In a major setback to the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the CBI probe into Narada sting operation case in which several TMC leaders were allegedly caught on camera taking bribe.

In its hearing, the SC extended the time for registration of FIR in the case from 72 hours given by Calcutta HC to one month.

Terming the West Bengal government's plea 'unfortunate', the top court rejected the plea of TMC leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Saugata Roy for a SIT-monitored probe either by the apex court or the high court.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had on Monday registered a preliminary enquiry into the sting operation.

The CBI had named MPs, West Bengal ministers, police officers as well as ex-MLAs in its preliminary enquiry following a Calcutta High Court order. It had also seized laptops and spy cams used in the Narada sting operation.

Reacting to the Calcutta High Court order, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Friday said that her government would challenge the order in the Supreme Court.

"Will challenge before the Supreme Court against Calcutta HC order directing preliminary inquiry by the CBI on Narada sting operation," the chief minister had said.

In a first, states in eastern and Northeast India, including West Bengal, will carry out a synchronised elephant census beginning on March 27, by deploying direct and indirect counting methods.

The training sessions for estimation of jumbo numbers in north Bengal began in four locations on Tuesday, said State Chief Wildlife Warden, Pradeep Vyas.

"This is the first time that four zones (north, south, east and Northeastern zone) have been demarcated to count elephants. In the all-India synchronised elephant census, the dates for Northeast zone are March 27 to March 29. North Bengal is included in the Northeast zone for the regional census," Vyas said on Tuesday.

Vyas said the simultaneous approach will eliminate duplication in counting.

"Earlier, each state used to conduct their own census. So, elephant populations often used to get counted twice or there was under-estimation," Vyas added.

Apart from direct sighting, forest officials and experts will deploy dung-decay assessment as well for accuracy.

Dung-decay method relies on estimating the pachyderm population size by counting dung piles and understanding how often elephants defecate and how fast dung piles decay.

"In Northeast zone, north Bengal, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura are included. In the second week of April, first phase of census in South Bengal will begin. For that, the training sessions are on March 24. South Bengal is part of the east zone comprising Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh," Vyas said.

Although West Bengal has only two per cent of India's elephant population, they are responsible for over 20 per cent of human deaths in the country, officials said.

The synchronised estimation will help in shedding light on demography and migration patterns.

According to data for 2012 with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, wild elephants in Bengal numbered 647.

In a first, states in eastern and Northeast India, including West Bengal, will carry out a synchronised elephant census beginning on March 27, by deploying direct and indirect counting methods.

The training sessions for estimation of jumbo numbers in north Bengal began in four locations on Tuesday, said State Chief Wildlife Warden, Pradeep Vyas.

"This is the first time that four zones (north, south, east and Northeastern zone) have been demarcated to count elephants. In the all-India synchronised elephant census, the dates for Northeast zone are March 27 to March 29. North Bengal is included in the Northeast zone for the regional census," Vyas said on Tuesday.

Vyas said the simultaneous approach will eliminate duplication in counting.

"Earlier, each state used to conduct their own census. So, elephant populations often used to get counted twice or there was under-estimation," Vyas added.

Apart from direct sighting, forest officials and experts will deploy dung-decay assessment as well for accuracy.

Dung-decay method relies on estimating the pachyderm population size by counting dung piles and understanding how often elephants defecate and how fast dung piles decay.

"In Northeast zone, north Bengal, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura are included. In the second week of April, first phase of census in South Bengal will begin. For that, the training sessions are on March 24. South Bengal is part of the east zone comprising Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh," Vyas said.

Although West Bengal has only two per cent of India's elephant population, they are responsible for over 20 per cent of human deaths in the country, officials said.

The synchronised estimation will help in shedding light on demography and migration patterns.

According to data for 2012 with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, wild elephants in Bengal numbered 647.

Superstar Shah Rukh khan, who is working for his upcoming film tentatively titled The Ring by Imtiaz Ali, says actors should go for roles with possibility instead of saying no for difficult ones.

The Bollywood star tweeted on Tuesday that, “Actors go for roles with possibility. Instead an actor should choose the impossible & give it his/her best even if it means to fail trying it”.

In his long career, SRK had acted in multiple genres and portrayed  a variety of characters be such as that of a romantic boy or a haunting villain.

Superstar Shah Rukh khan, who is working for his upcoming film tentatively titled The Ring by Imtiaz Ali, says actors should go for roles with possibility instead of saying no for difficult ones.

The Bollywood star tweeted on Tuesday that, “Actors go for roles with possibility. Instead an actor should choose the impossible & give it his/her best even if it means to fail trying it”.

In his long career, SRK had acted in multiple genres and portrayed  a variety of characters be such as that of a romantic boy or a haunting villain.

During the upcoming visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, the two countries will sign an agreement for supply of additional 60 MW of electricity to the neighbouring country from Tripura, a top official said here on Tuesday.

Hasina is scheduled to visit New Delhi from April 7 to 10.

"Officials of India and Bangladesh governments met in Dhaka on March 17 and finalised the technical and other issues to supply extra 60 mw electricity to that country from Tripura," the Indian official said.

He said: "During Sheikh Hasina's visit, the Bangladesh and Indian government officials will sign an agreement in this regard and immediately after that the supply of additional power (to Bangladesh) will begin."

The official said that four Indian officials from the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN), Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd and the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh held meeting in Dhaka with the top officials of Bangladesh Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and Bangladesh Power Development Board and finalised power tariff and other technical details.

The NVVN is a subsidiary of state owned National Thermal Power Corporation.

Tripura has been supplying 100 MW of electricity to Bangladesh since March 23, 2016, in addition to the 500 MW the country is receiving from West Bengal since 2013.

"Bangladesh has sought 100 MW electricity from India to solve its power crisis in the eastern part of the country. As Tripura government was ready to provide additional 100 MW power to Bangladesh, the Indian government recently informed this to Bangladesh governemnt accordingly," Tripura Power and Transport Minister Manik Dey said.

"However, Bangladesh has to develop its infrastructure on their side to receive additional power. Considering their technical feasibility now, they take 60 MW electricity after developing transmission facilities on their side," he added.

"During my visit to Bangladesh in February last year, (Bangladesh Prime Minister) Sheikh Hasina requested us to provide additional 100 MW electricity and I instantly agreed. I had requested her to approach the Indian government on the matter," the minister said.

"Although currently we are supposed to supply 100 MW of power, sometimes Bangladesh takes 110 MW to 115 MW power to meet their requirements."

A 47-km double circuit transmission line was erected, linking the power grid at Surjyamaninagar in western Tripura to the Comilla power grid in eastern Bangladesh, to supply electricity to the neighbouring country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on March 23, 2016, launched the supply of 100 MW power through video-conferencing from their offices in New Delhi, Dhaka and Agartala.

The minister said that Tripura had already become a power-surplus state. "If we supply additional power to Bangladesh we will be able to earn extra revenue."

During his visit to Dhaka on June 6-7 in 2015, Prime Minister Modi had discussed with Hasina power supply possibility from Tripura.

Modi had declared that India would eventually enhance the power supply to Bangladesh to 1,100 MW.

During the upcoming visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, the two countries will sign an agreement for supply of additional 60 MW of electricity to the neighbouring country from Tripura, a top official said here on Tuesday.

Hasina is scheduled to visit New Delhi from April 7 to 10.

"Officials of India and Bangladesh governments met in Dhaka on March 17 and finalised the technical and other issues to supply extra 60 mw electricity to that country from Tripura," the Indian official said.

He said: "During Sheikh Hasina's visit, the Bangladesh and Indian government officials will sign an agreement in this regard and immediately after that the supply of additional power (to Bangladesh) will begin."

The official said that four Indian officials from the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN), Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd and the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh held meeting in Dhaka with the top officials of Bangladesh Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and Bangladesh Power Development Board and finalised power tariff and other technical details.

The NVVN is a subsidiary of state owned National Thermal Power Corporation.

Tripura has been supplying 100 MW of electricity to Bangladesh since March 23, 2016, in addition to the 500 MW the country is receiving from West Bengal since 2013.

"Bangladesh has sought 100 MW electricity from India to solve its power crisis in the eastern part of the country. As Tripura government was ready to provide additional 100 MW power to Bangladesh, the Indian government recently informed this to Bangladesh governemnt accordingly," Tripura Power and Transport Minister Manik Dey said.

"However, Bangladesh has to develop its infrastructure on their side to receive additional power. Considering their technical feasibility now, they take 60 MW electricity after developing transmission facilities on their side," he added.

"During my visit to Bangladesh in February last year, (Bangladesh Prime Minister) Sheikh Hasina requested us to provide additional 100 MW electricity and I instantly agreed. I had requested her to approach the Indian government on the matter," the minister said.

"Although currently we are supposed to supply 100 MW of power, sometimes Bangladesh takes 110 MW to 115 MW power to meet their requirements."

A 47-km double circuit transmission line was erected, linking the power grid at Surjyamaninagar in western Tripura to the Comilla power grid in eastern Bangladesh, to supply electricity to the neighbouring country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on March 23, 2016, launched the supply of 100 MW power through video-conferencing from their offices in New Delhi, Dhaka and Agartala.

The minister said that Tripura had already become a power-surplus state. "If we supply additional power to Bangladesh we will be able to earn extra revenue."

During his visit to Dhaka on June 6-7 in 2015, Prime Minister Modi had discussed with Hasina power supply possibility from Tripura.

Modi had declared that India would eventually enhance the power supply to Bangladesh to 1,100 MW.

A mild intensity earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale hit Pakistani capital Islamabad and several adjoining areas in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces on Tuesday.

The epicentre of the tremor was near Hazro in Attock district of Punjab province, Pakistan Meteorological Department said.

"It occurred at a depth of 12 kilometres," the department said in a tweet. The tremor was felt in Nowshera, Haripur and Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local media reported, adding that people rushed out of their buildings in panic.

No loss of life or damage to property has been reported.

Pakistan has experienced several quakes in the past, including a 5.3-magnitude tremor last month. The worst was in 2005 which killed more than 74,000 people.

A mild intensity earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale hit Pakistani capital Islamabad and several adjoining areas in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces on Tuesday.

The epicentre of the tremor was near Hazro in Attock district of Punjab province, Pakistan Meteorological Department said.

"It occurred at a depth of 12 kilometres," the department said in a tweet. The tremor was felt in Nowshera, Haripur and Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local media reported, adding that people rushed out of their buildings in panic.

No loss of life or damage to property has been reported.

Pakistan has experienced several quakes in the past, including a 5.3-magnitude tremor last month. The worst was in 2005 which killed more than 74,000 people.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha, who is excited about performing alongside megastar Salman Khan in 'DA BANG – The Tour', says she is happy with her work in Bollywood and isn't seriously pursuing Hollywood dreams.

"I'm very content with the work I am doing here. But if something really interesting came my way, I would give it a thought — just as I do to all my projects here. But I am definitely not chasing it," Sonakshi said in a statement.

Ahead of the tour, which is going to Melbourne, Sydney in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand, Sonakshi has opened up on various facets about her career.

A fan of "live performances", she said she is glad to be part of one of the biggest international tours of this year.

Will audiences get to see her shake a leg with Salman?

"We are working on the creative, so the audiences will have to come to the show to watch, but I assure you that if the Dabangg jodi is together again, it will be great," Sonakshi, who made her film debut with Salman starrer Dabangg in 2010, said in a statement.

A fan of yesteryear hits, Sonakshi said: "I'm up for performing to all the hits of the 1990s because that's what we've grown up listening to and I'm really happy that they are making a comeback. There is also a reprised version of 'Gulabi aankhen' in my upcoming film 'Noor', which is outstanding."

As part of the tour, Sonakshi will also be joined by actor-filmmaker Prabhudheva, Bipasha Basu and rapper Baadshah.

Sonakshi said she is planning a performance with Prabhudheva, with whom she has earlier grooved to the song Go Go Govinda.

"We are planning on doing something on our songs together. We have done many hit songs together and all I can say is the audience will love whatever they see," she said.

She said she would also like to jam with Badshah, if given an opportunity.

Having been part of blockbusters such as Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never off Duty, she doesn't like to believe she has been lucky.

"All the films did well because they struck the right chord with the masses. It's the hard work of a great team transpiring on screen and I am happy to have been part of these blockbuster entertainers," she said, adding that her Indian looks and how she carries herself are the reasons why the masses have embraced her.

"I keep it real and that is a quality that people appreciate. They always love someone who they can connect with. My first film was very mass-oriented so they connected with me instantly. I am very thankful to all of them for appreciating my work and giving me so much luck and support," she added.

Talking about her upcoming release "Noor", she said her role in the film is very close to her heart.

"After 'Noor' you'll see me in an Ittefaq' remake, opposite Siddharth Malhotra. For the first time, I'm playing a grey character and audiences have never seen me play such a role before," she said.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha, who is excited about performing alongside megastar Salman Khan in 'DA BANG – The Tour', says she is happy with her work in Bollywood and isn't seriously pursuing Hollywood dreams.

"I'm very content with the work I am doing here. But if something really interesting came my way, I would give it a thought — just as I do to all my projects here. But I am definitely not chasing it," Sonakshi said in a statement.

Ahead of the tour, which is going to Melbourne, Sydney in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand, Sonakshi has opened up on various facets about her career.

A fan of "live performances", she said she is glad to be part of one of the biggest international tours of this year.

Will audiences get to see her shake a leg with Salman?

"We are working on the creative, so the audiences will have to come to the show to watch, but I assure you that if the Dabangg jodi is together again, it will be great," Sonakshi, who made her film debut with Salman starrer Dabangg in 2010, said in a statement.

A fan of yesteryear hits, Sonakshi said: "I'm up for performing to all the hits of the 1990s because that's what we've grown up listening to and I'm really happy that they are making a comeback. There is also a reprised version of 'Gulabi aankhen' in my upcoming film 'Noor', which is outstanding."

As part of the tour, Sonakshi will also be joined by actor-filmmaker Prabhudheva, Bipasha Basu and rapper Baadshah.

Sonakshi said she is planning a performance with Prabhudheva, with whom she has earlier grooved to the song Go Go Govinda.

"We are planning on doing something on our songs together. We have done many hit songs together and all I can say is the audience will love whatever they see," she said.

She said she would also like to jam with Badshah, if given an opportunity.

Having been part of blockbusters such as Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never off Duty, she doesn't like to believe she has been lucky.

"All the films did well because they struck the right chord with the masses. It's the hard work of a great team transpiring on screen and I am happy to have been part of these blockbuster entertainers," she said, adding that her Indian looks and how she carries herself are the reasons why the masses have embraced her.

"I keep it real and that is a quality that people appreciate. They always love someone who they can connect with. My first film was very mass-oriented so they connected with me instantly. I am very thankful to all of them for appreciating my work and giving me so much luck and support," she added.

Talking about her upcoming release "Noor", she said her role in the film is very close to her heart.

"After 'Noor' you'll see me in an Ittefaq' remake, opposite Siddharth Malhotra. For the first time, I'm playing a grey character and audiences have never seen me play such a role before," she said.

India’s middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara rose to No.2 in the ICC Test batsman rankings, released on Tuesday.

The iconic but measured knock of 202 runs off 525 balls at Ranchi helped Pujara to surpass captain Virat Kohli as India’s top-ranked batsman.

Kohli, who has been up to the mark in the ongoing India vs Australia four-Test series that is currently level by 1-1, has been placed fourth, following third-ranked England’s Joe Root with a margin of 22 points.

Australian skipper Steve Smith has topped the batting rankings after scoring an exemplary knock of 178 runs (not out) in the third Test, which ended in a draw on Monday.

Pujara was elevated to the second spot from the sixth place, while Australian opener David Warner slipped to eighth position from fifth following a poor run of form.

In the bowler's chart, Indian tweaker Ravindra Jadeja claimed the top position. The 28-year-old spinner surpassed teammate Ravichandran Ashwin to top the ICC bolwers' rankings.

Jadeja has taken 21 wickets from three Tests of the undergoing series.

Australia's pacer Josh Hazlewood slipped from third to fourth, chasing Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath.

India’s middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara rose to No.2 in the ICC Test batsman rankings, released on Tuesday.

The iconic but measured knock of 202 runs off 525 balls at Ranchi helped Pujara to surpass captain Virat Kohli as India’s top-ranked batsman.

Kohli, who has been up to the mark in the ongoing India vs Australia four-Test series that is currently level by 1-1, has been placed fourth, following third-ranked England’s Joe Root with a margin of 22 points.

Australian skipper Steve Smith has topped the batting rankings after scoring an exemplary knock of 178 runs (not out) in the third Test, which ended in a draw on Monday.

Pujara was elevated to the second spot from the sixth place, while Australian opener David Warner slipped to eighth position from fifth following a poor run of form.

In the bowler's chart, Indian tweaker Ravindra Jadeja claimed the top position. The 28-year-old spinner surpassed teammate Ravichandran Ashwin to top the ICC bolwers' rankings.

Jadeja has taken 21 wickets from three Tests of the undergoing series.

Australia's pacer Josh Hazlewood slipped from third to fourth, chasing Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath.

Bengali poet Srijato Bandopadhyay on Monday faced police complaint for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

Bandopadhyay, a Bengali poet in North Bengal’s Siliguri town posted the controversial 12-line poem in Facebook on the day BJP MP Yogi Adityanath was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on March 19.

Soon after, the poem went viral in the social media networking site. Although many expressed support, others slammed the 42-year-old poet for using such sentimental and disgraceful words.

Arnab Sarkar, a resident of Bagha Jatin colony in Pradhan Nagar area, filed a police complaint claiming the poem hurt “the feelings of each Hindu through the use of distasteful words”.

Bandhopadhyay, however, dismissed the alleged claims, saying “degree of freedom of speech still exists in this country”.

“I will not give much importance to the issue. The majority of people in this country believe in freedom of speech," the poet said.

"A degree of freedom of speech still exists in this country. Our country has not become Pakistan or Bangladesh, and one has the right to speak here. Since the past two days I have been trolled in Facebook after I posted the poem,” Bandopadhyay added.

Bengali poet Srijato Bandopadhyay on Monday faced police complaint for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

Bandopadhyay, a Bengali poet in North Bengal’s Siliguri town posted the controversial 12-line poem in Facebook on the day BJP MP Yogi Adityanath was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on March 19.

Soon after, the poem went viral in the social media networking site. Although many expressed support, others slammed the 42-year-old poet for using such sentimental and disgraceful words.

Arnab Sarkar, a resident of Bagha Jatin colony in Pradhan Nagar area, filed a police complaint claiming the poem hurt “the feelings of each Hindu through the use of distasteful words”.

Bandhopadhyay, however, dismissed the alleged claims, saying “degree of freedom of speech still exists in this country”.

“I will not give much importance to the issue. The majority of people in this country believe in freedom of speech," the poet said.

"A degree of freedom of speech still exists in this country. Our country has not become Pakistan or Bangladesh, and one has the right to speak here. Since the past two days I have been trolled in Facebook after I posted the poem,” Bandopadhyay added.

A haunting novel of love, passion and betrayal, set in the Second World War era with a thematic reference to India's freedom struggle was launched in the Capital on Monday evening.

Titled "The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji," the fictional tale has been authored by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose. Barkha Dutt launched the book at Zerruco- Kitchen and Bar. 

Shivani Wazir Pasrich, Tisca Chopra and Nasir Abdullah read from the book during the course of the evening.This was followed by an interesting discussion on the book by Sanjay Chopra, Namita Roy Ghose, and Tisca Chopra.

"I was clearly excited about this critical piece of Indian history couched in a fictional narrative. A great story told marvellously. In fact, I am delighted to say that this great kahani was launched in Mumbai by none other than Vidya Balan. Clearly one of the best books Om Books International has published," said Ajay Mago, Publisher, Om Books International. 

"The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji", is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle.

A haunting novel of love, passion and betrayal, set in the Second World War era with a thematic reference to India's freedom struggle was launched in the Capital on Monday evening.

Titled "The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji," the fictional tale has been authored by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose. Barkha Dutt launched the book at Zerruco- Kitchen and Bar. 

Shivani Wazir Pasrich, Tisca Chopra and Nasir Abdullah read from the book during the course of the evening.This was followed by an interesting discussion on the book by Sanjay Chopra, Namita Roy Ghose, and Tisca Chopra.

"I was clearly excited about this critical piece of Indian history couched in a fictional narrative. A great story told marvellously. In fact, I am delighted to say that this great kahani was launched in Mumbai by none other than Vidya Balan. Clearly one of the best books Om Books International has published," said Ajay Mago, Publisher, Om Books International. 

"The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji", is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle.