Rediff
Elections 2026States / Rediff
An enforcement officer of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Sonu Maurya, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Jaipur on Wednesday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. Maurya had reportedly demanded Rs 2 lakh from a firm owner to prevent an FIR and bank account freezing related to provident fund non-deposits.
A Royal Bengal Tigress, designated BT1, from West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve, was safely captured in Assam's Raimona National Park after travelling over 100 km and nearing human settlements. The capture was a result of a coordinated effort between the forest departments of West Bengal and Assam.
Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become ODI cricket's highest run-scorer in chases with 8,741 runs, while equalling Ricky Ponting and breaching 13,000 runs at number three.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner attributed his team's five-wicket loss to India in the first ODI to their inability to quickly adapt to the unexpected bounce and pace of the Eden Park pitch, while praising India's superior adaptation.
Six individuals have been arrested by Delhi Police in connection with a Rs 70 lakh robbery that occurred near the Gulabi Bagh underpass on October 24. The mastermind, Mantu Yadav, a former cleaner familiar with cash movements in Kucha Mahajani, allegedly planned the crime. Police conducted raids across Delhi, Rajasthan, and Bihar, recovering a significant portion of the stolen cash and identifying two more suspects.
Mitchell Starc has returned to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings after his stellar performance against South Africa. India's Shreyas Iyer also made significant gains, moving to seventh among T20I batters following India's series win over New Zealand. The latest ICC rankings update reflects shifts across Test, ODI, and T20I formats, with several players making notable progress.
Five individuals wanted for attacking a revenue team trying to stop illegal mining in Sultanpur were arrested after two police encounters on Wednesday. Three of the accused sustained gunshot injuries. Police recovered illegal firearms and vehicles, and four police personnel were previously suspended for negligence related to the initial attack.
A star-studded evening as the cast of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 comes together for a grand screening in Mumbai.
India captain Shubman Gill lauded pacer Anshul Kamboj's performance in the first ODI against New Zealand, calling him 'tailor-made' for the conditions. Kamboj's 2-wicket haul, along with strong performances from Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar, helped India bowl out New Zealand for 185, securing a win in the five-match series opener. Gill also highlighted key fielding efforts and the team's overall strong performance despite rain interruptions.
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a two-year extension of tenure for Agniveers, a decision made weeks before approximately 18,000 Agniveers were due to exit the armed forces. Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani stated that all Agniveers would have the opportunity to continue their service, subject to performance review.
A Delhi court has acquitted a man, his parents, and a relative of charges of dowry death and abetment of suicide in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove dowry-related cruelty or that the accused instigated her suicide beyond reasonable doubt.
Delhi Police have arrested three men for allegedly stealing 400 grams of gold jewellery, valued at approximately Rs 45 lakh, from a man in central Delhi's Karol Bagh. The accused posed as traffic regulators to distract the victim and commit the theft. All stolen jewellery has been recovered, and two of the accused have prior criminal records.
Bodies of two more trekkers, part of a group of eight missing on the Kedartal route, were recovered on Wednesday, bringing the total to four fatalities from the group. The trekkers went missing six days ago after an avalanche. Rescue operations are hampered by heavy snow, while families of the missing, including those from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, await news.
Saurabh Chandrakar, the alleged mastermind behind the Rs 6,000-crore Mahadev online betting app scam, has been granted to CBI custody for eight days by a special court in Raipur. Chandrakar was recently extradited from Oman and brought to Raipur for production before the trial court. The CBI will now take him to Delhi for further questioning in connection with the extensive online betting syndicate operated from Dubai.
A district court in Latur has sentenced a 35-year-old man, Vipul Sakharam Bankar, to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor girl, even though he married the victim during the trial. The court rejected his defense, noting marital disputes and the prosecution's strong case.
A second Indian national, critically injured in the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, has died, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia announced. The embassy is providing full assistance to the family. This brings the total death toll from the attack to 14, with Saudi Arabia blaming Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
A man in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly killed his 30-year-old wife following a domestic dispute. He reportedly confessed to his father-in-law before fleeing. Police found the woman dead and are now searching for the accused.
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted to the Democratic sweep in the 2026 US midterm elections with sarcastic posts on X, lamenting that his 'election-interfering space lasers didn't work' and suggesting 'data centers in space' looked appealing after Republicans suffered major setbacks despite his extensive financial support.
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has secured her spot in the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in December, demonstrating her continued prowess at the highest level. The two-time Olympic medallist recently clinched the Hylo Open and Japan Open titles, alongside a runner-up finish at the French Open, significantly boosting her world ranking. Sindhu firmly believes that age is not a limiting factor, asserting that '31 is the new 21,' and attributes her sustained success to diligent body care, str
'Virat is a character these days. I just love to watch him play these days.'
A 22-year-old woman in Surat, Gujarat, allegedly killed her father after an argument over household chores and mobile phone use. The incident occurred on October 31, where she reportedly attacked him with a pressure cooker lid and a kitchen knife. The father succumbed to his injuries, and the daughter was arrested on November 1.
Police in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, have seized 19.8 kg of hashish intended for smuggling into Sri Lanka and arrested a key accused. The seized narcotics are valued at Rs 2.5 lakh per kg in India, with prices tripling in Sri Lanka. Authorities are investigating a wider network and have initiated procedures to attach properties acquired through drug smuggling.
Delhi Police arrested a 26-year-old man, Harshit Mittal, and seized nearly 312 kg of illegal firecrackers from his residence in Balbir Nagar, East Delhi. Mittal, who was selling firecrackers for quick money, was apprehended after a tip-off on November 3.
The CBI has registered a case concerning an alleged USD 10 million fraud at India Exim Bank. The fraud involves a dissolved UK-based company, Hanjer Biotech (Erith) Ltd, and its associates, accused of siphoning off a loan meant for a recycling project by diverting funds and not supplying machinery. The loan account was declared a non-performing asset in 2014.
Police in Thiruvananthapuram have stated that the recent murder of 17-year-old Abhiram, whose body was found in a sack, was a pre-planned act. Investigations suggest a co-accused girl was aware of the main accused's intention to kill days before the incident. The victim was lured via Instagram, and digital evidence is being collected. Abhiram's father has raised doubts, claiming his son was killed for refusing to cooperate in luring another friend.
Police in northwest Delhi have arrested a cafe owner and an accomplice for allegedly extorting Rs 26,000 from a customer. The victim was lured to the Hudson Lane cafe on the pretext of a blind date arranged through a dating application, where he was pressured into paying an inflated bill.
Two men, including a cafe owner, were arrested in Delhi for allegedly extorting Rs 26,000 from a customer lured on a blind date via a dating app. The victim was pressured to pay an inflated bill at the cafe and threatened until his father transferred the money. Police are searching for the woman involved in the alleged racket.
Goa College of Home Science has launched a certificate course on marriage readiness to help young people prepare for healthy and lasting relationships. This initiative follows Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's announcement about introducing pre-marriage counselling statewide to reduce divorces, amidst rising marriage and divorce-related petitions in Goa's civil courts.
A 28-year-old woman was allegedly beheaded by her father-in-law and two brothers-in-law in Mahabubnagar district, Telangana, following a land dispute. The incident occurred on November 2, stemming from the transfer of 1.5 acres of land to her name, which was opposed by her in-laws. Police have registered a case against five absconding accused.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has introduced the word 'quockerwodger' as an alternative to terms like andhbhakts and paid followers often used in political discourse. He defined it as a political puppet or a person controlled by others. Tharoor has a history of sharing obscure English words, often using them to comment on political situations, prompting social media users to look up their meanings.
Here's a fun way to test your memory!
Odisha Police has successfully dismantled a significant burglary racket, apprehending 12 individuals across Khurda, Ganjam, and Puri districts. The operation led to the recovery of 500 grams of gold and 11 kg of silver ornaments. The gang is linked to at least 15 burglaries over the past two years, primarily targeting jewellery shops in the region.
Johnny Depp has hinted at a potential return to his beloved role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6, driven by a desire to conclude the franchise on a high note.
From Aditi-Sidharth to Shilpa-Raj, Bollywood couples bring glamour to Ramesh Taurani's Diwali bash.
Arshdeep Singh dedicated his trademark wicket celebration to his girlfriend, Punjabi actress Samreen Kaur, during the first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland, a gesture he explained as a shared dance step.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has interpreted the US midterm election results as a clear rejection of conflict by the American public, stating, and quot;Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message. and quot; This comes as Democrats are poised to take control of the US Congress, securing the Senate and gaining seats in the House of Representatives.
Mani Ratnam is set to create a cinematic spectacle by bringing together Suriya and Dhanush for an ambitious dual-hero film, marking their first collaboration on screen.
Democrats are projected to gain control of the US House of Representatives, marking a significant political shift. This comes as voters express discontent over economic anxiety, the Iran war, and tariffs, leading to a rebuke of the Republican party. The shift will empower Democrats to scrutinize the Trump administration and block Republican legislative efforts, with Representative Hakeem Jeffries potentially becoming the first African American Speaker.
India's young pace attack, spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar, delivered a dominant performance to dismiss New Zealand for a below-par 185 in the first ODI in Auckland on Wednesday. Skipper Shubman Gill's decision to field was vindicated as the bowlers, including Anshul Kamboj, showcased impressive skill and control, unsettling the Black Caps on their home ground.
Lokayukta police in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district raided a cooperative society manager's premises on Wednesday, uncovering assets valued at nearly four times his known income. The manager, Sher Singh Thakur, allegedly accumulated properties worth Rs 2.41 crore over 20 years against an estimated salary of Rs 65 lakh.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the premises of IPS officer P Sitarama Anjaneyulu and others in connection with a money laundering probe. The investigation is linked to alleged irregularities in the manual evaluation of Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) Group-I Main Examination answer scripts, where Rs 1.14 crore was reportedly paid to a private party.
Manipur police arrested a 29-year-old Myanmar national in Churachandpur district with over 9 kg of illicit opium. The accused was apprehended on Monday, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act.
A woman and her lover from Meerut, sentenced to death for the murder of her husband, have appealed their conviction in the Allahabad High Court. The couple was found guilty of strangling the husband and attempting to stage his death as a snakebite.
Following the US midterm elections where Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate, former President Donald Trump has asserted his intention to use his 'Veto' power against what he calls 'insane' legislative proposals from Congress, signalling a period of divided government.
As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's stardom soars, Sachin Tendulkar has urged caution, saying the teenage batting sensation should gain more red-ball experience before taking on leadership responsibilities.
'This creates a lot of uncertainty. I am not sure if I want to be here, but then a lot of this now depends on my company.'
Democrats are projected to reclaim control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, paving the way for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to potentially become the first African American Speaker of the House, marking a historic political transformation in the United States.
Two passengers arriving at Mumbai airport from Bahrain were intercepted by Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officials. They were found to be concealing 1.68 kg of gold dust, valued at Rs 2.09 crore, in their undergarments. The contraband was seized under the Customs Act, and further investigation is underway.
An 18-year-old youth, Gokul, was arrested in Kottayam, Keralam, after he allegedly drove a rented car with a burst tyre at high speed, ramming into over a dozen vehicles and injuring one person. Residents eventually stopped the car, and police suspect the driver was under the influence.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav stated on Tuesday that he would not contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, expressing confidence in becoming chief minister directly, similar to his 2012 tenure as a Lok Sabha member.

23 C