Singer Ariana Grande says pop diva Madonna inspires her to stay strong and believe in herself.

The Break Free singer said she loves Madonna "with every ounce of her being," reported Cosmopolitan magazine.

"I have the utmost respect for that woman. I love her with every ounce of my being, and not just because I'm obsessed with her entire discography.

"I'm so inspired by her bravery and her strength. I can look at her and not be scared to be strong," Grande said.

The 23-year-old singer also went on to slam those who judge women for being strong.

"Women are judged for having a vision and being strong and using their voice, and it's just not the case. You can be strong and be friendly. (We) don't have to be just one thing," she said.

Tracking weak global markets, domestic bourses started last trading session of the week with marginal declines. At 9.50 am on Friday, the Sensex at the BSE was trading 87 points down at 28,752 and the Nifty at the NSE was trading 32 points lower at 8,868.

In the broader markets, BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices slipped 0.3 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.

Among the BSE sectoral indices, Realty index jumped the most, up 0.9 per cent, while FMCG index became the top loser, down 1 per cent.

On Thursday, the Sensex had closed 145 points down at 28,840 and the Nifty had closed 46 points lower at 8,900.

Top gainers in the Sensex-30 pack: Reliance Industries (up 3.5 per cent), Gail (up 1.1 per cent), Cipla (up 0.9 per cent), Sun Pharma (up 0.7 per cent) and Dr Reddy’s Labs (up 0.7 per cent).

Top losers in the Sensex-30 pack: ITC (down 2 per cent), HDFC (down 1.7 per cent), Infosys (down 1.3 per cent), Asian Paints (down 1.2 per cent) and Tata Steel (down 0.9 per cent)

Meanwhile, the Rupee was trading 15 paise down at 66.86 against the US Dollar.

Tracking weak global markets, domestic bourses started last trading session of the week with marginal declines. At 9.50 am on Friday, the Sensex at the BSE was trading 87 points down at 28,752 and the Nifty at the NSE was trading 32 points lower at 8,868.

In the broader markets, BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices slipped 0.3 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.

Among the BSE sectoral indices, Realty index jumped the most, up 0.9 per cent, while FMCG index became the top loser, down 1 per cent.

On Thursday, the Sensex had closed 145 points down at 28,840 and the Nifty had closed 46 points lower at 8,900.

Top gainers in the Sensex-30 pack: Reliance Industries (up 3.5 per cent), Gail (up 1.1 per cent), Cipla (up 0.9 per cent), Sun Pharma (up 0.7 per cent) and Dr Reddy’s Labs (up 0.7 per cent).

Top losers in the Sensex-30 pack: ITC (down 2 per cent), HDFC (down 1.7 per cent), Infosys (down 1.3 per cent), Asian Paints (down 1.2 per cent) and Tata Steel (down 0.9 per cent)

Meanwhile, the Rupee was trading 15 paise down at 66.86 against the US Dollar.

Taking strong objection to felicitation of sports persons from Northeast by the Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry, without prior permission, the Election Commission on Thursday sought response from the central government.

"It has come to our notice through media reports that the DoNER and Home Affairs ministries felicitated nine sports persons who had participated in Rio Olympics from northeastern states. Out of them, five hail from Manipur, which is going through polling process," the Election Commission said in letters written to the secretaries of the two ministries.

The Commission has sought response from both ministries by 3.00 pm on Saturday.

"You are, therefore, requested to inform the Commission the reasons and circumstances under which prior permission from MCC (model code of conduct) angle was not taken for organising the said felicitation," the Commission said.

The sports persons, honoured at an event at the North Block, were presented with mementos and cash award of Rs.2 lakh each.

Those felicitated include Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics), P Sushila Chanu (Hockey- Women), H Lal Ruatfeli (Hockey-Women), L Bombayla Devi (Archery), Chinglensan Singh (Hockey-Men), K Kothajit Singh (Hockey-Men) and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting).

Two more Olympians from North-East — Shiva Thapa (Boxing) and T. Anuradha Devi (Hockey-Women) — were also awarded in absentia at the event.

Five of them hail from Manipur.

Minister of State (PMO) Jitendra Singh and MoS (Home) Kiren Rijiju felicitated the sports persons.

Taking strong objection to felicitation of sports persons from Northeast by the Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry, without prior permission, the Election Commission on Thursday sought response from the central government.

"It has come to our notice through media reports that the DoNER and Home Affairs ministries felicitated nine sports persons who had participated in Rio Olympics from northeastern states. Out of them, five hail from Manipur, which is going through polling process," the Election Commission said in letters written to the secretaries of the two ministries.

The Commission has sought response from both ministries by 3.00 pm on Saturday.

"You are, therefore, requested to inform the Commission the reasons and circumstances under which prior permission from MCC (model code of conduct) angle was not taken for organising the said felicitation," the Commission said.

The sports persons, honoured at an event at the North Block, were presented with mementos and cash award of Rs.2 lakh each.

Those felicitated include Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics), P Sushila Chanu (Hockey- Women), H Lal Ruatfeli (Hockey-Women), L Bombayla Devi (Archery), Chinglensan Singh (Hockey-Men), K Kothajit Singh (Hockey-Men) and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting).

Two more Olympians from North-East — Shiva Thapa (Boxing) and T. Anuradha Devi (Hockey-Women) — were also awarded in absentia at the event.

Five of them hail from Manipur.

Minister of State (PMO) Jitendra Singh and MoS (Home) Kiren Rijiju felicitated the sports persons.

Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson, which President Donald Trump singled when he mentioned trade barriers, may disagree with his proposed solution to the problem.

Trump said in his speech to Congress that executives from Harley-Davidson told him they have trouble selling motorcycles outside of the United States because of high taxes.

While other countries impose heavy taxes and tariffs on American products, the United States doesn't do the same when importing other countries' products, Trump said in the speech.

He called for free, but fair, trade.

But a lobbyist for Harley warned that imposing additional tariffs on foreign imports could end up hurting sales, in comments submitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative earlier this year.

In a January 30 letter posted on the office's website, Edward Moreland said Harley-Davidson opposes additional duties on the motorcycles imported from Europe because of the prospect of Europe raising their fees in response.

"Harley-Davidson sells tens of thousands of motorcycles in Europe each year and retaliatory tariffs would result in a significant impact to the Motor Company's business," he wrote.

The letter was in response to a list of products on which the United States was considering imposing tariffs to counter Europe's refusal to accept US beef.

Harley-Davidson spokeswoman Pat Sweeney said Trump was correct that high taxes and tariffs in countries such as India and Indonesia put the company "at a competitive disadvantage."

Harley-Davidson sales in India, which imposes high import taxes on all luxury motorcycles and cars, rose 30 percent in the past two years.

Asked whether Moreland's letter means the company opposes imposing tariffs on foreign products in other situations, she said the company is "open to trade policies that address barriers to international growth."

Trump canceled a visit to Harley-Davidson's Milwaukee facility last month, which was expected to draw a significant number of protesters.

Instead, Harley executives traveled to Washington for the February 2 meeting. Trump said the executives told him business was good but mentioned the difficulty of selling motorcycles abroad.

Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson, which President Donald Trump singled when he mentioned trade barriers, may disagree with his proposed solution to the problem.

Trump said in his speech to Congress that executives from Harley-Davidson told him they have trouble selling motorcycles outside of the United States because of high taxes.

While other countries impose heavy taxes and tariffs on American products, the United States doesn't do the same when importing other countries' products, Trump said in the speech.

He called for free, but fair, trade.

But a lobbyist for Harley warned that imposing additional tariffs on foreign imports could end up hurting sales, in comments submitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative earlier this year.

In a January 30 letter posted on the office's website, Edward Moreland said Harley-Davidson opposes additional duties on the motorcycles imported from Europe because of the prospect of Europe raising their fees in response.

"Harley-Davidson sells tens of thousands of motorcycles in Europe each year and retaliatory tariffs would result in a significant impact to the Motor Company's business," he wrote.

The letter was in response to a list of products on which the United States was considering imposing tariffs to counter Europe's refusal to accept US beef.

Harley-Davidson spokeswoman Pat Sweeney said Trump was correct that high taxes and tariffs in countries such as India and Indonesia put the company "at a competitive disadvantage."

Harley-Davidson sales in India, which imposes high import taxes on all luxury motorcycles and cars, rose 30 percent in the past two years.

Asked whether Moreland's letter means the company opposes imposing tariffs on foreign products in other situations, she said the company is "open to trade policies that address barriers to international growth."

Trump canceled a visit to Harley-Davidson's Milwaukee facility last month, which was expected to draw a significant number of protesters.

Instead, Harley executives traveled to Washington for the February 2 meeting. Trump said the executives told him business was good but mentioned the difficulty of selling motorcycles abroad.

With half the country's population on course to live in urban centres in the next 15-20 years, there is a pressing need to improve the entire ecosystem of urbanisation, the government said on Thursday.

"Herein, lies the challenge in urban governance and political and economic system," Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Rajeev Kapoor said while inaugurating the 8th GRIHA Summit here.

The Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), developed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) together with the MNRE, has been endorsed as the national rating system for green buildings in India in 2007. 

It is an indigenous green building rating system developed specifically to suit Indian climate and construction practices.

"Buildings are a crucial element in the Indian growth story, and we need to take care of them as they are responsible for more than 40 per cent of energy use, 25-30 per cent of the waste generated and a substantial quantum of water use," Kapoor said.

With half the country's population on course to live in urban centres in the next 15-20 years, there is a pressing need to improve the entire ecosystem of urbanisation, the government said on Thursday.

"Herein, lies the challenge in urban governance and political and economic system," Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Rajeev Kapoor said while inaugurating the 8th GRIHA Summit here.

The Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), developed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) together with the MNRE, has been endorsed as the national rating system for green buildings in India in 2007. 

It is an indigenous green building rating system developed specifically to suit Indian climate and construction practices.

"Buildings are a crucial element in the Indian growth story, and we need to take care of them as they are responsible for more than 40 per cent of energy use, 25-30 per cent of the waste generated and a substantial quantum of water use," Kapoor said.

The only North Korean arrested over the Cold War-style assassination of Kim Jong-Nam was released on Friday as diplomatic wrangling between Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur intensified over the murder.

47-year-old Ri Jong-Chol was freed a day after attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali announced there was insufficient evidence to charge him and that he would be deported on Friday. The vehicle carrying Ri, who wore a bullet proof vest, was escorted by a six police-car convoy and motorcycle outriders. Roads were sealed off as the motorcade left the police station where he has been held.

A senior police official who asked not to be named told AFP that Ri had been handed over to immigration authorities in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.

"I do not know when he will be deported as they will need to sort out the travel documents," he said.

Ri's release came two days after two women — one Vietnamese and one Indonesian — were charged with murdering the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un with a deadly nerve agent.

Seven other North Koreans are wanted in connection with the killing, including a diplomat and an airline employee who are believed to be in Malaysia.

Four others are thought to have fled to Pyongyang on the day of the murder.

Ri was arrested days after Kim suffered an agonising death when he was attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he waited to board a flight to Macau.

CCTV footage shows two women approaching the heavyset 45-year-old and apparently smearing his face with a cloth.

Police say he suffered a seizure and died less than 20 minutes later, without reaching hospital.

Swabs of the dead man's face revealed traces of the VX nerve agent, a banned synthetic chemical so deadly that it is classed as a weapon of mass destruction.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, were charged with murder on Wednesday. If found guilty, they could be hanged.

Both women say they thought they were taking part in a prank video but police have dismissed the claims.

South Korea has pointed the finger of blame at North Korea, citing what they say was a standing order from Kim Jong-Un to kill his exiled half-brother.

North Korea, which has not acknowledged the dead man's identity, has vehemently protested the investigation, saying Malaysia is in cahoots with its enemies.

In response, Malaysia has cancelled a visa-free travel deal with North Korea and recalled its envoy to Pyongyang.

The only North Korean arrested over the Cold War-style assassination of Kim Jong-Nam was released on Friday as diplomatic wrangling between Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur intensified over the murder.

47-year-old Ri Jong-Chol was freed a day after attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali announced there was insufficient evidence to charge him and that he would be deported on Friday. The vehicle carrying Ri, who wore a bullet proof vest, was escorted by a six police-car convoy and motorcycle outriders. Roads were sealed off as the motorcade left the police station where he has been held.

A senior police official who asked not to be named told AFP that Ri had been handed over to immigration authorities in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.

"I do not know when he will be deported as they will need to sort out the travel documents," he said.

Ri's release came two days after two women — one Vietnamese and one Indonesian — were charged with murdering the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un with a deadly nerve agent.

Seven other North Koreans are wanted in connection with the killing, including a diplomat and an airline employee who are believed to be in Malaysia.

Four others are thought to have fled to Pyongyang on the day of the murder.

Ri was arrested days after Kim suffered an agonising death when he was attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he waited to board a flight to Macau.

CCTV footage shows two women approaching the heavyset 45-year-old and apparently smearing his face with a cloth.

Police say he suffered a seizure and died less than 20 minutes later, without reaching hospital.

Swabs of the dead man's face revealed traces of the VX nerve agent, a banned synthetic chemical so deadly that it is classed as a weapon of mass destruction.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, were charged with murder on Wednesday. If found guilty, they could be hanged.

Both women say they thought they were taking part in a prank video but police have dismissed the claims.

South Korea has pointed the finger of blame at North Korea, citing what they say was a standing order from Kim Jong-Un to kill his exiled half-brother.

North Korea, which has not acknowledged the dead man's identity, has vehemently protested the investigation, saying Malaysia is in cahoots with its enemies.

In response, Malaysia has cancelled a visa-free travel deal with North Korea and recalled its envoy to Pyongyang.

Tension continued in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri town following violence that erupted over the circulation of a video that showed objectionable comments on Hindu gods, goddesses and women, police said on Friday.

The violence broke out on Thursday night after the video was posted on social media and curfew was clamped in some parts of the city.

However, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Chowdhary claimed that the situation was now under control. 

Following the surfacing of the video which was reportedly shot on Wednesday, two communities clashed, resulting in vandalism of shops in Kharwaranganj and Kucchehri areas. 

Shots were fired thereafter, which left two injured.

A Muslim youth along with two other accomplices were arrested for the video. 

The accused were taken to the jail on Thursday night, where the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) was called and a brief hearing was held.

The CJM sent the accused to 17 days of judicial custody.

Tension continued in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri town following violence that erupted over the circulation of a video that showed objectionable comments on Hindu gods, goddesses and women, police said on Friday.

The violence broke out on Thursday night after the video was posted on social media and curfew was clamped in some parts of the city.

However, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Chowdhary claimed that the situation was now under control. 

Following the surfacing of the video which was reportedly shot on Wednesday, two communities clashed, resulting in vandalism of shops in Kharwaranganj and Kucchehri areas. 

Shots were fired thereafter, which left two injured.

A Muslim youth along with two other accomplices were arrested for the video. 

The accused were taken to the jail on Thursday night, where the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) was called and a brief hearing was held.

The CJM sent the accused to 17 days of judicial custody.

Little Mix in collaboration with Machine Gun Kelly released a new single No More Sad Songs. The song already features in the Brit girl band’s latest album –Glory Days, but a remixed version of the same is already creating waves within a few hours of its release.

The girls shared a video on Twitter announcing the new single dressed in sexy cowboy outfits.

Their album- Glory Days has been certified double platinum and broken many records, making it one of the biggest selling albums of the Little Mix.

Singer Britney Spears says that her latest perfume Fantasy makes women feel "empowered, flirtatious and sexy".

Spears says she loves making new scents because she believes her beauty products make women feel "sexy, strong and confident" and help her to connect with her supporters, reports eonline.com.

"For me, the original Fantasy is special because it expresses my feminine side, as well as my fun side. Fantasy makes women feel empowered, flirtatious and sexy," Spears said.

"I love creating fragrances, and find inspiration everywhere. I love helping women feel sexy, strong and confident, and I think my fragrances really reflect that. Each scent is a way for me to connect with my fans.

"I love flowers, they always brighten my day and make it feel special. Fantasy in Bloom makes me feel like I'm smelling a gorgeous bouquet," she added.

The "Toxic" hitmaker says she changes the perfumes she wears depending on her mood, and she will never leave her house without a few sprays.

"I love wearing perfume! I'm always changing up my scents, depending on how I'm feeling. I like to choose the fragrance that matches my mood and whatever vibe I want to give. I never forget perfume before I run out the door," she said.

President Donald Trump said that he retains full confidence in Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the wake of revelations about the then-senator's undisclosed meetings with the Russian ambassador to the US.

The president's comments came during a tour of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford in Newport News, Virginia, where he traveled to give a speech on defense, Efe news agency reported.

Expressing "total" confidence in the attorney general, Trump said that he "wasn't aware at all" that Sessions, then still a senator from Alabama, met with Russian envoy Sergei Kislyak on two occasions during the 2016 presidential campaign.

The Washington Post first reported on the encounters.

The Justice Department subsequently confirmed that Sessions met with Kislyak in the Alabama Republican's then-capacity as member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Amid allegations of Russian meddling in the elections, Sessions said in January during a hearing on his nomination to serve as attorney general that he was "not aware" of any communications between the Trump campaign and Russia.

"I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign, and I didn't have – did not have communications with the Russians, and I'm unable to comment on it," he said under questioning by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).

The disclosure of his meetings with the ambassador has brought calls from Democratic lawmakers – and even some Republicans – for Sessions to recuse himself from any investigation of Russia's ostensible role in the elections.

Trump said Thursday that he thought Sessions "probably" told the truth at his confirmation hearing. Asked whether the attorney general should recuse himself from the Russia probe, the president said: "I don't think so."

The leader of the Democratic minority in the Senate, New York's Chuck Schumer, said earlier Thursday that Sessions should resign and he called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation of Russia and the elections. 

Former US President Barack Obama has been named as the winner of the 2017 John F Kennedy 'Profile in Courage' award.

According to a report in Washington Times on Thursday, the John F Kennedy Library Foundation has honoured Obama "for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage in a new century."

The daughter of late Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, and her son Jack Schlossberg, will present Obama with the award on May 7 in Boston.

In a tweet, Obama said he was "humbled to be recognised by a family with a legacy of service."

"Throughout his two terms in office, President Obama upheld the highest standards of dignity, decency and integrity, serving not just as a political leader, but a moral leader, offering hope and healing to the country and providing young men and women of all backgrounds with an example they can emulate in their own lives," the foundation was quoted as saying.