Turkish authorities on Saturday blamed Kurdish militants for a car bombing which rocked the southeastern province of Sanliurfa, close to the Syrian border, and detained 26 people in connection with the attack.

The explosion struck the district of Viransehir on Friday night, killing a 10-year-old and a neighbourhood watch guard.

The office said 26 people were detained including the suspected owner of the car used in the blast, which Dogan news agency said was caused by a tonne of explosives.

Some 17 people were also injured in the attack on a housing complex where courthouse workers and security personnel live.

Sanliurfa governor Gungor Azim Tuna told the official news agency Anadolu that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was to blame.

"We believe this terror attack was conducted by the PKK terror organisation," Tuna said.

The PKK is proscribed by Ankara, the United States and the European Union as a terror group.

The group has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 during which over 40,000 people have been killed.

Last year saw a series of attacks in Turkey blamed on Kurdish militants and Islamic State (IS) extremists while 2017 began with a bloody start.

During New Year celebrations a suspected IS jihadist killed 39 people, most of whom were foreigners, in an armed attack on a popular Istanbul nightclub.

IS claimed the attack and a few days later the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), a splinter group of the PKK, claimed responsibility for an attack that left two dead in the Aegean city of Izmir.

The latest attack came after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan kicked off his campaign for a "yes" vote at the April 16referendum on expanding his powers in the province of Kahramanmaras, close to Sanliurfa. 

After a long and hectic working week, many wait for the weekend and hope for it to be a little different. Most people spend weekends sleeping, getting over hangover, cleaning the house or watching TV and then there is a sudden realisation of wasting the whole weekend.

Every Friday, a sound of “let’s do something different this weekend” echoes inside one’s mind but due to certain reasons, the weekend is spent at home doing nothing different and productive. If you are in Delhi and wish to spend the weekend exploring something new then here is a list of events that you can witness this weekend and have a blast.

Jazz Utsav

For the love of Jazz and Jazz lovers, Jazz Utsav 2017 will be held on February 19 from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Pre-book your tickets and get grooving this Sunday at One Golden Mile, Netaji Nagar.

Jashn-e-Rekhta

The annual Urdu poetry festival kicked off in the national capital on February 17. This fiesta includes a cluster of various festivals. A nice line up of guests with attractive stalls is a must try if you want to feed your creative soul and also if you are a fan of Urdu poets.

Phulkari-the soul of Punjab

Phul means flower and kari means craft in Punjabi. An ethnic wear from Punjab, Phulkari is one of the most colourful and vibrant Indian attire. Witness the craft this season from February 18 to 19 as a part of the great India craft fest at Craft Village, Rangpuri.

Riders Music Festival

This fest emerges from the fusion of love and happiness. RMF represents freedom, breaking of the shackles and living life to the fullest. Celebrate the spirit of bikes, music and brotherhood at Jwaharlal Nehru Stadium from February 18 to 19 this year.

Delhi Polo Spring Season – Northern India Polo Championship

The championship will take place at Jaipur Polo Ground, New Delhi on February 19 this year. Polo fans can score VIP tickets and get their seats pre-booked for a royal experience and unlimited fun.

India Design ID 2017

It is a design and decor feast and showcases the talent of upcoming and established designers and design labels. From product to interiors, architecture to conservation and installation to lighting you can find all at NSIC Exhibition Complex, Okhla Industrial Estate from February 11 to 19, 2017.

30th Garden Tourism Festival

Amidst harsh air pollution, get closer to nature with Garden Tourism Festival at the garden of five senses and let the spring season stimulate your senses and leave you filled with joy and calmness. This three-day long extravaganza ends on February 19.

Let Delhi add colours to your life and give you more and more reasons to smile. Enjoy this weekend and explore the fun side of you and this city.

After a long and hectic working week, many wait for the weekend and hope for it to be a little different. Most people spend weekends sleeping, getting over hangover, cleaning the house or watching TV and then there is a sudden realisation of wasting the whole weekend.

Every Friday, a sound of “let’s do something different this weekend” echoes inside one’s mind but due to certain reasons, the weekend is spent at home doing nothing different and productive. If you are in Delhi and wish to spend the weekend exploring something new then here is a list of events that you can witness this weekend and have a blast.

Jazz Utsav

For the love of Jazz and Jazz lovers, Jazz Utsav 2017 will be held on February 19 from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Pre-book your tickets and get grooving this Sunday at One Golden Mile, Netaji Nagar.

Jashn-e-Rekhta

The annual Urdu poetry festival kicked off in the national capital on February 17. This fiesta includes a cluster of various festivals. A nice line up of guests with attractive stalls is a must try if you want to feed your creative soul and also if you are a fan of Urdu poets.

Phulkari-the soul of Punjab

Phul means flower and kari means craft in Punjabi. An ethnic wear from Punjab, Phulkari is one of the most colourful and vibrant Indian attire. Witness the craft this season from February 18 to 19 as a part of the great India craft fest at Craft Village, Rangpuri.

Riders Music Festival

This fest emerges from the fusion of love and happiness. RMF represents freedom, breaking of the shackles and living life to the fullest. Celebrate the spirit of bikes, music and brotherhood at Jwaharlal Nehru Stadium from February 18 to 19 this year.

Delhi Polo Spring Season – Northern India Polo Championship

The championship will take place at Jaipur Polo Ground, New Delhi on February 19 this year. Polo fans can score VIP tickets and get their seats pre-booked for a royal experience and unlimited fun.

India Design ID 2017

It is a design and decor feast and showcases the talent of upcoming and established designers and design labels. From product to interiors, architecture to conservation and installation to lighting you can find all at NSIC Exhibition Complex, Okhla Industrial Estate from February 11 to 19, 2017.

30th Garden Tourism Festival

Amidst harsh air pollution, get closer to nature with Garden Tourism Festival at the garden of five senses and let the spring season stimulate your senses and leave you filled with joy and calmness. This three-day long extravaganza ends on February 19.

Let Delhi add colours to your life and give you more and more reasons to smile. Enjoy this weekend and explore the fun side of you and this city.

An association working for the protection of Taj Mahal has moved the NGT alleging tree felling in the eco-sensitive zone near the 17th century mausoleum prompting the green panel on Saturay to seek response from the Centre and the UP government.

A bench headed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice to the Environment Ministry, the UP government and the state pollution control board and sought their reply by March 15, the next date of hearing.

It also included Legal Aid NGT Bar Association, through its executive member advocate Gaurav Bansal, as a party in the case.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Taj Mahal Welfare Association through its secretary Mukesh Kumar seeking action against those responsible for chopping trees near the marble monument despite a ban by the Supreme Court.

The petitioner association had written a one-page letter to the NGT alleging that an illegal construction activity of a hotel and resort in Agra was being undertaken in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) near the eastern gate of Taj Mahal.

It said that one person had allegedly cut 20-25 trees on an area of 12,000 sq feet for building a hotel and when the matter was brought to the notice of the Agra Development Authority, it turned a deaf year to the whole issue.

In a separate case, the NGT had earlier directed the UP government to ensure that no unauthorised construction activities are permitted and no trees cut in the eco-sensitive zone near the monument.

An association working for the protection of Taj Mahal has moved the NGT alleging tree felling in the eco-sensitive zone near the 17th century mausoleum prompting the green panel on Saturay to seek response from the Centre and the UP government.

A bench headed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice to the Environment Ministry, the UP government and the state pollution control board and sought their reply by March 15, the next date of hearing.

It also included Legal Aid NGT Bar Association, through its executive member advocate Gaurav Bansal, as a party in the case.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Taj Mahal Welfare Association through its secretary Mukesh Kumar seeking action against those responsible for chopping trees near the marble monument despite a ban by the Supreme Court.

The petitioner association had written a one-page letter to the NGT alleging that an illegal construction activity of a hotel and resort in Agra was being undertaken in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) near the eastern gate of Taj Mahal.

It said that one person had allegedly cut 20-25 trees on an area of 12,000 sq feet for building a hotel and when the matter was brought to the notice of the Agra Development Authority, it turned a deaf year to the whole issue.

In a separate case, the NGT had earlier directed the UP government to ensure that no unauthorised construction activities are permitted and no trees cut in the eco-sensitive zone near the monument.

Hens that do not produce their own chicks have been developed by researchers for use as surrogates to lay eggs from rare breeds using new gene-editing techniques.

The advance could help to boost breeding of endangered birds, as well as improve production of commercial hens, researchers said.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland used a genetic tool called TALEN to delete a section of chicken DNA. They targeted part of a gene called DDX4, which is crucial for bird fertility.

Hens with the genetic modification were unable to produce eggs but were otherwise healthy, the team found.

DDX4 plays an essential role in the generation of specialised cells – called primordial germ cells – which give rise to eggs.

Researchers said that donor primordial germ cells from other breeds could be implanted into the gene-edited chickens as they are developing inside an egg.

The surrogate hens would then grow up to produce eggs containing all of the genetic information from the donor breeds.

The surrogate chickens are the first gene-edited birds to be produced in Europe.

"These chickens are a first step in saving and protecting rare poultry breeds from loss in order to preserve future biodiversity of our poultry from both economic and climate stresses," said lead researcher Mike McGrew from the University of Edinburgh.

The study was published in the journal Development

Hens that do not produce their own chicks have been developed by researchers for use as surrogates to lay eggs from rare breeds using new gene-editing techniques.

The advance could help to boost breeding of endangered birds, as well as improve production of commercial hens, researchers said.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland used a genetic tool called TALEN to delete a section of chicken DNA. They targeted part of a gene called DDX4, which is crucial for bird fertility.

Hens with the genetic modification were unable to produce eggs but were otherwise healthy, the team found.

DDX4 plays an essential role in the generation of specialised cells – called primordial germ cells – which give rise to eggs.

Researchers said that donor primordial germ cells from other breeds could be implanted into the gene-edited chickens as they are developing inside an egg.

The surrogate hens would then grow up to produce eggs containing all of the genetic information from the donor breeds.

The surrogate chickens are the first gene-edited birds to be produced in Europe.

"These chickens are a first step in saving and protecting rare poultry breeds from loss in order to preserve future biodiversity of our poultry from both economic and climate stresses," said lead researcher Mike McGrew from the University of Edinburgh.

The study was published in the journal Development

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress Vice President had to ride the 'bicycle' when his much-hyped 'khaat sabha' failed to draw crowd.

"When Congress realised that it would not be able to muster enough votes in the ongoing assembly elections through khaat sabha, it decided to ride the bicycle," he said at an election rally in Madhogarh Assembly constituency in the district.

Bicycle is the poll symbol of Samajwadi Party.

Ridiculing Gandhi's 'khaat sabha' campaign, Singh said, "Assemblies are generally held in halls or fields. But, it is for the first time that I have seen khaat sabha (meeting on cots)."

"When Congress realised that the party would not be able muster votes through khaat sabha, it immediately took a bicycle ride to salvage itself. However, the bicycle he is riding, is punctured," he said.

Showering praise on the voters of UP, the former chief minister said the historic and overwhelming majority which the voters gave to BJP and its allies helped the NDA form government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP and its allies bagged 73 out of 80 seats in the politically crucial state.

"This was certainly a significant moment in India's politics as it was for the time that a non-Congress political party was given a clear mandate," said Singh who is also a Member of Parliament from Lucknow.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress Vice President had to ride the 'bicycle' when his much-hyped 'khaat sabha' failed to draw crowd.

"When Congress realised that it would not be able to muster enough votes in the ongoing assembly elections through khaat sabha, it decided to ride the bicycle," he said at an election rally in Madhogarh Assembly constituency in the district.

Bicycle is the poll symbol of Samajwadi Party.

Ridiculing Gandhi's 'khaat sabha' campaign, Singh said, "Assemblies are generally held in halls or fields. But, it is for the first time that I have seen khaat sabha (meeting on cots)."

"When Congress realised that the party would not be able muster votes through khaat sabha, it immediately took a bicycle ride to salvage itself. However, the bicycle he is riding, is punctured," he said.

Showering praise on the voters of UP, the former chief minister said the historic and overwhelming majority which the voters gave to BJP and its allies helped the NDA form government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP and its allies bagged 73 out of 80 seats in the politically crucial state.

"This was certainly a significant moment in India's politics as it was for the time that a non-Congress political party was given a clear mandate," said Singh who is also a Member of Parliament from Lucknow.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday inspected the new state assembly building and directed the officials to speed up the construction.

"The chief minister inspected the Assembly hall which has a seating capacity of 90 with construction work almost in its final stage. Few finishing works and electrification are left," according to an official release.

Accompanied by Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok, UD Parliamentary Secretary Techi Kaso, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin among others, Khandu on his inspection also directed to speed up the construction work of the boundary wall.

Expressing confidence that the assembly hall will be ready by the coming budget session in March, officials informed the chief minister that 600 labourers were engaged in the construction work.

A final decision in this regard will be taken after the final round of inspection which will be made on February 28 next.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday inspected the new state assembly building and directed the officials to speed up the construction.

"The chief minister inspected the Assembly hall which has a seating capacity of 90 with construction work almost in its final stage. Few finishing works and electrification are left," according to an official release.

Accompanied by Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok, UD Parliamentary Secretary Techi Kaso, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin among others, Khandu on his inspection also directed to speed up the construction work of the boundary wall.

Expressing confidence that the assembly hall will be ready by the coming budget session in March, officials informed the chief minister that 600 labourers were engaged in the construction work.

A final decision in this regard will be taken after the final round of inspection which will be made on February 28 next.

(With inputs from Agencies)

In a major relief to farmers, the Rajasthan government announced on Sturday it would bear the financial burden of the hike in power tariff for farmers which will cost the exchequer Rs.500 crore.

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission had revised the power tariff in various consumer categories from September 1 last year which had created resentment among the farmers who recently threatened a mass protest during the ensuing budget session of the assembly.

Energy Minister Pushpendra Singh announced the rollback of the hike for the farmers and said that the government will bear the gap as increased subsidy for agriculture connections.

"The increase was 25 paise per unit on metered category and Rs.35 per horsepower on unmetered category on the agriculture connection. The government took decision in the interest of the farmers at the direction of the chief minister," he said at a press conference here.

The government will now increase the subsidy given on the agriculture connections to fill the gap.

"The power tariff was revised in September last year but the hike will not be effective for the farmers and the government's decision is also effective from September. If the farmers have paid bills, the difference amount will be adjusted in next bill," he said.

Along with this, the minister announced that the farmers would now be able to get their agriculture connections shifted at the district level.

Earlier, this facility was available at the level of Panchayat Samiti. Now, they can get their connections shifted within the district.

The minister also announced that no vigilance team will check load on farmers' meters if they are working fine.

The decisions in the interest of the farmers were taken after the farmers launched agitations in different parts of the state against the government.

Singh said that BJP MPs, MLAs, party workers and others met the chief minister and gave feedback about the plight of the farmers following which she gave directions to provide relief to the farmers.

In a major relief to farmers, the Rajasthan government announced on Sturday it would bear the financial burden of the hike in power tariff for farmers which will cost the exchequer Rs.500 crore.

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission had revised the power tariff in various consumer categories from September 1 last year which had created resentment among the farmers who recently threatened a mass protest during the ensuing budget session of the assembly.

Energy Minister Pushpendra Singh announced the rollback of the hike for the farmers and said that the government will bear the gap as increased subsidy for agriculture connections.

"The increase was 25 paise per unit on metered category and Rs.35 per horsepower on unmetered category on the agriculture connection. The government took decision in the interest of the farmers at the direction of the chief minister," he said at a press conference here.

The government will now increase the subsidy given on the agriculture connections to fill the gap.

"The power tariff was revised in September last year but the hike will not be effective for the farmers and the government's decision is also effective from September. If the farmers have paid bills, the difference amount will be adjusted in next bill," he said.

Along with this, the minister announced that the farmers would now be able to get their agriculture connections shifted at the district level.

Earlier, this facility was available at the level of Panchayat Samiti. Now, they can get their connections shifted within the district.

The minister also announced that no vigilance team will check load on farmers' meters if they are working fine.

The decisions in the interest of the farmers were taken after the farmers launched agitations in different parts of the state against the government.

Singh said that BJP MPs, MLAs, party workers and others met the chief minister and gave feedback about the plight of the farmers following which she gave directions to provide relief to the farmers.

Actress Angelina Jolie made her first public appearance after she filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in September 2016, when she stepped out for a press conference ahead of the Cambodia premiere of her new film First They Killed My Father.

She made her appearance on Saturday in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The film will be presented in the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex with Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and senior government officials are expected to attend, reports people.com.

During the press conference for the film, Jolie said she thinks of Cambodia "like a second home".

"Maddox (her son) is happy to be back in his country," she added.

First They Killed My Father is based on the autobiography of the same name by Cambodian human-rights activist Loung Ung, a friend of Jolie's. The memoir tells the true story of the devastation inflicted on Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge communist party in the 1970s.

"I read Loung's book many years ago. It helped to open my eyes to what was going on the world," said Jolie.

First They Killed My Father will be released globally via Netflix later this year.

Actress Angelina Jolie made her first public appearance after she filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in September 2016, when she stepped out for a press conference ahead of the Cambodia premiere of her new film First They Killed My Father.

She made her appearance on Saturday in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The film will be presented in the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex with Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and senior government officials are expected to attend, reports people.com.

During the press conference for the film, Jolie said she thinks of Cambodia "like a second home".

"Maddox (her son) is happy to be back in his country," she added.

First They Killed My Father is based on the autobiography of the same name by Cambodian human-rights activist Loung Ung, a friend of Jolie's. The memoir tells the true story of the devastation inflicted on Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge communist party in the 1970s.

"I read Loung's book many years ago. It helped to open my eyes to what was going on the world," said Jolie.

First They Killed My Father will be released globally via Netflix later this year.

In a move aimed at boosting the regional connectivity across the country, the Union Civil Aviation ministry on Saturday said that 43 unused airports would be operationalised within a year, a senior official said.

"The main idea behind operationalising these 43 unused airports is to improve the connectivity to the hinterland.

Proposals have already been received from 11 bidders who will put these airports into commercial operations," Union Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey told reporters in South Goa.

He was briefing media in presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju after inaugurating the three-day workshop on indigenously developed software aiding to manage revenue in the sky.

Choubey said at present their are 72 airports and addition of these 43 will change the scenario in the Indian skies.

"It will take another 15-20 days to award the routes for the airlines, who will take somewhere between one to six months to start the operations at these newly inducted facilities," he added.

Fixing a rate cap for the fares at these newly inducted airports, the ministry has decided that flying to these facilities would not cost more than Rs 2,500 for an hour long flight.

"These unused airports which are taken up for revival are evenly distributed across the country," Choubey said adding, of these ten are in the Southern region.

Choubey said that various initiatives taken up by the Ministry coupled with dip in the international oil prices has resulted in reduction of airfare by almost 30 per cent.

In a move aimed at boosting the regional connectivity across the country, the Union Civil Aviation ministry on Saturday said that 43 unused airports would be operationalised within a year, a senior official said.

"The main idea behind operationalising these 43 unused airports is to improve the connectivity to the hinterland.

Proposals have already been received from 11 bidders who will put these airports into commercial operations," Union Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey told reporters in South Goa.

He was briefing media in presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju after inaugurating the three-day workshop on indigenously developed software aiding to manage revenue in the sky.

Choubey said at present their are 72 airports and addition of these 43 will change the scenario in the Indian skies.

"It will take another 15-20 days to award the routes for the airlines, who will take somewhere between one to six months to start the operations at these newly inducted facilities," he added.

Fixing a rate cap for the fares at these newly inducted airports, the ministry has decided that flying to these facilities would not cost more than Rs 2,500 for an hour long flight.

"These unused airports which are taken up for revival are evenly distributed across the country," Choubey said adding, of these ten are in the Southern region.

Choubey said that various initiatives taken up by the Ministry coupled with dip in the international oil prices has resulted in reduction of airfare by almost 30 per cent.