Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Lakshya Sen wins season's fourth title with Scottish Open

Fast-rising Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen claimed his fourth title in three months, bagging the Scottish Open with a thrilling win over Brazil's Ygor Coelho in the men's singles summit clash in Glasgow.

The top-seeded Indian overcame his Brazilian opponent 18-21, 21-18, 21-19 in a 56-minute final on Sunday night.


The 18-year-old from Uttarakhand has now clinched three titles out of the four tournaments that he has played since September―SaarLorLux Open, Dutch Open, and Belgian International.

After losing in the second round of Irish Open, Lakshya made amends this week and dished out some superb performances right from the start.

“Happy to win the scotish open title!! A hard fought match against my friend @co3lho12. It was really nice training with you in Denmark and playing a good match against you today,” Sen tweeted.

The Indian began his campaign with a straight-game win over Austria's Luka Wraber, before defeating compatriot Kiran George to reach the quarterfinals.

The world no.41 Indian then recorded another straight-game win over sixth-seed Brian Yang before seeing off France's Christo Popov in the semifinals.

After this win, Lakshya will break into the top-40 in the BWF rankings and inch closer to a direct qualification in the top grade 2 events.

Lakshya thus joined fellow Indians Anand Pawar (2010 and 2012), Arvind Bhatt (2004) and Pullela Gopichand (1999) in winning the Scottish Open title.

During the final, Lakshya had fallen behind in the opening game but he managed to turn the tables and grab a 10-8 lead. Coelho, however, reeled off six straight points to move to a 14-10 lead.

The Indian kept breathing down his opponent's neck but Coelho ensured he had the bragging rights after the opening game.

Stung by the reversal, Lakshya came out firing in the second round and jumped to a 7-0 lead in the second game. The Brazilian slowly clawed back at 17-17 but Lakshya managed to bounce back into the contest.

The decider turned out to be an evenly-fought contest and both the shuttlers battled hard to gain the lead. Coelho enjoyed an 11-8 advantage at the break but a gritty Lakshya kept drawing parity and eventually had the last laugh. PTI

Lakshya will now play at the Syed Modi International Super 300 tournament at Lucknow starting Tuesday.

More For You

Wireless Festival 2025

The 2025 event made headlines after it was announced that Canadian rapper Drake

Getty Images

Wireless Festival 2025 confirms new acts for Finsbury Park

Key points

 
     
  • Wireless Festival 2025 runs from 11–13 July in Finsbury Park, London
  •  
  • Drake to headline all three nights of the sold-out event
  •  
  • New acts include ODUMODUBLVCK, SahBabii, Darkoo and Uncle Waffles
  •  
  • Up to 150,000 attendees expected across the weekend
  •  
 

Final line-up revealed ahead of 20th anniversary festival

 

Further acts have been confirmed for the 2025 edition of Wireless Festival, as Finsbury Park prepares to host the three-day music event from Friday 11 July to Sunday 13 July. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the UK’s biggest urban music festival, which has evolved into a major platform for rap, R&B, afrobeats and grime.

The 2025 event made headlines after it was announced that Canadian rapper Drake would headline all three nights — a first for the festival — sparking record-breaking ticket sales. The festival sold out within minutes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Superman

This film marks the first cinematic release under the new unified DC Universe banner

X/ ErikDavis

Superman early reactions praise James Gunn’s reboot as “a terrific start”

Key points

  • First reactions to Superman (2025) praise its action, humour and emotional tone
  • Directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as Superman
  • Premiered in Los Angeles ahead of 11 July theatrical release
  • Fans and critics call it a strong launch for the new DC Studios era

Superman early reviews call it “exciting” and “hopeful”

Following its premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night, the first social media reactions to Superman have begun to emerge — and they are largely positive. Though full reviews will be published closer to the 11 July release date, critics, journalists and early viewers have shared their first impressions online.

 

What fans and critics are saying

“A terrific start for the new DC Studios,” – Erik Davis, Fandango
Film journalist Erik Davis praised Superman as a promising launchpad for DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Keep ReadingShow less
The real challenge isn’t having more parties, but governing a divided nation

Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn

Getty Images

The real challenge isn’t having more parties, but governing a divided nation

It is a truth universally acknowledged that voters are dissatisfied with the political choices on offer - so must they be in want of new parties too? A proliferation of start-ups showed how tricky political match-making can be. Zarah Sultana took Jeremy Corbyn by surprise by announcing they will co-lead a new left party. Two of Nigel Farage’s exes announced separate political initiatives to challenge Reform from its right, with the leader of London’s Conservatives lending her voice to Rupert Lowe’s revival of the politics of repatriation.

Corbyn and Sultana are from different generations. He had been an MP for a decade by the time she was born. For Sultana’s allies, this intergenerational element is a core case for the joint leadership. But the communications clash suggests friction ahead. After his allies could not persuade Sultana to retract her announcement, Corbyn welcomed her decision to leave Labour, saying ‘negotiations continue’ over the structure and leadership of a new party. It will seek to link MPs elected as pro-Gaza independents with other strands of the left outside Labour.

Keep ReadingShow less
Neena Gupta

The brand’s use of a traditional Indian design without acknowledgement

Getty Images

Neena Gupta joins Kareena Kapoor in calling out Prada over Kolhapuri chappals

Key points

  • Neena Gupta posts a video wearing Kolhapuri chappals gifted by late actor Laxmikant Berde
  • Joins Kareena Kapoor in highlighting resemblance to a Prada sandal design
  • Luxury brand showcased similar footwear at Milan Fashion Week without reference to Indian origins
  • Both actresses emphasised the value of original handmade designs

Neena Gupta backs Kolhapuri chappals after Prada controversy

Veteran Indian actress Neena Gupta has weighed in on the ongoing conversation around Prada’s recent footwear collection after actress Kareena Kapoor earlier pointed out the brand’s use of a traditional Indian design without acknowledgement.

In a video shared on Instagram, Gupta showcased a pair of handmade Kolhapuri chappals gifted to her by the late actor Laxmikant Berde. Sharing the story behind the slippers, she said, “So, these Kolhapur slippers are in great demand these days. Once I did something with Laxmikant Berde—I don't remember what it was—so I asked him, can you get me these slippers from Kolhapur? He said yes. So he got them for me. This is the most beautiful slippers I have ever had. Most beautiful and handmade. I love them. Thank you, Laxmikant. You are not there anymore, but love you.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Jofra Archer

Archer was part of the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston but did not play. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Archer ‘ready to go’ for third India Test, says McCullum

ENGLAND coach Brendon McCullum said pacer Jofra Archer is "ready to go" as he considers bringing him back for the third Test against India, following a four-year absence due to injury.

Archer was part of the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston but did not play. India won that match by 336 runs on Sunday, levelling the five-match series at 1-1.

Keep ReadingShow less