News for 'World Service'

'Every Soldier Had To Return Home After Surgical Strikes'

'Every Soldier Had To Return Home After Surgical Strikes'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

'On two feet or on somebody's back, every soldier had to return'

How Ethanol Can Transform India's Energy Landscape

How Ethanol Can Transform India's Energy Landscape

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde highlighted ethanol's potential to protect India from volatile petroleum markets and geopolitical risks, advocating for its widespread production and use. He, along with other officials, emphasised ethanol's role in strengthening the rural economy, ensuring timely cane payments, and combating carbon emissions, while also discussing its historical context and current government support.

'This tournament gave us a lot of confidence': Satwik after China Masters win

'This tournament gave us a lot of confidence': Satwik after China Masters win

Rediff.com6 Sep 2026

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty beat He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu to win the China Masters Super 750, gaining a major boost ahead of the Asian Games gold defence.

Coco Gauff sees progress despite US Open semi-final loss to Rybakina

Coco Gauff sees progress despite US Open semi-final loss to Rybakina

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Despite her US Open title bid ending in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff believes the changes she has made to her game are starting to yield positive results, expressing excitement for future development.

Why India's Global Capability Centres Struggle With AI Scaling

Why India's Global Capability Centres Struggle With AI Scaling

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

A joint report by Dell Technologies and Zinnov reveals that despite high ambition, nearly 70% of India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are stuck at the pilot stage for AI adoption. Foundational gaps in data, infrastructure, and governance are identified as key bottlenecks preventing the scaling of AI initiatives into enterprise-wide production. The report highlights the need for significant reskilling of the workforce and robust foundations for industrialising AI responsibly.

Finance Ministry Clarifies UPI MDR Policy, Denies Foreign Pressure

Finance Ministry Clarifies UPI MDR Policy, Denies Foreign Pressure

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

The Finance Ministry has clarified that the decision to impose a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 was made independently, refuting claims of foreign influence. The ministry stated the policy aims to build a self-sustaining digital payments ecosystem, with MDR funding infrastructure and supporting small merchants.

Prince William, Kate launch sports-led campaign to break silence around suicide

Prince William, Kate launch sports-led campaign to break silence around suicide

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Prince William and Kate have launched a sports-led suicide prevention initiative, urging organisations across Britain to foster open conversations, recognise warning signs and make support accessible.

BJP to launch month-long campaign on Modi's birthday

BJP to launch month-long campaign on Modi's birthday

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

The BJP has announced a month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign, starting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, September 17, to commemorate his 25 years in public life. The initiative includes various programmes like 'Seva Diwas', 'Ashirwad Ka Diya', 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra', youth yatras, and innovation challenges, all aimed at public participation and promoting the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.

Tirumala Tirupati temple to insure devotees for Rs 2 lakh

Tirumala Tirupati temple to insure devotees for Rs 2 lakh

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced several new initiatives for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), including Aadhaar-based devotee insurance for Rs 2 lakh, the establishment of an SV Museum by TCS Trust, and the introduction of electric buses donated by Reliance Foundation and Bharat Biotech. The plans also include global expansion of Srivari temples, improved Annadanam, integrated hospital services, and significant infrastructure development in Tirupati to make it a services and wedding destination with a Net Zero concept.

Commonwealth Champion Bids Farewell To Her Guns

Commonwealth Champion Bids Farewell To Her Guns

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Arjuna Awardee Roopa Unnikrishnan gives away the rifles that shaped her brilliant shooting career, hoping they will inspire a new generation of Indian shooters.

How The MiG 21 Saved The Day!

How The MiG 21 Saved The Day!

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

A stranded message that failed for three days over telephone lines was delivered in minutes by a MiG-21 pilot flying above the desert.

Left London career to join IAS, Divya Mittal quits after 13 years

Left London career to join IAS, Divya Mittal quits after 13 years

Rediff.com3 Sep 2026

Divya Mittal, a 2013-batch IAS officer and former Deoria district magistrate, has resigned from the Indian Administrative Service after 13 years. An alumna of IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, Mittal cited no specific reason but reflected on her journey from working in London to serving India, highlighting her impactful tenures in Mirzapur and Deoria.

US Open PIX: Wimbledon champion Noskova sails past Tararudee; Muchova mauls Boulter

US Open PIX: Wimbledon champion Noskova sails past Tararudee; Muchova mauls Boulter

Rediff.com3 Sep 2026

Linda Noskova eased to a straight sets win over Thailand's Lanlana Tararudee on Wednesday to reach the US Open third round.

FM Sitharaman Confident Of India's Double-Digit Economic Growth

FM Sitharaman Confident Of India's Double-Digit Economic Growth

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed strong confidence in India achieving over 10 per cent economic growth, advocating for increased technology adoption and innovation. She urged overcoming scepticism and highlighted technology's transformative role in agriculture and public sector reforms, while also launching a new fund and book at an IIT Madras event.

Will Volkswagen be 4th time lucky with Indian partner?

Will Volkswagen be 4th time lucky with Indian partner?

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

Volkswagen, a long-standing but minor player in India's fiercely competitive automotive sector, is now exploring a strategic partnership with the JSW group, aiming to revitalise its market presence, enhance profitability, and potentially establish India as a key export hub for electric vehicles.

The World No. 1 Who Lost A Leg In Combat

The World No. 1 Who Lost A Leg In Combat

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Subedar Hokato Sema lost his leg in a mine blast on the Line of Control. Today he is a champion para shot-putter and among the most decorated para soldier-athletes.

Tahir Raj Bhasin: 'My Dad Flew The Mirage 2000. I Was The Black Sheep'

Tahir Raj Bhasin: 'My Dad Flew The Mirage 2000. I Was The Black Sheep'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

'My parents were crying because they were so excited that I was on screen, that it was an YRF film, and it was opposite Rani Mukerji.'

Salesforce Sees India Leading Global Agentic AI Innovation

Salesforce Sees India Leading Global Agentic AI Innovation

Rediff.com20 Sep 2026

Salesforce executives, including South Asia CEO Arundhati Bhattacharya, predict a significant shift in India towards wider enterprise AI adoption, moving from experimentation to production deployments. The company plans to invest in physical infrastructure and talent upskilling in India. Salesforce's vision for the "agentic enterprise" involves a four-layer architecture, emphasising the need for robust security and governance for autonomous agents. Executives also highlighted the evolving nature of jobs, with AI handling repetitive tasks and creating new specialised roles, positioning India as a potential leader in agentic innovation by 2030.

Cyber attack behind disruptions at UK's airports?

Cyber attack behind disruptions at UK's airports?

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

The UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has ruled out a cyberattack as the cause of the recent massive disruption across UK airports, which led to thousands of flight cancellations and affected tens of thousands of passengers, including those on flights to and from India. An investigation is underway, and the incident marks the third major air traffic collapse under the current CEO's tenure.

India's BoP pressure to remain a challenge, says Chief Economic Advisor

India's BoP pressure to remain a challenge, says Chief Economic Advisor

Rediff.com25 Sep 2026

India's Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran stated that the country's balance of payments (BoP) pressure is expected to remain a continuous challenge due to rising imports, commodity dependence, high global interest rates, and intense competition for capital.

Delhi on high alert for BRICS meet, traffic curbs on key roads

Delhi on high alert for BRICS meet, traffic curbs on key roads

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

New Delhi is under a thick blanket of security as it hosts top world leaders for the BRICS Summit. Extensive security measures, including thousands of personnel and CCTV cameras, are in place. Commuters can expect temporary traffic restrictions and diversions due to VVIP movements, though officials aim to minimise public inconvenience.

First-ever Ganga Aarti held on River Thames in UK

First-ever Ganga Aarti held on River Thames in UK

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

Thousands gathered on the banks of the River Thames in London for the first-ever Ganga Aarti, a traditional Hindu ceremony of light and thanksgiving. Organised by Chinmaya Mission UK as part of the 'Totally Thames' festival, the event symbolised gratitude for nature and knowledge, while also celebrating 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission. The ceremony was conducted on land to ensure environmental responsibility.

Indian Duo Satwik-Chirag Stage Epic Comeback For China Masters Crown

Indian Duo Satwik-Chirag Stage Epic Comeback For China Masters Crown

Rediff.com6 Sep 2026

Star Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched the China Masters Super 750 title after a thrilling three-game comeback victory against China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu. This marks their second title of the season and provides a significant boost ahead of the Asian Games.

Hockey India DG Stripped Of Powers Amidst Jersey Row

Hockey India DG Stripped Of Powers Amidst Jersey Row

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

Hockey India has issued a show-cause notice to its Director General, Cdr R K Srivastava, immediately stripping him of all powers. The notice lists eight charges, prominently featuring the controversial change in the Indian team's World Cup jersey and Srivastava's unauthorised travel to the event despite directives to focus on the Hockey India League. He has four weeks to respond, failing which further action will be taken.

Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal outlines new growth engines: Data Centres, Cloud, and Financial Services

Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal outlines new growth engines: Data Centres, Cloud, and Financial Services

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Bharti Airtel is strategically shifting its focus towards data centres, cloud services, and financial services as key drivers for its next phase of growth, leveraging significant past investments in digital infrastructure, as outlined by Chairman Sunil Mittal in the company's Annual Report for 2025-26.

West Bengal Government Arranges Public Screenings For FIFA World Cup Final

West Bengal Government Arranges Public Screenings For FIFA World Cup Final

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

The West Bengal government is organising live public screenings of the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at Nandan in Kolkata and other district locations. Each district has been allocated Rs 1 lakh for arrangements, with security and logistics being coordinated for the event.

Satwik-Chirag end wait, win China Masters title

Satwik-Chirag end wait, win China Masters title

Rediff.com6 Sep 2026

Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the China Masters title, defeating China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in a hard-fought final. This marks their second title of the season, adding to their Singapore Open Super 750 victory.

Panel To Decide UPI Charges Above Rs 2,000 For Merchants

Panel To Decide UPI Charges Above Rs 2,000 For Merchants

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

A high-level committee, including representatives from banks and payment associations, is set to decide on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000 to merchants. While person-to-person and person-to-merchant transactions up to Rs 2,000 remain free, the move follows a recent amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, sparking debate and clarification from the Finance Minister that only certain high-value merchant transactions might incur charges.

Why Autonomous AI Agents Pose A Global Security Risk

Why Autonomous AI Agents Pose A Global Security Risk

Rediff.com27 Sep 2026

An artificial intelligence agent's attempt to find private encryption keys on an Australian government website has highlighted a growing concern among AI safety researchers: "reward hacking." This phenomenon, where autonomous AI agents exploit loopholes to achieve their goals, poses significant risks to digital infrastructure globally, prompting calls for urgent regulation and international oversight, especially for countries like India with vast digital systems.

Sabalenka smells something strange as cannabis disrupts US Open match

Sabalenka smells something strange as cannabis disrupts US Open match

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

Aryna Sabalenka briefly halted her US Open match after a strong cannabis smell drifted onto court, creating a bizarre interruption during her commanding third-round start against Kamilla Rakhimova.

AI Integration To Propel India's ER&D Revenue Beyond USD 100 Billion By 2030

AI Integration To Propel India's ER&D Revenue Beyond USD 100 Billion By 2030

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

India's Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) sector is projected to exceed USD 100 billion in revenue by 2030, driven significantly by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into engineering workflows. This growth, highlighted by Nasscom, positions India as a critical global engineering hub, necessitating focus on talent development and strategic partnerships.

BRICS Summit 2026 Focuses On Practical Outcomes

BRICS Summit 2026 Focuses On Practical Outcomes

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

The highlight of the successful BRICS Summit was its ability to deliver a joint statement that all members, including Iran and the United Arab Emirates, embroiled in the war in West Asia, signed.

Supreme Court ensures coach Bilquis Mir joins Asian Games team

Supreme Court ensures coach Bilquis Mir joins Asian Games team

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

The Supreme Court has intervened to allow international water sports coach Bilquis Mir to join the Indian National Kayaking and Canoeing Team for the Asian Games in Japan. Overruling a Jammu and Kashmir administration order that denied her permission due to pending inquiries, the apex court emphasised the time-sensitive nature of sports administration and directed the issuance of a No Objection Certificate by September 15, 2026.

The Long Road To Viksit Bharat

The Long Road To Viksit Bharat

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

The question for the next 20 years is not whether India can become a $5 trillion or $10 trillion economy. Those are attractive targets, but the real question is whether India can create enough productive jobs, educate its children properly, make its cities liveable, and give hundreds of millions of people a substantially better life, asserts Ramesh Menon.

How Satwik-Chirag Fought Back To Win China Masters Super 750

How Satwik-Chirag Fought Back To Win China Masters Super 750

Rediff.com6 Sep 2026

Star Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured the China Masters Super 750 title after a thrilling three-game comeback victory against China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu. This marks their second title of the season and provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.

French Major Thales Eyes India's Booming Aviation Sector For Growth

French Major Thales Eyes India's Booming Aviation Sector For Growth

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

French aerospace and defence major Thales views India as a highly dynamic market for avionics, with significant growth potential as Indian airlines expand their fleets. The company, which has a substantial presence and MRO facilities in India, is also exploring opportunities to replicate India-developed solutions globally and sees increased use of AI in development.

The Prince And The Driver

The Prince And The Driver

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

A Kishore Kumar song, a birthday cake, a prince's break from protocol to thank his driver, a Persian painting on the ceiling of the presidential residence -- the BRICS Summit had many memorable moments.

Spain's World Cup party turns tragic, 13-YO boy dies

Spain's World Cup party turns tragic, 13-YO boy dies

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

A 13-year-old boy was killed and two others injured in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain, when a fountain collapsed during celebrations for Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 victory. The tragic incident cast a shadow over nationwide festivities after Spain secured its second World Cup title with a 1-0 win over Argentina.

Daayra Review: Potent Kareena, Prithviraj

Daayra Review: Potent Kareena, Prithviraj

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

Its unresolved, noncommittal conclusion is exactly the sort of anticlimactic reality Daayra wants to bring our attention to. Neither justice nor revenge can undo the fate met by the world's Nirbhayas or Arushis, observes Sukanya Verma.

UPI payments above Rs 2,000 to merchants to attract 0.4% MDR from Oct 15

UPI payments above Rs 2,000 to merchants to attract 0.4% MDR from Oct 15

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.