News for 'The Local'

Bangladesh: Hindu businessman hacked, set on fire

Bangladesh: Hindu businessman hacked, set on fire

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

A Hindu businessman in Bangladesh was brutally attacked, hacked, and set on fire by unidentified assailants. The victim, Khokon Chandra Das, was attacked while returning home from his shop. He sustained severe injuries and is receiving treatment in Dhaka. Police are investigating the incident.

Mumbai Among Top 8 Foodie Cities

Mumbai Among Top 8 Foodie Cities

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

TasteAtlas, a globally recognised digital guide to food, has unveiled its Best Food Cities rankings for 2025-2026.

EC bars Maha govt from releasing early payment under 'Ladki Bahin'

EC bars Maha govt from releasing early payment under 'Ladki Bahin'

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The State Election Commission (SEC) has barred the Maharashtra government from releasing the January instalment of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme in advance, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct for municipal elections. The decision follows complaints about the timing of the release, coinciding with upcoming municipal elections.

Canada flags Air India, alerts DGCA over pilot issue

Canada flags Air India, alerts DGCA over pilot issue

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

An investigation into the matter is currently ongoing, and police have stated that no further details will be released at this stage.

Turkman Gate violence: Whatsapp groups, 10 influencers under scanner

Turkman Gate violence: Whatsapp groups, 10 influencers under scanner

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

According to police, rumours claiming the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was demolishing the mosque spread primarily through voice notes shared across community, religious and neighbourhood WhatsApp groups ahead of a court-ordered anti-encroachment drive.

How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone

How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

'The watershed moment was June 22, 2024, when the divisional in-charge of Gadchiroli, Giridhar Tumreti, who was their senior-most commander, along with his wife, came forward to surrender before the then deputy chief minister and home minister Devendra Fadnavis.'

India's Sidharth Rawat closes in on Bengaluru Open main draw

India's Sidharth Rawat closes in on Bengaluru Open main draw

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

In other first-round qualifying matches, Indians Dev Javia and Adil Kalyanpur put up spirited performances but were edged out in three-set battles by higher-ranked opponents, Dominik Palan and Eero Vasa, respectively.

Delhi teen punched, kicked to death by 6 minors

Delhi teen punched, kicked to death by 6 minors

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

A 17-year-old student died after allegedly being physically assaulted by a group of juveniles in east Delhi's Trilokpuri area. Six juveniles have been apprehended in connection with the case.

Train evacuated after bomb threat at UP railway station

Train evacuated after bomb threat at UP railway station

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Panic gripped Mau railway junction in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday morning following a call claiming that a bomb was planted on the Kashi Express (15018 Down), prompting security agencies to evacuate the train and launch a thorough search.

Indian woman killed in US, ex-boyfriend flees to India

Indian woman killed in US, ex-boyfriend flees to India

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

A 27-year-old Indian woman, Nikitha Godishala, was found murdered in Maryland. Police are searching for her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, who they believe killed her and fled to India.

Is MVA staring at another setback in civic body elections?

Is MVA staring at another setback in civic body elections?

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) faces a crucial test in the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra after being defeated by the BJP-led Mahayuti in recent local polls. Political observers are calling the upcoming contest for 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, a mini assembly election.

BJP-led Mahayuti clinches 25 of 29 Maha civic bodies

BJP-led Mahayuti clinches 25 of 29 Maha civic bodies

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Breaking the nearly three-decade-old dominance of the undivided Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday emerged victorious in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, and also vanquished the alliance of Nationalist Congress Party factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar in the Pune civic body.

Iran's FM dials Jaishankar, both leaders discuss Tehran situation

Iran's FM dials Jaishankar, both leaders discuss Tehran situation

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Earlier in the day, the ministry of external affairs "strongly advised" Indians to avoid travel to Iran until further notice, amid rising tensions and protests in the Islamic Republic.

Iran protests hit day 14, hundreds feared dead

Iran protests hit day 14, hundreds feared dead

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Anti-government protests in Iran have continued for the fourteenth consecutive day on Saturday, with authorities tightening security measures as demonstrations spread across multiple cities.

Pan-India kidney racket unearthed after Maha farmer's complaint

Pan-India kidney racket unearthed after Maha farmer's complaint

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

An investigation into an illegal kidney racket, triggered by a farmer's complaint, has revealed a pan-India kidney transplant network involving agents, donors, doctors, and hospitals.

ICC unlikely to shift Bangladesh's T20 WC matches

ICC unlikely to shift Bangladesh's T20 WC matches

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

"The overall security risk for the tournament in India has been assessed as low to moderate, which is consistent with the profile of many major global sporting events," the source said.

NIA takes over probe of twin blasts in Manipur

NIA takes over probe of twin blasts in Manipur

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The investigation into the twin blasts in Manipur's Bishnupur district has been handed over to the NIA. The blasts injured two people and have further escalated tensions in the state.

BJP vs Thackeray cousins: All eyes on BMC showdown

BJP vs Thackeray cousins: All eyes on BMC showdown

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Maharashtra heads to the polls for 29 municipal corporations, with Mumbai's BMC election taking center stage as the BJP-led Mahayuti faces off against the Thackeray front. Key issues include promises for women, pollution control, and the city's financial health.

X to stop Grok from generating sexualised AI content

X to stop Grok from generating sexualised AI content

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Microblogging platform X has implemented technological measures to prevent its Grok AI chatbot from generating images of real people in revealing clothing in jurisdictions where it is illegal, following government pressure over obscene deepfakes.

FMCG players witness strong Q3 recovery

FMCG players witness strong Q3 recovery

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Driven by GST reforms, robust festive demand, and softening raw material prices, the FMCG industry expects volume-based growth, supported by a mid-single digit revenue rise and improved operating margins in the December quarter.

FA Cup holders Palace knocked out by non-league Macclesfield

FA Cup holders Palace knocked out by non-league Macclesfield

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Non-league Macclesfield produced perhaps the FA Cup's greatest upset on Saturday when they beat holders Crystal Palace 2-1 in a thirdround thriller, knocking Oliver Glasner's team out of the competition and sending the Moss Rose crowd into raptures.

Bangladesh: Hindu businessman dies 3 days after attack

Bangladesh: Hindu businessman dies 3 days after attack

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

A Hindu businessman in Bangladesh died after being brutally attacked, raising concerns among minority groups about increasing intimidation and violence.

Mitchell slams century as New Zealand down India to level series

Mitchell slams century as New Zealand down India to level series

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

K L Rahul's unbeaten ton was eclipsed by Daryl Mitchell's splendid 131 not out as New Zealand levelled the three-match series 1-1 with a seven-wicket win in the second ODI.

Gulmarg Is Drenched In Snow

Gulmarg Is Drenched In Snow

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

Rain and snow on the first day of Chillai-Kalaan is locally seen as a good omen and a precursor to plenty of snow.

Private plane crash-lands in Odisha, 6 injured

Private plane crash-lands in Odisha, 6 injured

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani said there were four passengers, including two women and two pilots, in the aircraft. Captain Naveen and Captain Tarun were piloting the plane, he said.

'Poison was distributed in Indore': Rahul Gandhi

'Poison was distributed in Indore': Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticizes the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh after at least 10 people died allegedly due to contaminated water in Indore, accusing them of negligence and insensitivity.

BSE Sensex tops other assets classes by a hefty margin in 40 years

BSE Sensex tops other assets classes by a hefty margin in 40 years

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

The BSE Sensex has been one of the top-performing areas of investment in the past 40 years, consistently delivering double-digit returns in rupee terms, beating assets such as global equities, precious metals, and fixed income.

'GCCs Have Evolved To Strategic Innovation Hubs'

'GCCs Have Evolved To Strategic Innovation Hubs'

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

'Solutions developed in India are being commercialised and offered globally because we're executing at scale, creating new markets and revenue streams.'

'Keep protesting, help is on its way', Trump tells Iranians amid unrest

'Keep protesting, help is on its way', Trump tells Iranians amid unrest

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Trump's remarks came amid heightened US messaging about the Iran situation and a series of White House statements indicating that multiple options remain under review.

Carmakers Go Deep In Bid To Expand Beyond Metros

Carmakers Go Deep In Bid To Expand Beyond Metros

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Network scale seen as central to tapping smaller markets.

'I was living a lie': Mary Kom breaks silence on divorce

'I was living a lie': Mary Kom breaks silence on divorce

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

"What's the point of all that I achieved?" wondered M C Mary Kom as she opened up to PTI about the "darkest phase" of her life, that included a painful divorce, near bankruptcy and a quiet emotional collapse.

When Turkman Gate Was Demolished In 1976

When Turkman Gate Was Demolished In 1976

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

A legend that sprang up after the Turkman Gate killing is that when the shrine is disturbed, the government will fall, as it happened with the Indira Gandhi government.

88 hurt as loco trains collide inside U'khand hydel tunnel; probe ordered

88 hurt as loco trains collide inside U'khand hydel tunnel; probe ordered

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

A loco train carrying workers for tunnel excavation during the night shift was about two kilometres inside the tunnel when another loco train coming from the opposite direction lost control and collided with it.

Revealed: How US ensured Jaishankar's security during shutdown

Revealed: How US ensured Jaishankar's security during shutdown

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

The US Department of State highlighted a mission-defining challenge during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit in November amid the US government shutdown, detailing the security measures taken to ensure his protection.

'Don't rob Gen Z of votes': Uddhav seeks to scrap 'unopposed' civic poll wins

'Don't rob Gen Z of votes': Uddhav seeks to scrap 'unopposed' civic poll wins

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demands cancellation of civic elections where candidates won unopposed, alleging corruption and manipulation by ruling parties. He also criticizes the Maharashtra legislative assembly speaker and the misuse of BMC funds.

Maha civic polls: Mahayuti wins 68 seats unopposed, BJP leads with 44

Maha civic polls: Mahayuti wins 68 seats unopposed, BJP leads with 44

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

The BJP and its Mahayuti allies have won 68 seats unopposed in the Maharashtra civic polls scheduled for January 15, even as the Opposition parties alleged the ruling combine used threats and money to force candidates to withdraw from the fray.

10 Tastiest Ways To Eat Your Greens

10 Tastiest Ways To Eat Your Greens

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Leafy greens are an essential part of Indian cooking, showing up in everyday meals as well as in unique regional specialities.

Assam Detains 7 Bangladeshis After Illegal Re-Entry

Assam Detains 7 Bangladeshis After Illegal Re-Entry

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

There have been several instances in which Bangladeshi nationals who were pushed back after being identified as illegal entrants have re-entered Assam.

'Democracy Is On Sale In Maharashtra'

'Democracy Is On Sale In Maharashtra'

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

'This daylight robbery of elections is happening in the commercial capital of India, Mumbai city, so you can imagine what they will do to win elections in the interiors of India.'

3 Indians among crew on board Russian tanker seized by US

3 Indians among crew on board Russian tanker seized by US

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

The US Coast Guard seized a Russian oil tanker, the Marinera, in the North Atlantic. The crew includes three Indian citizens. Moscow has protested the seizure, calling it a violation of international maritime law and demanding humane treatment of the crew.