News for 'India First'

Nabi's Five-For Puts J&K on Brink of Historic Ranji Glory

Nabi's Five-For Puts J&K on Brink of Historic Ranji Glory

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Jammu & Kashmir extend their commanding lead to 477 runs, now 186/4 after 57 overs.

Gukesh draws with Hans Niemann in Prague International Chess; Chithambaram loses

Gukesh draws with Hans Niemann in Prague International Chess; Chithambaram loses

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

World champion D Gukesh drew with Hans Moke Niemann in the first round of the Prague International Chess Festival.

At No 4, VinFast Racing Towards Podium Finish in India EV Market

At No 4, VinFast Racing Towards Podium Finish in India EV Market

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

Six months after its India debut, the Vietnamese automaker has overtaken established players such as Hyundai Motor, BMW, Kia, and Chinese EV major BYD.

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.

Ahead of T20 World Cup, Surya reveals India's T20 success mantra

Ahead of T20 World Cup, Surya reveals India's T20 success mantra

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

India's T20 mindset similar for all competitions; will give Washington time to recover: Suryakumar

Ranji Trophy Final, Karnataka vs Jammu and Kashmir: Mayank Agarwal hits century to keep Karnataka's hopes alive

Ranji Trophy Final, Karnataka vs Jammu and Kashmir: Mayank Agarwal hits century to keep Karnataka's hopes alive

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

Mayank Agarwal stroked a fluent century to lead Karnataka's fightback after Auqib Nabi's three-wicket haul had put Jammu and Kashmir in control, on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy final.

PCB talks with ICC may save India-Pak T20 World Cup clash

PCB talks with ICC may save India-Pak T20 World Cup clash

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday met his Bangladesh counterpart Aminul Islam and ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja in Lahore, even as efforts to resolve the standoff over Pakistan's proposed boycott of the high stakes T20 World Cup match against India gather pace.

'Let's Stop Treating AI Like COVID'

'Let's Stop Treating AI Like COVID'

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

'It is too early to conclude that there will be a bloodbath, that there will be no jobs, and that there will be civil unrest.' 'Let's calm down.' 'AI is a tool, it is not a weapon, it is not a virus.'

ED attaches Anil Ambani's Rs 3,716-crore house 'Abode'

ED attaches Anil Ambani's Rs 3,716-crore house 'Abode'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

The Enforcement Directorate attached Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani's Mumbai house, 'Abode', worth Rs 3,716 crore under the anti-money laundering law, official sources said on Wednesday.

Farhan Akhtar's Boong Wins At BAFTA

Farhan Akhtar's Boong Wins At BAFTA

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

Boong was the only Indian nominee at the ceremony and the first Indian film to win the Best Children and Family Film award.

T20 World Cup: When Finn Allen Launched A Meteor Shower At Eden Gardens

T20 World Cup: When Finn Allen Launched A Meteor Shower At Eden Gardens

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

The South Africans had only recently wiped away their reputation of being chokers. Finn Allen got them to choke again.

T20 World Cup: Varun vs Tariq: India Vs Pakistan Set For Battle Of Mystery Spinners

T20 World Cup: Varun vs Tariq: India Vs Pakistan Set For Battle Of Mystery Spinners

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

The spotlight is on mystery spinners like Varun Chakravarthy and Usman Tariq, who could exploit the Premadasa Stadium's testing pitch during the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup on Sunday.

T20 World Cup: 'Calm, Composed, Class': Shastri on Sanju Samson

T20 World Cup: 'Calm, Composed, Class': Shastri on Sanju Samson

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Ravi Shastri praises Sanju Samson's defining innings, highlighting his calmness, composure, and class under pressure in a crucial knockout contest.

Two Bangladeshis Held in Meghalaya for Entering Illegally

Two Bangladeshis Held in Meghalaya for Entering Illegally

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district for entering India without valid travel documents. A local driver was also apprehended for allegedly facilitating their illegal entry.

Assam Faces Ecological Loss as Over One Lakh Mature Trees Felled Since 2016

Assam Faces Ecological Loss as Over One Lakh Mature Trees Felled Since 2016

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

Official records reveal that over one lakh mature trees have been felled in Assam since May 2016 for various development projects, raising concerns about ecological loss despite compensatory afforestation efforts.

AI System To Transform Training, Injury Tracking In Indian Sports

AI System To Transform Training, Injury Tracking In Indian Sports

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

India launches AI-driven SPEEED platform to track athlete performance, predict injuries, tackle age fraud and revolutionise sports science nationwide.

Four Get Life for Burning Three Alive in SUV Over Love Affair

Four Get Life for Burning Three Alive in SUV Over Love Affair

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

A court in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, sentenced four men to life imprisonment for the murder of three people who were burned alive in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in 2015. The crime was motivated by a love affair and family rivalry.

Can USA shock India in T20 World Cup opener?

Can USA shock India in T20 World Cup opener?

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

India begins their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA, aiming to leverage their strong team composition and recent form to secure a victory.

'Celebrate a little but final on Sunday': NZ star Allen

'Celebrate a little but final on Sunday': NZ star Allen

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Finn Allen's explosive century guided New Zealand to a dominant victory over South Africa, securing their place in the T20 World Cup final.

T20 World Cup: New Zealand storm into final with crushing win over South Africa

T20 World Cup: New Zealand storm into final with crushing win over South Africa

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Kolkata's 'Knight Rider' Allen blows away South Africa, takes NZ into final

Samson's homecoming as India sweat over Axar's fitness

Samson's homecoming as India sweat over Axar's fitness

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sanju Samson seeks revival with home support as India manage injuries and combinations against New Zealand in the final T20I before the World Cup.

Davis Cup: Dhakshineswar key as India eye Dutch upset at home

Davis Cup: Dhakshineswar key as India eye Dutch upset at home

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

India takes on the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Qualifier, relying on faster playing conditions and the return of Yuki Bhambri to overcome a depleted Dutch side.

Record alert! India reach most U19 World Cup finals ever

Record alert! India reach most U19 World Cup finals ever

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

India reached their 10th U19 World Cup final, the most for any team, followed by Australia with six in 16 editions of this tournament.

National Centre of Excellence for Winter Sports Coming to J&K

National Centre of Excellence for Winter Sports Coming to J&K

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence to promote winter sports in Jammu and Kashmir and the expansion of the Khelo India Winter Games into a 15-day event.

Sammy: No team wins T20 World Cup without beating India!.

Sammy: No team wins T20 World Cup without beating India!.

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

West Indies coach Daren Sammy says no team can win the T20 World Cup without beating hosts India, calling them favourites and the biggest hurdle to the title.

India, EU ink mobility pact for students, professionals

India, EU ink mobility pact for students, professionals

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India and the European Union have finalized a comprehensive mobility pact that will create new opportunities for Indian students and professionals in Europe. The agreement was reached during summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top EU officials.

'No Matter If You Get a Zero...': Abhishek Hails Team Support

'No Matter If You Get a Zero...': Abhishek Hails Team Support

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Abhishek Sharma returned to form in the Super 8 match against Zimbabwe on Thursday, and dedicated the half-century to his team.

SAFF U-19 Football Championship: India U-17 women lose to Bangladesh

SAFF U-19 Football Championship: India U-17 women lose to Bangladesh

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The India Under-17 women's national team suffered a 0-2 defeat against Bangladesh in the SAFF Under-19 Women's Football Championship 2026.

Banerjee Alleges BJP Plot to Divide Bengal Through Voter Deletions

Banerjee Alleges BJP Plot to Divide Bengal Through Voter Deletions

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of manipulating voter rolls to divide the state, alleging a conspiracy to deprive Bengali-speaking people of their voting rights. She claims the Election Commission is complicit in deleting lakhs of names from voter lists.

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully AC Vande Bharat sleeper train would offer passengers an "airline-like travel experience at economical fares," a statement issued by the PMO stated.

Sri Lanka lets second Iranian ship dock in Trincomalee, evacuates 208

Sri Lanka lets second Iranian ship dock in Trincomalee, evacuates 208

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Sri Lanka is deliberating appropriate action after a second Iranian ship sought entry to its territorial waters, following an attack on an Iranian frigate near the island nation. The government is focused on safeguarding lives and regional peace.

'It's a real thing': Netanyahu hails 'Modi hug'

'It's a real thing': Netanyahu hails 'Modi hug'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

Netanyahu also expressed profound gratitude for the Indian government's steadfast support following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in southern Israel. Addressing PM Modi, he stated, 'You stood next to Israel, you stood by Israel, you stood for Israel, you stood for the truth. Thank you, my friend.'

T20 World Cup: When The Tiranga Inspires SKY's Team To Soar

T20 World Cup: When The Tiranga Inspires SKY's Team To Soar

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

The sight of the Tricolour fluttering in the stands sharpens the resolve of the players. It feels as though the flag has been stitched out of the hopes and heartbeat of Indian fans.

Boong Review: Heartwarming And Heartbreaking

Boong Review: Heartwarming And Heartbreaking

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Make the effort for Boong, Mayur Sanap insists. Watch it, and experience its quietly heart-aching beauty.

Dhamne's Maha Open Journey Ends in Quarterfinals

Dhamne's Maha Open Journey Ends in Quarterfinals

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Wildcard entrant Manas Dhamne's impressive run at the Maha Open ATP Challenger came to an end after losing to Duje Ajdukovic in the quarterfinals. Other players including Edas Butvilas, Felix Gill, and Federico Cina advanced to the semifinals.

Can India's Fab 8 Script T20 World Cup History?

Can India's Fab 8 Script T20 World Cup History?

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The eight players who featured in India's World Cup triumph in 2024 will aim to repeat their magic from two years ago.

Sri Lanka Permits Second Iranian Ship Entry After Frigate Incident

Sri Lanka Permits Second Iranian Ship Entry After Frigate Incident

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

Sri Lanka has allowed a second Iranian ship, IRINS Bushehr, to dock at Trincomalee port after it reported engine failure, following the sinking of an Iranian frigate. The move comes amidst heightened regional tensions and a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran.

T20 World Cup: How NZ crushed South Africa in just 12.5 overs

T20 World Cup: How NZ crushed South Africa in just 12.5 overs

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Finn Allen's record-breaking century powered New Zealand to a dominant victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup semi-final, securing their place in the final.

T20 World Cup: Kotak hints at batting order changes for Zimbabwe clash

T20 World Cup: Kotak hints at batting order changes for Zimbabwe clash

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addresses concerns about Abhishek Sharma's form and hints at possible changes in the batting order for the crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Zimbabwe.

Air India Dreamliner: 'Is This A New Defect?'

Air India Dreamliner: 'Is This A New Defect?'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'We have been insisting that all Boeing 787 aircraft be grounded and checked for the electrical systems.'