News for '-now'

Karnataka drought list to cross 200 taluks; losses touch Rs 18,000 cr

Karnataka drought list to cross 200 taluks; losses touch Rs 18,000 cr

Rediff.com4 days ago

Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced that over 200 taluks are likely to be declared drought-affected after phased assessments. The state has convened a special legislative session to discuss the crisis, farmer assistance, and seek significant financial relief and loan waivers from the Union government, while also alleging a "step-motherly attitude" from the Centre regarding fund releases.

Shapoorji Pallonji Group backs Tata Sons listing, bolstering board's push

Shapoorji Pallonji Group backs Tata Sons listing, bolstering board's push

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group, the second-largest shareholder in Tata Sons, has publicly endorsed a listing of the Tata Group's holding company, aligning with the board's push for greater transparency and public accountability despite opposition from the Tata Trusts.

Visa Hurdle Cleared For Indian Asian Games Athletes

Visa Hurdle Cleared For Indian Asian Games Athletes

Rediff.com7 days ago

Five Indian track and field athletes, including pole vaulter Sindhushree Ganesh and triple jumper Asha Ilango, who faced visa delays, have now received their travel documents and are set to join the Asian Games contingent in Japan. They will participate in an acclimatisation camp before the athletics competition begins.

Chandra Reappointment Sparks Legal Debate

Chandra Reappointment Sparks Legal Debate

Rediff.com4 days ago

'On a plain reading of Article 121, it can be said that the chairman's casting vote can be invoked in either of these cases.'

BCCI: Women's team refusal to accept Asia Cup trophy 'institutional' call

BCCI: Women's team refusal to accept Asia Cup trophy 'institutional' call

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

The BCCI has clarified that the Indian women's cricket team's decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council's Pakistani chief Mohsin Naqvi was a "conscious, institutional" call, made due to prevailing circumstances and national sentiments.

Bhavani Dev-Led India's Fencing Squad Depart For Asian Games

Bhavani Dev-Led India's Fencing Squad Depart For Asian Games

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

A 20-member Indian fencing squad, led by Olympian C A Bhavani Devi, has departed for Japan to participate in the Asian Games.

Bengaluru healthcare firm owner held in interstate fake drug racket

Bengaluru healthcare firm owner held in interstate fake drug racket

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader announced the busting of a major interstate counterfeit drug racket, leading to an arrest and an ongoing investigation into the suspected supply of fake medicines to hospitals. The racket involved procuring cheap drugs, refilling them, and relabelling them as premium brands, with seizures worth Rs 5 crore. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the widespread network.

Asian Games 2026: Japan win first gold of home Games, prodigy Yu leads China's pool surge

Asian Games 2026: Japan win first gold of home Games, prodigy Yu leads China's pool surge

Rediff.com4 days ago

China has made a strong start at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with teenage swimmer Yu Zidi setting a new Games record and Olympic champion Pan Zhanle defending his title.

Can Manush-Manav deliver Asian Games table tennis medal?

Can Manush-Manav deliver Asian Games table tennis medal?

Rediff.com6 days ago

The Indian table tennis team, featuring strong contenders like the men's doubles pair of Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar, has commenced its Asian Games campaign in Nagoya with aspirations of securing at least one medal. Both men's and women's teams are in Group F, facing Indonesia and other opponents. The team, a mix of experienced players and rising stars like Syndrela Das, is confident after acclimatising to the conditions.

India refuse to accept Asia Cup trophy: 'We Stand By BCCI's Stance'

India refuse to accept Asia Cup trophy: 'We Stand By BCCI's Stance'

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

The Indian women's cricket team fully supports the BCCI's decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council's Pakistani chief Mohsin Naqvi, with head coach Amol Muzumdar stating that winning the tournament is 'good enough' for the players.

Student suicide: IIT-B apologises, suspends dean; director to stay

Student suicide: IIT-B apologises, suspends dean; director to stay

Rediff.com3 days ago

IIT Bombay has removed Suryanarayana Doolla, Dean of Administrative Affairs, from his post and issued a public apology following the death by suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode, who his parents allege faced caste-based discrimination.

Last-minute change: Pawan replaces Toor as Asian Games flag-bearer

Last-minute change: Pawan replaces Toor as Asian Games flag-bearer

Rediff.com6 days ago

Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat has replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India's male flag-bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony due to Toor's ceremonial kit not being available. Toor was unable to collect his kit in time to attend the event, leading to the last-minute change.

Joe Root hails England's 'excellent' response to chaotic summer

Joe Root hails England's 'excellent' response to chaotic summer

Rediff.com13 Sep 2026

England Test captain Joe Root has lauded his side's 'excellent' response to an 'unusual summer' marked by a captaincy change, a new coach, and off-field incidents, following their dominant 3-0 series sweep against Pakistan.

Bharti Airtel's Homegrown Cloud Platform Secures 40 Customers, Targets Manufacturing Sector

Bharti Airtel's Homegrown Cloud Platform Secures 40 Customers, Targets Manufacturing Sector

Rediff.com4 days ago

Bharti Airtel's homegrown cloud platform, Airtel Cloud, has acquired approximately 40 customers within a year of its launch, with a significant portion coming from the manufacturing sector. The platform, designed for Indian companies, offers sovereign, telco-grade cloud infrastructure, connectivity, and GenAI-based provisioning, addressing the growing demand for secure, India-hosted data solutions, particularly for sensitive workloads and regulated sectors.

India 0-2 down: Davis Cup Final 8 hopes on the brink

India 0-2 down: Davis Cup Final 8 hopes on the brink

Rediff.com6 days ago

India's Davis Cup Final 8 aspirations are in peril after losing both singles matches to Korea in their Qualifier tie. Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal both squandered promising starts, leaving India trailing 0-2 and needing to win all three remaining matches to advance.

TMC rebellion: Mamata faces her own political weapon

TMC rebellion: Mamata faces her own political weapon

Rediff.com6 days ago

Mamata Banerjee, who founded the Trinamool Congress through an act of rebellion against the Congress, now faces a similar internal revolt that threatens the very identity of her party. The Election Commission's interim decision to withhold the TMC name and symbol for the upcoming bypolls highlights a deeper struggle for political inheritance. This situation, unprecedented for the party, forces both Mamata's loyalists and rebels to seek electoral recognition without their established identity, marking a significant challenge to her long-standing dominance.

How Shah Rukh's Chak De! India Inspires Indonesian Hockey Team At Asian Games 2026

How Shah Rukh's Chak De! India Inspires Indonesian Hockey Team At Asian Games 2026

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

Indonesian hockey players, particularly Ferdian Fathur Rahman and Firdaus Muhammad, are deeply inspired by the Bollywood film "Chak De! India" as they prepare to face India at the Asian Games.

California To Charkop: 'Bappa Is A Member Of Our Family'

California To Charkop: 'Bappa Is A Member Of Our Family'

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

Thank you, Dear Readers, for sharing your pictures of Lord Ganesha.

'No excuses': Vimal sends strong message to Ayush Shetty

'No excuses': Vimal sends strong message to Ayush Shetty

Rediff.com7 days ago

Former badminton coach Vimal Kumar expresses optimism about India's medal prospects at the upcoming Asian Games, suggesting they can surpass their previous tally of three. He stresses the critical need for Indian singles players, including Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty, to overcome inconsistencies and deliver under pressure. Kumar also highlights the challenges posed by the new 15-point format and the highly competitive nature of men's singles badminton.

Buy A Mature Rocket Or Design A New One?

Buy A Mature Rocket Or Design A New One?

Rediff.com3 days ago

Buying a mature rocket technology gives companies the designs and hardware know-how, but not necessarily the decades of engineering wisdom needed to make it work.

Congress Alleges Modi Govt Paving Way For UPI Fees, Surrendering To US Pressure

Congress Alleges Modi Govt Paving Way For UPI Fees, Surrendering To US Pressure

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

The Congress party has criticised the Modi government over a notification regarding UPI transactions, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees, especially on transactions above Rs 2,000. Rahul Gandhi claimed the government is surrendering to American pressure, while Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the potential burden on common citizens amidst inflation. The government's notification prohibits charges on UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 but remains silent on higher amounts, sparking fears of a "Digital Payments Tax."

Asian Games: Indian Shooters Face Logistical Hurdles In Nagoya

Asian Games: Indian Shooters Face Logistical Hurdles In Nagoya

Rediff.com7 days ago

A senior coach from India's shooting contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has voiced disappointment over the logistical arrangements, particularly the long travel times to the training venue.

New UPI Merchant Fee Ignites Fierce Political Debate

New UPI Merchant Fee Ignites Fierce Political Debate

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, sparking a political row. The Congress party has labelled it a "Modi tax" and accused the government of succumbing to US pressure, while the BJP has defended the move, clarifying that consumers will not be charged and small vendors are protected. The finance ministry reiterated that the charge is on merchants, not customers.

Kylian Mbappe leaves Nike, signs with Swiss sportswear On

Kylian Mbappe leaves Nike, signs with Swiss sportswear On

Rediff.com5 days ago

French football superstar Kylian Mbappe has ended his long-standing partnership with Nike to join the rapidly expanding Swiss sportswear brand On, a move that provides On with a high-profile figure for its entry into football and marks another significant defection for the US giant.

Rahul Gandhi Claims Modi Government Surrendering To US Pressure On UPI Charges

Rahul Gandhi Claims Modi Government Surrendering To US Pressure On UPI Charges

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Modi government of quietly paving the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions, alleging it's a surrender to American pressure. The government's recent notification exempts charges only up to Rs 2,000, sparking concerns that higher value transactions and eventually all UPI payments could incur fees. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, clarified that Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies to merchants, not customers, and supports digital infrastructure.

Cong refuses to withdraw Nandigram candidate despite arrest

Cong refuses to withdraw Nandigram candidate despite arrest

Rediff.com5 days ago

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that the Congress would not withdraw its candidate Milan Pradhan from the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, despite his recent arrest. Pradhan was apprehended in connection with a 2007 anti-land acquisition movement case, shortly after the Trinamool Congress extended its support to him. Venugopal alleged political pressure and questioned the Election Commission's silence, vowing to elevate the issue to a national level.

How Nisha Dahia Overcame Injuries To Find Peace On The Mat

How Nisha Dahia Overcame Injuries To Find Peace On The Mat

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Indian wrestler Nisha Dahia has transformed her mindset, moving past repeated injury setbacks and frustrations to focus on her performance at the Asian Games. After years of questioning her fate, she now embraces a mature outlook, concentrating on hard work and accepting outcomes. Her training with Japanese coach Kosei Akaishi has also enhanced her technical skills, particularly in ground wrestling, making her a more complete athlete as she aims for a major medal.

Why MP Fuel Pumps Will Stop Accepting High-Value UPI Payments

Why MP Fuel Pumps Will Stop Accepting High-Value UPI Payments

Rediff.com6 days ago

Fuel pump dealers in Madhya Pradesh plan to stop accepting UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 for petrol and diesel from October 16, citing concerns over the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has urged the government to reconsider the MDR imposition, warning it could hinder digital payment adoption and impact traders' profits.

IndiGo, Air India in tight race for Mumbai-Delhi route dominance

IndiGo, Air India in tight race for Mumbai-Delhi route dominance

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

The Mumbai-Delhi air route, the country's largest and most lucrative, is witnessing an intense battle for supremacy between IndiGo and the Air India group, with Akasa Air emerging as a significant third player, according to recent data.

Defending Champions India Face Organisational Chaos At Chess Olympiad

Defending Champions India Face Organisational Chaos At Chess Olympiad

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Defending champions India experienced significant organisational issues upon arrival in Samarkand for the Chess Olympiad, with players facing a five-hour delay in hotel room allotment. This caused frustration among players and coaches, though organisers assured the situation was being resolved.

'Mirzapur Has Changed The Scale At Which My Work Was Being Seen'

'Mirzapur Has Changed The Scale At Which My Work Was Being Seen'

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

'Morally ambiguous characters are most interesting to play.'

Marijne Outlines Indian Women's Hockey Team's Asian Games Strategy

Marijne Outlines Indian Women's Hockey Team's Asian Games Strategy

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne discusses the team's preparations and strategy for the upcoming Asian Games. He highlights the different challenge posed by lower-ranked opponents compared to the World Cup, emphasising the need for effective scoring and maintaining focus. Marijne also stresses using the World Cup disappointment as motivation for gold and the importance of humility and unity within the team.

Direct Tax Collection Jumps 13% to Rs 12.12 Lakh Crore on Strong Advance Tax

Direct Tax Collection Jumps 13% to Rs 12.12 Lakh Crore on Strong Advance Tax

Rediff.com6 days ago

India's net direct tax collection has surged by 13 per cent to over Rs 12.12 lakh crore by September 17 in the current fiscal year, driven by a significant increase in advance tax payments from corporates, according to CBDT data.

Indian B-Schools Face Urgent Need To Boost AI Competencies

Indian B-Schools Face Urgent Need To Boost AI Competencies

Rediff.com6 days ago

A national study of top 75 Indian B-schools reveals a significant competency gap in AI skills among management graduates, with industry expectations far exceeding current MBA capabilities. A new framework by AIMS, EPSI, and IMC highlights the urgent need for management education to adapt to an AI-led workplace, emphasizing behavioural competencies alongside data fluency.

It's A Medical Miracle Review: Confused Thriller

It's A Medical Miracle Review: Confused Thriller

Rediff.com6 days ago

It's A Medical Miracle has a promising superhero premise and some genuinely inventive moments, but a wildly uneven screenplay ultimately squanders its potential.

14 months out, Avinash Sable eyes Asian Games comeback

14 months out, Avinash Sable eyes Asian Games comeback

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

Indian steeplechase champion Avinash Sable faced a career-threatening knee injury and subsequent psychological struggles, leading to 14 months on the sidelines. Despite a tough upbringing, the physical and mental toll of inactivity and a second injury pushed him to the brink of retirement. With renewed determination and support, Sable has overcome his fears and is now back in competitive shape, aiming to defend his Asian Games title.

The Daily Wager Who May Go To The Oscars

The Daily Wager Who May Go To The Oscars

Rediff.com3 days ago

'The FFI jury said Gondhal is the best film in terms of overall quality -- the sound, background music and cinematography.' 'In every aspect, I don't think this film can be compared to other Indian films. This may sound like overconfidence, but we know what we have done.'

Want To Study Research at IIT-Bombay?

Want To Study Research at IIT-Bombay?

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

Students who want to gain hands-on research experience at the IIT Bombay can apply for the IITB Research Internship Award 2026.

The First Lady Boss Of India's Elite Commando Force

The First Lady Boss Of India's Elite Commando Force

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

Sanjukta Parashar, an IPS officer with a formidable background in counter-insurgency, has made history by becoming the first woman inspector general of the CRPF's elite CoBRA force.

Delhi SIR: Advani, Jaishankar, Dhankhar get notices over voter discrepancies

Delhi SIR: Advani, Jaishankar, Dhankhar get notices over voter discrepancies

Rediff.com4 days ago

The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer's office has issued notices to over 33 lakh voters, including former deputy prime minister LK Advani, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and former vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar, over discrepancies in their electoral roll details. These notices are part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, primarily due to details not matching with the 2002 SIR. Despite concerns raised by some politicians, officials assure that no names will be deleted without due verification and an opportunity for voters to respond.