In a latest development to the Cauvery water issue, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Karnataka's review petition.

According to reports, the Karnataka government had on October 02, 2016 moved a review petition in the Supreme Court against its three recent orders on the release of water from the Cauvery to Tamil Nadu, saying these orders would cause undue hardship to the state.

The Supreme Court had on October 1, 2016, directed the state to release 6,000 cusecs of water till October 6 and asked the Centre to constitute a board to manage the dispute till October 4.

The petition filed by the state said that the water release orders from the reservoirs of Karnataka would cause irreparable injury to the state as once the water is released, it cannot be retrieved in case of good normal northeast monsoon.

Meanwhile, the newly constituted top court bench on October 18, 2016, directed Karnataka to release 2,000 cusecs of water every day to Tamil Nadu till it issues further orders.

The apex court had also directed both the state administrations to ensure peace and harmony.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thailand's 20th charter comes into effect, setting the stage for next general election. It replaces the post-coup interim charter of 2014.

Thailand's King on Thursday signed the country’s new constitution – the 20th – giving it royal endorsement and setting in motion a process for the next general election, which is expected late next year.

Through a court secretary, King Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed the new charter’s promulgation in a televised royal ceremony that included local and foreign dignitaries, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The new constitution was published in the Royal Gazette about an hour after the ceremony was completed.

The solemn and ritual-laden ceremony, held at the historically significant Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, was broadcast nationwide. The ornate building served as the venue for the country’s parliament until the early 1970s. The King arrived at the throne hall at about 3pm, and the ceremony lasted slightly more than half an hour.

His Majesty signed three copies of the new constitution, which were then stamped by officials and placed on gilded pillars before the King. After signing the three copies with gilded covers, the King ceremoniously handed them to the prime minister.

In his remarks, which were read out by the court official, the King declared that the 2017 constitution would replace the post-coup interim charter of 2014.

The preamble mentioned constitutional crises in the past that had led to political impasses, and said that despite many constitutions, the country still experienced a lack of political stability, occasional disruptions and different conflicts. It partly blamed “dishonest and corrupt people who abused their power and failed to be aware of their responsibility towards the country and the people”. Such acts led to ineffective law enforcement, it said.

The new constitution reflects two changes advised by the Royal Household Bureau in January. One change involves Article 5, which allows the King to use his royal prerogative in line with the traditional rule in cases where no existing laws are applicable. This is the same as Article 7 in the 2007 constitution. In the constitutional draft approved in the referendum last August, Article 5 authorised the Constitutional Court to hold a special meeting with political leaders to deal with any severe crisis or impasse.

Another revision involves the appointment of a regent in Article 16, which allows the King to decide whether to appoint a regent or not when residing outside the Kingdom.

Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by the foreign diplomatic corps including many ambassadors, privy councillors, Cabinet members, National Legislative Assembly and Constitution Drafting Commission members, the Supreme Court president, heads of independent organisations, and senior military commanders and civil servants.

Prayut said yesterday his government still could not provide a clear schedule for the next general election, as organic laws needed to be issued in preparation for the vote.

In his televised national address last night, he promised that his government would hand over power to a new administration after the next election.

Actor Akshay Kumar, who has won his first National Film Award, says winning the honour has made the film Rustom even more special for him.

Akshay was named the Best Actor for Rustom at the 64th National Film Awards, announced here on Friday.

The 49-year-old actor's performance in crime thriller Rustom — a film loosely based on the Commander KM Nanavati case — has been lauded for "a perfect portrayal of a character caught in personal and social turmoil".

In a video posted on his Twitter handle, Akshay said: "Thank you seems like a very small word right now, but I don't know how else to express what I am feeling right now. I am truly humbled by this honour.

"I would like to thank the National Award jury and all my fans from the core of my heart for believing in my talent. 'Rustom' was a very special role to play.

"Getting to wear the country's Navy uniform is in itself special… Be it for a film. And now this National Award has made this even more special."

Akshay dedicated his award to his parents, family and wife Twinkle Khanna.

Twinkle retweeted Akshay's video, and wrote: "I don't know if I am crying or laughing — emotions all over the place. So proud of you Akshay Kumar — you smart, humble, amazing creature."

Akshay said it was "double celebration" on the set of Padman, as Sonam Kapoor — who has won a special mention for her role in the Best Hindi Film "Neerja" — was with him.

"As I speak, this National Award-winning actress Sonam Kapoor… The best thing is she is with me now. So it's a double celebration for us today," he added. 

Akshay captioned the video: "National Film Awards: Best Actor for Rustom, countless emotions, very hard to express my gratitude right now but still tried, a big thank you!"

Akshay began his acting career in the 1990s, he primarily starred in action films and was known for his appearances in films of the Khiladi series as well as other action films such as Waqt Hamara Hai, Mohra, Elaan, Suhaag, Sapoot and Jaanwar.

His performances in comedy films such as Hera Pheri, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Singh Is Kinng have been much appreciated. 

He was feted with the Padma Shri in 2011.

India may impose anti-dumping duty of up to $0.4 per kg on TDI, a chemical used in foam making, from China, Japan and Korea to guard domestic players against cheap imports.

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd had filed the application before the Directorate General of Anti- dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) for initiation of anti- dumping investigations on imports of 'Toluene Di-Isocyanate' (TDI).

In its preliminary findings, the DGAD has concluded that the chemical was exported from these three countries at below their normal value due to which domestic industry has suffered material injury.

The authority has recommended “imposition of provisional anti-dumping duty” to remove the injury to the domestic players, DGAD said in a notification.

The suggested duty was ranged between $0.14 per kg and $0.4 per kg.

Imports of the chemical from these countries have increased from 30,097 tonnes in 2012-13 to 32,115 tonnes in 2015-16.

While DGAD recommends the duty, Finance Ministry imposes it.

TDI is used for production of a certain variety of foam, furniture cushion, protective pads for sports and medical use, automobiles seats, packing of electronic items and others.

Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to determine if the domestic industry has been hurt by a surge in below-cost imports. As a counter-measure, they impose duties under the multi-lateral WTO regime.

Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry. They are not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products.

Unlike the safeguard duty, which is levied in a uniform way, anti-dumping duty varies from company to company and country to country.

Patients with chronic kidney disease who have low levels of ammonium in their urine may be at high risk of the disease progression or death, researchers have warned.

A study by US researchers showed that patients with the lowest levels of urine ammonium excretion had a 46 per cent higher risk of dying or needing dialysis, and those with intermediate levels had a 14 per cent higher risk, irrespective of serum bicarbonate concentration. 

In addition, those with low ammonium excretion had a 2.6-fold higher risk of developing acidosis — a condition where the body's fluids contain too much acid — within one year, the researchers said.

"These results suggest that low urine ammonium excretion identifies individuals at high risk of chronic kidney disease progression or death irrespective of the serum bicarbonate concentration," said Kalani Raphael from the University of Utah in the US. 

"Overall, acid levels in the urine provide important information about kidney health above and beyond acid measurements obtained from the blood," Raphael added, in the paper appearing in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

In order to maintain normal organ function, it is imperative to keep the body's pH level in balance — measured using the bicarbonate levels in the blood.

However, this measurement may only partly indicate whether the body is having trouble maintaining its acid-base balance or not, because the kidneys are important for eliminating acid in the urine.

Thus, the team looked to see if urine levels of ammonium may be a better indicator of acid accumulation in the body. Their analysis included 1,044 individuals with chronic kidney disease.

Actress Scarlett Johansson says Ivanka Trump is coward for not speaking out against father Donald Trump's policies.

On Wednesday, Ivanka gave an interview — her first since her father took oath as President — in which she addressed accusations of being "complicit".

Speaking on Thursday at the Women in the World festival, Johansson said Ivanka's comments in the interview "just baffled" her, reports telegraph.co.uk.

"If you take a job as a public advocate then you must advocate, publicly. She said the biggest change she would make was behind closed doors. Well I thought to myself, that's empowering," Johansson noted, with deep sarcasm. 

She added: "This idea that behind a great man is a great woman. How about being next to them?"

Johansson, 32, said Ivanka was doing women a disservice.

"It's such an old fashioned concept that to be a powerful woman you're going to be seen as bitchy. Well screw that. It's so old fashioned, and uninspired, and really cowardly. I was so disappointed in that interview," she added.

In the interview, Ivanka had said: "If being complicit is wanting to be a force for good and to make a positive impact, then I'm complicit. I don't know what it means to be complicit but, you know, I hope time will prove that I have done a good job and much more importantly, that my father's administration is the success that I know it will be."

Johansson had also impersonated Ivanka in a Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit on March 12, mocking her for remaining silent about her father's policies. In the spoof perfume advertisement, Johansson plays Ivanka, with a voiceover stating: "A feminist, an advocate, a champion for women. 

The "Complicit" ad parody ends with "The fragrance for the woman who can stop all this… but won't."

Authorities have detected 18 lakh cases after demonetisation where the income profiles of people do not match their account profile, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.

Preliminary information has been sought from such people and many have responded. Those who have not given details would be issued with notices as per procedure, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said during Question Hour.

Responding to supplementaries, he said there was an extended footprint of digitisation in the banking sector. With digitisation, the risk of tampering of technology also increases.

But banks are also hiring experts to develop firewalls around their system to make it increasingly difficult to breach it, Jaitley said, adding that technology has to keep pace with crime.

He also said that risk assessment was a continuous process for banks who do it individually and collectively.

In his written response, Jaitley said as on March 31, 2016, 29 per cent of the savings accounts of public sector banks and regional rural banks sponsored by them were inoperative or lying dormant.

A variety of factors have a bearing on an account being inoperative. These may include factors like opening of a new account with change of residence or office, death of the account holder or the relative convenience of operating different accounts, he said.

Most customers are confused about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and are, therefore, reluctant to embrace this new technology, a study said on Friday.

Released by US-based software firm Pegasystems, it revealed that these fears are often eased once the users gain firsthand AI experience — which ironically many enjoy without even realising it.

"Our study suggests the recent hype is causing some confusion and fear among consumers, who may not really understand how it's already being used and helping them every day," said Don Schuerman, Vice President (Product Marketing) Pegasystems. 

The study that involved 6,000 customers in six countries found that consumers were hesitant to fully embrace AI devices and services. 

"Only 36 per cent are comfortable with businesses using AI to engage with them. Almost 72 per cent express some sort of fear about AI," the study found.

Twenty four per cent of respondents even worried about robots taking over the world. 

Interestingly, 34 per cent of respondents said they had directly experienced AI but when asked about the technologies they used it was revealed that 84 per cent actually used at least one AI-powered service or device.

Seventy two per cent respondents confidently claimed they understood AI but very few could correctly define it.

"Though AI has been around for more than 30 years, it has now evolved to the point that businesses can engage with each individual consumer on a real-time, one-to-one basis," Schuerman said. 

Businesses need to focus on using AI to develop applications that provide real value for customers to improve their experiences rather than overhyping the technology itself, the findings suggested.

DMK working president MK Stalin on Friday demanded resignation of Tamil Nadu Health Minister Vijaya Bhaskar following Income Tax Department raids on his residence.

As per reports, Income Tax Department officials on Friday raided Vijayabaskar's residence in Chennai following complaints that he was involved in cash distribution to voters in RK Nagar constituency where a byelection will be held on April 12.

Vijayabaskar is the first minister to come under IT raids in recent times.

"The raids were being conducted in at least 20 places in Chennai and 11 other places in the rest of the state," an IT officials was quoted as saying.

The official said the minister was on IT radar for the past one year in connection with his quarry business.

Vijayabaskar is in the limelight since the AIADMK split into two factions with former chief minister O Panneerselvam accusing him of siding with V K Sasikala.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's cartographic body has come up with a concept of voice-integrated and touch-enabled navigation app to cater to the visually challenged, an official said.

The Kolkata-headquartered National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) under Department of Science & Technology recently designed a comprehensive Braille atlas for nearly 50 lakh visually challenged people in the country.

A mobile app is being considered to take forward navigation for the visually challenged.

"There would be a voice over… they can touch and detect their location and then the voice-over will guide them to their destination. We have come up with the concept and are trying to see how it works out," Tapati Banerjee, Director, NATMO, told IANS.

In the Braille Atlas, maps are raised and embossed with simple lines and point symbols to facilitate its users to realise the location and area coverage easily distinguishable in terms of shapes and textures.

The atlas has 20 maps on different themes like physical, socio-economic, river system, crops pattern, natural vegetation, cultural, metropolitan areas, roads and railways, and crops.

The Japanese government on Friday approved a two-year extension of its unilateral sanctions against North Korea, including a total blockade of trade, in response to Pyongyang's latest missile tests.

The sanctions, which were scheduled to expire in mid-April, were imposed on North Korea in response to a lack of progress on the abductions of Japanese citizens by Pyongyang in the 1970s and 1980s, and its repeated missile provocations, government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan will continue to implement its policy of bilateral talks and sanctions against North Korea, Efe news reported.

Tokyo imposed a set of unilateral sanctions on North Korea in response to its missile tests in 2006, which have since been extended several times. 

These measures were endorsed simultaneously with sanctions by the UN Security Council.

Japan, together with the US and South Korea, tightened sanctions in December 2016, following North Korea's nuclear and missile tests.

The sanctions include a total ban on trade and on the entry of North Korean vessels into Japanese ports. 

Members of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, known locally as Chongryon, are also prohibited from re-entering Japan if they leave the country to visit North Korea.

The tensions between Japan and North Korea have increased following a number of successful mid-range missile launches by North Korea in March, one of which fell about 200 km off the Japanese coast. 

After being axed from the central contract of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Suresh Raina will look to post a strong impression when Gujarat Lions (GL) host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday.

Debuted last year in the Indian Premier League, GL concluded as table-toppers and hence, they would look to continue the wining momentum in the 2017 season as well.

On the other hand, Gautam Gambhir-led KKR, who won the 2012 and 2014 edition, will try to avenge humiliation they faced last season. GL defeated KKR in both the matches they played in IPL 2016.

Starting the fresh season, Gujarat rely heavily on their batting line-up, consisting of Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Aaron Finch, Dinesh Karthik and Raina himself.

These five batsmen of GL aggregated more than 300 runs separately in 2016, a feat no other team managed to achieve last season.

Among all, wicketkeeper batsman Karthik carries most of the Gujarat fans’ hope as his heroics led Tamil Nadu's to the Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy title recently.

The 31-year-old smashed 854 runs in 12 innings, the fourth-highest in a List A season of Indian cricket.

Contrary, KKR's strength lies in the all-round abilities of the team.

West Indies’ Rovman Powell and Colin de Grandhomme of New Zealand are two surprise inclusions in KKR, all-rounders that promise to grace the illuminated T20 league further.

Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan and England’s Chris Woakes will be other top-bets, who will strengthen KKR’s all-round knack. 

Complete squads: 

Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam Gambhir (captain), Darren Bravo, Trent Boult, Piyush Chawla, Nathan Coulter Nile, Colin De Grandhomme, Rishi Dhawan, Sayan Ghosh, Shakib Al Hasan, Sheldon Jackson, Ishank Jaggi, Kuldeep Yadav, Chris Woakes, Chriss Lynn, Sunil Narine, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Ankit Rajput, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Uthappa, Umesh Yadav.

Gujarat Lions: Suresh Raina (captain), Brandon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Aaron Finch, Dinesh Karthik, Akshadeep Nath, Ishan Kishan, Manpreet Gony, Ravindra Jadeja, Shadab Jakati, Shivil Kaushik, Jason Roy, Dhawal Kulkarni, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, Basil Thampi, Nathu Singh, Tejas Baroka, Shubham Agarwal, Shelly Shaurya, Andrew Tye and James Faulkner.

Click here for more stories related to IPL 2017

A near collision was averted on Friday as an Air India and an IndiGo aircraft came face-to-face at IGI airport here.

Air India's Delhi-Goa AI156 was about to take off from runway 28 at 11.15 AM when the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) asked the pilot to stop and come back to bay, Air India sources said.

IndiGo's Ranchi-Delhi 6E398 landed on the same runway minutes later.

There were 122 passengers onboard the Air India plane.

The Air India aircraft finally took off for Goa at 12.50 PM.

Title: The Builders of Delhi; Author: Imtiaz Ahmed Khan; Publisher: Zarreen Khan; Pages: 179; Price: Not mentioned

The late Imtiaz Ahmed Khan was an accomplished IAS officer who served in many parts of the country, including in Delhi where a street close to Parliament is named after him. But this is not yet another book on Delhi. It is very different.

The chapters were originally published in a series of articles in a leading newspaper in 1996-97. What is noteworthy is that the work was put together when there was no Wikipedia and Internet barely existed. Khan delved into history books and archives to produce this riveting tale.

History to Imtiaz Khan was not just about boring facts, obtuse dates, incomprehensible architectural details and inconsequential battles that most people loathe to study. As his daughter-publisher Zarreen Khan says, if you read it as her father narrated it, and read it with his signature sense of humour, "perhaps it will make history a more interesting read, as it did for me".

According to Imtiaz Khan, there is perhaps no city in the world that withstood as many onslaughts from foreign as well as domestic forces as Delhi. Many interesting bits follow: The spot on which Yudhishthira pitched tent was chosen to build the Pandava Palace; this is believed to be the same site where the Purana Qila (Old Fort) now stands. Mahipalpur near Vasant Kunj in south Delhi is named after a Tomar dynasty king, Mahipal.

After Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki settled in south Delhi, the place was given the name "Mihir Wali" — the abode of the saint. This later got corrupted to Mehrauli. During the time of Sultan Alauddin Khilji, Mongol prisoners in thousands were herded to Shahpur Jat village (near present Panchsheel), their heads chopped off and cemented in stone rubble with lime paste. And thus came up the Siri Fort.

The unending statistics and facts extend to the Mughal and British rule too.

This is a book worth a read — if you want to know Delhi better.

Spanish football giants Valencia CF bested a sometimes-listless Celta side 3-2 in a La Liga tie here on the strength of three marvellous goals.

The hosts, who sit 12th in La Liga, got off to a fast start in front of 30,000 fans at the Mestalla on Thursday, winning five corners in the first eight minutes and creating some anxious moments for the Celta defence, reports Efe.

But the balance shifted in favour of the visitors as the minutes passed and it was 10th-place Celta who struck first, on a set piece.

Wass delivered a free kick to Cabral, standing unmarked in front of the Valencia net, and the resulting header put the Galician side ahead 1-0 in the 16th minute.

The goal boosted Celta, who went on to generate a pair of chances before Valencia responded as the game passed the half-hour mark.

The equaliser came in the 38th minute, when Parejo scored with assists from Zaza and Cancelo.

Valencia remained in control for the rest of the first half, though Celta's Iago Aspas threatened in the final seconds before the whistle with a shot that sailed over the crossbar.

After the re-start, both teams showed signs of being content with a draw.

But while diligent on defence, Valencia was the more willing to attack, though Cancelo squandered a solid chance when he hit the post in the 60th minute.

Valencia pulled ahead eight minutes later as substitute Munir put the finishing touch to a beautiful collaboration among Parejo, Enzo Perez, and Lato.

Trying to protect the 2-1 lead, Carlos Soler brought down Aspas in the area in the 78th minute and the referee awarded the penalty, converted by Aspas to leave the score knotted at 2-2.

Unbowed, the hosts battled on and Soler redeemed himself, scoring with four minutes left in regulation to put Valencia ahead to stay.

Iran strongly condemned the US missile attack on a Syrian army airbase, calling it a "dangerous" action, state TV reported on Friday.

The missile attack is a "pretext for unilateral action, dangerous, destructive and violation of peremptory principles of international laws", Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said.

The US launched 59 Tomahawks at the Shayrat airport in central Syria late Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed, saying the strike was intended to deter the Syrian government from using chemical weapons again.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Thursday that the Syrian recent airstrike on a rebel-held town in Idlib province in northwestern Syria struck a rebel depot containing chemical materials, denying that the air force fired toxic gas during the attack.