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Digital Desk | Guwahati, Sep 16 (IANS) All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief, Badruddin Ajmal, has expressed confidence that his party will emerge victorious in the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election in Assam, asserting that both the BJP and Congress will face defeat in the contest. Speaking in Hojai on Monday, Ajmal said the AIUDF's campaign would focus on what he described as humanity, while taking a swipe at the BJP and Congress over their respective political approaches. The BJ

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan has shared his opinion on the exit of superstar singer Arijit Singh from the industry. The lyricist recently appeared on film trade expert Komal Nahtas Game Changers: The Music Series podcast, where he spoke about the relationship between volume of work and monotony in the industry. Talking about the current state of the industry during the conversation, he shared, What is happening to the new artists? People gave multiple oppor

Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 16 (IANS) Director Ashwath Marimuthu, who is now directing Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's next film 'Dharman', on Wednesday shared that he was back with Superstar Rajinikanth for the third schedule of the film. Taking to his X timeline to share a BTS clip of Rajinikanth and Raashi Khanna shooting for the film, director Ashwath Marimuthu wrote, Back with Thalaivar for Dharman 3rd schedule #superstar @RKFI. The video clip he posted showed Rajinikanth, seated with his bac

New Delhi [India], September 16: Astrologer Karan Sharma from Chandigarh was honoured at the Millennium Brilliance Awards 2026 for his work in the field of Vedic astrology. He received the

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 16 (IANS) Punjab Polices Counter Intelligence (CI), Amritsar, has foiled a cross-border smuggling module with the arrest of four people from whom 27 kg of heroin and one sophisticated foreign-made pistol along with three cartridges were recovered, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday. Those arrested have been identified as Vishal Singh, alias Shalu, Manpreet Singh, alias Sunny, and Smartpreet Singh, all three residents of Amritsar; a

Digital Desk | Mandya (Karnataka), Sep 16 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Wednesday alleged that it was in the blood of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to treat Hindus as inferior, and accused Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of functioning as a puppet of the Congress leadership. Addressing reporters in Maddur while participating in a Ganesh immersion procession, Ashoka said the BJP had no expectations from the Chief Ministe

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Pakistans National Artificial Intelligence Policy is heavy on promises and targets but the country lacks mechanisms, resources and efforts needed to achieve them, a new report has said. The report from European Times said the Pakistan government has promised to train one million people and produce 10,000 trainers, but after approval of National AI Policy in July 2025, the government is yet to establish the AI Council, the apex body meant to oversee executi

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 16: Apollo Micro Systems Limited (NSE: APOLLO; BSE: 540879) has been awarded the Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the Semi-Active Laser Homing System (SALHS), according to

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for UPI transactions will not impose any charges on customers and stated that the move is necessary to make India's digital payments ecosystem financially sustainable, PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam said on Wednesday. In an interview with IANS, he clarified that customers will continue to use UPI without any charges, Nigam said small merchants with an annual turnover of less than Rs 1 lakh will also remain outside t

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Actress Sonalee Kulkarni opened up about her familys eight-year tradition of making their own Ganpati idol. Speaking to media, she shared how they gave the celebration a special touch this year by depicting Lord Ganesha as a farmer seated on a bullock cart. Talking about the family tradition, Sonalee said they bring clay home and lovingly shape the idol with their own hands every year. As the tradition completed eight years, the family decided to experiment w

Digital Desk | Gorakhpur, Sep 16 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) government of taking bribes for issuing medical licenses in the state. The Chief Minister was in Gorakhpur for the inauguration of the IMA Charitable Blood Centre. Urging citizens to donate blood, Chief Minister Adityanath said: Medical facilities, equipments and medicines can be made to suit modern standards but blood cannot be made. It is a symbol of compa

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Asian Games 2026 medallists boxers will get an automatic opportunity to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with direct entry to the 2027 World Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan, which will serve as the first qualifying event for the quadrennial Games. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has released an expansive selection policy focused on qualifying the maximum number of boxers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The policy lays down a four-

Digital Desk | Athens, Sep 16 (IANS) Pakistan's recent government figures have challenged the widely cited estimate of 25 million out-of-school children, with the Household Integrated Economic Survey 2024-25 putting the national out-of-school rate at 28 per cent. Released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in January 2026, the survey found that around 20 per cent of children had never enrolled in school, while another 8 per cent had enrolled but later dropped out, a report has stated. It noted

Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 16 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister, G. Parameshwara, on Wednesday directed officials to ensure that people who have shifted to other places for various reasons are not excluded from the electoral rolls during the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state. Chairing a revenue department progress review meeting with Deputy Commissioners from all districts through videoconference at Vidhana Soudha, D

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Wednesday rejected Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhis concerns over UPI charges and his allegation that the decision was taken under pressure from the United States, calling the claim baseless and defending the governments move. Reacting to Rahul Gandhis remarks on UPI charges, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said the decision concerning UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000 was fair and would n

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) The government is likely to extend the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme to boost exports, a senior official said on Wednesday. The scheme was extended in April this year for six months till September 30. The official said the Commerce Ministry is in discussion with the Finance Ministrys Department of Expenditure on extending the incentive scheme for another five years. It has also sought Rs 23,000 crore from the Finance Mi

Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 16 (IANS) The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched a national initiative to identify, incubate, mentor and finance startups and enterprises led by Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs, with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) among 10 institutions selected to implement the programme. Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said the initiative was aimed at harnessing the potential of tribal youth and creating both job creators and job seekers by expanding o

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) The Customs department should step up the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and real-time analytics to reduce physical interface with trusted taxpayers and lower transaction costs for businesses, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi said on Wednesday. Speaking at an event here, Chaturvedi outlined a long-term vision for the Customs department, calling for a technology-driven system that offers busin

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Actress Mona Singh, who has showcased her acting prowess with her work in projects such as Made in Heaven, Laal Singh Chaddha, 3 idiots and most recently in Kohrra season 2, has spoken about the role of the industry and her own decisions in shaping her career. Mona said in a statement: I think 40 percent is the industry. They provide the soil, the script, the platform, and 60 percent is me. You know, I choose which seeds to plant and, most importantly, which

Digital Desk | Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Sep 16 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister, Priyank Kharge, on Wednesday took a dig at BJP leaders over the controversy surrounding the singing of Vande Mataram, challenging Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka and BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra to sing the full National Song without the aid of a teleprompter. Speaking in Kalaburagi, HM Kharge said, We know only two stanzas. BJP MLAs have left the platform claiming that it is an insult. I am preparing a platf

Digital Desk | Thimphu, Sep 16 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar arrived in Bhutan on Wednesday for a two-day official visit aimed at further deepening long-standing bilateral cooperation, and was warmly received at the airport by Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel. Kuzuzangpo la Bhutan! Delighted to arrive in Paro today. Thank Lyonpo D. N Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, for the warm welcome. Look forward to my engagements to advance our unique ties of frie

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Nitish Kumar Reddys return from injury received a timely boost in Indias second T20I against Afghanistan, with the all-rounder producing a match-winning bowling performance with a three-wicket haul. After an underwhelming outing in the series opener, Nitish said the confidence gained from his second-game performance was exactly what he needed as he continues his comeback. Feels great, you know, every player needs the confidence when theyre coming from inju

Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 16 (IANS) AICC General Secretary, Randeep Singh Surjewala, on Wednesday accused the Union government of imposing a financial burden on ordinary Indians by introducing transaction charges on UPI payments above Rs 2,000, claiming that the move would undermine the country's digital and cashless economy. In a statement, Surjewala said that September 14, 2026, would be remembered as a day of digital somersault and etrayal and surrender, following the government's notifi

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Sep 16 (IANS) Vice-President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan will be hoisting the National Flag at Secunderabad Parade Grounds here on Thursday to mark Hyderabad Liberation Day. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will be the chief guest at this years event. He will review the parade by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Central ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, G. Kishan Reddy, Bandi Sanjay Kumar and others will attend the event,

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Within three years of launch, PM Vishwakarma has achieved its registration target of 30 lakh beneficiaries and delivered skill training, toolkits, credit support, digital incentives and market linkages, an official factsheet said on Wednesday. Over 24.37 lakh artisans had received basic skill training and over 18.16 lakh had been given toolkits, while more than 6.19 lakh loans worth about Rs. 5,316 crore have been sanctioned to help beneficiaries buy input

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Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Pakistan has been using drones extensively against India in the past couple of years. Drones have been used to smuggle arms, ammunition and narcotics, especially into Punjab. In the last couple of weeks, the security agencies have noted that there have been drone sightings along the Line of Control (LoC). In August, the security forces had launched a massive search operation along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district following the sighting of a s

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Actress Raveena Tandon has spoken about reminiscing her iconic on-screen pairing with Govinda and said that apart from Karisma Kapoor and her, she doesnt think anyone else pairs up with the star as brilliantly Raveena, who will feature as a special guest in the show Indias Best Dancer Season 5 semi-final episode, will be seen reminiscing about her on-screen pairing with Govinda and the interesting story behind the 1998 film Dulhe Raja. During a conversation w

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Amid a surge in jobhunting and recruitment activity, over half of respondents expressed confidence in the use of artificial intelligence in hiring but organisations must ensure AI hiring processes are fair and transparent, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants said on Wednesday. The statement from professional accountancy body said 52 per cent of respondents in India are confident about AI algorithms in hiring processes, well above the global

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma is all set to return with the fifth season of his popular comedy show, The Kapil Sharma Show. Talking about returning to the show, Kapil said he is looking forward to celebrating the upcoming festive season with the audience and making the occasion even more special through the show. Kapil said, Every season, we think we have done enough masti (fun), and then we realize that we are not done yet! And somewhere I feel thats what

Digital Desk | Valsad, Sep 16 (IANS) Two more persons have been arrested in connection with an alleged cyber fraud in which a Valsad resident in Gujarat was duped of Rs 1.46 crore through a fake investment platform and WhatsApp groups promising high returns from share-market trading, police said on Wednesday. The arrests of Bhargav Solanki and Mehul Kachhua were made by the Valsad Cyber Crime Police following an investigation into the fraud. Police said Rs 18.70 lakh of the allegedly defrauded a

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Actress Ameesha Patel opened up about her love for Indian festivals and traditional attire. She shared how the festive season fills her with happiness and positivity. Talking about her enthusiasm for celebrations, the Gadar actress told IANS that she enjoys Indian festivals throughout the year, particularly Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri. I feel very good. I love Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Navratri all year round. I really enjoy it, she said. The ac

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Actress Salma Hayek took a moment to celebrate her Mexican heritage, reflecting on how deeply her roots have shaped the way she loves, celebrates and stays connected to family. Hayek took to Instagram to share a video montage featuring a myriad of images of herself celebrating her Mexican heritage. She also honoured the women who came before her and said she carries a piece of home with her wherever she goes. I wouldnt change being Mexican for anything in the

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 16 (IANS) A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Union Government, West Bengal Government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for developing four more regional airports in West Bengal, will be signed next week. The tripartite MoU will be signed at the main auditorium at the state secretariat, Nabanna on September 23, said a West Bengal government official. The proposed sites of the four regional airports are Chharra in Purulia district, Bal

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 16 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Kolkata-based construction businessman Amit Gangopadhyay, a close associate of former TMC MLA Debashis Kumar, in a money laundering probe linked to alleged land-grabbing and illegal construction activities. According to the central agency, Gangopadhyay's company is accused of constructing housing projects on encroached land at multiple locations in south Kolkata. He was summoned to the ED office for questioning o

Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 16 (IANS) The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Saral Keralam initiative aimed at cutting delays in investment clearances by creating a single mechanism to coordinate approvals across departments, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan saying as many as 19 laws would be amended to make the system investor-friendly. Briefing the media after the weekly Cabinet meeting, CM Satheesan said the governments objective was to have one state, one approval and one

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) India's top seven data centre markets added 178 MW of new capacity during H1 2026, taking total operational capacity to 1,789 MW, a report said on Wednesday. The market is expected to receive another 3,860 MW of supply by 2030, comprising 509 MW under construction and 3,351 MW in the planning stage, underscoring strong long-term confidence in the country's digital infrastructure growth story, the report from Cushman & Wakefield said. India's data centre se

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Wednesday credited the Centre's efforts for resolving the long-pending Kishau Dam Project issue and criticised Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for aking credit for the development, questioning why successive Congress governments had failed to resolve the matter over the past several decades. Thakur's remarks came a day after the Chief Ministers of six states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesd

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Political reactions have emerged over the introduction of a 0.4 per cent charge on certain UPI merchant transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, with the BJP defending the digital payments ecosystem while the NCP(SP) criticised the move. Reacting to the proposed charge, BJP MP Anurag Thakur said Indias digital payments system had gained international recognition and highlighted its widespread use among small businesses and individuals. Indias digital transactions

Digital Desk | Agartala, Sep 16 (IANS) In a major narcotics haul, the Tripura Police have seized highly addictive methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs 40 crore and arrested a drug peddler on Wednesday. Informing about the drug seizure, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, in a post on his X, said, A major breakthrough in our fight against drugs ! In a significant operation, North Tripura Police under Panisagar Police Station seized 50 kg of Yaba tablets valued at approx. 40 crore, a major blow to

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani on Wednesday criticised the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and questioned whether the country would be governed by the Constitution or by the ideological agenda of a political party. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had, on September 13, said that the UCC would be implemented in all 21 NDA-ruled states befor

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth embarked on a three-day official visit to Russia starting Wednesday, aimed at deepening the longstanding defence partnership and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries. According to the Ministry of Defence, during the visit from September 16 to 18, the COAS will be holding discussions with Colonel General Andrei Nikolayevich Mordvichev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces, on

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Wednesday hailed the country's free trade agreement with India as a landmark deal that would open access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers and help boost jobs and incomes in New Zealand. People told me a Free Trade Agreement with India wasn't possible. Well, today that deal passed its final vote in Parliament. It's happening, Luxon said in a post on X. Luxon said the agreement would mean more New Zealand produc

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Jewellery designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahni expressed gratitude for another year of her life as she celebrated her birthday on September 15. She said she is stepping into a new chapter with faith and Lord Ganesha by her side. Riddhima shared a picture of herself posing in front of a beautifully decorated Ganpati idol at home. Dressed in an orange printed traditional outfit with a beige dupatta draped over her shoulders, she wrote, Another year, another beautiful

Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 16 (IANS) Amid the Centre's decision to introduce a 0.4 per cent UPI charge on certain merchant transactions above Rs 2,000, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad on Wednesday said such charges should not be increased as they could add to the burden on consumers. India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services will attract a fractional charge on merchant transactions above Rs 2,000, while person-to-person payments will remain outside the new framework. The new UPI Me

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 16: Robokidz Eduventures Limited, a technology-enabled learning and skill-development company focused on Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Coding, Electronics and STEM education for K-12 students, is entering

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 15: Fredun Pharmaceuticals Limited (FPL) is charting the next phase of growth for Furlicks witha significant phase-wise portfolio expansionfollowing its acquisition of the pet-wellness brand.Over the

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) With the monsoon taking a prolonged break, Kharif crops across Maharashtra are facing a severe crisis, pushing several districts to the brink of drought. During Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several ministers expressed deep concern over the situation. Although no immediate relief package was announced, CM Fadnavis instructed state administrative machinery to stay on high alert. Following Cabinet discussion, the government cla

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has spoken about her filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt recalling a childhood memory that captured his theatrical and his larger-than-life personality. Following a special screening of Om Ka Hari which stars her mother Soni Razdan, Alia spoke about one of her fathers quirks that has stayed with her. She said in a statement: My father is very theatrical and that sometimes makes for great memories. For example, when I was in 1st standard, I had a

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) Veteran actor Kabir Bedi took a nostalgic trip down memory lane as he celebrated his sister Gulhima Bedis birthday with a priceless throwback picture from his childhood. Sharing the picture on social media, the Khoon Bhari Maang actor was seen standing close to his mother alongside his younger sister Gulhima. Recalling their special bond, the actor said she has remained an important part of some of his earliest and most cherished memories. Some bonds begin be