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Jallikattu Row: Lawrence Message To Youth

Choreographer-actor-director Raghava Lawrence had regularly visited Marina beach to join the protest alongside youngsters and students for amending PCA to make Jallikattu legal again. He was intermittently shifted to hospital due to his ill health; he was denied access by the police when he tried to get back to Marina today. Visibly shaken Lawrence moved to tears has released a video advising the youth at Marina to not get into the water. In the video he said, "When I decided to get back to the beach from the hospital earlier this morning, I received a phone call from Marina saying, the protesters are being forced to leave the place. A few people and I decided to move this issue to the next level with the help of a lawyer by today morning, but the situation seems to be worse now.  When I switched on the TV, I was clueless on what was happening over there. It was turmoil all over. After seeing all these, I went to Marina, but I was not allowed to enter. I begged to the Police to allow me. I assured them that my boys (students) would listen if I speak to them. Unfortunately, I was not allowed.   But I kindly request all my boys not to enter into the beach water, as our life is very important. If you have any small kids with you, please take good care of them. If the police are beating you up, please move away and stand aside. Don't be scared.  I'll somehow manage to come to beach within an hour." Meanwhile, Marina Beach resembled a wrestling zone on Monday, with police forcibly evicting Jallikattu protesters who put up a spirited resistance against security personnel. Police resorted to lathi charge and fired tear gas at some places in the Tamil Nadu capital to disperse demonstrators.

Saina Wins Gold

Indian ace badminton player Saina Nehwal won gold dal at Malaysia Masters Grand Prix with a hard-fought victory in the summit clash here on Sunday. Up against Thai Pornpawee Chochuwong, the top-seeded London Olympics bronze-medalist triumphed 22-20 22-20 in a 46-minute clash. The 26-year-old world No.10, who had been desperately looking for a title that boosts her confidence after recovering from a knee surgery last year, was squaring off against a rival ranked more than 50 places below her at 67th. This was Saina’s 23rd title overall and the first after last year's Australian Open. The two were meeting for the first time in the circuit and Saina was on the back foot in the opening game when Chochuwong reeled off four consecutive points to grab the early initiative. But, she could manage to win the set. She fought hard to win the second set.

2 Died In Jallikatti Event In TN

Jallikattu, the traditional bull-taming festival was held in some parts of Tamil Nadu today, even though locals in Madurai's Alanganallur, where Chief Minister O Panneerselvam was expected to inaugurate the event, refused to hold the sport, demanding a 'permanent solution'.  The state had passed an Ordinance or an executive order -- which expires in six months -- that allows the sport this year. Thousands are continuing the protest in Chennai's Marina Beach. Unfortunately, two men died in a Jallikattu event in Pudukottai on Sunday. The two men, who were injured while holding on to a bucking bull, died on the way to the hospital. The Jallikattu events were held after week-long state-wide protests by students and youths and followed the promulgation of an ordinance by the Tamil Nadu government amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to hold Jallikatttu. The sport was banned by the Supreme Court in May 2014.

Mohan Babu Joins With Pawan, Mahesh

Buzz is that, Mohan Babu will soon join TDP to enter direct politics. Though he was an active member in TDP long ago, he maintained distance all these years due to reasons best known to him. Reports suggested some time ago that, he may join BJP or Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party, Mohan Babu neither accepted nor condemned the reports. But, as per latest reports, he is keen on joining TDP. Coming to the actual point, Mohan Babu has joined the list of Telugu actors supporting Jallikattu. As we all know, Pawan Kalyan and Mahesh Babu were the first Telugu actors to support Jallikattu. Meanwhile, Mohan Babu has all praises for Tamils who are doing peaceful protests with a sole aim of lifting ban on Jallikattu. “Not just India, but the whole world should recognize the power of the common man through the protests happening in Chennai. #jallikattu. Hats off to my Tamil brothers & sisters for showing how a protest is to be done.The world should take a leaf out of their book #jallikattu. #jallikattu is a tradition.And we Indians take pride in our tradition.To err is human; I hope the powers in Delhi understand this & resolve. Even the anti trump demonstraters in a first world country like US;must learn from my Tamil brothers and sisters are protesting #jallikattu. Thank q my Tamil brothers and sisters for reminding our country that non violence is the way. Somewhere down the line most of us forgot it,” says Mohan Babu. Mohan Babu took gap from films too. He has plans of making his dream project ‘Ravana’, but seems like it may not happen in near future.

Kamal Furious Over Tamil Media

Off late, each party has its own news channel or newspaper to back their own party and also to promote good-things done by the party leaders. Media usually covers a matter if it has potential to be sensational. As days pass on, when new issues arise, media keeps aside the previous subjects. Universal hero Kamal Haasan also has similar opinion on media. He moves to tears with youth of Tamil Nadu protesting to life ban on Jallikattu. He says students participating in the protests are teachers and he is a fan of them. Read Kamal’s statement here. “The world is watching us. Tamils are making India proud. Keep your tenacity of purpose. We have become women and men of the moment. The manifesto for civil disobedience movement was drafted in Madras 1930 again it is successfully enacted in Tamilnadu 2017. Remember each party has a TV channel in TN to bias news. Glean your wisdom from each other and the web. Keep nonviolence intact. You’ll win. This movement is of the people. I still feel celebrities should only support and not steal the show. I watch news just to watch my people gathered all around TN. Moved 2 tears. Thanks. You’re no more students you are now teachers. I am a fan.” Kamal Haasan also joined protests at Nadigar Sangam against Jallikattu Ban yesterday.

Trump Targets Obamacare

United States 45th President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at “minimising the economic burden” of Obamacare “pending repeal,” to make good on one of his most impassioned campaign promises of dismantling his predecessor’s healthcare law. The order says “It is the policy of my administration to seek the prompt repeal” of the law. Moving into the Oval Office soon after his inaugural parade concluded, Mr. Trump signed the order on Affordable Care Act directing “the departments and agencies to ease the burden of Obamacare as we transition to repeal and replace,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters. The order was titled “Minimising the economic burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act pending repeal”. The White House did not provide details about which aspects of the law Mr. Trump wanted to target through this order.

Obama Leaves Top Slot To Modi

US President Barack Obama will no longer be the President of the United States of America from today, after the president-elect Donald Trump takes oath. Strangely enough, after Obama quits the post, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the most followed leader of a country on Twitter. Obama holds this spot right now, with almost 81 million followers on the social network, well ahead of any global leader. The next political figure on the list is PM Modi, with 26.5 million followers, ahead of Donald Trump, who has 20.5 million followers. Modi has even more followers on Facebook, at 39.2 million, while his Instagram and YouTube followings have crossed 5.8 million and 5.9 million respectively.

Supreme Court Delays Verdict On Jallikattu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Thursday made a forceful appeal for an ordinance to skirt a ban on Jallikattu but Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained non-committal on the contentious issue, saying the matter was in the Supreme Court. On the other hand, the Supreme Court today has agreed that for the next seven days, it will not rule on whether to lift a ban on Jallikattu, as requested by the union government.  With more than 10,000 protestors holding unflagging but peaceful demonstrations at Chennai's Marina Beach in support of the bull-taming sport, judges were told that a verdict, due today, could create a law and order problem, and that the centre is working with the Tamil Nadu government to find a solution to the conflict between lakhs of people who say Jallikattu is an integral part of their culture and animal activists who say bulls are tortured and abused by the sport, which is held during Pongal or the Harvest Festival. Not just normal people, even several stars of Kollywood are lending their support for ongoing protests to lift ban on conducting Jallikattu.

Jagan Plans To Purchase House In Amaravati

The YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy during his tour to Amaravati villages said he will soon purchase a house in new capital Amaravati. He ridiculed Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for living in rented premises and said he will live in his own home by purchasing a house. Jagan objected to the police restrictions on him to meet the public of Amaravati. He said the YSRC will fight on the problems and issues of the Amaravati public and announced that soon he will start residing in Amaravati. Jagan lamented that Naidu has put restriction to build multiple floors and complexes in the returnable plots of the farmers but was giving permission to his well-wishers and coterie. He also alleged that Naidu was doing real estate business in the name of Amaravati development, hence, he has put the lands of farmers in the restricted zones.

How To Take Telugu Stars Supporting Jallikattu?

For nearly three days now, protesters have been camping at various locations across Tamil Nadu, demanding that the ban on jallikattu be lifted. Pro-jallikattu protesters are setting an example by keeping Marina Beach clean. Most of Tamil stars including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith, Vishal etc. are also supporting Jallikattu. Interestingly, few Telugu stars are also comes in support of Tamils tradition. Here are Tweets of Telugu stars in support of conducting Jallikattu. Mahesh Babu, ‘#Jallikattu is the spirit of Tamil Nadu - bold and fearless. Proud to see such a statement of unity among Tamilians for something that they truly believe in. Especially admire the way the students of Tamil Nadu have been standing up for the cause, relentlessly fighting for their roots and culture. Hope their voices are heard. I support the spirit of Tamil Nadu. #JusticeforJallikattu.” Rana, “Protests in the right direction!! Such amazing spirit!' #JusticeforJallikattu.” Ram, “Having been brought up there..Dear Chennai, you never cease to amaze me! #jallikattu #Jallikattuprotest #JusticeforJallikattu.” Sundeep Kishan, “Proud to have been born in a city which stands testimony to the unity and Spirit of its people.. #Chennai #Jalikattu.” Power Star Pawan Kalyan also joins the list of Telugu actors supporting to conduct Jallikattu by releasing a statement. People of Andhra Pradesh see the matter other way. They claim that, almost no actor has raised their voice when Centre spoke negatively about special status to the state. And they are almost furious for the actors who are coming in support of lifting ban on Jallikattu. “It’s not a problem if Telugu actors lend their support for Jallikattu. But, where did they go when Centre rejected to give special status to Andhra Pradesh,” question commoners. Pawan Kalyan was the only actor who opposed Centre for changing voice over special status matter. The actor who is about to contest in next elections through his own party Jana Sena is fighting against few issues in the state. On the other hand, several stars in Telugu are maintaining mum on Jallikattu, as to avoid anger of Telugu people!

Mallya In Troubles With New Development

The Debt Recovery Tribunal today ordered the SBI-led conglomerate of banks to start the process of recovering Rs 6,203 crore, at annual interest rate of 11.5 per cent, from beleaguered industrialist Vijay Mallya and his companies in the Kingfisher Airlines case.  “I hereby ask the bankers to start the process of recovery of Rs 6,203 crore at the interest rate of 11.5 per cent per annum from Mallya and his companies including UBHL, Kingfisher Finvest and Kingfisher Airlines,” DRT Presiding Officer K Sreenivasan said in his order. At the jam-packed new rented space of DRT which was inaugurated today, Sreenivasan also disposed of as many as 20 Interlocutory Applications including several by Mallya and his companies. United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd (UBHL) is promoted by Mallya, of which he was made the Principal Officer last September in the absence of a Managing Director, while Kingfisher Finvest is a holding company. The order brings an end to the nearly three-year legal battle in the Tribunal by the consortium, comprising 17 banks, to recover the money owed to them by the defunct airlines.

Yuvi Hits Ton, Ind Set For Good Total

The out-form left-handed Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh has hit a ton in second one-day international against England. As of now, India score is 197/3 with Yuvraj and Mahendra Singh Dhoni batting with respective individual scores of 103 and 65. Actually, India lost three wickets for just 25 runs and both the batsman showed their experience in building a good partnership. Both are playing power hits to set good total for India. With hitters like Jadhav, Pandya and Jadeja are about come if wickets fall, India is expected to score above 320. Chris Woakes is the only bowler troubled Indian batsmen in the start of the play. He took all the 3 wickets and bowled 3 maidens in his 5 overs spell.

Jallikattu Ban: TN CM Meets Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at the latter’s residence to seek proclamation of an ordinance to allow Jallikattu amid wide protests Tamil Nadu state against the ban on the annual bull taming sport. Panneerselvam had last night said that all possible legal means would be explored to ensure justice for the state on the issue even as he maintained that it should not be construed that the Centre was "ignoring" the state on the matter. Meanwhile, a group of youngsters protested outside the Tamil Nadu house here against the ban on Jallikattu. Actor Vishal is also expected to hold a protest on the issue at Jantar Mantar. Tamil star Ajith Kumar will also be participating in the Nadigar Sangam protest against Jallikattu ban on January 20.

India Eyes Series Win

Virat Kohli and Co is eying to grab the ongoing One-Day series by winning the second match which is about to begin in an hour. Despite having won nearly every encounter against the visitors so far, since landing here in November, the path towards victory has certainly not been an easy one, as was evident in the opening ODI in Pune. That Kohli will be a primary target for England is a given, and the batting superstar and newly-crowned Indian limited-overs captain will dominate the opposition's team meetings and plans ahead of the games to come. As far as the second ODI is concerned, pacer Jake Ball said that he and his team-mates would try and target him with the short ball, as well as try and mix their deliveries up in order to unsettle his rhythm. Except, nobody seems to have any answers for stopping Kohli from scoring freely all over the park. There simply aren't any solutions coming in at the moment, and it doesn't look any likelier in the coming years. While the Indian bowling was far from impressive, captain Kohli will hope that his go-to spinner Ravichandran Ashwin can return to his decisive ways in the second game. Amit Mishra, who dished out match-winning spells in the ODI series against New Zealand, might get a call-up should the team-management decide to make a change to the winning XI from the first game. The toss will play a crucial role, given the heavy amount of dew that the pitch curator expects to build up sometime around sunset.

PETA Finds A Reason To Blame Suriya

Jallikattu is the most discussed topic right now, not just in Tamil Nadu but in the entire nation. Many star heroes are openly supporting Jallikattu and one amongst them is mass hero Suriya. PETA which is opposing conducting of Jallikattu has found a reason to blame Suriya for his support to Jallikattu. They claim that, Suriya is supporting Jallikattu as to get free promotions for his upcoming film Singham 3. “Tamil actor Suriya Sivakumar was reported to have come out in favour of Jallikattu. PETA India notes that Suriya and several other stars are very late to the issue,” read PETA’s statement.  Nikunj Sharma, Government Affairs Liaison with PETA India said, “It’s no coincidence that Suriya decided to speak only when his film S3 is about to release. During illegal Jallikattu events recently held, both bulls and humans have lost their lives. To use a cruel spectacle that routinely causes injuries and death and which has been condemned as illegal by the highest court in our country for movie publicity is in extremely poor taste,” which was released by Sachin Bangera, the PR for PETA India. Interim, Singham is all set for grand release on January 26th worldwide.

Salman Khan Freed In Arms Act Case

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was today acquitted of all charges in the Arms Act case against him in the alleged poaching of two black bucks. Salman Khan was given the benefit of doubt today by a court in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, which held him "not guilty" of keeping an unlicensed weapon and using it during an alleged deer hunt in 1998. Salman came to the Jodhpur court with his sister Alvira. Within minutes, he was let off. The judge said the evidence against him was not strong enough. Salman Khan's lawyer had argued that the actor only had air guns and there was no evidence that he had used firearms. An eyewitness for the prosecution never showed up. The judge also said two post mortem reports on the deer listed different causes of death - dog-bite and gunshot wound. Minutes after the acquittal, the actor tweeted: "Thank you for all the support and good wishes."

Akhilesh To Have Advantage!

The Election Commission's recognition to the Akhilesh Yadav faction as the Samajwadi Party and allotting 'bicycle' symbol to it will have an impact on UP Assembly polls. Akhilesh-led SP is likely to seal its alliance with the Congress later this week, a deal that would push the combine as the main contender against the resurgent BJP in the coming elections in UP. SP and Congress together will seek to offer a stronger and cleaner alternative to the Muslim electorate which will be looking for a party that could defeat BJP as the hustings. Muslim voters, who account for nearly 20 percent of Uttar Pradesh's population, can make or mar the electoral prospects of key political parties vying for the top slot in the high stake elections. Political analysts said a section of Yadavs and Muslims might still go with party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav but a majority of them will move towards the Akhilesh group as they look at him as a new hope in the state.

Cadre Wants Me As Leader: Deepa

Late and former chief minister J Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar, introducing herself as a candidate for her political legacy, said today that a majority in Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK want her as their leader - not her aunt's long-time friend Sasikala Natarajan.  "There isn't anyone else and I have proof. I want to make this landmark change in my life on a very special day (February 24th- birth anniversary of Jayalalithaa). Deepa's debut press conference was also set for a day the party marks the birth centenary of its founder and Jayalalithaa's mentor, MG Ramachandran (MGR). Deepa said she wants to follow in her aunt's footsteps and is inclined to contest from her RK Nagar constituency in Chennai. "The cadre is very eager. They want me to become their leader," says she. Whether she will join the AIADMK and openly challenge Sasikala or start her own party is a decision she says she will take "after consulting with the party cadre and the people".

Petrol, Diesel Prices Hiked Once Again

India’s oil marketing companies raised petrol and diesel prices yet again. While petrol price is hiked by Rs 0.42/litre and diesel is by Rs 1.03/litre in line with rising global crude oil prices in trailing few weeks, sending shares higher on Monday amid flat broader markets. Indian Oil Corp, the country’s largest oil marketer, was trading at Rs 335.3, up 1.36% from the previous close. Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd were also trading higher at Rs 490.7 (up 0.57%) and Rs 658.45 (0.12%) in the morning trade. “The current level of international product prices of Petrol & Diesel and INR-USD exchange rate warrant increase in selling price of Petrol and Diesel, the impact of which is being passed on to the consumers with this price revision,” Indian Oil said in a statement. This is the fourth straight increase in prices of petrol and third straight increase in prices of diesel India since November-December, when global crude oil prices started rising on the talk of world’s major oil producers contemplating a cut in output.