The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, prohibits only the conversion of religious character but does not prevent the state from acquiring such properties for secular and public purposes. This observation came while dismissing a petition challenging the widening and beautification of the Dalmandi area in Varanasi for the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor, which involved the proposed demolition of six ancient mosques.
India too can rise to the top if the 1.4 billion Indians back home are given better opportunities to use their innate talent and capacity to work hard, with right incentives in a more meritocratic rules-based system, asserts Ajay Chhibber.
A new study by King's College London and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute has identified 74 genomic locations, including 39 new ones, linked to anxiety symptoms. Analysing data from nearly 700,000 people, the research highlights the complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors in anxiety development and offers new insights into its biological underpinnings.
US and Iran officials have reportedly agreed to de-escalate tensions and ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with technical talks scheduled to continue. This development follows months of conflict, rising gas prices, and strained diplomatic relations, marked by recent retaliatory strikes and threats from both sides. Further discussions on Iran's nuclear program are set to take place in Qatar, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts despite recent volatility.
Researchers have identified a new process, 'chronoferroptosis', where excess iron in neurons reduces their resilience to stress, increasing vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery highlights iron accumulation as a critical target for predicting, preventing, and treating conditions like Alzheimer's.
The Centre had previously informed the high court it would not take forceful possession of the land by June 5, stating it would follow due legal procedure.
CAT and MBA expert and rediffGURU Patrick D'Souza explains how a simple daily reading habit can help aspirants clinch 99 percentile in the Common Admission Test this year.
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of disrupting a TMC protest march concerning the Baruipur rape and murder case, alleging that the police acted as an 'arm' of the saffron party by failing to enforce a Calcutta High Court order permitting the rally.
Tamil Nadu's new government, led by C Joseph Vijay, is committed to advancing the ~38,000 crore shipbuilding project with HD Hyundai in Thoothukudi, securing bipartisan support from the Opposition DMK, despite initial industry concerns about policy continuity after the change in leadership.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's, funeral due to security concerns stemming from Israeli threats. This decision follows a sharp warning from Iran's Foreign Minister to the United States, urging it to control Israel after its Defence Minister reportedly marked Khamenei for death. The incident highlights escalating tensions and ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate hostilities in West Asia.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has clarified that the display of expiry and 'best before' dates on packaged food products sold on e-commerce platforms is governed by the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, which are administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).
India's Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is pushing to revive Formula One racing in the country, focusing on creating a strong pipeline of drivers and technicians. Discussions with the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) have centered on developing a comprehensive framework to integrate motorsports with India's automotive and engineering sectors.
Experts at a discussion in Delhi emphasised the importance of ethical governance and indigenous capability in India's pursuit of becoming a global artificial intelligence power, ensuring technology serves the public good and maintains strategic autonomy.
Meta on Tuesday published a detailed blog outlining its efforts to combat child sexual abuse material across its apps, citing AI-powered detection, ad review systems and large-scale enforcement actions, days after the government issued a notice to the social media giant over reports of Instagram advertisements promoting such content.
About 45 km from the tech hub of Bengaluru, the Karnataka government is planning a mega artificial intelligence (AI)-powered city with a budget of more than Rs 18,000 crore. To be spread over 9,000 acres, the project aims to follow the theme "Work, live, play" with technology as its core. At the centre of it are, however, thousands of farmers who are protesting against land acquisition by the government.
Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress supremo, has launched a strong counterattack against rebel party members, accusing them of conspiring with the BJP to split the party. She dared them to formally join the BJP and defended her leadership amidst the worst organisational crisis for TMC, while also announcing leadership changes and criticising the rebels' past actions and attempts to seize party assets.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that all Sikh MLAs and cabinet ministers will appear before the Akal Takht on June 29 regarding the anti-sacrilege law. This decision follows a closed-door meeting in Amritsar, where Mann stated that representatives would present their views in writing. The Akal Takht had summoned Sikh legislators and ministers over objections to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which it claims was enacted without consulting the Sikh Panth. Mann also addressed accusations of challenging the Akal Takht's authority and criticised political appointees for one-sided decisions.
A senior Pakistani defence official, Lt Gen (retd) Mazhar Jamil, claimed that India's long-range missile development indicates ambitions to become a global nuclear power capable of threatening Western capitals, urging international attention to India's military modernisation. He also reiterated Pakistan's commitment to deterrence stability in South Asia.
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has launched a new Retirement Income Scheme (RIS) and drawdown options under the National Pension System (NPS), offering greater flexibility for managing pension savings post-retirement. Additionally, PFRDA has eased annuity surrender rules, allowing exits in cases of critical illness or for older contracts with explicit surrender clauses.
The BMC is closely monitoring reservoir levels and enforcing water conservation measures as concerns over supply grow.
The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) has partnered with Tata Steel Limited to train young footballers from the state at the Tata Football Academy (TFA) in Jamshedpur, providing professional exposure to selected boys and girls across various age categories.
An oil tanker carrying 24 Indian seafarers reported a fire off the coast of Oman, with all crew members confirmed safe. The incident occurred amidst renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran, who exchanged attacks on petrochemical facilities.
Researchers at IIT Mandi have developed a real-time landslide monitoring and early warning system that has been deployed in landslide-prone areas of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. The system uses machine learning and sensors to detect ground movements and provide early warnings to authorities and the public.
The Delhi High Court has reaffirmed the All India Tennis Association's (AITA) General Body's authority in amending its constitution, directing that proposed changes be put to a clause-by-clause vote by members. This interim order modifies a single judge's ruling, ensuring the federation's democratic processes are maintained while complying with new sports governance laws, with fresh elections mandated by September 30.
The Mayurbhanj district administration has declared Rairangpur a "no drone zone" for the upcoming visit of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders will attend the second anniversary events of the state's BJP government and inaugurate several projects.
The internecine war within the Trinamool Congress took a new turn on Thursday with "party treasurer" Aroop Biswas writing to a bank seeking restrictions on the operation of the party's accounts, citing uncertainty over its legitimate leadership amid rebellions by MLAs and MPs.
It is an unusual choice to depute a retired general for the funeral of a revered religious figure but a thoughtful one in an attempt to inject verve into the bilateral relationship and restore the equilibrium in India's West Asian policies, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Stand-up comedian Pranit More has issued a second apology for his "lapse in judgment" regarding a controversial "Rs 370 biryani" remark made by a participant during his show, which allegedly glorified non-consensual conduct. More is facing a police case and expressed regret for giving a platform to the derogatory comments. The controversy also involves another participant, Sejal Pawar, for separate objectionable remarks.
In a bid to wrest control of the Trinamool Congress, its rebel faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee on Monday elected MLA Arup Roy as chairperson, marking the sharpest challenge yet to the authority of party founder Mamata Banerjee.
United States President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have virtually signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin a 60-day negotiation process on sanctions and Iran's nuclear programme.
The Indian government is reportedly considering increasing the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the pension sector to 100 per cent, bringing it in line with the insurance sector. A Bill to amend the PFRDA Act, 2013, is expected in an upcoming Parliament session.
The Delhi government is considering taking over the management of a private school in Janakpuri following allegations of a sexual assault on a three-year-old girl. The Directorate of Education issued a show-cause notice to the school, citing serious lapses in child safety and compliance with norms, which remains unanswered.
'...A new challenge has emerged in the form of Mythos.'
'Many relationships break down because people are unable to honestly express what they feel. If someone cannot tell their family they do not want to go ahead with a marriage, the consequences can affect not only them but everyone involved.
Four promising Indian tennis players, including Manas Dhamne and Vaishnavi Adkar, have been inducted into the Government of India's Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme, which provides comprehensive support for high-performance athletes. This move, welcomed by AITA, aims to strengthen India's presence in international tennis.
Facing a massive rebellion of MLAs and MPs after its defeat in the West Bengal assembly polls, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has begun an organisational reset, with sources saying the focus is on top leaders increasing direct engagement with workers and reducing dependence on political-consultancy firm I-PAC.
Mantu Singh, the primary suspect in the murder of a 23-year-old man during a land dispute clash in Palamu, Jharkhand, has surrendered to a court. Singh had been absconding since the May 23 incident where Sikandar Choudhary was shot dead and four others injured. Police are seeking his remand for further investigation and are actively pursuing the remaining 14 absconding accused.
A 55-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai during heavy rains, leading to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) suspending four officials and initiating a homicide case against the responsible contractor for alleged negligence.
From Mollywood Times to Mohiniyattam, these black comedies from South Cinema prove that the darkest humour can also deliver the sharpest entertainment.
