News for 'The Local'

No one can 'touch' Aravalli, says SC; puts jungle safari project on hold

No one can 'touch' Aravalli, says SC; puts jungle safari project on hold

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has halted Haryana's jungle safari project in the Aravalli range until experts clarify the definition of 'Aravalli range,' citing concerns about environmental protection and potential damage to the eco-fragile area.

Ex-Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's son shot dead

Ex-Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's son shot dead

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi had remained a prominent and polarising figure in Libya since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ended his father's rule.

Auto firms hope to drive to Europe taking the FTA route

Auto firms hope to drive to Europe taking the FTA route

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

The India-EU free trade deal could help Indian-made cars enter Europe at lower costs and challenge Chinese dominance.

10 Horror Movies On OTT: Friday The 13th Special!

10 Horror Movies On OTT: Friday The 13th Special!

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Deepa Gahlot picks 10 Bollywood horror flicks to mark Friday the 13th.

Meghalaya Blast Exposes Dangers Of Rat-Hole Mining

Meghalaya Blast Exposes Dangers Of Rat-Hole Mining

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The human cost of rat-hole mining falls disproportionately on migrant labourers.

Post GST cut, auto retail sales rose 18% in Jan

Post GST cut, auto retail sales rose 18% in Jan

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

Automobile retail sales rose nearly 18 per cent year-on-year to over 27 lakh units in January, led by continued post-GST momentum, healthy rural cash flows on the back of harvest and weddings, and sustained demand visibility across freight, dealer's body FADA said on Tuesday.

From Bench to World Cup: Jacob Duffy's Patience Pays Off

From Bench to World Cup: Jacob Duffy's Patience Pays Off

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy reflects on years of waiting, breaking a Sir Richard Hadlee record and finally making his World Cup debut at 31.

'FIR or privilege motion, I will fight for farmers': Rahul Gandhi

'FIR or privilege motion, I will fight for farmers': Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being 'anti-farmer' and 'selling' the country through the India-US interim trade deal, vowing to stand strongly with farmers.

Skeptics fear manipulation as Bangladesh goes to polls

Skeptics fear manipulation as Bangladesh goes to polls

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Political analysts express skepticism about the upcoming Bangladesh general election, citing concerns over manipulation, voter participation, and the influence of money and muscle in the changed political landscape.

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

A new study alleges that Muslim voters are disproportionately represented in Logical Discrepancy (LD) lists during Kolkata's voter roll revision, raising concerns about potential bias in the electoral process.

A lane falls silent as Delhi bids farewell to pilot Shambhavi Pathak

A lane falls silent as Delhi bids farewell to pilot Shambhavi Pathak

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The mortal remains of pilot Shambhavi Pathak, who died in a plane crash near Baramati, Maharashtra, were brought to her Delhi residence. The community mourned the loss of the young and dedicated pilot.

How The Taxman Plans To Close Cases Faster

How The Taxman Plans To Close Cases Faster

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Building on last year's clearance of 172K cases, I-T department is pushing for faster appeal disposals, penalty reforms and system-driven processes to curb litigation and boost tax certainty.

RBI to roll out risk-based premium model for deposit insurance

RBI to roll out risk-based premium model for deposit insurance

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

The RBI will now charge banks different deposit insurance fees based on how risky they are, allowing safer banks to pay less premium.

Lamborghini crash: Shivam Mishra gets bail within hrs

Lamborghini crash: Shivam Mishra gets bail within hrs

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The case took a fresh turn on Wednesday when a man, identified as Mohan, claiming to be the designated driver of the car asserted that he, and not Shivam Mishra, was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.

Why Jiyaa Shankar Is Trending

Why Jiyaa Shankar Is Trending

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Elvish Yadav posted a picture tagging Jiyaa Shankar on his Instagram story, sparking rumours about an engagement.

Rupee falls 31 paisa/$, but sees best week sinse Jan '23

Rupee falls 31 paisa/$, but sees best week sinse Jan '23

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The rupee declined 31 paise to settle at 90.65 against the US dollar on Friday, weighed down by geopolitical uncertainties over the US-Iran talks, and a sharp rise in global crude oil prices.

Can The Taekwondo Teacher Bring Peace To Manipur?

Can The Taekwondo Teacher Bring Peace To Manipur?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

For now, Yumnam Khemchand Singh's leadership will be judged not by promises or symbolism, but by whether his government can prevent further violence and begin the slow, difficult work of rebuilding trust.

Why BJP, AIMIM, Cong came together in Amravati

Why BJP, AIMIM, Cong came together in Amravati

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Despite their top leaders frowning upon such practices, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and Congress came together in the Achalpur Municipal Council in Maharashtra's Amravati district to ensure unopposed election of various committee chairpersons.

The World's Most Polluted Place Is...

The World's Most Polluted Place Is...

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

Residential areas now exist cheek by jowl with smokestacks, while convoys of heavy trucks rumble through narrow roads day and night, throwing up clouds of dust.

Jeep places India at centre of Asia-Pacific strategy

Jeep places India at centre of Asia-Pacific strategy

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Jeep outlines a renewed regional roadmap with higher localisation, export expansion and focus on products and ownership experience amid intense competition in India's SUV market.

Ajit Pawar crash: Naidu seeks Maharashtra's help for fast probe

Ajit Pawar crash: Naidu seeks Maharashtra's help for fast probe

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has requested the Maharashtra government's cooperation in the investigation into the plane crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a formal investigation.

Cruel irony: Ajit Pawar's final journey in the ambulance he helped procure

Cruel irony: Ajit Pawar's final journey in the ambulance he helped procure

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

An ambulance driver recounts the tragic irony of driving the ambulance secured by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to carry his body after a fatal plane crash.

'Koi mai ka laal...': FM's strong retort to Rahul's 'sold India' remark

'Koi mai ka laal...': FM's strong retort to Rahul's 'sold India' remark

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a strong attack on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, accusing them of compromising India's interests on the world stage and selling out farmers and the poor during their time in power.

PM pressured to hand over people's data as part of US deal, alleges Rahul

PM pressured to hand over people's data as part of US deal, alleges Rahul

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi claims the Indo-US trade deal will compromise the data security of 1.5 billion Indians, alleging Prime Minister Modi is surrendering India's data resources to the US. He warns of potential job losses in the IT sector due to AI and the importance of controlling India's data pool.

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Gold prices are likely to trade firm next week as traders await key economic data, including US inflation numbers, for fresh cues on interest rate outlook, while silver may remain volatile amid shifting risk sentiment and speculative activity, analysts said.

10-tonne steel bridge stolen overnight in Korba, sold as scrap

10-tonne steel bridge stolen overnight in Korba, sold as scrap

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

A 70-foot-long steel bridge weighing over 10 tonnes built on a canal more than four decades ago was stolen overnight in Chhattisgarh's Korba city, leaving local residents stunned, police said on Saturday.

Why Kerala's Twenty20 Party Joined The NDA

Why Kerala's Twenty20 Party Joined The NDA

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'When the prime minister and home minister promised their full support for the development of Kerala, why should we not be a part of them?'

O'Romeo: The Real Story Of Hussain Ustara And Sapna

O'Romeo: The Real Story Of Hussain Ustara And Sapna

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

In O'Romeo, Shahid Kapoor plays dreaded gangster Hussain Ustara, whose life has been touched upon in S Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges' book Mafia Queens.

T20 WC: Named after Yuvraj, Canada's Samra dreams big

T20 WC: Named after Yuvraj, Canada's Samra dreams big

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Named after Yuvraj, Canada's Samra keen to emulate his idol in T20 WC

Centre to retain states' tax share at 41% for next five years

Centre to retain states' tax share at 41% for next five years

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The 16th Finance Commission, led by Arvind Panagariya, has recommended maintaining the states' share in central taxes at 41% for the five-year period starting April 1, 2026. The government has accepted this recommendation, with Rs 1.4 lakh crore allocated to states for FY 2026-27 as Finance Commission Grants.

Colleen And Hugh Gantzer Had India's Heart

Colleen And Hugh Gantzer Had India's Heart

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Colleen and Hugh Gantzer were the GOATs of travel writers.

Raj Thackeray's corporators support Sena-BJP in KDMC

Raj Thackeray's corporators support Sena-BJP in KDMC

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Amid the race for mayoral posts across civic bodies in Maharashtra, a new political equation emerged in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation on Wednesday with five corporators of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena offering support to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, which is in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Sharad Pawar's NCP 'in touch' with BJP in Sangli, Akola

Sharad Pawar's NCP 'in touch' with BJP in Sangli, Akola

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

As the Bharatiya Janata Party is falling short of a majority in the municipal corporations of Sangli and Akola in Maharashtra and needs the support of other parties or elected members, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar has emerged as one of the decisive factors with three seats in its kitty in each civic body.

Ghaziabad sisters' suicide: How did years of seclusion go unnoticed?

Ghaziabad sisters' suicide: How did years of seclusion go unnoticed?

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Residents in Ghaziabad are in shock after three sisters committed suicide, with preliminary investigations suggesting online gaming addiction as a contributing factor. The incident has sparked concerns about the impact of prolonged screen time and social isolation on young people's mental health.

'Mohabbat ki dukaan' leaders chant 'Modi teri kabr khudegi': Modi slams Cong

'Mohabbat ki dukaan' leaders chant 'Modi teri kabr khudegi': Modi slams Cong

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the Congress party, accusing them of being unable to accept their repeated electoral defeats and highlighting the achievements of his government.

Videos show Ajit Pawar's plane in pieces, on fire after crash

Videos show Ajit Pawar's plane in pieces, on fire after crash

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Visuals from the spot showed mangled remains of the aircraft.

In a first, 41 Maoist-free Chhattisgarh villages set to celebrate R-Day

In a first, 41 Maoist-free Chhattisgarh villages set to celebrate R-Day

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

The Tricolour will be hoisted for the first time on Republic Day in 41 villages freed from Maoist influence in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, marking a success in the fight against 'Red Terror' and heralding peace and development.

6-year-old girl gang-raped by three boys, aged 10-16

6-year-old girl gang-raped by three boys, aged 10-16

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

'She came home covered in blood. When I asked her, she first said she had fallen, but there were no injuries on any other part of her body. On questioning further, she told me what had been done to her'

Their Dreams Died With Pinky On The Tarmac At Baramati

Their Dreams Died With Pinky On The Tarmac At Baramati

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

It isn't easy for a girl from Gopal Nagar to chase a dream. But Pinky was extremely determined. A force unto herself, she was going to go places. Literally. Till it abruptly ended one morning on the tarmac at Baramati airport.

T20 World Cup: Italy begin maiden campaign against Scotland

T20 World Cup: Italy begin maiden campaign against Scotland

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Football giants Italy begin cricket World Cup's maiden campaign against Scotland