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Beware! Drinking water at railway stations can make you sick

Beware! Drinking water at railway stations can make you sick

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed the presence of E.coli bacteria in drinking water samples from water coolers at several Indian railway stations. The audit also highlighted unhygienic conditions in railway washrooms and significant deficiencies in Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA) across 458 out of 512 non-suburban stations inspected.

India Inc navigates West Asia conflict: Rising costs, price hikes, and margin pressures

India Inc navigates West Asia conflict: Rising costs, price hikes, and margin pressures

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

India Inc's first-quarter earnings season was significantly impacted by the West Asia conflict, leading to rising costs, calibrated price increases, and margin pressures across various sectors including FMCG, automotive, steel, and cement. Companies are implementing price hikes to protect profitability, with many anticipating further escalations if input costs remain elevated.

Arteta: Arsenal 'hungry' for Community Shield against Man City

Arteta: Arsenal 'hungry' for Community Shield against Man City

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his squad's hunger and motivation to win the Community Shield against Manchester City, aiming to start the new season with a trophy after a busy recruitment period.

5,300 apply for Ram temple trust CEO post, 18 shortlisted

5,300 apply for Ram temple trust CEO post, 18 shortlisted

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has shortlisted 18 candidates for the Chief Executive Officer position from over 5,300 applicants. Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, with the CEO's role focusing on temple administration and management. The selection follows allegations of embezzlement of temple donations, which led to an SIT probe and arrests.

How Free Is India Today?

How Free Is India Today?

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

As India's decline continued on global indices, the government first blamed methodology and then motives. This is where we remain today as we wish each other and ourselves a happy Independence Day, points out Aakar Patel.

'70 per cent watch club games': Is bilateral cricket in danger?

'70 per cent watch club games': Is bilateral cricket in danger?

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes the exploding popularity of T20 leagues, particularly the IPL, poses a significant threat to the future of bilateral international cricket, stating that '70 per cent (people are watching club cricket instead of international cricket)'.

Indian Markets Marginally Higher Amid Crude Oil Spike, Geopolitical Uncertainty

Indian Markets Marginally Higher Amid Crude Oil Spike, Geopolitical Uncertainty

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Indian benchmark indices closed marginally higher, with the Sensex gaining over 43 points and the Nifty remaining flat, as a spike in crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties tempered risk appetite.

UGC-NET June 2026 Provisional Answer Key To Be Out This Week: NTA

UGC-NET June 2026 Provisional Answer Key To Be Out This Week: NTA

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

The National Testing Agency advised candidates to regularly check its official website and rely only on official communications from the agency.

Jharkhand police file FIR against 300 for march on assembly

Jharkhand police file FIR against 300 for march on assembly

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

An FIR has been registered against 300 unnamed individuals in Ranchi following a protest march to the Jharkhand assembly on August 10. The protest, by job aspirants over alleged recruitment examination irregularities, led to clashes where 14 police personnel were injured. Police used batons, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd, which had violated prohibitory orders. Authorities are now using video footage to identify the miscreants.

In 12 years, India developed on scale never seen before: Modi on I-Day

In 12 years, India developed on scale never seen before: Modi on I-Day

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, declared that India is undergoing a rapid transformation across various sectors and is firmly on track to become a developed nation by 2047.

PM promises Rs 1 lakh crore Innovation Fund for start-ups

PM promises Rs 1 lakh crore Innovation Fund for start-ups

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon India's youth to dream big, assuring them of government support and resources, including a Rs 1 lakh crore Innovation Fund, to bolster the country's burgeoning startup ecosystem and drive its journey towards becoming a developed nation.

Independence Day Spirit Fuels Indian Hockey Fans At World Cup Opener

Independence Day Spirit Fuels Indian Hockey Fans At World Cup Opener

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Indian hockey fans, including a significant diaspora presence and supporters from abroad, created a vibrant, festive atmosphere in Amstelveen for the World Cup opener against Wales on Independence Day, driven by increased expectations following recent Olympic successes.

Toddler, woman killed, 6 injured in Mumbai building fire

Toddler, woman killed, 6 injured in Mumbai building fire

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

A devastating fire in a 12-storey residential building in Mumbai's Vile Parle area resulted in the deaths of a toddler and a woman, and injuries to six others, including a fireman. The blaze, which erupted on the 11th floor, spread rapidly before firefighters extinguished it. An investigation into the cause is underway.

Former deputy speaker of Bengal found hanging at Trinamool office

Former deputy speaker of Bengal found hanging at Trinamool office

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Police are investigating the mysterious death of Asish Banerjee, former deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly and a prominent TMC leader, who was found hanging in a party office with a purported suicide note expressing regret over entering politics and denying corruption.

Tata Steel Sells Jamshedpur Football Club To Churchill Brothers For Rs 100

Tata Steel Sells Jamshedpur Football Club To Churchill Brothers For Rs 100

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Tata Steel has announced the sale of its entire 100% equity stake in Jamshedpur Football to Churchill Brothers for Rs 100.

'Lot of threats you don't know about': Trump confirms switching planes

'Lot of threats you don't know about': Trump confirms switching planes

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Donald Trump confirms he secretly switched planes after the NATO Summit in Turkiye due to a 'threat' from Iran.

Vedanta targets $10 billion Ebitda by FY27, plans to cut debt by over Rs 20,000 crore

Vedanta targets $10 billion Ebitda by FY27, plans to cut debt by over Rs 20,000 crore

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Metals and mining conglomerate Vedanta aims to achieve $10 billion in group Ebitda by FY27, a significant increase from $6 billion in FY26, and plans to reduce its overall debt by more than 20,000 crore during the same period, according to CFO Ajay Goel.

Kshitij Kaul Takes Clubhouse Lead At Rain-Hit Coal India Open

Kshitij Kaul Takes Clubhouse Lead At Rain-Hit Coal India Open

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Delhi golfer Kshitij Naveed Kaul secured a one-shot clubhouse lead with a four-under 66 in the second round of the Coal India Open at Tollygunge Club before heavy rain forced the suspension of play. Akshay Sharma is in second, with Om Prakash Chouhan and Saptak Talwar tied for third.

Indian drugmakers in no rush to shift to US despite tariff threat

Indian drugmakers in no rush to shift to US despite tariff threat

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Indian pharmaceutical companies are not rushing to relocate manufacturing to the United States despite former President Donald Trump's renewed threat of tariffs up to 200 per cent on imported generic drugs. Instead, they are leveraging existing US plants, contract manufacturers, and making selective investments in complex products while maintaining India as their primary production hub.

Hollywood Star Brad Pitt Weighs In On AI's Impact On Filmmaking

Hollywood Star Brad Pitt Weighs In On AI's Impact On Filmmaking

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt believes artificial intelligence could be a boon for mid-budget filmmaking by making visual effects more accessible. However, he expresses caution regarding AI's use in replicating actors' performances and raises concerns about body scanning and digital likeness ownership. Pitt also shared his thoughts on AI-generated music and his upcoming film projects.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Dip as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Keep Crude Prices High

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Dip as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Keep Crude Prices High

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw declines in early trade, primarily due to elevated crude oil prices stemming from the unresolved geopolitical situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts suggest that while global sentiment improved slightly after a benign US inflation report, the ongoing US-Iran standoff continues to exert pressure on domestic equities. Track Sensex, Nifty on August 13.

Aaleina Sen Wins Gold At All India Independence Cup Karate

Aaleina Sen Wins Gold At All India Independence Cup Karate

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Durgapur's Aaleina Sen, an Under-11 karateka, won a gold medal in Kumite and a bronze in Kata at the 20th All India Independence Cup Karate Championship.

Full Vande Mataram sung at Cong's Independence Day event, BJP says Sonia objected to it

Full Vande Mataram sung at Cong's Independence Day event, BJP says Sonia objected to it

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

The BJP accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full version of Vande Mataram at an Independence Day event, sparking a political row. The Congress denied the charge, stating Gandhi was only seeking a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and clarified the historical context of the song's usage.

Left AAP because...: Harbhajan Singh opens up on joining BJP

Left AAP because...: Harbhajan Singh opens up on joining BJP

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Cricketer-turned-politician Harbhajan Singh revealed in a podcast interview that his decision to switch from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stemmed from the AAP government's alleged neglect of his concerns regarding drug abuse and sports promotion in Punjab.

Sindhu's 'hunger' drives her 6th World Championships medal bid

Sindhu's 'hunger' drives her 6th World Championships medal bid

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is aiming for a historic sixth World Championships medal, driven by her enduring "hunger towards the game" since starting her senior career in 2009.

UPI payments to remain free, charges to apply only on...: Govt

UPI payments to remain free, charges to apply only on...: Govt

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

The Indian government has clarified that consumers will not be charged for UPI transactions, and most merchant transactions will also remain free. This comes amidst speculation following an amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. Any future merchant discount rate (MDR) would be nominal, threshold-based, and aimed at ensuring UPI's long-term sustainability and infrastructure development.

Unconventional Opener Travis Head Ready for India Test Challenge

Unconventional Opener Travis Head Ready for India Test Challenge

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

'We're going to play in a lot of different conditions over the next 12 months. It's going to require different efforts. It may not look like the traditional thing all the time.'

Why India rose and Pakistan fell: Hockey great explains

Why India rose and Pakistan fell: Hockey great explains

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Former Pakistan captain Salman Akbar attributes his country's hockey decline to the absence of a robust domestic structure, contrasting it with India's strategic investment in grassroots and domestic ecosystems after failing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. He highlights India's subsequent success and calls for similar foundational changes in Pakistan.

Ajinkya Rahane To Debut As Test Commentator For India-Sri Lanka Series

Ajinkya Rahane To Debut As Test Commentator For India-Sri Lanka Series

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane is set to begin his Test commentary career with the Sony Sports Network during India's upcoming two-match series in Sri Lanka.

Modi seeks unity on women's quota in Independence Day address

Modi seeks unity on women's quota in Independence Day address

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to opposition parties to support the delimitation-linked Women's Reservation Bill, highlighting its 40-year struggle. The bill aims to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures and increase Lok Sabha seats, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. Despite previous setbacks and ongoing efforts to secure numbers, the government continues to push for this crucial legislation.

Why Japan Is Expanding Defence Ties Beyond India

Why Japan Is Expanding Defence Ties Beyond India

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Japan is deepening its defence relationship with India while simultaneously expanding its economic, infrastructure and security engagement with countries around India -- particularly Bangladesh. The result is an emerging Japanese conception of South Asia in which India remains the strategic anchor, but the geography surrounding India is becoming increasingly important, points out Varun Arya.

Women's Sports See Record Viewership, Sponsorship Growth in US

Women's Sports See Record Viewership, Sponsorship Growth in US

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Women's sports garnered 28.6 billion minutes of views in the U.S. in the first half of 2026, an 18% increase year-over-year, with advertising spend up 120% since 2022, according to a Nielsen report.

Harmanpreet stars as India win Hockey World Cup opener

Harmanpreet stars as India win Hockey World Cup opener

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Captain Harmanpreet Singh's two goals helped India secure a 3-1 victory over Wales in their first match of the men's Hockey World Cup, with Sanjay also contributing to the scoreline.

Geopolitical uncertainty, elevated crude keep Indian markets mixed; Sensex up, Nifty down

Geopolitical uncertainty, elevated crude keep Indian markets mixed; Sensex up, Nifty down

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Indian benchmark indices closed mixed, with the Sensex gaining 113.61 points to 78,079.96 and the Nifty falling 40.10 points to 24,395.85, as elevated crude prices and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East made investors cautious.

AI Phuket-Delhi flight hit by triple hydraulic failure before 300-ft drop

AI Phuket-Delhi flight hit by triple hydraulic failure before 300-ft drop

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

An Air India A320 flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop due to multiple technical glitches, including triple hydraulic failures and autopilot disconnection, injuring 17 people. An investigation by AAIB, with assistance from French agency BEA and Airbus, is underway, while the pilot-in-command is undergoing confirmatory psychoactive substance testing.

SC quashes criminal cases against Samay Raina, 4 other comedians for disability remarks

SC quashes criminal cases against Samay Raina, 4 other comedians for disability remarks

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court of India has quashed criminal proceedings against comedian Samay Raina and four others who faced charges for remarks about people with disabilities. The court lauded their subsequent efforts in organising events and raising awareness for specially-abled persons and those with rare diseases like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Geopolitical uncertainty, elevated crude keep Indian markets mixed; Sensex up, Nifty down

Geopolitical uncertainty, elevated crude keep Indian markets mixed; Sensex up, Nifty down

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Indian benchmark indices closed mixed, with the Sensex gaining 113.61 points to 78,079.96 and the Nifty falling 40.10 points to 24,395.85, as elevated crude prices and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East made investors cautious.

Maharashtra Forms Task Force For Drone Policy Implementation

Maharashtra Forms Task Force For Drone Policy Implementation

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

The Maharashtra government is setting up a ministerial task force, led by Minister Ashish Shelar, to ensure the effective implementation of its drone policy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced this, emphasising the need for a "policy of policies" to integrate R&D, manufacturing, testing, and subsidies, and to strengthen the state's drone ecosystem, including developing a 'Drone City'.

3 sisters take tricolour to India's 'silent village' in J-K

3 sisters take tricolour to India's 'silent village' in J-K

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Three mute sisters from Dhadkai, known as India's 'Silent Village', refused to eat until their father provided fabric for them to stitch tricolours, which they then distributed to over 150 homes, bringing the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign to their remote Jammu and Kashmir village.

Galle Test: Gill hints at Prasidh's inclusion ahead of Gurnoor Brar

Galle Test: Gill hints at Prasidh's inclusion ahead of Gurnoor Brar

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

India captain Shubman Gill has indicated that Prasidh Krishna is likely to share the new ball with Mohammed Siraj in the upcoming first Test against Sri Lanka.