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  With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to prepare Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweets at home. Many devotees love making festive offerings themselves, adding a personal touch to the celebration. Here are two traditional recipes— Steamed Modak and Motichoor-style Laddu —to prepare for the occasion. Steamed Modak Ingredients: Rice flour – 1 cup Grated coconut – 1 cup Jaggery – 1 cup Cardamom powder – a pinch Salt – ½ teaspoon Oil – ½ teaspoon Method: Heat a pan on low flame and dry roast the grated coconut for a few minutes, then set aside. In another pot, boil 1 cup of water. Add the jaggery and stir until it dissolves. Allow it to thicken slightly. Add the roasted coconut and cardamom powder to the jaggery syrup. Stir until you get a soft, sticky filling. Remove from heat and let it cool. In a separate bowl, mix rice flour with a pinch of salt and a little oil. Add hot water gradually and knead into a smooth dough. Make small balls of d...

  Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of wisdom and prosperity.  The birth of Lord Ganesha is a well-known story in Hindu mythology. According to the most popular version of the story it is narrated  like below : 1. Parvati's Creation: Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, wanted to take a bath and decided to create a guardian to stand outside her chamber while she bathed. She molded a figure from turmeric paste and breathed life into it. 2. Shiva's Return: While Parvati was bathing, Lord Shiva, who was away at the time, returned to their abode. He was stopped by the guardian Parvati had created, who did not recognize him as Parvati's husband and blocked his entry. 3. Fierce Battle: A fierce battle ensued between Shiva and the guardian, but Shiva was unaware that this guardian was actually his son. Shiva eventually severed the guardian's head with his trident during the battle. ...

  Elena Rybakina produced a composed and commanding performance under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium to defeat two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 and capture her first US Open women's singles title. The victory gave the Kazakhstan star her third Grand Slam crown and, significantly, confirmed her arrival as the new world No. 1.  The final, played on September 12, lasted 2 hours 21 minutes and once again showcased one of the most compelling rivalries in women's tennis. Rybakina and Sabalenka had already met in the Australian Open final earlier in 2026, with Rybakina winning there too, while Sabalenka had beaten her at Indian Wells. Their US Open showdown therefore represented another chapter in a rapidly developing rivalry.  A battle between two powerhouse players The championship match brought together the defending champion Sabalenka and Rybakina, who entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed. Sabalenka was chasing an extraordinary third consecuti...

  In remembering Robin Arnold Smith, one conjures an image of a square-jawed batsman standing tall at the crease, eyes narrowed beneath a helmet, refusing to give an inch even as the world’s fastest bowlers hurled thunderbolts at him. In the imagined quiet of his passing, cricket lovers everywhere would feel a deep loss—of not just a cricketer, but a symbol of fearlessness and grit. Born in Durban, South Africa, in 1963, Robin Smith found his true cricketing home in England, where he built a career that became the stuff of folklore. Making his Test debut in 1988, he entered the arena at a time when England were routinely confronted by terrifying fast bowlers. Yet Smith, with his rock-steady technique and astonishing courage, turned those confrontations into some of the most thrilling chapters in English cricket history. Across 62 Test matches , Smith amassed 4,236 runs at an average touching 43 , including 9 centuries and 28 fifties . But statistics alone cannot capture his bri...

  Goran Ivanišević, born on September 13, 1971, in Split, Croatia, is renowned for his explosive serve and unpredictable yet charismatic style of play. Known as one of the greatest servers in tennis history, Ivanišević captured the imagination of tennis fans with his flamboyant personality and thrilling performances, particularly on grass courts. His aggressive style, coupled with a never-give-up attitude, made him a fan favorite and cemented his place in tennis history. Style of Play Aggressive, Powerful, and Tenacious: Ivanišević was best known for his booming left-handed serve, which was often described as one of the most powerful and effective serves in the history of the sport. His ability to fire aces at will was his greatest weapon, especially on fast surfaces like grass. His style of play revolved around attacking from the baseline with his serve and then following it up with aggressive groundstrokes. He was also proficient at coming to the net, making him a dangerou...

  Shane Warne, born on September 13, 1969, in Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia, is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time and the finest leg-spinner the game has ever seen. Known for his mesmerising ability to spin the ball prodigiously, Warne revolutionized the art of leg-spin bowling in an era dominated by fast bowlers. His charisma, tactical genius, and relentless competitiveness made him a global sporting icon who transcended the boundaries of cricket. Style of Play Masterful, Tactical, and Fearless: Shane Warne’s bowling style was defined by his exceptional control over flight, spin, and drift. His leg-break deliveries spun sharply, while his flippers, googlies, and top-spinners left even the best batsmen perplexed. He was a master of deception, often setting traps and executing plans with surgical precision. Warne was known for his aggressive mindset, always looking to take wickets rather than contain runs. His ability to think ahead of ...

   England won by eight wickets after Pakistan produced a remarkable second-innings recovery on the third day of the 3rd test.  Joe Root & Jordan Cox closed out the match on day 4 after initial inroads by Mohammed Abbas . England had to chase down a target of 130 which was made possible by a remarkable Pakistan fightback in the 2nd Innings led by Shan Masood & Babar Azam and followed by debutant quick Razatuallah's sensational & breathtaking hitting on day 3.  Day 3: Pakistan’s remarkable fightback England in command after first innings England began the third day in a commanding position after dismissing Pakistan for just 133 in the first innings and posting a formidable 453 in reply. The hosts had taken a massive 320-run lead, leaving Pakistan facing the prospect of an innings defeat and a series whitewash. However, Pakistan’s second innings proved to be a completely different story. Their batsmen showed far greater resilience, determination and attacki...

The 2026 US Open men’s singles semifinals produced a compelling blend of American resurgence and German authority, with Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev booking their places in Sunday’s championship showdown at Flushing Meadows.  Shelton wins historic all-American battle In an emotionally charged all-American semifinal, eighth seed Ben Shelton overcame 11th seed Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. The contest was the first Grand Slam men's semifinal in the Open Era between two Black American men, adding enormous historical significance to an already highly anticipated encounter.  Tiafoe made the sharper start, claiming the opening set 6-4 and briefly putting Shelton under pressure. But Shelton responded with remarkable composure and aggression, taking control of the match from the second set. His booming serve became a major weapon as he fired 18 aces, while his powerful groundstrokes repeatedly pushed Tiafoe deep behind the baseline.  Shelton levelled the match with a 6-3...

  Wes Hall, born on September 12, 1937, in Glebe Land, Barbados, is regarded as one of the most fearsome and influential fast bowlers in the history of West Indian cricket. With his tall frame, explosive pace, and relentless aggression, Hall dominated world cricket during the late 1950s and 1960s. His ability to intimidate batsmen with raw speed and his consistent wicket-taking ability earned him a reputation as one of the greatest fast bowlers of his era.   Style of Play - **Aggressive, Fast, and Relentless:**   - Wes Hall's bowling style was characterized by his blistering pace, accuracy, and ability to generate steep bounce from even the flattest of pitches. Standing at over 6 feet 2 inches tall, Hall could deliver fiery spells, making life difficult for the world's best batsmen.   - His aggressive approach was backed by remarkable stamina and endurance, allowing him to bowl long spells with little drop in speed. Hall often bowled in tandem with other great...

  Jesse Owens was a renowned American track and field athlete who gained international fame for his exceptional achievements, particularly during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.  Owens is regarded as one of the greatest ever in the history of sport and Athletics and he was a versatile athlete .  Here are some of his key accomplishments in detail: **Early Life**: Jesse Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama, USA. He grew up in a racially segregated America, where discrimination against African Americans was prevalent. 2. **College Career**: Owens attended Ohio State University, where he became a track and field star under the coaching of Larry Snyder. He set multiple world records and won several NCAA championships during his college years. 3. **1935 Big Ten Championships**: In a single day on May 25, 1935, at the Big Ten Championships, Owens set three world records and tied another. He accomplished this feat in just 45 minutes, ea...

  The 2026 US Open women’s singles semi-finals produced a compelling contrast of power and resilience at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka marching into another final while Elena Rybakina produced a superb comeback to end Coco Gauff’s hopes. The results set up a blockbuster championship clash between two of the biggest hitters in women’s tennis.  Sabalenka overwhelms Pegula Top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her remarkable dominance at Flushing Meadows by defeating third seed Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2. Pegula stayed with Sabalenka through much of the opening set, but the Belarusian eventually found another gear. Her aggressive baseline hitting began to overwhelm the American, and Sabalenka snatched the crucial moments to take the first set 7-5. The second set was far more emphatic. Sabalenka broke away from Pegula and never allowed her opponent to regain control, completing victory in just 80 minutes. Sabalenka produced 29 winner...

  England strengthened their grip on the third and final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Thursday, September 10, producing another dominant performance with both bat and ball. After Pakistan had been dismissed for just 133 on the opening day, England turned their overnight advantage of 23 runs into a massive 320-run first-innings lead, before Ollie Robinson struck twice in a sensational opening spell.  England eventually reached 453 all out, with a string of valuable half-centuries ensuring that Pakistan's early advantage with the ball counted for little. Harry Brook scored 75 from 97 balls, while Dan Lawrence made 65 from 82 deliveries, continuing his excellent run in the series. Lawrence's innings was his third successive Test half-century after his recall to the side.  Jamie Smith also produced an impressive counter-attacking innings, hitting 69 from 84 balls, including nine fours and a six. Smith's knock was particularly significant after an uncertain start and ...

  NEW YORK, September 9: Day 11 of the 2026 US Open produced a compelling mix of resilience, breakthroughs and disappointment at Flushing Meadows, with Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina reaching the women’s semifinals, while Alexander Zverev and Karen Khachanov secured places in the men’s last four.  Gauff survives dramatic Andreeva challenge American fourth seed Coco Gauff staged one of the day’s most impressive comebacks, fighting past fifth seed Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(9-7), 6-2. Gauff was in serious trouble after losing the opening set and then faced two match points in the second-set tie-break. She held her nerve, saved both opportunities and forced the contest into a decider. From there, the American seized control, producing a commanding third set to complete a memorable turnaround.  The victory sent Gauff into her second US Open semifinal, and she will now face Rybakina in a blockbuster encounter. Rybakina becomes world No. 1 Second seed Elena Rybakina also had to rec...

  England produced a commanding display on the opening day of the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, bowling the visitors out for just 133 before reaching 156/4 at stumps. England therefore ended the day with a 23-run first-innings lead, firmly in control of the series finale.  England, who had already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series, won the toss and elected to field. Their decision immediately paid dividends as Pakistan's batting imploded under relentless pressure from the seamers. Four wickets fell for only 26 runs, leaving the visitors in deep trouble inside the opening 10 overs.  Pakistan's top order crumbles Pakistan's top order once again failed to provide a platform. Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck, while Azan Awais made 9, Abdullah Shafique 3 and Shan Masood only 5. Captain Babar Azam managed just 7, bowled by Josh Tongue, continuing his disappointing run with the bat in the series.  Saud Shakeel offered the only meaningful ...

   Franz Beckenbauer, a German football legend, had a distinguished career both as a player and a manager. Born on 11 September  1945 , he passed away on 8th January 2024 at the age of 78 after suffering from Parkinson's   Some of his notable achievements include: Player Achievements: 1. **World Cup Winner:** Beckenbauer won the FIFA World Cup as a player with West Germany in 1974. 2. **World Cup Runner-up:** He reached the World Cup final as a player in 1966 and 1982. 3. **European Championship Winner:** Beckenbauer triumphed in the UEFA European Championship with West Germany in 1972. 4. **European Cup/Champions League:** Won the European Cup three times with Bayern Munich (1974, 1975, 1976). 5. **Bundesliga Titles:** Secured multiple Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich during the 1970s. Managerial Achievements: 1. **World Cup Winner (as a manager):** Beckenbauer led Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup as both a player and manager. 2. *...