Rahul Gandhi's aggressive street politics is giving him a fresh political edge, but overplaying his role could hurt his credibility with the wider opposition, predicts M R Narayan Swamy.
The controversy surrounding the Parliament Ram Mandir skit intensified on Sunday after a clash broke out at the residence of Purnia MP Pappu Yadav, who had portrayed a temple priest wearing saffron robes during the performance in Parliament on Friday.
Both Hindu and Muslim parties involved in the Gyanvapi dispute have rejected the Supreme Court's mediation initiative, stating that the matter should be resolved through judicial adjudication. This decision came during a session at a Varanasi court, where both sides expressed their preference for a court verdict over an out-of-court settlement.
Akash Deep kicked off a beautiful new innings in his life as he tied the knot with Akshita Raj in Varanasi on Wednesday.
'I am aware that my time is running out, and there's so much to do.'
Efforts to resolve three major religious site disputes in Uttar Pradesh - Gyanvapi, Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah, and Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid - through out-of-court settlements have failed, with all parties insisting on judicial adjudication.
Jamshedpur FC has announced its withdrawal from the Indian Super League (ISL) starting from the 2026-27 season, hours after missing a payment deadline. The club stated its commitment to promoting and developing football at the grassroots level in India. This comes amidst a new agreement between AIFF and ISL clubs for a club-led model of the league.
This week's OTT releases offer a diverse selection: Varun Dhawan's new comedy Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, the highly anticipated sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2 starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway and the blockbuster anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle.
A 16-year-old boy in Varanasi, India, died after allegedly being beaten with sticks over suspicion of mobile theft. Police have registered a case and are investigating.
Fourteen individuals have been arrested in Varanasi for allegedly defiling a place of worship and hurting religious sentiments after a video surfaced showing them consuming chicken biryani during an Iftar party on a boat in the Ganga river.
Uttar Pradesh authorities have implemented extensive security and logistical measures for the annual Kanwar Yatra, which began on Thursday and concludes on August 11. These include AI-enabled surveillance, additional security personnel, medical camps, dedicated control rooms, and traffic diversions, all aimed at ensuring a "zero incidents and zero accidents" pilgrimage for lakhs of devotees.
Doctors attribute the rise in male infertility to obesity, diabetes, smoking, chronic stress, inadequate sleep and sedentary lifestyles.
India's shooting legend Jaspal Rana was laid to rest in Varanasi with full state honours, two days after his passing due to cardiac complications. Tributes poured in from across the nation, including from his mentee Manu Bhaker and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, highlighting his immense contribution to Indian shooting as both an athlete and a coach.
Manasa Varanasi dresses like she's permanently floating through the soft-focus frame of a rom-com dressed in florals and cottagecore. But every now and then, the Couple Friendly actress switches lanes.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has announced a collaboration with Angelina Jolie while also sharing insights into her role in S S Rajamouli's Varanasi.
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, prohibits only the conversion of religious character but does not prevent the state from acquiring such properties for secular and public purposes. This observation came while dismissing a petition challenging the widening and beautification of the Dalmandi area in Varanasi for the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor, which involved the proposed demolition of six ancient mosques.
'Once an artist, always an artist. That identity, I realised about myself only when I stopped working.'
From Arun Govil and Shobana to Vivek Oberoi and Kajal Aggarwal, meet the sprawling supporting cast bringing Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana to life.
A Varanasi court has remanded 14 people to judicial custody after they allegedly held an Iftar party and consumed chicken biryani on a boat in the Ganga river, sparking outrage and accusations of hurting religious sentiments.
Police in Varanasi have booked three women for allegedly stealing undergarments worth approximately Rs 10,000 from a shop in the Chetganj area. The theft was reported by the shop owner, who provided CCTV footage of the incident.
Samajwadi Party leader Zeeshan Ansari has written a letter in his blood to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that the cow be declared "Rashtra Mata" (Mother of the Nation). Ansari, a Muslim, stated his initiative aims to clarify the BJP's stance on the cow, highlighting its special place in Indian sentiments.
Sadhguru's Isha Gramotsavam, a rural sports festival, is expanding its 18th edition into North India, covering 10 states and one Union Territory. This year's event will engage over 80,000 players from 40,000 villages in men's volleyball and women's throwball, offering a prize pool exceeding Rs 1 crore, with the aim of social transformation through sport.
Varanasi Municipal Corporation's decision to relocate all meat, fish, and poultry shops outside city limits before the holy month of Sawan has ignited a debate among residents, traders, and political leaders, with supporters citing religious sentiments and critics raising concerns about convenience and livelihoods.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the 'terahvin' rituals of legendary shooter Jaspal Rana in Dehradun. Dignitaries paid their respects to the Padma Shri recipient, who passed away on June 11 due to cardiac complications. Rana, a celebrated pistol shooter and coach, was instrumental in guiding Manu Bhaker to Olympic success.
In cities where women own a larger share of small businesses, women also account for a larger share of jobs.
Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is expected to benefit from higher room rates, rising occupancy, and strategic acquisitions, with analysts projecting double-digit revenue growth for FY27 driven by strong domestic demand and a favourable demand-supply dynamic.
Reigning Indian Super League champions East Bengal have announced the appointment of decorated Spanish coach Antonio Lopez Habas as their new head coach for the 2026-27 season. Habas, known for his successful stints in Indian football, returns to familiar territory as the club prepares to defend its maiden ISL League Shield amidst ownership uncertainties.
A group in Varanasi organized an 'India-Russia Friendship March' to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of his visit to India for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The march highlighted the strong ties between the two nations and expressed hope for strengthened cooperation and global peace.
The Allahabad High Court has observed that throwing non-vegetarian food waste into the river Ganga could hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community, while granting bail to five persons accused of throwing leftovers into the river during an iftar party on a boat in Varanasi.
An IndiGo Airlines aircraft made an emergency landing in Varanasi after a note claiming a bomb was found on board. Security agencies investigated the threat.
Customs officials at Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport arrested an Indian passenger and seized 10.397 kg of suspected hydroponic marijuana, valued at approximately Rs 10.39 crore, from his baggage. The seizure was made following specific intelligence, and the passenger has been booked under the NDPS Act. This incident follows a similar large bust in Varanasi, indicating a wider network under investigation.
Customs officials at Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport arrested an Indian passenger and seized 10.397 kg of suspected hydroponic marijuana, valued at approximately Rs 10.39 crore, from his baggage. The seizure was made following specific intelligence, and the passenger has been booked under the NDPS Act. This incident follows a similar large bust in Varanasi, indicating a wider network under investigation.
A Mumbai-based software engineer, Ankita Gupta, successfully tracked her stolen mobile phone in Varanasi, leading to its recovery and the suspension of a police officer for negligence.
At Kolga Aabla, the closest beach to her grandmother's home, at the edge of a birch forest, we immersed her balance ashes. It was a sombre, precious day for both of us. But a day that also brought long-needed closure. My mother's spirit, chained for so many years in a Parkinson's-locked body, was free. But my father came back from the beach a visibly older man.
A wanted contract killer, Bhanu Pratap Singh, who had over 40 cases against him and carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh, died after being injured in a police encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) in Ayodhya. He succumbed to his injuries at Medical College, Ayodhya.
'We may be able to wind back some of the schedule reductions we'd taken in recent months.'
In a bid to provide students with a safe, transparent and quality educational environment, a special drive is being conducted across Uttar Pradesh to strengthen the regulation of coaching institutes and against illegal coaching centres.
The Japanese PM's visit to Assam comes amid festering uneasiness in Tokyo about Beijing's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Gujarat ATS intercepts a large silver consignment worth 5 crore at Rajkot Airport, suspecting tax evasion.
Chaats are among India's most loved street food. The reason is simple: They represent the entire spectrum of much-loved Indian flavours and textures in a single bite -- spicy, tangy, chatpata, khara, meetha. That's what keeps people coming back for more.
