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Elections 2026Politics / Rediff
Former Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister A Kali Krishna Srinivas, known as Alla Nani, has died at 56 due to a heart attack. Political leaders, including Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, expressed their condolences. Srinivas had served as Deputy CM and health minister and recently joined the TDP after losing the 2024 Assembly election.
Kalyan Bainsla has been arrested in connection with an alleged road rage incident in Gurugram where he reportedly hit a woman biker with his car after making indecent comments. The victim, Shivani Chauhan, survived due to protective gear. Bainsla, who claims it was an accident, was apprehended in Rajasthan's Dausa, and police are investigating the role of another person present.
A BEST electric bus in Mumbai's Goregaon area crashed into a Metro rail pillar after grazing a car, injuring two people. The incident occurred on Monday evening, and the injured were treated and discharged. Police have registered a case against the bus driver.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary stated that the JD(U) will thoroughly study the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill before deciding on its stance, indicating they will not oppose it without valid reasons. This position contrasts with the RJD's strong opposition and highlights the JD(U)'s independent approach within the NDA.
A POCSO court in Assam's Dhubri district has sentenced Utpal Ray to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in 2023, terming the crime arest of rare. The convict also received life imprisonment for rape and other sentences for related offences.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has accused the haipo gang, allegedly linked to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, of involvement in the murder of his personal assistant, Chandranath Rath. The allegations come as Rath's mother, Hasirani Rath, was nominated by the BJP for the Nandigram by-election. Adhikari claimed Rs 2 crore was spent on the murder and that the CBI investigation is progressing, with phone records and a money courier identified.
Researchers have successfully recreated in a laboratory setting how high-energy cosmic rays interact with Earth's atmospheric gases. Using CERN's Large Hadron Collider, an international team simulated collisions between cosmic particles, similar to those from supernovae, and oxygen beams. This unprecedented experiment provides a clearer understanding of interstellar particles and phenomena like the Northern Lights, improving upon previous computer simulations.
England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum has issued a strong message to pacer Brydon Carse, urging him to address his off-field conduct and make responsible decisions if he wishes to return to the national squad. Carse was recently stood down from the Test squad after an arrest and has faced previous disciplinary action for betting regulation breaches.
The Supreme Court has given actor Rajpal Yadav a final two-week opportunity to present a concrete proposal for repaying an outstanding amount to a private firm, directing him to deposit Rs 2 crore with the apex court registry. This comes after a series of cheque bounce cases, with the Delhi High Court previously upholding his conviction and sentencing him to three months' imprisonment. The court noted Yadav's past conduct did not inspire confidence but granted a last chance.
Independents have secured nearly two-thirds of urban wards in Bharatpur and Deeg districts, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's home turf, significantly outperforming the BJP and Congress in local body elections. This unexpected surge sets the stage for a political battle as both major parties vie for the support of these Independent councillors to form civic boards.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to play domestic first-class cricket for OGDCL in the President's Trophy to address his prolonged dip in Test form. Azam has struggled to score centuries since December 2022 and has faced criticism for his inability to convert starts, prompting him to seek PCB's help to participate in the longer format domestically.
The BJP has accused the Congress of spreading fake news regarding UPI transaction charges, asserting that the government has clarified that consumers will not be levied merchant discount rate (MDR) charges. This comes after the Congress criticised a government notification, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions. The BJP has strongly refuted these claims, highlighting that most UPI transactions remain free and the government provides incentives to maintain a charge-free
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has been granted three weeks' interim bail by a Delhi court in a case involving the alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a Jantar Mantar protest. Bhardwaj was previously in judicial custody after being detained following public outrage over his claims of assault and political connections.
Indian spinner Shree Charani has maintained her top position in the ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings with a career-best 804 rating points, while compatriot Deepti Sharma has risen four places to second, following their stellar performances in the Women's T20 Asia Cup.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has accused the Centre of orchestrating a political conspiracy through the CBI's FIR in the Disha Salian death case. Raut claims the probe is designed to tarnish the Thackeray family's reputation and target Aaditya Thackeray, linking it to broader political manoeuvres and an ongoing Supreme Court case.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called upon 'Gen Z' and 'Gen Alpha' to assume leadership, prioritise the nation, and contribute to its growth, rather than questioning what the country has done for them.
National selectors are set to convene in New Delhi to finalise India's ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming home series against West Indies, with Rishabh Pant's potential white-ball return and Hardik Pandya's fitness being the primary discussion points.
Zimbabwean cricketer Brendan Taylor has surpassed India's Sachin Tendulkar as the longest-serving one-day international player, with his ODI career now spanning 22 years and four months. Taylor, who previously retired and served a ban, returned to play for Zimbabwe ahead of the 2026 ODI World Cup.
New research suggests that Venus's slow spin rate and strong gravity likely caused any hypothetical moon it once had to crash into the planet. This study, led by astrophysicist Stephen Kane, models planetary interactions and indicates that Venus did not require a catastrophic event to lose a moon, but rather its inherent physical properties led to its absorption. This finding has implications for understanding moon retention in other slowly rotating terrestrial planets.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's stunning IPL form has revived his India comeback hopes, with the veteran pacer also backed by Ravichandran Ashwin for the 2027 World Cup.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has proceeded towards Mumbai despite police denying permission for his protest at Azad Maidan. Jarange, who has been on a hunger strike for 17 days demanding OBC quota for Marathas, is travelling with a small group amid tight security, citing a Bombay High Court ruling that supports democratic agitation. He also alleged a conspiracy to kill him.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein paid rich tributes to engineers on National Engineers' Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sir M Visvesvaraya. They highlighted the crucial role of engineers in the state's development, infrastructure, and India's overall progress, acknowledging their contributions to nation-building and technological advancement.
Six police personnel, including two sub-inspectors, have been suspended in Firozabad after allegedly kicking a pregnant woman during an arrest, leading to her death. The woman's family claims she was kicked in the abdomen while pleading for her husband's release. She later gave birth prematurely and died, while her newborn remains in critical condition. Villagers protested the police action.
A court in Barabanki has sentenced shopkeeper Ashok Kumar to life imprisonment for raping a two-year-old girl. The incident occurred in November 2023 when the child visited his shop. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convict.
Around 200 SpiceJet passengers protested at Delhi airport after their flights to Dubai were repeatedly rescheduled and delayed since Monday. The airline cited operational reasons due to an aircraft grounding and is arranging alternate flights, while the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA are monitoring SpiceJet's operations.
A POCSO court in Assam's Dhubri district has sentenced Utpal Roy to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in 2023. The judge cited the 'rarest of rare' category for the capital punishment.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Modi government of quietly paving the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions, alleging it's a surrender to American pressure. The government's recent notification exempts charges only up to Rs 2,000, sparking concerns that higher value transactions and eventually all UPI payments could incur fees. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, clarified that Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies to merchants, not customers, and supports digital infra
Tragedy struck two New Jersey families with Rutgers University graduates Navam Kaul and Malaika Chitre, both 24, hit by a subway train in Manhattan.
A Keralite woman travel vlogger, Arunima, faced threats of arrest in Bamyan, Afghanistan, for violating local laws that prohibit women from travelling alone. She recounted being questioned by authorities and needing assistance to proceed, highlighting the challenges faced by solo female travellers in the region.
The Congress party has criticised the government's recent notification regarding UPI transactions, alleging it paves the way for users to be charged fees, particularly for transactions above Rs 2,000. The party claims the government lacks transparency and questions if the move is to benefit American firms. The government, however, states that charges are necessary for the system's sustainability and infrastructure upgrades, with the Finance Minister clarifying that Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) a
Sanjeev Sonwane, the 65-year-old founder of an educational institute in Latur, Maharashtra, allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself at his residence. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
A woman sports bike rider, Shivani Chauhan (Sia), has released a video alleging that accused Kalyan Bainsla deliberately hit her with his car in Gurugram, leading to an attempt to murder charge being added against him. Bainsla claims it was an accident and he fled fearing the bikers.
A Kishore Kumar song, a birthday cake, a prince's break from protocol to thank his driver, a Persian painting on the ceiling of the presidential residence -- the BRICS Summit had many memorable moments.
The question for the next 20 years is not whether India can become a $5 trillion or $10 trillion economy. Those are attractive targets, but the real question is whether India can create enough productive jobs, educate its children properly, make its cities liveable, and give hundreds of millions of people a substantially better life, asserts Ramesh Menon.
Meta has agreed to report child safety-related matters, including child sexual abuse cases, to appropriate law enforcement agencies in India, government sources confirmed, emphasising that online safety for children is a on-negotiable fundamental principle for social media platforms operating in the country.
The BJP has narrowly defeated the Congress in the Rajasthan urban local body elections by less than one percentage point. Independent candidates secured a significant share of votes, and NOTA outperformed several smaller parties. Prime Minister Modi lauded the BJP's performance, attributing it to public support for good governance.
More than a dozen Shiv Sena functionaries, including district and city unit chiefs and an MLA's son, have been booked for allegedly assaulting, abusing, and threatening hospital staff in Palghar. The incident occurred after 'govindas' injured during Dahi Handi celebrations were brought for treatment, and a dispute arose over medical bills. The NCP (SP) has condemned the incident, calling it an attack on the medical system and the rule of law, and demanded strict action.
A five-storey boys' paying guest (PG) accommodation in Satya Niketan, South Delhi, collapsed, resulting in one fatality and trapping several individuals. Rescue operations are ongoing in the congested area, with locals citing ongoing basement construction and the building's age as potential factors.
Telangana Forest Minister Konda Surekha was dropped from the state cabinet, leading her to accuse Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of lackmail politics. Surekha claims her removal was due to critical remarks made by her daughter against the CM and other party leaders, despite the Congress high command not favouring her ouster. She has written to top Congress leaders seeking intervention.
Activist Manish Brahmbhatt has launched the Cockroach Janta Party-Democratic (CJP-D) as an alternative to the existing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Brahmbhatt alleges that the CJP, led by Abhijeet Dipke, has deviated from its student-led origins, becoming too aligned with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and failing to represent its diverse volunteer base, particularly regarding issues like examination paper leaks.
The Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a re-conduct of the NEET-PG 2026 exam, imposing a cost on the petitioner and criticising the advocate for misusing the legal process and soliciting cases on social media. The court noted that the petitioners were not affected by the exam disruption they cited.
A couple, identified as the parents of a custodial death victim, was detained by police in Chennai after attempting to breach Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's convoy. They sought to petition the Chief Minister for justice regarding their son's death in police custody in March. The incident caused a brief slowdown of the CM's vehicle.
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday dismissed the Bombay High Court's directive to the Central Bureau of Investigation to register an FIR in the Disha Salian death case, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of running a smear campaign against him for the last six years.
The University of Delhi and semiconductor major AMD have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train up to 10,000 students and faculty in industry-relevant artificial intelligence skills over the next year. This collaboration will provide access to AMD's AI Engage Developer Programme, including its open-source ROCm AI software platform, learning resources, and developer GPU cloud credits, aiming to foster indigenous AI capabilities and bridge the gap between academia and industry.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Kyiv, reiterating India's readiness to assist in ending the Ukraine-Russia war. He emphasised that solutions would not emerge from the battlefield and highlighted Prime Minister Modi's call for an end to the conflict. Discussions also covered humanitarian aid, the impact on commercial shipping, and bilateral trade, with Jaishankar inviting his Ukrainian counterpart to India for further talks.
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced a permanent, year-round food safety calendar to ensure public health during major festivals. This first-of-its-kind initiative categorises festivals into three levels and implements a four-stage inspection mechanism, focusing on preventing adulteration and unsafe food practices for high-demand products like sweets, dairy, and edible oils.
The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Sobiya Aziz and Kamran Ashraf Reshi, accused in a terror conspiracy case related to Jammu and Kashmir and other major Indian cities. The court cited their nearly five-year incarceration and the slow pace of the trial as reasons for the decision, imposing strict conditions on their social media use.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties are not liable for false details in electoral enumeration forms that cannot be personally verified. The court clarified that BLAs are only responsible for verifiable information, such as an elector's photograph, and struck down the Election Commission of India's mandate requiring BLAs to provide personal undertakings for all details.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan's Facebook post criticising Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar's alleged anti-women remarks has disappeared, with the CMO citing a technical error. The incident has sparked political criticism from CPI(M) and BJP, who question the explanation and accuse the Congress of hypocrisy.
Air Marshal (retd) Jeetendra Mishra has taken charge as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Ram temple trust in Ayodhya. He attended his inaugural meeting with trust members, where he was briefed on administrative and accounting functions. This appointment is part of a broader administrative overhaul following controversies over alleged embezzlement of temple donations.

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