News for 'FIRST'

Now you can contribute to Nepal flood relief from India via UPI

Now you can contribute to Nepal flood relief from India via UPI

Rediff.com7 days ago

India's UPI International payment system is now playing a crucial role in humanitarian efforts, enabling seamless disaster relief donations from Indian users to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, showcasing its growing global acceptance and utility beyond tourism. UPI IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Unsplash Key Points UPI International, initially for Indian tourists, is now facilitating disaster relief donations to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. The embassy of Nepal in India is actively encouraging Indian users to utilise their UPI apps for these contributions. This marks a significant shift, expanding UPI's cross-border use case beyond tourism to include inbound collection for foreign governments. The move positions UPI International alongside global payment giants like Alipay+ and UnionPay for international aid. Donors need to activate the UPI International feature on their apps to transact, with amounts converted from INR to NPR.

Ignacio Buse Follows Grandfather's Footsteps With Maiden US Open Win

Ignacio Buse Follows Grandfather's Footsteps With Maiden US Open Win

Rediff.com6 days ago

Peruvian tennis player Ignacio Buse secured his maiden US Open victory, defeating Marcos Giron in a five-setter.

AI Is Changing Work, Not Cutting Jobs

AI Is Changing Work, Not Cutting Jobs

Rediff.com5 days ago

'It requires new skilling, new ways of working, and new structures. That's the reality.'

India rescues five-year-old kid among three more nationals in Nepal

India rescues five-year-old kid among three more nationals in Nepal

Rediff.com5 days ago

India has rescued three more nationals, including a child, from Nepal's flood-hit Trishuli Bazaar, bringing the total evacuees to 169, while 275 Indians remain missing. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 1,907 Indians safely crossed into Nepal from China and India continues to provide extensive relief materials and expert teams to assist Nepal in its recovery efforts following the devastating flash floods.

Why Air Marshal Mishra Is The Right Man For Ram Mandir Trust

Why Air Marshal Mishra Is The Right Man For Ram Mandir Trust

Rediff.com6 days ago

Jeetu, as he is known in the IAF, is known for his high intellect, ability to quickly grasp the essentials of complex situations and the readiness to articulate his views clearly and unambiguously. An excellent professional in every sense of the word, he has a well-trained military mind, honed by extensive operational flying and flight testing experience, avers Air Marshal B Manikantan (retd).

'Seeds were sown much earlier': Vidit on Praggnanandhaa's rise

'Seeds were sown much earlier': Vidit on Praggnanandhaa's rise

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour Finals in St. Louis, defeating GM Fabiano Caruana in a stunning comeback. Chess legends Garry Kasparov and Vidit Gujrathi congratulated him on this significant achievement.

Gauff carries Cincinnati momentum into US Open bid

Gauff carries Cincinnati momentum into US Open bid

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

After securing her first title of the season at the Cincinnati Open, American tennis star Coco Gauff is brimming with confidence and aiming for a championship run at the US Open, seeking her third Grand Slam crown.

'King Richard' to US Open: Thea Frodin Follows Serena's Dream

'King Richard' to US Open: Thea Frodin Follows Serena's Dream

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

Five years after playing young Serena Williams' tennis double in 'King Richard', 17-year-old Thea Frodin makes her US Open main-draw debut against Elena Rybakina.

Puligilla And Sherif Continue Podium Streak In WRC Rally Del Paraguay

Puligilla And Sherif Continue Podium Streak In WRC Rally Del Paraguay

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Indian rally drivers Naveen Puligilla and Musa Sherif secured their third consecutive podium finish, taking third place at the Rally del Paraguay, part of the FIA World Rally Championship. This follows their previous successes in Saudi Arabia and Kenya, highlighting their consistent performance on the global stage.

Coco Gauff ousts Paula Badosa; stays on course for second US Open title

Coco Gauff ousts Paula Badosa; stays on course for second US Open title

Rediff.com5 days ago

World number four Coco Gauff secured a hard-fought victory against Paula Badosa in the second round of the U.S. Open. Despite Badosa's strong challenge and previous wins against Gauff, the American triumphed in two sets, 6-4, 7-6(5), on a sweltering evening at Arthur Ashe Court, advancing her quest for a second title at Flushing Meadows.

Raphinha, Yamal Doubles Power Barcelona to 5-2 Victory Over Rayo Vallecano

Raphinha, Yamal Doubles Power Barcelona to 5-2 Victory Over Rayo Vallecano

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Barcelona secured a dominant 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal each scoring twice, propelling the Catalan giants to the top of the LaLiga table on goal difference.

Young Tigresses Gear Up For AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Young Tigresses Gear Up For AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

The India U17 women's football team will play two friendly matches against the Philippines in Goa in late September as part of their preparations for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. These matches will serve as the final warm-up before their qualification campaign in Malaysia in October, where they aim for a second consecutive appearance in the Asian Cup.

Sooryavanshi Misses Century After Breaking 57-Year Old Duleep Trophy Record

Sooryavanshi Misses Century After Breaking 57-Year Old Duleep Trophy Record

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old batter, made history by becoming the youngest player to score a half-century in the Duleep Trophy. Playing for East Zone against Central Zone, he scored an unbeaten 80 off 69 balls, breaking a 57-year-old record.

Sonal Dinusha's golden run: Sri Lanka batter joins Sangakkara in elite club

Sonal Dinusha's golden run: Sri Lanka batter joins Sangakkara in elite club

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

Sri Lankan batter Sonal Dinusha has made history by smashing his fourth successive fifty-plus score against India in the ongoing Test series, joining an elite group of cricketing legends.

OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Launch Advanced AI Models, Sparking Debate On Monitoring And Security

OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Launch Advanced AI Models, Sparking Debate On Monitoring And Security

Rediff.com6 days ago

Leading global technology companies OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have introduced new AI models with enhanced capabilities, including advanced cybersecurity and coding. However, these releases have ignited significant debate among researchers regarding the transparency and monitorability of AI reasoning, particularly concerning OpenAI's Astra model and its "recurrent depth" architecture.

Oppex AI Raises Rs 4.2 Crore To Revolutionise Production Operations

Oppex AI Raises Rs 4.2 Crore To Revolutionise Production Operations

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Bengaluru-based Oppex AI, an AI-native platform for production operations, has successfully raised Rs 4.2 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Info Edge Ventures. The capital will be utilised to expand its team, accelerate product development, and scale deployments, aiming to advance AI-led transformation in enterprise technology.

Mandhana 'Never Imagined' Breaking Mithali Raj's International Run Record

Mandhana 'Never Imagined' Breaking Mithali Raj's International Run Record

Rediff.com5 days ago

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana expressed her disbelief and happiness after surpassing legendary batter Mithali Raj to become the leading run-scorer in Women's Internationals, a feat she 'never imagined' achieving.

The Real Woman Behind Babita Singh Reporting

The Real Woman Behind Babita Singh Reporting

Rediff.com6 days ago

"Her heroism lies in finding her own voice and finally choosing to stand up for herself," said Nimisha Sajayan, discussing her role as Babita in 'Babita Singh Reporting'.

Pakistan hit by fresh blow as Babar Azam battles fever amid major team shake-Up

Pakistan hit by fresh blow as Babar Azam battles fever amid major team shake-Up

Rediff.com7 days ago

Babar Azam's fever adds to Pakistan's mounting troubles before the Edgbaston Test, with the PCB overhauling the squad and coaching staff after England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Nepal floods: Wife said 'don't jump'; husband did and survived

Nepal floods: Wife said 'don't jump'; husband did and survived

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Survivors of the recent devastating floods in Nepal share their harrowing experiences of escaping the raging waters, losing loved ones, and witnessing widespread destruction, as thousands remain missing and families struggle to rebuild their lives.

Shagun Sharma's Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 Journey Ends

Shagun Sharma's Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 Journey Ends

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

Actor Shagun Sharma's challenging journey on the popular stunt-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 has concluded after she was eliminated in a task against fellow contestants Harsh Gujral and Jasmin Bhasin.

KSLTA World Tennis Junior J30: Indian Players Make Strong Start

KSLTA World Tennis Junior J30: Indian Players Make Strong Start

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

The KSLTA World Tennis Junior J30 Bengaluru tournament saw strong performances from young Indian players on its opening day. Top seed Riya Gangamma Pudiyokkada advanced, while several unseeded players caused significant upsets in both the boys' and girls' categories, highlighting emerging talent.

Selectors push for KL Rahul, Mohd Siraj and Devdutt Padikkal in Duleep final

Selectors push for KL Rahul, Mohd Siraj and Devdutt Padikkal in Duleep final

Rediff.com6 days ago

Veteran Indian cricketers KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Devdutt Padikkal have been asked to play in the Duleep Trophy final for South Zone against East Zone. The participation of other T20I players like Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Ishan Kishan depends on Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir's approval. Additionally, chief selector Ajit Agarkar will attend the final, and the BCCI is arranging visas for net bowlers for the Asian Games.

AI Giants Unveil Advanced Models, Raising Critical Safety Questions

AI Giants Unveil Advanced Models, Raising Critical Safety Questions

Rediff.com6 days ago

OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have unveiled new AI models with enhanced capabilities, including advanced cybersecurity and coding. OpenAI's Astra model achieved a 'Critical' cybersecurity tier, but its novel architecture, using "recurrent depth," has sparked significant safety concerns among researchers who fear it makes monitoring the model's reasoning more difficult. Anthropic and Google also introduced new models and features, further advancing AI technology while the debate over responsible development intensifies.

Tata Motors claims No. 2 spot in India's PV market with record market share gains

Tata Motors claims No. 2 spot in India's PV market with record market share gains

Rediff.com7 days ago

Tata Motors has emerged as the biggest market-share gainer among India's leading passenger vehicle (PV) makers in the first eight months of 2026, securing the No. 2 position in the PV market.

'Rs 12 Lakh Crore Disappeared from India's GDP'

'Rs 12 Lakh Crore Disappeared from India's GDP'

Rediff.com5 days ago

'The fundamental issue that I have raised, how come India's GDP in current prices went down from Rs 86 lakh crore down to Rs 80 lakh crore -- a staggering erasure of Rs 6 lakh crore. This disappearance of Rs 6 lakh crore has not been answered by anyone.'

Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone Trailer Review: Magic Starts Anew

Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone Trailer Review: Magic Starts Anew

Rediff.com6 days ago

The comparison will be inevitable, and watching new actors will need time to adjust and grow on fans, discovers Priyanka Bhatt.

WATCH: Fan Reviews Of Yash's Toxic

WATCH: Fan Reviews Of Yash's Toxic

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

Yash's Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has unleashed a wave of fan frenzy and houseful shows across Karnataka, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

Kanpur woman found murdered in chair, robbery suspected

Kanpur woman found murdered in chair, robbery suspected

Rediff.com7 days ago

A 60-year-old woman, Uma Kushwaha, was found dead in her Kanpur home with signs of strangulation and scattered belongings, leading police to suspect a robbery attempt. Authorities are investigating the motive, as there were no clear signs of forced entry, and only one cupboard containing jewellery was targeted.

East Zone, South Zone bowlers excel on Day 1 of Duleep Trophy semifinals

East Zone, South Zone bowlers excel on Day 1 of Duleep Trophy semifinals

Rediff.com30 Aug 2026

Kaverappa's four-wicket haul gave South Zone control before they stumbled, while Mukesh and Sarkar struck three each to bowl Central Zone out, giving East Zone a strong start.

How To Pick The Right BAF

How To Pick The Right BAF

Rediff.com5 days ago

BAFs seek to offer a smoother experience across market cycles, not the full upside of a bull market.

Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova plays it cool ahead of US Open challenge

Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova plays it cool ahead of US Open challenge

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova enters the US Open with a low-key mindset, insisting her breakthrough Grand Slam victory has not changed her approach or added pressure.

Srikanth stuns World No 9 to reach China Masters quarters

Srikanth stuns World No 9 to reach China Masters quarters

Rediff.com6 days ago

Veteran Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth defeated world No. 9 Victor Lai of Canada in straight games to advance to the men's singles quarterfinals of the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament. Srikanth secured a 21-18, 21-19 victory and will next face Lee Cheuk Yiu. Other Indian participants, Tanvi Sharma in women's singles and Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto in mixed doubles, were eliminated.

Chinese arms executive held for leaking secrets to two countries

Chinese arms executive held for leaking secrets to two countries

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

A Chinese military trading company executive has been arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive defence information to intelligence agencies from two countries, China's top spy and anti-espionage agency said on Monday.

New AI Models From Tech Giants Raise Safety Concerns

New AI Models From Tech Giants Raise Safety Concerns

Rediff.com7 days ago

Leading technology companies OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have announced new AI models with advanced capabilities, including OpenAI's Astra reaching a "Critical" cybersecurity tier. However, these advancements have ignited a significant debate among safety researchers and netizens, particularly concerning the transparency and monitorability of OpenAI's novel "recurrent depth" architecture.

India Women's Hockey Team Refines Strategy For Asian Games Success

India Women's Hockey Team Refines Strategy For Asian Games Success

Rediff.com4 days ago

India women's hockey team coach Sjoerd Marijne discusses the team's preparations for the upcoming Asian Games, focusing on improved defence and sharpening goal-scoring skills. Skipper Salima Tete and senior player Savita Punia also share insights on the team's changed mindset and strategies, highlighting lessons learned from the recent Hockey World Cup.

Sebi to review derivatives settlement pricing after market uproar over CAS

Sebi to review derivatives settlement pricing after market uproar over CAS

Rediff.com5 days ago

India's market regulator, Sebi, is set to issue a consultation paper proposing changes to the methodology for determining settlement prices of derivative contracts, following significant feedback and 'sharp price spikes and distortions' observed during the recently implemented Closing Auction Session (CAS) mechanism.

Gurnoor Brar added to North Zone squad as selectors push for more red-ball exposure

Gurnoor Brar added to North Zone squad as selectors push for more red-ball exposure

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

Gurnoor Brar has joined North Zone for the Duleep Trophy semifinal, with selectors using the opportunity to boost the India pacer's red-ball exposure ahead of New Zealand Tests.

SC stays FIR against Kotdwar's 'Mohammad Deepak'

SC stays FIR against Kotdwar's 'Mohammad Deepak'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court has stayed further proceedings in an FIR against Kotdwar gym operator Deepak Kumar, known as 'Mohammad Deepak', who gained prominence for confronting Bajrang Dal workers. The case stems from an incident where Deepak defended a Muslim shopkeeper, leading to a viral video and subsequent legal challenges.

Carla Jeffery, Known For Zombies, Good Luck Charlie, Dies At 33

Carla Jeffery, Known For Zombies, Good Luck Charlie, Dies At 33

Rediff.com5 days ago

Zombies Actor Carla Jeffery has tragically passed away at 33, prompting an outpouring of tributes from her family and friends.