Rediff

Women Inspiring Network (WIN) has launched 'WIN Connect', an AI-powered platform designed to connect global women leaders and enhance opportunities across various sectors. Unveiled in New York, the platform aims to leverage AI to facilitate networking, access to capital, and business growth for its 10,000-strong network across 50 countries.

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.

Rahul Gandhi led a significant opposition protest in New Delhi, attempting to march to the Election Commission office to allege vote chori and demand the CEC's resignation. The protest resulted in a lockdown of Parliament Street, a standoff at the All India Radio premises, and detentions of several opposition MPs, drawing strong reactions from the ruling BJP.

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.

The BCCI has announced a 15-member India A squad for three unofficial Tests against New Zealand A, starting October 24. The squad includes senior players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rishabh Pant (subject to fitness), raising questions about their availability for all 'A' matches due to overlapping ODI commitments.

Veteran Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been recalled to the national T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand, marking his return after nearly four years. His inclusion comes after a strong IPL performance and the departure of former chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The squad also sees Varun Chakravarthy's return and features a mix of experienced and young talent, with the series scheduled from October 22 to November 1.

The Indian government has ordered the removal of Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app from app stores in India, citing law-and-order concerns. The Bluetooth messaging app, which allows offline communication, was previously scrutinised during protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and has now been pulled from both Apple's App Store and the Play Store following the IT Ministry's directive.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the surprise inclusion in the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand starting later this month.

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.

An Indian Oil employee, Mahesh Shelke, was stabbed to death in Hingoli, Maharashtra, while his team was sealing a petrol pump. An argument with the pump owner's family escalated into violence, leading to Shelke's death. Police are investigating and searching for the accused.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has received over one million ticket applications for the ODI World Cup 2027, with the India vs. Pakistan match being the most sought-after, attracting over 100,000 applications. Other high-demand matches include South Africa vs. India and India vs. Australia. The tournament will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 2 to November 21 next year.

An international friendly football match between India and Uruguay in Kolkata was halted for 34 minutes due to lightning and thunder. The score was 1-1 when play was suspended, with Anirudh Thapa scoring for India and Darwin Nunez for Uruguay.

The body of an unidentified woman was discovered in a paddy field in Nagaon district, Assam. Local residents found the body, prompting a police investigation into her identity and the circumstances of her death.

India's Manika Batra exited the singles event at the WTT China Smash after a tough loss to world no. 2 Wang Manyu. However, the mixed doubles pair of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale secured a dominant victory to advance to the quarterfinals, while Manav also progressed in men's singles.

Smriti Mandhana is widely expected to take over the captaincy of the Indian women's cricket team after Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation. The article discusses the timing of this elevation for Mandhana, who is considered the country's best batter, and the history of leadership transitions within the team, highlighting potential challenges and the team's aspirations for major tournament victories.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for a position on the men's selection committee. This follows the departure of former chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, whose tenure ended on October 4. Pragyan Ojha is currently serving as the interim chairman.

India dropped teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi despite his impressive Asian Games run, preferring Sanju Samson as Gautam Gambhir backed experience and resisted pressure to alter the winning combination.

Tanmay Baloda's exceptional 10-wicket match haul has put India in a commanding position against Australia in their second Youth Test in Ahmedabad. Baloda followed his first innings 6/32 with 4/26 in the second, leaving Australia U-19 trailing by 55 runs. Half-centuries from Yashbardhan Chauhan and Abhipray Biswas also contributed to India's strong first innings total.

The Supreme Court has questioned the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on the lack of electronic surveillance to track stationary vehicles on highways, citing a recent fatal accident. The court is hearing a suo motu case related to road safety and has previously issued directions against unauthorised parking and commercial structures on highways.

The Andhra Pradesh Police have arrested two individuals, including a naval staffer and a civilian driver, for allegedly spying for Pakistan. The arrests are part of a larger investigation into an espionage conspiracy involving 18 suspects, 13 of whom are naval personnel, accused of sharing sensitive defence information with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) through encrypted channels.

India has secured a spot among the top 10 leading emerging-market performers in artificial intelligence (AI) readiness, with private investment in AI more than tripling to USD 4.1 billion in 2025, according to a new World Bank report.

India, Germany, Qatar, Hungary, Turkey, South Africa, and South Korea are in preliminary talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, with a shortlist expected by March next year.

Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all formats, stating she is now 'ready to play for the love of the game again.' Tributes have poured in from former and current players, including Yuvraj Singh and Shafali Verma, acknowledging her significant contributions to Indian cricket.

India has strongly condemned an attack on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel, MT On Peace, in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in injuries to 11 Indian crew members. The Ministry of External Affairs called for an immediate cessation of such attacks, emphasising the need to restore navigation and commerce through international waterways. Omani authorities assisted in evacuating and treating the injured sailors.

Rahul Gandhi dramatically shifted the INDIA bloc's protest after their march to the Election Commission was stopped and leaders were detained. He entered Akashvani Bhavan, leading to a standoff and a continued sit-in joined by other opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to protest against alleged threats to democracy.

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,

A study suggests that targeting the brain's default mode network (DMN), which becomes active during self-reflection, could be a more effective approach to managing chronic low back pain. Researchers found that DMN activates during chronic pain flares, unlike its deactivation during acute pain, indicating chronic pain is deeply linked to one's sense of self. This finding explains why traditional symptom-based treatments often fail and points towards mind-body and psychedelic therapies.

Suryakumar Yadav's Ranji Trophy comeback has hit a roadblock after he missed Mumbai's pre-season camp and lacked recent red-ball experience.

South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada is in contention to play in the first Test against Australia, starting Friday, despite a recent hamstring injury, with a final decision expected at the last minute.

Glimpses of the INDIA bloc's protest march from Parliament House to Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters, in New Delhi on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

With World No 1 Jannik Sinner officially ending his 2026 tennis season early, Alexander Zverev could end the year at the top of the rankings.

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.

Indian automobile retail sales reached a record 25,36,920 units in September, marking a 31.82 per cent year-on-year growth, with passenger vehicles recording their highest-ever September sales at 4,27,213 units, according to the Federation of Indian Automobile Dealers (FADA).

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced India's ambition to produce its first indigenous civilian aircraft within two years through a joint venture. He highlighted the rapid growth of the country's aviation sector, with significant aircraft orders, planned new airports, and potential for manufacturing jet engines and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, underscoring India's increasing role in global aviation.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the world is entering an age of flux marked by conflicts and tariff volatility, requiring India to respond effectively to these challenges. He reiterated India's consistent stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy, and highlighted India's efforts to engage with both sides. Jaishankar also emphasised India's role in championing the voice of the Global South and navigating complex strategic partnerships in a mul

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.

A Russian drone strike on a Turkish-owned civilian cargo vessel in the Black Sea resulted in the death of the ship's captain and injuries to one crew member. The vessel, carrying corn, had Azerbaijani and Indian citizens on board. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, highlighting the ongoing disruption to global food security and India's diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

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.

Legendary Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, now coaching Uruguay, believes India can significantly improve its football standing despite cricket's dominance. He emphasizes the importance of grassroots development, strong domestic leagues, and consistent exposure to high-level international competition to nurture young talent and elevate the sport in the country. Forlan also shared his positive experiences with Indian football passion during his ISL stint.

The Mizoram government has announced a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh each for hockey players Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi, who were part of the Indian women's team that won gold at the Asian Games. Chief Minister Lalduhoma felicitated the athletes, highlighting their historic achievement for the state and the government's commitment to promoting hockey through schemes and infrastructure development.

Uruguay head coach Diego Forlan discusses the team's recent World Cup group-stage exits, emphasising the need for calm and confidence in rebuilding the squad. He highlights his philosophy of hard work, adaptability, and playing good football, while acknowledging the pressure of managing a national team with a rich history. Forlan also reflects on his initial games as coach and the importance of team cohesion.

Artificial intelligence major Anthropic has launched AI inference capabilities in India through Amazon Bedrock, allowing its Claude AI models to process data within the country's jurisdiction. This strategic move addresses the growing demand from Indian entities, particularly in regulated sectors, for compliance with local data processing norms as per the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. The initiative strengthens Anthropic's commitment to the Indian market, enabling secure and compliant AI

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.

West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein acknowledges India as a very dangerous side ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series. He discusses the challenges of bowling in the powerplay against India's strong batting lineup and emphasizes the importance of planning, execution, and sticking to effective strategies, aided by data. Hosein asserts that the West Indies team is ready for the challenge and will not back down.

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes young batter Tilak Varma is the ideal candidate to replace Virat Kohli at the crucial No. 3 position in One-Day Internationals once Kohli retires after the 2027 World Cup, citing Varma's versatility and strong first-class record.