Leaders of all 10 Asean countries have confirmed their participation as Guests of Honour at India’s Republic Day celebrations to commemorate 25 years of New Delhi’s close ties with the southeast Asian bloc.

Preeti Saran, Secretary East in the External Affairs Ministry, told reporters here on Wednesday that it was “unprecedented” in India’s history to have 10 Guests of Honour at the Republic Day parade — a mix of India’s military might and cultural heritage.

“This time, we will have all the 10 Asean leaders. We are delighted and honoured that all the 10 Asean leaders have confirmed their participation in the commemorative summit as well as to be Guests of Honour at the Republic Day,” Saran said.

She said it was a landmark year for Asean and India as they are celebrating 25 years of friendship, 15 years of summit partnership and five years of strategic partnership.

She said that in the run up to the summit on January 25, the government also planned to organise another 16 major events.

The leaders from Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam will start arriving by January 24. The summit will begin with a banquet hosted by President Ramnath Kovind, to be followed by a plenary and a “gala dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister” Narendra Modi.

Saran said special arrangements have been made for spouses of at least six of the 10 leaders who would travel to India.

India lost to South Africa by 72 runs in the opening Test match of the three-match series on the bouncy Newslands pitch where 40 wickets fell in nine sessions.

However, an interesting thing to observe during South Africa’s batting in the first innings was their run-rate. Even though the ground was good for bowling, yet their run rate was over 4, and there was a time when it was even 4.5.  The Proteas batters were looking to score runs even when conditions were not in their favour. AB de Villiers scored 65 runs off 84 balls, Keshav Maharaj’s 35 off 47 and, Quinton de Kock’s 43 off 40.

And this was possible because South African coach Ottis Gibson encouraged his batsman to play attacking and positive shots even on the pitches that helped pace and bounce.

“If you think on a wicket like this as a batsman that there is always a ball with your name on it, then the simple approach is to make sure you get your runs before that ball gets you,” Gibson said.

“Try and play positively. In the first innings we lost wickets but we still scored positively and we got bowled out for 280,” he added.

“The pitches will lend themselves to pace and seam movement and batsmen have to adapt accordingly, but ultimately batsmen have to score runs while they’re there,” Gibson said.

“If you bat for 15 overs and score no runs and then you get out, you haven’t really moved the game forward. The message that I’ve been giving to the guys out in the middle is to try as best they can to get runs before that ball gets you,” Gibson added.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Wednesday accused the government of taking “vindictive action” by registering an FIR in connection with a newspaper report on alleged Aadhaar data breach.

“The CITU denounces the Government’s move in registering an FIR against the journalist of Tribune, Rachna Khaira, and her sources for exposing the leakage-prone systemic fault in Aadhaar administration,” it said in a statement issued here.

The CITU also welcomed rising protests against the “vindictive action” by the Centre.

“Such vindictive action is the reflection of an obnoxious, authoritarian arrogance of the government, as if ‘the king can do any wrong’. The CITU welcomes rising protests against such vindictive actions of the government from various organisations and agencies, including the journalists’, and the newspaper employees’ unions, and urges the government to take a call initiating corrective action,” the statement said.

‘The Tribune’ correspondent Rachna Khaira and her sources were named in an FIR over her report on the breach of one billion Aadhaar cards data.

The journalist should have been “rewarded” for successfully investigating the faults in the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) system in respect of protecting individual data for preventing intrusion on peoples’ right to privacy, which had been upheld by the Supreme Court, the CITU said in the statement.

Even though the issue was raised in Parliament, the government did not recognise the faults in the system and its fallouts which raised doubts, it claimed.

The CITU has demanded that the government should “withdraw the FIR against the journalist in the interest of fairness and propriety”.

Three days after the launch of Punjab government’s much awaited farm loan waiver scheme, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh on Wednesday cleared 1.15 lakh more cases for debt waiver amounting to Rs 580 Crore, to be disbursed to farmers across the state before January 31.

Earlier on Sunday, the CM had launched the waiver scheme with nearly  47,000 farmers in five districts receiving first installment of the debt relief scheme.

The announcement came on Wednesday after a high-level meeting chaired by the CM, which reviewed the progress of the implementation of the farm debt waiver scheme, formally launched by the state government on January 7 with the disbursement of waiver certificates to nearly 47000 farmers from five districts.

With the completion of disbursement of waiver certificates to these 1.15 lakh farmers, the state government would have covered 1.6 lakh small and marginal farmers with a loan amount of Rs 748 Crore.

In the first phase, the government is waiving off loans taken from cooperative institutions, for which a total of 5.63 lakh have been identified for relief to the tune of Rs 2700 Crore. The entire process would be completed in four phases, with commercial private and nationalized banks to be covered after the cooperative loans.

Giving details, an official spokesperson said after today’s meeting that the modalities of the disbursement were being worked out. The meeting was in favour of public presentation of the certificates so that the farmers are not misled on any count by the Opposition or certain farmer unions seeking to promote their vested interests through false propaganda.

The CM, said the spokesperson, had directed the concerned officials to ensure that the disbursement process is handled smoothly and no eligible farmer is left out.

Amarinder had also instructed the officials to ensure rectification of any technical errors, such as names being misspelt, and plug any loopholes that might obstruct the efficient implementation of the scheme at any stage.

The CM said no lapses in this regard would be tolerated. He directed senior officials to personally monitor and supervise the entire process, said the spokesperson. The government was committed to implementing the scheme in letter and in spirit, he added.

Amarinder has already said that the interests of the farm labourers would also be taken care of once the state’s fiscal condition stabilizes.

As Hrithik Roshan turned 44 on Wednesday, his former wife Sussanne Khan said he is the sunshine in her life, while a host of stars like Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh sent in good wishes for the “special soul”.

Sussanne took to Instagram to share a photograph, and wrote: “Forever and always you stay the sunshine in my life. Happy happiest birthday. Smile that smile brightest and you always will spread that light… Limitless. Sacred heart.”

Forever and always you stay the sunshine in my life.. Happy happiest birthday ‍♂️smile that smile brightest and u always will spread that light…limitless #sacredheart

A post shared by Sussanne Khan (@suzkr) on Jan 9, 2018 at 10:27am PST

Hrithik and Sussanne had got married in 2000 after a prolonged fairy tale love story. The couple has two sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan. They separated in December 2013 and their divorce was finalised in November 2014.

Son of filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik made his debut in 2000 in “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai”. He was later seen in films like Fiza, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…, Koi… Mil Gaya, Krrish, Krrish 3 Jodhaa Akbar, Guzaarish, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Agneepath and Bang Bang!.

The actor, who was last seen on screen in Kaabil last year, is currently prepping for Super 30, a film on Anand Kumar – a mathematics genius from a modest family in Bihar.

Here’s what the celebs have tweeted:

Akshay Kumar: Even though you’re already blessed with the best… Best family, friends, neighbours. This year wishing you better than the best! Happy birthday Hrithik.

Even though you’re already blessed with the best…best family, friends, neighbors This year wishing you better than the best! Happy birthday @iHrithik 🙂

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 10, 2018

Sonam Kapoor: Happy birthday Hrithik! Can’t believe it’s been more than two years since “Dheere Dheere”. Time truly flies! Wish you all the love and joy on this special day.

Happy birthday Hrithik! Can’t believe it’s been more than 2 years since #DheereDheere. Time truly flies! Wish you all the love and joy on this special day @iHrithik pic.x.com/mL2R34fzU6

— Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) January 10, 2018

Riteish Deshmukh: Happy Birthday Dear Hrithik Roshan — have a great one and may you always radiate positivity where ever you go. Big hug.

Happy Birthday Dear @iHrithik – have a great one and may you always radiate positivity where ever you go. Big hug. pic.x.com/RGDxR5DUmk

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) January 10, 2018

Vivek Anand Oberoi: Super hero on screen, super buddy in real life… Love you brother! Happy bday! Hrithik Roshan. Happy Birthday Hrithik Roshan.

Superhero on screen, superbuddy in real life….love you bro! Happy bday! @iHrithik #HappyBirthdayHrithikRoshan pic.x.com/QHhQ1LGsHN

— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivek_oberoi) January 9, 2018

Goldie Behl: Happy birthday my oldest nicest most large hearted superhero buddy lots of love forever keep shining Hrithik.

Happy birthday my oldest nicest most large hearted superhero buddy lots of love forever keep shining @iHrithik

— goldie behl (@GOLDIEBEHL) January 10, 2018

Shilpa Shetty Kundra: Happiest Birthday to you Hrithik you are such a special soul. Wishing you happiness, success love in abundance and great health above all.

Happiest Birthday to you @iHrithik you are such a special soulWishing u happiness, success love in abundance and great health above all

— SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA (@TheShilpaShetty) January 10, 2018

Genelia Deshmukh: Happy Birthday Dear Hrithik. May you have a fabulous year ahead. A little in the day but I absolutely love the HRX stuff you sent us. Thank You.

Happy Birthday Dear @iHrithik .may you have a fab year ahead..A little in the day but I absolutely love the Hrx stuff you sent us..Thank You https://t.co/3l55WI1lik

— Genelia Deshmukh (@geneliad) January 10, 2018

Farah Khan Ali: Happy birthday Duggu. Hrithik. Have an amazing year ahead filled with health happiness prosperity and love.

Happy birthday Duggu. @iHrithik . Have an amazing year ahead filled with health happiness prosperity and love.

— Farah Khan (@FarahKhanAli) January 10, 2018

Vikram Phadnis: Happy birthday Hrithik – One of the nicest I know! Happiness and Good Health Always – Love you.

Happpy birthday @iHrithik – One of the NICEST I know !! Happiness and Good Health Always – LOVE U ❤️❤️❤️ pic.x.com/FeLQgDgpQ9

— Vikram Phadnis (@vikramphadnis1) January 10, 2018

Anushka Sharma’s upcoming film Pari‘s motion poster has been released today (January 10) and from the looks of it, the film seems to be a horror thriller that will give you goosebumps. But Anushka is not the only one who has creeped out fans with her scary look. In the past few actresses have dared to scare the fans with their impressive performances in these horror films;

Urmila Matondkar

Film: Bhoot

Bhoot is an award winning film and featured Urmila as a possessed wife, who is out for revenge for the murder of the ghost that has possessed Urmila in the film. The film received universal acclaim and undoubtedly belongs to Urmila, who won numerous accolades for her role. Many critics and fans regard the film as one of the scariest Bollywood films ever and Urmila as the best option for essaying the lead role in the film

Bipasha Basu

Film: Raaz

The film is an unofficial adaptation of What Lies Beneath and is noted for its supernatural element. The film stars Bipasha and Dino Morea in the lead and showcases the troubles of married couple when the husband’s ex-lover returns to haunt them as a ghost. Bipasha was appreciated for her role and was even nominated for a FilmFare Award in the Best Actress category. The film is also one of the most successful horror films of Bollywood.

Mangala White

Film: Ragini MMS

The film was shot in found footage style and is inspired by Hollywood film Paranormal Activity. Those who have watched this film can never forget the scary housekeeper, who haunts a couple who are vacationing in a secluded cabin in some forest. The film is said to be partly based on true events showcasing the experience of a Delhi girl. Isn’t that scary enough of you?

Konkana Sen Sharma

Film: Ek Thi Daayan

If you don’t believe in witches and witch craft, then this film will make you believe in that and will give you nightmares during sleep. The show stealer in the film — Konkana Sen featured in the titular character and haunted everyone with her performance. Her long hair and terrifying eyes scared everyone.

Bipasha Basu

Film: Alone

The film featured Bipasha and Karan Singh Grover in the lead is an official adaptation of a Thai film of the same name. Alone featured Bipasha in dual role, a conjoined twins, to be specific, both of who fall with the same guy. Although the film was not so successful at the box office, the actress managed to steal the show with her performance, especially during the possession sequence of her character Sanjana/Anjana.

Actor Bill Skarsgard says he was haunted by his own character Pennywise from the film “It”.

Skarsgard, 27, says the shapeshifting killer clown visited him in his dreams even after they wrapped up the filming of the movie, reports ew.com.

“I was home, done with the movie, and I started having very strange and vivid Pennywise dreams. Every night, he came and visited. It was in the shape of either me dealing with him, sort of Pennywise as a separate entity of me, and then also me as Pennywise in circumstances that I didn’t appreciate. Like, I’m Pennywise and I’m really upset that I’m out in public and people are looking at me,” said Skarsgard.

Explaining the meaning of his dreams, the actor said that “this was a process of letting go of the monster. It was amazing. It’s a daunting but exciting thing to sort of revisit him again”.

The Swedish actor also said he was so immersed in the role that it was hard to separate the character’s depiction from his real attitude.

“I liken every character that I do to a relationship that you are in. Pennywise and Bill go into this sort of relationship together. I’m trying to figure out who he is and I have to devote so much time and effort to this other person – or thing, in this case – and that goes on for months,” said Skarsgard.

The sequel of “It”, a film based on Stephen King’s novel by the same title, will pick up 27 years later after the first film and is scheduled to be release in September next year.

China has the largest prison population in Asia, more than four times as large as India. However, when it comes to prison population rates, Thailand has the highest incarceration rate in the region

Around the world more than 10.35 million people are imprisoned either as pretrial detainees or having been convicted and sentenced, according to the report of UK-based Institute of Criminal Policy Research.

The USA has the highest prison population in the world with around 2.2 million incarcerated. China, which is four times more populous than the United States, is a distant second, with 1.6 million people in prison. The country has the highest prison population in Asia. The report mentions that the figures could be much higher for China since it does not include those in pretrial detentions and administrative detentions.

India’s prison population is second highest in Asia. Although the prison population rate is relatively low, the Indian prisons are overcrowded with 70 per cent of detainees as ‘undertrials’ or remand detainees who are awaiting final decrees in their cases.

Thailand has the third highest prison population in Asia. But with 461 prisoners for every 100,000 people, Thailand has the tenth highest incarceration rate in the world and the highest in Asia. With fourth highest prison population in Asia, Indonesia has 64 prisoners for every 100,000 citizens. Vietnam and Philippines follow at fifth and sixth position respectively.

Pakistan is at number seven in Asia with slightly more than 80,000 prisoners. The prison population rate of the country has seen a slump from 57 per cent in 2005 to 43 per cent in 2016. Bangladesh has 69,719 prisoners putting it at number eight in Asia.

Taiwan has the ninth highest prison population in Asia although the prison population rate has been seeing a decline from 282 to 272 in 2016. It is followed by Japan and Myanmar at tenth and eleventh position respectively.

Malaysia has twelfth highest prison population in Asia. The country has seen a surge in prison population percentage from 137 to 171 in 2016. South Korea is at number thirteen in Asia with around fifty thousand prisoners. It is followed by Sri Lanka,Nepal, Cambodia and Singapore that are at fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth position respectively.

With less than five thousand prisoners Laos, Bhutan and Brunei are the three countries with the least number of prison population.

According to the report world prison population total has grown by almost 20 per cent which is slightly above the estimated 18 per cent increase in the world’s general population over the same period.

Actors Sonu Sood and Arjun Rampal have joined hands to work on a comedy film titled “Sarvggun Sampanna”, which is set in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The movie, directed by Karan Kashyap, will feature Sonu and Arjun in the lead. Kashyap has served as an assistant on films like “Bunty Aur Babli”, “Chak De! India” and “Raavan”, a statement said.

Sonu, who is also producing the film, had visited Farrukhabad, which is near Lucknow, to inaugurate a gym dedicated to his late mother Saroj Sood. During the trip, he also decided to do a recce of the city and nearby places with the film’s director.

“When I was shooting for my first film, all my co-actors would tell me that I was headed in that direction but I never thought it would happen. But I learnt the craft in the course of the 70-80 films I have done across languages and realised that producing films would allow me to tell stories of my choice,” Sonu said.

He feels it is easy to act in and produce a film simultaneously.

“That lets you understand the script and the role well and helps design the film accordingly.”

Sonu had bonded with Arjun over fitness while shooting for J.P. Dutta’s “Paltan” in Ladakh. Produced by JP Films and directed by Dutta, “Paltan” is scheduled for a summer 2018 release.

The discussion about selection of India’s playing eleven has turned into debate as the visitors lost to hosts by 72 runs in the opening Test of three-match series against South Africa in Newlands, Cape Town. Be it fans, cricket experts or media, every one criticised the team management’s decision to include Rohit Sharma instead of Ajinkya Rahane in the squad.

After the defeat in Newlands, Ajinkya Rahane was seen sweating it out on the ground during optional practice session the next day. Other than Rahane, pacer Ishant Sharma, opener KL Rahul and Parthiv Patel were also seen practicing during the optional practice session.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the photographs of Team India’s training session on micro-blogging site Twitter and wrote, “Post game day and back to the grind #TeamIndia.”

Post game day and back to the grind #TeamIndia pic.x.com/Un22UU4DMb

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2018

In the optional practice session, both Rahane and Rahul were seen in adjoining nets, practicing throw-downs.

The Indian pacer Ishant Sharma was also seen practicing with the bowl and Parthiv Patel also joined the practice session in the end.

The US reality star Kim Kardashian is known for the pictures she keeps sharing on the internet. Every post of her somehow gets viral on the social media. The Kardashian family makes headlines every now then, whether it’s the Jenner sisters or their mother, Kris Jenner. Other than the gossips about their show ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’, fans totally look forward to their Instagram and Twitter posts.

Kendall Jenner was recently in the news after she was seen at ‘The Golden Globes’ event in her black flowy gown. And now, the elder sister, Kim Kardashian, has broken the internet with her last post on Instagram. Kim K stripped to white knickers as she posed for the picture. She can be seen standing in an industrial-style kitchen sipping a glass of protein drink. In the caption she revealed her post-Christmas diet, mentioning that,  “#ad Little update for you guys. I’m on Day 9 of my Shake It Baby program from @flattummyco and I’m actually feeling so good.

#ad Little update for you guys. I’m on Day 9 of my Shake It Baby program from @flattummyco and I’m actually feeling so good. We had a massive Christmas this year and between my Mom’s party, Christmas and New Years… I felt like it was impossible to fit in my regular work outs and eat healthy. But this program is giving me a kick in the right direction that I need. These meal replacement shakes are so good and it’s helping me get my tummy back to flat in the new year. The results I’m seeing and feeling are amazing and I’m so excited for the next few weeks. Because they’re all about getting women back on track… they’ve got a 20% off sale going on right now if you want to start 2018 off right… trust me, you’re going to want to check them out.

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jan 9, 2018 at 3:57pm PST

Last week, Kim uploaded a near to naked picture on the same platform. The fans, however, think that the mother of two is ‘too old’ for such pictures. Her followers had a lot to say about the recent upload. Here are some of the comments.

One Instagram user commented: “You’re not wearing the proper kitchen wear. That’s a hygiene violation.”

Another wrote: “I couldn’t finish reading what @kimkardashian was selling over the bleakness level of this kitchen.”

A third posted “If it is the kitchen of your house! It’s dirty and ugly.”

Another concerned fan commented:  “Out the back of the fish and chip shop no?”

Even though the government is intent on developing skills of unemployed youth through schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), however the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are reportedly not interested in providing internships to the engineering graduates.

Apprenticeship Act says that all firms need to have 10 per cent of its employees as apprentice every year. In 2014, an amendment made was in the Apprenticeship Act, which increased the percentage from 3 to 10.

The Act applies to engineers as well as diploma holders. But, the PSUs generally hire diploma holders and technicians through HRD Ministry, Bureau of Practical Training (BOPT).

PSUs are now hiring engineering graduates; according to their performance in the Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) exam, which is conducted jointly by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and IITs and their personal interviews. The weightage for the GATE scores is higher.

Out of the over 3 lakh students who apply for internships only 1.38 lakh got internships in 2016-17. These internships are supposed to develop skills of the engineering graduates. It is estimated that out of the 16 lakh students who pursue engineering every year only 3 lakh end up with jobs.

When informed about the issue, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said that he will have to find out what is happening. Even as the government is opening up new IITs, the future of those completing engineering courses from the sundry private engineering colleges is uncertain. A large number of them do not get campus placements.

Sources in HRD Ministry say that those pursuing courses like Ceramic Engineering or Geophysical Engineering from IIT also do not get jobs.

HRD sources say that almost all the private companies take interns because they get a qualified engineer or a diploma holder at a nominal sum of Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,700 respectively of which half the amount is paid by the government.

Engineering graduates and diploma holders have to apply online for internships through BOPT which is managed by the HRD Ministry. For the one year internship that they get in the company, they get a certificate from BOPT. This helps the engineering graduate seek jobs in other companies.

An official said that in some sectors which are not very sophisticated in nature, the need for diploma holders could be more. “Where there is modernization, the requirement of engineers may be more. Mining sector is one such area,” said the official.

The demand for civil engineers seems to be at an all time low. Of the 1.38 lakh engineering graduates and diploma holders who were able to get internships in companies in 2016-17, the number of civil engineers and diploma holders were only 7,000.

Ahead of the release of “Black Panther” in India on February 16, the figurine of the Marvel superhero will be unveiled here on Friday.

The movie is much anticipated as a build-up to “Avengers: Infinity War”. As a special initiative for its promotion, the studio will be unveiling a rare and one-of-a-kind ‘Glow In the Dark’ Black Panther figurine, read a statement.

Encased in LED lights, the figurine lights up when the lights go off. It will be unveiled in the presence of fans and there will be performance by Suresh Mukund and the Fictitious Dance Group on Friday here.

The figurine will also tour in Delhi.

Bikram Duggal, Executive Director and Head, Studios, Disney India, said: “The Marvel Cinematic Universe has undoubtedly redefined the movie-going experience for the audiences today. The superhero genre is strongly resonating with Indian audiences driven by Marvel’s films and superheroes.

“‘Black Panther’ is one of the three Marvel movies releasing this year, and one of the most unique offerings to come from the studio.”

Duggal feels the “character has been popular amongst the fans since his first appearance in ‘Captain America: Civil War’, and his extended role in the forthcoming ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ has only added to the excitement around ‘Black Panther’.”

“Black Panther”, directed by Ryan Coogler, stars actors like Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o.

Kalki Koechlin, who turned 34 on January 10, is a powerhouse of talent. From the beginning of her career, the actor has always opted for unconventional roles and has proved her worth in every role.

Unlike other Bollywood fashionistas, Kalki’s style statement is always talked about.  She knows how to carry herself and prefers wearing comfortable clothes.

The Margarita With a Straw actress has a strong game point at fashion. She follows trends and from her summer dresses to tone-tone outfits, she knows how to carry herself.

Kalki Koechlin slayed in a black gown by Nikhil Thampi during the premiere of her film Ribbon.  The golden embroidered detailing on the shoulders and the upper half of her sleeves break all the style statement. She knows how to play with accessories and to give a minimal look, she added golden studs. She kept her hair in a messy bun.

Kalki stole the show at promotions of her movie with hand printed wrap dress by Vedika M. She added white heels and a belt to make her style more classy and comfy. Playing with accessories never goes out for her as she added circle thread drop earrings and with cool shades.

Kalki Koechlin in Amit Aggarwal molded vintage Banarasi saree dress headed for GQ ‘Men of the Year’ awards. She kept the look minimal paring it with golden heels, golden studs, and a bracelet.   With make minimal and a high bun, she looked absolutely gorgeous.

Not only casual dresses, Kalki can pull off a red carpet look with her dressing style. She stepped out in a red structured by Gaurav Gupta gown for Oriflame India. She looked stunning in red with a light makeup and a bun paired it high heels for the event.

Kalki knows how to carry herself in Indian outfits too. She wore butterscotch gold kalidaar outfit at the opening night of the MAMI Film Festival. It was designed by Rimple and Harpreet Narula. Her accessories game is also on point as she just wore golden earrings. Keeping in fish style bun, she grabbed everyone’s attention.

Actress Rose McGowan says she is having to sell her house as her legal battle against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has cost her bomb.

McGowan spoke about her battle against Weinstein when she took the stage at the Television Critics Association’s press tour in Pasadena, California, on Tuesday, reports variety.com.

Last October, McGowan accused Weinstein of raping her years ago.

Reports said that at the time she had signed a non-disclosure agreement as part of her settlement with the disgraced movie mogul for $100,000 to not talk about their 1997 hotel room encounter during the Sundance Film Festival.

Clarifying her stance on that, McGowan said: “I never signed an NDA, actually. That was a mistake the press made, and actually a mistake that I made for a long time. I was misinformed by a lawyer that I had signed one, when in fact it turned out I hadn’t. I thought I remember refusing that. I think NDAs, as we’re finding out, can be broken.”

“It’s really scary, I’m having to sell my house right now to pay legal bills fighting off the monsters,” she said on the her financial condition due to the battle.

Days after Aadhaar data breach news report by The Tribune, the UIDAI in a bid to address privacy concerns  introduced a new concept of ‘Virtual ID’ on Wednesday.

The ID, a 16-digit randomly-generated temporary number, can be generated by a Aadhaar-card holder from its website and give for various purposes, including SIM verification, instead of sharing the actual 12-digit biometric ID.

This will give the users the option of not sharing their Aadhaar number at the time of authentication.

The Virtual ID, which would be a random 16-digit number, together with biometrics of the user would give any authorised agency like a mobile company, limited details like name, address and photograph, which are enough for any verification.

Officials said a user can generate as many Virtual IDs as he or she wants. The older ID gets automatically cancelled once a fresh one is generated.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has also introduced the concept of ‘limited KYC’ under which it will only provide need-based or limited details of a user to an authorised agency that is providing a particular service, say, a telco.

The Virtual ID will be a temporary and revocable 16 digit random number mapped to a person’s Aadhaar number and the Aadhaar-issuing body will start accepting it from March 1, 2018.

From June 1, 2018 it will be compulsory for all agencies that undertake authentication to accept the Virtual ID from their users.

Agencies that do not migrate to the new system to offer this additional option to their users by the stipulated deadline will face financial disincentives.

“Aadhaar number holder can use Virtual ID in lieu of Aadhaar number whenever authentication or KYC services are performed. Authentication may be performed using the Virtual ID in a manner similar to using Aadhaar number,” a UIDAI circular said.

The move aims to strengthen the privacy and security of Aadhaar data and comes amid heightened concerns around the collection and storage of personal and demographic data of individuals.

Users can go to the UIDAI website to generate their virtual ID which will be valid for a defined period of time, or till the user decides to change it.

They can give this Virtual ID to service agencies along with the fingerprint at the time of authentication. Since the system generated Virtual ID will be mapped to an individual’s Aadhaar number itself at the back end, it will do away with the need for the user to share Aadhaar number for authentication.

It will also reduce the collection of Aadhaar numbers by various agencies.

As per the UIDAI, agencies that undertake authentication would not be allowed to generate the Virtual ID on behalf of Aadhaar holder.

The UIDAI is instructing all agencies using its authentication and eKYC services to ensure Aadhaar holders can provide the 16-digit Virtual ID instead of Aadhaar number within their application.

As many as 119 crore biometric identifiers have been issued so far and Aadhaar is required as an identity proof of residents by various government and non-government entities.

For instance, the government has made it mandatory for verifying bank account and PAN to weed out black money and bring unaccounted wealth to book. The same for SIM has been mandated to establish the identity of mobile phone users.

(With agency inputs)