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Tue, 17 January 2017
Demonetisation proves India ready for 4th industrial revolution: Ambani

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23:27   Obama drops in at press secy Earnest's final press briefing
President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance in the White House press room on Tuesday to thank press secretary Josh Earnest during his final briefing with reporters.

Obama entered though the sliding door next to the briefing podium after Earnests introductory remarks and heaped praise on his longtime aide.

"I have now known this guy for 10 years, almost. I have watched him grow and I have watched him advance," Obama said. "And he has never disappointed me."

Out of the many people who have worked for Obama over the past decade, "this guy ranks as high as just about anybody I have worked with," the president said of Earnest. "He is a really, really good man."

Read more HERE
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23:21   Demonetisation proves India ready for 4th industrial revolution: Ambani
Mukesh Ambani @ World Economic Forum summit in Davos: 

"Creation of wealth shouldn't be constrained as it is precursor to distribution of wealth; favours free market economy."

""Demonetisation proves India ready for 4th industrial revolution, especially today with a strong leader in Narendra Modi."

"India needs to really transform its education system and technology can be the best facilitator for that."
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22:46   Nigeria mistakenly bombs camp, kills more than 100
A Nigerian state official says an Air Force fighter jet on a mission against Boko Haram extremists has mistakenly bombed a refugee camp, killing more than 100 refugees and wounding aid workers. 

The Borno state government official is helping to coordinate the evacuation of wounded. 

The official spoke today on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to reporters. 

Military commander Maj Gen Lucky Irabor confirms the accidental bombardment in northeast Rann, near the border with Cameroon. The general says among the wounded are Nigerians working for Doctors Without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

This is believed to be the first time Nigeria's military has admitted to making such a mistake. 
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21:51   Putin says US administration trying to undermine Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin is accusing the outgoing US administration of trying to undermine President-elect Donald Trump by spreading fake allegations.

Putin, speaking at a news conference today, described a dossier on Trump as part of efforts by President Barack Obama's administration to "undermine the legitimacy of the president-elect" despite his "convincing" victory.

He said some now want to "stage a Maidan in Washington,"in reference to the alleged US role in organizing protests in the main square of the Ukrainian capital, which chased the nation's Russia-friendly president from power in 2014.

Asked about a dossier alleging Trump's sexual activities at a Moscow hotel, Putin dismissed it as "fake" and charged that people who ordered it are "worse than prostitutes." 
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21:41   Dear BJP 'daro mat', tweets Rahul after BJP moves EC against him
Rahul Gandhi today took a jibe at BJP for approaching the Election Commission to demand freezing Congress' poll symbol by alleging that he had violated the model code of conduct by linking his party symbol "hand" with religious figures during a speech. 

"Dear BJP, daro mat (Dear BJP, don't be scared)," he wrote on the micro-blogging site Twitter. 

The tweet comes after a BJP delegation comprising Union ministers Prakash Javadekar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Gandhi and sought freezing of the poll symbol. 

"The grand old party Congress' grand new leader has tried to give communal colour to the elections by his statement in which he co-related the Congress' 'hand' with various religious figures. This is a clear cut case of corrupt practice. There should be action against both Congress and its leader," Naqvi told reporters after filing complaint with Election Commission.

At Congress' 'Jan Vedna Sammelan' earlier this month, Gandhi had made comments co-relating his party's poll symbol 'hand' with gods, violating the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, model code of conduct and the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, the BJP has alleged in its complaint.
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20:47   Bihar police suspect Pak hand behind Kanpur train tragedy
Bihar police on Tuesday claimed to have unearthed a suspected ISI link to target the railways with arrest of three persons in East Champaran district of the state.
Police claimed the trio had confessed to having worked for a Nepalese contact suspected to be connected to Pakistan's ISI to target the railways.
During interrogation, police claimed they confessed to having been paid Rs three lakh by a Nepali citizen identified as Brajesh Giri allegedly connected with the ISI for planting a bomb on railway tracks at Ghorasahan in East Champaran district in October 1 last year to cause an accident.

The police also claimed that they will interrogate the trio to ascertain if the gang had any role in train accidents in Kanpur that claimed the lives of at least 140 people and injured many others, on November 20, 2016.
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20:06   'Make America Great Again' to be Trump's inauguration theme
Donald Trump's inauguration theme will be same as his campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again" in order to focus less on the real estate mogul and more "on the place, on the people," media reports said. 

The President-elect and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will participate in an over 200 years old tradition to take oath of office on January 20.

"We're going to have a very, very elegant day. January 20 is going to be something that will be very, very special, very beautiful," Trump was quoted as saying by the Politico

On January 19, Trump and Pence will lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Then there will be several marching band performances at the "Voices of the People", held on a stage on the southwest end of the Reflecting Pool. 

After "Voices of the People", the President-elect and Vice President-elect will deliver remarks at the "Make America Great Again! Welcome" concert at the Lincoln Memorial. 

"The theme is very simple," Trump inauguration Chairman Tom Barrack was quoted as saying by ABC News.  
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19:42  
Congress party to gherao Reserve Bank of India's 25 offices across country tomorrow over demonetisation
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18:53   India alone cannot walk the path of peace: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told 65 nations participating in the flagship geo-political conference "Raisina Dialogue" that will deliberate on strategic issues including new challenges and cyber security.

Here are highlights from his speech:

-- It's a great privilege to speak to you at the inauguration of second edition of the Raisina Dialogue

-- World needs India's sustained rise as much as India needs world. Our desire to change country has an indivisible link with external world

-- Non state actors are significant contributors to the spread of challenges we face

-- We need to guard against any inclination that promotes exclusion, specially in Asia

-- Security of our citizens is of paramount importance.Self interest alone is not in our culture or behaviour

-- Our economic & political rise is factor for peace, stability and growth in region and in the world

-- A thriving well integrated neighbourhood is my dream

-- I had also travelled to Lahore but India alone cannot walk the path of peace

-- Pakistan must walk away from terror if it wants to walk towards dialogue with India

-- In the management of our relationship and for peace and progress, we need to show sensitivity and respect for our core concerns

-- Those in our neighbours who support violence, hatred and export terror stand isolated and ignored
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18:30   UK wants 'phased' Brexit deal to avoid 'cliff edge': PM May
British Prime Minister Theresa May unveiled her 12-point plan to leave European Union, saying she wants the Brexit deal within two years, but implementation would be 'phased' to avoid a "cliff edge."

In her much-anticipated speech in London today, May also said that the both houses of the British parliament will vote on any final Brexit agreement, amid pressure from lawmakers to have more say over leaving the 28-nation economic bloc.

"I can confirm that the government will put the final deal to a vote in both houses of parliament before it comes into force," she said in the landmark 40-minute long speech.

May said it "remains overwhelmingly and compellingly in Britain's national interest that the EU should succeed."

The UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum on June 23 by a margin of 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent.
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18:23  
How the market reacted today
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17:58   Mulayam excludes Shivpal from new candidate list
A day after the Election Commission ruled in favour of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in his claim for Samajwadi Partys symbol, the party chief met party patriarch and father Mulayam Singh Yadav today at the latters residence amid expectations of a climbdown from the senior Yadav.

At the meeting, Mulayam submitted a list of 38 candidates to his son and now Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. 

Mulayams list of preferred candidates, interestingly, had no mention of his younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav who was seen as a major supporter of Mulayam in the father-son feud. 

The list, however, carries name of Shivpals son Aditya Yadav. 
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17:36   UoH has 'imprisoned' memories of my son, says Radhika Vemula
Radhika Vemula, who has been appealing for support seeking justice for her son Rohith Vemula which in turn has spiraled into a movement in the last one year, on Tuesday, said the University of Hyderabad authorities have 'imprisoned' the bust and stupa erected in memory of her son inside the campus by not letting anyone enter the campus on his first death anniversary.

Before heading to the university, and while speaking at another event in the city, she said: "When I go to the university, I want to see the statue of my son. Please come with me and support me in getting inside".
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17:11   Has Lindsay Lohan converted to Islam?
Muslims are welcoming Lindsay Lohan to Islam after the actress deleted her Instagram account and changed her bio on the social media site, reports the Daily Mail.


Over the weekend, Lohan got rid of every single photo on her Instagram page, leaving nothing but her profile picture and a bio that now reads: 'Alaikum salam.' Many took it mean that Lohan was converting to Islam.


"I'm so happy that lindsay lohan found Islam. may Allah guide her and bless her,' a woman tweeted. Another posted on her account: 'I heard that Lindsay Lohan converted to Islam? If its true, alhamdulillah. God has shown her the right path to now follow.'


Lohan has not tweeted any response apart from the change in her bio. 
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17:01   Pak to exhume plane's crew bodies for drug test
In an unusual move, Pakistani authorities have decided to exhume the bodies of the crew of a plane that crashed last month killing 48 people to see if any of them were under the influence of drugs. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-661 crashed in a hilly area in Havelian near Abbottabad while en route from Chitral to Islamabad on December 7.  Five crew members were among those killed in the crash. Popular pop singer-turned-Islamic preacher Junaid Jamshed, his wife and three foreigners were also among the 48 dead.
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17:00   Obamas begin move from White House
US President Barack Obama family's move from the White House appears to be underway after a large number of vans carrying his belongings were sighted outside his new eight-bedroom home today, according to a media report.


The images of moving van outside the Obamas' new home in the upscale residential neighbourhood of Kalorama were spotted. The picture also shows boxes on the street, the CBS reported.


The eight-bedroom home is 8,200-square-foot and has nine-and-a-half bathrooms, according to Town and Country, which published pictures of the home's interior.


In his last appearance on '60 Minutes' interview, President Obama said his family will be happy to be out of the White House. "I mean, the girls, obviously, you know, they are now of an age in which the constraints of Secret Service and bubbles and all that stuff has gotten pretty old. Michelle never fully took to the scrutiny. I mean, she's thrived as a first lady, but it's not her preference," Obama said.


The family will move into the 8,200-square-foot mansion after they return from their Palm Springs, California, vacation. Though they are only renting it, the home is valued at USD 6.3 million, the report said. US President-elect Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, are moving into a house just blocks from where Obama and his family will be living, it said.


File pic of the White House.
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16:41   Plea to transfer Shahabuddin from Siwan jail:SC reserves order
The Supreme Court today reserved its judgement on the issue of whether to shift controversial RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail to any prison outside Bihar.


However, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy said the petitioner's request to direct lodging of FIR against Shahabuddin and RJP supremo Lalu Yadav's son and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav, who was purportedly seen in a photograph published in newspapers with one of the two alleged sharp shooters, would be dealt with separately.
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16:33   'Weak' SP teaming up with 'desperate' Congress will never work out: BJP
With the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) heading steadily towards a possible alliance ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday asserted that the entire development reeked of sheer desperation especially on the part of the grand old party.


Speaking to ANI in New Delhi, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain stated that the Congress is already 'doomed', and a coalition with a weaker party like the Samajwadi Party, is not going to benefit them either.


"Two weak parties can never make a strong unit, especially when the popular tide is with BJP this time. Any party or any coalition whatsoever cannot daunt the popularity BJP has garnered in UP this time. Whenever the election takes place, five years of the failure of Akhilesh Yadav's rule, that he has tried to cloud in his family disputes, would be exposed. People have seen for themselves the vandalism, crime and zero development by SP," he said.


He further remarked, that the Congress had to take Sheila Dikshit from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh as their candidate first, and now with their plans of uniting with SP shows their own lack of trust amongst their party."Congress is now in shambles; therefore fighting individually already seems as a lost cause for them," Hussain added.
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16:31   Azharuddin moves Court against Hyderabad Cricket Association
Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin filed a plea in Hyderabad High Court after Hyderabad Cricket Association rejected his nomination for the post of president in HCA. Azharuddin's application was rejected by returning officer K Rajiv Reddy who was not sure whether the BCCI has lifted the ban on him for alleged match-fixing and whether he is a HCA voter or not.
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15:24   Indrani wants to divorce Peter Mukerjea
Sheena Bora murder case: Indrani Mukerjea informs the trial court she wants divorce from husband Peter Mukerjea and seeks permission to file a case. The judge tells Indrani there is no need to take permission from the trial court.


A special CBI court today framed charges of murder and criminal conspiracy against Indrani Mukerjea, her husband Peter Mukerjea and former husband Sanjeev Khanna for the murder of Indrani's daughter Sheena Bora in 2012.


All the accused were explained the charges framed against them. They pleaded not guilty to the charges and said they would face trial. Judge H S Mahajan kept the matter for trial to begin on February 1. All the three accused were charged under IPC sections 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 364 (kidnapping), 302 (murder), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 203 (giving false information in respect of an offence) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence). Additionally, Indrani and Sanjeev were charged under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) for plotting to kill her son and Sheena's brother Mikhail Bora.


Image: Indrani and Peter Mukerjea in happier times.
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15:09   BJP to meet EC over Rahul's hand of God speech
A BJP delegation will meet the Election Commission today at 3:30 pm to complain against Congress VP Rahul Gandhi for his speech comparing Lord Shiva's hand with the symbol of the Congress.


On January 12, at a Congress convention at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi, Gandhi claimed that he saw the Congress' party symbol (hand) in pictures of Lord Shiva and Guru Nanak. The speech went viral on the internet and set Twitter abuzz.

Slamming Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for comparing the Congress party symbol 'Hand' with the hands of Guru Nanak, Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal described the analogy as "shocking in the extreme and unpardonable".  
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14:26   When Obama read Jhumpa Lahiri
... He points out, for instance, that the fiction of Junot Daz and Jhumpa Lahiri speaks "to a very particular contemporary immigration experience,' but at the same time tell stories about "longing for this better place but also feeling displaced" --  a theme central to much of American literature, and not unlike books by Philip Roth and Saul Bellow that are "steeped with this sense of being an outsider, longing to get in, not sure what you're giving up."


Barack Obama on books and how they shaped his White House years.
Do read
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14:16   Cannot accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa's position: Niece
Forty days after the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, her niece Deepa Jayakumar on Tuesday confirmed that she would foray into Tamil Nadu politics. Confirming her political ambitions, Jayakumar announced that "a landmark announcement' would be made on February 24, which happens to be Jayalalithaa's birthday. Speaking to reporters, she said "AIADMK cadres are already welcoming me.'


Earlier in the day, she paid homage to AIADMK founder MGR at his memorial at Marina beach. The party is celebrating his 100th birth anniversary. When Jayalalithaa was admitted at Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Jayakumar was allegedly not allowed to meet her aunt. She said, "I have two options -- one is to join AIADMK or to float a new party. I will discuss with my supporters before making a decision. I cannot accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa's position."
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14:13   Why Sasikala's husband went to Delhi
VK Sasikala's husband Natarajan, the master strategist of the AIADMK in a post Jayalalithaa era was in New Delhi for two days last week. In Delhi, he met Congress leaders, but his visit was not political. It was to understand the progress of the disproportionate assets case filed against Sasikala in the Supreme Court and the possible date of the judgement. Natarajan had a meeting with the senior Supreme Court lawyers representing Sasikala in the case --  Kapil Sibal and Abhisekh Manu Singhvi.
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13:45   Jawan video: HC seeks reply from Centre, BSF on food served to troopers
The Delhi High Court today sought the response of the Ministry of Home Affairs on a plea seeking its status report on alleged poor quality food being served along the LoC as claimed by a BSF soldier on social media.


A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangeeta Dhingra Sehgal also issued notice to Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Assam Rifles seeking their stand on the allegation of poor quality food being given to jawans.


It also directed the BSF to produce before it the investigation report and the steps it has taken with regard to allegations levelled by BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav.


"The steps have already been taken by respondent 2 (BSF) in this regard. However, we would like to see their report. Whatever report you have, place before the court on next date of hearing, February 27," the bench said.


The direction came after advocate Gaurang Kanth, appearing for BSF, informed the court that BSF has already done on the spot inspection after the incident.


"Things are in order. We have found nothing as was alleged by Yadav. However, we are further looking into the issue," Kanth submitted. The bench, meanwhile, refused to issue any direction with regard to not taking any action against Yadav, as was sought by the petitioner, saying, "Sorry we will not go into it."


The petition was filed by Puran Chand Arya, a former central government employee, in the wake of a video posted on Facebook by BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, claiming corruption among officers and poor working conditions.
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13:40   Pranab Mukherjee wants his term to end with GST
President Pranab Mukherjee has been informally telling BJP ministers including Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh that he would like to append his approval and seal his signature on the the Goods and Services Tax bill when it is submitted to him for approval in the June. The GST Bill most likely is the last file the outgoing president will sign on.  Pranab Mukherjee wants the GST should be passed during his tenure.

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13:36   Hamid Ansari for President, says Opposition
Vice President Hamid Ansari is being tipped as the next Presidential candidate from the Opposition. The election is likely to take place in early June and informal talks have just begun at the highest level.

Our sources tell us that talks of the presidential polls will gain momentum once the Uttar Pradesh election results are out.

But the Congress Party has already initiated informal discussions at the top level with the CPM, BSP, SP and even the Shiv Sena and the initiative to gather the troops is being taken by Rahul Gandhi.


Whichever way the UP poll results go, Rahul Gandhi is of the view that the BJP should be given a tough fight by an united Opposition. The Parliament session will commence end of the month and a clear picture mayb emerge in April.
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13:17   CBI files chargesheet: Indrani, Peter, Sanjeev Khanna charged with murder
Just in: #SheenaBora murder case: CBI files a chargesheet against Indrani Mukerjea - prime accused in the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora - along with husband Peter Mukerjea and ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna.  All three accused have been charged with murder and criminal conspiracy. All the accused were present in court today.


The CBI has maintained that Indrani Mukerjea killed Sheena Bora, her daughter from a previous relationship, with the assistance of Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai over a property dispute. Former media baron Peter Mukhejea, the CBI says, was aware of his wife's motive and her crime. Mukerjea's driver had turned approver for the CBI.
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13:02   Cong-SP alliance in UP under Akhilesh
There will be Congress and SP alliance in the upcoming UP elections, announces Congress senior leader and UP in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad.  Highlights...

"Details about the alliance will be decided in the coming days, for now we can say there will be Cong-SP alliance under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav," Azad says. "As of now it is an alliance of the Congress and SP, will think about 'maha-gathbandhan' in coming days," Azad says.

Sheila Dikshit, Cong CM candidate says she will withdraw from CM candidature if Cong-SP alliance happens. There cannot be 2 CM candidates.

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12:28   You are my role model: Aamir reaches out to trolled Dangal star Zaira Wasim
Aamir Khan reaches out to Zaira Wasim a day after she was allegedly trolled for meeting J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti.

Aamir who plays Zaira's father in the blockbuster Dangal, posted on Facebook: I have read Zaira's statement, and I can understand and imagine what lead her to make that statement.

Zaira, I want you to know that we are all with you. The beauty is that bright, young, talented, hardworking, respectful, caring and courageous kids like you are a role model for kids not only in India, but across the world. You certainly are a role model for me! May god bless you.
Love. Aamir.
P.S. : I appeal to everyone to now leave her alone and respect the fact that she is just a 16 yr old girl trying her best to deal with life.


Zaira Wasim, the Kashmiri teen who shot to fame for her stellar role playing the young Geeta Phogat, was on Monday unwittingly caught up in controversy over her meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in the backdrop of the unrest in the Valley.

Zaira, 16, first posted an apology for "offending" and "unintentionally hurting" people after her meeting with Mehbooba kicked up a row and trolled online but later deleted the post. She then posted again, this time asking everyone not to blow the issue out of proportion but deleted this post too.

Zaira, who played the younger version of wrestler Geeta Phogat in Dangal, took to Facebook and tendered an apology apparently over her meeting with the chief minister on Saturday that drew sharp reactions from the youth in the Valley because of the situation there during the last few months.

She also played down her performance in Dangal, saying she was "not proud of" what she is doing.

"This is an open confession/apology. I know that many people have been offended and displeased by my recent actions or by the people I have recently met," the actress wrote on her Facebook page.

Zaira said she wanted to apologise to "all those people who I have unintentionally hurt and I want them to know that I understand their sentiments behind it especially considering that what had happened over the past six months" -- apparently referring to the unrest in the Valley which left 86 people dead and thousands injured.

"But I hope people can also understand there are certain circumstances that emerge which one cannot control and I hope people still remember that I'm a just a 16 year old girl and I hope you treat me accordingly. I'm sorry for what I did but it was not a deliberate decision and I really hope people can forgive me," she said.

Zaira also played down her projection as a role model for the youth of Kashmir, saying she does not want anyone to follow in her footsteps.

"There are few more things which are very important and I want to clear them as well. The first and foremost thing is that I am being projected as a role model for Kashmiri Youth. I want to make it very clear that I do not want anyone to follow in my footsteps or even consider me as a role model.

Zaira later removed her first post and came up with a new one, where she claimed that she has "not been forced into anything by anyone". She, however, deleted that too after sometime.


IMAGE: Aamir Khan with Zaira Wasim (left) and Suhani Bhatnagar in Dangal
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11:54   Jayalalithaa's niece likely to announce new party today
Former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar (42) is likely to launch her own party today. "I will begin the work left by the late M G Ramachandran from tomorrow (Tuesday)," she said in a statement.


Jayalalithaa's niece bears a striking resemblance to her aunt and has used the resemblance to her benefit. Posters across Chennai show her dressed in a sari similar to the ones worn by her late aunt. Even the way she has draped her sari is similar to Jayalalithaa.


Deepa had on January 7 said that she would launch a party on her own "on the request from true fans of MGR and Jayalalithaa". She has claimed to be the recipient of MGR and Jayalalithaa's legacy and is expected to pay tributes to both the AIADMK leaders and hold a press conference and meet her supporters at 4 pm today.


Image: A poster of Deepa Jayakumar shows a marked resemblance to Jayalalithaa
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11:53   After 24 months, search for missing Malaysian plane MH370 ends
Search for Malaysian plane MH370 that disappeared in 2014 with 239 on board is suspended.


The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has come to an end with passengers' families being informed that the effort to find the plane has been suspended.


Next of kin were told in an emailed statement on Tuesday that Australian authorities' underwater search of 120,000 sq km in the southern Indian ocean had concluded without success.


The search had been ongoing for more than two years.

Also read: 12 weird conspiracy theories on Flight MH370
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11:46  
Delhi HC seeks response of MHA & paramilitary forces on plea against alleged poor quality food being served to troopers.
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11:39  
Earthquake tremors felt in various areas of Karachi: Pakistan media.
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11:20  
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav interacts with Samajwadi Party workers at his official residence, 5 Kalidas Marg. 
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11:05   Amarinder: Will defeat Badals in their home seat
Capt Amarinder Singh on the upcoming Punjab elections: "This is my last election and I will defeat Badal on his home seat. There is no deal behind Sidhu's joining. He himself said his father was in Congress and that it's his 'ghar wapsi'.
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10:53   Chandra tells students to pursue social entrepreneurship
Tata Sons Chairman-designate N Chandrasekaran on Monday stressed on the need to focus on social entrepreneurship programmes and suggested students to do a number of social projects, synthesising the real problems using artificial intelligence and machine learning. He was in Hyderabad to inaugurate FC Kohli Research Block on Monday. The block is a part of Kohli Center on Intelligent Systems (KCIS) at International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Hyderabad which was funded by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Foundation to give a fillip to research, teaching and entrepreneurship in the area of intelligent systems.


Addressing the students, Chandrasekaran said that the centre coordinated research among several active research areas, including artificial intelligence, natural language processing, information retrieval, machine learning, cognitive science, robotics, data sciences, data analytics and other relevant groups within the country and abroad.

Sharath Chowdary/Business Standard
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10:42   CBI to chargesheet Indrani Mukerjea, others in Sheena Bora murder
Just in: A Special CBI court in Mumbai will frame charges against Indrani Mukherjee and others in the Sheena Bora murder case.


The CBI has said that Indrani Mukerjea killed Sheena Bora, her daughter from a previous relationship, with the assistance of her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai over a property dispute.


Also accused in the case is former media baron Peter Mukhejea, who the CBI says was aware of his wife's motive and her crime. Mukerjea's driver had turned approver for the CBI.


Defence in its argument, which concluded last week, has said the CBI will not be able to prove any of the allegations against the Mukerjeas.


Rahul Mukerjea, Peter Mukerjea's son from an earlier marriage, was in a relationship with Sheena Bora, who was murdered in April 2012. Indrani and Peter Mukerjea were allegedly opposed to the relationship.
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10:31   'Gandhi should have won the Nobel Prize'
Only 15 people of Indian origin have won the coveted prize.Hoping to correct this situation, reports Pallav Bagla, India has embarked on the most intense dialogue with the Nobel Foundation till date. Read more
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10:24   The secret of a good life - Socialism for modern times
Socialism had its golden age after World War II. Taxes in the belligerent countries had gone sky-high during the War; people had got used to paying high income taxes. Governments had no use for the revenue once the enemies were defeated; what better use for it but to improve the conditions of the poor? No country rewarded the poor for just being poor; they had to be young, or old, or unemployed - unfortunate in an additional dimension - to qualify for subsidies. India, for instance, invented a scheme and named it after its saint, Mahatma Gandhi: a poor man had to be prepared to do hard physical work in the open, however hot or cold it was, to get a paltry wage. No wonder middlemen found it easier to invent poor men and pocket the wage in their name.  Read more
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10:22   Two day winter session of Delhi Assembly begins today
The two-day winter session of the Delhi Assembly will begin today.The session comes in the wake of newly appointed Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal returning file to the Delhi Government on slashing of DTC bus fares. The issue is likely to figure during the two-day session.Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta will seek to corner the government for not inviting the Lt Governor to address the House.
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10:21   Bruce Springsteen cover band pulls out of Trump inauguration gala
Among many other musicians and bands, popular Bruce Springsteen cover group called 'B-Street Band' has also decided to stay away from the 'storm' that is hitting up President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural function.


Will Forte, the group's 63-year-old keyboardist, manager, agent and publicist, among other roles, recently told Rolling Stone, "We felt that we had to make it known that we didn't want to seem disrespectful, in any way, shape or form, to Bruce and his music and his band."


"I don't want to upset them. We owe everything to him and our gratitude and respect to the band is imperative above all else. It became clear to us that this wasn't working and we just had to do what we thought was the right thing to do and that was to pull out," Forte explained.


Springsteen has repeatedly voiced his anger and disgust at the President-elect, mentioning him as a "moron" in excerpts from upcoming Rolling Stone feature.
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10:01   Indira's brush with the bike
By saddling up the bicycle, Akhilesh Yadav has won a race that Indira Gandhi could not decades ago.


The cycle would catch up with Indira years later while she was fighting her second battle for political survival but - after almost losing out in long-distance translation - the now-familiar " haath" stopped the two-wheeler in its tracks. In handing the cycle symbol to Akhilesh, the Election Commission has relied upon its 1971 order after the Congress had split in 1969, making numerical strength of the elected representatives the decider. Essentially, what it means is that the parliamentary wing, not the organisational machinery, is the party. Read more
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09:40   Rift in Punjab BJP ahead of polls; Sampla offers resignation
Hours after the Bharatiya Janata Party released six more names for the Punjab assembly polls, its state unit chief Vijay Sampla expressed his displeasure over the ticket distribution, and offered to step down from the post of party's state unit chief as well as that of cabinet minister.

According to sources, Sampla, who is minister of state for social justice and empowerment, is unhappy with the BJP fielding Som Prakash from Fagwara constituency as he wanted a person of his choice to contest the polls from Fagwara.

Sampla has said that he is ready to offer his resignation from the party leadership and also from the cabinet minister's post if the BJP top brass doesnt amend its decision of fielding Prakash from Fagwara.

The saffron party has dropped two ministers in Punjab government from the list of its remaining six candidates for the state assembly polls, which is scheduled to take place on February 4.

With announcement of these six more names for the Punjab assembly polls, the party has announced all its 23 candidates out of 117 seats for Punjab, where it is in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal.

The BJP had on January 12 announced first list of 17 candidates for state assembly polls. The last date of filing the nomination is January 18. SAD-BJP is locked in a tough battle with the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, which has emerged as a formidable third force in the state. -- ANI

IMAGE: Union minister and Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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09:18   'Some sections' of BJP want to bring down AIADMK govt, says Sasikala's husband
M Natarajan, husband of AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala, has accused "some sections" in the BJP of trying to split the AIADMK and get the state government dismissed.    

"They are trying to break the AIADMK and dismiss our government. They are trying to besmirch our government. There are also attempts to saffronise Tamil Nadu but they will not succeed. I will tour the entire state and tear their mask," he said.    

"We will not allow such conspiracies to succeed... I will face the challenge squarely... I am willing to come anywhere single-handedly, to Gujarat, to UP, anywhere," he said while addressing the valedictory session of the three-day 'Thamizhar Kalai Ilakkiya Pongal Thiruvizha' (Tamil art and literary Pongal festival) in Thanjavur. 

Image shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi consoling Sasikala at Rajaji Hall, Chennai, where Jayalalithaa's body was kept for public viewing on December 6, 2016. Watching on is Natarajan, Sasikala's husband who had been turned out by Jayalalithaa during her lifetime. Photograph: ANI.
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09:10   Season 8 of GoT may have more than 6 episodes
HBO's programming president Casey Bloys has hinted that the final season of the network's popular series Game of Thrones might feature more than six episodes.   

It was earlier reported that the creators of the popular fantasy drama David Benioff and DB Weiss were ready to end the show with 13 episodes, including seven episodes in season seven and six episodes in the eighth season.   

Bloys, however, said that the show's bosses are still contemplating over how many hours the final season will run for, reported Entertainment Weekly.   

"They're still figuring out the shape of the season, what they want to do. I'll take as many as they want to do. If they give me eight, I'll want 10. But it's really up to them. They'll let me know," he said.
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09:07   Amarinder to fight Badal on home turf; Sidhu to contest from Amritsar East
Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh is all set to fight the assembly elections against the Shiromani Akali Dal head and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from the latter's home turf Lambi.

The Congress, in a press release, made his nomination official.

Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who joined Congress recently, will contest from Amritsar East.

Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu has been placed against Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal from his constituency of Jalalabad.

Hockey player Pargat Singh is nominated from Jalandhar Cantt, while Jalandhar District Congress Committee Rural president Jagbir Singh Brar will fight from Nakodar seat.

Punjab will go for polls for 117 seats in a single-phase on February 4.
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08:46   Owaisi booked for poll code violation in UP
A first information report has been lodged against All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi for violating the Model Code of Conduct in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur.

Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Singh said apart from Owaisi, AIMIM assembly poll candidate Talat Khan has also been booked in the case.

Singh said according to a complaint filed by SI Anil Kumar, posters of AIMIM have allegedly been pasted on the walls of the power corporation property, religious places and private shops.

Police has registered a case under section 171H (illegal payments in connection with an election) of the Indian Penal Code, he said. -- PTI
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08:21   Istanbul nightclub attacker who killed 39 caught
Turkish police has caught the gunman who killed 39 people, including two Indians, in an Istanbul nightclub during New Year's celebrations.

The suspect was caught in a special operations police raid on a house in a housing complex in Istanbul's Esenyurt district, the Turkish media reported.

Agency reports said he had been staying in the house belonging to a Kyrgyz friend.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group, asserting that it was in reprisal for 'Turkish military operations in northern Syria'.

The local media has identified the gunman as Abdulkadir Masharipov, an Uzbek national. -- Agencies
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00:36   Trump considering naming Indian-American to lead FDA
Indian-American Balaji S Srinivasan, a successful Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and CEO of a bitcoin startup, is under consideration for Trump Administration's pick to lead the Federal Drug Administration after he met the US President-elect.

Balaji Srinivasan met Trump at the Trump Towers in New York on Thursday. No official announcement has been made yet. 

But the incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirmed that Balaji is under consideration for the position of heading FDA, the all-important federal agency for drug and pharma industry.

"Srinivasan along with Jim O'Neill, managing director of Mithril Capital Management are being considered for positions in the FDA," Spicer told reporters.

Spicer said Srinivasan currently serves as the CEO and cofounder of 21.co and is a partner in Andreessen Horowitz. 

"He has won FDA approval as a genomics entrepreneurial," he said. 

"I am broadly interested in new technology, with a particular focus on "real world" applications where digital bits interface with physical atoms and substantive problems, such as quantified self (healthcare), MOOCs/edtech (education), Bitcoin (finance), drones, and 3D printing," Srinivasan wrote on his LinkedIn profile.
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00:31   King's daughter: Fight 'no matter who is in White House'
As civil rights leaders and activists gather at sites across the country to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, the slain civil rights leader's daughter is encouraging Americans to fight for his vision of love and justice "no matter who is in the White House".

Bernice King addressed more than 2,000 people gathered at her father's Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta four days before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. She spoke hours before her brother, Martin Luther King III, is scheduled to meet with the president-elect at Trump Tower in New York. 

While Bernice King did not offer a detailed critique of Trump, who remains unpopular among black Americans, she said the nation still has a choice between "chaos and community", the same dichotomy her father wrote and preached about. 

"At the end of the day, the Donald Trumps come and go," Bernice King said. But, she added "we still have to find a way to create" what her father called "the beloved community". 

Trump won fewer than 1 out of 10 votes from black Americans in November, and that lack of popularity was on display today beyond Bernice King's remarks. 
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00:30   Government to ally with charities to combat child porn online
India's ministries focusing on children, health, education and technology plan to join forces with charities and police to stem a surge in images of children being sexually abused on the internet, the Indian government said on Monday.

The ministry of women and children said one of the aims of the partnership was to set up an internet portal to share information such as best practices for dealing with child abuse online and proposals for updating legislation and policies.

"Child abuse is finding new forms and channels through mobile and digital technologies. Online child abuse and exploitation amplifies existing forms of off-line bullying, stalking and harassment," said a ministry statement.

"It also facilitates the sexual exploitation of children through the production and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials and by facilitating the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. Online abuse knows no national boundaries."

Read more HERE

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