Women comprise over 40 pc of workforce in 57.8 pc districts in India

IANS | September 18, 2026 8:38 PM

New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) There has been a strong growth in women entering the workforce in India, with 57.8 per cent of the country's districts recording a female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 40 per cent or more, according to the first ever district-wise data released by the National Statistics Office on Friday.

India's IT software exports rise 9.5 pc to cross $239 bn in 2025-26

IANS | September 18, 2026 7:29 PM

Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) India's total IT software export services, including services delivered by foreign affiliates of Indian companies, increased by 9.5 per cent during financial year 2025-26, compared with the previous financial year, to touch the $239.3 billion mark, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday.

Red Sea tensions, attempted attack on Mecca threaten regional stability: MEA

IANS | September 18, 2026 5:52 PM

New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Reiterating its serious concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea region and the attempted attack on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca, India on Friday said that the developments threaten regional stability as well as freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Vande Mataram should be sung in full: Lyricist Muntashir slams Rahul Gandhi

IANS | September 18, 2026 5:52 PM

Ujjain, Sep 18 (IANS) Lyricist and screenwriter Manoj Muntashir Shukla on Friday criticised Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the ongoing ‘Vande Mataram’ row, saying the Congress leader should refrain from such acts and that the national song should be sung in its entirety.

Candidate from Mamata Banerjee-led faction withdraws nomination in Nandigram

IANS | September 18, 2026 5:41 PM

Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Sanchita Dey Pradhan, the candidate from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in the Trinamool Congress for the bypoll in Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, withdrew her nomination on Friday afternoon after a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.