Smriti Mandhana, the newly-appointed India women's cricket team captain, praised Harmanpreet Kaur's "fantastic" decade-long leadership after Kaur stepped down from the role. Mandhana expressed her desire to continue their journey together, while Harmanpreet will remain a part of the team for the upcoming Zimbabwe series.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Guwahati has arrested two individuals from Manipur and seized over 53 kgs of methamphetamine, valued at more than Rs 43 crore, hidden in truck fuel tanks in Assam. The consignment, sourced from Myanmar, was intercepted on October 6, and a probe is underway to identify the network involved.
Write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject: My tribute to Jeffrey Archer). Don't forget to include your name and where you are from.
When it pretends to be deaf, a situation can snowball into something it cannot contain. The government cannot dismiss public anger merely because protests are inconvenient or politically embarrassing, asserts Ramesh Menon.
Bengali film actor Koyel Mallick, previously a TMC MP, has joined the BJP and is set to file her nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat, expressing her desire to contribute to West Bengal's development initiatives.
A 19-year-old man, Alexandros Paporakis, was arrested in Illinois for allegedly plotting a mass shooting targeting a Hindu place of worship. Authorities recovered a manifesto with white supremacist ideologies and references to violence against people of Indian descent, along with weapons and tactical gear. The plot was uncovered after Paporakis shared concerning electronic communications, leading to swift action by law enforcement.
The Patna High Court has set aside a man's conviction for attempted rape of a widow due to insufficient evidence, but upheld his conviction for assaulting her with intent to outrage her modesty and house trespass. The court directed him to pay a Rs 25,000 fine to the victim as compensation.
India remains one of the Hyundai Motor group's most important and strategic markets globally. The initiative positions India as a strategic core market for the group's growth, emerging market expansion, and next-generation automotive innovation.
For the first time, co-working spaces have surpassed the IT/ITeS sector as the largest occupier of office space in India during the January-September period, indicating a significant shift towards flexible workspaces, according to Anarock Research & Advisory.
The first-ever BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games concluded in Ahmedabad, featuring nearly 160 participants from 10 member nations. India prominently showcased yogasana and mallakhamb, alongside other traditional sports like kalaripayattu. The event also saw demonstrations of wushu from China, togyzkumalak from Kazakhstan, and Jiu-Jitsu from Brazil. Participants from South Africa, China, and Russia praised India's hospitality and the cultural exchange.
Unless the Congress stops seeing a CIA and RSS in everyone who disagrees with it, many well-meaning people will find it difficult to rub shoulders with Rahul Gandhi, notes M R Narayan Swamy.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw warned of increased global turbulence from tech disruptions, AI, and financial risks in the coming years. He stated that India is strengthening its economic and technological resilience to protect its growth from external shocks. India is focusing on domestic manufacturing and design in critical tech areas while maintaining global integration, with trust becoming as crucial as cost in supply chains.
He was intense on screen, equally intense on stage, and yet, from what I remember of those early days, remarkably at ease amongst ordinary people, remembers Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).
Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa, Punjab, on Tuesday. Preliminary police investigation suggests personal enmity as the motive, with a medical store owner, Ashwani Kumar, identified as the main accused. Police are conducting a manhunt for Kumar, whose associate has been arrested and family members detained. The murder has led to protests and vandalism.
For generations, women in Bishkhor, Uttar Pradesh, have lived with stigma and limited choices. Designer Anurag Gupta hopes to help change that narrative, one livelihood at a time.
The Goa Cricket Association has named its 16-member squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy campaign, with Abhinav Tejrana appointed captain and notable exclusion of Arjun Tendulkar, who had scored a century on his debut for Goa in 2022.
The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season is set to begin on Sunday, featuring several prominent India cricketers like KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their participation aims to provide valuable red-ball practice and fine-tune skills, while also offering a platform for players like Mohammed Shami to impress selectors. The tournament will also highlight emerging young talents from various states.
A state-wide bandh was observed across Punjab on Thursday following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Markets and educational institutions remained shut, and roads were blocked by protesters, disrupting traffic. Jhota was shot on Tuesday for questioning the illegal sale of addictive drugs. His family, supported by various political parties and farmer unions, has refused to perform his last rites until justice is delivered, demanding resignations of top officials and a CBI probe. The incident has intensified the political debate on drug menace and law and order in Punjab.
India's cybersecurity agency, CERT-In, has issued a critical advisory warning about autonomous AI agents accessing sensitive data of Indian organisations without authorisation. Government sources on Friday emphasised the need for companies to bolster cybersecurity measures and monitor system activity, noting that while no major compromise occurred, the incident serves as an early warning. Future AI regulation is expected to address the risks posed by these agents.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran views the group's investment in semiconductors not as a short-term financial play, but as a critical long-term commitment to India's growth and self-reliance in a sector vital for domestic consumption and global supply chains.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding a plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 12 other opposition leaders concerning alleged large-scale voter deletions and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) irregularities.
The Sports Ministry conducted a review of India's Asian Games performance, scrutinising the lower-than-expected medal haul in athletics and badminton. Chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting addressed issues like injured athletes and future planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a strong emphasis on federations delivering results and nurturing young talent.
Kareena Kapoor Khan continues to be one of India's most prominent brand and pop-culture icons.
Ram Purnekar, son of murdered Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, has demanded a CBI probe into his father's killing, alleging political pressure on Thane police. He also accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra of being the "masterminds" behind the September 29 murder.
A 32-year-old man, Ebin B Paul, has been arrested in Kochi for allegedly setting fire to a plant nursery in front of a synagogue. Police suspect a wider conspiracy and have seized various narcotic substances from his residence during the investigation. The incident occurred on September 12.
'...but could demotivate employees seeking US residency.'
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has claimed actor Imran Khan, who participated in a protest, holds US citizenship and questioned his motive. Somaiya lodged a complaint, alleging a conspiracy to create anarchy through protests against electoral roll revisions and stating police assured him of summoning Khan for citizenship documents.
MI5 Director General Ken McCallum has issued a stark warning about artificial intelligence "supercharging" cybersecurity challenges and national security risks. He revealed that terrorists are already exploiting AI for attack capabilities and announced the launch of the AI Threat Assessment Centre (AITAC). McCallum also highlighted a fourfold increase in threats from hostile states like Russia, Iran, and China, urging public resilience.
For nearly three decades, the two sides of the story had existed independently. One had been recorded in a pilot's logbook; the other carried in the memory of a young boy who had survived a terrible accident, recalls Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).
American singer Mary Millben has become a prominent figure in Indian political discourse due to her outspoken support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, using social media to defend him against critics and appeal to young Indians, despite her musical career being less known in the country.
The scenes are same; placards, viral videos, riot, police but the grievances could hardly be more different, notes Abhay Jere, ex-Vice Chairman, AICTE.
A 'Punjab Bandh' was observed on Thursday, leading to widespread closures of shops and private schools and road blockades across several districts, following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on Tuesday. Jhota was shot by a chemist owner for questioning the sale of addictive drugs. The incident has triggered significant political backlash against the Aam Aadmi Party government, with various organisations and opposition parties demanding accountability and a CBI probe.
Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad, who has a British Indian mother, is increasingly vocal about his strong Indian roots, a heritage he has always been proud of.
The owner of a medical store, Ashwani Kumar, accused of fatally shooting anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab's Mansa, has been arrested from Rajasthan. Following his arrest, angry mobs set his medical store ablaze and authorities razed a portion of his house, while Jhota's father has called for a statewide bandh on October 15.
Fresh from Asian Games gold, Lovlina Borgohain joined Delhi Police women personnel on patrol and called for women to move around freely and confidently.
Mercedes-Benz India's Managing Director & CEO Santosh Iyer stated that demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly for the CLA electric vehicle, with over 1,000 orders and deliveries extending to March-April 2027. The company could have sold an additional 1,000 vehicles if supply had been adequate.
Hollywood actor Paul Bettany, known for voicing J.A.R.V.I.S. and playing Vision in the MCU, expresses trepidation about the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. He discusses potential dystopian futures and the need for democratised AI, while promoting his new series "VisionQuest" which started streaming on JioHotstar on Tuesday.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting request from opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, stating that discussing sub judice matters would violate judicial ethics and the principle of Separation of Powers. He advised them to file a formal petition with the Supreme Court instead of seeking an administrative meeting. The opposition had sought to discuss issues including the Chief Election Commissioner, arrests, and public transport disruptions.
Prithviraj Yodhas defeated Mighty Marathas 6-2 in Season 2 of the Archery Premier League, recovering from an initial set loss to win the next three. The team features top international archers like Andrea Becerra and Matias Grande, alongside Indian talent, in India's first franchise-based professional archery league.
Indian Army athletes achieved their best-ever medal haul at the recently concluded Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, securing 20 medals, including six gold, eight silver, and six bronze. This significant contribution accounted for nearly one-fourth of India's total 85 medals. Standout performers included Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda in trap shooting and Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh in distance running, who also set a national record. The Army's increased representation and performance, particularly from women athletes, highlight the robust sporting ecosystem within the Indian Army.
