Author: Rahul M

IN A letter to the West Bengal Chief Secretary and District Election Officers, the Election Commission set the ball rolling on Wednesday for the revision of electoral rolls in the state that is bound for polls next year.In Bengal’s Murshidabad and Malda districts bordering Bangladesh, dominated by the Muslim community, the preparations have been on – for a while. At municipalities, in gram panchayats and in courts, people have been lining up with stamp papers – paying double their usual cost of Rs 10 each – to have birth certificates corrected, digitised or “delayed new ones” issued. Owning a birth…

hamdi bendali/Shutterstock This article contains discussions of domestic abuse. Now that popcorn thriller author Freida McFadden’s hit novel “The Housemaid” is being adapted into a film, you might be wondering: should you read it before you see the movie? The project, which is helmed by “A Simple Favor” director Paul Feig and stars Amanda Seyfried, “It Ends with Us” star Brandon Sklenar, and “Anyone But You’s” leading lady Sydney Sweeney, is expected to hit theaters on December 25, 2025 … so as McFadden’s legion of fans prepares for her first…

Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi etched his name in history by surpassing India’s Jasprit Bumrah on the list of leading wicket-takers in T20 cricket. The left-arm quick achieved the milestone during Pakistan’s comfortable 39-run win over Afghanistan in the opening match of the ongoing T20I tri-series. Afridi Creates History Afridi’s fiery spell saw him dismiss Afghanistan’s skipper Ibrahim Zadran (9) and spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman (4). These wickets took his career tally to 314 scalps in 225 matches, moving him just above Bumrah, who has 313 wickets in 245 appearances. With this achievement, Afridi is now the second-highest wicket-taker…

The 64th Sessions Court today postponed the hearing of a petition filed by jail authorities seeking to transfer actor Darshan to Bellary jail in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. Darshan, along with several others, is currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.The authorities had sought to move Darshan and his co-accused to different prisons across Karnataka, citing administrative reasons. However, Darshan’s counsel strongly opposed the move, arguing that the impending trial requires his client’s presence in Bengaluru. The lawyer added that a transfer to Bellary would severely affect legal consultations and court appearances. He also highlighted Darshan’s mother’s ill…

Former New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner recently reflected on the memorable 2014 Auckland Test against India and revealed who handled his bouncers better between Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. Wagner recalled that Virat Kohli seemed more vulnerable to his short-pitched deliveries during the tour, while MS Dhoni displayed solid defense and resilience. Wagner’s remarkable bowling was crucial in New Zealand’s 40-run victory, as his four-wicket haul helped defend a challenging target. When MS Dhoni was the last recognized batter at the crease, India’s hopes of winning were still alive. Dhoni played aggressively alongside the tailenders but was eventually dismissed by…

A one-day event titled ‘Krishi Devobhava’ focusing on sugarcane cultivation was held at the Jiragi Hall of KLE Institute in Belagavi. The event, organized by NewsFirst Kannada news channel, brought together farmers, scientists, and industry leaders to address pressing challenges in sugarcane farming. Among the key speakers were Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, and NewsFirst CEO S. Ravi Kumar, who emphasized the urgent need for innovation and sustainable practices in sugarcane farming.NewsFirst CEO Ravi Kumar: “Sugarcane Needs the Same Care as a Child”NewsFirst CEO Ravi Kumar, drawing from his personal farming background, stressed the importance of reviving scientific cultivation…

Afghanistan’s cricket star Rashid Khan has recently suffered a heartbreaking personal loss, with the passing away of his elder brother, Haji Abdul Islam Shinwari. Rashid is currently on national duty, playing in a T20I tri-series against Pakistan and the UAE. Many of his teammates have shared the news on their social media and expressed condolences. Following the match, the Pakistan cricket team showed a touching gesture by standing with Rashid, offering prayers and support. Among them, star pacer Shaheen Afridi was seen consoling Rashid with a warm hug, demonstrating solidarity like a family member. Ibrahim Zadran, opening batter for Afghanistan,…

Bengaluru emerged as one of the most enthusiastic cities in celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi this year, with a remarkable rise in orders for festive essentials through quick commerce platform Zepto. The city stood out for its strong blend of devotion, cultural practices, and convenience-driven shopping habits.Data from Zepto highlighted that Bengaluru recorded sharp growth in demand for traditional items. Purchases of decorative lights increased more than fourteenfold compared to last year, while chunri orders rose 13.6 times and betel nuts nearly seven times. Food continued to play a central role in the celebrations, with sweets driving the highest volumes.Also read: Zepto…

With Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil again kicking off his agitation to demand reservation for Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and the status of Kunbi OBC for the community, the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra is looking to grapple with a fresh challenge over the row. While the Fadnavis government has made it clear that it would not provide reservation to Marathas within the OBC quota, the cabinet sub-committee will have to explore other options to achieve a breakthrough. Based on Vikhe-Patil panel’s talks with Jarange Patil, CM and senior BJP leader Fadnavis, Deputy CM and Shiv…

Rajasthan Royals have confirmed that former India captain Rahul Dravid has stepped down from his role as head coach ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The announcement was made by the franchise through its official social media handles on August 30, 2025, bringing an end to Dravid’s brief but impactful stint with the Royals. A Full-Circle Journey With Rajasthan Royals Dravid had joined the Royals setup as head coach for the 2025 season after completing his tenure as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. His return to the IPL was seen as a full-circle moment, as he…