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Amit Shah on Saturday said that during the Congress government in Assam, he was beaten up and had jail's food for seven days in the state. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Shah attacked Congress and said that the Congress did not allow peace in Assam. «I have also been beaten up by the Congress government in Assam. Hiteshwar Saikia was the Chief Minister of Assam and we used to raise slogans against former PM Indira Gandhi that 'Assam ki gaaliyan suni hai, Indira Gandhi khooni hai'. I too had jail food for seven days in Assam and people from all over the country came to save Assam. Today Assam is moving ahead on the path of development,» Shah said. Hiteswar Saikia served as the Chief Minister of Assam for two terms from 1983 to 1985 and then from 1991 to 1996. He further said that Assam's Lachit Barphukan police academy will become the top one in the country in the next 5 years.

«India is now one of the four countries in the world to have demonstrated both docking and undocking technology,» Narayanan told reporters. Recalling the preparations the organisation did before the mission, Narayanan mentioned that they carried out over 120 computer simulations of the mission to make sure there wouldn't be any mistakes during the mission. «On January 16, we had a major achievement; we successfully docked both the satellites together, and it was rotating as a single body. Then, we wanted to separate it out, the undocking process, for that we carried out a lot of studies and analysis and we made a simulator and carried out 120 simulations, as there should not be any mistakes. On 13th March, at 9:20 am, in the first attempt itself, we succeeded in the undocking process,» the ISRO chairman said. On January 16, ISRO scientists successfully demonstrated their space docking ability by docking two satellites launched under SpaDex.

India has slammed Pakistan for its «unjustified» reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the UN General Assembly, with New Delhi asserting that such remarks will neither validate the country's claim nor justify its practice of cross-border terrorism. «As is their habit, the former foreign secretary of Pakistan today has made an unjustified reference to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,» India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, said in remarks on Friday in the General Assembly at the informal meeting of the plenary to commemorate the International Day to combat Islamophobia.

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has been killed in Iraq in an operation by members of the Iraqi national intelligence service along with U.S.-led coalition forces, the Iraqi prime minister announced Friday. «The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism,» Prime Minister Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, or "Abu Khadija," was «deputy caliph» of the militant group and as «one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world,» the statement said. On his Truth Social platform Friday night, U.S. President Donald Trump said: «Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters» in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish regional government. «PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!» Trump posted.

Pawan Kalyan on Friday criticized Tamil Nadu politicians for what he called «hypocrisy» regarding the alleged imposition of Hindi in the state. He pointed out that while these leaders oppose Hindi, they allow Tamil movies to be dubbed in the language for financial gain. «I do not understand why some criticize Sanskrit. Why do Tamil Nadu politicians oppose Hindi while allowing their movies to be dubbed in Hindi for financial gain? They want money from Bollywood but refuse to accept Hindi--what kind of logic is that?» Kalyan asked while addressing the party's 12th foundation day at Pithampuram in Kakinada. Kalyan's comments come amid Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin accusing the Union government of 'Hindi imposition' and refusing to implement the three-language formula laid out in the NEP as a protest. Emphasizing India's linguistic diversity, Kalyan said that the country needs multiple languages, including Tamil, rather than just two dominant ones. «India needs multiple languages, including Tamil, not just two. We must embrace linguistic diversity — not only to maintain the integrity of our nation but also to foster love and unity among its people,» Kalyan said.

Donald Trump delivered what sounded like one of his typical meandering, grievance-laden campaign speeches on Friday, but it was where he did it — inside the U.S. Department of Justice — that mattered. The appearance marked Trump's clearest exertion yet of personal control over the country's federal law enforcement apparatus, which is normally run by appointees who keep at least an arm's length from the president to avoid the appearance that politics are governing prosecutorial decisions. Trump, instead, embraced the notion of the agency as his own personal tool of vengeance. «As the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred,» Trump told the audience, with Attorney General Pam Bondi (who is technically the country's chief law enforcement officer) and FBI Director Kash Patel in the audience. One of Trump's favorite campaign songs, «YMCA,» played after he wrapped up his nearly hourlong address inside the department's ceremonial Great Hall. Here's a look at what Trump said, what the reality is and the significance of his words.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them. But the truly unfortunate are those who have greatness snatched away.

They are emblematic of a new generation of travellers stepping out of the cosy confines of their homes to experience festivals of all hues and colours — seeking immersion, adventure and a deeper connection with cultural traditions. Indians are increasingly planning trips around festivals, both within the country and abroad, said travel industry executives.

Alberta’s proven natural gas reserves have increased nearly sixfold to 130 trillion cubic feet since they were last assessed, according to a new study, giving Canada’s oilpatch leaders something to show off this week at a Texas oil summit in hopes of turning heads and capital flows northward.

US government agency that runs the Voice of America has moved to terminate contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse, and told its journalists Friday to stop using material from the wire services, as per a report. Kari Lake, the former broadcaster turned Republican politician who was selected by President Donald Trump to run VOA, estimated the move would save $53 million, AP reported. The new administration has quickly asserted its authority at VOA, which has delivered news from an American perspective to countries across the world. While awaiting official approval to take over, Lake was brought on as special adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA and sister organizations like Radio Free Europe. She announced via social media on Thursday that she was ending the «expensive and unnecessary contracts» with the wire services. «We should not be paying outside news organizations to tell us what the news is,» said Lake, who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor. «With a nearly billion-dollar budget, we should be producing news ourselves. And if that's not possible, the American taxpayer should demand to know why.»

Copper prices recoiled from a five-month peak on Friday, as disappointing loans data from top metals consumer China and concerns around U.S. tariffs dampened buying activity.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission is proposing a 50% pay reduction for fund managers if products overseen by them record a loss or return 10% less than their performance benchmarks, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter. Such pay cuts are part of a long-term assessment mechanism the regulator is trying to establish, the people said, adding it was not clear what time frame it would be applied over. Under the draft plan, fund returns will account for at least half of the weighting in senior management's evaluation, while other metrics such as the firms' size and ranking will become less important, the people said. The proposal has yet to be finalized and may change, they added. The CSRC didn't respond to a request for comment. The sweeping measures come as policymakers seek to attract more long-term capital into the nation's stock market amid slowing economic growth and an escalating trade war with the US. China's benchmark CSI 300 Index has gained about 1.7% this year.

Infosys co-founder, Narayana Murthy, while speaking at the TiECon Mumbai on Wednesday commented on the rising hype around artificial intelligence (AI) in India, claiming that many systems marketed today as AI were simply traditional programming. “I think somehow it has become a fashion in India to talk of AI for everything. I have seen several normal, ordinary programs touted as AI,” Murthy commented during the annual entrepreneurial conference.

Mark Carney, who navigated crises when he was the head of the Bank of Canada from 2008, and then in 2013 when he became the first noncitizen to run the Bank of England — helping to manage the worst impacts of Brexit in the U.K. — will now try to steer Canada through the trade war brought by Trump. Mark Carney's path to the top job in Canadian politics has been unusual but, as he said when he launched his campaign to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, so are the circumstances. Former central banker Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister on Friday, and will now try to steer his country through a trade war brought by U.S. President Donald Trump, a threat of annexation and an expected federal election. Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remained in power until the Liberal Party elected a new leader. Carney is widely expected to trigger a general election in the coming days or weeks. Carney has called the threats posed by US President Donald Trump «the most serious crisis of our lifetime.»

Diplomats from three countries said they believed they were 99 per cent of the way toward completing a joint statement that would reflect the group's positions. «There is a great deal of unity within the G7,» Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Friday. «We talked about many different things.… We support the US proposal for a ceasefire, which is supported by the Ukrainians, and we are waiting for the Russian response.» British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the group arrived at common positions on Ukraine, the Middle East, wars in Africa and Chinese activity in the South China Sea.

The ruling Liberal Party overwhelmingly backed Carney to replace Justin Trudeau, betting his experience leading two central banks through historic crises will re-assure Canadians facing a potentially devastating trade war. Carney, who turns 60 on Sunday, is a political novice who has never won an elected public office but his campaign skills will be tested soon with Canada likely headed for a general election in weeks. The threats posed by Trump are expected to dominate the vote. The US president has sought to bludgeon Canada, imposing sweeping import tariffs and threatening further levies while claiming the country is not «viable» on its own and should be annexed by Washington.

In a letter sent on Tuesday (11 March) to US trade representative Jamieson Greer, Tesla said it «appreciates» the chance to consult on trade arrangements but warned that «exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to US trade actions».  The letter, which was sent unsigned, added that some of the US' past trade actions have led to «immediate reactions by the targeted countries», including increased levies on electric vehicles (EVs) imported into those countries.  US equities tentatively recover as EU and Canada threaten to hit back at Trum...

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is planning to invoke a sweeping wartime authority known as the Alien Enemies Act in an effort to speed up deportations, according to an official familiar with the discussions. Here’s what to know: The Alien Enemies Act was first passed in 1798 and has been seldom used since.

OfBusiness. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can also enhance employment from 110 million to 175 million, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, it said. «AI and technology transformation can scale-up SMEs production and then reach to 50% contribution to the GDP from the current 30%, and enhancing employment from 110 million to 175 million, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, would not be difficult. This would prove to be a major game-changer for the Indian economy,» OfBusiness said in a statement. It said most SMEs are looking forward to adopting AI & ML in their business operations to upscale production.

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Friday stated that the central transfers from the Union Government in the form of Grants-in-aid and share in central taxes as a proportion of total revenue receipts have reduced significantly. The Tamil Nadu Minister while presenting the state budget for 2025-26 said that the state's own revenues have been increasing due to the efforts of the state Government. «While the State's Own Revenues have been increasing due to the efforts of the Government, the central transfers from the Union Government in the form of Grants-in-aid and share in central taxes as a proportion of total revenue receipts have reduced significantly,» Thennarasu said. He said that withholding of funds under Samagra Shiksha, denial of funds under NDRF for Cyclone Fengal, and a paltry release of Rs 276 crore for two massive disasters in the form of Cyclone Michaung and the unprecedented rainfall in southern districts have all caused severe strain on the State Finances. «In 2024-25, the grants-in-aid are estimated to substantially reduce to Rs.20,538 crore in the Revised Estimates, as compared to the Rs. 23,354 crore projected in the Budget Estimates. Anticipating the release of the entire funds due to the State under Samagra Shiksha in the ensuing year, the Grants-in-aid receivable from the Union Government are estimated at Rs.23,834 crore in Budget Estimates 2025-26,» he added.

Ashokan Edict Sites and Chausath Yogini Temples spread across multiple states — have been added to India's tentative list by the UNESCO's World Heritage Centre. These sites were added to the list on March 7, the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO said in a statement. India at UNESCO shared the statement on microblogging site X, late on Thursday. Addition to the World Heritage Centre's tentative list is mandatory if a property is to be nominated for inscription to the World Heritage List in future, it said. The six properties added to the tentative list include Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh; Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Telangana; serial nomination of Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (multiple states); serial nomination of Chausath Yogini Temples (multiple states); serial nomination of Gupta Temples in north India (multiple states), and the palace-fortresses of the Bundelas in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the statement said. With these additions, India now has 62 sites on the tentative list.