News for 'FRIENDS'

BJP replaces Amit Malviya, appoints new social media chief

BJP replaces Amit Malviya, appoints new social media chief

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed academic Deepak Mhaskey as the new head of its social media department, succeeding Amit Malviya who led the party's digital outreach for 11 years. Malviya expressed confidence in the new leadership to further enhance the BJP's digital communication and public discourse.

Everyday Glam: Akanksha Mantri, The Doctor & The Diva

Everyday Glam: Akanksha Mantri, The Doctor & The Diva

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Who says everyday dressing has to be predictable? Dr Akanksha Mantri proves that style can be elegant, experimental and full of personality no matter the occasion.

7 Life Lessons From Spider-Man: Brand New Day

7 Life Lessons From Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Spider-Man: Brand New Day shows that even superheroes need friends, healthy outlets for their emotions and the courage to learn from their mistakes.

India's tricolour embarks on global time-zone relay from Fiji on I-Day

India's tricolour embarks on global time-zone relay from Fiji on I-Day

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

India launched 'Suryapath Tiranga', a unique initiative involving over 50 Indian missions globally, to digitally relay images of the tricolour across multiple time zones, starting from Fiji, to mark the country's 80th Independence Day.

BJP replaces Amit Malviya, appoints new social media chief

BJP replaces Amit Malviya, appoints new social media chief

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Deepak Mhaskey, an academic and former member of the board of Engineers India Limited, has been appointed as the new head of the BJP's social media department, taking over from Amit Malviya, who led the department for 11 years. Malviya expressed confidence in the new leadership to further strengthen the party's digital communication.

Friendship Day: When Colleagues Become Family

Friendship Day: When Colleagues Become Family

Rediff.com2 Aug 2026

Divya Nair remembers the work friendships that proved some of life's strongest bonds are built beyond the cubicle.

Spurious liquor kills 4 in Gujarat; 18 hospitalised

Spurious liquor kills 4 in Gujarat; 18 hospitalised

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Two individuals have died and 19 others have been hospitalised in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district after consuming spurious liquor. Authorities have detained four bootleggers and are investigating the source of the duplicate Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) bottles, which are believed to have originated from Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat is a dry state where alcohol is banned.

Teenager Dies After Stabbing In Thane; Friend Detained

Teenager Dies After Stabbing In Thane; Friend Detained

Rediff.com8 May 2026

A teenager was fatally stabbed, and another was seriously injured in Thane after an altercation with a friend, who has been detained by police.

Jurel's Test spot at risk? Sarfaraz adds to pressure

Jurel's Test spot at risk? Sarfaraz adds to pressure

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is at a critical juncture in his Test career, with his performance in the upcoming Sri Lanka series crucial for his future, especially given his struggles against spin and the presence of Sarfaraz Khan.

10 Films That Took Age-Gap Romance Seriously

10 Films That Took Age-Gap Romance Seriously

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

From Joggers Park to De De Pyaar De, these films dared to make the age gap between their unlikely lovers part of the story rather than something to quietly ignore.

BJP replaces Amit Malviya, appoints new social media chief

BJP replaces Amit Malviya, appoints new social media chief

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed Deepak Mhaskey, an academic and former board member of Engineers India Limited, as the new head of its social media department. He replaces Amit Malviya, who led the department for 11 years. Mhaskey, who holds a state minister-rank and is a permanent invitee of the BJP's Chhattisgarh unit, expressed gratitude for the significant responsibility.

Why Messi's Kerala Visit Never Happened: Report Submitted To Govt

Why Messi's Kerala Visit Never Happened: Report Submitted To Govt

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The Kerala Sports Department has submitted its confidential inquiry report regarding the controversy surrounding the proposed visit of football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state during the previous government's tenure.

FedEx St. Jude Championship: Indian-Origin Quartet Struggles To Make Cut

FedEx St. Jude Championship: Indian-Origin Quartet Struggles To Make Cut

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Indian-origin golfers faced a challenging day at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first PGA Tour playoff event. While three players are likely to advance, Sudarshan Yellamaraju is currently outside the top 50 cut-off. Scottie Scheffler leads the tournament, with Sam Burns and Im Sung-jae close behind.

Wrestler Babita Phogat Blessed With Baby Girl On Shivratri

Wrestler Babita Phogat Blessed With Baby Girl On Shivratri

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Veteran Indian wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat and her husband Vivek Suhag have welcomed their second child, a baby girl, on the auspicious occasion of Shivratri.

Ex-Maoist leader seeks lifting of ban on outfit, to write to Amit Shah

Ex-Maoist leader seeks lifting of ban on outfit, to write to Amit Shah

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Senior surrendered CPI (Maoist) leader Tippiri Tirupati alias Devji plans to appeal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to lift the ban on the outfit. He and other surrendered colleagues aim to work legally on people's issues and have also met Telangana DGP C V Anand regarding restrictions on their movements. Tirupati, a former top commander, surrendered in February due to health issues, vowing to work within a legal framework.

Can HIL do for hockey what IPL did for cricket?

Can HIL do for hockey what IPL did for cricket?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Former Australian hockey legend Jamie Dwyer believes the Indian team possesses the talent and infrastructure to become a dominant force in world hockey but stresses that 'they need to maintain consistency as a team' to realise their true potential.

Legendary Actress Sowcar Janaki Passes Away at 94

Legendary Actress Sowcar Janaki Passes Away at 94

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Legendary South Indian actress Sowcar Janaki, a Padma Shri awardee with a career spanning nearly seven decades and over 400 films, has passed away at 94, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

KL Rahul Says Galle Win Gives India Confidence Against Spin

KL Rahul Says Galle Win Gives India Confidence Against Spin

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

India's vice-captain KL Rahul expressed his delight at the team's comprehensive 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle, stating that the team 'ticked most of the boxes' they had discussed prior to the match and gained significant confidence for future spin-dominated assignments.

The Traitors 2: Unmasking Prish

The Traitors 2: Unmasking Prish

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Discover Prish, the enigmatic social media influencer, who is set to captivate audiences on The Traitors Season 2.

Tigers, Boars, Pythons, 400 Kg Tomatoes...

Tigers, Boars, Pythons, 400 Kg Tomatoes...

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Arti Dwarkadas, a former advertising professional, shares her experiences of transitioning from a balcony gardener to a rural Maharashtra farmer in Two Bandra Girls Buy A Farm.

Has Trump Chosen Pakistan Over India?

Has Trump Chosen Pakistan Over India?

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

We are back to the 1971 moment with both China and the US supporting Pakistan, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Khalifa Review: Prithviraj Can't Save Bland Thriller

Khalifa Review: Prithviraj Can't Save Bland Thriller

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Khalifa wants to build a universe, but struggles to build a compelling film, leaving Prithviraj Sukumaran to carry a derivative thriller almost entirely on his shoulders laments Sreeju Sudhakaran.

Anmol Ekka To Lead Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team At AHF Asia Cup

Anmol Ekka To Lead Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team At AHF Asia Cup

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Defender Anmol Ekka will captain the 18-member Indian men's hockey team for the AHF Junior Asia Cup in China from August 30 to September 13. The squad, training in Bengaluru under coach Frederic Soyez, recently completed an exposure tour of Belgium and is playing friendly matches against Malaysia U-21 as part of their preparations.

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit Review: Delightful Romcom

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit Review: Delightful Romcom

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit offers a delightful and charming cinematic experience, blending trademark humour with a sweet, unconventional love story, gushes Sreeju Sudhakaran.

'It will take time': Chadwick on women reaching F1

'It will take time': Chadwick on women reaching F1

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Jamie Chadwick, a triple W Series champion, believes that increasing female participation at grassroots levels is crucial for women to reach the top echelons of motorsport. She highlights the importance of creating welcoming environments for young girls in karting and addresses the historical disparity, noting that it has been 50 years since a woman last raced in Formula One. Chadwick is confident that new initiatives will lead to a higher quality of female drivers in the coming years, despite the overall growth in talent across the sport.

Goa govt moves SC seeking enhanced sentence for Tarun Tejpal

Goa govt moves SC seeking enhanced sentence for Tarun Tejpal

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

The Goa government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking enhanced sentence for journalist Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case, contending the case warrants imprisonment for life.

Why Friendship Day In The '90s Was So Special

Why Friendship Day In The '90s Was So Special

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

Long before social media reels and tagged Instagram stories, friendships were celebrated with simple rituals that made the day unforgettable, says Divya Nair.

Veteran Golfer Eleanor Givens Claims First LET Victory In Switzerland

Veteran Golfer Eleanor Givens Claims First LET Victory In Switzerland

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Indian golfer Pranavi Urs finished tied-38th at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies event, while England's Eleanor Givens secured her maiden Ladies European Tour title after 15 seasons and 210 starts, rallying from behind on the final day.

'I don't know how to carry on': Messi hints at retirement?

'I don't know how to carry on': Messi hints at retirement?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Lionel Messi has shared a deeply personal and emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, on Instagram, expressing his profound grief and recalling his father's encouragement to play in one final World Cup.

Nihal Sarin has a strong message for struggling Gukesh

Nihal Sarin has a strong message for struggling Gukesh

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin discusses fellow world champion D Gukesh's recent performance slump, attributing it to a lack of confidence rather than a decline in skill. Sarin expresses hope that the upcoming Chess Olympiad will help Gukesh regain his form. He also shares his views on the increasing role of AI in chess, the evolution towards faster formats, and potential improvements in the chess ecosystem.

TN to opposes Centre's delimitation plan, backs 543-seat Lok Sabha freeze

TN to opposes Centre's delimitation plan, backs 543-seat Lok Sabha freeze

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

A meeting of Tamil Nadu MPs, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, unanimously decided to oppose the Union government's proposed delimitation exercise, demanding its complete withdrawal and an extension of the delimitation freeze for another 25 years.

Teenager Fatally Stabbed By Friend On His Birthday In Delhi

Teenager Fatally Stabbed By Friend On His Birthday In Delhi

Rediff.com16 May 2026

A 17-year-old boy was allegedly stabbed to death by his friend on his birthday in outer Delhi's Narela area, police sources said on Saturday.

The Harsh Reality Of Leaving Home Behind

The Harsh Reality Of Leaving Home Behind

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Families don't really break apart in a single moment, they just quietly stop fitting under one roof, notes Binu Alex.

TN House demands 543-seat LS formula, 33% women quota from 2029

TN House demands 543-seat LS formula, 33% women quota from 2029

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has adopted a resolution, moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, urging the Union government to permanently fix the Lok Sabha strength at 543 and implement 33 per cent women's reservation by 2029. The resolution also opposes delimitation that could disadvantage states successful in population control.

11 Questions Wives Hate Hearing From Husbands

11 Questions Wives Hate Hearing From Husbands

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Rediff's Divya Nair spoke to married women across India to list the most annoying questions their husbands ask them repeatedly and somehow expect them to answer with a straight face.

Malaika, Kareena, Khushi: Decoding Celebrity Holiday Looks

Malaika, Kareena, Khushi: Decoding Celebrity Holiday Looks

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

From a classic pair of denim shorts and a versatile jacket to a breezy dress, let's decode the best celebrity holiday wardrobes and discover the essentials that definitely deserve a place in your luggage.

Does GPay/PhonePe Affect CIBIL Score?

Does GPay/PhonePe Affect CIBIL Score?

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

It's not about how much you earn -- it's about how you borrow and repay.

Ahmedabad to set new benchmarks for accessibility, sustainability at 2030 Commonwealth Games

Ahmedabad to set new benchmarks for accessibility, sustainability at 2030 Commonwealth Games

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has outlined Ahmedabad's vision for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, emphasising unparalleled accessibility for para athletes and a strong commitment to sustainability through green energy and electric transport.

Juyal's big appeal after CWG silver: Look beyond cricket

Juyal's big appeal after CWG silver: Look beyond cricket

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Shubham Juyal, a silver medallist in para-athletics at the Commonwealth Games, has called for Indians to extend their support to all sports, not just cricket. The Lance Naik in the Indian Army expressed pride in representing Roorkee and shared his aspirations to meet Rishabh Pant and win a medal at the LA 2028 Paralympics, crediting the Indian Army and his family for his success.

Rajasthan govt restricts entry, photography in schools amid CJP campaign

Rajasthan govt restricts entry, photography in schools amid CJP campaign

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

The Rajasthan government has issued an order restricting the entry of outsiders into government schools and barring photography and videography without prior permission, a move that follows protests over poor conditions and an announced inspection by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).