Mr Pradhan is not an especially charismatic leader or a brilliant orator, but his understanding of realpolitik and organisational dynamics makes him the ultimate party man, points out Aditi Phadnis.
Luka Modric is expected to lead Croatia at what could be his final World Cup as Zlatko Dalic's side aim to continue their remarkable record of success on football's biggest stage despite fitness concerns over their captain.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to feature a significant generational divide, with players spanning over 25 years in age. Mexico's Gilberto Mora, 17, will be the youngest, while Scotland's Craig Gordon, 43, will be the oldest. The tournament will showcase a mix of emerging talents and seasoned veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, with nations like Panama and Ivory Coast representing the oldest and youngest average squads, respectively.
India is set to field its strongest-ever contingent at the Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 in Goa, featuring top international stars and Asian Games medallists. The tournament, organised by the Bridge Federation of India, will host 46 elite teams from Asia and Oceania, highlighting India's growing prominence in intellectual sports.
India has urged the United Nations to update its sanctions regime against Afghanistan, arguing that it must reflect the changed political reality and focus on incentivising positive actions rather than solely relying on punitive measures. India highlighted its ongoing humanitarian and development support for the Afghan people.
Himachal Pradesh Police have frozen assets worth Rs 1.13 crore belonging to major drug peddlers in two separate cases registered in the Shimla district.
AI-driven job disruption, rising debt, shrinking savings and a changing global economy are reshaping India's middle class. Saurabh Mukherjea discusses jobs, entrepreneurship, investing and the future of India's economic growth on THE REDIFF PODCAST.
The India-Oman free trade agreement, operationalised on June 1, is set to create significant export opportunities for India's labour-intensive and value-added sectors, including textiles, gems and jewellery, and marine products, while also strengthening energy security.
An Indian national has been killed in Kuwait following Iranian strikes on a power and water desalination plant, bringing the total number of Indian fatalities in the West Asia conflict to eight.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has concluded a seven-day National Coaches Course in Jamshedpur, aimed at strengthening grassroots coaching and building a scientifically driven shooting ecosystem in India.
The Indian men's football team, participating in the Unity Cup in the UK, was warmly welcomed at India House in London ahead of their match against Zimbabwe. The team interacted with fans and shared insights during a reception hosted by the High Commission of India.
The latest revelations emerged during the interrogation of hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and accountant Jai Mishra, both of whom were arrested in connection with the June 3 fire at the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani that claimed 21 lives.
Rebel Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar announced that 20 dissident Lok Sabha members from TMC have merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and pledged support to the NDA under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The group expects its numbers to increase to 22 and clarified they have no connection with rebel TMC MLAs in West Bengal. Dastidar also highlighted the alleged non-implementation of central schemes in West Bengal by the previous TMC government.
Global tech major Salesforce has committed to equipping one million learners across India with AI-focused skills by 2030, leveraging government partnerships, virtual internships, academic centres, and its partner network.
The death of former Asian Games champion and celebrated shooting coach Jaspal Rana at the age of 49 has triggered an outpouring of grief across India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and several leading figures from the sporting world paying tribute to one of the country's most influential shooters and mentors.
British armed forces, including Royal Marine Commandos, intercepted the Russian shadow fleet oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel, marking the UK's first such operation. The action aims to disrupt Russia's funding for its war in Ukraine, with the UK government highlighting the shadow fleet's role in sustaining Moscow's military efforts.
Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar announced that the TVK regime, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, will take steps to ensure fair financial devolution from the Centre, including pursuing the matter in the Supreme Court. The government also plans to conduct a 'Social Justice Survey' and address the state's severe financial deterioration.
Jaspal Rana, a legendary Indian shooter and influential coach, has passed away at 49 after battling cardiac issues. He was a pioneer who brought shooting into the national spotlight with his fearless performances and later shaped the careers of many world-class athletes, including Manu Bhaker, leaving an indelible mark on Indian sports.
All India junior ranking medallists Tanvi Patri and Abhinav Garg will spearhead the Indian contingent at the Badminton Asia Junior (U-19) championships in Yatsushiro, Japan, from June 26 to July 5. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) is confident of a strong performance and multiple medals from the squad, which includes direct selections and players chosen through trials.
The Bihar Education Department has directed all private and government-aided schools to adhere to NCERT guidelines, ensuring school bag weight does not exceed 10 per cent of a child's body weight. Schools must install weighing scales and monitor bag weights regularly, with violations leading to action.
Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana has passed away at 49 after a medical procedure following illness during a flight from the ISSF World Cup.
The 42-year-old, who has had stints at Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter, made the announcement of leaving his role as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence in a post on X on Saturday.
Cyber Police have arrested Abdu Rahman in Delhi, a key accused in a Cambodia-based online fraud network. This syndicate, which initially used online trading and loan scams, shifted to matrimonial platforms to defraud Indian citizens, including a Kochi doctor who lost Rs 37 lakh. The network recruits Indians to work in scam centres in Cambodia and has been responsible for numerous online frauds.
Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus discussed the upcoming one-off Test against India, highlighting the crucial role of spin bowling on the Mullanpur pitch. He also confirmed star spinner Rashid Khan's absence due to a long-standing back problem and workload management.
India pumped five past Bhutan in the Under-23 men's Tri-Nation Football Championship 2026 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, on Saturday.
Sweden's star strike partnership of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres faces a stern challenge against Tunisia's rock-solid defence as the two sides begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F campaign.
Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan has ignited a political controversy by labelling Operation Blue Star a 'black day' and referring to those killed as 'martyrs', while criticising former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and likening the military action to an invasion.
India-Pakistan matches were never meant to be predictable -- it was meant to be unforgettable, notes K R Nayar.
Afghanistan Test captain Hashmatullah Shahidi addressed Rashid Khan's Test future, stating it's a matter for selectors. Shahidi emphasised the need for Afghanistan to play more Test matches to develop their red-ball team, despite their domestic red-ball structure. He also highlighted the talent beyond T20 leagues and expressed confidence in his team's ability to handle conditions and compete against India.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will hear both the defected TMC MPs and the faction led by Mamata Banerjee before deciding on recognising the breakaway group's proposed merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).
The Indian women's hockey team concluded their four-match friendly series against Australia with a 2-2 draw, losing the final match 2-3 after initially leading 2-0. Despite the loss, the tour provided valuable preparation for upcoming tournaments, including the FIH Nations Cup and the World Cup.
A tech firm has delivered to the Army 106 turbojet-powered kamikaze drones designed to engage high-value targets deep inside enemy territory and operate in contested electromagnetic environments, according to a statement.
The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) has named Jyotiprakash Chatterji as its new president, a development that follows the merger of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) rebel Lok Sabha faction with the party. This announcement by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a key figure in the dissident camp, comes amidst speculation about the party's leadership after its founder stepped down. However, details about Chatterji and the party's internal workings remain unclear, with some existing members expressing unawareness of the change.
Tamil Nadu's Baranica Elangovan has shattered the national pole vault record, clearing 4.22m in Bhubaneswar, marking an extraordinary return to form after undergoing ACL surgery in 2020.
A routine visit to Delhi turned into a devastating tragedy for a Rajasthan family, losing three members along with five Gurugram relatives in the Malviya Nagar guest house fire. The incident, which claimed 21 lives, highlights severe safety lapses at the five-floor building.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has confirmed that an Indian national was injured but no fatalities occurred in a projectile incident in Saudi Arabia. The injured individual is receiving treatment at a government hospital.
Pochettino expects a "very tough game" against Paraguay, praising their aggression and discipline.
Who are the special fathers of these famous Indians? The paternal figures responsible for putting them on the right path and helping them find greatness.
Viswashkumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of Flight 171 which crashed a year ago in Ahmedabad, has spoken out about his ongoing struggles with 'sleep, anxiety and difficult memories,' highlighting the profound and lasting impact of the disaster.
An innovation roadmap, a mechanism to double annual bilateral trade within next five years, and a joint artificial intelligence framework were among 13 outcomes to emerge from wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday.
