Rediff

Counting of votes has commenced for Legislative Council seats across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, with significant political implications ahead of upcoming electoral battles. The elections saw varied turnouts and intense contests between ruling alliances and opposition parties.

Kylian Mbappe apologised to China after a Mao Zedong meme sparked backlash and commercial fallout, contrasting with his previous outspoken stance against extremism, racism and police violence.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has detailed the state's extensive preparedness for the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab, which is expected to make landfall early Wednesday. Over 84,000 people have been evacuated, with a strong emphasis on preventing loss of life. The storm is predicted to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds, impacting several districts and agricultural land, prompting authorities to deploy significant resources and urge public cooperation.

US First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday announced that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine has taken effect beyond Oleshky two days ahead of schedule, with the move aimed at protecting civilians and facilitating the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to the conflict-affected area.

The Himachal Pradesh Police have seized properties and articles worth over Rs 1 crore belonging to a convicted drug trafficker, Dalviro, and her family members. The action was taken under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, following a financial investigation into Dalviro's assets after her 2017 arrest and subsequent conviction.

Bhopal's special POCSO court has sentenced former newspaper owner Pyare Miyan to 10 life imprisonments and a Rs 77.64 lakh fine for the rape and sexual assault of five minor girls. His accomplice, Rabia Bi, received a 20-year prison sentence. Miyan, 78, lured victims with job promises since 2014.

Devpalik Gupta, a digital communications manager for Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, was found dead near railway tracks in Ranchi on Tuesday. He had gone missing from a moving train on Monday. Police are investigating, with preliminary findings suggesting an accidental fall. The party has expressed deep sorrow over his demise.

Jammu police have arrested the main accused in an alleged Rs 4.10 crore fraud involving fake job offers in the railways and tenders for water bottle supply. The investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other suspects and trace financial transactions.

The Women's Premier League (WPL) mini-auction in Kochi on Wednesday will see 146 players, including capped Indian and international cricketers, go under the hammer. Teams like UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians will bid for 27 available spots, with a focus on Indian talent and strategic backups for the WPL 2027 season.

The Supreme Court has ruled that foreign nationals can be granted bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) if their initial entry into India was legal and authorised, even if they overstayed their visa. This decision upheld a Madras High Court order granting bail to a Sri Lankan national accused in a terror case, stating that the prosecution failed to prove illegal entry. The court clarified the conjunctive conditions of Section 43D(7) of UAPA, emphasising that both foreign nat

A recent scientific study by Dr. Dinesh Amalnerkar and Dr. Ravindra Chaudhari in Pune has demonstrated that a silk-based nanocomposite material, particularly one containing silver nanoparticles, can effectively kill Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae and pupae. This research, published in 'Nature Scientific Reports', offers a promising new approach for dengue control, especially as Pune faces a surge in cases. While showing high mortality rates in lab tests and minimal environmental impact, further f

Police in Mansa, Punjab, forcibly removed the body of a 35-year-old man who allegedly died of a drug overdose, leading to clashes with his family and protesters. The family sought to join a protest demanding justice for an anti-drug activist. Police claim the death is being investigated as a murder and used mild force, while opposition parties have severely criticised the government and police for their handling of the situation and alleged disrespect to Sikh sentiments.

Veteran Indian midfielder Nilakanta Sharma has announced his retirement from international hockey after the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy, citing a desire to make way for younger talent. The decision, made after India's Asian Games gold medal win, is part of Hockey India's transition strategy for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Sharma plans to focus on coaching the next generation of players.

Police in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested three individuals suspected of involvement in a multi-crore fraud targeting the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The investigation revealed an inter-district gang, with the arrested including a Common Service Centre operator, a contractual government operator who allegedly leaked official credentials, and a network partner involved in money laundering. Authorities recovered significant evidence and are continuing their probe into the wi

Five-time champions India began their Asian Champions Trophy hockey campaign with a dominant 13-0 victory over Bangladesh. Mandeep Singh scored a hat-trick, while Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Hardik Singh each netted a brace, showcasing India's strong title defence.

Indian boxer Aditya secured a gold medal in the men's 55kg category at the World Boxing U-19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro, defeating Russia's Islam Magomedov. India concluded the championships with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, despite Megha Sheokand's loss in her final bout.

An undertrial prisoner, Basudeb Naskar, died under mysterious circumstances at Baruipur Sub-divisional Hospital in West Bengal. His wife alleges he was murdered, questioning the circumstances and claiming he had no prior illness. Police are awaiting the post-mortem report to determine the cause of death.

Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence wing in Amritsar has dismantled a cross-border arms smuggling module, arresting three individuals and recovering 10 foreign-made .30 bore pistols. The accused were in contact with a foreign-based handler and intended to supply weapons to criminal elements.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the India-New Zealand Under-20 International Rugby Sevens Series in Nalanda district. The event, held from October 23 to 28 at the Rajgir Sports Complex, marks 100 years of bilateral sporting relations and aims to promote rugby in Bihar. Matches were played between the men's and women's teams, with the Indian women's team securing a victory.

At 44, James Anderson will extend his playing career as captain and co-owner of Napoli Knights in Italy's Italia T10 league, helping develop home-grown talent ahead of cricket's Olympic ambitions.

A 47-year-old scientist with the DRDO's Aeronautical Development Agency, Sharad Katiyar, died by suicide in Bengaluru on October 21. His family informed police that he was suffering from mental distress due to work-related pressure and was undergoing treatment for a depressive episode. Police have registered an unnatural death case.

A 47-year-old scientist with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Bengaluru allegedly died by suicide after jumping from his apartment building. His family reported that he had been suffering from work-related pressure and mental distress for over a month, for which he was receiving treatment. Police have registered an unnatural death case.

A 17-year-old Class 12 student was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her home in Wazirpur JJ Colony, northwest Delhi, on Tuesday. Her family suspects foul play, and police are investigating the incident, with no suicide note found.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi announced her upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, set for release on November 10. Gandhi, who recently joined social media, stated that the book will present her personal account, correcting past narratives. The memoir's publication has already sparked controversy, with HarperCollins India taking over after an impasse with Penguin Random House India, amidst allegations of external pressure regarding editorial content. The book will

A 13-year-old girl in Kolkata was allegedly drugged and gang-raped, with the accused filming the act and using the video to blackmail her family for money. Police have launched an investigation based on the mother's complaint, though no arrests have been made till Tuesday.

Tamil Nadu's Neil Samraj R shattered the men's U18 200m national record at the National Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai on Tuesday, clocking 21.03 seconds. He also secured gold in the 100m with another national record and was named the best athlete in his category. The state of Tamil Nadu emerged as the overall team champions, with Bhavana G also setting a new meet record in the U20 women's 200m.

A 16-year-old girl was allegedly hacked to death by her uncle with an axe in Rajasthan's Didwana district on Tuesday after an argument. Her grandmother, who tried to intervene, was seriously injured. The accused later attempted suicide by consuming pesticide and is now undergoing treatment under police custody.

Two men accused in separate murder and rape-murder cases were killed in alleged gunfights with law enforcers in West Bengal on Tuesday. Both incidents occurred during crime-scene reconstruction after the accused purportedly snatched firearms from officers and opened fire. The cases involved the rape and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl and the killing of a BJP worker, both of which had triggered public outrage.

Police in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, have arrested two men, including a neighbour, for the alleged murder of a 70-year-old woman. The victim was reportedly strangled, robbed of her gold jewellery, and her body was burnt to destroy evidence before the remains were dumped in a river.

Delhi Police has invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the alleged Mukesh Bhola gang, accused of various organised crimes including murder, kidnapping, and extortion in Jahangirpuri. Three members, including Mukesh alias Bhola, Vipin, and Suraj alias Dhela, have been arrested, with police actively identifying other syndicate members.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an urgent appeal to right-wing Likud voters on Tuesday, warning of high Arab voter turnout in the ongoing parliamentary election. He claimed Arab voters were acing to the ballots and attempting to steal the election, echoing a controversial tactic from 2015. Netanyahu stressed the importance of every vote for the future of the Jewish state, as Arab citizens' participation could significantly influence the political balance.

Shiven Agarwal and Riyansika Verma secured hard-fought victories in the quarterfinals of the Sub-Junior and Junior National Squash Championship in Jaipur on Tuesday. Agarwal won in five games in the U-17 category, while Verma also came from behind to win her U-17 match. Subhash Choudhary caused an upset in the U-19 boys' category, advancing to the semifinals.

Kenyan women maintained their undefeated record at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championships with a decisive 61-16 victory over Scotland. Malaysia also secured a significant win against Singapore, while Bangladesh and Canada recorded strong performances against Singapore and Scotland respectively, highlighting competitive action on the fifth day of the tournament.

Sri Lanka crushed Pakistan by eight wickets after Dilshan Madushanka's career-best 5-34, securing a tri-series final berth and eliminating England following three consecutive defeats in Pakistan.

Kapil Dev, president of DP World PGTI, advocates for golf to shed its 'elite' image, highlighting its potential for career opportunities and relationship building. Speaking at the announcement of the 27th BT Golf season, he emphasised how corporate support and media partnerships, like that between Business Today and DP World PGTI, are crucial for increasing the sport's visibility and integrating it with corporate India. Other speakers, including PGTI chief Amandeep Johl and golfer Saptak Talwar,

Three Myanmar nationals have been apprehended in Hyderabad for allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman, also from Myanmar, who was reportedly confined by her husband. The woman's husband, the main accused, is currently absconding, and police are investigating the case.

Three Indian amateur golfers, Arkesh Bhatia, Anshul Mishra, and Ribhav Verma, are set to compete in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Te Arai, New Zealand, from October 29 to November 1. The prestigious tournament offers the winner invitations to the Masters Tournament and The Open, providing a significant opportunity for the region's top amateur talent.

Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma finished tied 11th at the Genesis Championship in South Korea with a score of 9-under par, improving his Race to Dubai rankings and securing conditional status on the DP World Tour. Japan's Yuto Katsuragawa won the tournament.

India's women's cricket team, having already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead, will play the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, aiming for a clean sweep. Key performances from Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, and Vaishnavi Sharma have ensured comprehensive victories for India, while Zimbabwe seeks to put up a stronger fight.

Assam Police have formed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a firing incident at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati that claimed five lives on Monday night. The incident stemmed from a dispute between the hotel owners and leaseholder Ghanakanta Gogoi, who has been arrested. Four members of a family and a staffer were killed, while another person was injured. The bereaved family alleges the attack was planned.

LIV Golf is facing an uncertain future, operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy with significantly reduced funding and prize money. Many prominent players are seeking to leave or have already left, while the PGA Tour and European Tour grapple with how to reintegrate defectors, leading to ongoing tension and debate over player loyalty and the future of professional golf.

Police in Jharkhand's Palamu district rescued 73 cattle and arrested six individuals involved in their illegal transportation on Tuesday. The animals were found in two container trucks following a tip-off.

A 28-year-old farm labourer in Latur, Maharashtra, allegedly died by suicide on Monday due to distress over unpaid loans from private finance companies. He left a note naming the companies and expressing inability to repay his mounting debt.

Delhi captain Ayush Badoni scored an unbeaten 210, his second consecutive double century in first-class cricket, against Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. This achievement places him alongside Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir in an elite list of batters. Badoni's monumental innings, alongside Sumit Mathur's 150 not out, helped Delhi declare at 515, putting them in a strong position.

Michael Carrick continued to lead Manchester United training despite mounting pressure following a winless run of eight matches, with the club focusing on preparations for their upcoming match against Chelsea.

Police in Hyderabad are investigating a tragic incident where a 31-year-old man allegedly killed his two-year-old daughter before he and his wife died by suicide. Suicide notes were found, but the exact reasons remain unknown as of Tuesday.

A 31-year-old chef, his wife, and their two-year-old daughter were found dead in Hyderabad in an apparent murder-suicide. Police found suicide notes, but the exact reasons for the tragedy are still under investigation.

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell lauded India opener Abhishek Sharma's world-class hitting after his century helped India secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the T20I series. Mitchell acknowledged the series loss but expressed hope for a fightback in the remaining two matches, while also reflecting on New Zealand's errors.

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a petition filed by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) challenging the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and its accompanying Rules. The DNPA argues that the law, lacking exemptions for journalism, could impede news gathering and infringe upon citizens' right to information. The challenge highlights concerns over consent requirements for reporters and the Act's impact on the Right to Information.

Two suspected gangsters were arrested in Ranchi following a gunfight with police on Tuesday. One suspect sustained a bullet injury, while the other was taken into custody. They are linked to the Rahul Singh gang, involved in extortion and other criminal cases across multiple districts.