News for 'Council'

Why Congress MPs Were Barred From Kerala Assembly Polls

Why Congress MPs Were Barred From Kerala Assembly Polls

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

Senior Congress leader M K Raghavan has criticised the party's decision to bar MPs from contesting in the recent Kerala Assembly elections, attributing it to the stubbornness of some party leaders rather than a high command directive.

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Council passed a bill to curb hate speech, facing strong opposition from BJP and JD(S), who criticized it as 'draconian' and a threat to free speech. The bill proposes jail terms and fines for hate crimes and repeated offenses.

Saudi Arabia expels Iranian military attache, staff after blatant attacks

Saudi Arabia expels Iranian military attache, staff after blatant attacks

Rediff.com22 Mar 2026

The official statement highlighted that these "blatant Iranian attacks" have also targeted members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and several other Arab and Islamic nations.

Maharashtra Official Calls for Action in TCS Harassment Case

Maharashtra Official Calls for Action in TCS Harassment Case

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

Maharashtra legislative council deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe has demanded stringent action against employees of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik following allegations of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion by female employees.

Meghalaya CM Briefs Governor on Garo Hills Law and Order

Meghalaya CM Briefs Governor on Garo Hills Law and Order

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma briefed Governor CH Vijayashankar on the law and order situation in the Garo Hills region following recent violence related to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.

NIA To Investigate Manipur Civilian Killings After Ambush

NIA To Investigate Manipur Civilian Killings After Ambush

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will investigate the killing of two civilians in Manipur's Ukhrul district, following an ambush by suspected militants. The incident occurred a day after the Chief Minister appealed for peace in the region.

Harivansh poised for re-election as RS deputy Chairman amid Oppn boycott

Harivansh poised for re-election as RS deputy Chairman amid Oppn boycott

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

Harivansh is likely to be elected as the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman for a third term as the opposition has decided to boycott the election in protest.

'India Playing A Chess Game In Nepal'

'India Playing A Chess Game In Nepal'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

'Nepal today is far more aware, self-confident, aspirational, and assertive.' 'India's policy so far has not been geared to this shift. It is time to redraw our Nepal strategy.'

Trump Has Forced The World Into New Reality

Trump Has Forced The World Into New Reality

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

America's population and its media and its democratic structures seem fine with this, which is why Trump continues as he does, asserts Aakar Patel.

West Asia Conflict Can Create Havoc With Budget Numbers

West Asia Conflict Can Create Havoc With Budget Numbers

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

The conflict may disrupt Budget 2026-2027 projections, squeezing revenues and raising subsidies, prompting fiscal adjustments and potential reforms, echoing lessons from the Covid-era shock, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Ferozepur District Court in Punjab Cleared After Bomb Threat Hoax

Ferozepur District Court in Punjab Cleared After Bomb Threat Hoax

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

The Ferozepur district court complex in Punjab received a bomb threat via email, prompting a large-scale police response and evacuation. A thorough search found no explosive devices, and the threat was declared a hoax. This is the second such incident at the court this year.

Sena Leader Raises Concerns Over Nanded Law and Order After Spate of Killings

Sena Leader Raises Concerns Over Nanded Law and Order After Spate of Killings

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

A Shiv Sena legislator has expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Nanded, Maharashtra, following a series of murders and reports of widespread illegal firearms and extortion.

Clean Energy Jobs To Triple By 2030

Clean Energy Jobs To Triple By 2030

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

Jobs in the clean-energy sector are projected to reach 905,000, while energy efficiency-related jobs are expected to surge to 428,700 by 2029-2030.

Curfew imposed in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills after poll violence

Curfew imposed in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills after poll violence

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Curfew has been imposed in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district as a precautionary measure following violent protests and police firing in the neighbouring West Garo Hills district during district council elections.

Legislature vs Executive: Fadnavis rejects call to suspend Satara SP

Legislature vs Executive: Fadnavis rejects call to suspend Satara SP

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarifies the separation of powers between the legislature and executive branches following a directive to suspend a Satara Superintendent of Police. He emphasised that while the executive is accountable to the legislature, the legislature cannot assume the executive's role.

Noah Thain Enters Record Books As First Injury Substitute In English County Cricket

Noah Thain Enters Record Books As First Injury Substitute In English County Cricket

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

Essex all-rounder Noah Thain became the first injury substitute in county cricket, replacing injured captain Tom Westley in a match against Hampshire.

Fire destroys municipal office, two homes in J-K's Kishtwar

Fire destroys municipal office, two homes in J-K's Kishtwar

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

A fire in Kishtwar town, Jammu and Kashmir, has destroyed a municipal council office and two residential houses, prompting a police investigation into the cause.

Tamil Nadu Elections: 'Vijay Has Been Campaigning Very Intensely As A Christian'

Tamil Nadu Elections: 'Vijay Has Been Campaigning Very Intensely As A Christian'

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

'Remember Vijay had never spoke of himself as a Christian when he was a film star.' 'The BJP strategy is they want the Christian minority constituency to move away from the DMK.' 'That is what the BJP wants so that it will be very easy to mobilise Hindu votes.' 'This strategy is to weaken the Dravidian ideology and bring in religion based politics into Tamil Nadu.'

Iran sends back Pakistan-bound food ship from Strait of Hormuz

Iran sends back Pakistan-bound food ship from Strait of Hormuz

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

The container ship SELEN, en route to Karachi, was denied passage by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy due to lack of permission and failure to coordinate with Iranian maritime authorities.

India's Defence Sector Set for 'Super Cycle' Driven by Geopolitics, Indigenous Push

India's Defence Sector Set for 'Super Cycle' Driven by Geopolitics, Indigenous Push

Rediff.com10 Apr 2026

India's defence sector is on the cusp of a 'super cycle' of growth, driven by escalating geopolitical conflicts and a strong policy push towards indigenous manufacturing, with major players like BEL, HAL, and BDL poised for significant order inflows and technological advancements.

Asim Munir Is Making Pakistan A Global Influencer

Asim Munir Is Making Pakistan A Global Influencer

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

'In a volatile global market, India is pursuing a low-risk, low-return policy, akin to a SIP -- slow, steady investment.' 'Pakistan is following a high-risk, high-return policy.'

Census kicks off in Delhi with President, PM leading digital count

Census kicks off in Delhi with President, PM leading digital count

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

This will be India's 16th Census and the eighth since Independence. For the first time, citizens will also have the option of self-enumeration.

Bomb Threat Disrupts Maharashtra Budget Session: What We Know

Bomb Threat Disrupts Maharashtra Budget Session: What We Know

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

The Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai received a bomb threat via email during the budget session, leading to a security search and evacuation. Authorities deemed the threat a hoax after finding nothing suspicious.

Exit Iran 'Expeditiously': India Issues Fresh Advisory

Exit Iran 'Expeditiously': India Issues Fresh Advisory

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

The embassy also said that the exit must be undertaken in coordination with the mission.

Security Forces Nab 10 Rebels Near Manipur Border Amid Ongoing Unrest

Security Forces Nab 10 Rebels Near Manipur Border Amid Ongoing Unrest

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

Security forces in Manipur have arrested 10 cadres of the banned Prepak (RA) near the India-Myanmar border, including five minors, as search operations continue in the region amid ongoing ethnic violence. A separate incident involved a mob attempting to enter the residence of a Kuki Zo Council chairman.

Seven Detained Following Election Violence in Assam

Seven Detained Following Election Violence in Assam

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

Police in Assam have detained seven people in connection with election-related violence in Tamulpur and Sivasagar. Minor clashes also erupted at several polling booths, resulting in minor injuries. Authorities are investigating the incidents and monitoring the situation to ensure uninterrupted polling.

Iran footballers pay tribute to schoolgirls killed in US-Israeli strikes

Iran footballers pay tribute to schoolgirls killed in US-Israeli strikes

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

Iran's men's national soccer team wore black armbands and held schoolbags as their anthem played ahead of a match in Turkey on Friday, in what a team official said was a protest over the killing of schoolgirls on the first day of the Iran war.

Couple Granted Bail After Alleged Racial Abuse of Neighbours

Couple Granted Bail After Alleged Racial Abuse of Neighbours

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

A Delhi court has granted regular bail to a married couple accused of hurling racial slurs at their neighbours from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The court's decision came after the couple complied with interim bail conditions, including relocating from their residence and apologising to the victims.

MCA unveils Ravi Shastri stand, renames Wankhede stadium gates

MCA unveils Ravi Shastri stand, renames Wankhede stadium gates

Rediff.com10 Apr 2026

The Mumbai Cricket Association on Thursday honoured four Indian cricket greats by unveiling a stand and dedicating stadium gates at Wankhede Stadium.

War In The Strait Has Reached A Condom Factory!

War In The Strait Has Reached A Condom Factory!

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

Karex, the Malaysian company that makes roughly one in five of the world's condoms -- about five billion a year, supplying Durex and Trojan among others -- announced this week that it is raising prices by up to 30 percent. The reason is the Strait of Hormuz.

A War With No Exit Strategy, No Victory To Declare

A War With No Exit Strategy, No Victory To Declare

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

Both sides have now revealed a preference for escalation over strategic defeat, and each new provocation narrows the space for the next pause. The Touska seizure, Iran's refusal to negotiate under blockade, Israel's strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure -- all of these add up to an increasingly untenable situation. This makes the wild card -- Trump and his motormouth -- more consequential than ever, notes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the Iran War.

Russia offers fertiliser aid to Global South, East amid Hormuz concerns

Russia offers fertiliser aid to Global South, East amid Hormuz concerns

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

A senior Russian official has stated that Russia is prepared to supply fertilisers and other agricultural products to countries in the Global South and East, following concerns about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz impacting global fertiliser exports and food security.

CBI Files Chargesheet in Rs 23 Crore Digital Arrest Scam

CBI Files Chargesheet in Rs 23 Crore Digital Arrest Scam

Rediff.com10 Apr 2026

The CBI has filed a chargesheet against a man accused of defrauding a retired banker of Rs 23 crore in a sophisticated digital arrest scam involving impersonation of law enforcement and judicial authorities.

Pressure builds on developers to hike prices as costs rise

Pressure builds on developers to hike prices as costs rise

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

Indian realty developers are contemplating price increases for ongoing and upcoming projects to offset margin pressures caused by rising input costs and supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by the West Asia conflict. Input and labour costs have surged by 5-12%, directly impacting developer margins, especially for under-construction projects.

India Missed Diplomatic Edge Against Pakistan

India Missed Diplomatic Edge Against Pakistan

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

Iran was the chance to arrange a concert of nations, to actually be a Vishwaguru. Instead, we are watching from the sidelines as Pakistan, the same country that is apparently still at war with Afghanistan, hosts talks between US-Israel and Iran. The irony is hard to miss, points out Amberish K Diwanji.

Samrat Choudhary's full circle: From sacked Rabri minister to Bihar CM

Samrat Choudhary's full circle: From sacked Rabri minister to Bihar CM

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

It has been a chequered political journey for Samrat Choudhary, who began his political career as a minister in Bihar nearly three decades ago, only to be removed by the then-Governor following allegations about his eligibility.

Trump hails Iran ceasefire, says US will 'hang around'

Trump hails Iran ceasefire, says US will 'hang around'

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

Trump added that the United States would assist in managing the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz.

How Research and Applied Sciences Can Drive India's Sustainability Goals

How Research and Applied Sciences Can Drive India's Sustainability Goals

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

CSIR Director General N Kalaiselvi emphasised the importance of research and applied sciences in developing sustainable solutions for India's energy security and environmental challenges at an international conference on Sustainability Through Fundamental and Applied Sciences (STFAS), 2026.

Volleyball Players Quit National Camp Over Coaching and Facility Concerns

Volleyball Players Quit National Camp Over Coaching and Facility Concerns

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

Two senior Indian volleyball players have quit the national camp in Ahmedabad, citing concerns over incompetent coaches, poor facilities, and politics within the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI).

Meghalaya Curfew Extended Following Election Violence

Meghalaya Curfew Extended Following Election Violence

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

Curfew has been extended in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district until Sunday morning, with a brief relaxation period on Saturday for residents to obtain essential supplies. The curfew follows violence related to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, which have now been postponed.