Irish female footballer Stephanie Roche, who currently plays for French division 1 Feminine club ASPTT Albi, has earned a unique distinction of being the only woman to have been shortlisted for FIFA's goal of the year alongside fellow strikers Robin van Persie and James Rodriguez.

'Never lose your optimism. Never lose your aspiration and never -- even if India becomes a prosperous consumer society -- never ever lose that shining light in your eyes,' advises Dr Peter McLaughlin, headmaster of the Doon School.

Australian Olympic officials say they will oppose plans to stage the 2016 Rio Olympics swimming finals late at night.

On Friday, German Chancellor was caught enjoying some down time in a pub in Brisbane, where she has come to attend the G20 summit. Over the past years, world leaders have often been snapped enjoying some time on their own at a pub, downing a drink or two. So, sit back, enjoy a glass of wine and a few of those moments.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has once again made the shortlist of for FIFA's goal of the year award, giving him a chance to retain the trophy he won last year.

Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki have been enjoying an end of season break in a luxurious resort in the Bahamas. Both have been showing their fans some flesh, via their Instagram accounts.

A goal by Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City a 1-0 victory against neighbours Manchester United, who played with 10 men for more than 50 minutes on Sunday.

On Sunday, after 13 years of war, over 500 deaths and over 20 billion, United Kingdom withdrew from Afghanistan. In a touching ceremony, the Union Jack flag was lowered at Camp Bastion, which has been the center of UK operations in Afghanistan since 2006. British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed that Britain will 'never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice' and Labour leader Ed Miliband said the handover was a "time to remember those who have served Britain so courageously in Afghanistan over the last decade".

Rediff.com brings you a selection of images of fans taking to the field of play to make a point or gain attention.

There were no wild celebrations or fist pumps from Serena Williams after she beat Caroline Wozniacki at the WTA Finals on Saturday.

A day after suffering her heaviest defeat since she was a teenager, Serena Williams was back to her brilliant best as she swatted aside Eugenie Bouchard 6-1, 6-1 in her final round robin match at the WTA Finals on Thursday.

A headed goal in second-half injury time by Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a much-needed 1-0 win over Denmark in their Group I Euro 2016 qualifier on Tuesday.

These stunning pictures show the reality of life for a serving soldier in the British Army. From displaying true grit on the frontline, to the impressive sight of an Apache soaring out of a raging fireball, to troops simply enjoying some downtime, they offer a glimpse into what troops face daily. The pictures in the annual Army Photographic Competition have been taken by amateur and professional soldier cameramen.

Kanu Behl's Titli is one of the best films from India in recent years, says Aseem Chhabra from the Zurich film festival.

Hotels in the country have been experiencing a large uptake in tourist interest.

'We are two countries that, as Swami Vivekananda said in Chicago more than a century ago, have sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations on Earth.' 'People are watching to wait and see if this Modi moment is going to be the moment when the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy finally capitalise on the full, inherent potential of this relationship.' Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com reports from the State Department's lunch for Prime Minister Modi.

We revisit some iconic moments of the the much-loved television series as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

We bring you a fresh collection of offbeat, quirky stories from around the world.

France winger Franck Ribery's decision to retire from international football after missing the World Cup could lead to a suspension from club football, UEFA president Michel Platini said on Sunday.

Caroline Wozniacki upset French Open champion Maria Sharapova in a groundstroke marathon to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals, while Gilles Simon registered the first big surprise in the men's draw.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa needs to learn to show respect to opponents after the Spaniard goaded Everton players during their pulsating 6-3 English Premier League win on Saturday, Toffees coach Roberto Martinez said.

From the Elvis festival to a fanatic Homer Simpson fan, the world is crazy. Here's a fresh collection of stories that prove it's truly a weird and funny world.

Excited about his county team's practice match against a star-studded Indian team, Leicestershire's Irish import Niall O'Brien says Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men can destroy, dazzle and intrigue their rivals all at the same time.

It may seem like a strange gift to give someone, but a sweaty shirt exchanged with an opponent at the end of a World Cup game has become both a mark of sporting respect and a valuable collector's item.

World champion Magnus Carlsen became the first chess player ever to hold three world championship crowns as he handsomely won the blitz title too with a remarkable 17 points.

World Cup sidelights: All the news from Brazil right here...

Under a new British-Irish visa scheme announced by Ireland's minister for justice Frances Fitzgerald, tourists and business visitors from India and China will be allowed to travel freely in the 'common travel area' of Britain and Ireland with either an Irish or a British visa.

World Cup sidelights: All the fun news from Brazil right here...

Cristiano Ronaldo provided Portugal with a major confidence boost ahead of the World Cup when he made a successful return from injury in a 5-1 romp against Ireland on Tuesday.

Foreign investors are betting top dollar on the country as growth is likely to recover at a time when other emerging markets are battling macroeconomic adjustments.

Reliance Industries has divested its 30 per cent stake in an oil and gas block in Peru to Australia's Woodside Petroleum and Pluspetrol of Argentina to trim its overseas properties.

With the contract dispute between Sri Lanka Cricket and the players yet to resolved, the selectors have asked players to come clear on their availability for the forthcoming tour of Ireland and England.

The Netherlands qualified for the World Twenty20 main draw following a dramatic six-wicket victory over Ireland in a run-feast featuring a record 30 sixes in Sylhet, Bangladesh, on Friday.

Ireland bolstered their chances of making it to the Super-10 after a disciplined bowling effort helped them post a 21-run win over United Arab Emirates under the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-affected Group B qualifying match of the ICC World T20 in Sylhet.

These profits were generated from its Australian operations

The ongoing tour by India is set to trigger a financial windfall for New Zealand Cricket as it will earn the body more than $ 35 million in broadcast rights, making it the biggest money-spinner in any sport.

Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle, creator of some of Ireland's most renowned characters, will tackle one the country's best known when he teams up with Roy Keane to write the former footballer's memoir.

If the company manages to get a go-ahead from the regulator for this plant, it might result in resumption of supplies of several of their products, barred from the US last year.

"Many people in America see animals, particularly cows, as meat...animals have a soul, personality, they interact," says Sankar Sastri, who runs the Lakshmi Cow Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, USA.

The Wolf of Wall Street has its moments but it is director Martin Scorsese's weakest attempt at film-making, says Aseem Chhabra.