As the countdown to 2018 starts, it's time to rewind those moments in sport that stood out this year.

During his 37 year rule, the nation's lush fields became wastelands, disease and hunger became rampant and the economy registered a negative growth of six per cent.

Images from the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers played across the globe on Saturday

he also talked about India's tradition of respecting the nature through festivals like 'Chhat' and referred to the ongoing cleanliness campaign.

The win clinched Egypt a long-awaited spot in Russia for the 2018 World Cup finals, where the Arab world's most populous country will compete on football's ultimate stage for the first time since Italy in 1990.

Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench and scored an opportunist goal which set Portugal on the way to a 2-0 win in Andorra on Saturday that maintained their chances of qualifying directly for the World Cup.

Barcelona snatched a late 2-1 win at Getafe with Paulinho's strike sending them seven points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Tiny Cape Verde Islands catapulted themselves into surprise World Cup contention with a 2-1 victory away to South Africa.

This and more from the happenings in the world of football.

At Rediff Labs, we analysed the data on military expenditure by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

If you are a frequent traveller, then you should opt for a multi-trip travel plan because it works out to be cheaper.

"In roughly seven years, or around 2024, the population of India is expected to surpass that of China," a UN report said.

'That winsome smile is a key asset. And says a lot about her too.'

Under the proposal, made by the FIFA Bureau, for the enlarged tournament beginning in 2026, Europe would get 16 direct places, Africa nine, Asia eight, South America six, CONCACAF six and Oceania one, totalling 46 teams.

A refugee team that competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics with 10 athletes from countries including Syria and South Sudan was named on Monday as winner of a Laureus Award for sporting inspiration.

'Often reviled, mostly ignored, sometimes venerated, he has taken it all in his stride.' 'He has stood by the nation through thick and thin,' says Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

Lt Gen Bakshi announced 'full support' to the new chief and made it clear that he won't resign.

Defence ministry says the focus was on suitability and merit for the selection of the new Army chief.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, an expert in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir affairs, on Tuesday took over as Pakistan's new army chief succeeding General Raheel Sharif and promised to improve the tense situation at the Line of Control soon.

Lt Gen Zubair Hayat appointed as Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff Committee.

Army officials in New Delhi said two of the 32 injured soldiers require surgery but are not critical.

Nawaz Sharif's appointment of a new army chief will influence India-Pakistan relations

'One of his most famous scenes is set in a prison in Delhi where the British try to subvert Karla, the legendary Soviet spy who is being transferred back to Moscow and is being temporarily detained by the Indian agencies.' Ambassador B S Prakash salutes John le Carre.

Hong Kong has the highest level of economic freedom worldwide

When Congolese refugee Popole Misenga stepped out to face the defending world champion in Wednesday's under 90-kilogram Judo competition he figured he'd be on the floor immediately.

Indian judoka Avtar Singh bowed out of the Rio Olympics after losing to the Refugee Olympic Team's Misenga Popole in the second round of the men's 90kg elimination Round of 32 on Wednesday.

Indian Judoka, Avtar Singh's parents take maiden flight to cheer son, who will go up against Pople Misenga from the Olympic Refugee Team. Read on about the intense and interesting story of both Judokas...

Members of the first-ever Olympic refugee team visited Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ statue Saturday, with smiles as wide as their arms were outstretched, imitating the landmark's open embrace as they posed for photos.

When record Olympic champion Michael Phelps and the king of sprinting Usain Bolt resume their hunt for world records and gold medals at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next month they will not be the only big stories in town.

Visa Inc, operator of the world's largest payments network, said on Wednesday it had signed sponsorship deals with all ten members of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) refugee team, essentially becoming their first corporate sponsor.

The Legend Of Tarzan has too many subplots, and most of them are boring, warns Namrata Thakker.

Chengdu Airlines said the ARJ21 has a lower cost per seat than similar models of Airbus and Boeing models.

The image of a yoga posture was projected onto the United Nations headquarters as the world body geared up to host the second International Day of Yoga on Tuesday.

'China's development is on a different scale from India's. They are very far ahead.' 'I don't think it will be possible in the next 30 years for us to catch them,' says Aakar Patel.

The death of Muhammad Ali, the former heavyweight champion known as much for his political activism as his boxing brilliance, triggered a worldwide outpouring of affection and admiration for one of the best-known figures of the 20th century.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday unveiled its first ever team of refugees which will have 10 members and 12 officials and will compete at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games under the Olympic flag.

Of the nearly 4.6 crore people living as slaves globally, two-thirds, or 3.04 crore, are in the Asia-Pacific region, with the highest number in India.

'Our countrymen should be made aware of the need to be polite and friendly to our African guests.' 'They should know the dictum, athithi devo bhava, whether they are black or white,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, who once served as India's high commissioner to Kenya.

Jaishankar met a group of African students who raised their concerns over host of issues including better security in the wake of the killing of Congolese national Masonda Ketada Oliver and cases of assaults against the community.

At least six African nationals had sustained injuries in the incidents. Police attributed two of the incidents to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and other to a scuffle over public drinking.