Rediff

In her address to the nation on the eve of the country's 80th Independence Day, the president stressed that just as government and society remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of students.

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumously, to the personnel of the defence forces and central armed police forces on the eve of 80th Independence Day.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 14 food business establishments linked to online platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart after a state-wide inspection drive found safety and hygiene violations, officials said on Friday.

Two people were killed and two others injured after gunmen attacked a village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Friday, the police said.

In addition to caste details, the Census will, for the first time, collect personal information such as the total number of bank accounts held by individuals, along with their mobile number, Aadhaar number, voter ID number, passport number and driving licence status, according to the 40 questions notified by the Registrar General of India on Friday.

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has publicly addressed the alleged death threats received by him and his family over the past six months, stating that the matter has been reported to the police and expressing confidence in their action.

JNU Professor Emerita Zoya Hasan's Independence Day speech at a private school in Delhi was cancelled following a protest by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The school and police cited security concerns, a decision criticised by Sahmat, which alleged pressure from the VHP.

Odisha-based Serendipity Space successfully demonstrated drug crystallisation processes on a satellite prototype in a near-space mission. This breakthrough aims to enable pharmaceutical manufacturing in low Earth orbit, leveraging microgravity to create superior drug crystal structures for enhanced solubility, stability, and effectiveness. The mission tested core technologies, including an autonomous pharmaceutical factory, and was inspired by advancements made on the International Space Station

A young Tamil Nadu batter has been fined Rs 1 lakh by the BCCI's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) for violating the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol during a Tamil Nadu Premier League game by using his mobile phone. The player, a left-hander who scored two fifties in last year's Ranji Trophy, was texting his girlfriend during the match.

Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin concluded their campaign at the Esports World Cup Chess tournament in the quarterfinals, securing top-eight finishes. Erigaisi was eliminated by Hikaru Nakamura in an Armageddon tiebreak, while Sarin lost to defending champion Magnus Carlsen. Their performance marks India's strongest showing in the event, with both players earning USD 75,000 each from the substantial prize pool.

Former India hockey star Pritam Siwach will watch son Yashdeep make his World Cup debut in the Netherlands, 28 years after her own World Cup appearance.

Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce on Friday said they intend to jointly develop a sovereign combat engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, marking a bid by India's largest private-sector company and Britain's storied aero-engine maker to build indigenous fighter-jet propulsion capability in the country.

India's hockey coach Craig Fulton and captain Harmanpreet Singh discuss their approach to the FIH Hockey World Cup opener against Wales. They emphasise respecting opponents, maintaining focus, and the importance of a strong start, especially on Independence Day. The team has prepared extensively, focusing on defence and consistent performance across all quarters.

Underlining that students are the architects of India's future, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is taking comprehensive steps to reform public examinations to completely curb paper leaks and unfair means, making the system transparent, secure, and trustworthy.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes he could have achieved 400 Test wickets under the captaincy of Imran Khan, reflecting on his career, his relationship with Wasim Akram, and the immense physical toll his express pace bowling took on his body.

Deepadhar, featuring former Asian Games gold medallists, has taken an early lead in the fifth East Zone Bridge Championship in Kolkata, accumulating 65.22 Victory Points after four rounds. The tournament, a Bridge Federation of India Ranking Two event, involves around 300 players from 50 teams across East Zone states competing for a Rs 6 lakh prize purse, with the top 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage.

India captain Shubman Gill has publicly supported Devdutt Padikkal amidst discussions about the team's number three batting position, emphasising the need for young players to develop. Gill also addressed the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, viewing it as an opportunity for other bowlers to step up and create pressure, especially on subcontinent pitches. He also praised Galle as a picturesque and historic venue for the upcoming 50th Test match.

Indian golfer Pranavi Urs showed improvement in the second round of the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, moving to T-24. While Urs progressed, fellow Indian golfers Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar faced challenges, with Dagar at risk of missing the cut. Sweden's Kajsa Arwefjall leads the tournament, maintaining a strong performance.

Indian women's cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup and Asian Games due to a high-grade hamstring tear sustained during The Hundred tournament in England. Pratika Rawal has been named as her replacement for the Asia Cup.

Shubman Gill, India's Test captain, expresses comfort with his leadership role and highlights the team's progress. He acknowledges the challenge of qualifying for the World Test Championship final, requiring significant wins in upcoming matches. Gill also discusses the honour of leading India in its 600th Test and shares insights on playing conditions in Sri Lanka.

Journalist Kuldip Nayar's autobiography recounts Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah's despairing remark, What have I done?, after witnessing the mass displacement during the 1947 Partition. The article also details Nayar's own grim experiences of the communal violence and human tragedy at the time, highlighting the immense upheaval that accompanied the division of the subcontinent, now commemorated as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

Ridhima Dilawari secured her fourth title on the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour at Prestige Golfshire, Bengaluru, with a final round of 4-under 68. She finished one shot ahead of Mannat Brar, extending her lead in the Hero Order of Merit.

Delhi's Ridge, encompassing areas like Kamla Nehru Ridge, played a pivotal strategic role during the 1857 Revolt against British rule, with sites like the Flagstaff Tower, Hindu Rao's house, and Pir Ghaib serving as crucial military positions and silent witnesses to the intense fighting.

A heated exchange between Australian pacer Mitchell Starc and Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz during the first Test has gone viral, after Starc confronted Miraz for running across the pitch's danger area.

An FIR has been registered against Aishwarya, daughter of Karnataka BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda, for allegedly abusing and assaulting a woman police sub-inspector at a temple in Mandya. The incident occurred when Aishwarya reportedly sought to bypass a queue, leading to an altercation. While Aishwarya has also filed a counter-complaint, her father has apologised for her conduct and called for an inquiry into the matter, advocating for an end to VIP protocols at temples.

Former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh was assaulted by a mob in West Bengal after his arrest in connection with the alleged hurried cremation of an RG Kar hospital doctor. Ghosh, along with another accused, Sanjib Mukherjee, faced public anger and physical attacks while being escorted by police. The arrests follow a fresh complaint by the victim's father, alleging the former MLA's influence in forcing the cremation, an aspect now under renewed investigation.

An alert police officer, Inspector Santosh Kendre, sustained injuries while bravely intervening to protect former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal from a kirpan attack inside a gurdwara in Nanded. Kendre's timely action blunted the assailant's blow, leading to his own injury but ensuring Badal's safety.

India's World Cup goalkeeper Bichu Devi, inspired by cricketing legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, emphasises the importance of composure under pressure.

India skipper Shubman Gill has shed light on the team's meticulous approach to player fitness, explaining that while constant monitoring is in place, risk-avoiding decisions are sometimes necessary, especially in the demanding format of Test cricket, to protect both the player and the team's long-term interests.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has stated that India's generosity and tolerance should not be perceived as weakness, emphasising the nation's capability to take risks and retaliate forcefully. Speaking in the upcoming Discovery docuseries Declassified: Operation Sindoor, Doval detailed the operation's objective to dismantle terror camps responsible for the Pahalgam attack, highlighting India's resolve in military responses.

The Supreme Court of India has quashed criminal proceedings against comedian Samay Raina and four others who faced charges for remarks about people with disabilities. The court lauded their subsequent efforts in organising events and raising awareness for specially-abled persons and those with rare diseases like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh attributes his illustrious career, including over 400 Test wickets and India's first Test hat-trick, to divine will and the sacrifices of his family, stating, 'To think that I am important was such a big illusion. Because whatever I became was Waheguru's blessing'.

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed lower, with the Nifty recording its fourth consecutive day of decline, primarily due to elevated oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, which dampened investor sentiment.

A 19-year-old mechatronics engineering student was brutally murdered in Coimbatore, leading to a political controversy in Tamil Nadu. While his family alleges he was targeted for exposing drug abuse on campus, police and college management claim the attack stemmed from personal enmity and a retaliatory clash. Eight arrests have been made, and the issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly, with the Opposition demanding an inquiry into the conflicting narratives.

India's Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured a crucial victory against Dutchman Jorden Van Foreest in the fourth round of the Sinquefield Cup.

The US military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the conflict with Iran, representing a quarter of its fleet and a significant financial blow. These losses, some due to communication failures, raise questions as India recently signed an agreement to procure 31 of these drones.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked in a Nanded gurdwara, sustaining injuries that required surgery. He alleged that forces opposed to peace are targeting him and his party to disturb communal harmony in Punjab, citing a previous attack at the Golden Temple. Police have arrested the assailant but the motive remains unknown.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that investigating agencies cannot impose a blanket debit freeze on a person's bank account during cybercrime investigations. The court stated that restraint must be proportionate to the suspected proceeds of crime, directing banks to de-freeze accounts beyond the disputed amount. This ruling aims to protect innocent account holders from complete financial deprivation due to minor disputed transactions.

Coming so soon after Main Vaapas Aaunga, also a Partition era tale with a message of compassion, the flaws in Batwara 1947 are even more grating, observes Deepa Gahlot.

India's wholesale price index (WPI) inflation marginally eased to 9.78 per cent in July 2026, down from 9.87 per cent in June, primarily due to a cooling in the prices of fuel, power, and food items, marking the first month-on-month drop under the new 2022-23 base year.

Three mute sisters from Dhadkai, known as India's 'Silent Village', refused to eat until their father provided fabric for them to stitch tricolours, which they then distributed to over 150 homes, bringing the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign to their remote Jammu and Kashmir village.

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit for 2024-25 has highlighted Indian Railways' concerning trend of repaying lease charges to its borrowing arm, IRFC, from budgetary grants instead of internal resources, alongside significant delays in safety-centric works.

An initial analysis reveals that an Air India Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi experienced multiple hydraulic system failures, leading to a four-second loss of flight controls and a sudden 300-foot altitude drop, injuring 24 people. The incident is under investigation by the AAIB, and the pilot-in-command subsequently tested positive for a psychoactive substance, prompting Air India to implement mandatory testing for all its pilots.

India captain Shubman Gill has indicated that Prasidh Krishna is likely to share the new ball with Mohammed Siraj in the upcoming first Test against Sri Lanka.

A new Pew Research survey reveals that a significant majority of Indians (54%) consider Pakistan their greatest geopolitical threat, while 43% of Pakistanis view India as theirs, highlighting deep-seated distrust between the two nations.

After a lavish trailer launch in Bangalore, the cast of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups got together once again for the release of a song, at Mumbai's Taj Lands End hotel.

The US senate last week passed a bill that would allow Washington to impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy.

Glimpses of humanoid robots training across soccer, table tennis and other events ahead of the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.

Tata Steel has announced the sale of its entire 100% equity stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary, to Churchill Brothers Sports Club for a nominal consideration of Rs 100. The transfer was approved by the company's Committee of Directors.

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has voiced strong opposition to any directive making the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory, especially for Christians. They argue that patriotism should not be reduced to forced conformity and that India's constitutional values of liberty, pluralism, and freedom of conscience must be respected. The council also called for dialogue and sensitivity from state institutions.