Couple wants to die in dignity; registers living will

In a first, a couple in Chandigarh has registered a “living will”, which means that they have given permission for euthanasia in case they become terminally ill.  In the living will, professor D N Jauhar and his wife Professor Adarsh Jaughar has given the consent to die in dignity.
https://indianf.com/couple-wants-to-die-in-dignity-registers-living-will/

Despite the Fog to open 50th edition of IFFI

“Despite the Fog (Nonostante La Nebbia)”, directed by GoranPaskaljevic, will open the 50tth International Film Festival of India. This will be the Italian film’s Asian premier.https://indianf.com/despite-the-fog-to-open-50th-edition-of-iffi/

Around 5 lakh stalled residential units to get lifeline

Around 4.58 lakh residential units pending in 1,600 housing projects across the country will get a lifeline now.

In another booster dose for the economy, the Union Cabinet has approved creation of Rs 25000 crore fund to finish the stalled housing projects, bringing cheers to those waiting for the homes.https://indianf.com/around-5-lakh-stalled-residential-units-to-get-lifeline/

Asia Pacific destinations attract record foreign tourists in 2018

Asia Pacific destinations continued to grow healthy with a new record high of nearly 708 million international visitor arrivals (IVAs) in 2018, according the updated data for 46 destinations.https://indianf.com/asia-pacific-destinations-attract-record-foreign-tourists-in-2018/

Quit smoking to have younger face

Smokers will look much older than they actually are. This “smokers face” condition is one among the many negatives of heavy smoking or tobacco usage, according to a study by a group of researchers at the University of Bristol in England.https://indianf.com/quit-smoking-to-have-younger-face/

India’s quest of deep sea exploration taking shape

India’s quest to explore the depths of the oceans is taking shape with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) developing a design for a manned submersible for deep sea exploration. Once this new design becomes a reality, India will join the elite class of six countries to have developed deep sea submersible.https://indianf.com/indias-quest-of-deep-sea-exploration-taking-shape/

Digital campaign to connect youngsters with teachings of Guru Nanak

In connection with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, a digital campaign has been launched to introduce Guru’s teachings to a younger audience in India and other parts of the Western world.https://indianf.com/digital-campaign-to-connect-youngsters-with-teachings-of-guru-nanak/

Concerted efforts showing results in checking Delhi pollution

Pushed to the wall, finally the country is seeing some concernted actions from the authorities to contain the high pollution levels in Delhi, the capital, which is reeling under severe and unprecedented pollution crisis.https://indianf.com/concerted-efforts-showing-results-in-checking-delhi-pollution/

World’s largest floating wind turbine ready for installation

The largest floating wind turbine in the world, an 8.4-megawatt (MW) ABS-classed offshore wind turbine, is all set for installation off the coast of Viana do Castello, Portugal.https://indianf.com/worlds-largest-floating-wind-turbine-ready-for-installation/

Beware, your deleted pics can be recovered from mobile!

Popular Pakistani singer Rabi Pirzada, who recently made headlines for threatening Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is in trouble after her very personal videos and photos went viral on social media.https://indianf.com/beware-your-deleted-pics-can-be-recovered-from-mobile/

Masters at IFFI

Master film makers always enjoy a place at the International Film Festival of India and this year 17 films come up for film lovers in this section. IFilms of Pedro Almodovar, Costa Gavras, Xavier Dolan, Lav Diaz, Dardenne Brothers, Hirokazu Koreeda, Wernor Herzog and Fatih Aki will be shown in this category during this edition of IFFI.https://indianf.com/masters-at-iffi/

People with Higher Testosterone and Growth Hormone likely to have prostate cancer

A new study has revealed that men having higher levels of free testosterone and growth hormone are more likely to be analysed for prostate cancer. Cancer The prostatereport was presented at the NCRI cancer Convention, 2019.https://indianf.com/people-with-higher-testosterone-and-growth-hormone-likely-to-have-prostate-cancer/

Huppert to get life time achievement award at IFFI

Anne Madeleine Huppert, a famous actress of her generation would be honoured at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the International Film Federation of India, 2019huppert. He will be conferred with life time achievement award at IFFI in Goa.https://indianf.com/huppert-to-get-life-time-achievement-award-at-iffi/

Three Indians find place in best CEO list

Who are the best CEOs of 2019? Harvard Business Review has come up with a list of top performing officials, which includes three Indians on top list.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang of the Unites States was ranked the best CEO followed by Marc Benioff of Salesforce.com, US and Francois- Henri Pinault of  Kering, France. Six of the top performing CEOs are from the United States, two from France and one each from Spain and Belgium. Nancy McKinstry from the United States of Dutch Information Services Company Wolters Kluver topped among the women CEOs. She has been placed at the 16th position.https://indianf.com/three-indians-find-place-in-best-ceo-list/

Tackle NCDs and improve road safety for better cities; WHO

For better cities, the World Health Organisation has called on to tackle the drivers of NCDs such as tobacco use, poor diet, lack of exercise and air pollution, and also  to improve road safety.https://indianf.com/tackle-ncds-and-improve-road-safety-for-better-cities-who/

Come with Plastic waste and have a sumptuous meal

Taking a cue from Chattisgarh’s ‘a meal in exchange for plastic waste’, Odisha Government’s new initiative on the same lines has gained momentum among the people, who are showing much enthusiasm for the programme.https://indianf.com/come-with-plastic-waste-and-have-a-sumptuous-meal/

More takers for healthy, low-carb foods; Niche food industry to grow at 16%

With growing penchant for healthy and low-carb, natural foods, etc, the niche package food industry of India will grow at 16.5% to reach USD 59 Bn by 2022 from USD 37 Bn at present.https://indianf.com/more-takers-for-healthy-low-carb-foods-niche-food-industry-to-grow-at-16/

More takers for healthy, low-carb foods; Niche food industry to grow at 16%

With growing penchant for healthy and low-carb, natural foods, etc, the niche package food industry of India will grow at 16.5% to reach USD 59 Bn by 2022 from USD 37 Bn at present.

https://indianf.com/more-takers-for-healthy-low-carb-foods-niche-food-industry-to-grow-at-16/

China ialleged in organ harvest

https://indianf.com/2019/10/03/china-alleged-to-harvest-organs-from-ethnic-minority-groups/

Quarrying goes unhindered in Kerala

https://indianf.com/2019/10/03/quarrying-gains-momentum-with-political-blessings/

Better forest landscape for three states in India

https://indianf.com/2019/09/30/us-india-forest-managers-for-bettering-indian-landscape/

Kerala tops in education

https://indianf.com/2019/09/30/kerala-maintains-top-lead-in-education/

One tea bag has 11.6 billion micro plastics

https://indianf.com/2019/10/02/one-tea-bag-11-6-billion-micro-and-3-1-billion-nano-plastics/

It's happy and gay time in showbiz

They don't walk, talk or live differently. But the LGBTQ community was given a different treatment in showbiz for long.

The representation is changing as there's larger acceptance of gay characters and stories. But there are still miles to go.

Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, lauded for telling the story of a Danish painter finding his sexual identity in "The Danish Girl", feels showbiz is going through an "important change", but it can't happen "quick enough".

"The job of cinema is to represent human lives and for so many years LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community have not had their story told.... This is just the tip of the iceberg at the moment," Redmayne told IANS.

British actor Ncuti Gatwa, who essays a gay character in Netflix show "Sex Education", is happy that stories are veering away from the struggle to come terms with one's sexuality.

Taking his role of Eric in the show as an example, Gatwa explained: "He is openly gay to his peers and his family and they all accept this. I found it interesting that his story didn't focus on his 'coming out' or his trying to find his sexuality."

In Hollywood, films like "Carol", "Moonlight", "Brokeback Mountain", "God's Own Country", "Call Me By Your Name", "Boy Erased" and "Love, Simon" stitch the gap. But as per a GLAAD report, the number of major studio movies with LGBT characters fell from 23 in 2016 to 14 in 2017. The number in 2018 is also expected to fall short of expectations.

Indian-American Nik Dodani, who has never veiled his own sexuality, said it is exciting to see the different shades of the queer community being reflected on-screen, although he would love to see more of it.

"The Danish Girl" author David Ebershoff said he continues to tell queer stories because "those in positions of privilege, must speak out on behalf of those who face discrimination and hatred every day".

In Bollywood, there was a time when gay characters were mocked at, stereotyped or used as comic relief with big entertainers like "Dostana", "Bol Bachchan", "Veere Di Wedding" and "Partner" leading the list of examples.

But the trend is shifting.

If there is a story of a professor who was fired for having an affair with a man in Manoj Bajpayee's "Aligarh", there is Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's portrayal of a man opening about his sexual orientation to his family and finding acceptance in "Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921)".

In fact, Sonam Kapoor's lesbian drama "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" is not only being touted as brave, but path-breaking too.

Not to forget films like "Fire", "My Brother.Nikhil", "Margarita with a Straw", "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd." or sub-plots in "Fashion", "Heroine" and "Dishoom".

Regina Cassandra, who plays Sonam's love interest in "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga", pointed out that Supreme Court's decision to repeal Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalised homosexuality, came as a big push for all such stories.

"Evening Shadows" director Sridhar Rangayan believes that bringing LGBT stories to mainstream theatres for the larger audience to see the films with their families will remove prejudices and pave way for an equal society.

Director Onir said: "It's wonderful to have a sensitive representation... but we are yet to see if that is the trend and have many more."

Keshav Suri and Ayesha Kapoor, who have been fighting for the rights of homosexuals, say cinema plays an important role in making or breaking an image.

Suri added: "Stereotypes around gays have existed in all spheres and industries... I will like to say that there has been a conscious effort to change the depiction."

Second woman accuses Virginia deputy Governor of sexual assault

 A second woman has come forward with claims that she was sexually assaulted by Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax in 2000 when both were undergraduate students at Duke University, prompting top fellow Democrats to call for his resignation.

Maryland woman Meredith Watson said on Friday that she was sexually assaulted by Fairfax in a "premeditated and aggressive" attack in 2000 and demanded that he should step down immediately, the New York Times reported.

Watson's accusation came after Vanessa C. Tyson, a political science professor from California, said she was assaulted by Fairfax during the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. 

Fairfax, who has denied both allegations, was facing a wave of calls for his resignation by Friday night. Democrats in the Virginia House and Senate urged him to step down, saying he "could no longer fulfil his duties to the commonwealth", as did the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, a powerful bloc within the General Assembly. 

Patrick Hope, a Democrat in the Virginia House, said he would introduce articles of impeachment on Monday if the Lieutenant Governor didn't resign.

Prominent Democrats who asked Fairfax to resign included Virginia's former Governor Terry McAuliffe and Senators Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Kamala Harris, all 2020 presidential candidates.

They were joined by Senator Tim Kaine, who said in a Twitter statement that the accusations against Fairfax "detail atrocious crimes".

Fairfax, however, vowed not to resign. 

"I demand a full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations. Such an investigation will confirm my account because I am telling the truth," he said.

'Sacred Games' was my genie: Kubbra Sait

The only perception that Kubbra Sait wanted to break out of was being seen as just an anchor. She says "Sacred Games", which put her in the spotlight with her role as a transgender, has been no less than a genie in her career as she has been on a roll ever since.

"I am really excited about the next year, which is kind of going to cement the fact that I am an actor," Kubbra told IANS in a tete-a-tete here.

She has Alankrita Shrivastava's "Dolly, Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare", "RK/RKay" by Rajat Kapoor and a cameo in "Gully Boy". In the digital content arena, Kubbra has a show on VOOT, apart from the web series "The Verdict - State Vs Nanavati" and TVF's "Tripling".

"It's a lovely and fulfilling year. There's diverse work, and I am quite excited. I remember when I finished 'Sacred Games', I said 'I want a film', and boom, I had a film. Then I said, 'I want another film', and boom, another film happened," she said.

Would she say "Sacred Games" was her genie?

"Yes, 'Sacred Games' was my genie," said Kubbra on the sidelines of the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2019.

She said every project comes with its own set of challenges.

"I still consider myself as one learning the craft. So, it would be foolish to say it isn't challenging because I am working with new directors, new writers, new co-actors and it's such a fun process to be a part of this new journey of life," said the actress, who worked extensively as an anchor before taking the plunge into acting.

She feels a sense of being "nervously excited" about each one of her projects.

"If you don't feel the pressure, then it's not a privilege. So I am really enjoying the pressure."

Does she worry about people's perception about her?

"The thing is... perception is not my problem, perception is their problem. And the best part about perception is that there's always more than one. It's cool to have different perceptions.

"For the longest time, the perception I was battling was and wanted to break out of was 'Arre ye toh sirf anchor hai (She's just an anchor)'. So I think I broke one of the biggest perceptions and became an actor. Now I do what drives me. This is a good phase."

Kubbra is especially upbeat about "Gully Boy".

"I am playing me. The thing that got me to 'Sacred Games', that's me following my passion as an anchor, is what I am playing in 'Gully Boy'. I play this really cool part where I am a part of a rap battle. For one, it was wonderful for me to work with a director like Zoya Akhtar, to work with a maverick like actor Ranveer Singh, and just to work with our street hip-hop talents.

"For me, it was like hosting a live show and every minute was just pure entertainment. There were many times I lost myself in the role and forgot I was acting. I was me and that was wonderful," she said.

New partners in LDF eye Lok Sabha seats

Thiruvananthapuram: New members in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the CPI-M want to contest the Lok Sabha elections, posing fresh headaches for the Marxists.

Kerala has 20 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, the CPI-M contested 10 seats and won five. The CPI fought four and won one, Janata Dal-S lost the lone seat it contested and two of the five independents backed by the LDF won.

In December last year, the LDF inducted four new parties: Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD), Indian National League, Democratic Kerala Congress and Kerala Congress (Pillai).

Although not all four allies will be allowed to contest, the chances of giving a seat each to LJD and Democratic Kerala Congress is high, given their strongholds.

The LJD is led by media baron M.P. Veerendra Kumar.

Kumar left the LDF just before the 2009 Lok Sabha election after the CPI-M failed to give him his Kozhikode seat to defend.

At that time he led the Janata Dal-S. He and his supporters moved towards the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and he formed the Socialist Janata Dal.

Last year, unhappy with the UDF, he quit and expressed his willingness to rejoin the LDF. He was re-admitted after he formed the LJD, with Sharad Yadav leading it nationally.

Kumar has told the LDF that his party wants to contest from Wayanad or Badagara.

"Do you think any political party will say they do not want a seat to contest?" asked Kumar's son M.P. Shreyams Kumar, a former two-time legislator, when asked about their party's stand.

The Democratic Kerala Congress has also sought one seat: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam or Idukki.

In 2014, the CPI-M sprang a surprise when they fielded ace comedian and character actor Innocent, from Chalakudy seat as an independent candidate and he turned giant killer when he trounced Congress veteran and sitting Lok Sabha member P.C. Chacko.

Likewise, their candidate Joyce George, another independent, won from Idukki.

While Innocent is most unlikely to be fielded for a second time, George wants a second term.

Speaking to IANS, LDF convener A. Vijayaraghavan said: "We have a policy of discussing all this in the LDF and then with parties on a one-to-one basis. Our discussions begin next week. We will be announcing our candidates in the first week of March."

Unprecedented centre-state confrontation: Mamata resorts to sit-in after CBI-police face-off

In a virtual no-holds-barred clash between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central and West Bengal governments, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee began a sit-in here on Sunday accusing the Centre of attempting a coup to destabilise the state after an ugly face-off between the CBI and the state police over the federal probe agency's bid to grill city police commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with the Ponzi scheme scam case.

The showdown started after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers showed up near the official residence of Kumar, a day after CBI sources said they were "looking for" him, and claimed he might be arrested if he failed to respond to the CBI's summons.

Kumar, a 1989 batch IPS officer, headed the Special Investigation Team set up by the Banerjee government after the Saradha ponzi scam came to light in 2013, a year before the CBI took up the case on Supreme Court order.

On Sunday, the evening drama began as a group of CBI officers approached Kumar's Loudon Street residence, but were stopped by city police personnel, who also forcibly took five federal probe agency officers to a police station.

The Chief Minister, who had extended support to Kumar earlier in the day, rushed to his house and was closeted with other top officers, including state police Director General Virendra.

A visibly angry Banerjee came out of Kumar's residence after over an hour, and alleged that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was giving instructions to the CBI at the behest of Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.

"I am sorry to say National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is giving instructions to the agency. He is implementing what PM Narendra Modi is asking for," Banerjee said.

"I will start a dharna (sit-in) at Dharamtala area to save institutions, constitution and the federal structure of the country. This is a satyagraha," she said.

Minutes after she began the sit-in, the police commissioner and other officers, state ministers and Trinamool leaders joined her, and scores of ruling party activists converged in the area from Kolkata and nearby districts.

Banerjee said a meeting of the state cabinet would be held on Monday at the sit-in venue to ratify the state budget slated to be presented during the day.

Banerjee said she would skip Assembly proceedings, but the House would continue as usual.

Banerjee also alleged CBI officers came to Kumar's residence without any search warrant to conduct a secret operation.

"You are coming to the commissioner's residence without any warrant to conduct a secret operation. It is (nothing but) instruction from Narendra Modi and Amit Shah."

"There is a constitutional break-down and they are trying to organise a coup to destabilise the state. They are trying to run a parallel administration," she told reporters outside the Commissioner's house.

"I have come here because I have a constitutional and personal responsibility to give protection to my forces," she said.

In a rare exhortation, Banerjee appealed to all security forces to be together and condemn the attitude of the Modi government.

She called the developments a 'blow' to the country's federal structure, and claimed that the Supreme Court in its judgement had said both central and state agencies can discuss mutually if they have any queries.

Addressing the media at the sit-in venue, Banerjee said a large number of opposition leaders have telephoned her to back her movement.

"Leaders of various opposition parties, including Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Mayawati (BSP), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), Omar Abdullah (NC), Ahmed Patel (Congress) and M K Stalin (DMK), have called me to extend their solidarity and support," she said.

It all began around 6 p.m., when CBI officers, led by its deputy superintendent Tathagata Bardhan, were spotted near Kumar's residence, but within a few minutes some senior Kolkata police officers rushed there and were seen having animated discussions with the federal team.

A little later, another CBI team reached the spot.

Meanwhile, a strong city police team was seen near the CBI's state headquarters at CGO Complex in the Salt Lake area. However, they left after a couple of hours.

The drama intensified near Kumar's residence around 7 p.m., as three deputy commissioners of city police and some officers of the anti-rowdy section reached the spot, following which there ensued a scuffle between the CBI team and cops.

The five CBI officers including Bardhan were bundled into three vehicles and taken to the Shakespeare Sarani police station.

They were released later in the night.

CBI Joint Director Pankaj Srivastava said his officers went to Kumar's residence to question him, but were stopped from entering the house.

Meanwhile, the Central Reserve Police Force troopers have been deployed at the CBI headquarters at CGO Complex as also at its city office Nizam Palace.

Trinamool spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien said his party would raise the matter in Parliament on Monday.

Terror in J&K now being fought effectively: Modi

Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is now being fought effectively, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

"Our security forces including the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been battling terrorism," Modi told a public rally in Vijaypur town in Samba district on his arrival here after visiting the Ladakh region.

"I salute martyrs like Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani, Aurangzeb Khan and others," he added. "Terrorism is now being effectively dealt with in the state."

Modi said the government was building 14,000 bunkers for the safety of people living along the border with Pakistan to escape frequent firing and shelling by Pakistani forces.

The border residents, he said, led "a tough life".

Modi also spoke about the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community.

"The Central government is committed to protect the honour and dignity of our Kashmiri Pandit brothers. They have suffered due to terrorism. 

"This pain has always been in my heart. The promised 3,000 jobs for the Kashmiri Pandits have been rolled out.

"We are committed to democracy. The 70 per cent voter turnout in the recently held Panchayat elections is a victory for the people and the state administration."

Not felt sexy for a while during warrior film: Kangana Ranaut

Actress Kangana Ranaut says in pursuit of making her warrior film 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi', which is packed full of gravity defying stunts, she hasn't felt "sexy" for a while.

But a welcome change came for Kangana when she dolled up in a feminine and elegant 'lehenga choli' by Anushree Reddy at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2019 here on Saturday.

At a post-show conference, the actress told the media: "First of all, if I cough and it looks like I am going to die, please excuse me because I have got a very bad viral.

"I love walking the ramp, and for Anushree... I love her clothes. I was telling her that for a while when I was doing this warrior film, I've not felt sexy for a while.

"The way she has dressed me up and the way she has done my hair, I feel very polished, chic and sexy at the same time. I am very happy to be here, and I just don't want to spread the cough virus around."

Kangana was also happy to talk about the love and appreciation that has come her way for 'Manikarnika...', but she refused to answer queries surrounding the controversies over the film out of respect for her commitment as a showstopper.

On woman power, Kangana, who is known for being fearless in expressing her views, said: "Women are very strong and that's why they do things which test them emotionally.

"Strength is not about muscles, because we are not in the age where we have to go and hunt. In today's time and age, what is your emotional strength, what is your mental strength... that is true strength."

Shah asks Rahul to clear stand on Ram temple

Dehradun: BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday asked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to clear his stand on the Ram Temple issue saying his party was creating hurdles in its construction.

Addressing BJP workers at the party's conclave, Trishakti, here, Shah said: "We are committed to construct a grand Ram temple at the same place. But the Congress party is creating hurdles in its construction. Rahul Gandhi should be clear on his stand on the Ram temple." 

Shah said that his party will repeat the magic of the 2014 general elections, banking on the "performance" of the Modi government. 

"We will sweep Uttarakhand winning all the five seats and bag more than 74 seats in Uttar Pradesh," Shah said.

Shah said that the Opposition is encouraging politics of casteism, appeasement and dynasticism while the Modi government believes in the politics of "performance". 

"They want to remove Modi and our government wants to remove poverty," he said.

Shah said the Modi government should be credited for saving Rs 1 lakh crore by transferring subsidies directly to bank accounts, weeding out bogus and ineligible beneficiaries. 

"His (Rahul Gandhi's) father Rajiv Gandhi once said for every rupee sent to the common man, only 15 paise reached him. But we managed to save Rs 1 lakh crore by transferring the subsidy schemes directly to the bank accounts," Shah said.

Shah also lauded the Interim Budget and said most of the schemes have been launched to benefit the common people like farmers and labourers.

Rishi Kumar Shukla new CBI Chief

The government on Saturday appointed Rishi Kumar Shukla, a 1983-batch IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, as new chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation.

His appointment came after the high-level selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met twice in the last nine days to select the name from a list of over 70 candidates for the investigating agency's top job.

Smriti rockets to No.1 in ICC WODI rankings

After stunning performances in the first two ODIs against New Zealand, India's opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana has rocketed to the No.1 spot in the latest ODI women's batters rankings, the ICC announced on Saturday.

Smriti cracked her fourth ODI century and an unbeaten 90 in India's 2-1 win in the three-match rubber against New Zealand.

The Mumbai girl moved up three spots in the batters' rankings to reach the top spot. She leads the pack with Australians Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning at second and third spots, respectively. New Zealand captain Amy Satterhwaite is at the fourth slot, having jumped 10 places.

Indian captain Mithali Raj, who moved down a spot, completes the top five.

According to an International Cricket Council (ICC) statement, it was fine recognition for Smriti, who has been in an exemplary form in the one-day format. 

In the 15 ODIs Smriti has played since the beginning of 2018, she has scored two centuries and eight half-centuries.

Smriti's opening partner Jemimah Rodrigues was another Indian to rise in the rankings. She has played just seven ODIs since making her debut in March 2018, but a half-century in the first ODI at Napier helped the 18-year-old to rise 64 places to the 61th spot in the rankings.

New Zealand captain Amy was another one to catch the eye. Her rise in the rankings is attributed to consecutive half-centuries in the series against India, and four in all in her last 10 ODIs.

Amy's fellow batter Suzie Bates, whose half-century in Hamilton propelled New Zealand to victory in the third ODI, rose one place to No.6.

Lizelle Lee (down two places to No.7), Tammy Beaumont (down two places to No.8), Stafanie Taylor and Chamari Athapaththu (both falling by a place each) complete the top 10.

Among the bowlers, there was less activity in the rankings. But there was good news for India's spin trio -- Deepti Sharma, Poonam Yadav and Ekta Bisht.

Both Poonam and Deepti jumped five places each and now figure at No.8 and No.9, respectively. Poonam took six wickets in the series to Deepti's four, while Ekta jumped nine places to No.13 after claiming five wickets in the series. 

Veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, whose 3/23 in the second ODI set up the series win, rose one place to No.4 and is the highest-ranked Indian in the top five, with Pakistan's Sana Mir, Australia's Megan Schutt and South Africa's Marizanne Kapp figuring above her.

There was largely no change among the all-rounders. Australia's Ellyse Perry still tops the all-rounders' charts. Apart from Sophie Devine, who moved up one place to No.9, and pushed down Deandra Dottin to No.10, there was no change in the top 10.

Gautam Khaitan's ED custody extended by 6 days

A court here on Saturday extended by six days the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of arrested lawyer Gautam Khaitan, a co-accused in the case relating to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, in a fresh money laundering case.

He was presented before Special Judge Arvind Kumar who allowed the ED to quiz him for another six days.

Khaitan was arrested on January 25, a week after the Income Tax Department raided his offices and various other properties in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The ED told the court that they have found evidence of different entries in his various accounts that needed to be probed.

Khaitan's counsel Pramod Kumar Dubey opposed the ED plea, saying the arrest is illegal.

The ED said the lawyer had been "controlling" the modus operandi and was responsible for routing the money, misusing his connections and clients, including the ones inherited from his father, to launder the money through a variety of accounts in Dubai, Mauritius, Singapore, Tunisia, Switzerland, the UK and India.

Agency officials said the accounts included those of his undisclosed shell companies outside India.

Earlier, Khaitan was arrested in September 2014 for his alleged involvement in the AgustaWestland deal.

He got bail in January 2015 and was again arrested along with Sanjeev Tyagi, another accused in the case, on December 9, 2016, by the CBI. He later secured bail.

The CBI chargesheet has described Khaitan as the brain behind the AgustaWestland deal.

Local mobile manufacturing generating more jobs than ever: Goyal

Local mobile manufacturing has taken off big in the last couple of years, generating thousands of jobs across the country, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday.

"Mobile and its parts manufacturing companies have grown from two to 268 now, creating thousands of jobs in both urban and rural areas of the country," Goyal said while presenting the Interim Budget for 2019-20 in the Lok Sabha.

With the help of the government's phased manufacturing programme to incentivise indigenous production of handsets and their various sub-assemblies, most of such companies are from China who are now manufacturing and assembling flagship smartphones and their parts here. 

In 2018, nearly 300 million mobile handsets were produced locally, according to Counterpoint Research.

"In 2015, we set-up our first manufacturing facility that currently employs more than 5,000 people and generates employment for many more," Nipun Marya, Director, Brand Strategy, Vivo India, told IANS. 

"With our recent announcement of an additional manufacturing plant, we are planning to provide additional jobs to 5,000 more in the first phase," he added.

Samsung India has also set up world's largest mobile manufacturing facility in Noida that has doubled up the production, generating more jobs.

Goyal said the government aims to have one lakh digital villages in the next five years, adding that the vision is to make India a modern and technology-driven society. 

New CBI chief to be selected later on Friday

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Friday that a high level Selection Committee will be meeting to decide on a new Central Bureau of Investigation Director later in the day.

The government was responding to the apex court's question as to how long the situation of interim Director of the CBI will continue.

A Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice Arun Mishra and Jsutice Naveen Sinha told the Centre that the post of CBI Director was sensitive and the government should have appointed a regular director by now.

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told the court the high-level Committee, comprising of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge will be meeting later to decide the new Director.

The bench was hearing a petition by NGO Common Cause challenging the appointment of M. Nageswara Rao as the CBI interim chief following the removal of former Director Alok Verma under controversial circumstances.

The bench said the process of appointment should have been over by now as it was already known that Verma was going to retire in January.

Venugopal also informed the court that the Centre had taken the approval of the Committee before appointing IPS officer Rao as the interim chief.

The Supreme Court posted the matter for next hearing on February 6.

Facebook memes in 2016 US presidential polls had no gender stereotypes

Facebook political memes of US President Donald Trump in the 2016 election focussed more on his hairstyle and facial expressions, while those of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton were more centered on the email scandal and her relationships -- a contrast to historical gender stereotypes in politics, a study has found.

Typically, the coverage of male political candidates focuses on their policy and history in office, while coverage of females focuses more on their personality and appearance as a frame for their ability to hold political office in terms of their roles of mothers and wives.

The study, published in the journal Social Media + Society, found that Trump Facebook page profile photos questioned his physical features -- such as hairstyle and skin tone -- as well as political and leadership skills. 

On the other hand, Clinton-themed pages often included the idea that she is crooked and out-of-touch with average citizens. 

Profile photos for Clinton meme pages also were more likely to emphasise the email scandal, Clinton's wealth and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

"This study is one of the first to offer a glimpse at the type of Facebook pages that emerged during the political race, profile photos use, popularity of the pages and an examination of how citizens used humour during the 2016 election," said lead researcher Mia Moody-Ramirez, Professor at Baylor University. 

"With the 2020 presidential election on the horizon, it is important to understand the impact of memes, which are easy to create and share on social media platforms."

The study examined an equal number of Clinton and Trump-themed pages for a sample of 106 pages -- 53 for each politician. 

In the Facebook pages that were positive, Trump was depicted as patriotic; Clinton was depicted as a leader. But more commonly, pages for both were negative.

When it came to tone in the 106 presidential election Facebook-meme pages, 44 were negative, 37 were positive and the remaining 25 were neutral. 

Indian fashion is getting into its own through Indian weddings: Anita Dongre

What with the lavish and luxurious weddings of the likes of Isha Ambani and Priyanka Chopra that have caught global attention in the recent past, Indian fashion itself is getting into its own, says veteran designer Anita Dongre, who is back after being a part of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"Davos was interesting. It was interesting to meet like-minded people. The two areas that I'm really working towards is women empowerment and sustainability, and I got to meet a lot of thought leaders from other parts of the world who feel strongly about both these subjects. So it was just an exchange of notes," Dongre told IANS here.

"There is definitely an interest today in the Indian fashion scene because I think our Indian weddings are making global news now. So, it (conversation) starts with, 'Oh my God, what are the weddings you guys do?'. I think Indian fashion is getting its own through Indian weddings," added the designer on the sidelines of the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2019.

At the fashion gala here on Thursday, Dongre had two key agendas.

The first was to showcase a special capsule collection developed by her brand Anita Dongre Grassroot in collaboration with artisans from northeast India.

"It's a very special region. It's India's most sustainable region...The lifestyles by nature are so sustainable there. I really would like that region to stay as pure and unaffected by the rest of the world, and I think the only way that can happen is if they find employment opportunities there.

"To sustain their craft becomes a double responsibility because it is so integral to keep that area sustainable," she said.

Her second agenda was to showcase her line 'A Summer Reverie', made with a biodegradable fabric called Tencel, sourced from Austria.

"At the House of Anita Dongre, such collaborations are very important for us today because we are on a sustainable mission. So, it's important to partner with companies and manufacturers who are producing fibre sustainably.

"I went to Lenzing Group in Lenzing, Austria, met them a few months ago, saw it with my own eyes that they are manufacturing sustainably, and that the fibres they use are from renewable resources, plus they are biodegradable... Hence, the collaboration and collection," Dongre said.

She said there are a lot of sustainable fabrics that are expensive, but Tencel is not.

"Which is why I have done a ready-to-wear collection which is very affordable. I think it is accessible. I really want to make sustainable mainstream. With today's collection, I am hoping to do that," added the designer, who caters to different markets with her multiple brands.

How would you define sustainability?

"Sustainable is not first just a process. It is also a lifestyle. Sustainability is the way you live life. It's as simple as that. Do you turn off the tap while brushing your teeth? Do you take a bath with a bucket and not the shower? How much do you consume?

"I think it's about giving back more to Mother Earth than you take.

"But in fashion it is about wearing a garment that is produced sustainably or is empowering a woman towards her sustainable development."

Consumer awareness is increasing, but more needs to be done.

Her own little but significant effort begins from her own office.

"We have a pit, we recycle water... And in my design room, nobody can create a design without using 90 per cent of the fabric. Earlier it was 70 per cent, then 80... and now 90. We are setting goals within the team."

(Radhika Bhirani can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in. She is in Mumbai on an invitation by LFW organisers.

Can medical cannabis help autistic kids?

Cannabis treatment for teenage patients with autism is well-tolerated, safe and effective option to relieve symptoms including seizures, tics, depression, restlessness, researchers say.

The study found that after six months of treatment, 30 per cent of patients reported a significant improvement, 53.7 per cent reported moderate improvement and only 15 per cent had slight or no change.

"Overall, more than 80 per cent of the parents reported significant or moderate improvement in their child," said co-author Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an extensive developmental disorder that is expressed in almost all dimensions of the child's development. 

It is now common to refer to this disorder as a wide range of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) in which there are various manifestations and symptoms.

For the study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, the team analysed the data prospectively collected as part of the treatment programme of 188 ASD patients treated with medical cannabis between 2015 and 2017. 

The treatment in majority of the patients was based on cannabis oil containing 30 per cent cannabidiol oil (CBD) and 1.5 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Good quality of life was reported by 31.3 per cent of patients prior to treatment initiation. At six months, good quality of life more than doubled for 66.8 per cent.

Positive mood was reported by 42 per cent before treatment and 63.5 after six months.

"While this study suggest that cannabis treatment is safe and can improve ASD symptoms and improve ASD patients' quality of life, we believe that double blind placebo-controlled trials are crucial for a better understanding..." said co-author Victor Novack from the varsity.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is doing a research on the medicinal use of cannabis for treating diseases like cancer, epilepsy and sickle cell anaemia.

In the US, medical marijuana is legal in 30 states, though the laws governing what is permitted vary from state to state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.