Rediff

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized foreign currency worth approximately Rs 1.56 crore and arrested two passengers at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The currency, including US dollars and Malaysian ringgit, was found concealed in cabin baggage of passengers attempting to fly to Kuala Lumpur.

Several prominent INDIA bloc leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee, were detained by Delhi Police on Saturday while attempting to protest at Jantar Mantar. They were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, with leaders condemning the detentions as an attack on democracy.

India has strongly criticised the US decision to suspend the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program for eight major IT firms, including Indian giants like TCS and Wipro. New Delhi also condemned US Vice President JD Vance's description of foreign professionals as indentured servants, calling it unwarranted and deeply offensive. The move is expected to impact thousands of Indian tech professionals seeking permanent residency in the US and further strains bilateral ties.

Air India Express and Air India have cancelled flights to Riyadh until October 10 following reported Houthi militant attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports in Saudi Arabia. Other airlines like Akasa Air have also suspended services, offering refunds or rescheduling to affected passengers as the situation is closely monitored.

The INDIA bloc MPs and leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, gathered for a lunch before heading to Rajghat to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This marks the third consecutive day of protests, with opposition leaders demanding Kumar's resignation and alleging collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission. They have also sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu regarding the issue.

India has strongly condemned the recent Houthi militant attacks on two Saudi Arabian airports, asserting that the targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable.

India has requested an update from Russian authorities regarding 69 Indian nationals reportedly serving in the Russian Army. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson stated that 139 Indians have been discharged so far, but 51 have died. India continues to warn its citizens against joining the Russian military due to significant dangers.

An Indian captain on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv reportedly fought with his Omani co-pilot, who was suspected of attempting to crash the aircraft, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Both pilots were injured, and Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets fearing a hijacking.

Two Indian nationals have been charged in a US federal court for their alleged involvement in a transnational scheme to distribute counterfeit Ozempic, a popular diabetes drug. The scheme involved obtaining fake drugs from China, deceptive packaging, and continued even after FDA warnings, with the accused facing significant jail time if convicted.

'While the population remains relatively young, its age structure is beginning to shift, setting the stage for a much older population later this century.'

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to explore a statutory framework to ensure social media intermediaries comply with Indian laws regarding minors, particularly concerning their inability to independently enter into contracts. The court highlighted the need for safeguards to protect children from potential harms on digital platforms, including exploitation and misuse of data, and asked the Solicitor General to examine incorporating these requirements into intermediary rules.

Prashanth Rajan Babu, the alleged kingpin of an interstate counterfeit drug racket, has been arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after absconding to Azerbaijan. He is accused of leading a network that refilled cheap bulk drugs into new vials and relabelled them as premium imported brands, with a previous raid seizing fake medicines worth Rs 5 crore.

Prashanth Rajan Babu, the alleged kingpin of an interstate counterfeit drug racket, has been arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after absconding in Azerbaijan. He is accused of leading a network that refilled cheap drugs and relabelled them as premium brands, with drugs worth Rs 5 crore seized earlier.

Delhi Police have arrested Shantaram Barku Shelke, the alleged mastermind behind a Rs 40 lakh visa fraud conspiracy that duped 41 individuals seeking overseas jobs in Russia and Israel. Shelke, proprietor of M/s SS Overseas Travels Agency, issued fake documents and evaded authorities before being apprehended in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.

Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde highlighted ethanol's potential to protect India from volatile petroleum markets and geopolitical risks, advocating for its widespread production and use. He, along with other officials, emphasised ethanol's role in strengthening the rural economy, ensuring timely cane payments, and combating carbon emissions, while also discussing its historical context and current government support.

The Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued a Belize-flagged vessel, MT Seagull 9, with 23 crew members off the coast of Paradip, Odisha. The vessel, carrying palm oil, suffered engine failure and rapid ballast tank flooding, leading to a dangerous tilt. Swift action by ICG ship 'Vishwast' and a specialist damage control team prevented a major maritime incident and potential environmental disaster.

Actress Florence Pugh has voiced strong support for a Cornell University student who was allegedly gang-raped, criticising the university's lenient handling of the accused. Pugh expressed her outrage at the systemic failure to protect women and the disproportionate consequences faced by victims versus perpetrators.

Police in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, used tear gas to disperse protesters demonstrating against the proposed demolition of a portion of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project. The project is aimed at easing pilgrim movement for Simhastha Kumbh 2028, and despite initial protests, local authorities and the city Qazi claim the issue was resolved through mutual consent, with the Chief Minister also setting an example by demolishing part of his ancestral home.

The Delhi government has announced a series of stringent measures to combat air pollution in the national capital ahead of winter. These include prohibiting construction activities, restricting entry of non-BS-VI vehicles, doubling parking charges, implementing staggered office timings, and strengthening public transport, alongside public awareness campaigns and infrastructure improvements.

A collaborative study by Indian and South Korean scientists has provided new genetic, anatomical, and ecological insights into the wide-ridged Indo-Pacific finless porpoise. The research, based on a stranded specimen in Kerala, revealed distinct genetic differences from Pacific populations and highlighted significant conservation challenges, including limited protected habitats and anthropogenic pressures.

Two men, including alleged mastermind Adeeb Khan, have been arrested in Delhi for cheating a person of Rs 15 lakh by posing as Direct Selling Agents (DSAs) of private banks and offering low-interest loans. Police recovered Rs 6.95 lakh in cash, and efforts are underway to apprehend a third absconding associate and trace the full money trail.

Bengaluru Customs officials arrested two passengers from Bangkok at Kempegowda International Airport for smuggling hydroponic ganja worth Rs 6.33 crore. This incident is part of a series of recent seizures, including more ganja and gold, highlighting ongoing efforts against contraband.

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood, a move that saw the opposition BJP stage a walkout. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the resolution, which also referenced previous calls for greater autonomy and special status. The BJP vehemently opposed the resolution, calling it an insult to the Constitution.

Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara are facing abuse and harassment after the university released a video featuring them, allegedly without their consent, to dismiss claims of a student's rape. The students involved claim the video was cropped and they were not consulted before its release, leading to further distress amidst campus protests and highway blockage.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka has reiterated the outfit's demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, alleging the exclusion of 13 crore names from electoral rolls and questioning the BJP's defence of Kumar. The CJP plans a nationwide protest starting October 2, vowing not to back down until Kumar resigns, and has launched the 'Election Commission Thik Karo' campaign. Ranka also accused the CEC of fraudulently redrawing constituencies in Assam to benefit the ruling party.

Actors Raghubir Yadav, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Zoya Hussain discuss their JioHotstar series 'Hunkkaar: The Roar', which addresses sexual assault and victim-shaming. They express hope that the show will encourage viewers to speak out against such crimes and awaken the collective conscience of society.

A resident of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, filed an unusual complaint against Lord Indra, the Hindu god of rain, blaming him for incessant rainfall and its disruptive effects. The complaint, submitted through a public grievance portal, requested district authorities to use their divine contacts to control the downpour. The heavy rains have caused significant damage, including deaths, injuries, and property destruction across Hardoi and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The Supreme Court has stayed the Bombay High Court's order granting bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting doctors at a Thane hospital. The apex court emphasised that the medical fraternity must not be attacked, directing Mhatre to surrender within three days.

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to resolve the dispute between rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress regarding the party name and election symbol. The EC has been given three months to decide after the factions complete their pleadings within four weeks. This follows a plea by Mamata Banerjee against the EC's interim decision to freeze the party's name and symbol.

The Supreme Court has agreed to list a review plea concerning its May 2025 verdict on the ownership of the Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru. The original verdict had ruled in favour of ISKCON Bangalore, but a subsequent split verdict by a review bench led to the matter being referred to the Chief Justice for further directions. The legal battle involves ISKCON Bangalore and ISKCON Mumbai over control of the temple and educational complex.

A recent study indicates that dogs possess the ability to segment human speech into individual words, a skill previously thought to be unique to humans. This consonant bias in speech processing appears to develop through regular exposure to human language, suggesting that efficient speech processing is not solely dependent on complex human linguistic capabilities. The findings, published in Science, highlight how brain function can be reshaped by speech exposure even in evolutionarily distant sp

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and others regarding a petition challenging the imposition of a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. While agreeing to hear the plea, the court refused to grant an interim stay on the decision, which introduces a 0.4% fee from October 15, with specific caps and exemptions for various transaction types and sectors.

The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea challenging the Bombay High Court's order that acquitted 22 accused, including 21 police personnel, in the 2005 alleged fake encounter case of gangster Sohrabuddin Shaikh, his wife Kausar Bi, and aide Tulsiram Prajapati. The court noted the concern over 92 prosecution witnesses turning hostile and indicated it would review selected witness statements.

Police are investigating the suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died hours after being caught allegedly copying in an exam. The probe includes examining his phone calls expressing remorse and allegations of caste discrimination made by his family against a professor. Digital evidence and CCTV footage are being analysed to reconstruct the sequence of events.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes as BJP members protested a resolution seeking the urgent restoration of statehood. The BJP opposed the resolution, calling it an insult to the Constitution, and moved a motion for the Speaker's removal, leading to disruptions and mock proceedings in the House.

Former Enforcement Directorate deputy director Niranjan Singh resigned from the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De just five days after joining, citing on-negotiable differences. Singh, who had joined to tackle drug menace and corruption, did not specify the issues but emphasised adherence to the Constitution. The party is led by the incarcerated Amritpal Singh.

A Dalit girl in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district was allegedly molested by her neighbour on Sunday evening. Police have arrested the accused following a complaint filed by the girl's family. The incident occurred when the girl was returning home, and she raised an alarm, causing the accused to flee.

A 14-member rescue team has been deployed to search for 12 Nepalese workers and guides who went missing after an avalanche on Himlung Himal in Nepal's Manang district. The avalanche buried a tent at the base camp, where nine climbers and 13 support staff were sheltering. Two bodies have already been recovered, and challenging weather conditions are hindering the search efforts.

Police in Bengaluru have arrested Prashanth Rajan Babu, the alleged kingpin of an interstate counterfeit drug racket, at Kempegowda International Airport. Babu, who had been absconding in Azerbaijan, is accused of leading a network that manufactured and distributed fake medicines worth nearly Rs 5 crore.

Did love make Bhagat Singh a weaker revolutionary? In a heated argument once, Sukhdev accused him of allowing his fascination with a woman to come in the way of revolutionary duty. Bhagat Singh's answer, in a letter days later, was a defence of love as a revolutionary's strength, not a weakness. On Bhagat Singh's 119th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra looks at the friendship, arguments and ideas that bound him and Sukhdev together.

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the gang-rape of a minor in a moving bus in Delhi-NCR, drawing painful parallels to the 2012 Nirbhaya case. The court observed a systematic failure by law enforcement and public authorities to ensure basic public safety, particularly in public spaces like buses. The incident involved a 16-year-old girl in Greater Noida.

The BJP has initiated a motion to remove the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather. This action stems from the Speaker's decision to allow a resolution by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demanding full statehood restoration, which the BJP claims violates assembly rules. The Speaker, however, defended his actions, citing procedural rules for such motions.

The US rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing Tehran's demands for sanctions relief and access to frozen assets before nuclear program negotiations. US Ambassador Mike Waltz called the offer a cynical attempt, while Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi disputed Waltz's account and reiterated Iran's readiness for both diplomacy and renewed hostilities. President Trump expressed confidence in winning the conflict soon and keeping all options, including military s

The BJP knows that there is no leader in its ranks who can match Modi's popularity or have his cult following, and what awaits is a return to the Vajpayee numbers, when allies called the shots, argues Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

'I don't think the government will sacrifice such a fine institution for monetary gains.'

Donald Trump expressed confidence in a swift victory over Iran, suggesting military strikes before midterm elections are possible, with the primary goal of denying Tehran nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi declared readiness for a doomsday war if hostilities resume, while also expressing openness to diplomacy if assets are unfrozen and oil sales allowed.

A 25-year-old man, Sonu Yadav, was allegedly beaten to death with sticks in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, following a dispute over repairing an electricity connection. The incident occurred in Semri village, leading to an altercation with relatives. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder.

A senior Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) technician was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Beed for allegedly accepting a Rs 13,000 bribe. The technician demanded money to replace a faulty electricity meter and restore power supply to a complainant's residence.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has moved to a new office and deployed CISF security to safeguard confidential areas, following a major controversy over the NEET paper leak and administrative lapses. This move aims to implement foolproof security arrangements and restore public trust in the examination system.

Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma is embroiled in controversy after allegedly slapping a man recording a road inspection in Tilak Nagar. The incident, captured on video, led to demands for Verma's arrest from AAP leaders, who questioned the road's quality. Verma, however, claimed the video was out of context and accused the AAP MLA of demanding a commission.