Rediff

A 75-year-old man, Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai, died of a heart attack during a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. The protest sought the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Pillai complained of chest pain and was rushed to a hospital but succumbed during treatment.

Bihar is facing a severe flood situation with the Central Water Commission issuing an 'Orange' bulletin as the Gandak and Ganga rivers flow above danger marks, leading to embankment breaches and inundation in Saran and other districts. Relief and rescue operations are intensifying with NDRF and SDRF teams deployed, and ration packets being air-dropped to affected areas.

An urban map of the largest cities in the world, by population, in the early 1700s looked almost empty by today's standards.

Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai has the makings of a fascinating existential fable, but Ram's surreal experiment gets lost in its own muddled storytelling.

The Congress party has appointed former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh as the new president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, replacing Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Warring resigned voluntarily amidst internal party infighting and speculation about Sachin Pilot's influence, with the change coming ahead of state assembly elections.

The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, in a terror-driven attempt to bring down the aircraft, has been identified as Hamam Alhamami, according to Al Arabiya English sources.

Police in Kozhikode, Keralam, arrested a 38-year-old man, Muhammad Shafi, with 600.21 grams of MDMA from a lodge. Shafi was allegedly involved in drug peddling, procuring the banned substance from other states and selling it locally. Authorities are investigating the source of the large quantity of MDMA.

If the new MDR regime is rolled out from the middle of this month, as scheduled, it should count as one of the boldest political actions by the Modi government on an economic-policy issue, and a signal that it is less worried about erosion of political capital it draws from one of its key constituencies, notes A K Bhattacharya.

A textile company director in Thane was allegedly defrauded of Rs 20.58 crore by five individuals who promised to secure loans for factory expansion and government uniform supply contracts. The accused reportedly misused financial documents and misappropriated funds.

Five Indian nationals aboard a Kuwait-flagged tanker were safely shifted ashore after the vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the Embassy of India in Oman said.

Police in Maharashtra's Thane district have registered a case of cheating against multiple individuals for allegedly orchestrating a multi-crore fraud by illegally selling flats and shops in a residential project using forged builder agreements. The Mumbra police booked the accused for fraud amounting to Rs 13.57 crore under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

From meme-worthy poster carrying youngsters to an E20 petrol hater to the disenfranchised and youth with spine, the CJP's Shivaji Park rally on Friday saw them all.

Keralam police have issued a public caution against cyber fraudsters who use fake customer care numbers of banks and e-commerce platforms to deceive individuals and steal their personal and financial information. Fraudsters post fake numbers online, then contact victims posing as support agents, asking them to install remote access apps or make small payments to gain access to sensitive data.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a large protest in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke announced a further protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not step down, citing alleged voter deletions and irregularities in recent elections. The protest, which saw participation from various activists and public figures, also called for freezing voter lists and abolishing the 2023 law on Election Commissioner ap

Indian kurash player Yash Kumar Chauhan has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for multiple banned substances during the Asian Games.

Teenager Kumkum Mohod clinched a historic gold medal in the women's individual recurve event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, defeating South Korea's Oh Yejin in a thrilling shoot-out.

Zinedine Zidane's France were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy in their Nations League match at the Stade de France. Michael Olise opened the scoring for France, but Alessandro Bastoni equalised for Italy. The match also saw France reduced to 10 men late in the game. In another Group A1 fixture, Belgium secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Turkey.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed an unbeaten 188 off 79 balls for Titans, breaking Chris Gayle's T20 record with 13 sixes and 15 fours before narrowly missing a double century.

Brydon Carse has been charged over an alleged ECB conduct breach following a Derby nightclub incident, with the case referred to an independent panel amid heightened scrutiny of England players.

The CBI has registered a case against Basanta Kumar Das, former director of the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, for allegedly diverting over Rs 27 lakh in government funds to his family members and others. The FIR states that these diversions caused wrongful loss to the exchequer.

Mumbai International Airport is set to reduce 265 weekly international flights from October 25 to facilitate the redevelopment of Terminal 1. This move, impacting 46 airlines including IndiGo and Air India, has raised concerns among carriers and global aviation bodies like IATA, who advocate for collaborative planning over mandated relocations.

The Mizoram government has announced a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh each for Indian women's hockey players Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi. This recognition comes after their significant contribution to the team's gold medal victory at the 2026 Asian Games, marking a historic achievement for the state.

Prem Keetanu feels outdated for its 'boys will be boys' narrative and muddled messaging, failing to deliver a compelling modern romance, observes Deepa Gahlot.

Familiar ideas, frustrating characters and stretched-out storytelling make #Love far less romantic than intended.

Only the sluggish pace one has to endure to get there elicits more yawns than yays, notes Sukanya Verma.

Tom Cruise lets go of the suave, sexy image and embraces the gloriously unsexy with supreme confidence, making this truly impossible mission utterly possible, raves Mayur Sanap.

Yami Gautam turns Nayyi Navelli into a colourful supernatural ride, but the film's lavish trailer launch may have been even more dramatic than its trailer.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the UN General Assembly, accusing Russia of using citizens from over 40 countries, including India, to fight in its war against Ukraine. He urged these nations to prevent their citizens from being drawn into the conflict, highlighting that Ukraine has taken prisoners of war from these countries and that many have perished. Zelenskyy also called for limiting trade with Russia to cut off its war funding and criticised the weakening of sanctions.

'Therefore, Beijing comes to wrong conclusions.'

US President Donald Trump has expressed strong support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), citing the necessity to move energy infrastructure away from Iranian checkpoints following attacks in West Asia. He made these remarks during a multilateral meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council at the UN General Assembly, emphasising the corridor's role in overcoming regional challenges.

A US Air Force colonel, identified by his call sign 'Bravo', survived nearly 50 hours behind Iranian lines after his F-15E fighter jet was shot down near Isfahan. Despite severe injuries, he evaded Iranian forces and was eventually rescued in a complex operation involving US military and intelligence personnel, highlighting a daring mission to leave no man behind.

Mumbai is abuzz with Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations as Ganesha idols arrive in homes and pandals across the city. The 11-day festival, marked by devotional chants, elaborate pujas, and vibrant decorations, culminates in grand immersions on Anant Chaturdashi. The city is adorned with lights, and markets are bustling, while authorities have deployed extensive security measures to ensure safe festivities, despite recent idol collapse incidents.

Fighting in Yemen has intensified as Houthi rebels advance on strategic government-held areas like Marib and Taiz, putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to respond. The conflict is also linked to wider US-Iran tensions affecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with former US President Trump commenting on the situation.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder Abhijeet Dipke have announced their support for students protesting alleged paper leaks and irregularities in Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) online examinations. The CJP plans to join the agitation and undertake a statewide tour if demands for the MPSC chairman and secretary's resignations are not met by September 24.

Some decades are worth remembering exactly as they were, unfiltered, because that's the only way the people who survived them get to be seen at all, points out Binu Alex.

Nepal's Hindu groups have sought an all-party discussion on restoring Hindu-nation status within three months.

The successful hosting of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi has provided a significant boost to the BJP, offering a timely opportunity to strengthen its narrative against the opposition ahead of crucial assembly elections next year. BJP sources highlight the BRICS grouping's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and the consensus declaration as major diplomatic victories for the Modi government, countering criticisms of its foreign policy. The party plans to leverage these outcomes

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction has announced Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury as its candidates for the upcoming Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly by-elections in West Bengal. This announcement comes amidst a significant split within the TMC, with a rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee also vying for control of the party's name and symbol. The Election Commission is currently deliberating on the claims of both factions, a decision that will critically impact

India has condemned an attack on a Panama-flagged oil tanker off the coast of Oman, which resulted in one Indian seafarer going missing and 13 others being rescued. The Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities for search and rescue operations, while also reiterating calls for de-escalation and safe navigation in the region.

BSP chief Mayawati has accused her nephew Akash Anand, recently expelled from the party, of being involved in spreading rumours about her ill health. She detailed a phone call made by Akash to a party in-charge inquiring about her health and reiterated her stance on keeping family members away from political positions, except for her brother Anand Kumar who assists her. She also mentioned the ongoing protest by panchayat assistants in Uttar Pradesh.

Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humaiun Kobir, announced that the country seeks to eset its relationship with India, moving towards a new bilateral engagement based on mutual interests. He described ties during the previous government's tenure as uncomfortable and emphasised the need for Bangladesh to approach India as just another country, focusing on balanced relations rather than an excessive preoccupation. This comes after Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman did not

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian concluded his visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit, announcing that Iran and the UAE agreed to move past previous tensions. This diplomatic breakthrough occurred during talks with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince on the summit sidelines. Pezeshkian also met with PM Modi to discuss bilateral ties and West Asia developments, with Modi emphasising dialogue for regional peace. The BRICS summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, calling for global governance refor

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel addressed AI Manthan 2.0, advocating for the comprehensive integration of Artificial Intelligence across all university subjects rather than as a standalone course. She urged universities to develop clear, time-bound AI roadmaps covering education, research, healthcare, and agriculture, emphasising indigenous AI development, employment creation, and the importance of Safe and Trusted AI. The event also saw the formation of an AI Policy Advisory Group and an

A medical representative has been arrested in Thane for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl for over a year. The accused reportedly threatened the victim's family and offered money to silence them before being apprehended after a social activist's intervention.

A 65-year-old woman was found murdered with her face crushed in Ganeshpur village, Meerut. The victim, Vimla, was discovered near the Bijnor-Mawana road. Police recovered a blood-stained brick from the scene. While her family suspects robbery due to missing jewellery, police are investigating all angles and awaiting the post-mortem report.

The Congress party criticised the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Rahul Gandhi highlighting that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. The party accused the BJP government of imposing its dietary preferences and questioned why India's diverse culinary culture was not showcased.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged BRICS nations to expand trade in national currencies and build an inclusive global economic framework. He criticised unilateral sanctions by Western powers, stating they make emerging economies vulnerable and impact global food security. Pezeshkian emphasised BRICS' role in creating a balanced world order and highlighted Iran's geopolitical and energy capacities for cooperation.

The CPI and CPI(M) have announced they will contest one Assembly segment each in the upcoming Tamil Nadu bypolls, while continuing their outside support for the ruling TVK. This decision creates a five-cornered contest and highlights the Left parties' independent stance, aimed at preventing indirect BJP influence and addressing public issues.

A Delhi court has convicted a couple, Hareena Ray alias Reena and Jeetu Kumar, for abandoning their premature and medically vulnerable infant in a hospital. The court rejected their defence that leaving the child in a medical facility implied an intention for treatment, ruling that their actions demonstrated a clear intent to wholly abandon the child, who later died.

An e-rickshaw driver, Abhishek, was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants in Delhi's Shahbad Dairy area. His family and locals protested by blocking a road with his body, demanding justice. Police have registered a case, formed multiple teams, and are investigating the incident, examining CCTV footage to identify the accused.