Times of India

Paris Olympics double medallist Manu Bhaker is showing a more flexible approach as she prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. After coach Jaspal Rana’s sudden death, Bhaker has adapted to Serbian coach Jelena Arunovic’s methods, spending over eight hours training daily. Jelena says Bhaker’s openness to new ideas reflects her hunger to improve, with the 24-year-old focused on becoming better and more consistent.

Simone Biles’ extraordinary gymnastics journey began with an ordinary daycare field trip when she was just six. During a visit to a Houston gymnastics center, Biles copied the gymnasts she watched, catching a coach’s attention. The center later sent a letter home encouraging her to try gymnastics. That small invitation opened the door to a career that would eventually make Biles one of the greatest gymnasts in history.

In 1911, reindeer were introduced to South Georgia by Norwegian whalers. This led to significant ecological issues, as the absence of natural predators allowed their numbers to explode, resulting in harm to delicate coastal ecosystems and native species. A comprehensive eradication initiative was launched, successfully culling almost 7,000 reindeer, thereby aiding the natural recuperation of the damaged habitats, with native flora and seabirds starting to reappear.

PV Sindhu's World Championships campaign ended in controversy as Wang Zhi Yi overcame cramps, a hostile Delhi crowd and the five-time medallist to snap her unbeaten record against Chinese shuttlers at the Worlds. Ayush Shetty also bowed out, while Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Satwik-Chirag marched into the quarter-finals.

A 25-year-old air hostess was sexually assaulted after a man gained entry to her flat. The accused impersonated a transgender person and claimed to perform a ritual for warding off evil. Police arrested Anil Shinde, 28, within four hours after tracing his movements via CCTV. Shinde also collected Rs 200 from the victim before fleeing the scene. Authorities are investigating if Shinde has committed similar offenses previously.

Smallwood Lake in Michigan has started refilling after work on Smallwood Dam reached substantial completion in July. The refill began on August 4 and is expected to take eight to 10 weeks. Meanwhile, work continues at Secord and Edenville dams, with Secord facing a delay after crews found a problem with a spillway gate.

Joe Root achieved a significant milestone by equaling Sachin Tendulkar's record for most Test half-centuries. He scored his 68th fifty during England's first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. Root and Cox built a crucial partnership to give England a first-innings lead. England's pace bowlers, Robinson and Tongue, took five wickets each to dismiss Pakistan. The team secured a first-innings lead after bowling Pakistan out for 171.

Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant opens up about how difficult grief has been for her as their lives changed overnight in 2020.

Government departments requested removal of nearly 2.98 lakh URLs from social media platforms. States accounted for the majority of these takedown requests, sending 2.44 lakh URLs. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre flagged over 51,000 URLs related to various scams. This action follows widespread student protests and content blocking reports on social media. Government rules were amended to expedite the removal of unlawful online content.

Virgin Australia has issued an apology to Shane Hryhorec after he was removed from a flight due to a misunderstanding regarding the safety of his wheelchair's power add-on motor. Despite Hryhorec's explanation that the device easily detaches, airline staff insisted on his removal. This incident unveils the need for improved accessibility training in airlines. In response, Virgin Australia is reassessing staff procedures and offering Hryhorec a full refund.

The 2026/27 Premier League season begins with Arsenal defending their title and three promoted clubs returning to the top flight. With nine English clubs competing in Europe, another fiercely contested title race and battles for European qualification and survival expected, the new campaign promises plenty of drama. Here’s everything you need to know, including key statistics, players, managers and opening fixtures.

Ashton Hall teamed up with Conor McGregor for a high-energy Mac Energy shoot just eight days after McGregor’s knee surgery. Hall called the experience a “war with my brother,” while McGregor said he ignored his doctor’s advice to rest. McGregor is recovering from an ACL and meniscus injury suffered during his UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway earlier this summer.

Economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said the change means eligible rupee payments for exports to countries other than Nepal and Bhutan will now qualify for FTP benefits and can also be counted towards meeting export obligations.

India is set to boost its solar cell production capability in the near future. This project is designed to comply with local-content regulations and to close the existing supply deficiencies. By December 2027, a noticeable increase in cell output is anticipated, driven by new investments aimed at ensuring long-term energy resilience. The market is evolving to meet local demands, effectively alleviating supply issues.

The 2026 US Open will offer a record $108 million in player compensation. Singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, a significant increase from previous years. Even first-round losers will earn a record $140,000, reflecting broader prize money hikes. A new player support program and a Grand Slam Player Council were also announced. This initiative aims to strengthen financial support and player involvement in tournament decisions.

Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio are two different generations of WWE success. Reigns has generated more present-day earning power from his premium WWE position, merchandise royalties and entertainment work, while Mysterio’s wealth reflects almost four decades in wrestling, licensing and merchandise. A look at their estimated net worth, career earnings, endorsements, assets and lasting WWE legacy explains why Reigns is winning the money game.