The Ladakh Marathon, known for its extreme high-altitude route and dramatic landscape, has become a significant attraction for distance runners worldwide. Despite not actively seeking sponsors, the event has garnered strong corporate backing due to its unique vision and the allure of Ladakh. Organisers prioritise runner safety and experience, acknowledging the psychological and physical challenges of racing at such elevations, where oxygen levels are significantly lower.
A PG operator has been arrested following the collapse of a five-storey building in Delhi's Satya Niketan, which resulted in seven deaths. Police are investigating the role of the building's leaseholders, the 'Hostel Daze' PG operators, and the construction work carried out. Another partner is absconding, and a labour contractor has also been apprehended as authorities scrutinise the controversial rent agreement and alleged unauthorised construction.
Nine employee associations at ISRO have written to Chairperson V Narayanan, seeking official clarification on the proposed transfer of manufacturing and operational functions to private entities. They raised concerns about ISRO's future role, employee consequences, and recruitment, following comments by IN-SPACe chairperson Pawan Goenka regarding ISRO's eventual exit from launch vehicle manufacturing.
A recent study by scientists indicates that the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region is experiencing increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change, including rapid glacial melting and changing rainfall patterns. However, the research also cautions against solely blaming climate change, highlighting that human factors like population growth, commercial activities, and non-enforcement of regulations contribute significantly to the vulnerability and impact of these disasters. The study points out that many devastating floods originate from small glaciers and rain-fed streams, exacerbated by encroachment on unstable slopes and floodplains.
Ahead of Ganeshotsav, which commences on September 14, Rediff's Divya Nair visits a workshop in Mumbai where young girls, most of them first-timers, are using their brushes to bring Lord Ganesha to life.
Axis Bank MD & CEO Amitabh Chaudhry has cautioned that the surge in FCNR(B) deposits could lead to 'abnormal lending' as banks seek to deploy excess liquidity, while also hinting at a potential interest rate hike in the near future.
India is actively integrating payment system harmonisation into its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, especially with countries hosting a large Indian diaspora. This strategy aims to leverage India's growing fintech ecosystem, facilitate cross-border financial services, and position India as a global hub for financial services exports, particularly through platforms like GIFT City.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) is strategically expanding its international footprint by launching the Nexon, rebranded as Osprey, in South Africa, a move set to significantly boost its export volumes and solidify India's position as a major automotive export hub.
Buyers should check their scope and triggers and whether they need such policies alongside their regular health insurance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the SCO summit, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the West Asia conflict and expressing India's desire to expand and diversify trade with Iran. Pezeshkian, in turn, urged India to leverage its contacts to promote peace.
Bank credit to industry in India surged by 20 per cent year-on-year in July, significantly accelerating from the previous year, driven by strong expansion in sectors like engineering, gems and jewellery, and petroleum-related industries, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, growth in gold loans, while still expanding, saw a sharp moderation.
As younger generations grow up without personal memories of 9/11, the 25th anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of loss, resilience, bravery and America's enduring promise to never forget.
A Delhi court has ordered the framing of money laundering charges against former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and six others in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam. The court found strong suspicion of a manipulated tender for railway hotels and a quid pro quo involving land transfer at undervalued rates.
State Bank of India Chairman C S Setty stated that banks will take three to four months to deploy the significant funds mobilised through foreign currency non-resident (bank), or FCNR(B), deposits, which is unlikely to cause "abnormal lending". He also highlighted the need for agentic artificial intelligence (AI) costs to fall sharply for its widespread deployment in India, envisioning its role in transforming banking from fraud detection to personalised financial assistance.
Denmark's football association (DBU) has declared it has lost confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino and will seek a credible alternative for the 2027 election, citing a 'fundamental crisis of confidence' over his aborted proposal to sell commercial stakes in FIFA tournaments.
The challenge for India lies in navigating complex landscape to its best advantage. The BRICS Summit will test its navigation skills, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Voltas has announced a joint venture with Atomberg Innovation to manufacture high-efficiency room air conditioner (RAC) compressors, aiming to strengthen localisation and supply-chain resilience. Despite significant volume growth in RACs, the company's margins remain a key concern for analysts.
Kangana Ranaut has criticised Kriti Sanon's outfit choice in a recent Raksha Bandhan jewellery ad, calling it 'intentionally creepy'.
Oil prices are expected to remain elevated due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, with both the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) and Rabobank International forecasting firm prices and a potential surge above $100 a barrel if disruptions worsen.
The Delhi High Court has issued a significant ruling on personality rights, cautioning against their broad application to suppress caricature or parody. The court granted interim protection to Physics Wallah founder Alakh Pandey against impersonation and commercial exploitation, specifically for sexually vulgar content and unlicensed monetisation, while emphasising that these rights should not stifle legitimate expression or information dissemination.
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 lineup is set to cost 20 to 43 per cent more in India, primarily due to rising global memory component costs and a depreciating rupee, while the new foldable iPhone Duo will be priced between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh, matching the cost of some hatchback cars.
Police investigations into the collapse of a five-storey PG building in Delhi's Satya Niketan reveal that three truckloads of debris were used to level the basement, and a crucial wall was removed on the ground floor shortly before the incident. Seven people died and five were injured. The building owner, labour contractor, and a PG operator have been arrested, while another operator is absconding. Concerns about building safety and unauthorised construction in the area have been raised.
OpenAI has officially launched GPT-6 Astra, hailed as 'the world's most intelligent and aligned model,' designed to excel in computer browsing, software engineering, mathematics, and enterprise workflows, with immediate deployment for select organisations.
The BRICS summit in New Delhi brings together leaders from major emerging economies to address global challenges like trade disputes, geopolitical upheavals, and the economic impact of conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. India, as chair, aims to position BRICS as an economic growth engine, focusing on the Global South's food, energy, and supply chain security. The summit also highlights the grouping's expansion and its growing influence in global governance.
A labour contractor has been apprehended in connection with the collapse of a five-storey building in Delhi's Satya Niketan, which resulted in seven deaths. The building owners are in judicial custody, and investigations are scrutinising construction work and a controversial rent agreement that disclaimed liability for tenant casualties. Authorities are also planning new policies to regulate PGs and ensure safety.
The 15th NMDC Hyderabad Marathon saw over 12,000 participants, including 8,500 in the half marathon and 3,500 in the full marathon. Ethiopian runners Emane Seifu and Seboka Negusse won the Women's and Men's Elite categories respectively. A notable aspect was the participation of 184 tribal runners from Bastar, Chhattisgarh, supported by NMDC. The event also included 5K and Inclusive Runs with 6,500 participants.
'Hanuman Ansh has demonstrated that content is king, and the audience is the ultimate judge.'
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for 38 operations carried out across Balochistan between August 1 and August 8, alleging that more than 32 Pakistani military personnel and other alleged operatives were killed and dozens more wounded.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that while artificial intelligence (AI) can augment judicial reasoning, it cannot substitute judicial conscience, and a permanent apex body is proposed to supervise AI adoption and accountability within the judiciary.
Former Asian Games gold medallist Shiv Kapur expresses strong confidence in India's golf squad for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games, stating that anything less than a gold medal would be a disappointment given the talent pool. He highlights the potential of both men's and women's teams, including top players like Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, to end India's long wait for a golf gold. The article also touches upon the healthy competition between Indian golf leagues.
Gold loans accounted for 41 per cent of retail loan disbursements in FY26, up sharply from 18 per cent in FY23 and 20 per cent in FY24.
A US appeals court has upheld a $562.5 million arbitral award, which has grown to over $2 billion with interest, in favour of Devas Multimedia against Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of ISRO, ruling that US courts have jurisdiction despite Antrix being government-owned.
Regional Indian airline FLY91 has placed a significant order for 40 new ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, valued at nearly USD 1 billion. This marks the single largest order for ATR planes by a regional carrier globally and is set to dramatically expand FLY91's network, connecting more unserved and underserved cities across India. Deliveries are scheduled from late 2027 to 2032, supporting the airline's goal of operating over 60 aircraft.
A third generation murtikar and probably one of the first in her family, Manaswi Bagwe, a self-taught sculptor, is quietly pushing the boundaries of idol-making.
India published 929 generative AI patents in 2024 and 2025 alone -- equating to nearly 70 per cent of the 1,350 patents it published over the entire previous decade (2014 to 2023).
Five Raksha Bandhan ads that stayed with us long after the festival was over...
Two commercial vessels, an oil tanker and a cargo ship, carrying a total of 22 Indian nationals, were hijacked by armed pirates in separate incidents off Yemen and Somalia. All Indian crew members on both vessels are reported to be safe, according to the latest information from the shipping ministry and the External Affairs Ministry.
The Indian Coast Guard has launched a major search and rescue operation after a Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner, carrying 24 crew members, sank in the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast. Two survivors have been rescued so far, with three ICG ships and the Indian Navy involved in the ongoing efforts.
An Indian-flagged merchant vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, with 13 Indian nationals aboard, was attacked off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea. All 13 Indian crew members have been successfully rescued, and India has condemned the attack, calling for an end to targeting commercial shipping in the region.
NPCI International and Uzbekistan's NIPC have partnered to enable UPI payments across Uzbekistan, allowing Indian tourists, business travellers, and students to make instant merchant payments using the UZQR code. This agreement, approved by RBI and CBU, integrates UPI with Uzbekistan's national payment system, HUMO, facilitating direct P2M payments from Indian bank accounts and reducing reliance on foreign exchange or international cards.
