The National Green Tribunal has directed German auto major Volkswagen, embroiled in an emission scandal, to submit a road map with regard to recall of over 3.23 lakh vehicles in the country.

Volkswagen India had in December 2015 announced recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles to fix the emission software after Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) conducted tests on some models and found "on road" emissions from its cars were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than applicable BS-IV norms.

The automobile giant had admitted use of "defeat device" in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe and other global markets that allowed manipulation of emissions tests by changing the performance of vehicles to improve results.

Following the tests, Volkswagen India had undertaken to rejig the software by recalling around 3.23 lakh vehicles fitted with EA 189 diesel engines which were in alleged violation of emission norms.

The company, however, had said that the recall in India was purely voluntary in nature as it did not face any charges regarding violating emission norms in India unlike in the US.

The counsel for the car manufacturer told the NGT that ARAI, which is being consulted on the redesign of the software, had approved it for only 70 per cent of the 3.23 lakh vehicles.

ARAI, however, said Volkswagen had submitted redesigned software for only 70 per cent and was yet to do so for the remaining 30 per cent.

"During the course of the hearing we take note of the fact that the Respondent No 4 (Volkswagen) has not only in its statement of reply but otherwise also offered to voluntary recall all the vehicle which are subject matter of these proceedings i.e. fitted with E189 diesel engine to different variant mentioned in the application.

"However, on ascertaining the factual position we are informed that the process of recall is not complete for the reason though Respondent No. 4 and other respondent have been requested by ARAI to submit its redesign as only 70 per cent has been approved.

"Respondent nos 4 to 7 shall file road map with regard to recalling of the vehicle in question. In the meanwhile, we direct ARAI to file submission with regard to present status of the recall program of the vehicle in question," a bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim said while posting the matter for hearing on March 10.

The tribunal was hearing pleas filed by a school teacher Saloni Ailawadi and few city residents seeking ban on sale of its vehicles for alleged violation of emission norms.

 Three suicide bombers who targeted a court in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were killed on Tuesday, the ghastly attack also leaving five others dead, authorities said.

At least three attackers attempted to enter the Sessions Court at Charsadda district through the main gate when the complex was crowded, media reports said. 

The terrorists suddenly opened fire and threw grenades, prompting police and security forces to fire back, the Dawn said after speaking to officers and witnesses.

One of the bombers was killed in the firing at the gate and a second died as he entered the court. The third bomber was killed when he detonated his explosives, police told the Dawn.

Police officer Fayaz Khan was quoted as saying that five civilians were also killed in the terror attack, for which the outlawed Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility.

Some reports said a lawyer was among the dead and that up to 17 persons were injured.

Urdu TV channel Abb Takk said the injured included five policemen, Xinhua news agency reported.

Up to 10 ambulances were rushed to Charsadda from Peshawar, where the Lady Reading Hospital was put on high alert.

The attack come even though security had been heightened across the province and the rest of Pakistan after a wave of terror attacks that left over 100 people dead in the past 10 days.

Charsadda is located nearly 40 minutes away Peshawar.

Earlier, gunfire was heard after one of the blasts near the gate of the court located at Tangi Bazaar.

The Dawn quoted witnesses as saying that the remains of the bombers were lying along with their explosives and ammunition.

On February 16, a suicide attack on the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sindh killed 88 persons and injured more than 200. 

The Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, with ties to the Islamic State, had also claimed responsibility for the carnage.

The makers of Rangoon have planned to organise a special screening of the film for Netaji Subhash Bose's family.

Rangoon, which is set against the backdrop of World War II, is making waves and has been the talk of the town ever since the trailers have released.

In the film, Shahid Kapoor is seen playing the role of a soldier with a strong sense of duty and a big patriot. The movie also showcases the struggle his character faces during the difficult times of the war.
 
Due to the special connection, the movie shares with the people who fight for the country, the makers are keen to show the movie to the family of freedom fighter, Subhash Chandra Bose, who was also the founder of Indian National Army.

Rangoon, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, is all set to hit the theatres on February 24.
 

Promoting digital payments in the country, Niti Aayog on Tuesday said nearly 10 lakh customers and merchants had been rewarded for making digital payments under the Lucky Grahak Yojana.

“Nearly 10 lakh consumers and merchants have been rewarded over Rs.153.5 crore under the Niti Aayog's scheme to incentivise digital payments,” the think tank said.

The scheme, aimed to provide incentives to people to go cashless, was launched in December 2016. It rewards consumers through a daily, as well as a weekly, draw on transactions worth Rs.50 to Rs.3,000 with maximum reward of up to Rs.1 lakh.

The scheme commenced from December 25 and would last till April 14.

From the pashmina shawls of Kashmir to the bagh print sarees of Madhya Pradesh, the ongoing "Cottage Crafts Mela" by Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India (CCIC) brings together a wide range of hand crafted items.

With around 30 stalls, the event is an endeavour to promote the exclusive Indian handicrafts, handlooms and the spirit of craftmanship. 

Paramjit Bernard from Mool Creation, who makes customised jewellery pieces from left-out fabrics said: "It is a good platform to promote the rural handicrafts and budding artists. This is my first time at an event promoted by CCIC."

Not just jewellery or sarees, there are Pattachitra painted cards, diaries and fridge-magnets, ceramic made coffee mugs and jars as well as an array of products like pottery, stonecraft, papier mache, furniture, carpets and many more

Being held at the Shilpi Haat, Rajiv Gandhi Handi Craft Bhawan at Baba Kharag Singh Marg in the national capital the event will conclude February 28.

After wrapping up Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Akshay Kumar has treated his fans with the first look of the movie which he describes as a "unique love story".

"With the wrap of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, treating you guys to a still from the film… Keshav and Jaya's unique love story coming to you on June 2," Akshay tweeted along with an image featuring himself and co-star Bhumi Pednekar.

They feature as a bride and groom, with Akshay flaunting a mustard suit, a turban and a garland of money, and Bhumi in a bright red bridal attire.

When actress Taapsee Pannu, Akshay's co-star in Naam Shabana commented that she "loved the colour" of his suit, the Khiladi star commented: "Thank you, we'll have one made for you in the same colour for Naam Shabana promotions." 

A love story with a satirical flavour, the movie is directed by Shree Narayan Singh, produced by Aruna Bhatia, Plan C Studios and Abundantia, and presented by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and KriArj Entertainment.

It will be the first time that Akshay will be in the same frame with the Dum Laga Ke Haisha famed star Bhumi for a movie. And the project also marks the 20th film that Akshay is doing with Anupam Kher.

After wrapping up Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Akshay Kumar has treated his fans with the first look of the movie which he describes as a "unique love story".

"With the wrap of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, treating you guys to a still from the film… Keshav and Jaya's unique love story coming to you on June 2," Akshay tweeted along with an image featuring himself and co-star Bhumi Pednekar.

They feature as a bride and groom, with Akshay flaunting a mustard suit, a turban and a garland of money, and Bhumi in a bright red bridal attire.

When actress Taapsee Pannu, Akshay's co-star in Naam Shabana commented that she "loved the colour" of his suit, the Khiladi star commented: "Thank you, we'll have one made for you in the same colour for Naam Shabana promotions." 

A love story with a satirical flavour, the movie is directed by Shree Narayan Singh, produced by Aruna Bhatia, Plan C Studios and Abundantia, and presented by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and KriArj Entertainment.

It will be the first time that Akshay will be in the same frame with the Dum Laga Ke Haisha famed star Bhumi for a movie. And the project also marks the 20th film that Akshay is doing with Anupam Kher.

US Vice President Mike Pence defended President Donald Trump's latest attacks on the media and vowed to continue to "call out the media when they play fast and loose with the facts".

At a news conference at the NATO headquarters here on Monday, Pence insisted that both he and the President "support a free and independent press", CNN reported.

It came as Trump last week called the media the "enemy of the American people".

"But you can anticipate that the President and all of us will continue to call out the media when they play fast and loose with the facts," CNN quoted Pence as saying.

"And the truth is that we have in Trump someone who has a unique ability to speak directly to the American people. And when the media gets it wrong, I promise you, the President will take his case straight to the American people to set the record straight."

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Vice President said the US was "fully committed" to the alliance's mission, despite Trump's repeated criticism of NATO.

But he also echoed Trump's concerns that many NATO member states were not sharing the full financial burden of the alliance and said the Trump "expects real progress" from allies on that front by the end of the year.

NATO requires member states to spend 2 per cent of their GDP on defence spending, a target many of the alliance's members have not met in recent years.

Pence said he was disappointed that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn misled him about his conversation with the Russian ambassador to the US.

Even as he worked to assure European leaders that the Trump administration was not looking to scrap longstanding transatlantic ties, Pence was met with outward skepticism from the bloc's top leaders.

European Council President Donald Tusk was blunt. Even while expressing an optimistic outlook, he acknowledged the bilateral ties had entered new, uncertain territory.

"Too much has happened over the past months in your country and the EU. Too many new and sometimes surprising opinions have been voiced over this time about our relations and our common security, for us to pretend that everything is as it used to be."

US Vice President Mike Pence defended President Donald Trump's latest attacks on the media and vowed to continue to "call out the media when they play fast and loose with the facts".

At a news conference at the NATO headquarters here on Monday, Pence insisted that both he and the President "support a free and independent press", CNN reported.

It came as Trump last week called the media the "enemy of the American people".

"But you can anticipate that the President and all of us will continue to call out the media when they play fast and loose with the facts," CNN quoted Pence as saying.

"And the truth is that we have in Trump someone who has a unique ability to speak directly to the American people. And when the media gets it wrong, I promise you, the President will take his case straight to the American people to set the record straight."

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Vice President said the US was "fully committed" to the alliance's mission, despite Trump's repeated criticism of NATO.

But he also echoed Trump's concerns that many NATO member states were not sharing the full financial burden of the alliance and said the Trump "expects real progress" from allies on that front by the end of the year.

NATO requires member states to spend 2 per cent of their GDP on defence spending, a target many of the alliance's members have not met in recent years.

Pence said he was disappointed that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn misled him about his conversation with the Russian ambassador to the US.

Even as he worked to assure European leaders that the Trump administration was not looking to scrap longstanding transatlantic ties, Pence was met with outward skepticism from the bloc's top leaders.

European Council President Donald Tusk was blunt. Even while expressing an optimistic outlook, he acknowledged the bilateral ties had entered new, uncertain territory.

"Too much has happened over the past months in your country and the EU. Too many new and sometimes surprising opinions have been voiced over this time about our relations and our common security, for us to pretend that everything is as it used to be."

The process in artist Ram Kumar's works has always been a subtle reference to what came before, and even though the artist has not returned to the 'figurative' nature of his work since 1960s, it is worth noting that his works continue to speak of the human condition.

His ongoing exhibition here, "G/rove" opens up the space between a landscape and an abstraction while employing hues of earthly colours evoking a sense of movement, flight and an aerial perspective.

For the artist, the title infers that the most important thing to do today is "to rove within the 'grove' of one's own deep seated opinions, desires, fears and uncertainties…and to search, discover that pure flower of unscented beauty that also goes by the name — conscience."

The show is on at Vadehra Art Gallery till February 22.

The abstraction in his work is reflective of his keen technique and ability to transcend the depiction of a human body and still remain sensitive and humane. 

Many of the works presented here resemble and refer to the forms and backgrounds of his previous paintings but continue to create a mystery for the viewers through a rich nostalgia of not only the past but also the known.

"These recent watercolours mark a new conceptual direction in my diverse practice inspired by ruminations on the many intersecting planes/levels of consciousness that we constantly experience, but that which often escapes our grasp and is even more difficult to explain, Kumar said.

"It's not something that is easy to bring to inquiry at will. The possibilities of representational painting or painting itself for that matter, with it long and varied history and politics, as a medium suited to capture or allude to the fluid states of the many levels of consciousness holds immense appeal," he said.

These works often lend themselves to places or lands that do not exist. Their surfaces, textures, marks, watermarks, often alluding to existing or non-existing places, but even in its unyielding form and aesthetic, its totemic flesh is still very fresh in our collective memory.

"This exhibition is ambitious in terms of its highly varied choice of artists and their practices, the works that they've contributed and the multi-sensorial dimensions of these various contributions that am sure will engage not just the audiences , but also become fertile ground for unforeseen and unexpected dialogues among the art works themselves.

"It is often in these interstices that associative meanings of profound unities are discovered or perhaps completely contrasting positions struck, leading to irresistibly delicious food for debate and thought," the artist explained. 

"This would only be a natural reflection of the highly charged and pervasive nature of any debate or position held within the discourse of environmentalism in today's world," he added. 

"Here the debate stands to be doubly complexified further owing to the already existing discourse and long varied history on environmentalism /activism within the realm of art practices," he explained.

The process in artist Ram Kumar's works has always been a subtle reference to what came before, and even though the artist has not returned to the 'figurative' nature of his work since 1960s, it is worth noting that his works continue to speak of the human condition.

His ongoing exhibition here, "G/rove" opens up the space between a landscape and an abstraction while employing hues of earthly colours evoking a sense of movement, flight and an aerial perspective.

For the artist, the title infers that the most important thing to do today is "to rove within the 'grove' of one's own deep seated opinions, desires, fears and uncertainties…and to search, discover that pure flower of unscented beauty that also goes by the name — conscience."

The show is on at Vadehra Art Gallery till February 22.

The abstraction in his work is reflective of his keen technique and ability to transcend the depiction of a human body and still remain sensitive and humane. 

Many of the works presented here resemble and refer to the forms and backgrounds of his previous paintings but continue to create a mystery for the viewers through a rich nostalgia of not only the past but also the known.

"These recent watercolours mark a new conceptual direction in my diverse practice inspired by ruminations on the many intersecting planes/levels of consciousness that we constantly experience, but that which often escapes our grasp and is even more difficult to explain, Kumar said.

"It's not something that is easy to bring to inquiry at will. The possibilities of representational painting or painting itself for that matter, with it long and varied history and politics, as a medium suited to capture or allude to the fluid states of the many levels of consciousness holds immense appeal," he said.

These works often lend themselves to places or lands that do not exist. Their surfaces, textures, marks, watermarks, often alluding to existing or non-existing places, but even in its unyielding form and aesthetic, its totemic flesh is still very fresh in our collective memory.

"This exhibition is ambitious in terms of its highly varied choice of artists and their practices, the works that they've contributed and the multi-sensorial dimensions of these various contributions that am sure will engage not just the audiences , but also become fertile ground for unforeseen and unexpected dialogues among the art works themselves.

"It is often in these interstices that associative meanings of profound unities are discovered or perhaps completely contrasting positions struck, leading to irresistibly delicious food for debate and thought," the artist explained. 

"This would only be a natural reflection of the highly charged and pervasive nature of any debate or position held within the discourse of environmentalism in today's world," he added. 

"Here the debate stands to be doubly complexified further owing to the already existing discourse and long varied history on environmentalism /activism within the realm of art practices," he explained.

Tata veteran N Chandrasekaran on Tuesday took over as the chairman of Tata Sons, promising to deliver "industry leading" performance in all its businesses.

"We will work together to deliver business performance which is industry leading in all our businesses, and lead …and not follow," the 53-year-old Chandrasekaran told reporters outside the iconic headquarters of the $103-billion salt-to-software conglomerate — Bombay House.

"It is an honour and a privilege for me to assume this responsibility…I look forward to the opportunity to serve the group in this new role for the years to come and seek support from everyone so that we can collectively make it happen," he said.

The new Tata chief began his job chairing the Tata Sons Board meeting at Bombay House, sources said.

Chandrasekaran served TCS for three decades as it rose to become the largest IT company in the country and also the crown jewel for Tata Sons — the group holding company which is majority-owned by philanthropic trusts set up by the Tata family.

Chandra reached the group headquarters around 9:15 am and within a few minutes, Ratan Tata and other board members also arrived.

On Monday, Chandra chaired the TCS Board meeting which declared the country's largest share buyback worth Rs 16,000 crore.

Chandra succeeds 79-year-old Ratan Tata, who had come back as the interim chairman of the group after a surprise ouster of Cyrus Mistry as the chairman on October 24 last year.

His removal led to a bitter corporate battle with Mistry coming out with not-so-palatable allegations about the functioning of the diversified group, including personal allegations against Ratan Tata himself.

The Tatas had rubbished all allegations and wrested control after removing Mistry from directorships at group companies and finally the holding company.

The group relies heavily on TCS and the acquired British automaker JLR, whereas other traditional businesses that made it a force to reckon with like steel, auto and hospitality, are not at the top of their mark, according to industry watchers.

Marathon runner Chandrasekaran is the first non-family and non-Tata to lead the conglomerate.

Tata veteran N Chandrasekaran on Tuesday took over as the chairman of Tata Sons, promising to deliver "industry leading" performance in all its businesses.

"We will work together to deliver business performance which is industry leading in all our businesses, and lead …and not follow," the 53-year-old Chandrasekaran told reporters outside the iconic headquarters of the $103-billion salt-to-software conglomerate — Bombay House.

"It is an honour and a privilege for me to assume this responsibility…I look forward to the opportunity to serve the group in this new role for the years to come and seek support from everyone so that we can collectively make it happen," he said.

The new Tata chief began his job chairing the Tata Sons Board meeting at Bombay House, sources said.

Chandrasekaran served TCS for three decades as it rose to become the largest IT company in the country and also the crown jewel for Tata Sons — the group holding company which is majority-owned by philanthropic trusts set up by the Tata family.

Chandra reached the group headquarters around 9:15 am and within a few minutes, Ratan Tata and other board members also arrived.

On Monday, Chandra chaired the TCS Board meeting which declared the country's largest share buyback worth Rs 16,000 crore.

Chandra succeeds 79-year-old Ratan Tata, who had come back as the interim chairman of the group after a surprise ouster of Cyrus Mistry as the chairman on October 24 last year.

His removal led to a bitter corporate battle with Mistry coming out with not-so-palatable allegations about the functioning of the diversified group, including personal allegations against Ratan Tata himself.

The Tatas had rubbished all allegations and wrested control after removing Mistry from directorships at group companies and finally the holding company.

The group relies heavily on TCS and the acquired British automaker JLR, whereas other traditional businesses that made it a force to reckon with like steel, auto and hospitality, are not at the top of their mark, according to industry watchers.

Marathon runner Chandrasekaran is the first non-family and non-Tata to lead the conglomerate.

Popular messaging platform WhatsApp has updated to "Status" feature that allows users to share images and videos with their contacts on WhatsApp in a secure way.

WhatsApp's Status feature lets users share photos, GIFs or videos overlaid with drawings, emojis and a caption that will be visible to selected friends for 24 hours, before disappearing.

"As a utility, we're focused on building features that will be used around the world by our 1.2 billion users," a WhatsApp spokesperson was quoted as saying in media reports. 

According to a WhatsApp blog, status updates are now end-to-end encrypted.

"This new and improved status feature will let you keep your friends who use WhatsApp easily updated in a fun and simple way," the blog said.

WhatsApp has been rolling out updates and features to make the app more secure for its users. The social networking app recently rolled out a two-step verification process for all devices to enhance the security of users' accounts.

WhatsApp was recently surrounded by controversy when a Guardian report alleged that the WhatsApp messages can be read or intercepted.

However, WhatsApp claimed that the messages and calls on its platform are end-to-end encrypted by default.

Popular messaging platform WhatsApp has updated to "Status" feature that allows users to share images and videos with their contacts on WhatsApp in a secure way.

WhatsApp's Status feature lets users share photos, GIFs or videos overlaid with drawings, emojis and a caption that will be visible to selected friends for 24 hours, before disappearing.

"As a utility, we're focused on building features that will be used around the world by our 1.2 billion users," a WhatsApp spokesperson was quoted as saying in media reports. 

According to a WhatsApp blog, status updates are now end-to-end encrypted.

"This new and improved status feature will let you keep your friends who use WhatsApp easily updated in a fun and simple way," the blog said.

WhatsApp has been rolling out updates and features to make the app more secure for its users. The social networking app recently rolled out a two-step verification process for all devices to enhance the security of users' accounts.

WhatsApp was recently surrounded by controversy when a Guardian report alleged that the WhatsApp messages can be read or intercepted.

However, WhatsApp claimed that the messages and calls on its platform are end-to-end encrypted by default.

Actress, filmmaker and activist Angelina Jolie said people should know better than to fall for the "old tricks" of populist leaders.

Jolie was speaking in Cambodia to promote her Pol Pot-era film First They Killed My Father. 

Jolie was asked to comment on the dangers of rising populism during a BBC interview published on Monday.

"This is an old trick and we should know better [than] to fall for it," the director said, The Washington Post reported. 

"And I see it rising, and the only thing I can do is use my voice and encourage others. And raise my children to know right and wrong and to have a broader view of the world and to embrace their diversity and other people's, and respect others.

"And I think that's all we can do right now, is each and every person – each one of your listeners – we all just have to be the best of ourselves," she added. 

"Now more than ever, we really have to rise up and find our rational center, our who-we-are and what-do-we-stand-for. And we know it. We know what's right and wrong."

Jolie didn't mention a particular country or politician in her remarks on populism.

The Oscar-winning actress wrote an op-ed earlier this month for The New York Times criticizing President Trump's travel ban and calling on the US to respond to terrorism with facts instead of fear.

Jolie was reluctant to talk about US President Donald Trump specifically in her BBC interview, but said the American people will persevere.

"The American people are bigger than any president," she said. "I suppose I have faith in my country and in what it is founded on and the values we hold dear. I believe that many of the things that we're hearing that we feel are based on a sense of spreading fear or hate or dividing people by race or judgement is un-American.

"At this time I think what is amazing is we are seeing people around the world start to speak out for their civil liberties and rights and what they feel," she added. 

"In America, we are hearing people say ‘this is un-American to me, this is unconstitutional to me. And this is who I am'."
 

Actress, filmmaker and activist Angelina Jolie said people should know better than to fall for the "old tricks" of populist leaders.

Jolie was speaking in Cambodia to promote her Pol Pot-era film First They Killed My Father. 

Jolie was asked to comment on the dangers of rising populism during a BBC interview published on Monday.

"This is an old trick and we should know better [than] to fall for it," the director said, The Washington Post reported. 

"And I see it rising, and the only thing I can do is use my voice and encourage others. And raise my children to know right and wrong and to have a broader view of the world and to embrace their diversity and other people's, and respect others.

"And I think that's all we can do right now, is each and every person – each one of your listeners – we all just have to be the best of ourselves," she added. 

"Now more than ever, we really have to rise up and find our rational center, our who-we-are and what-do-we-stand-for. And we know it. We know what's right and wrong."

Jolie didn't mention a particular country or politician in her remarks on populism.

The Oscar-winning actress wrote an op-ed earlier this month for The New York Times criticizing President Trump's travel ban and calling on the US to respond to terrorism with facts instead of fear.

Jolie was reluctant to talk about US President Donald Trump specifically in her BBC interview, but said the American people will persevere.

"The American people are bigger than any president," she said. "I suppose I have faith in my country and in what it is founded on and the values we hold dear. I believe that many of the things that we're hearing that we feel are based on a sense of spreading fear or hate or dividing people by race or judgement is un-American.

"At this time I think what is amazing is we are seeing people around the world start to speak out for their civil liberties and rights and what they feel," she added. 

"In America, we are hearing people say ‘this is un-American to me, this is unconstitutional to me. And this is who I am'."