New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued fresh instructions standardising the design and printing of ballot papers used in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for both parliamentary and Assembly elections.The move aims to ensure greater clarity, uniformity, and transparency in the voting process.According to the circular sent to all Chief Electoral Officers on Wednesday, the revised norms cover the format, language, photographs, font size, paper colour and printin…

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the government to consider taking strict actions, including arrests, to deter farmers from engaging in stubble burning – a major factor contributing to the ‘severe’ air quality in Delhi-NCR during winters.A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran was hearing a suo motu matter concerning the vacant posts in the State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees meant to contr…

Balaghat, Sep 17 (IANS) Tension gripped the Lanji region of Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh after suspected Maoists allegedly kidnapped a tribal youth from Pusera village and reportedly killed him, triggering widespread panic among locals.Inspector General (Balaghat) Sanjay Kumar confirmed the youth’s disappearance and the recovery of the pamphlets.Speaking to IANS, the senior police officer said, “The youth, identified as Devendra Kushwaha alias Dhaddu, was reportedly abducted late Tues…

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 18–19 to co-chair the 13th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments along with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) Managing Director, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.The meeting will review progress on the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Double Taxation Treaty, and UAE-India Central Bank matters. Both sides will also explore o…

Hyderabad, Sep 17 (IANS) Digital arrest by cyber fraudsters claimed the life of a 76-year-old retired government doctor, who died of a heart attack, allegedly after three days of harassment.Police said conmen posing as police and enforcement officials extorted Rs 6.6 lakh after accusing her of involvement in human trafficking and continued sending threats even after her death.The scammers subjected her to 70-hour digital arrest by using forged documents bearing the logos of the Supreme Court, th…

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Nearly 94 per cent of restaurant operators in India plan to expand in smaller cities (Tier II-III cities), positioning them as the next big growth frontier for the food services sector, a report said on Wednesday. Nearly 78 per cent of operators expect breakeven within 2 years — a sharp contrast to longer payback cycles in metro cities.”With average monthly incomes in Tier-II cities approaching metro levels, consumers are brand-aware but price-sensitive—seeking hygie…

Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Tension gripped the Chhatrapati Shivaji Park area in Dadar on Wednesday morning after unidentified persons hurled red paint on the statue of late Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and mother of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.A large number of Shiv Sainiks and also the activists of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena gathered at the venue and strongly condemned the incident demanding action against those responsible for it.Raj…

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni for her warm wishes on his 75th birthday, expressing hope to further strengthen growing India-Italy ties. “Thank you Prime Minister Meloni for your warm wishes. Deeply appreciate Italy’s friendship and look forward to strengthening it further,” PM Modi posted on X.PM Modi’s response came after Meloni extended warm greetings to him on his birthday. She wished him health and energy to co…

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has directed several digital news publishers to take down content related to Adani Enterprises Limited from YouTube and Instagram, as a court order in this matter has not been complied with.The ministry said in the notice that the material was defamatory and had to be removed in line with a recent court order.The order names several well-known journalists and media platforms, including Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Newslaundry…

Guwahati/Agartala, Sep 17 (IANS) Governors, Chief Ministers and MPs from all eight Northeastern states on Wednesday greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday, describing him as a “true son of Mother India.” On the occasion of PM Modi’s birthday, various programmes and events, including a fortnight-long ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’, were launched in all eight Northeastern states.The Prime Minister on Wednesday launched the nationwide ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan’ and the 8t…