News for 'wednesdays'

SC flags uppers castes converting to Buddhism for quota as 'new fraud'

SC flags uppers castes converting to Buddhism for quota as 'new fraud'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has voiced concern over a 'new type of fraud' involving individuals from dominant upper-caste backgrounds in Haryana converting to Buddhism solely to claim minority reservation benefits. The court has sought a report from the chief secretary of Haryana on the issuance of minority certificates.

Ajit Pawar was keen on NCP merger before death, claims close aide

Ajit Pawar was keen on NCP merger before death, claims close aide

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

A close associate of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar claims that Pawar was actively pursuing a merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions before his death. The associate, Kiran Gujar, stated that Pawar had indicated the merger was imminent just days before a fatal plane crash.

'Ishan Kishan should be India's wicketkeeper in T20 World Cup'

'Ishan Kishan should be India's wicketkeeper in T20 World Cup'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel urged India to include the in-form Ishan Kishan ahead of Sanju Samson

Sunetra Pawar gets 3 ministries, Fadnavis keeps finance

Sunetra Pawar gets 3 ministries, Fadnavis keeps finance

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Newly-appointed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has been allocated the portfolios of State Excise Duty, Sports and Youth Affairs and Minorities Development and Aukaf.

Apple imports from EU capped, Indian farmers protected under FTA

Apple imports from EU capped, Indian farmers protected under FTA

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India will lower duty on European apples to 20 per cent under the trade pact, but the imports would be capped at 50,000 tonnes per year and subject to a minimum import price of Rs 80 per kg, thereby fully protecting domestic farmers, an official said on Wednesday.

Australian Open 2026: Pegula smashes past Anisimova, breaks semi-final jinx

Australian Open 2026: Pegula smashes past Anisimova, breaks semi-final jinx

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Jessica Pegula moved into the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the first time in her career on Wednesday, with a 6-3, 7-6(1) win over fellow American and fourth seed Amanda Anisimova at Melbourne Park.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Accidental death report filed

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Accidental death report filed

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Police have registered an accidental death report (ADR) in connection with the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others in Baramati. The case will be handed over to the Maharashtra CID for investigation following the AAIB's inquiry.

4th T20I, Visakhapatnam: Shivam Dube's blazing fifty in vain as New Zealand trounce India

4th T20I, Visakhapatnam: Shivam Dube's blazing fifty in vain as New Zealand trounce India

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Shivam Dube flickered brightly with a fifty of exceptional quality but it was insufficient to prevent India's 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International.

Sensex rises 222 points helped by rally in L&T

Sensex rises 222 points helped by rally in L&T

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Thursday, helped by a rally in blue-chip Larsen & Toubro and the Economic Survey projecting the GDP growth of 6.8-7.2 per cent for the next fiscal.

Champions League chaos as Real, PSG tumble into playoffs

Champions League chaos as Real, PSG tumble into playoffs

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

IMAGES from the UEFA Champions League matches played on Wednesday.

Baramati crash revives memories of Ahmedabad AI 171 tragedy

Baramati crash revives memories of Ahmedabad AI 171 tragedy

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Residents of Ahmedabad recall the Air India crash of June 2025 after news of the Baramati plane crash involving Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The earlier tragedy, which killed hundreds, remains a painful memory for those who witnessed it and lost loved ones.

How Alcaraz weathered Hanfmann barrage to advance in Melbourne

How Alcaraz weathered Hanfmann barrage to advance in Melbourne

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Alcaraz proves too strong after early Hanfmann scare in their 2nd round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Sensex jumps 487 points on optimism over India-EU FTA

Sensex jumps 487 points on optimism over India-EU FTA

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

From the 30-Sensex firms, Bharat Electronics surged nearly 9 per cent post its December quarter earnings. Eternal, Bajaj Finance, Power Grid, Trent, Mahindra & Mahindra and UltraTech Cement were the other major gainers. Maruti, Sun Pharma, Infosys and Bharti Airtel were among the other laggards.

Why Mamata is calling for SC probe into Ajit Pawar's death

Why Mamata is calling for SC probe into Ajit Pawar's death

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the truth would not emerge through existing mechanisms and called for a probe, several opposition leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge backed her demand.

Cong MP's nephew kills self after 'accidentally' shooting wife dead

Cong MP's nephew kills self after 'accidentally' shooting wife dead

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil's nephew and his wife died in an apparent accidental shooting and subsequent suicide at their residence in Ahmedabad. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Noida techie death: 2 more builders arrested for drowning incident

Noida techie death: 2 more builders arrested for drowning incident

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Noida police have arrested two more builders in connection with the death of a software engineer who drowned after his car plunged into a waterlogged trench near a construction site. The arrests follow public outrage and allegations of negligence.

2026 AO: Why Musetti couldn't continue despite dominating Djokovic

2026 AO: Why Musetti couldn't continue despite dominating Djokovic

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

A distraught Lorenzo Musetti was struggling to comprehend how injury robbed him of victory against Novak Djokovic and a place in the Australian Open semi-final on Wednesday.

4th T20I, Visakhapatnam: Surya explains why India played a batter short

4th T20I, Visakhapatnam: Surya explains why India played a batter short

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India captain Suryakumar Yadav said they played a batter short on purpose to test themselves in the fourth T20 against New Zealand, in Visakhapatnam, on Wednesday.

Under-19 World Cup: Peake century guides Australia into semis

Under-19 World Cup: Peake century guides Australia into semis

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Captain Oliver Peake scored a century as Australia beat the West Indies by 22 runs to book their spot in the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup.

Multiple blasts, flames: Eyewitnesses on Ajit Pawar plane crash

Multiple blasts, flames: Eyewitnesses on Ajit Pawar plane crash

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

'The plane was around 100 feet above the runway. As we rushed towards it, we saw flames, followed by four to five consecutive blasts'

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The value of the rupee, which has slipped to the 92 per dollar mark, does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.

'Good morning': Co-pilot's last message before Ajit Pawar plane crash

'Good morning': Co-pilot's last message before Ajit Pawar plane crash

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The co-pilot of the aircraft that crashed carrying Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar sent a 'good morning' message to her grandmother before takeoff, which turned out to be her last communication.

Noida techie death: Builder sent to custody, SIT grills officials

Noida techie death: Builder sent to custody, SIT grills officials

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

A builder arrested in connection with the death of a software engineer in Greater Noida has been sent to judicial custody. An SIT is investigating the incident, questioning Noida Authority officials regarding alleged negligence.

Samson eyes stability as India aim for win in Raipur

Samson eyes stability as India aim for win in Raipur

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan face a key test as India take on New Zealand in the second T20I at Raipur, eyeing World Cup momentum.

Why gold loan book has doubled in 2 years

Why gold loan book has doubled in 2 years

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The gold loan portfolio across the system has nearly doubled to Rs 15.6 lakh crore in two years to November 2025, as a spike in prices of the precious commodity encouraged lenders to increase their exposures to the safer segment, a report said on Wednesday.

Australia unfazed by rushed build-up ahead of Pakistan T20Is

Australia unfazed by rushed build-up ahead of Pakistan T20Is

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said the team is ready for the Pakistan T20I series despite a short, interrupted build-up, calling the tour vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

'Never Thought This Would Be Last Time I Met Ajit Pawar'

'Never Thought This Would Be Last Time I Met Ajit Pawar'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

'Deeply shocked and terribly heartbroken to learn that we have lost Ajit Dada in a tragic accident.'

Baramati crash due to 'missed approach', says aircraft owner

Baramati crash due to 'missed approach', says aircraft owner

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The owner of VSR Ventures, whose aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed, suggests the pilot initiated a 'missed approach' due to poor visibility. The owner vouches for the pilot's experience and the aircraft's maintenance.

What Next For Sanju Samson?

What Next For Sanju Samson?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Opener Sanju Samson once again failed to get back among the runs, as he was dismissed for 24 from 15 balls in the fourth T20I against New Zealand.

Wedding plans turn to grief as pilot Pathak dies in Baramati crash

Wedding plans turn to grief as pilot Pathak dies in Baramati crash

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Captain Shambhavi Pathak, a pilot with VSR Ventures, was among those killed in the Learjet 45 crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. Her family in Delhi is devastated by the loss.

Maharashtra Republic Day tableau wins top award

Maharashtra Republic Day tableau wins top award

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Indian Navy has been recognized as the best marching contingent among the armed forces at the Republic Day Parade. Maharashtra won for states/UTs, and the Culture Ministry for ministries/departments.

'Are we animals in a zoo?' Swiatek rages at AO 2026

'Are we animals in a zoo?' Swiatek rages at AO 2026

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

World number two Iga Swiatek joined a growing chorus of players demanding more privacy off the courts at the Australian Open after cameras captured Coco Gauff in a post-match meltdown that the American said should have been a personal moment.

Duty hikes to dent cigarette volumes by 6-8% in FY27: Crisil Ratings

Duty hikes to dent cigarette volumes by 6-8% in FY27: Crisil Ratings

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The domestic cigarette industry is expected to see a 6-8 per cent volume contraction next fiscal following the imposition of additional excise duties and increase in goods and services tax (GST) rates from February 1, Crisil Ratings said on Wednesday.

Heavy snowfall paralyses life in J-K; highway closed, flights cancelled

Heavy snowfall paralyses life in J-K; highway closed, flights cancelled

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Heavy snowfall in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region disrupted traffic and air services, leading to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar highway and cancellation of flights. Rescue and road clearing operations are underway.

Sabalenka refuses to take anything for granted at Australian Open

Sabalenka refuses to take anything for granted at Australian Open

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

'Doesn't matter what the head-to-head looks like. It's always a new match, always a new battle.'

Pawar To Rupani: Leaders Who Died In Air Crashes

Pawar To Rupani: Leaders Who Died In Air Crashes

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed after their aircraft crashed in Baramati on January 28, 2026. Here are 11 other prominent Indians who died in air crashes.

SKY rises, Abhishek No 1: India dominate T20 charts

SKY rises, Abhishek No 1: India dominate T20 charts

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Wednesday climbed five places to seventh in the ICC men's T20I rankings

Consensus in NCP to make Sunetra Pawar deputy CM: Praful Patel

Consensus in NCP to make Sunetra Pawar deputy CM: Praful Patel

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Nationalist Congress Party considers Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, for the position of NCP legislature leader, emphasizing the importance of family consent in the decision-making process.

Yuki Bhambri crashes out of Aus Open mixed doubles

Yuki Bhambri crashes out of Aus Open mixed doubles

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

India's Yuki Bhambri and his American partner Nicole Melichar-Martinez crashed out of the mixed doubles competition in the Australian Open

Meitei man shot dead, Kuki wife set free by militants in Manipur's Churachandpur

Meitei man shot dead, Kuki wife set free by militants in Manipur's Churachandpur

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

The kidnappers are suspected to be members of the United Kuki National Army (UNKA), a non-signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.