National News-
Mexico backs India's bid for NSG membership, PM thanks President Nieto for support
In a crucial backing to India's NSG membership bid, Mexico today said that it “positively”and “constructively” supports India's membership to Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Read more.
CBI forms SIT to probe corruption charges in AgustaWestland scam, Vijay Mallya case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate corruption charges in the AgustaWestland deal and charges of money-laundering by Vijay Mallya. Read more.
Countering China? India plans to accelerate BrahMos to Vietnam, report says
As India and Vietnam eye to enhance their bilateral defence cooperation, reports say that New Delhi is stepping up its efforts to sell supersonic BrahMos missile to the Communist country. The move is obviously seen as a response to neighbour China's rising military muscle-flexing in the region. Read more.
‘Shame that it’s happening in BJP’s rule’: Modi's ministers at loggerheads after 250 Nilgais killed in 3 days in Bihar
An operation to cull Nilgai herds in Bihar’s Mokama district appears to have created a discord between two senior ministers of BJP-led NDA government at the Centre - Maneka Gandhi and Prakash Javadekar. Read more.
Court grants Salman Khan one last chance to prove his innocence in Arms Act case
Having failed to have produced any witness or evidence so far to prove his innocence in an Arms Act case, a trial court in Jodhpur has granted one last chance to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to prove his innocence in the case which relates to the alleged poaching of two Black Bucks in Kankani on 1-2 October, 1998. Read more.
Delhi Metro Phase III: DMRC conducts trial for Magenta line, know the route
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday conducted three successful trial runs on the Magenta line between Kalindi Kunj depot station and Okhla Vihar Metro station of the Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden line -- the first in phase 3. Read more.
International News-
Progress made on nuclear energy, defence, trade: Richard Verma on Modi’s visit to US
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to the US this week was “very, very rich and productive” as significant progress was made in wide range of areas from civil nuclear energy to defence and trade, America’s top diplomat in New Delhi has said. Read more.
Cornered Pakistan seeks US support for its NSG bid, finds no takers
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully ended his five nation tour after garnering support from US, Switzerland, Mexico for India's NSG membership bid, arch rival Pakistan has been left cornered on the issue. Read more.
Pathankot attack an ‘excuse’ for India to derail dialogue process, says flustered Pakistan
Faced with condemnation over its apparent support to non-state actors to perpetrate acts of terror on Indian soil, Pakistan is now resorting to cheap theatrics to engage the international fora which is shifting to India’s favour given its stand against terror and its growing economic prowess. Read more.
Business News-
Google and Tata Trust join hands to launch ‘Internet Saathi’ to empower rural women
‘Internet Saathi’, which is a joint digital literacy programme of Google India and Tata Trust, is all set to roll out across 400 villages and reach one lakh women in Purulia district in West Bengal in the next few months. Read more.
Sebi to e-auction Sahara properties next month at a reserve price of Rs 1,900 Crore
Markets regulator Sebi, in an initiative to recover dues from Sahara, will sell a total of 16 land parcels of the beleaguered group, through e-auction next month, at a reserve price of about Rs 1,900 crore. Read more.
Now download YouTube videos overnight on cheaper data rates: Know how
YouTube today rolled out a new feature called the 'Smart Offline' that will let a user download video at cheaper night data rates. These night data rates are offered by some of the mobile operators in India. Read more.
Entertainment News-
How can name of a movie challenge India’s unity and sovereignty, HC asks CBFC on ‘Udta Punjab’
The Bombay High court, while listening to the petition filed by co-producer of 'Udta Punjab' Anurag Kashyap on Thursday, came down heavily on the censor board and asked how the name of a movie could challenge India’s unity and sovereignty. Read more.
Is this how much Parineeti Chopra is charging for her Tollywood debut?
Actress Parineeti Chopra recently stunned everyone after she did a remarkable transformation. The actress perfectly metamorphosed her from a chubby girl to stunning diva. Apart from her commendable transformation, her professional life is all making a lot of buzz. The actress is making a comeback on the silver screen after a gap of two years with Yash Raj Films’ ‘Meri Pyaari Bindu’. But if the reports are to be believed, the ‘Ishaqzaade’ actress is all set to make her debut in Tollywood as well. Read more.
Horse-riding and fighting: This is how Tamannah Bhatia is preparing for Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
It seems that actress Tamannah Bhatia, wants her role in the sequel of blockbuster Baahubali, nothing short of perfect. The diva, who essays the role of Avanthika in the period drama, is learning horse riding for the second instalment of the magnum opus movie directed by SS Rajamouli. Read more.
Sports News-
Ranchi, Indore among six new Test venues announced by BCCI for 2016-17
The Board of Control for cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced six new venues for the national team’s fixtures in the coming season. Read more.
Australian Open: Saina Nehwal, K Srikanth advance to quarterfinals in singles events
Star shuttler Saina Nehwal and K Srikanth registered a straight-game win to reach the quarterfinals of the women’s and men’s singles events respectively at the USD 750,000 Australian Open Super Series badminton tournament today. Read more.
Maria Sharapova maintains support of major sponsors despite two-year ban
Maria Sharapova has found support from sponsors after being given a two-year suspension for failing a drugs test at the Australian Open. Sharapova has vowed to fight the ban, announced by the International Tennis Federation on Wednesday, after she tested positive for prohibited substance meldonium and high-profile sponsors Nike, Head and Evian are standing by the Russian, with Nike lifting the suspension they imposed on their contract when news of her failed drugs test emerged in March.
