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Elections 2026Hollywood / Rediff
Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Eva Marie Saint, celebrated for her iconic roles in On the Waterfront and Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, has died at the age of 102.
A dentist on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight heroically saved Captain Smit Machchhar's life after he was stabbed by a co-pilot in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. Dr. Shuta Musaev's 45-minute intervention, using makeshift medical supplies, stabilised the severely injured captain, who is now recovering and has been praised by Indian and Israeli Prime Ministers.
The Supreme Court is examining the Election Commission's decision to allot the Shiv Sena's bow-and-arrow symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction. The court questioned the validity of relying primarily on legislative strength, particularly when MLAs face disqualification. Arguments from the Shinde faction defended the EC's test, while the court raised concerns about the sentiment of the symbol for defectors and the practicalities of assessing grassroots support. The hearing remains inconclusive.
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain received a grand welcome in Guwahati after winning a gold medal at the Asian Games in the women's 75-kg category.
Uruguay defeated India 6-1 in an international friendly, marking another heavy loss for the Indian team against a two-time world champion. Despite an early equalizer from Anirudh Thapa, Uruguay dominated the second half with goals from Maximiliano Araujo, Rodrigo Zalazar, Juan Manuel Sanabria, and Rodrigo Aguirre, following an initial penalty by Darwin Nunez. This defeat concludes a challenging international window for India, which also included a 0-4 loss to Brazil.
Indian swimmers delivered a strong performance at the 2nd Asian Masters Swimming Championship in Bengaluru, securing multiple gold and silver medals across various age categories and events. Jay Prakash Ekbote won gold in the men's 50m butterfly, while S Feroz Mohamed triumphed in the men's 200m breaststroke. Indian women swimmers also excelled, with Jalaja Shirole and Loveleen Johal winning gold in their respective butterfly events.
Former civil servants and rights activists have issued a people's impeachment notice demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. They allege six charges against him, including undermining the Election Commission's functioning, mass disenfranchisement through Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and compromising political impartiality. The group, including G K Pillai and Najeeb Jung, was prevented from submitting the notice at the EC office.
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman has voiced serious concerns regarding the Election Commission's functioning, stating that the right to vote is 'at great peril'. He called for the Supreme Court's intervention to address 'disturbing developments' within the poll panel, particularly citing issues like voter disenfranchisement during electoral roll revisions and the controversial appointment process of Election Commissioners.
Indian swimmers Thanuja S, Beena S, and Lakka Rajini secured gold medals in the women's 200m butterfly, while Yogesh Kumar, Tarun Tokas, and Manikandan Kandeth won their respective men's events at the 2nd Asian Masters Swimming Championship 2026 in Bengaluru.
A Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) in Karnataka, M Somashekar, has been arrested for allegedly facilitating the release of a life convict in 2018 by forging a Supreme Court order. The convict's wife, also arrested, accused Somashekar of sexual exploitation. The case came to light after a complaint from the Bengaluru Central Prison Superintendent, revealing a complex conspiracy involving a prison assistant who forged the order.
Three drivers of Gem Granite founder R Veeramani have been arrested in Chennai for their alleged involvement in the sexual harassment of minors. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into five cases against Veeramani, who was previously arrested along with accomplices after a pendrive allegedly containing video evidence triggered the probe.
Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final match against Novak Djokovic after accidentally hitting a spectator with a ball. Djokovic, who was leading at the time, advanced to the final, extending his unbeaten record at the tournament. Another semi-final also saw a retirement due to injury.
The Supreme Court has strongly criticised actor Rajpal Yadav for his failure to deposit money as per an undertaking in a long-running cheque-bounce case. The court expressed displeasure over the non-compliance despite previous directives and warned of serious consequences, including potential jail time, if the payment is not made promptly.
Kunwar Basit Ali, national president of BJP Minority Morcha, stated that the demolition of religious structures for development should not be viewed communally, citing examples from Uttar Pradesh and Muslim nations. He accused the Congress of misleading Muslims and instigating unrest. Ali also expressed confidence in the BJP forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir and addressed concerns regarding the delay in statehood restoration, asserting that the central government would make the be
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain the Centre's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's decision to uphold the maintainability of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) against the Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project. The PILs allege violations of the Forest Rights Act and impact on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. The apex court directed the High Court to proceed with hearing all related petitions.
The Congress party in Maharashtra has accused the police of illegally entering its Mumbai headquarters, Tilak Bhawan, and arresting tribal students and NSUI members who were protesting. While the police deny these claims, stating no arrests were made from the building, the Congress has threatened to gherao the Chief Minister's residence if the detained individuals are not released, escalating a political confrontation over student protests.
Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti praised India's organised defence and counter-attacking efforts despite Brazil's 4-0 victory in a friendly match. Ancelotti noted the game became easier for Brazil after their first goal and highlighted the match as a test for younger players in Brazil's rebuilding phase. India's coach Khalid Jamil defended goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and stressed the importance of high-level matches for the Indian team.
India's national football team faced five-time champions Brazil in a FIFA international friendly in Kolkata, losing 4-0. Despite a spirited start for the first 25 minutes, Brazil's superior skill and clinical finishing secured a comfortable victory with goals from Estevao, Pedro, and Samuel Lino.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated readiness to consider a truce covering energy infrastructure and the Black Sea.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, has expressed concern over the Indian Air Force's depleting fighter jet squadron strength due to inordinate delays in Tejas combat aircraft induction. He highlighted the need for 36-40 fighter jets annually and hopes for progress with Tejas Mark-1A and Rafale MRFA deals. The IAF chief also discussed the theaterisation plan and the importance of AI augmentation and indigenous engine production.
Indian men's hockey head coach Craig Fulton revealed that the hard-fought semi-final victory over arch-rivals Pakistan significantly boosted the team's confidence, leading to their dominant 5-1 win against Malaysia in the Asian Games final and securing a berth for the 2028 Olympics.
Pakistan has summoned India's Charge d'Affaires to protest the killing of two alleged civilians by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the international border in Punjab. While India claims the individuals were intruders, Pakistan asserts they were unarmed civilians and demands a transparent investigation into the incident.
Kumkum Mohod from Amravati, Maharashtra, has won India's first-ever women's individual recurve archery gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Her family and community are overjoyed, and her father expresses confidence in her future Olympic aspirations.
India overcame early setbacks in shooting and athletics to achieve a strong fourth-place finish at the Asian Games, matching its previous edition's ranking. A late surge in boxing, archery, wrestling, and hockey, alongside historic wins in golf and cricket, contributed significantly to the medal tally, despite a lower overall medal count compared to the 2022 edition.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has accused DMK president M.K. Stalin of 'body-shaming' their Dharapuram bypoll candidate P. Satyabama during a campaign rally, petitioning the Election Commission to revoke his star campaigner status and impose a temporary ban.
US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, visited Amritsar's Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and Partition Museum, calling it a memorable day. During his visit to the Golden Temple, he was welcomed by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, who also raised concerns about a controversial Mr Singh poster issued by the US Department of Homeland Security, which was later removed. Discussions also covered the Sikh community's contributions and issues in the US.
JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh has publicly declared his intention to support and campaign for Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Singh against his own party's MLC, Neeraj Kumar, in the upcoming Bihar legislative council polls. Singh cited personal scores and past conspiracies involving Neeraj Kumar and RCP Singh as reasons for his rebellion.
The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) is set to host its inaugural women's conclave in New Delhi, aiming to advocate for increased representation of women farmers in agricultural policymaking. The event will bring together 7,000 women farmers to discuss their significant contributions to farming, livestock, and fisheries, and to push for policy changes, including a shift from MSP to MRP for produce.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
'I don't think the government will sacrifice such a fine institution for monetary gains.'
Banking services across India, particularly at public sector banks, are set to be disrupted for three days starting Monday due to a nationwide strike by bank unions. The strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), is primarily to press for a five-day working week and other demands, despite the finance ministry's appeal for dialogue.
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.
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh alleged his car was attacked with hammers and a gun was pointed at his security personnel in Kolkata, following a similar incident in Hooghly. He accused the BJP of orchestrating a jungle raj, while the BJP dismissed the claims as a publicity stunt.
An avalanche on Nepal's Himlung Himal peak has left ten climbers and support staff missing, prompting urgent rescue operations amidst challenging weather conditions.
Ashutosh Ranka, co-convenor of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), and his supporters were reportedly detained by Assam Police in Guwahati ahead of a planned volunteers' meet-up. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed the detention was to prevent the meeting, while Ranka alleged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was afraid of the party exposing local issues.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has publicly supported India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. He stated that any reform of the UNSC should not grant additional seats to Western countries like Germany and Japan, citing their militarism and revanchism. Instead, Russia advocates for increased representation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, specifically backing India and Brazil, while also emphasizing the need to address African interests.
Police in Bareilly have arrested a man accused of raping a minor, recording the act, and circulating the video. The minor subsequently died by suicide. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act.
Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has advocated for a bamboo-based economy to drive sustainable development, create rural livelihoods, and offer green alternatives to plastic. Speaking at a summit, he highlighted bamboo's crucial role in climate change mitigation, its potential to empower local communities, and its benefits for farmers.
Reports from the New York Post, citing Mohsen Heydari, reveal that Mojtaba Khamenei was pulled from the rubble of a Tehran hospital after alleged US and Israeli strikes. This occurred before his secret selection as Iran's new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts, which was also reportedly targeted. Conflicting accounts from Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have further shrouded Khamenei's health in mystery, with some suggesting severe injuries while others claim he is co
Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara staged a massive protest and caused damage on campus following unverified social media reports of an alleged rape. Police, however, denied any such crime, stating the protest was fueled by rumours and student grievances against the administration.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the UN General Assembly, condemned the targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers in the Gulf, calling it simply unacceptable. He also voiced deep concern over the weaponisation of everything, which he stated has severe consequences for Global South nations, impacting peace, progress, and development globally. India urged restraint, de-escalation, and protection of civilians, while also highlighting the 4F crisis (food, fuel, fertiliser, fin
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant affirmed the judiciary's commitment to protecting students' right to peaceful protest during an interaction at CNLU Patna. He also addressed concerns about collegium transparency, stating that disclosure of dissenting opinions could compromise individual dignity. The CJI also praised a proposal to shorten the law degree duration.
The Election Commission of India has addressed reports of internal dissent among its commissioners and clarified that all Special Intensive Revision (SIR) orders and Form 6 updates for voter enrolment received unanimous consent and were upheld by the Supreme Court. The EC also announced measures to ease the process for voters issued notices, including doorstep document collection and extended deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra, while affirming its commitment to transparent decision-making and me
Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo, alleged that her party leaders were kept under house arrest and prevented from attending a rally in Serampore. She accused BJP workers of blocking routes and the police of inaction, comparing the situation to atrocities seen in African countries.

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