News for 'The Local'

BJP flexes muscles in Shinde's home turf, seeks bigger role

BJP flexes muscles in Shinde's home turf, seeks bigger role

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

A battle of nerves is unfolding between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's home turf, Thane, with a BJP leader pitching for a substantial share in power on the back of the party's 100 per cent strike rate in the civic polls.

Congress suspends 12 councillors for tieup with BJP in Maharashtra

Congress suspends 12 councillors for tieup with BJP in Maharashtra

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

The Congress party has suspended 12 newly-elected councillors in Maharashtra's Ambernath Municipal Council and its block president for forming an alliance with the BJP after recent civic polls. The BJP, along with the Congress and NCP, secured a majority in the council, despite Shiv Sena being the single largest party.

What Happens To NCP After Ajit Pawar's Death?

What Happens To NCP After Ajit Pawar's Death?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

With Ajit Pawar's passing, the 40 MLAs who remain will now have to decide whether they want to continue in Mahayuti in the company of the BJP and Shiv Sena -- or return to the Sharad Pawar fold.

Monfils ends 20 years at Aus Open with heartbreaking exit

Monfils ends 20 years at Aus Open with heartbreaking exit

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Tennis showman Gael Monfils bowed out of his 20th and final Australian Open on Tuesday with a mix of pain and regret as he fell to an injury-hampered 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 defeat in the first round to local qualifier Dane Sweeny.

Ajit Pawar's 'family reunion' gambit fails

Ajit Pawar's 'family reunion' gambit fails

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Despite forging an alliance with the faction led by his uncle, Nationalist Congress Party chief and Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday failed to protect the party's traditional bastions of Pune and neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad, as the Bharatiya Janata Party decimated both the NCPs in the municipal corporation elections.

Ex-Wimbledon champ Vondrousova pulls out of Aus Open

Ex-Wimbledon champ Vondrousova pulls out of Aus Open

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova withdrew from the Australian Open on Sunday after the Czech player said she was dealing with a shoulder injury.

Hindu activists force cancellation of interfaith wedding reception in UP

Hindu activists force cancellation of interfaith wedding reception in UP

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Hindu activists protested a wedding reception for an interfaith couple in Shahjahanpur, leading to its cancellation. The couple had married in a registry marriage in Delhi.

ED chargesheets online gaming app WinZO over Rs 734 cr scam

ED chargesheets online gaming app WinZO over Rs 734 cr scam

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against real-money online gaming app WinZO and its promoters, alleging the company used bots and AI to manipulate game algorithms, leading to significant financial losses for users.

New cycling event fuels India's 2036 Olympic medal hopes

New cycling event fuels India's 2036 Olympic medal hopes

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Spread across 437 kilometres and four stages, the Pune Grand Tour, starting on Monday, will feature around 170 riders from 35 countries, including 12 locals.

If help had reached...: Delivery agent who tried to rescue drowning techie

If help had reached...: Delivery agent who tried to rescue drowning techie

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Police, however, rejected allegations of negligence. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Rajeev Narayan Mishra said police and fire department teams made efforts to save the youth and deployed a crane, ladder, makeshift boat and searchlights, but visibility was near zero due to fog.

Vehicles torched, fake Maoist posters used in Odisha extortion bid

Vehicles torched, fake Maoist posters used in Odisha extortion bid

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Miscreants torched three vehicles of a local contractor and put up fake Maoist posters in Odisha's Kalahandi district. Police suspect the Maoist angle is fabricated and are investigating local involvement.

'Rahul Gandhi Is Deliberately Destroying The Congress'

'Rahul Gandhi Is Deliberately Destroying The Congress'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

'Both Rahul and Modi are the same in the way they run their parties. Modi too wants faceless people and so does Rahul Gandhi.'

Bachchan Jr, Maxwell, Waugh back new European T20 League

Bachchan Jr, Maxwell, Waugh back new European T20 League

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

'With ETPL, we hope we can bring the magic of cricket euphoria to mainland Europe.'

'Killed him over personal grudge': Delhi cafe shooter in video confession

'Killed him over personal grudge': Delhi cafe shooter in video confession

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

A man accused of fatally shooting a 24-year-old at a cafe in northeast Delhi confessed to the crime in a social media video, citing a grudge over a past altercation. Police are investigating the incident and the claims made in the video.

Budget 2026: Next 5 Reforms Needed To Boost Growth

Budget 2026: Next 5 Reforms Needed To Boost Growth

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Sustaining 8 per cent-plus growth rates is necessary if we are to reach high-income status by 2047, points out Amitabh Kant.

No FIR against TMC MLA over SIR violence despite EC deadline

No FIR against TMC MLA over SIR violence despite EC deadline

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Despite a directive from the Election Commission, no FIR has been filed against TMC MLA Monirul Islam in connection with vandalism at the Farakka Block Development Office in Murshidabad. The delay raises questions about the implementation of the Commission's orders ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Cong, BJP both stake claim to Chandrapur mayor's post

Cong, BJP both stake claim to Chandrapur mayor's post

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Following a hung result in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections, both the Congress and BJP are claiming they will secure the Mayor's position. Congress emerged as the single largest party, but the BJP claims to have support from Congress corporators.

'Miya Vs Indigenous' Politics Reshaping Assam Poll

'Miya Vs Indigenous' Politics Reshaping Assam Poll

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'Once demographic fear becomes campaign language, it legitimises social targeting.'

7 Goddess Saraswati Temples

7 Goddess Saraswati Temples

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Basant Panchami is dedicated to Devi Saraswati, the goddess of learning and an auspicious occasion to visit shrines in her honour.

Why Turkish fans booed Yulia Putintseva at Australian Open

Why Turkish fans booed Yulia Putintseva at Australian Open

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva turned pantomime villain at the Australian Open on Friday after beating Turkey's qualifier Zeynep Sonmez in the third round.

Nilgai jumps into car, kills 4-yr-old girl sitting in mother's lap

Nilgai jumps into car, kills 4-yr-old girl sitting in mother's lap

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The girl suffered fatal wounds due to the impact, while her parents also sustained injuries, he said.

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra deputy CM, dies in plane crash

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra deputy CM, dies in plane crash

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Learjet 45 (LJ45), a mid-size business jet aircraft produced by the Learjet Division of Bombardier Aerospace, went off the runway while attempting to land at Baramati airport and burst into flames.

Maha civic results may trigger MVA churn as Cong pulls ahead

Maha civic results may trigger MVA churn as Cong pulls ahead

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

With the Congress coming third overall and having done much better than Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP, its allies in Maha Vikas Aghadi, political analysts said it will force a rethink as far as coordination, seat-sharing and leadership are concerned ahead of the 2029 assembly polls.

Assam: 1 killed in Bodos-Tribals Clash, Internet Suspended

Assam: 1 killed in Bodos-Tribals Clash, Internet Suspended

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

The situation in Kokrajhar escalated late on January 19 after a Scorpio vehicle carrying three Bodo individuals hit two Adivasi persons at Mansingh Road under the Karigaon police outpost.

Bhojshala sees peace as Hindus perform puja, Muslim offer namaaz

Bhojshala sees peace as Hindus perform puja, Muslim offer namaaz

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Peace prevailed at the disputed 11th-century Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Friday as Hindus performed puja to mark Basant Panchami festival while Muslims offered namaaz within the same premises but at a different location.

Alcoholic Beverages players identify new markets amid tax hiccups

Alcoholic Beverages players identify new markets amid tax hiccups

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Makers of spirits, beer, and wine are working to identify new markets of growth as two of the industry's biggest liquor markets, Maharashtra and Telangana, remain embroiled in taxation and payment issues.

PLA Top Brass In Turmoil After Zhang Youxia's Dismissal

PLA Top Brass In Turmoil After Zhang Youxia's Dismissal

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'As the PLA higher command is almost dismantled and instability spreads, India needs to be prepared for any eventuality,' cautions China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.

Shops shut, streets tense at Turkman Gate after demolition drive

Shops shut, streets tense at Turkman Gate after demolition drive

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Shuttered shops, overturned scooters, broken tiles and stones marked the narrow lanes near the Turkman Gate area in New Delhi on Wednesday, as the locality remained tense and under heavy security following violence during an anti-encroachment drive.

Europa League: Roma ease past Stuttgart; Aston Villa, Lyon in last 16

Europa League: Roma ease past Stuttgart; Aston Villa, Lyon in last 16

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

AS Roma took a big step towards qualifying for the Europa League last 16 with a 2-0 win over VfB Stuttgart on Thursday.

Forces strengthen cordon after encounter with terrorists in J-K's Kathua

Forces strengthen cordon after encounter with terrorists in J-K's Kathua

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Security forces have strengthened the cordon in a remote forest area of Kathua district following an encounter with terrorists. A search operation was launched after reports of terrorist presence in Kahog village of Billawar. Intense firing lasted for over an hour, and reinforcements, including Army paratroopers, have been deployed to neutralize the terrorists.

Kashmiri Pandits welcome to return, but...: Farooq Abdullah

Kashmiri Pandits welcome to return, but...: Farooq Abdullah

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah stated that displaced Kashmiri Pandits are welcome to return to their homes in the Valley, but expressed doubt that they would want to return permanently.

Another Hindu man killed near Dhaka, second incident within hours

Another Hindu man killed near Dhaka, second incident within hours

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

A 40-year-old Hindu man, Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was killed on Monday night in Narsingdi, near Dhaka, after being attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants, reported Bangladesh registered newspaper Weeklyblitz.

Teen stabs tutor for sexually assaulting minor friend, held

Teen stabs tutor for sexually assaulting minor friend, held

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

An 18-year-old youth has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a tutor who had been sexually assaulting his 14-year-old friend for the past six months, police said on Tuesday.

BJP's Nitin Babu Rises In the Land of Nitish Babu

BJP's Nitin Babu Rises In the Land of Nitish Babu

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

BJP leaders say Nitin Nabin's low-profile image has made him a favourite of Amit Shah, who was in search of such a leader to appoint to the top party position -- someone who follows the Modi-Shah line as BJP president without "ifs and buts".

When Votes Come With a Price Tag, Is It Still Democracy?

When Votes Come With a Price Tag, Is It Still Democracy?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Maharashtra municipal elections showed a troubling shift, where votes were traded for cash, convictions no longer mattered, and ideology became an afterthought, observes Ramesh Menon.

'The Greater Crisis -- That Of A Planet In Distress -- Is Still Gathering'

'The Greater Crisis -- That Of A Planet In Distress -- Is Still Gathering'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

'The pandemic has led to an immense disruption in the world's political, financial, military and geopolitical situation. The pandemic was a warning.'

Ex-bus conductor, paediatrician among 45 Padma Shri 'unsung heroes'

Ex-bus conductor, paediatrician among 45 Padma Shri 'unsung heroes'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

India announces Padma Shri awards for 45 individuals, recognizing 'unsung heroes' like a former bus conductor who created the world's largest free library and a pediatrician who established Asia's first human milk bank.

Noida techie death: Car pulled out of pit after 3 days

Noida techie death: Car pulled out of pit after 3 days

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

The car of a 27-year-old software engineer who died after his vehicle plunged into a water-filled pit in Noida has been recovered after a three-day operation.

Ambernath election: HC terms NCP's side-switching as 'globe-trotting'

Ambernath election: HC terms NCP's side-switching as 'globe-trotting'

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The Bombay High Court criticized the shifting allegiances of NCP members in the Ambernath Municipal Council, referring to it as "globe-trotting," while addressing orders related to alliances within the civic body.

14 killed as bus falls into 500 feet deep gorge in Himachal

14 killed as bus falls into 500 feet deep gorge in Himachal

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

A bus accident in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, has resulted in 13 fatalities and numerous injuries. The bus veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities are providing assistance to the victims and their families.