IDFC Bank on Tuesday officially launched its Aadhaar pay infrastructure meant for those without any mobile phone to carry out cashless transactions.

"It actually makes cashless transactions possible even for those who do not have mobile phones, but the merchant has to have a mobile phone. All one needs is to get the bank account number linked with Aadhaar. Basic banking services will come to those who even do not have basic mobile phones," said Rajiv Lall, founder MD and CEO, at the launch.

The bank aims to reach 50,000-75,000 merchant points to be connected to the Aadhaar pay module in the next two years.

Before this official launch, IDFC Bank has done successful pilot across 16 states.

On the same occasion, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said India is on the cusp of a major digital revolution. "This enables us to reach even the bottom of pyramid," Kant said.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday launched an operation against a suspected terrorist who fired shots at the security forces in the densely populated Thakurganj area of Lucknow, police said.

“UP ATS has launched the operation in the afternoon after a tip-off given to it. It is suspected that a terrorist is hiding in the Haji colony of the area," Additional Director General of Police Daljit Chaudhary said.

The police is hoping to take the suspected terrorist into its custody alive, however suspected terrorist have refused to surrender, according to the reports.

"We want him alive. However, he is refusing to surrender," the police said.

The suspected terrorist, named Saifullah, fired shots at security forces, triggering a gunbattle.

Saifullah, who is allegedly linked with the terror group – Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS), has locked himself in a room, which has been surrounded by commandoes.

The forces were deployed to the Haji colony located in Thakurganj after a tip-off was given to the UP police regarding the presence of a suspicious man.

It is suspected that the terrorist is linked to the Bhopal-Ujjain train blast which occured in Kanpur and Lucknow on Tuesday which injured nine.

BJP MP from Mandi, Ramswaroop Sharma on Tuesday accused the Himachal Pradesh government of misusing funds to preserve hot water springs in Tattapani in Mandi district, around 50 km from here.

Raising the issue with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during a meeting on Tuesday, Sharma said around Rs.4 crore had been sanctioned for preserving hot water springs at Tattapani in Karsog area of Mandi district in the last few years.

“The hot sulphur water springs holds religious importance and even the government had decided reserve the ghats on Satluj River,” he said, but the government couldn’t even prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) so far.

The BJP MP even accused the state government of misusing funds and said that the government officials were spending the allocated funds as per their whims and fancies.

He urged the CM to take necessary steps to rejuvenate the sulphur springs that had the qualities of curing various skin diseases.

“The government should prepare DPR for the rejuvenating and preserving the age old sulphur springs and dedicate it to the general public soon,” he added.

The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the district magistrates of all 13 districts of the state to appear before it on March 17 and submit their reports on implementation of its earlier order banning polythene.

The court directive came on a PIL complaining of non-implementation of the earlier court order in this regard.

A division bench of Justice Rajeev Sharma and Justice Alok Singh of the high court asked all the DMs of the state to appear in person before it on March 17 when the PIL comes up for next hearing and submit their reports on implementation of the said order.

The ban on polythene was enforced as part of efforts to save Ganga.

India has conveyed its concerns to the US "at a very senior level" on the move to curb H-1B visa processing, Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Tuesday.

“I think our concerns at a very senior level has already been conveyed to the government of US. I would not like to get into the details except that Indian IT companies are giving good value addition to US companies,” Prasad said.

The Union minister said that the Indian IT companies are servicing more than 75 per cent of Fortune 500 companies.

“They are making them more competitive and giving them extraordinary value addition. I am given to understand that they have paid around $ 20 billion tax revenue in last 5 years. They have created 4,00,000 jobs, not only in America but other parts of the world. Indian IT companies and IT professionals are giving lot of opening to American companies in India,” Prasad said.

Last week, it was announced that US would be temporarily suspending premium processing of H-1B visa from April 3, eliminating the option of shorter waiting period for the programme that helps highly skilled foreigners work at American firms.

Under the current system, companies submitting applications for H-1B visas for potential employees have to pay an additional sum for expedited service, which is known as premium processing. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the temporary suspension could last up to six months, .

H-1B visas are widely used by Indian IT majors. Premium processing costs an additional $1,225 and ensures a response from the USCIS within 15 days or the fee is refunded. Processing of standard H-1B applications take between 3 and 6 months.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said she will visit India soon, after her travel plans in December were postponed reportedly due to New Delhi's preoccupation with political challenges over demonetization.

"I'm coming to India," Hasina said on the sidelines of a summit of the Indian Ocean Rim Association here when asked about her expectations from the proposed visit.

During Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar's visit to Dhaka in February, Hasina's Deputy Press Secretary M Nazrul Islam had said the Bangladeshi premier will visit India in April.

She is to travel to India on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had invited her in 2015.

Hasina was expected to travel to India in December, but the plan was postponed, amid speculation that it was not a suitable time for the visit given the Indian government's preoccupation with the challenges thrown up by demonetisation of higher denomination currency notes.

It was believed that since the ties between the Union government and the West Bengal government – a key stakeholder in the Teesta Water sharing issue – had strained over the sudden scrapping of the notes, any agreement, or meaningful discussion, on an agreement was unlikely to materialise.

The two countries have successfully settled their other previously pending issues like the Land Boundary and enclave problem.

Delhi University professor G Saibaba on Tuesday was given life term punishment under the Unlawful Prevention of Atrocities Act (UAPA) by a court at Gadchiroli for allegedly having links with Maoists.

Jawaharlal University (JNU) student Hem Mishra, former journalist Prashant Joshi Rahi and three others were also convicted under Sections 13, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the UAPA.

The English professor in Delhi’s Ram Lal Anand College was arrested from his residence in 2013 for having links with Maoists. He was arrested after JNU student Hem, who was already in police custody, claimed that the professor had links with the Maoists from Abujmad forests of Chhattisgarh.

Delhi University professor G Saibaba on Tuesday was given life term punishment under the Unlawful Prevention of Atrocities Act (UAPA) by a court at Gadchiroli for allegedly having links with Maoists.

Jawaharlal University (JNU) student Hem Mishra, former journalist Prashant Joshi Rahi and three others were also convicted under Sections 13, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the UAPA.

The English professor in Delhi’s Ram Lal Anand College was arrested from his residence in 2013 for having links with Maoists. He was arrested after JNU student Hem, who was already in police custody, claimed that the professor had links with the Maoists from Abujmad forests of Chhattisgarh.

Tamil Nadu government would bear the cost of shifting a student who is currently hospitalised in Georgia, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Tuesday.

Srinivasan Vijayakumar hailing from Nilgiri district, who had gone to the European nation, was hospitalised since December eight, 2016 after he fell ill and his family had already spent about Rs.11 lakh towards his treatment, Palaniswami said in an official release here.

Since he needs further treatment and requires hospitalisation for another nine to 12 months, the student's mother had requested the Indian Embassy in Armenia for providing financial support, he said.

Considering the economic background and the request made by her mother, the government has decided to take care of the expenses required to shift the boy from Georgia to India through an Air-Ambulance, he said.

Tamil Nadu government would bear the cost of shifting a student who is currently hospitalised in Georgia, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Tuesday.

Srinivasan Vijayakumar hailing from Nilgiri district, who had gone to the European nation, was hospitalised since December eight, 2016 after he fell ill and his family had already spent about Rs.11 lakh towards his treatment, Palaniswami said in an official release here.

Since he needs further treatment and requires hospitalisation for another nine to 12 months, the student's mother had requested the Indian Embassy in Armenia for providing financial support, he said.

Considering the economic background and the request made by her mother, the government has decided to take care of the expenses required to shift the boy from Georgia to India through an Air-Ambulance, he said.

Skincare on your mind? Yes, the weather is changing. It's getting sunny and windy. Time to take extra care of your skin with mother earth’s natural ingredients in their raw form. Using skincare regularly will show miraculous positive results very soon.

So, what is the texture of your skin? Your skin should feel as light as feather–supple, soft and young. It should be consistent in colour having smooth and hydrated texture. Keep away blackheads, whiteheads, acnes, spots and dark under eye circles. Your skin should be free from dryness, itching, burning and scaling. Learn to make your own skin care products and promote skin wellness at every stage of life.

The following natural skincare ingredients are gentle to the skin, affordable, effective and readily available in your kitchen and garden.

Aloe Vera: The water filled tissues in the leaves work wonders to moisturise the skin, prevent wrinkles, reduce acne and inflammation, lighten the blemishes and revitalise the skin.

TIPS: Cut one leaf. Wash it. Split it. Extract the pulp. Rub it on the face and neck. Rinse after 15 minutes. It's that simple and easy to do

Cucumber and lemon juice: The fresh juices of these two vegetables applied together lighten and brighten the skin. With regular use, glow and fairness will take over dullness and darkness. Embracing these natural ingredients, dark under eye circles will fade away quickly.

TIPS: Take one table spoon lemon juice. Add one tbsp. cucumber juice. Apply on face and neck. Wash off after 15 minutes.

Sandalwood and fuller’s earth paste: With this pack, get rid of pimples, acne, blemishes, dark spots, dark circles, pigmentation and many more skin flaws. This pack is packed with anti-aging stuff, giving a healthy glow and shine to the skin.

TIPS: Take one tsp pure sandalwood powder. Add two tsp fuller’s earth. Add five to six tsp rose water. Make a fine paste. Apply on face and neck. Wash off after half an hour.

Potato and tomato juice: Get glowing and soft skin with this combination. It soothes sun burns, attacks premature wrinkles, removes dark circles, diminishes blemishes, shrinks the open pores and finishes off with good moisturiser.

TIPS: Take one tbsp cold potato juice. Mix it with one tbsp tomato juice. Apply on face and neck. Keep it for half an hour before rinsing off.

Raw milk and honey: Tone your skin with this face mask. It will gently scour off dead cells, dirt and pollution from deep inside your skin pores.

TIPS: Mix one tsp of raw milk with one tsp of pure honey together: Coat a thin layer on your face and neck. Leave it to dry for 15 minutes. Wash with lukewarm water if the skin is oily and normal tap water if the skin is dry.

Besides these therapies, keep your skin well hydrated by drinking water equal to half of your body weight in fluid ounces. Now you can look into your mirror with confidence. A visibly vibrant skin can be seen. No matter how many expensive skincare products you have been buying over the counters, it's time to switch over to 100 per cent natural. Let your skin glow as the wind blows.

China has said it will take unspecified measures against a US missile system being deployed in S Korea, and warned that Washington and Seoul will bear the consequences.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a regular briefing today that China "firmly opposes" the deployment of the missile defense system, after US missile launchers and other equipment needed for it arrived in South Korea.

Geng Shuang said China will "definitely be taking necessary measures to safeguard our own security interest." 

Geng added that "all consequences" resulting from that will be borne by the US and South Korea.

The equipment arrived today, a day after North Korea test-launched four ballistic missiles into the ocean near Japan.

China has said it will take unspecified measures against a US missile system being deployed in S Korea, and warned that Washington and Seoul will bear the consequences.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a regular briefing today that China "firmly opposes" the deployment of the missile defense system, after US missile launchers and other equipment needed for it arrived in South Korea.

Geng Shuang said China will "definitely be taking necessary measures to safeguard our own security interest." 

Geng added that "all consequences" resulting from that will be borne by the US and South Korea.

The equipment arrived today, a day after North Korea test-launched four ballistic missiles into the ocean near Japan.

Things came to a boil between Indian captain Virat Kohli and his Australian counterpart Steve Smith on Tuesday when the visiting skipper tried seeking a clue from the dressing room for a DRS call after his dismissal.

It was the 21st over of the Australian second innings in the second Test here when Smith was trapped LBW by pacer Umesh Yadav.

Having already blown a DRS call, involving David Warner, the Australians were in a fix on whether to seek another for Smith.

Smith first turned to the non-striker's end to seek an opinion and sparks flew when the umpires noticed that the batsman had turned towards the dressing room as well.

They immediately intervened to stop Smith but matters came to a head when Kohli too joined in to speak to the officials.

Rules pertaining to the usage of DRS clearly state that 'signals from dressing room must not be given'.

Smith and Kohli had a brief but charged-up exchange of words before the former walked back to the pavilion.

Kohli, on the other hand, was spoken to by the umpires after Smith's departure.

The two captains have had their fair share of run-ins during the series, frequently exchanging barbs on the ground.

Things came to a boil between Indian captain Virat Kohli and his Australian counterpart Steve Smith on Tuesday when the visiting skipper tried seeking a clue from the dressing room for a DRS call after his dismissal.

It was the 21st over of the Australian second innings in the second Test here when Smith was trapped LBW by pacer Umesh Yadav.

Having already blown a DRS call, involving David Warner, the Australians were in a fix on whether to seek another for Smith.

Smith first turned to the non-striker's end to seek an opinion and sparks flew when the umpires noticed that the batsman had turned towards the dressing room as well.

They immediately intervened to stop Smith but matters came to a head when Kohli too joined in to speak to the officials.

Rules pertaining to the usage of DRS clearly state that 'signals from dressing room must not be given'.

Smith and Kohli had a brief but charged-up exchange of words before the former walked back to the pavilion.

Kohli, on the other hand, was spoken to by the umpires after Smith's departure.

The two captains have had their fair share of run-ins during the series, frequently exchanging barbs on the ground.

Falling for the second straight day, gold prices dropped by another Rs.200 to Rs.29,550 per 10 grams on Tuesday, tracking a weak trend overseas amid muted demand from local jewellers.

Silver followed suit and fell further by Rs.300 to Rs.42,500 per kg due to reduced offtake from industrial units and coin makers.

Marketmen said a weak trend overseas as investors anticipate higher borrowing costs in the US next week that strengthened the dollar and eroded demand for the precious metals as a safe-haven, mainly dampened the sentiment.

Besides, sluggish demand from local jewellers and retailers at domestic spot market also weighed on prices, they said.

Globally, gold fell 0.03 per cent to $1,224.70 an ounce and silver plunged 0.34 per cent to $17.70 an ounce in Singapore.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity drifted further down by Rs.200 each to Rs.29,550 and Rs.29,400 per 10 grams, respectively. The precious metal had lost Rs.350 on March 6.

Sovereign, however, remained steady at Rs.24,500 per piece of eight grams.

Following gold, silver ready fell by Rs.300 to Rs.42,500 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs.310 to Rs.42,390 per kg.

Silver coins, however, traded at previous level of Rs.73,000 for buying and Rs.74,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

Falling for the second straight day, gold prices dropped by another Rs.200 to Rs.29,550 per 10 grams on Tuesday, tracking a weak trend overseas amid muted demand from local jewellers.

Silver followed suit and fell further by Rs.300 to Rs.42,500 per kg due to reduced offtake from industrial units and coin makers.

Marketmen said a weak trend overseas as investors anticipate higher borrowing costs in the US next week that strengthened the dollar and eroded demand for the precious metals as a safe-haven, mainly dampened the sentiment.

Besides, sluggish demand from local jewellers and retailers at domestic spot market also weighed on prices, they said.

Globally, gold fell 0.03 per cent to $1,224.70 an ounce and silver plunged 0.34 per cent to $17.70 an ounce in Singapore.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity drifted further down by Rs.200 each to Rs.29,550 and Rs.29,400 per 10 grams, respectively. The precious metal had lost Rs.350 on March 6.

Sovereign, however, remained steady at Rs.24,500 per piece of eight grams.

Following gold, silver ready fell by Rs.300 to Rs.42,500 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs.310 to Rs.42,390 per kg.

Silver coins, however, traded at previous level of Rs.73,000 for buying and Rs.74,000 for selling of 100 pieces.