Mangalam TV CEO R. Ajithkumar and four other journalists were arrested on April 4 for airing an audio purportedly of Transport Minister A.K Saseendran where he was heard having a lewd conversation with a woman on phone, police said.

The woman, who turned out to be a staffer of the channel, and two other journalists were let off.

The arrests came after all the nine accused appeared before the probe team, and a day after the Kerala High Court had fixed for April 4 the hearing on three anticipatory bail pleas filed by them.

The court, however, did not stay their arrest before April 6.

Mangalam TV officials had approached the high court after a case was registered against them on April 7 for airing the audio.

Opposing the bail pleas on behalf of the Kerala government, Director General of Prosecution M. Sreedharan Nair had said the accused had failed to present themselves before the probe team that waited for them for two days.

The audio was aired on March 26, leading to a political furore. Within hours, Saseendran announced his resignation from the Cabinet.

The Pinarayi Vijayan government announced judicial and police probes, leading to Ajithkumar to admit on air on Thursday that it was a sting operation and not a real incident as they claimed earlier and tender an unconditional apology. 

The channel said the lady who spoke to Saseendran was one of their staffers and not a housewife, who had come to meet the minister, as claimed by the channel, ever since the news was telecast. 

Model and reality TV star Kendall Jenner, who is usually seen flaunting raven hair, showcased a new blonde look while shooting for an ad campaign here.

Kendall experimented with her hair colour while filming the new Pepsi MAX ad, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The 21-year-old was working on a short film here for the brand's new Live For Now moments campaign.

However, Kendall didn't colour her hair as she was wearing a hair piece.

Unlike her sisters Khloe, Kim, Kylie and Kourtney, Kendall has never dyed her natural raven hair.

Model and reality TV star Kendall Jenner, who is usually seen flaunting raven hair, showcased a new blonde look while shooting for an ad campaign here.

Kendall experimented with her hair colour while filming the new Pepsi MAX ad, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The 21-year-old was working on a short film here for the brand's new Live For Now moments campaign.

However, Kendall didn't colour her hair as she was wearing a hair piece.

Unlike her sisters Khloe, Kim, Kylie and Kourtney, Kendall has never dyed her natural raven hair.

Pacer Ishant Sharma was on Tuesday picked by the Kings XI Punjab franchise, a day before the start of the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Delhi pacer failed to attract any buyer at the auction in February. 

"I share a strong bond with Ishant Sharma as he played under my captaincy in the Ranji Trophy and later in the India team, his addition will most definitely strengthen our squad," Virender Sehwag, Kings XI's head of cricket operations, stated in a release.

Kings XI's pace attack already comprises Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Varun Aaron, Anureet Singh, Matt Henry and T. Natarajan, who was bought for Rs.3 crore at the auction.

Kings XI play their first match on April 8, against Rising Pune Supergiant, the franchise Ishant represented last season.

For more stories related to IPL 2017

Actor-filmmaker Justin Theroux says he would like to write a TV role for actress and wife Jennifer Aniston.

"If the right thing came around I would definitely (write) it," etonline.com quoted Theroux as saying. 

He added: "We toss around ideas occasionally, but it's got to be something I want to write and something she wants to act in, which is harder than you might think. But yeah, it would be fantastic if we were able to do something together."

In the past, Aniston has said that if she ever returned to TV, she would like it to be as part of a show on a premium cable network. 

Meanwhile, Theroux is busy with the promotional activity for the third and final season of his acclaimed drama "The Leftovers". 

The final season of The Leftovers, which also stars Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston and Liv Tyler, will air in India from April 18 on Star World Premiere HD.

A mobile reactor to convert waste plastic into fuel, that uses technology developed by an India-born chemist, is soon to make its debut in California in a demonstration project.

"Using our efficient Plastic to Fuel (PTF) conversion units, we are hoping to address the problems of plastics pollution on land and theocean," Swaminathan Ramesh, a product of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and President of Michigan-based EcoFuel Technologies, told in an email.

Ramesh, whose company developed the PTF units in partnership with James Holm, founder of Clean Oceans International, a Santa Cruz, CA, based non-profit, said the goal is to rid the world of plastic waste by creating a market for it.

The researchers presented their results on April 3 at the 253rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in San Francisco.

Piling plastic waste poses a serious threat to marine life and beaches. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than eight million tonnes of plastic finds its way into the oceans annually — which is roughly equivalent to dumping an entire garbage truck of plastic into the oceans every minute.

The UNEP had warned that by 2050, "the plastic in our oceans would weigh more than all the fish combined".

"Pyrolysis", thetechnology used to break down plastic waste to obtain hydrocarbon-based fuel, has been known for years. But this calls for complex and costly refining steps to make the fuel useable.

Ramesh set out to change the game and developed a "metallocene" catalyst deposited on a porous support material that, coupled with a controlled pyrolysis reaction, directly yields diesel without further refining. It is also cost-effective on a small scale, runs at lower temperatures and is mobile.

"Our process — catalytic thermal depolymerisation technology — is by catalytic pyrolysisand, by careful management of heat transfer and reaction kinetics, we have optimised the yields to be around 90 per cent of the desired fuel," Ramesh explained. The key catalyst for the reaction was developed in his laboratory. Each PTF reactor can convert 100-10,000 pounds of plastic per day.

Storage and transport of plastic waste to land-based sites is no longer needed since the PTF reactor can be placed aboard vessels engaged in retrieval of floating plastic wastes and the converted fuels can be directly used for running these vessels.

A statement released by the American Chemical Society announcing the upcoming demonstration of PTF reactor at Santa Cruz said: "If we can get people around the world to pick this up and use it to shift waste plastics to fuel and make money, we can even eliminate plastic waste before it gets to the oceans by creating value for it locally on a global basis."

That plastic stream, it said, "can be diverted from the ocean and converted to 20-50 million barrels of liquid fuel annually by the PTF reactors."

India is reportedly among countries that contribute most to plastic debris in the ocean.

Kerala, whichgenerates 6,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day is already toying with the idea of using waste plastics to make bricks that can be used to make footpaths and pave roads.

Asked if any recycling industry or government agency in India has shown interest in the PTF technology, Ramesh said: "I have not had muchsuccess with generating too much interest in India (I have not tried too hard anyway). I am open to any prospects."
 

World Health Organisation has for the first time in ten years launched a new policy guidance on malaria elimination, which provides countries with strategies aimed at achieving elimination of the disease.

Malaria is a public health problem in several parts of of the country with over 10 lakh malaria cases being registered last year.

The 2017 framework for malaria elimination was officially released at a global forum attended by national programme managers from the E2020, a group of countries that, according to WHO, have the potential to reach zero indigenous cases of the disease by 2020.

“The new guidance recognises that malaria transmission represents a continuum and it is designed to support all malaria-endemic countries. Programme actions are highlighted across the spectrum of transmission intensity, from high to very low,” it said.

The new framework includes a streamlined process for WHO certification of malaria elimination and clarifies the threshold for reestablishment of transmission.

It offers new guidance on setting targets and systems to verify malaria-free areas within a country's borders, which can be an important foundation for future national certification.

About 95 per cent population in the country resides in malaria endemic areas and 80 per cent of malaria reported in the country is confined to areas consisting 20 per cent of population residing in tribal, hilly, difficult and inaccessible areas, according to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.

According to the Programme, last year, there were 10,59,437 cases of malaria in India, while 242 people died due to the disease.

India had last year launched the National Framework for MalariaElimination (NFME) 2016-2030, which outlines the country's strategy for elimination of the disease by 2030.

According to WHO estimates, an increasing number of countries are moving towards malaria elimination.

In 2000, an estimated 13 countries had fewer than 1000 cases of malaria and by 2015, 33 countries had achieved this milestone.

Similarly, the number of countries with fewer than 100 cases of malaria, and with fewer than 10 cases of the disease, has increased sharply since 2000.

In April 2016, WHO identified 21 countries with the potential to achieve zero indigenous cases of malaria by 2020.

The analysis, published on World Malaria Day, was based on trends in malaria case incidence between 2000 and 2014, the declared malaria objectives of affected countries and the informed opinions of WHO experts in the field.  Together, these 21 countries represent the “E-2020”.

The new guidance was developed over the course of 18 months by the WHO Secretariat and an independent Evidence Review Group chaired by Rick Steketee, Director of the Malaria Control and Elimination Partnership in Africa (MACEPA).

It involved a broad process of consultation with national programme managers and culminated in a final review in September 2016 by the Malaria Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC).

“This guidance builds on and is fully aligned with WHO's Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, a 15-year framework for all countries working to control and eliminate malaria.

“Malaria elimination in at least 10 countries is one of the strategy's near-term targets for 2020,” WHO said.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday denied any "overzealous" crackdown by authorities on abattoirs in the state and stated there would be no compromise on illegal slaughterhouses.

Health minister Siddharth Nath Singh, who briefed the media after a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, said that action will be taken against all illegal abattoirs in the state.

"It has been made clear in the past and is being reiterated again that action against slaughter houses which do not adhere to the guidelines prescribed by the National Green Tribunal in letter and spirit," he said.

The government also made it clear that no harassment will be done of people involved in the meat trade who are following guidelines and have valid licenses.

There has been a massive crackdown against slaughterhouses across the state ever since the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government came to power last month.

The BJP had promised to shut down all illegal slaughter houses in its state assembly elections manifesto. The action created a furore among meat eaters in Uttar Pradesh with the meat traders downing their shutters.

Pakistani forces yet again on Wednesday violated ceasefire and resorted to mortar shelling in Degwar sector of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, the fourth incident in less 48 hours along the LoC.

"The Pakistan Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars at 9.05 am on Wednesday on the Indian Army posts," Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta was quoted as saying by a news agency.

"The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively. The firing exchange still continues," he said.

Pakistani troops on Tuesday resorted to mortar shelling by automatic weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district.

Earlier on Monday Pakistan also opened fire at the Indian troops in Digwar sector of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

The ceasefire violation from the Pakistan side comes after India had on March 9 summoned the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan and expressed deep concern over continued ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Actress Anushka Sharma says career growth is important for her, but she likes to be introspective in her pursuit of becoming a better human being.

"I just want to become a better human being," Anushka said when asked if is there something she wants to achieve as a person.

"I think there is always scope of finding the best in yourself and the shortcomings you have in person which might affect other people's lives, which might hurt other people. I am constantly very introspective as a person. I want to become a person (who) can be (of) help to others, not just myself, where I can just make people happy and comfortable in my presence. 

"Ultimately, growing in my career is important, but growing as a human being is equally important," she added.

But isn't she bothered about the constant social media talk related to her personal and professional life?

"I think everything happens for a reason. I also believe that if god is throwing something difficult at me, he is also making me equipped to be able to handle it. That's the beauty of living this life. It's about overcoming difficulties and having faith, and time reinforces that," said the 28-year-old.

Anushka is currently enjoying the positive reviews of her second production Phillauri, released under her home banner Clean Slate Films. She features in the film along with Diljit Dosanjh and Suraj Sharma.

Set in Phillaur, Punjab, the Anshai Lal directorial tells the story of Kanan (Suraj), who is persuaded by his friends and family to marry a tree to ward off the bad luck afflicting his love-life. To Kanan's surprise, this awakens an ancient tree spirit Shashi, played by Anushka.

Anushka says she never makes a film with an idea of giving a message — like the way people are presuming about the film.

"There is absolutely no element of trying to break superstitions. It's just an observation that we are making of superstitions. The film is about a place from where the story starts and from where we introduce the ghost in a logical way. I feel it's a funny take. The film is a love story at the heart of it. It's a love story of a ghost," said Anushka, whose first production was NH10.

The actress, who made her debut with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and later starred with Aamir Khan in PK and with Salman Khan in Sultan, is loving working with relatively newer faces in her latest film.

"We (the banner) want to work with new talent and new people and we want to give opportunity to them as it adds to the freshness and newness of a film. When you work with people who have a different sensibility, it's exciting. Also it is exciting for us to engage with fresh talent and that is something that worked out really well with us. We hope we continue to do so with our films," said Anushka.

At this stage, the actress-producer is enjoying taking charge of her life.

"I'm enjoying taking charge of my career and life, and that's an empowering feeling. I get a creative satisfaction… The passion to work and create movies, which is a very big thing for us… To collaborate with young people…. It's very good space to be in," she said.

Actress Anushka Sharma says career growth is important for her, but she likes to be introspective in her pursuit of becoming a better human being.

"I just want to become a better human being," Anushka said when asked if is there something she wants to achieve as a person.

"I think there is always scope of finding the best in yourself and the shortcomings you have in person which might affect other people's lives, which might hurt other people. I am constantly very introspective as a person. I want to become a person (who) can be (of) help to others, not just myself, where I can just make people happy and comfortable in my presence. 

"Ultimately, growing in my career is important, but growing as a human being is equally important," she added.

But isn't she bothered about the constant social media talk related to her personal and professional life?

"I think everything happens for a reason. I also believe that if god is throwing something difficult at me, he is also making me equipped to be able to handle it. That's the beauty of living this life. It's about overcoming difficulties and having faith, and time reinforces that," said the 28-year-old.

Anushka is currently enjoying the positive reviews of her second production Phillauri, released under her home banner Clean Slate Films. She features in the film along with Diljit Dosanjh and Suraj Sharma.

Set in Phillaur, Punjab, the Anshai Lal directorial tells the story of Kanan (Suraj), who is persuaded by his friends and family to marry a tree to ward off the bad luck afflicting his love-life. To Kanan's surprise, this awakens an ancient tree spirit Shashi, played by Anushka.

Anushka says she never makes a film with an idea of giving a message — like the way people are presuming about the film.

"There is absolutely no element of trying to break superstitions. It's just an observation that we are making of superstitions. The film is about a place from where the story starts and from where we introduce the ghost in a logical way. I feel it's a funny take. The film is a love story at the heart of it. It's a love story of a ghost," said Anushka, whose first production was NH10.

The actress, who made her debut with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and later starred with Aamir Khan in PK and with Salman Khan in Sultan, is loving working with relatively newer faces in her latest film.

"We (the banner) want to work with new talent and new people and we want to give opportunity to them as it adds to the freshness and newness of a film. When you work with people who have a different sensibility, it's exciting. Also it is exciting for us to engage with fresh talent and that is something that worked out really well with us. We hope we continue to do so with our films," said Anushka.

At this stage, the actress-producer is enjoying taking charge of her life.

"I'm enjoying taking charge of my career and life, and that's an empowering feeling. I get a creative satisfaction… The passion to work and create movies, which is a very big thing for us… To collaborate with young people…. It's very good space to be in," she said.

If the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had given permission, the climax scenes of film Blue Mountains, scheduled for release on Friday, would have been shot at the Taj Mahal, the producer has said.

The film's producer Rajesh Jain told: "I had seen the Yanni show back in 1997 behind the Taj Mahal and I was so fascinated with the ambience that I somehow wanted to film some scenes of Blue Mountains at the Taj Mahal. But that was not to be. But I am sure my next film definitely will be shot in and around the Taj Mahal."

Jain, a handicrafts exporter, is entering the Hindi film industry with his maiden venture, which features Gracy Singh, Ranveer Shorey and Rajpal Yadav. A musical, the film revolves around a small town from where a youngster suddenly grabs the limelight through a reality show on TV but some traumatic situations change his whole life. 

Jain was in Agra to look for locations for his next venture with associate director Piyush Pandey.

Pandey said there is a timely message in the film for the youngsters — more important than victory, it is the participation in a competition that should matter. 

The film has music by Aadesh Shrivastava and Monty Sharma and songs have been sung by Shreya Ghoshal, Kailash Kher and Shaan.

If the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had given permission, the climax scenes of film Blue Mountains, scheduled for release on Friday, would have been shot at the Taj Mahal, the producer has said.

The film's producer Rajesh Jain told: "I had seen the Yanni show back in 1997 behind the Taj Mahal and I was so fascinated with the ambience that I somehow wanted to film some scenes of Blue Mountains at the Taj Mahal. But that was not to be. But I am sure my next film definitely will be shot in and around the Taj Mahal."

Jain, a handicrafts exporter, is entering the Hindi film industry with his maiden venture, which features Gracy Singh, Ranveer Shorey and Rajpal Yadav. A musical, the film revolves around a small town from where a youngster suddenly grabs the limelight through a reality show on TV but some traumatic situations change his whole life. 

Jain was in Agra to look for locations for his next venture with associate director Piyush Pandey.

Pandey said there is a timely message in the film for the youngsters — more important than victory, it is the participation in a competition that should matter. 

The film has music by Aadesh Shrivastava and Monty Sharma and songs have been sung by Shreya Ghoshal, Kailash Kher and Shaan.

Mexico has said its top official will meet key US lawmakers in Washington to discuss bilateral relations, which have been tense since President Donald Trump assumed office, a statement said.

The statement from the Mexican Foreign Relations Department on Tuesday said Secretary Luis Videgaray will be in Washington from April 4-6. 

The trip will enable the Foreign Secretary to reaffirm the importance of the Mexico-US relation with key US actors and follow up on the main bilateral and regional issues.

The meetings would include those with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

The statement also said Videgaray will meet with both Republican and Democrat senators, and attend a session of the Organisation of American States (OAS). 

The Foreign Secretary will attend the OAS Permanent Council meeting to present his country's program for the 47th General Assembly that will be held in Mexico in June.

Mexico has said its top official will meet key US lawmakers in Washington to discuss bilateral relations, which have been tense since President Donald Trump assumed office, a statement said.

The statement from the Mexican Foreign Relations Department on Tuesday said Secretary Luis Videgaray will be in Washington from April 4-6. 

The trip will enable the Foreign Secretary to reaffirm the importance of the Mexico-US relation with key US actors and follow up on the main bilateral and regional issues.

The meetings would include those with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

The statement also said Videgaray will meet with both Republican and Democrat senators, and attend a session of the Organisation of American States (OAS). 

The Foreign Secretary will attend the OAS Permanent Council meeting to present his country's program for the 47th General Assembly that will be held in Mexico in June.

Actor Suniel Shetty will be back on the small screen as a host with an upcoming reality TV series, India's Asli Champion Hai Dum!

The actor, who hosted Biggest Loser Jeetega in 2007, is looking forward to hosting the show — which is produced by Colosceum Media Pvt. Ltd. and slated to premiere soon on &TV.

"I am thrilled to be part of India's Asli Champion— a show that thrives on inspiration and perseverance," Suniel said in a statement.

He added: "It will test the contestants' will power to go that extra mile when their physical strength gives up."

The show will see contestants performing tasks designed to judge not just their physical fitness but also their grit and determination.

Talking about the show, Rajesh Iyer, Business Head of the channel, said: "We are glad to have the flagbearer of fitness, Suniel Shetty himself on board as the host! His knowledge, experience and passion for fitness makes him an apt choice to lead the show."