News for 'Spark'

Ludhiana Man's Death Sparks Protest, Chemist Arrested

Ludhiana Man's Death Sparks Protest, Chemist Arrested

Rediff.com6 days ago

A 27-year-old man died in Ludhiana after allegedly consuming medicine purchased from a chemist shop, leading to a protest where a mob vandalised the shop. Police have taken the chemist into custody, and a Congress MP has criticised the state government over the incident.

#Love Review: Romcom With No Spark

#Love Review: Romcom With No Spark

Rediff.com2 Oct 2026

Familiar ideas, frustrating characters and stretched-out storytelling make #Love far less romantic than intended.

Kabaddi Star Ritu Negi's Award Snub Sparks Outrage In Himachal

Kabaddi Star Ritu Negi's Award Snub Sparks Outrage In Himachal

Rediff.com9 Oct 2026

Arjuna Awardee and Indian kabaddi team member Ritu Negi was controversially dropped from Himachal Pradesh's cash award list for Asian Games gold medallists, reportedly due to her marriage in Haryana.

Manipur ambush kills 3 Meitei men, sparks protests at CM's residence

Manipur ambush kills 3 Meitei men, sparks protests at CM's residence

Rediff.com3 days ago

Militants ambushed 14 Meitei men in Manipur on Monday, killing three and injuring three others. The attack, which occurred in the Sunurok hills, sparked widespread protests in Imphal, with locals placing bodies outside the Chief Minister's residence. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters. Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the killings and held security review meetings, while the opposition Congress demanded his resignation, citing the state's ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023. Security forces have launched a combing operation with drones and sniffer dogs.

'Albanians burnt down Supreme Court because....': Sanjay Raut sparks row

'Albanians burnt down Supreme Court because....': Sanjay Raut sparks row

Rediff.com2 days ago

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has ignited a controversy by suggesting India should learn from Albanian protesters who allegedly burnt down their Supreme Court due to its perceived support for a corrupt prime minister. Raut shared a video of the purported events, drawing sharp criticism from Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, who highlighted Raut's recent apology to the Supreme Court.

TN hospitals halt medicine covers after Hindi printing sparks row

TN hospitals halt medicine covers after Hindi printing sparks row

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

A political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the distribution of trilingual medicine covers in government hospitals, with the DMK alleging a covert implementation of a three-language policy, while the ruling TVK accuses the opposition of political opportunism.

Isha Ambani On How A Failed Assignment Sparked Jio's Birth

Isha Ambani On How A Failed Assignment Sparked Jio's Birth

Rediff.com7 days ago

Isha Ambani, a director on the board of Jio Platforms, revealed that a failed attempt to upload a college assignment in 2009-10 due to poor internet connectivity in Mumbai sparked the idea and subsequent conversations that led to the creation of Jio.

'Blasting music with DJ not Bhakti': Allu Sirish's complaint sparks row

'Blasting music with DJ not Bhakti': Allu Sirish's complaint sparks row

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Telugu actor Allu Sirish complained to Hyderabad Police about a temple playing loud music late at night, disturbing residents. He clarified his complaint was about civic sense, not religious devotion, after facing criticism from netizens.

MLAs who come to Bengaluru have two marriages: Shivakumar sparks row

MLAs who come to Bengaluru have two marriages: Shivakumar sparks row

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's comment in the Assembly that a dozen MLAs have two marriages has ignited a political controversy. BJP leaders are demanding that he disclose the names of these legislators, arguing that such remarks undermine the dignity of the Assembly and create public distrust.

Russian lab worker's death sparks plague fears, hundreds quarantined

Russian lab worker's death sparks plague fears, hundreds quarantined

Rediff.com5 Oct 2026

A laboratory technician in Siberia died from 'pneumonia of unknown aetiology' at an Anti-Plague Research Institute, sparking fears of pneumonic plague, with the US now monitoring the situation and urging Russia for transparency.

Love Affair Sparks Deadly Clash, One Dead In Shahjahanpur

Love Affair Sparks Deadly Clash, One Dead In Shahjahanpur

Rediff.com3 days ago

A 50-year-old man died in Shahjahanpur after a clash between two families, allegedly stemming from a love affair. Five individuals, including two women, have been detained by police in connection with the incident.

Jay Gupta Hopes Brazil Match Sparks Indian Football Revolution

Jay Gupta Hopes Brazil Match Sparks Indian Football Revolution

Rediff.com29 Sep 2026

Indian footballer Jay Gupta expresses his hopes that the upcoming friendly matches against five-time world champions Brazil and Uruguay will ignite a revolution for football in India, similar to Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup win for cricket. He views the unprecedented fixtures as a crucial opportunity for the Indian team to test their calibre against elite opposition and learn, aiming to build on their recent performance against Panama.

IPS officer's AK-47 firing during Dussehra ritual sparks safety debate

IPS officer's AK-47 firing during Dussehra ritual sparks safety debate

Rediff.com1 days ago

A video showing a senior woman IPS officer, Ankita Sharma, firing an AK-47 during a traditional Shastra Puja on Dussehra in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, has gone viral. The incident has ignited a debate over weapon handling protocols and safety, with some defending her actions as tradition while others, including military experts, criticised the perceived recklessness.

Hunkkaar: The Roar Aims To Spark Action Against Sexual Assault

Hunkkaar: The Roar Aims To Spark Action Against Sexual Assault

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Actors Raghubir Yadav, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Zoya Hussain discuss their JioHotstar series 'Hunkkaar: The Roar', which addresses sexual assault and victim-shaming. They express hope that the show will encourage viewers to speak out against such crimes and awaken the collective conscience of society.

Nana Patekar or Smit Machchhar? Mumbai bridge naming sparks political row

Nana Patekar or Smit Machchhar? Mumbai bridge naming sparks political row

Rediff.com5 days ago

A dispute has emerged in Mumbai regarding the naming of the new East-West Vidyavihar bridge. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is advocating for it to be named after actor Nana Patekar, while BJP MLA Parag Shah proposed naming it after Captain Smit Machchhar, a pilot recognised for thwarting a hijacking. The controversy highlights differing views on honouring local figures and public service.

Rs 500-cr audio clip sparks row; Jarange alleges plot to crush Maratha stir

Rs 500-cr audio clip sparks row; Jarange alleges plot to crush Maratha stir

Rediff.com10 hours ago

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has alleged a conspiracy to silence him, demanding a probe into a viral audio clip that claims Rs 500 crore was paid to him via Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde. Ruling Shiv Sena leaders have vehemently denied these allegations, calling them a 'conspiracy to defame' Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the party, and have called for a forensic investigation into the audio clip, suggesting the speakers are from the BJP.

Solicitor General's 'Naxalite' remark sparks heated exchange in SC

Solicitor General's 'Naxalite' remark sparks heated exchange in SC

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

A heated exchange occurred in the Supreme Court between senior advocate S Muralidhar and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta over Mehta's use of the term "Naxalites" during a hearing on the national song Vande Mataram. Muralidhar strongly objected to the remark, demanding its withdrawal, while Mehta defended his statement, referring to an ideology rather than individuals. The bench intervened, emphasising decorum and constitutional issues.

Chandra Reappointment Sparks Legal Debate

Chandra Reappointment Sparks Legal Debate

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

'On a plain reading of Article 121, it can be said that the chairman's casting vote can be invoked in either of these cases.'

TCS Q2 results spark market rebound after two-day decline

TCS Q2 results spark market rebound after two-day decline

Rediff.com9 Oct 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw a rebound in early trade, primarily driven by a more than 4 per cent surge in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) shares following its robust Q2 net profit announcement. Track Sensex, nifty on October 9.

Rodri's Ibiza Photo Sparks Hilarious Reactions

Rodri's Ibiza Photo Sparks Hilarious Reactions

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Manchester City midfielder Rodri's holiday photo from Ibiza went viral, drawing comparisons to the 'distracted boyfriend' meme.

Indian Athletes' Injuries At Asian Games Spark Accountability Questions

Indian Athletes' Injuries At Asian Games Spark Accountability Questions

Rediff.com27 Sep 2026

Indian track and field athletes at the Asian Games are facing a growing injury crisis, with Yashas Palaksha, Jyothi Yarraji, and Praveen Chithravel all pulling out or struggling due to fitness issues.

Suicide rumours spark Punjab varsity protests, police vehicle damaged

Suicide rumours spark Punjab varsity protests, police vehicle damaged

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

Students at a private university in Patiala protested and allegedly damaged a police vehicle following unverified claims of two female students' suicides on campus. University authorities have denied the claims, calling them rumours, while police have launched an inquiry into the matter.

Tragic Mob Assault Claims Life During Durga Puja In Assam

Tragic Mob Assault Claims Life During Durga Puja In Assam

Rediff.com2 days ago

A youth was killed and another critically injured in an alleged mob assault in Kamrup district, Assam, during Durga Puja festivities on Monday night. The incident occurred after their two-wheeler slipped, leading to an attack by a group of people. Police are investigating the exact cause and identity of the culprits.

Dhoni-Pant Viral Video Sparks New Hookah Debate

Dhoni-Pant Viral Video Sparks New Hookah Debate

Rediff.com3 Sep 2026

A recent viral video featuring M S Dhoni and Rishabh Pant has once again brought Dhoni's alleged hookah habit into the public spotlight.

Gill's record double ton, Rohit's landmark: 406 chase sparks ODI record avalanche

Gill's record double ton, Rohit's landmark: 406 chase sparks ODI record avalanche

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series against West Indies, largely due to Shubman Gill's record-breaking fastest double century and Rohit Sharma's significant milestones, including his 35th hundred and reaching 12,000 ODI runs. The match also saw the West Indies post their highest-ever ODI total and became the third highest aggregating match in ODI history.

Mr Singh, get off our roads: US advt on deportation sparks row

Mr Singh, get off our roads: US advt on deportation sparks row

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

The US Department of Homeland Security faced widespread criticism for an AI-generated advertisement featuring a brown-bearded man identified as "Mr Singh" in a campaign against unlicensed commercial drivers. Advocacy groups, including the Hindu American Foundation and Sikh Coalition, condemned the ad as "racist" and "anti-American" for its perceived targeting and profiling of Sikh and Hindu communities.

Tata Sons Boardroom Battle: Listing Decision Sparks Controversy

Tata Sons Boardroom Battle: Listing Decision Sparks Controversy

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

A significant boardroom battle has erupted at Tata Sons, India's largest conglomerate, following the board's decision to proceed with a public listing and extend N Chandrasekaran's tenure as executive chairman, moves opposed by Noel Tata, who represents the majority shareholder Tata Trusts.

Ujjain tense as mosque demolition row sparks protest; 15 detained, 7 booked

Ujjain tense as mosque demolition row sparks protest; 15 detained, 7 booked

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Police in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, used tear gas to disperse protesters demonstrating against the proposed demolition of a portion of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project. The project is aimed at easing pilgrim movement for Simhastha Kumbh 2028, and despite initial protests, local authorities and the city Qazi claim the issue was resolved through mutual consent, with the Chief Minister also setting an example by demolishing part of his ancestral home.

Dhiraj's historic gold sparks Asian Games medal hopes

Dhiraj's historic gold sparks Asian Games medal hopes

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

India's first Archery World Cup Final male gold-medallist, Dhiraj Bommadevara, has inspired the national team ahead of the Asian Games. Dola Banerjee, India's first World Cup Final gold-medallist, believes his triumph will boost confidence and help the team surpass its previous medal haul, despite a new-look squad.

OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Launch Advanced AI; Astra Sparks Monitoring Concerns

OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Launch Advanced AI; Astra Sparks Monitoring Concerns

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have introduced new AI models with enhanced capabilities. OpenAI's Astra model, achieving a 'Critical' cybersecurity tier, has ignited a debate among researchers due to its "recurrent depth" architecture, which some fear makes its reasoning harder to monitor. Anthropic and Google also released new models, focusing on coding, scientific research, and cybersecurity, alongside new image and video AI tools.

Jaiswal's controversial run-out vs Sri Lanka sparks debate

Jaiswal's controversial run-out vs Sri Lanka sparks debate

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Yashasvi Jaiswal was unfortunately run out for 32 on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle after a bizarre mix-up with KL Rahul and a collision with debutant bowler Keshara Nuwantha.

Bengaluru Police Arrest Man Over AI-Generated Vidhana Soudha Blast Video

Bengaluru Police Arrest Man Over AI-Generated Vidhana Soudha Blast Video

Rediff.com1 days ago

A 25-year-old man, Hazarat Ali, has been arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly uploading an AI-generated video falsely showing an explosion at Vidhana Soudha, the Karnataka legislature building. Police have registered a case and the investigation is ongoing.

Couple Murdered At Tea Stall In Bihar

Couple Murdered At Tea Stall In Bihar

Rediff.com9 hours ago

A couple was allegedly shot dead at their tea stall in Bhagalpur, Bihar, on Thursday morning. One person has been arrested, and police are investigating the motive. The incident has led to local protests, with concerns also raised about a missing child related to the victims' family.

Social Media Threat To MLA Leads To Arrest

Social Media Threat To MLA Leads To Arrest

Rediff.com10 hours ago

A 45-year-old man named Joby was arrested in Kochi for allegedly threatening and abusing Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath via a live social media video. The arrest followed a complaint by the Congress MLA after Joby's remarks, which were made in response to Sadath's statement on taking action against theft in his constituency. Police confirmed Joby has a history of criminal cases.

New UPI Merchant Fee Sparks Volatility In Fintech Shares

New UPI Merchant Fee Sparks Volatility In Fintech Shares

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% fee on UPI transfers above Rs 2,000 made to merchants, effective October 15, ending nearly six years of free merchant payments. This move led to initial rallies in fintech stocks like Paytm and Mobikwik, though some later pared gains. Person-to-person transactions and small payments remain free for customers, with the fee being a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR).

Anti-drug activist murder: Medical shop owner arrested

Anti-drug activist murder: Medical shop owner arrested

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

The alleged killer of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab's Mansa district has been arrested from Rajasthan. Jhota was murdered on Tuesday after confronting the accused, a medical store owner, for allegedly selling drugs. The incident, captured on Facebook Live, led to widespread condemnation and protests against the state government.

Abducted Woman Found Dead In Jharkhand's Palamu

Abducted Woman Found Dead In Jharkhand's Palamu

Rediff.com1 days ago

The body of a 30-year-old woman, Geeta Devi, who was allegedly abducted on Tuesday, was recovered from a paddy field in Palamu district, Jharkhand, on Wednesday. Police have initiated an investigation, and a post-mortem will determine if she was sexually assaulted. Villagers protested the incident by blocking a highway.

Junior Minister Steps Down After Controversial Drug Den Raid

Junior Minister Steps Down After Controversial Drug Den Raid

Rediff.com3 days ago

Bangladesh's junior minister Ishraque Hossain resigned on Monday after facing controversy for personally leading an armed raid on a suspected drug den in Dhaka. He had uploaded a video of the raid on social media, which sparked public debate and led Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ask for his resignation. Hossain defended his actions, citing his firearm licence and desire to combat drugs, but criticised media narratives.

Why Bangladesh Minister's Drug Den Raid Is Causing A Stir

Why Bangladesh Minister's Drug Den Raid Is Causing A Stir

Rediff.com5 days ago

A junior Bangladeshi minister, Ishraque Hossain, conducted a raid on a suspected drug den in a Dhaka slum on Saturday, carrying a pistol and accompanied by plainclothes associates. He detained several individuals and handed them over to police, who stated they were not informed in advance. A video of the incident, uploaded by Hossain, sparked widespread debate on social media regarding the appropriateness of his actions.

Kolkata Police ASI Arrested For Alleged Molestation Of Civic Volunteer

Kolkata Police ASI Arrested For Alleged Molestation Of Civic Volunteer

Rediff.com3 days ago

An assistant sub-inspector of Kolkata Police has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 21-year-old woman civic volunteer outside a Durga Puja pandal in south Kolkata. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday night, and a video of the alleged act has gone viral.