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When Irrfan Khan was to play Akshay Kumar’s role in Airlift

During several interviews, we had Raja Menon, the director of the recent entrant to the 100 crore club Airlift, appreciating the sincerity and honesty that Akshay Kumar has towards his profession. But little did we know that the director would have lost on this opportunity if only he hadn’t heard Nikhil Advani’s (one of Airlift’s […]

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Bypoll roundup: BJP emerges winner in riot-hit Muzaffarnagar, SP suffers major setback

The series of bypolls which were held in different parts of the country saw mixed results for the BJP-led NDA alliance, with the party securing a major upset by winning the Muzaffarnagar seat in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh The Samajwadi Party has held the Muzaffarnagar seat since the year 2012, according to an NDTV report.

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‘Kick them out’: HT journalist recounts mob attack in a Delhi court

As a beat reporter following Delhi high court proceedings, news of Jawaharlal Nehru University students and faculty being targeted by lawyers inside Patiala House court caught my eye. I was scrolling through the newsfeed on my Twitter account when the news broke around 2.30 pm. A hearing on the extension of police custody of JNU

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Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan textbook for actors like me: Girish Kumar

Actor Girish Kumar says superstars Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan have tremendously inspired him and they were “textbook” for actors like him. “Salman sir and Hrithik sir are such huge personalities. I’ve not actually met them but they’re like a textbook for actors like me. You can watch them how they approach their scenes, you

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India’s cheapest Rs.500 smartphone to be launched soon

Domestic handset maker Ringing Bells will launch India’s most affordable smartphone for under Rs.500 later this week, a move that is set to disrupt the booming handset market in the country. The launch is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for “empowering India to the last person, transforming India’s growth story”, the Noida-based

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It can carry 1000kg warheads: Prithvi II missile test-fired in Odisha

India on Tuesday test-fired its indigenously developed Prithvi II missile — capable of carrying 500kg -1000kg of warheads — as part of a user trial by the army from a test range at Chandipur. The missile test was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about

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Why Sonam Kapoor believes film awards often overlook good performances

It’s a relaxed evening. Although Sonam Kapoor has a new film releasing soon, she has no anxiety. She is stress-free. Talking about the criticism her appearance in Coldplay’s latest video has received, she says she “was taken aback by the reactions”. However, she continues to feel optimistic. “When there is a dialogue about any piece

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Barack Obama hosts Southeast Asia leaders in bid to strengthen ties

President Barack Obama gathered leaders from Southeast Asia on Monday to strengthen trade ties and form a common stance on the South China Sea in a summit the White House hopes will solidify US influence in the region. Obama, who leaves office next year, has championed a foreign policy pivot to Asia during his presidency

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‘I’m not at all afraid’: Nadal, Ferrer not worried by Zika virus at Rio Open

Spanish tennis stars Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer insisted they were unworried by Brazil’s Zika virus outbreak as they prepare to compete at the Rio Open ATP tournament this week. “I’m not at all afraid,” Nadal, 29, told a press conference. “I go out at night, and I know there’s a risk, but I’m just

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Conflict of interest: Sourav Ganguly denies allegations, says he is ‘nonplussed’

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has refuted allegations of a conflict of interest arising out of his roles as member of the IPL governing council (GC) and a business partner with an IPL franchise owner. While filing his reply to the ombudsman in response to a complaint lodged by Niraj Gunde, Ganguly admitted to owning

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India vs Sri Lanka series takeaways: Captain cool back to his impressive best; Dhawan, Bumrah big gains

The biggest takeaway from the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka was undoubtedly skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s inspiring leadership. For some time now, Dhoni’s captaincy has been vexing. The loss to Bangladesh and South Africa were particularly galling but were offset by the mixed results from the limited overs matches against Australia. It was widely

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West Indies cricketers eye World T20 after pay dispute resolves

The West Indies cricketers’ acrimonious pay dispute with their Board has been resolved with 12 of them signing their contracts for the World Twenty20 in India but batsman Darren Bravo has opted out to “concentrate on the longer formats of the game”. The West Indies Cricket Board said that star batsman Chris Gayle, skipper Darren

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Following protests, Shah Rukh to get extra security cover in Gujarat

With two incidents of protests by right-wing organizations against Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) in the past fortnight, the state police have decided to strengthen the security cover on the sets of his upcoming film ‘Raees’ for which he is shooting in the state. Senior officials said that respective district and city police chiefs

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Yoweri Museveni eyes 5th term as Uganda gets ready to vote

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni`s success in Thursday`s election is widely predicted, but the violence in pursuit of victory that characterised previous polls has scarcely been seen. After three decades in office, Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) are eyeing a fifth term for one of Africa`s longest-serving leaders, but have little need to bludgeon

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George W. Bush offers tough Donald Trump takedown in campaign debut

George W. Bush never mentioned Donald Trump. But with his folksy touch, the former president unleashed a tough takedown Monday of the billionaire businessman who has upended a Republican Party his family has long led. “I understand Americans are angry and frustrated,” Bush said during his first campaign rally for his brother, former Florida Gov.

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Women entry to Sabrimala: Happy to Bleed activists move Supreme Court

The raging temple entry row involving the famous Sabarimala shrine of Kerala took a new twist on Monday. Students who are part of the ‘Happy to Bleed’ campaign moved the Supreme Court, asking how women can be discriminated against and barred from worshipping on the ground of a “healthy and biological” process of menstruation. The

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Supreme Court upholds Army’s ‘command and exit’ policy

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Army’s controversial ‘command and exit’ promotion policy. The apex court endorsed the Kargil Review Committee’s view that India needed a young force and age profile of command unit personnel should be reduced for better physical alertness and operational preparedness, especially at high altitude and hazardous and hostile topography

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Congress claims move to swear in new government in Arunachal

Congress leaders on Monday mentioned before the Supreme Court that they have learnt of a recommendation of Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa to lift the President’s Rule in the State. Senior advocates Fali S Nariman and Kapil Sibal, who represent former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, former Speaker Nabam Rebia and others, said there was a

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All party meet today; Will PM Modi break his silence on JNU row?

There is heightened suspense about the all-party meeting on Tuesday morning. Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose reticence at crucial times has baffled even his admirers, break his silence on the controversial arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University students’ union president? His decision to convene this meeting ahead of the Budget session of Parliament does display

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Nuclear ambitions will speed up ‘regime collapse’: President Park fires off warning to North Korea

South Korea’s president warned Tuesday that rival North Korea faces collapse if it doesn’t abandon its nuclear bomb program, an unusually strong broadside that will likely infuriate Pyongyang. President Park Geun-hye, in a nationally televised parliamentary address defending her decision to shut down a jointly run factory park in North Korea, said South Korea will

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Syria’s Assad warns Turkey, Saudi: Sending troops will not be a ‘picnic’

Syrian President Bashar Assad is warning Turkey and Saudi Arabia that any ground incursion into Syria will have “global repercussions” and says sending in troops will not be a “picnic.” Commenting on the agreement reached last week among the U.S., Russia and other world powers for a temporary cessation of hostilities in Syria, Assad said,

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Traditional homes more sustainable houses

Although people around the world want the kinds of houses seen in Europe and North America, rather than those they grew up with, traditional homes can be more sustainable, says an Indian-origin engineer. Industrial building materials are often scarce and expensive and alternative, locally sourced, sustainable materials are often a better choice, said Khanjan Mehta,

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