News for 'Central'

Khamenei Among 10 Of The World's Longest-Serving Leaders

Khamenei Among 10 Of The World's Longest-Serving Leaders

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

From founding fathers to Europe's most unyielding rulers, these figures have not just held office, they have established a cult of leadership and will leave legacies, mostly mixed, that few can rival.

Is US using Indian ports to strike Iran? MEA clarifies

Is US using Indian ports to strike Iran? MEA clarifies

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

India has firmly denied allegations that the US Navy is using its ports to launch attacks against Iran, reaffirming its commitment to strategic autonomy and non-alignment in international conflicts.

ED wants speedy trial against P Chidambaram in PMLA cases

ED wants speedy trial against P Chidambaram in PMLA cases

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is seeking an expedited trial against Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis and INX Media money laundering cases, having submitted the required prosecution sanction to the court.

Middle East on edge as Iran targets US military bases

Middle East on edge as Iran targets US military bases

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Residents across the Gulf region, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, experienced fear and disruption following attacks, leading to flight suspensions and heightened security measures.

Who Will Be BJP's First CM In Bihar?

Who Will Be BJP's First CM In Bihar?

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

It now has become clear that he will have to quit his post.

India's 2027 Census to be fully digital; first phase from April 1

India's 2027 Census to be fully digital; first phase from April 1

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

India has launched digital tools for its upcoming fully digital Census 2027, including mobile apps and a self-enumeration portal, aiming for efficient and accurate data collection.

15 Naxalites, Including Key Leader, Surrender in Chhattisgarh

15 Naxalites, Including Key Leader, Surrender in Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Fifteen Naxalites, including a Special Zonal Committee-level member, surrendered to security forces in Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district, marking a significant development in the state's efforts to combat Naxalism.

Karnataka bans social media for children under 16

Karnataka bans social media for children under 16

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Karnataka Chief Minister announces a ban on social media for children under 16 and increased measures to prevent drug abuse in schools, colleges, and universities, alongside investments in education infrastructure and mental health support.

Iran conflict: 'My sister reported loud explosions'

Iran conflict: 'My sister reported loud explosions'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Indian parents express growing anxiety and fear for the safety of their children studying in Iran, as the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates. They are appealing to the Indian government for immediate evacuation.

Iran claims missile strike on US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln

Iran claims missile strike on US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been operating in the Arabian Sea since the end of January.

Indian Leaders Urge PM Modi to Evacuate Citizens Amid Iran Conflict

Indian Leaders Urge PM Modi to Evacuate Citizens Amid Iran Conflict

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take urgent steps for the evacuation of Indian citizens stuck in countries affected by the recent joint Israel-US attack on Iran.

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh ban social media for kids

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh ban social media for kids

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh announce ban social media for teens, sparking debate about its effectiveness, impact on education, and implications for advertisers targeting young audiences.

Sai Pallavi Replaces Deepika Padukone In Kalki 2

Sai Pallavi Replaces Deepika Padukone In Kalki 2

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

'There was never any question of scrapping the role after Deepika's exit.'

Bengaluru Police Nab Interstate Drug Peddlers with Rs 11.5 Crore Worth of Narcotics

Bengaluru Police Nab Interstate Drug Peddlers with Rs 11.5 Crore Worth of Narcotics

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Bengaluru police have arrested two alleged interstate drug peddlers, including a woman, and seized narcotics worth Rs 11.50 crore. The operation uncovered a network distributing drugs sourced from Thailand, along with other seizures of Ganja and Hashish Oil.

Centre to evacuate Indians from Gulf; IndiGo to operate 10 Jeddah flights

Centre to evacuate Indians from Gulf; IndiGo to operate 10 Jeddah flights

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assures that the Indian government is prepared to bring back Indians stranded in the Gulf region due to the Iran-Israel conflict and disruptions in Dubai, emphasizing citizen safety as the top priority.

Mamata Banerjee to Hold Dharna Against Electoral Roll Deletions

Mamata Banerjee to Hold Dharna Against Electoral Roll Deletions

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to hold a dharna in Kolkata against alleged arbitrary deletions in the state's electoral rolls, marking a return to her roots as a street fighter and signalling a key political battle ahead of Assembly elections.

Iran shares video of shooting down US F-15 fighter jet

Iran shares video of shooting down US F-15 fighter jet

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Referring to local sources, IRNA shared a video clip that it claims shows the downing of the American F-15 fighter jet in Kuwait.

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 Review: Where's The Chemistry?

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 Review: Where's The Chemistry?

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Even as Benedict and Sophie steal sultry glances and get intimate, one crucial thing is missing all throughout, notes Divya Nair.

Filmmaker Discusses 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'

Filmmaker Discusses 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania discusses her docudrama 'The Voice of Hind Rajab,' which focuses on the tragic story of a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed during the Israel-Gaza conflict, and her motivations for making the film.

Train Shooting Accused Seeks Bail Citing 'Borderline Insanity'

Train Shooting Accused Seeks Bail Citing 'Borderline Insanity'

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Former RPF constable Chetansinh Chaudhary, accused of killing his senior and three passengers on a train in 2023, has applied for bail, citing 'borderline insanity' and blaming railway authorities for not assessing his mental state.

Woman Delivers Baby at Hospital Gate After Ambulance Driver Leaves Her

Woman Delivers Baby at Hospital Gate After Ambulance Driver Leaves Her

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

A 28-year-old woman delivered a baby girl at the main gate of a Raisen district hospital after a Janani Express ambulance driver allegedly left her outside. Hospital staff assisted the woman and her newborn, and the hospital is investigating the incident.

Court Rejects Bail for Alleged Kingpin in Rs 8.94 Crore Bank Fraud

Court Rejects Bail for Alleged Kingpin in Rs 8.94 Crore Bank Fraud

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

A Delhi court has dismissed the bail plea of an alleged kingpin in an over Rs 8.94 crore bank fraud case, citing the gravity of the offence and its systematic execution through layered transactions.

Nepal-bound flight returns to Bengaluru again, passengers protest

Nepal-bound flight returns to Bengaluru again, passengers protest

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Passengers traveling from Bengaluru to Kathmandu faced significant disruptions and protested at Kempegowda International Airport after their flight failed to land in Kathmandu on two consecutive days, leading to frustration and accusations of mismanagement by the airline.

War reaches Lebanon, Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Beirut

War reaches Lebanon, Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Beirut

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

The escalating conflict in West Asia widened on Monday as Israel launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, following projectile fire from Lebanese territory into northern Israel. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) said in a series of posts on X that it carried out targeted strikes against senior members of Hezbollah in the Beirut area in response to the projectile fire launched toward Israel, particularly toward the north of the country.

Anthropic CEO Highlights India's Key Role in AI Governance

Anthropic CEO Highlights India's Key Role in AI Governance

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei emphasized India's crucial role in addressing the challenges posed by AI, including autonomous behavior, misuse potential, and economic displacement, during his address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Is The Dubai Dream Over?

Is The Dubai Dream Over?

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Dubai's core promise -- that it is an oasis untouched by regional storms -- has been tested in full public view. The coming months will show whether investors view the attacks as a short-lived disruption or a deeper signal of lasting risk, points out Asif Ullah Khan.

Iran's military command is gone, op to continue: Trump

Iran's military command is gone, op to continue: Trump

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Trump also asserted that US forces had struck hundreds of targets across Iran, including facilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and air defence systems.

Bengaluru Police Nab 16 Drug Peddlers, Seize 5.24 Crore Worth of Drugs

Bengaluru Police Nab 16 Drug Peddlers, Seize 5.24 Crore Worth of Drugs

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Bengaluru City Police arrested 16 individuals, including two women, for alleged drug peddling and seized contraband worth 5.24 crore. The Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch made the arrests, seizing MDMA ecstasy pills, MDMA crystal, ganja, and hydro ganja. Nine foreign nationals overstaying their visas and allegedly involved in drug peddling were also taken into custody.

Will Embracing Israel Prove Costly For India?

Will Embracing Israel Prove Costly For India?

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

By appearing to privilege ideological affinity over strategic balance, India risks eroding the trust painstakingly built across West Asia. Once the perception takes hold that India's friendship is conditional and transactional, rebuilding credibility will be difficult, warns Amberish K Diwanji.

UP boy killed father, dismembered body over 'pressure to clear NEET'

UP boy killed father, dismembered body over 'pressure to clear NEET'

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

A 21-year-old man in Lucknow has been arrested for allegedly murdering and dismembering his father after an argument about the NEET medical entrance exam.

Pawan Hans helicopter with 7 onboard crashes into Andaman sea

Pawan Hans helicopter with 7 onboard crashes into Andaman sea

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

A Pawan Hans helicopter with seven people on board crashed into the sea near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All passengers and crew members were rescued and admitted to a hospital. A technical snag is suspected to be the cause of the crash.

Woman Claims Illegal Transactions in Her Name

Woman Claims Illegal Transactions in Her Name

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

A woman in Dombivali, Thane district, claims unauthorized transactions of 2.6 crore occurred in bank accounts opened in her name, potentially linked to a scam originating in Uttarakhand.

Delhi on alert over LeT terror plot to 'avenge' Pak mosque blast

Delhi on alert over LeT terror plot to 'avenge' Pak mosque blast

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

The alert comes in the backdrop of the deadly car explosion near the historic Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which killed at least 13 people.

'When we looked outside, we saw a missile'

'When we looked outside, we saw a missile'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Indians returning from the Middle East share their experiences of fear and uncertainty as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran disrupts travel and daily life, leaving many stranded and facing financial strain.

T20 World Cup semifinal: New Zealand and South Africa in the same boat, says Santner

T20 World Cup semifinal: New Zealand and South Africa in the same boat, says Santner

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner believes his team is on equal footing with South Africa ahead of their T20 World Cup semifinal match. Santner acknowledges South Africa's strength but emphasises the importance of adapting to conditions and executing plans effectively in the crucial knockout game.

Nagpur explosives unit blast: Minister points to safety lapses; MD held

Nagpur explosives unit blast: Minister points to safety lapses; MD held

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

A senior Maharashtra minister has alleged negligence on the part of SBL Energy Ltd following a fatal explosion at its Nagpur detonator-making unit that killed 19 workers. The government has promised compensation and a thorough investigation into safety lapses.

Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to Keralam

Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to Keralam

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

The Union Cabinet has reportedly approved the Kerala government's proposal to officially change the state's name to Keralam, following a resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly.

Everyday Heroine: 'Akeli Aurat Ko Duniya Kamzor Samajhti Hai'

Everyday Heroine: 'Akeli Aurat Ko Duniya Kamzor Samajhti Hai'

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Mumbai-based caretaker Suchita Sawant tells us how she raised her son, funded his education and continues to support herself financially and brings smiles and comfort in the lives of several elderly and helpless patients.

Kerala HC allows release of 'The Kerala Story 2'

Kerala HC allows release of 'The Kerala Story 2'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

The Kerala High Court has overturned a single judge's order that had put a 15-day hold on the screening of 'The Kerala Story 2-Goes Beyond,' paving the way for the film's release.

Khamenei killing: 14 injured in J-K protests; curbs on convoy movement

Khamenei killing: 14 injured in J-K protests; curbs on convoy movement

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Protests erupted in Kashmir following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading to restrictions on movement and mobile internet speeds.