In a desperate bid to steady their sailing ship, two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK announced on Wednesday that they have parted ways with Njazi Kuqi, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Augustin Fernandes, replacing them with David Cotterill, striker Martin Paterson and former Delhi Dynamos goalkeeper Soram Poirei.

Former Bristol City player Cotterill is a versatile player who has the fantastic ability with the ball. Martin Paterson played for Port Vale in England’s League One in 2016 and has represented Tampa Bay Rowdies in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Poirei started his career with I-League outfit Shillong Lajong FC and has also played for Bengaluru FC. He turned to Delhi Dynamos in the ISL in 2016.

“It is an honour to play for ATK. Kolkata has hosted the biggest teams and players in the past and has a rich footballing history. To play for the two-time ISL champion is a challenge which I am excited to take on,” Cotterill said in a statement.

“I look forward to scoring goals for ATK and hopefully help the team in qualifying for the playoffs. We all know the pressure that comes for playing for the two -time ISL Champions. I hope to enthral my fans and deliver with my performances,” Paterson said.

ATK head coach Teddy Sheringham is confident that the trio will help ATK boost their sagging ISL campaign.

“We are excited to have David, Martin and Soram on board with us. I hope we can integrate them quickly in our squad, so that they can start firing for the rest of the season,” the former Manchester United star said.

ATK are currently seventh in the league table with just 12 points from nine games.

The delay in appointment of Deputy and Additional Advocate Generals on tenure basis owing to legal and administrative hitches in Himachal Pradesh has left the regular staff (cadre posts) over-worked.

The regular staff members has been asked to cancel ongoing vacation and handle the cases on vacation benches of State Administrative Tribunal and the High Court to meet this requirement.

While the previous Congress government had appointed over 35 Deputy and Additional Advocate Generals on tenure basis (co-terminus with government) at its own whims and fancies, the present BJP government is required to follow some rules to select people for important job in the wake of guidelines issued by the apex court, which had asked the states to frame rules sometime ago.

Sources said the previous state government had submitted an affidavit on a contempt petition in the High Court that rules are being framed for these appointments.

At present, the state government has three regular Deputy Advocate Generals, one Assistant Advocate General and one Law Officer. Out of three Deputy AGs one takes care of the cases in Administrative Tribunal and one of cases in High Court.

One Deputy AG is posted in Delhi. Three posts of Assistant AGs and one post of Deputy AG are vacant for long.

“The rules have been framed, but it will still take some more time to meet procedural formalities, before we go for appointments. Our regular staff is overworked as we had to cancel their vacation,” Advocate General, Himachal Pradesh, Ashok Sharma told The Statesman.

He said the appointments would made as per eligibility and the numbers would be need based.

“However, we are working on some legal options for the intervening period, so as to ease the work pressure,” the AG said.

The new rules, official sources said, may lay down eligibility in terms of experience and number of cases handled by an aspirant for the posts of Deputy AGs and Additional AGs.

It is pertinent to mention that in previous Congress government, the appointments of Deputy AGs and Additional AGs on tenure basis had snowballed into a controversy as the lawyers were handpicked without going into the length and quality of their experience and the cases handled.

Their numbers were the highest ever in any government in Himachal in the last four decades.

Actress Bipasha Basu on Wednesday denied she is pregnant.

Bipasha, who is married to actor Karan Singh Grover, responded to pregnancy speculation via Twitter.

“Amused yet again. I kept a bag on my lap while getting into my car and certain media people started my pregnancy speculation again. Guys, I am not pregnant. Kind of getting irritating. Stay calm. It will happen only when we want it,” Bipasha tweeted.

Amused yet again. I kept a bag on my lap while getting into my car and certain media ppl started my pregnancy speculation again😂Guys i am not pregnant .Kinda getting irritating 😡Stay calm.. it will happen only when we want it🙏

— Bipasha Basu (@bipsluvurself) January 17, 2018

Bipasha and Karan, who starred together in the film Alone in 2015, tied the knot in 2016.

B-Town’s fashionista Sonam Kapoor has been setting fashion goals for others ever since she made her Bollywood debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya. Be it her elaborate looks from the Cannes Film Festival or her killing airport looks, she knows how to manage to look gorgeous.

She once again attracted everyone’s attention in the recently held event in Geneva where she looked fabulous and made heads turn because of her stunning outfit. International Watch Company (IWC) Schaffhausen, which celebrated 150 years on Tuesday and Sonam as the brand ambassador, had the diva in their guests’ list for their anniversary.

Right from putting on the power suits to princess gown in pink, the Nirja actress added another chapter to her style and fashion book. Her looks in the pink Bougessa pantsuit is sure set to set the trend. She opted for a stark pink suit from Fall Winter 2017 collection of Bougessa and layered it up with four slits long blazer.

In love with this shade of dusty rose! Such a great complement to the Geneva skyline. 💗
In @BOUGUESSA_ for @IWC
Shoes by @StuartWeitzman
Styled by @RheaKapoor
Styling Assistants: @spacemuffin27 x Manisha Melwani
Hair and Makeup: @soninamrata
📸: The House Of Pixels pic.x.com/48rI3x16Af

— Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) January 17, 2018

She paired the long with high boots from Stuart Weitzman. For accessories, she paired statement red earrings from Marni and kept the makeup with berry tinted lips, blushed cheeks, lined eyes and blow dried hairs by Namrata Soni.

Sonam’s another princess looks in a strapless pink gown from Viktor and Rolf, featured a silk bustier top and mesh bottom with three layers. The perfect pictures silhouette dress is being liked by the social media.

“In a machine age, dress making is one of the last refuges of the human, the personal, the inimitable.” — Christian Dior
In @Viktor_and_Rolf for @IWC #IWCSIHH #IWC150
Styled by @RheaKapoor
Assistants: @spacemuffin27 x Manisha Melwani
HMU: @soninamrata
📸: The House Of Pixels pic.x.com/LRuPTyFMaO

— Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) January 17, 2018

Meanwhile, Sonam also sported an IWC Schaffhausen watch with studded ear cuffs by Repossi. She rounded out the complete look with manicured nails with black colour. A stunning makeup of blushed checks, highlighted cheekbones, pink lips, dark eyes and a chic hairdo completed the look.

On the work front, she will be seen in Pad Man, which is releasing on 25th January and Veere Di Wedding on June 1.

World No.1 Rafael Nadal on Wednesday eased past Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in the second round of the Australian Open third round.

Nadal needed two hours and 38 minutes to continue his bid for his second Australian Open title following his 2009 success, reports Efe.

“For my team and my family, this tournament is their favourite of the year so I want to stay as long as possible,” Nadal said after the match.

The 31-year-old Spaniard dominated the encounter, sealing the first two sets thanks to one service break apiece while saving all the break points he faced.

However, Nadal saw his serve broken for the only time while serving for the match in the third set’s 10th game.

With both holding their next serve, Nadal, the 2017 finalist, got the better of world No. 52 Mayer in the tie-break to keep his Australian Open campaign rolling.

In the upcoming round, Nadal is due to play Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur, the world No. 30 who defeated Australia’s John Millman 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion hopes for a better result against Dzumhur as he was forced to withdraw from their lone career match in Miami 2016.

Sixth-seed Marin Cilic also reached the third round, defeating Portugal’s Joao Sousa 6-1, 7-5, 6-2.

For a place in the round of 16, the Croatian is set to face the United States’ Ryan Harrison, who eliminated Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

The President of the European Commission on Wednesday said he would like Britain to re-join the EU after Brexit — using the little-known treaty clause “Article 49”.

Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Jean-Claude Juncker said “the exit of Britain is a catastrophe” and suggested that he would like Britain to stay, the Independent reported.

But Juncker added for the first time in public that even once Britain had left, it could still change its mind and return to the bloc by invoking another treaty clause.

“Even if the British leave according to Article 50, then Article 49 would allow them to accede again. And I would be happy to facilitate that. I would not want to push anyone into a corner,” he said.

Juncker had endorsed a statement by European Council President Donald Tusk suggesting that Britain could still “change its mind” to leave, telling the British people that “our hearts are open to you”.

“Tusk and I once again reached out to the British government and said that if the British people, the British Parliament, the British government, wish for another way than Brexit, we would be prepared to discuss it. We are not throwing out the British, we want them to stay,” he said.

Calls for a second referendum on the country’s imminent departure from the EU have grown and even Nigel Farage, the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and primary standard-bearer for Brexit, said that a new vote would be useful.

Farage said that another Brexit referendum would reinforce the pro-Leave position in a country split in half, but Remain backers said support for their position had grown and welcomed a call they believed could halt Brexit.

The lower chamber of the UK Parliament was due to vote late in the day on the Great Repeal Bill, which seeks to transfer EU laws into British legislation.

In March 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 of the Treaty of the EU, formally beginning the two-year legal process of Britain’s exit, which is set to conclude in March 2019.

Article 49 is the normal way for a European country to join the union — a process that normally takes years. Any new member state requires the unanimous consent of the 27 member states on the European Council, the consent of the European Parliament and consultation with the Commission.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday shifted the date for Physical Education exam for class 12 from April 9 to April 13.

The board cited “administrative reasons” for the decision of rescheduling the date of the paper.

“All other examination dates for class 10 and class 12 remain same,” it said in a note.

The board exams for class 12 are scheduled to start from March 5 and will continue till April 13.

B.D. Athani, presently posted as Special DGHS, has been appointed the new Director General of Health Services (DGHS) after incumbent Jagdish Prasad proceeded on 15-day leave, it was announced on Wednesday.

“In pursuance of this ministry’s OM No.C-14011’01/2015-Vig./CHS dated January 16, 2018, Dr Jagdish Prasad, DGHS is to proceed on earned leave for 15 days from January 16 afternoon,” the Union Health ministry said in an order.

The ministry, it said, has decided to assign the charge of the post of DGHS with “full powers to Dr B.D. Athani, presently posted as Spl. DGHS”.

Athani joined the Union Health Ministry as Special DGHS in 2015 after serving as the Medical Superintendent of the city’s Safdarjung hospital.

According to reliable sources in the CentraL Vigilance Commission (CVC), Prasad has been asked to proceed on leave in view of an enquiry against him by the government watchdog.

Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu welcomed their princess daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu on the auspicious day of Durga Pooja on September 29, 2017. People got the glimpses of the baby on the social networking sites.

The actress made her first appearance with her little baby girl at the airport on Tuesday. The little toddler was seen fast asleep in her mother’s arms. Sleeping peacefully in Soha’s arm, she looked cuteness-overload!

Seen Viral Pics Of #SohaAliKhan And Daughter Inaya Naumi Yet? https://t.co/uWTzZkgOzg #BollywoodNews #WeRIndia pic.x.com/9rx8MugKT7

— Werindia (@werindia) January 17, 2018

Soha was seen in a peach color t-shirt, track pants and black jacket and her hair were tied in a ponytail. Daughter Inaaya looked adorable in a warm pink romper with her head covered with the hoodie and white socks.

Soha and Kunal shared their daughter Inaaya pictures on their social networking handles. The cute little baby girl resembles with her big brother Taimur Ali Khan, son of Kareena and Saif.

Sneak peek!! Guess who’s reading an advance copy of #theperilsofbeingmoderatelyfamous 😃😍 #joysofreading @penguinindia

A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) on Dec 10, 2017 at 11:21pm PST

On the work front, Soha was last seen in Ghayal Once Again. Her book named ‘The Perils of Being Moderately Famous’ also released in which she confessed that becoming an actor was never her first career option.

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt collaborates with Viu for India’s first ever web musical drama – Spotlight 2. And to add flamboyance to this upcoming series actor Karan V Grover has been roped in to essay the lead role.

There is no dearth of glamour and flamboyance in the series brought by the ever-charming actor who plays Vicky, the celebrated rockstar in the series.

Karan has always been questioned about his inspiration to play the challenging role of a rockstar, who falls from the heights of success. It turns out the actor didn’t look at the roles played by any other actor when he began his preparations.

In fact, his inspirations for the role came from music legends who have had generations under their spell.

“Yes, it is true that I didn’t look at the work of any of the actors. My true inspirations, in fact, were none other than the world-class artist Johnny Cash and the legendary rock band – Led Zeppelin. I looked at the footages of their concerts and news feeds to get a hang of how these rockstars presented themselves on stage as well as in real-life,” Karan says.

With such legends as his motivation, it comes as no surprise that the actor’s first-look for the show has been garnering non-stop appreciation.

The much-awaited Sanjay Dutt Biopic has finally locked its release date to June 29. The movie stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role and is directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

Soorma starring Diljit Dosanjh had also marked its release on June 29. The story of the film is based on the life of hockey player Sandeep Singh. But it seems to avoid the clash between both the films, the makers of Soorma has pushed the release date ahead to July 6, though nobody has disclosed the reason.

Soorma is directed by Shaad Ali and will also star Taapsee Pannu and Angad Bedi.

Meanwhile, the Sanjay Dutt biopic also stars Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal, Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Karishma Tanna and Vicky Kaushal.

Earlier it was supposed to come out on March 30. However, Fox Studios, who is co-producing the movie, has brought in Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 2 on the same date, and thereby Dutt biopic got pushed ahead to June 29.

So to avoid the clash the film is pushed to July 6.

A six-year-old Class I student in Lucknow was found outside the toilet of his school in a pool of blood on 16 January. Police on 17 January said that he was stabbed by a senior girl.

The incident happened at Brightland School in Triveni Nagar. The boy, Ritik, was found unconscious and was immediately rushed to the Trauma Centre at King George’s Medical University (KGMC) where he is recovering.

An FIR has been registered at the Aliganj police station against an unidentified student.

School Principal Reena Manas said that the crime occurred in the second floor bathroom after the morning assembly.

According to reports, the boy said that he was thrashed and stabbed in the bathroom by a ‘didi’ who was sporting a boy-cut hair style.

Though the school has CCTV cameras, there is none near the bathroom. The police are now waiting for the boy to recover fully and identify the girl.

Controversial English all-rounder Ben Stokes will return to international cricket in February after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday lifted his suspension.

The 26-year-old was on Monday charged with affray by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after the all-rounder’s involvement in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

Stokes is expected to join the squad in New Zealand for February’s T20 matches which form part of the Twenty20 tri-series with New Zealand and Australia.

“Following a full Board discussion, in which all considerations were taken into account, the ECB Board has agreed that Ben Stokes should now be considered for England selection,” the ECB said in a statement.

Since the September incident, Stokes has missed a major part of England’s summer, especially the five-match Ashes tour to Australia, which the Joe Root-led side lost 0-4.

“To date, Stokes has been unavailable for selection throughout the Police and CPS process around the incident in Bristol in September, a period which has included One-Day Internationals against West Indies, the Ashes tour and the start of the ODI series against Australia,” the statement said.

“ECB fully respects the legal process and the player’s intention to defend himself against the charge. England selectors, management and players have been informed and Stokes is expected to join the squad in New Zealand for February’s T20 matches.”

“ECB confirmed in December that the independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) would stay the internal disciplinary process for both Alex Hales and Ben Stokes until the conclusion of court proceedings relating to the incident,” it further said.

Following the T20 tri-series in New Zealand, England will play five one-day internationals and two Tests against the Kiwis.

We all know how Priyanka Chopra is a queen of many hearts. She keeps adding names to her fan list with her amazing performances, sassy attitude and sweet gestures for her admirers. PeeCee has her own way to please her fans and she has done it again.

How would you react if a celeb who you admire the most wishes you on your birthday? Obviously, you would freak out. Imagine you woke up and found a tweet from Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka wished a fan who goes by the name StacySuperDuper on her birthday. The actress did this sweet gesture to make her day special with this adorable tweet.

Happy birthday @StacySuperDuper much love always ❤️💋

— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) January 13, 2018

And this was Stacy’s reaction to it.

My day has been made and ❤️💋 are officially my new favorite emojis 😭😭😭 I love her so much! Thank you everyone who tweeted for me. https://t.co/hX5gyi6XsP

— HBD SHEZA 🍪 💕 (@StacySuperDuper) January 13, 2018

Twitteratis actually requested Priyanka to wish Stacy on her birthday and she was humble enough to do the same.

I’m going to sleep and when I wake up in a few hours I can’t wait to see a queen wishing a queen (@priyankachopra I’m looking at you it’s ya girls birthday @StacySuperDuper )

— #jess (@hipslikePC) January 13, 2018

Hey @priyankachopra this is your future son-in-law Max he’s your big fan today is his mom’s 21st birthday @StacySuperDuper 🎂🎉🎁🎊 pic.x.com/Nqtaus7Jcy

— #jess (@hipslikePC) January 13, 2018

Happy happy happy birthday @StacySuperDuper . You are amazingly creative, have so much of sass and an amazing person. I wish you all the happiness and more. May this birthday and d coming year bring you endless happiness. And can’t wait for @priyankachopra to wish you😍❤

— Vibhanshu (@vibh_forPChopra) January 13, 2018

The Twitter profile is filled with adorable posts of the celebrity. Stacy seems to be on a mission to prove why everyone needs a Priyanka Chopra in their life. Check out the tweets.

In other words. Priyanka doesn’t take shit from anybody. 👏🏽 pic.x.com/WKhlHfeyUI

— HBD SHEZA 🍪 💕 (@StacySuperDuper) May 31, 2017

What people have been wanting to do for years. pic.x.com/cS0ddac2zv

— HBD SHEZA 🍪 💕 (@StacySuperDuper) January 14, 2018

THE WORLD IS HER RUNWAY 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.x.com/z0yZ6QScqF

— HBD SHEZA 🍪 💕 (@StacySuperDuper) January 9, 2018

Nepotism Queen Johar was probably shaking in his chair when she said that pic.x.com/MBc2k1MeTZ

— HBD SHEZA 🍪 💕 (@StacySuperDuper) January 4, 2018

It makes us jealous how lucky Stacy is to get a wish from Priyanka Chopra.

In a shocking news, Malayalam actor Sidhu R Pillai, who played the role of villain opposite Dulquer Salmaan in the Malayalam movie Second Show, was found dead under unexplained conditions in Goa.

Few unconfirmed reports claimed that the 27-year-old drowned in the sea on a beach after reaching Goa on January 12. His mother is believed to have acknowledged his body on Monday evening.

Dulquer Salmaan has expressed his pain about the awful death on Twitter by saying “Disturbed and sad about the passing of #SidhuRPillai ! Was an excited and vivacious youngster during Second Show”

Disturbed and sad about the passing of #SidhuRPillai ! Was an excited and vivacious youngster during #SecondShow. Prayers to his family 😞

— dulquer salmaan (@dulQuer) January 16, 2018

Sidhu’s father PKR Pillai is a popular producer who has produced movies like Chithram, Vandanam and Amrutham Gamaya, under the banner of Shirdi Sai Creations.

According to reports, the cremation of Sidhu will happen in his hometown Thrissur. More details are awaited.

South Africa produced a superb all-round performance to defeat defending champions West Indies by 76 runs in a Group A match of the ICC U19 World Cup here on Wednesday.

Asked to bat first, South Africa rode on an unbeaten run-a-ball 99 by Wandile Makwetu to post 282/8 in their 50 overs.

Pacer Hermann Rolfes then clinched a four-wicket haul as the Proteas dismissed the West Indies for 206 runs in 45.3 overs.

South Africa have thus booked a spot in the next round with four points from two matches. Even if they lose their last group match against hosts and table toppers New Zealand, the Proteas will go through as one of the top two teams.

West Indies’ hopes of defending their crown have gone up in smoke as they are out of contention after losing both the matches they have played so far.

The controversial dismissal of South Africa opener Jiveshan Pillay for obstructing the field was one of the biggest talking points of the game.

The incident took place during the 17th over of the South African innings when Pillay stopped the ball from going on to hit the stumps. He then immediately picked up the motionless ball and threw it to West Indies wicket-keeper and captain Emmanuel Stewart, who then appealed.

The on-field officials consulted the third umpire before Pillay was adjudged dismissed as per Law 37.4 of the MCC rules.

The South Africa opener was unlucky to miss out on what would have been a well-deserved half-century as he scored a steady 47 runs off 51 balls with five boundaries and a couple of sixes.

Prior to his dismissal, Pillay had produced an opening stand of 56 runs along with Matthew Breetzke before the latter fell victim to a superb caught and bowled effort by West Indies pacer Jarion Hoyte.

Hoyte was in the thick of things in the very next over when he produced an accurate throw which hit the stumps to run out a diving Raynard van Tonder who was yet to open his account.

Pillay and Hermann Rolfes then went back in quick succession as the Proteas lost their top four batsmen with less 100 runs on the board.

Another run out sent Jason Niemand back to the pavilion as South Africa tottered at 112/5.

Makwetu and Kenan Smith tried to steady the boat with a 58-run stand. West Indies pacer Nyeem Young bowled Smith to break the partnership.

Gerald Coetzee and Jade de Klerk then produced a couple of quickfire knocks to help South Africa stage a late comeback and post a strong total.

In reply, the West Indies never really managed to get going as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

A 97-run stand between Alick Athanaze and Kirsten Kallicharan was the only bright spot of the defending champions’ innings as five of their batsmen failed to reach double figures.

Athanaze was their highest scorer with a 100-ball knock of 76 runs which contained six hits to the fence and a six.

Kallicharan scored 44 runs off 50 deliveries with five boundaries and a six.

Brief scores:

South Africa: 282/8 in 50 overs (Kallicharan Makwetu 99, Jingshan Pillay 47) vs West Indies: 206 (Alick Athanze 76, Alick Kallicharan 44; Hermann Rolfes 4/33)

A drawing that had for several years been studied by experts was on Tuesday confirmed to have been created by the Dutch post-Impressionist master Vincent van Gogh.

The black and white drawing, which depicts Paris’ Montmartre hill and a stone quarry beside it in a rural setting, had been part of the Van Vlissingen Art foundation’s collection and under investigation since 2013.

“This was the result of an extensive investigation by the Van Gogh museum into the theme, style, technique, materials and origins of this until now unknown drawing,” said the Singer Museum, found in the northern town of Laren, where the drawing is to be exhibited until May 6 alongside works by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Pablo Picasso, reported Efe news agency.

According to the museum, the drawing’s identification allowed another work to be also attributed to Van Gogh.

The second work, also produced in 1886 and depicting Montmartre, had previously been rejected as a Van Gogh original.

The materials used in both works are identical, they were produced 50 metres apart and the topic can be linked to paintings he produced while living in the iconic artistic district of Paris in spring and early summer, said Teio Meededndorp, the main investigator from the Van Gogh Museum.

Since 1970, when the last Van Gogh catalogue was made, nine new drawing and seven paintings by the artist have been discovered.