ICICI bank hikes minimum account balance for new customers

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New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) India’s second largest lender ICICI Bank has raised the monthly minimum average balance requirement for all customer segments, effective August 1.Customers at metro and urban locations who opened their savings accounts on or after August 1 have to maintain Rs 50,000 monthly average balance to avoid penalties, according to the latest notification on the bank’s website.The minimum average balance for older customers remains Rs 10,000.New customers in semi-urban locations …

Strengthening tourism sector key to earn big on exports, tackle Trumps tariffs: Amitabh Kant

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New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Saturday urged the need to strengthen the country’s tourism sector to earn big on exports, as well as tackle tariffs, imposed by US President Donald Trump.His remarks came amid concerns over the Trump’s escalation of tariff to 50 per cent on Indian goods.”India’s biggest export earnings can come from Tourism which is totally free from Trumps tariffs,” Kant said, in a post on social media platform X.”We must attract global tourists. Th…

Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten 63 guides Pakistan to five-wicket win in ODI opener against Windies

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Trinidad, Aug 8 (IANS) Debutant Hasan Nawaz announced himself on the international stage with an unbeaten 63, guiding Pakistan to a nervy five-wicket win over West Indies in the opening ODI of the three-match series. Nawaz’s match-winning knock included a decisive 104-run stand with Hussain Talat as the visitors chased down 281 with seven balls to spare. Earlier, the hosts posted 280, riding on half-centuries from Evin Lewis (60), Shai Hope, and Roston Chase. West Indies were well placed early…

Indian cross-country rally veteran Lhakpa Tsering gears up for Asia’s most challenging race in Thailand

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New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Lhakpa Tsering, one of India’s most seasoned cross-country rally drivers, gears up to compete in the prestigious Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2025.Held from August 8 to 16 in Thailand, the rally will cover over 3,400 kilometers through some of the toughest terrains ranging from dense forests and mountain trails to riverbeds and demanding off-road stretches. This ultimate test of endurance, navigation, and resilience will bring together elite teams from across Asia.Of…

India committed to boost global regulatory cooperation in herbal medicines: Ayush secy

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New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) India is committed to enhancing global regulatory cooperation in the herbal medicines sector, said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush.He was speaking at the three-day workshop at the WHO-International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) organised by Ministry of Ayush.In his inaugural address, Kotecha highlighted India’s leadership as the lead country for WHO-IRCH Working Group 1 on Safety and Regulation and Working Group 3 on Efficacy and…

Lokesh Kanakaraj releases intense first look of Vikram Prabhu, L K Akshay Kumar's 'Sirai'

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Chennai, Aug 9 (IANS) Ace director Lokesh Kanakaraj on Saturday released the first look of director Suresh Rajakumari’s Sirai, featuring actors Vikram Prabhu and L K Akshay Kumar in the lead. The film has been produced by well known producer S S Lalit Kumar’s Seven Screen Studios.Taking to his timeline on X, director Lokesh Kanakaraj said, “Glad to unveil the First Look of #Sirai. My hearty wishes to @lk_Akshay Kumar on his debut, @iamVikramPrabhu and the entire cast and crew. All the very best….

Pamela Anderson: I look in the mirror like I do on social media

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Los Angeles, Aug 9 (IANS) Hollywood star Pamela Anderson says she has “cracked the code” for living with social media without getting “depressed”. The 57-year-old actress fears many people get stressed out by platforms such as Instagram because they have the ability to create the perfect version of themselves through editing. However, Pamela is adamant she looks exactly the same as her pictures in real life.She told Glamour magazine: “We’re going through a time when people are taking a lot of …

Mohit Suri reveals why it was hard getting music directors onboard for ‘Aashiqui 2’

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Mumbai, Aug 9 (IANS) Director Mohit Suri has been having a dream run at the theatre with his latest release ‘Saiyaara’. The film has been firing on all cylinders, as it breached the INR 500 crore mark worldwide, and its album is a chartbuster. Mohit is known for his musicals, so is Yash Raj Films. So, when he joined forces with YRF, did the pressure get to him to live up to the two legacies, and deliver a chartbuster album? Mohit spoke with IANS recently in the wake of celebrations with rega…

Shilpa Shirodkar wishes Happy B’day to ‘best brother-in-law ever’ Mahesh Babu

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Mumbai, Aug 9 (IANS) As Mahesh Babu turned 50 on Saturday, actress Shilpa Shirodkar wished the “best brother-in-law ever” and said that the actor keeps inspiring with his humility and grace. The former “Bigg Boss 18” contestant, who is the sister of Namrata Shirodkar, took to Instagram to share a picture of herself posing with Mahesh. In the image, the are seen smiling at the camera and posing.For the caption, she wrote“Happy Birthday to the best brother-in-law ever!! You keep inspirin…

Working on something to showcase the essence, depth and immersive world we are creating in SSMB29, says S S Rajamouli

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Hyderabad, Aug 9 (IANS) Pointing out that the story and scope of his upcoming magnum opus with actor Mahesh Babu, tentatively being referred to as SSMB29, was so vast that mere pictures or press conferences would not do it justice, ace director SS Rajamouli on Saturday disclosed that the team was working on something to showcase the essence, depth and immersive world they were creating and that this would be revealed in November this year. On the occasion of Mahesh Babu’s birthday on Saturday, R…