while more details about the suspect, the motive and Badal’s medical condition are expected to emerge.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

A US federal court has dismissed the criminal case against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and former Adani Green Energy chief executive Vneet Jaain, bringing an end to a closely watched legal battle that began with a 2024 indictment. US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis of the Eastern District of New York approved the US Justice Department's request to dismiss the case. The indictment had accused the defendants of involvement in an alleged scheme connected with solar-power contracts in India. The defendants had denied the allegations.

The case stemmed from allegations made by US prosecutors that executives linked to Adani Green Energy were involved in a scheme to pay more than $250 million in alleged bribes to Indian government officials to secure lucrative solar-energy contracts. Prosecutors had also alleged that investors and financial institutions were misled about aspects of the company's business and compliance practices.

The indictment attracted international attention because of Gautam Adani's position as one of India's most prominent businessmen and the size of the Adani Group's operations across infrastructure, energy, ports and other sectors. The proceedings also raised concerns among investors about the potential impact of the US case on the conglomerate's international financing and expansion plans.

The Justice Department moved in May to end the criminal prosecution, saying it had reviewed the matter and decided not to devote additional government resources to pursuing the charges. The request, however, did not immediately receive approval from the court. Judge Garaufis had previously questioned the government's initial explanation for seeking dismissal and asked prosecutors to provide further details supporting their decision. After considering the additional explanation, the court ultimately allowed the criminal case to be dismissed.

The dismissal was granted with prejudice, which is significant because it means the same criminal prosecution cannot ordinarily be brought again on the same allegations. The decision therefore provides a definitive end to the criminal proceedings against Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Vneet Jaain. The court's decision should not be interpreted as a verdict following a criminal trial. The allegations were not tested before a jury and there was no finding of guilt or acquittal after trial. Instead, the case ended after the Justice Department sought dismissal and the court granted the request.

The criminal case is also separate from civil proceedings involving the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In a separate settlement, Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani agreed to pay a combined $18 million to resolve SEC allegations. The settlement was made without admitting or denying wrongdoing. The latest court decision is nevertheless a significant development for the Adani Group. The dismissal removes a major criminal legal uncertainty surrounding its senior leadership and could allow investors to focus more closely on the group's business performance and future expansion.

The case had remained under intense scrutiny in India and overseas since the 2024 indictment. With the US court now dismissing the criminal charges with prejudice, one of the most prominent legal challenges facing Gautam Adani and his associates in the United States has formally come to an end.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Myanmar's military government has released rare images of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting a Red Cross official, marking her first known contact with the outside world since the 2021 coup. The photos were released just ahead of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first official visit to Thailand, prompting speculation about their political significance.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

On Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Singaporean singer-songwriter Frances Tan, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Song Contest — an international music competition featuring participants from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Tan shares her experience of being chosen as a Grand Finalist, representing Singapore alongside six other finalist nations. She also discusses her original track, Just Me, which she submitted as her contest entry.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.

Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.