Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of Air Staff, has expressed significant concern over the inordinate delays in inducting new combat jets, including the indigenous Tejas aircraft, stating that these delays are severely impacting the Indian Air Force's depleting fighter squadron strength. He highlighted the need for 36-40 new fighter jets annually to address these gaps and voiced worry over Pakistan's collaboration with China on a fifth-generation fighter jet.
The Indian Navy is enhancing its operational capabilities across all domains, including air, underwater, AI, and quantum technology, to become a multi-domain network force. Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, highlighted lessons from recent conflicts, the exploration of directed-energy weapon systems, and significant procurement plans, including 42 new platforms on order and RFPs issued for LPDs and next-generation frigates. The Navy's focus on indigenous innovation and technology absorption, guided by "scale, sophistication, speed, and spiral development," aims to meet evolving operational requirements and protect maritime interests, especially amidst ongoing global crises.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has highlighted a stark contrast between the Allahabad High Court's decision to stay the conviction of a murder accused seeking a BJP ticket and the continued judicial custody of CJP co-convenors Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. Dipke criticised the extended incarceration of Ranka and Das, who were arrested for protesting at Jantar Mantar, while emphasising their sacrifices for public good. The CJP has demanded their immediate release and questioned the legal proceedings, calling for institutional accountability.
State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainers and HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, and Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans. This significant handover, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, underscores India's progress towards self-reliance in aerospace, strengthening both military and civil aviation capabilities with indigenous platforms.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has voiced concerns over significant delays in inducting new combat jets, including the Tejas aircraft, which are impacting the Indian Air Force's depleting fighter squadron strength. He stressed the need for annual induction of 36-40 jets to address the gaps and discussed ongoing procurement plans like the MRFA deal and future strategies for combat aircraft and theatre commands.
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan set a new record for the most runs in a bilateral three-match men's T20I series with 238 runs, despite his side suffering an eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in the final match in Rawalpindi. Farhan scored his third consecutive half-century, surpassing India's Abhishek Sharma's previous record.
India's cement industry is on the brink of an oversupply situation as aggressive capacity expansion by major players is set to outpace demand growth over the next two financial years, potentially leading to pricing pressures and moderated utilisation rates.
Shreyas Iyer, India's T20I captain, described his initial stint as skipper as a 'tough pill to swallow' after suffering away series defeats, but emphasised the importance of maintaining 'equilibrium' following a dominant 2-0 series win over Afghanistan.
US-based real estate agent franchise firm Century 21 is set to enter the Indian market, estimated at around $600 billion, with a franchise-led business model. The company aims to connect Indian buyers with international properties and NRIs with Indian real estate, projecting 1,500 offices and 30,000 agents within five years.
'One of the biggest mistakes first-time daters make is spending too much time texting before meeting in person,' says Shalini Singh, founder of andwemet, an invite-only WhatsApp matchmaking community for Indian singles.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has called on her team to maintain simplicity and trust their inherent strengths as they prepare to face Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final, aiming to avenge their previous defeat.
The Reserve Bank of India's 25-basis point increase in the repo rate to 5.5 per cent is expected to exert pressure on housing affordability and buyer sentiment, particularly affecting interest rate-sensitive segments and potentially moderating sales during the crucial festival season.
Bangladesh Cricket Board President Tamim Iqbal remains optimistic about a white-ball series against India, despite the originally planned September window being missed. He confirmed that both boards are actively seeking a suitable time, highlighting positive intentions from both sides. Iqbal also reflected on past tensions, including Bangladesh's withdrawal from the 2025 ODI World Cup, acknowledging that negotiations could have been handled better.
Online video games are emerging that recreate scenes from the Jantar Mantar protests in Delhi. Games like 'Jantar Mantar Chalo', 'Bhaag Neha Bhaag', and 'Jantar Mantar to Jail' allow players to experience elements of the demonstrations, from gathering crowds and dodging police to collecting 'Accountability' and 'Democracy' coins. Creators, inspired by news and real-life events, developed these games rapidly using AI and coding, gaining significant traction online.
Amazon's ultra-fast delivery service, Amazon Now, has achieved $1 billion in annualised gross sales in India over the last three months, marking it as the fastest-growing e-commerce business in Amazon India's history, with orders doubling every quarter.
koda Auto Volkswagen India is actively exploring various approaches to penetrate India's burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market, including importing global models, local assembly, and developing highly localised products, as EV penetration is expected to reach 17-18% by the end of the decade.
Indian lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, currently in London on sexual assault charges, now faces accusations of rape and facilitating exploitation. His assistant and another individual are also implicated. Aggarwal, known for representing Mehul Choksi, was denied bail due to flight risk and concerns over a "sinister recruiting campaign." The trial is scheduled for March 2027.
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy acknowledged the financial challenges leading to player pay cuts, stating it's "not what you want to hear before a series." He also highlighted the team's need for greater bowling discipline, especially after failing to defend a 405-run target against India, and reflected on missed opportunities to score higher in the second ODI.
Indian mutual funds experienced a nearly 5 per cent growth in average quarterly assets under management (QAAUM) in the second quarter of FY27, reaching approximately ~87.2 trillion, despite significant equity market turbulence and corrections in largecap and some debt segments.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the state's ambition to become India's leader in quantum technology. The state plans to build a robust ecosystem, align with the National Quantum Mission, and train over 5,000 professionals, recognising AI, semiconductors, and quantum tech as key pillars for future growth and global competitiveness.
Golf superstar Rory McIlroy has announced a multi-year partnership with global logistics company DP World. The collaboration will see DP World transport McIlroy's personalised fitness and recovery facilities across his PGA Tour and DP World Tour schedules, ensuring consistent training environments worldwide. This initiative highlights DP World's expertise in complex logistics and makes McIlroy a global ambassador for the company.
'Get people young, train them, assimilate them, and grow them adequately.'
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has confirmed his decision to retire after the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that his country's potential entry into the World Test Championship (WTC) for the 2027-30 cycle will not alter his plans. He believes WTC entry will significantly boost Zimbabwe's cricketing growth and also discussed the challenges of home advantage for the 2027 World Cup and highlighted promising young talents.
Mukesh Kumar, the Bengal pacer, has delivered an impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy, taking 11 wickets and expressing the critical importance of the ongoing domestic season for his potential India comeback. He detailed his strategic bowling approach on challenging pitches and the team's tactics for managing the hot conditions, while also providing an update on teammate Anukul Roy's injury.
Aerospace major Embraer and the Mahindra Group have identified Nagpur as a potential manufacturing hub for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, should their bid for India's multi-billion-dollar Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) deal be successful. This strategic partnership aims to establish a localised production and support ecosystem in India, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative and strengthening the country's indigenous aerospace capabilities.
ServiceNow has launched AI Workflow Factory and Autonomous Engineer, new solutions designed to help enterprises integrate and scale AI workflows, closing execution gaps caused by legacy infrastructure. These tools aim to accelerate business operations, with Indian partners already adopting them, reflecting India's faster AI operationalisation compared to the global average.
The Mizoram government has announced a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh each for hockey players Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi, who were part of the Indian women's team that won gold at the Asian Games. Chief Minister Lalduhoma felicitated the athletes, highlighting their historic achievement for the state and the government's commitment to promoting hockey through schemes and infrastructure development.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the 2026-27 Indian Football League (IFL) season will begin on October 30. Following a successful 2025-26 season with significantly increased viewership, the upcoming season will feature new regulations, including a limit of three foreign players on the pitch, and an expanded footprint with new venues in Nagaland and Odisha. Discussions also covered the IFL Charter, budget, and broadcast partnerships.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration has endorsed India's proposals for a Working Group on Sports Technology and a Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave, aiming to enhance cooperation and innovation among member nations in the sports sector.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma has downplayed concerns about India's fielding ahead of the Women's Asia Cup T20 final, stating that dropped catches are 'a part of the game' and the team remains focused on a strong all-round performance.
IPL players' auction for the 2027 season is slated to be held in India, marking a return after three overseas editions, with league chairman Arun Dhumal expressing a strong desire for a domestic venue.
The merged InsuranceDekho-RenewBuy entity aims to significantly expand its distribution network across India, offering insurance, mutual funds, and loans, with a strong focus on 'Bharat' (rural India), according to CEO Ankit Agarwal.
Dave Cousins, India's new national compound archery head coach, believes a historic first Olympic medal for India is inevitable. He is preparing the team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and has long-term plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, noting the changing Asian archery landscape and the impressive work ethic of Indian archers.
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved media baron Subhash Chandra's personal insolvency resolution plan, which proposes to pay Rs 6.5 crore against admitted creditor claims of approximately Rs 22,006.57 crore, despite allegations from dissenting lenders that five family-linked entities controlled 61.78 per cent of the voting share.
The CJP allegedly violated an undertaking for a June 20 protest on the NEET paper leak, leading the Union Home Ministry and Delhi Police to implement heightened security for its upcoming demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Police cited past breaches of conditions, including a 'Sansad Chalo' march on July 20 without permission, as reasons for denying permission for the new protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc leaders in a surprise dharna near Jantar Mantar, protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. For the second consecutive day, police detained Gandhi and other opposition MPs, stalling their planned demonstration. The protest saw dramatic moments, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lying on the street, as leaders vowed to continue their fight for electoral integrity.
Former President Donald Trump's recent deal with Russia to supply diesel to the US and global markets has ignited a political firestorm, drawing sharp criticism from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Democratic leaders, and a segment of Republicans, despite the US Treasury lifting sanctions on Russian diesel supplies.
In Rediff's series on modern marriages, Pratik, 36, tells Rediff's Divya Nair how the difficult decision to stay away from both sets of parents, among other things, helped strengthen their marriage.
India's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, secured a dramatic 4-3 semifinal victory against Pakistan at the Asian Games, despite squandering a 3-0 lead and facing disciplinary issues. Harmanpreet emphasized the need for composure and avoiding silly mistakes against strong opponents, while Manpreet Singh highlighted the coach's advice to focus on the game, not the occasion. The team acknowledged defensive vulnerabilities but remained confident for the final.
Ahead of the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi, local player Ishan Kishan and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showcased their attacking batting in India's practice session. Kishan, returning to the national setup after a disciplinary issue, impressed assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak with his maturity. Sooryavanshi, a young talent, also drew significant attention with his powerful hitting. The team, having won the first T20I, plans to maintain its fearless approach for the upcoming match.
