Rediff

Nathan McSweeney's century and Mahli Beardman's four-wicket haul led Australia A to a commanding 125-run victory over India A in the first one-dayer of their three-match series.

Shreyas Iyer scored his maiden T20I hundred, leading India to a dominant eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the opening match of the five-match series. Despite recent travel and jet lag, Iyer's unbeaten 102, alongside a strong bowling performance including Naman Dhir's three wickets, ensured India chased down West Indies' total of 171 with ease. West Indies captain Shai Hope lamented his team's chaotic batting and lack of runs.

Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women's cricket team for both T20I and ODI formats, with Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma named vice-captains respectively. This follows Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to step down. The squads for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe have also been announced, featuring new inclusions and notable exclusions due to injury.

All-rounder Naman Dhir made a sensational debut, claiming three wickets to help India bowl out West Indies for 171 in the first T20 International. Supported by Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, India successfully restricted the West Indies despite strong innings from Sherfane Rutherford and Shai Hope.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with approximately 250 others including 50 MPs, were detained by Delhi Police after an eight-hour sit-in protest at Akashvani Bhawan. They were attempting to march to the Election Commission's office to protest alleged vote chori and irregularities in electoral rolls.

Tribal students protesting for better facilities and an inquiry into ashram school deaths were detained by police in Mumbai and driven out of the city. They had marched from Nashik and were seeking to meet the Governor.

Despite significant efforts including slashed ticket prices and complimentary passes, Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium saw a disappointingly low turnout for India's friendly matches against Brazil and Uruguay, raising concerns about fan engagement in Indian football, even with legendary players like Diego Forlan present.

Novak Djokovic won his seventh China Open title after Alex de Minaur retired injured, extending his unbeaten Beijing streak to 34 matches and securing a 21st consecutive season with a singles title.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the 29th Chief of Air Staff, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who will superannuate on October 31. Dixit currently serves as the Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force.

Carlos Alcaraz overcame a slow start to beat Jiri Lehecka 7-6(4), 6-4, retain the Japan Open crown, claim his 27th title and strengthen his comeback after injury.

The Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship, featuring top Indian and international golfers, is set to begin in Greater Noida. This Rs 2 crore event is crucial as it's the last opportunity for players to secure a spot in the season-ending Race to DP World India Championship.

Bestselling author Jeffrey Archer has passed away at the age of 86. Known for his prolific career spanning 59 books, including Kane and Abel and Clifton Chronicles, Archer's final novel, Adam and Eve, was published posthumously. He was celebrated for his storytelling and had a deep connection with India.

Zinedine Zidane began his France reign unbeaten across four Nations League matches, combining encouraging results with squad experimentation while admitting his team must improve its attacking penetration and cutting edge.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has invited India, Germany, Qatar, and Turkiye, among others, to present their bids for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games to its Future Host Commission next month. Ahmedabad is India's preferred city for the mega-event, with negotiations led by the Indian Olympic Association in collaboration with the Gujarat government and Union Sports Ministry. The host will be announced in mid-2029, following a streamlined selection process focusing on venue master-plan,

The Karnataka government has significantly increased cash awards for Asian Games medallists, with gold winners now receiving Rs 1 crore. Additionally, all 20 participating athletes received a Rs 5 lakh incentive. The state also announced direct recruitment opportunities for Group-B posts and a 2% reservation in government jobs for accomplished sportspersons, alongside financial support for Olympic preparation under the 'Guri: Olympics' scheme.

Student organisations at the Central University of Kerala staged protests against the participation of RSS-linked J Nandakumar at a Vande Mataram seminar.

Over the years, the 54-year-old has held multiple leadership positions across the Delhi Capitals ecosystem, including Director of Cricket for both the men's and women's teams

The US Department of Justice has initiated its largest denaturalisation effort in modern history, targeting 40 individuals for various serious offences, including fraud and espionage. Among those facing citizenship revocation is Balwinder Singh of California, accused of using a fraudulent identity, and Jinchao Wei, a former US Navy sailor convicted of espionage for China.

India-US ties may be strained, but abandoning the relationship is not the answer; India must deal with Washington firmly without becoming either servile or hostile, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Renowned British novelist and former politician Jeffrey Archer has passed away at the age of 86, his publisher HarperCollins confirmed, stating he died 'suddenly and peacefully at home' on Monday.

France staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Belgium 4-1 in their Nations League Group A1 encounter, with substitutes playing a crucial role in the final minutes. Meanwhile, Italy secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Turkey in the same group, maintaining their strong form. These results significantly impact the group standings, with France now leading.

Multiple flights, including three Varanasi-bound domestic flights and one international Dubai-Pokhara flight, were diverted to Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport due to adverse weather conditions at their original destinations. All diverted flights subsequently resumed their journeys.

India's men's hockey team has secured a direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by winning the Asian Games gold. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and other players emphasize focusing on the process and utilizing the extended preparation time to perform well at the Games, reflecting on their successful Asian Games campaign, including a tough semifinal against Pakistan.

Researchers at IIT Delhi have successfully demonstrated the simultaneous transmission of quantum-entangled photons and classical data over a 50-km optical fibre link. This breakthrough addresses key challenges in integrating fragile quantum signals with existing telecommunications infrastructure, paving the way for more scalable and secure future quantum networks.

The Supreme Court is set to hear pleas challenging Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's alleged unilateral decisions without the concurrence of other election commissioners. The petitions seek his suspension and question actions like altering voter registration forms and handling electoral roll revisions in Goa and West Bengal, highlighting concerns over the multi-member character of the Election Commission.

A woman was brutally stabbed to death by two men on a motorcycle in a residential area of Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, in broad daylight. The incident, captured on video, left her two young children locked inside her house. Police are investigating the unclear motive, questioning eyewitnesses, and scanning CCTV footage to identify the accused.

Thousands of young men and women, joined by prominent personalities, protested at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar despite police denial of permission. Organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the agitation highlighted concerns over transparency in CEC appointments and alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions.

The Vande Bharat Express has successfully achieved a speed of 100 kmph over the world's highest Chenab Railway Bridge and India's first cable-stayed Anji Bridge. This significant speed enhancement on the 111-km Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project will reduce travel time and improve rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.

A 50-year-old man in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, died after being severely injured in a clash over the construction of a speed breaker. His wife has filed a complaint against six named individuals and ten unidentified persons, accusing them of assault with intent to kill. Police have registered a case and suspended four officials for alleged negligence.

Specialists at AIIMS, Delhi, affirm that robot-assisted procedures significantly improve difficult gallbladder operations by offering enhanced visualisation and instrument control. This technology aids in navigating complex cases involving severe inflammation and unexpected anatomy, and is seen as the next evolutionary step in surgical techniques, potentially phasing out conventional laparoscopy.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organised a protest in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, despite police denying permission. The protest stems from alleged objections by other Election Commissioners regarding electoral roll decisions, though the Election Commission clarified all decisions were unanimous. Security forces were heavily deployed around Shivaji Park to manage the situation.

As international investigations intensify into the mid-air security scare aboard the Flydubai flight, Israel's i24 News reported that an Emirati source has revealed that among the belongings of the Omani co-pilot were leaflets and publications from Free Palestine groups, alongside pro-Palestinian material.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that a father-in-law cannot be held liable under the Domestic Violence Act solely for failing to control his adult son's conduct. The court clarified that the Act requires specific acts of physical or mental harm, and a mere domestic relationship or commercial dispute is insufficient to invoke it without evidence of denial of protected resources or concrete abuse.

Researchers have found that Earth and Mars formed in different ways despite originating from the same solar nebula. Earth's mass primarily came from protoplanets accreting pebbles, while Mars's mass largely originated from planetesimals. This study, published in Nature Astronomy, used volatile elements as chemical fingerprints to reconstruct their formation 4.5 billion years ago, supporting a hybrid model of planet formation.

A Delhi court has acquitted two men, Deepak alias Golu and Shanu alias Furkan, who were accused of robbing and shooting a man at a metro station in 2018. The court cited the prosecution's failure to establish their identity as assailants and inability to scientifically link the recovered pistol to the firing, highlighting a lack of evidence beyond reasonable doubt.

JD-U MLA Anant Singh, a prominent 'strongman' in Bihar politics, has openly defied his party by campaigning for Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Singh in the Patna Graduate constituency legislative council polls.

This week's OTT releases feature a diverse range of content, including the Malayalam rom-com Bethlehem Kudumba Unit and the spy thriller Sardar 2, alongside international offerings like East of Eden and Death of a Unicorn.

The Election Commission has launched a special drive to include eligible citizens who were omitted or deleted during the recent Special Investigative Review (SIR) exercise, as well as to register new and young voters. This initiative follows accusations from opposition parties regarding disenfranchisement and aims to ensure no eligible citizen is left out of the electoral process.

A FlyDubai flight captain was stabbed by his co-pilot in a suspected terror attack, leading to a desperate fight for survival that was heroically thwarted by an Israeli dentist and other passengers, averting a major mid-air disaster.

An Indian captain on a Flydubai flight heroically prevented a co-pilot from crashing the plane en route to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot, allegedly radicalized, attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, who managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty aviators to subdue the assailant and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Investigations are ongoing, with Israeli and UAE authorities involved.

Thane police have established a 23-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, who was shot and stabbed. One person has been arrested, and the victim's son has accused former mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, who deny the allegations.

India is closely monitoring the health of Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot who bravely saved a flydubai flight despite being stabbed by his co-pilot. Machchhar, initially treated in Saudi Arabia, has been moved to Abu Dhabi for further medical care, with Indian diplomatic missions providing full support.

A special court in Pilibhit has ordered the registration of an FIR against 10 officials, including a sub-divisional magistrate and circle officer, following allegations of assault and misbehaviour with women protesting against liquor shops in a residential area. The court's directive came after the women's complaint was allegedly not registered by local police.

Thane police have established a 23-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar. Purnekar was shot and stabbed on Tuesday night and later succumbed to his injuries. One arrest has been made, and two vehicles seized, with police investigating all angles under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Arms Act.

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the transfer of a case concerning the alleged hurried cremation and destruction of evidence in the R G Kar hospital rape and murder case to the CBI's Special Investigation Team. This decision comes as the CBI is already probing a larger conspiracy in the doctor's death, and the court found it inappropriate for both state and central agencies to investigate the same issue.

The Gujarat government announced that Indian pilot Smit Machchhar will be awarded the 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award' for his extraordinary bravery. Machchhar thwarted his co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai flight, saving 174 lives despite being stabbed. He is currently receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia, and special prayers for his recovery have been organised at the Somnath temple.

A 16-year-old girl, reported missing from west Delhi, was traced to Odisha along with a 32-year-old woman. The girl had become emotionally attached to the woman, Pooja, who had allegedly experienced domestic violence, and accompanied her to her parental home in Odisha. Delhi Police, in coordination with Odisha police, successfully located them.

BJP leaders and devotees across India are performing pujas and havans for the speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed while thwarting an alleged attempt to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Temples like Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath, and Somnath are holding special rituals, honouring his courage in saving 174 lives.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has publicly urged TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to rejoin the Congress party with her remaining MLAs and MPs, offering to accept her leadership in West Bengal. This appeal comes as the TMC faces a significant organisational crisis following its defeat in the recent Assembly elections, with internal rebellions in both its legislative and parliamentary wings. While Chowdhury linked his call to Banerjee's involvement in the INDIA alliance, TMC MP Sougata Roy st

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is in stable condition in Saudi Arabia after being seriously injured while preventing his co-pilot from crashing a Flydubai flight. He was stabbed during the incident, but managed to alert others, leading to the co-pilot's incapacitation and a safe landing. Both Indian and Israeli leaders have praised his heroic actions.