News for 'Spark'

FIFA World Cup 2026: Struggling Spain face another stubborn opponent in Saudi Arabia

FIFA World Cup 2026: Struggling Spain face another stubborn opponent in Saudi Arabia

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Spain arrive into their Group H clash against Saudi Arabia needing a sharper attacking display after being held to a shock 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match in Atlanta.

Vijayvargiya's 'RSS officers' claim triggers uproar

Vijayvargiya's 'RSS officers' claim triggers uproar

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's comments about administrative officials rushing to show RSS affiliation after the BJP came to power have ignited a political controversy. The Congress party has strongly criticised the remarks, calling them a threat to the neutrality and constitutional dignity of the bureaucracy and demanding a constitutional review.

NCP distances itself from MLA Sana Malik's remarks on polygamy

NCP distances itself from MLA Sana Malik's remarks on polygamy

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

The Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra has swiftly distanced itself from MLA Sana Malik's controversial statements on talaq and polygamy, reiterating its firm commitment to women's rights and constitutional principles.

'No bureaucrats in Ram Temple Trust': Ayodhya seers warn govt

'No bureaucrats in Ram Temple Trust': Ayodhya seers warn govt

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Seers in Ayodhya are demanding that bureaucrats be excluded from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following allegations of donation embezzlement and the resignations of two key members, Champat Rai and Anil Mishra. While some seers call for the trust to be run solely by religious figures to prevent corruption, others defend the integrity of the resigned officials, highlighting a division within the spiritual community regarding the trust's management and accountability.

700,000 snapped up! Free FIFA World Cup 'fan bands' go viral

700,000 snapped up! Free FIFA World Cup 'fan bands' go viral

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Free, customizable "fan bands" have become the unexpected must-have souvenir at the 2026 World Cup, with over 700,000 distributed. Sponsored by Bank of America, these charm wristlets feature subtle branding and have gone viral, even appearing on resale platforms. This marketing strategy offers a counterpoint to the tournament's high ticket and merchandise prices, proving that unique, free items can create significant fan engagement and brand visibility.

Lionel Messi Breaks World Cup's All-Time Goals Record

Lionel Messi Breaks World Cup's All-Time Goals Record

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in men's FIFA World Cup history on Monday, netting his 17th tournament goal during Argentina's match against Austria.

Outrage After Cab Driver Assaults Senior Citizen For Objecting To Spitting

Outrage After Cab Driver Assaults Senior Citizen For Objecting To Spitting

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

An aggregator cab driver in Thane, Maharashtra, has been arrested for brutally assaulting a 70-year-old man who objected to him spitting in public. The incident, captured on video and widely shared, led to public outrage and intervention from state political leaders, resulting in the driver's arrest and charges including attempted murder.

FIFA World Cup: Germany star Schweinsteiger in racism storm

FIFA World Cup: Germany star Schweinsteiger in racism storm

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae said comments from World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger could be labelled racist after the ex-Germany midfielder described African football as "wild" and "unorthodox".

Unexplained Light Aircraft Crash Rocks Beijing's Citic Tower

Unexplained Light Aircraft Crash Rocks Beijing's Citic Tower

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

A light sport aircraft crashed into Beijing's Citic Tower, the city's tallest skyscraper, causing an immediate evacuation and scattering debris. The incident, which occurred in the prominent business district, has raised concerns, with authorities yet to comment and the origin and circumstances of the crash remaining unknown. The aircraft was identified as a Sunward SA60L Aurora, and the crash highlights recent stringent regulations on recreational flying in Beijing's airspace.

FIFA World Cup: A B De Villiers Salutes South Africa's World Cup March

FIFA World Cup: A B De Villiers Salutes South Africa's World Cup March

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

South Africa reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time after a 1-0 win over South Korea.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Klopp says sorry to Nagelsmann over controversial TV remark

FIFA World Cup 2026: Klopp says sorry to Nagelsmann over controversial TV remark

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has apologised to Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann for a comment regarding the team's lineup ahead of their 7-1 World Cup Group E opening victory over Curacao on Sunday after it triggered a furore back home.

Maharashtra speaker gets Lata Mangeshkar's father's name wrong, apologises

Maharashtra speaker gets Lata Mangeshkar's father's name wrong, apologises

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has expressed regret for incorrectly uttering certain Marathi words while reading obituary references in the House. He attributed the error to technical issues and an unclear printed copy, stating he had no intention of hurting sentiments, following criticism from MNS chief Raj Thackeray regarding the mispronunciation of names like Asha Bhosle and Deenanath Mangeshkar.

Third Test: England respond in style after Latham-Conway onslaught

Third Test: England respond in style after Latham-Conway onslaught

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Ben Duckett led England's reply with a brisk counterattack as the hosts reached 73 for 1 at tea on Day 2 of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge on Friday, responding to the tourists' 438.

Explained: The controversy behind South Korea's World Cup elimination

Explained: The controversy behind South Korea's World Cup elimination

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

South Korea's World Cup group-stage exit has sparked a nationwide football crisis, with coach Hong Myung-bo resigning, President Lee Jae Myung ordering an investigation, and growing calls for sweeping reforms within the Korea Football Association.

Rs 370 biryani remark row: NCW rejects comic Pranit More's apology

Rs 370 biryani remark row: NCW rejects comic Pranit More's apology

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

The National Commission for Women (NCW) rejected apologies from stand-up comedians Pranit More, Madhur Virli, and audience member Himanshu Jangra regarding alleged objectionable and misogynistic content against women. The commission emphasised that freedom of speech does not justify normalising the violation of women's bodily autonomy or trivialising heinous crimes. The controversy stemmed from a viral video where Jangra's 'Rs 370 biryani' remark, implying expected intimacy for a date, drew widespread backlash.

MIT-WPU Researchers Create Innovative Noise-Reducing Industrial Enclosure

MIT-WPU Researchers Create Innovative Noise-Reducing Industrial Enclosure

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Researchers at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) Pune have developed a new protective enclosure for industrial abrasive saw machines. This innovative technology significantly reduces noise levels by up to 20 dB(A) while also containing sparks, dust, and flying debris, enhancing worker safety and welfare.

How The World Cup Is Fueling California's Soccer Growth

How The World Cup Is Fueling California's Soccer Growth

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

The San Jose Earthquakes, despite their strong season, are making way for the U.S. national team as California hosts World Cup knockout matches. This event is seen as a significant opportunity to showcase soccer's global appeal and accelerate its growth in the state, which already boasts a thriving football culture driven by its diverse population and numerous professional teams.

Tecno Spark 50 5G Price In India, Specs And Sale Date Revealed

Tecno Spark 50 5G Price In India, Specs And Sale Date Revealed

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

The Tecno Spark 50 5G is priced from 16,999 for the 4 GB RAM with 128GB storage version, whereas the 6 GB RAM and 128 GB variant costs 18,999. Sales kick off on 3April through both digital platforms and physical stores, with interest-free EMI plans available for up to eight months.

TN Dalit youth who died in police custody cremated after 101 days

TN Dalit youth who died in police custody cremated after 101 days

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

The mortal remains of a 26-year-old Dalit youth, Akash, who died in March due to alleged custodial torture, were finally cremated in Madurai 101 days after his demise. The cremation followed a Madras High Court directive, as his family had refused to accept the body, demanding the arrest of police personnel involved. The incident sparked widespread outrage, leading to a CB-CID investigation, suspension of six police personnel, and a murder case registered against officials.

Shinde name omission triggers protests; BJP minister shown black flags

Shinde name omission triggers protests; BJP minister shown black flags

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

A political controversy has erupted in Navi Mumbai after Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's name was omitted from official invitation cards for a civic event, leading to protests by Shiv Sena workers. The incident has also exposed infighting within the BJP, with an MLA accusing a minister of sabotaging her projects and falsely claiming credit.

Quinones, Jimenez fire Mexico into last 16 with historic World Cup win

Quinones, Jimenez fire Mexico into last 16 with historic World Cup win

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory as Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored in a 2-0 win over Ecuador, sending the co-hosts into the last 16 amid emotional scenes at the Azteca Stadium.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Red card rage costs Paraguayan commentator his World Cup pass

FIFA World Cup 2026: Red card rage costs Paraguayan commentator his World Cup pass

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

A football commentator has been stripped of his World Cup credentials by FIFA after an expletive-laden tirade against the organisation and match officials during Paraguay's 1-0 victory over Turkey when Miguel Almiron was sent off.

Paraguay eliminate four-time champions Germany after penalty shoot-out

Paraguay eliminate four-time champions Germany after penalty shoot-out

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Paraguay achieved a stunning upset by eliminating four-time World champions Germany from the World Cup in a penalty shootout. After a 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 match, Paraguay secured a 4-3 victory in the shootout, with Jose Canale scoring the decisive kick.

Maradona's legendary 'Hand of God' match ball awaits new keeper

Maradona's legendary 'Hand of God' match ball awaits new keeper

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

The match ball from Argentina's 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England - made famous by Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal - is set to go up for auction with a $2.5-million opening bid, Heritage Auctions said.

Sooryavanshi Fever Grips Belfast as Teen Star Shines in First India Nets

Sooryavanshi Fever Grips Belfast as Teen Star Shines in First India Nets

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

India's preparations for the Ireland T20Is were briefly disrupted by practice facility issues in Belfast, but teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the spotlight with an impressive first net session that sparked excitement among local Indian fans.

Viral Video Leads To FIR Against Man For Abusing UP CM

Viral Video Leads To FIR Against Man For Abusing UP CM

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Police in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, have registered a case against a man for allegedly making abusive remarks against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during an argument at a petrol pump, following a viral video of the incident.

IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans' Captain Shubman Gill's New Look Sparks Buzz

IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans' Captain Shubman Gill's New Look Sparks Buzz

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

Shubman Gill returned to the Gujarat Titans lineup with a stylish new beard and an impressive innings of 70 runs, sparking a social media frenzy among fans.

Decoding Vijay-Trisha's Romance

Decoding Vijay-Trisha's Romance

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Explore the fascinating journey of Tamil cinema's iconic duo, Vijay and Trisha, from their blockbuster films to persistent rumours of their link-up.

'Lead federal budget', jokes Vance as Usha's $8 dress goes viral

'Lead federal budget', jokes Vance as Usha's $8 dress goes viral

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

US Second Lady Usha Vance's USD 8 maternity dress, purchased from Old Navy, has become a topic of discussion after a New York Times fashion column analysed its political symbolism. Her husband, JD Vance, jokingly suggested she lead the federal budget due to her frugality, while Usha Vance herself used humour to dismiss the article's interpretation, highlighting the discounted price of her attire.

Doku leaves Belgium World Cup camp, welcomes baby boy

Doku leaves Belgium World Cup camp, welcomes baby boy

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Manchester City and Belgium footballer Jeremy Doku became a father, welcoming a baby boy named Praise with his wife Shireen. He temporarily left the national team's FIFA World Cup camp in the USA to be present for the birth in London, a decision supported by the Belgian Football Association despite some public criticism.

Mishandling Taiwan issue could spark China-US clash, Xi Jinping warns Trump

Mishandling Taiwan issue could spark China-US clash, Xi Jinping warns Trump

Rediff.com14 May 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Donald Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could trigger conflicts between the two countries during wide-ranging talks on trade, Iran, and energy security.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Scandinavia split over Norway's signature Viking row celebration

FIFA World Cup 2026: Scandinavia split over Norway's signature Viking row celebration

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Norway's success at the World Cup has triggered euphoria at home, but the team's trademark "Viking row" celebration is beginning to test the patience of their Scandinavian neighbours, drawing shrugs from Sweden and envy from Denmark.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast's Pepe rewrites his story with stunning return

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast's Pepe rewrites his story with stunning return

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Nicolas Pepe justified his World Cup selection with two goals on Thursday, coming out of the cold to restore his reputation as a key striker for the Ivory Coast.

T20 World Cup: Mother sold her jewellery to buy me cricket kit: Kranti Gaud

T20 World Cup: Mother sold her jewellery to buy me cricket kit: Kranti Gaud

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Despite becoming a regular member of the Indian women's cricket team, pacer Kranti Gaud has not forgotten her roots and the sacrifices that her parents made to support her career and she wants to repay their faith by excelling at the ongoing T20 World Cup in Manchester.

Hosting wife's birthday party on bridge lands couple in trouble

Hosting wife's birthday party on bridge lands couple in trouble

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

A lavish midnight birthday celebration on Guwahati's Kumar Bhaskar Varma Bridge led to the detention of businessman Gautam Baruah, his wife Karabi Baruah, and 12 others, with four luxury vehicles seized, after viral videos prompted a police investigation into alleged traffic and public safety violations.

FIFA World Cup: Germany Players, Coach Divided After Shock Ecuador Defeat

FIFA World Cup: Germany Players, Coach Divided After Shock Ecuador Defeat

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Germany's 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in the World Cup knockout stage sparked a disagreement between coach Julian Nagelsmann and players Joshua Kimmich and Deniz Undav. While the players felt Ecuador 'wanted it more', Nagelsmann strongly rejected this assessment, urging the team to learn and improve for their next match.

Austria, Algeria in knockouts after thrilling draw; Iran out

Austria, Algeria in knockouts after thrilling draw; Iran out

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Austria and Algeria played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in their final World Cup Group J match, with two stoppage-time goals ensuring both teams progressed to the Round of 32, while eliminating Iran. Argentina topped the group, with Austria finishing second and Algeria advancing as a best third-placed side.

Eustaquio's late strike takes Canada past South Africa to World Cup last 16

Eustaquio's late strike takes Canada past South Africa to World Cup last 16

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic 92nd-minute goal to secure a 1-0 victory for Canada over South Africa, propelling the co-hosts into the World Cup last 16 for the first time. The tense match in Los Angeles saw few clear chances until Eustaquio's late strike, ending Canada's frustration and sending them to face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the quarter-finals. South Africa, despite a strong defensive effort, exited the tournament.

IPL 2027: Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians exit looms amid KKR, Royals trade talks

IPL 2027: Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians exit looms amid KKR, Royals trade talks

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Hardik Pandya is reportedly on his way out of Mumbai Indians, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals showing interest in a potential trade. Discussions are ongoing, particularly with KKR, where Pandya could secure a captaincy role, unlike with RR.

Super Subbu Review: Bold Subject, Bumpy Ride

Super Subbu Review: Bold Subject, Bumpy Ride

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Despite its uneven storytelling, Super Subbu deserves applause for turning India's discomfort with sex education into an entertaining, often insightful satire, notes Sreeju Sudhakaran.