UPI needs sustainable revenue model, MDR on high-value transactions a good move: Former RBI official

IANS | August 20, 2026 7:38 PM

Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS) UPI needs a sustainable revenue model to support continued investments in technology, cybersecurity and infrastructure, while the RBI's forward guidance on interest rates reflects concerns over inflation, G. Padmanabhan, former Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India and former Chairman of Bank of India, said on Thursday.

Sam Smith: Madonna is my mother, lauds her support for queer people

IANS | August 20, 2026 7:37 PM

Los Angeles, Aug 20 (IANS) Actor Singer-songwriter Sam Smith has heaped praise on the Queen of Pop, Madonna. They said that her music has been a crucial "lifeline" for queer people.

Golf: Theegala faces big task for Tour Championship spot as Bhatia holds comfortable position

IANS | August 20, 2026 7:37 PM

St. Louis (USA), Aug 20 (IANS) Sahith Theegala faces a high-stakes battle at the 2026 BMW Championship, knowing he will likely need a finish near the top of the leaderboard to break into the top 30 of the FedEx Cup standings and advance to the season-ending Tour Championship.

Harman Singha: Reality shows have never gone out of fashion

IANS | August 20, 2026 7:22 PM

Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS) Actor Harman Singha, who was recently evicted from the reality show ‘The Traitors’, has said that reality shows have always been in the vogue.

Arnold praises 'class' Padikkal and 'patient' Suthar for being architects of India's win in Galle

IANS | August 20, 2026 7:10 PM

New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) Former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold has praised the ‘class’ of Devdutt Padikkal and a ‘patient’ Manav Suthar for being the primary architects of India's emphatic 165-run victory in the first Test at Galle International Stadium.

India assures help after deaths of Bangladeshi nationals in Kolkata hotel fire

IANS | August 20, 2026 7:05 PM

Dhaka, Aug 20 (IANS) India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, on Thursday assured that New Delhi would take all necessary steps following the deaths of Bangladeshi nationals in a hotel fire in Kolkata, local media reported.

'UPT20 League will be No.1 in India after IPL': Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor

IANS | August 20, 2026 7:02 PM

New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) The UPT20 League Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor predicted that Uttar Pradesh's franchise T20 league - UPT20 League - will rise to the top in India across states and will be only behind the lucrative Indian Premier League in the next five years.

Sharmila Tagore: ‘Vande Mataram’ is difficult to recite for those who believe in one God

IANS | August 20, 2026 6:54 PM

Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS) Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore has said that the nation should stick to only the first two stanzas of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.

Badminton WC: Ayush Shetty bows out after Farhan withstands late fightback in Round of 16

IANS | August 20, 2026 6:50 PM

New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) Ayush Shetty’s impressive run at the BWF World Championships came to an end in the men’s singles Round of 16 on Thursday, with Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan holding his nerve to beat the Indian 21-19, 21-11 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

Vidhatri Bandi recalls performing for FRIENDS Star Jennifer Aniston & how it impacted her

IANS | August 20, 2026 6:48 PM

Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS) Actress Vidhatri Bandi recalled performing for the 'FRIENDS' star Jennifer Aniston. Making the moment even more special, she is the only Indian from her batch to do so.