new updates : 2017

Monday 25 December 2017

Friday 22 December 2017

Sunday 10 December 2017

Pawan Kalyan’s Agnyathavaasi will release in 209 Cinemark centres in the US

Tollywood star Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming romantic action film Agnyathavaasi, directed by Trivikram, which is all set for a Makar Sankranti release early next year will be screened across 209 Cinemark centres in the USA, surpassing Baahubali’s record of release across 126 locations as reported by the Hindustan Times.

Pawan Kalyan in the first look of Agnyaathavaasi

The film, which has reunited the hit combination of actor Pawan with director Trivikram, for a third time might be the biggest ever, release for any Indian film. Their previous two outings together had delivered two blockbuster hits in Jalsa and Attarintiki Daredi.

Acoording to the report, after Pawan Kalyan’s previous two releases, Sardaar Gabbar Singh and Katamarayudu had failed to impress at the box office, high hopes are pinned on this project as he is looking forward to retiring from acting soon and wants to do that with a bang.

The film stars Keerthy Suresh opposite Kalyan in the film and the other members of the cast include Anu Emmanuel, and Boman Irani who plays the antagonist.

Agnyaathavaasi - Prince in Exile will see Kalyan in the role of a software engineer called Abhijit Bhargav, and is said to be in an ‘angry young man’ avatar in the film.

While the music of the film has been doing well, the filmmakers have also recently wrapped up the final shoot schedule of the film in Varanasi and released the first look poster. The film is slated to release on 10 January 2018.

Rajinikanth's 2.0 producers deny taking legal action against Oscar-winning American VFX studio

A report by Bollywood Hungama stated that Rajinikanth's 2.0 makers were planning to take legal action against an Oscar award-winning American VFX studio for 'irregularity' which led to the film's postponement from January to April 2018. Delving deeper into the development, Firstpost got in touch with a bankable source from Lyca Productions.

The Bollywood Hungama report said, "The VFX delivery has been gravely defaulted by a US company that took on the task of doing the entire special effects of our film. So we had to pull out 1000 shots from the film and send it off to 10 different VFX companies, 100 shots to each! This meant a great deal of criminal delay. In fact, I will tell you the truth, they’ve cheated us and we’re now planning to take elaborate legal action against them."

2.0 bolsters Superstar Rajinikanth's power with Akshay Kumar's. Images via Twitter2.0 bolsters Superstar Rajinikanth's power with Akshay Kumar's. Images via Twitter

However, our source from Lyca Productions completely refutes the above report, quashing it as a rumour. "It's true that we are facing significant challenges on the VFX front. But, the VFX company is not solely responsible for the delay. You have to understand that 2.0 is Asia's most prominent project and we have to make sure we deliver a world-class film. In fact, the VFX studio in question is very much part of the movie, and working round the clock to meet our deadline. Their groups of VFX supervisors are actively working in tandem with Shankar's directorial team to ensure everything is in place. And, we're not planning any legal action at all. There's no question of it when we have an excellent understanding between us," informs our source.

The aforementioned American VFX company is the famous Rhythm and Hues Studios, whose eye-popping visual effects work in films such as Babe, The Golden Compass and The Life Of Pi have all won Academy awards.

"The number of VFX shots in 2.0 will be unlike any Indian film. While handling such a massive quantity, some hiccups are bound to occur. However, we are very determined that we should not compromise on the quality because of time constraint. That's the main reason for postponing the film from January to April 2018," the source added.

Meanwhile, Telugu film producers Bunny Vas and DVV Danayya are hell-bent on stopping the release of 2.0 in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on 27 April, 2018 since their projects Naa Peru Surya, starring Allu Arjun, and Bharath Ane Nenu, starring Mahesh Babu, had announced the release date much before the makers of 2.0 did.

Bunny Vas and DVV Danayya have now requested the intervention of trade bodies such as producers council and exhibitors association to take up the issue citing that it will affect the release of local films. "Tollywood has always respected and embraced other language cinema. But a bigger project like Robo 2.0 changing their release dates has caused confusion among producers. All the Telugu movie producers who are releasing in April and May are in discussions to avoid any competition among ourselves. However, this sudden announcement by ROBO 2 team to release in April has left all the Telugu releases to further confusion. At this juncture, we request the trade bodies to take a conscious call and arrive at an amicable solution," said DVV Danayya a few days back.

As we reported earlier, the makers of 2.0 are currently planning the teaser and trailer launch events for the film as their next marquee events. The teaser of the film is likely to be launched in Hyderabad towards the end of January for the Republic Day, or early February. And, the trailer will be released in a grand event in Chennai in March.

Directed by Shankar, 2.0 is billed as Asia's costliest natively acquired 3D film made at a lavish budget of Rs. 400 crores. Akshay Kumar, who plays the role of Dr Richard, is pitted against Rajinikanth in the movie, which also marks his debut in Tamil industry. With music by Oscar award-winning composer AR Rahman and sound design by another Academy Award winner Resul Pookutty, 2.0 has Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey, Adil Hussain, and Kalabhavan Shajohn in pivotal roles.

Infosys to partner with HPE to modernize mainframe computing system of enterprises

Software major Infosys on Monday said it was partnering with global IT major Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to modernize mainframe computing system of enterprises worldwide.

"Our mainframe modernisation solution with HPE's mission critical computing systems will offer enterprises an integrated platform to transform their legacy applications to the latest hardware and software architecture," said the IT major in a statement here.

The Infosys-HPE joint solution will also enable cloud and mobile ready applications, reduce costs and enhance customer experience.

The solution also allows enterprises to develop new business models with technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation and middleware and database architecture that will enable them to transform from mainframe platforms.

"As enterprises across verticals embrace digital transformation, we are enabling clients to simplify their IT landscape by redeploying mainframes on modern architecture," said Infosys President Ravi Kumar.

According to HPE Global Channel Chief Paul Hunter, the US-based firm has robust systems to help enterprises migrate their mainframes to secure hybrid IT environment.

"Our partnership with Infosys will help enterprises transformation and generate value in a competitive business landscape," he added.

Google announces four shortlisted startups for its hands-on mentorship program Launchpad Accelerator

Google on 1 December announced four shortlisted Indian startups for its hands-on mentorship programme 'Launchpad Accelerator'. With this batch, a total of 30 Indian startups have so far joined the class.

The shortlisted startups — BabyChakra, m.Paani, NIRAMAI and SocialCops — will join a group of startups shortlisted from all over the world at the Google Developers' Launchpad Space in San Francisco in the US.

Class 5 of the mentorship will kick off on January 29 and will include two weeks of all-expenses paid training, as part of the the full six-month programme.

"These startups have been shortlisted based on their unique value proposition and use of latest technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence," Roy Glasberg, Global Lead, Google Developers Launchpad, said in a statement.

BabyChakra is a trusted care companion to Indian parents, from pregnancy to parenting.

m.Paani powers real-time, direct to consumer engagement, marketing, loyalty and insights for mass market consumers and retailers.

NIRAMAI is a healthtech startup that has developed a novel breast cancer screening solution while SocialCops empowers organisations to make better decisions through data.

Launchpad Accelerator is Google's six-month programme that includes an intensive two-week boot camp in San Francisco and mentoring from over 30 teams across Google and expert mentors from top technology companies in Silicon Valley and globally.

Saturday 9 December 2017

Trump's Jerusalem move: Arab allies attack decision

Arab officials say US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital risks plunging the Middle East into "violence and chaos".

The move ended US neutrality on one of the region's most sensitive issues.

Arab League foreign ministers now say it means the US cannot be relied upon as a broker of Middle East peace.

The statement by 22 countries, including close US allies, comes after a third day of violence and protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel has always regarded Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem - occupied by Israel in the 1967 war - as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

For Mr Trump the decision fulfils a campaign promise and he has said it was "nothing more or less than a recognition of reality".

But he has faced fierce criticism for the decision.

Frank Gardner: Counter-terror efforts at risk?

The Arab League resolution was agreed at 03:00 (01:00 GMT) after hours of talks in Cairo. It was backed by a number of US allies, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, who had already voiced their concern.

The resolution said:

The US had "withdrawn itself as a sponsor and broker" of any possible Israeli-Palestinian peace process through its decision

Mr Trump's move "deepens tension, ignites anger and threatens to plunge region into more violence and chaos"

A request would be made for the UN Security Council to condemn the move

At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, the US found itself isolated, with the other 14 members all condemning Mr Trump's declaration.

But US ambassador Nikki Haley accused the UN of bias, saying it "has outrageously been one of the world's foremost centres of hostility towards Israel", and that the US was still committed to finding peace.

Media captionAnalysis: Breaking down what Mr Trump said and what it means for peace

On Saturday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had heard "voices of condemnation over President Trump's historic announcement" but had "not heard any condemnation for the rocket firing against Israel that has come and the awful incitement against us".

Three rockets were fired towards Israel from Gaza on Friday, leading Israel to carry out air strikes in response. It said it hit military sites belonging to the Islamist group Hamas, killing two of its members.

How the world reacted to Trump move

What are the alternatives to a two-state solution?

Hundreds protested in the West Bank and Gaza on Saturday, but crowds were smaller than in previous days.

Clashes occurred in the West Bank town of Nablus on Saturday

In northern Israel a bus was pelted with rocks as it passed through mostly Arab communities, with three Israelis injured, Haaretz reported.

Thousands of Palestinians had protested on Friday, with solidarity demonstrations held across the Arab world and in other Muslim-majority nations.

Why Jerusalem is so important

Jerusalem is of huge importance to both Israel and the Palestinians. It contains sites sacred to the three major monotheistic faiths - Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Israel occupied the eastern sector - previously occupied by Jordan - in 1967, and annexed it in 1980, but the move has never been recognised internationally.

Media captionWhy the city of Jerusalem matters

Some 330,000 Palestinians live in East Jerusalem, along with about 200,000 Israeli Jews in a dozen settlements there. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel does not regard them as settlements but legitimate neighbourhoods.

According to the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, the final status of Jerusalem is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.

The last round of talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014 and while the US is formulating fresh proposals, Palestinian officials have said Mr Trump's announcement has disqualified the US from brokering future negotiations.

These people gave us their lives for our country and for what should we say every fruit?

Jai Hind

Prabhas Fan and I will be fond of Mahesh Babu,
But our true heroes are real heroes of our soldiers who are living for the country,
We want our fans
These people gave us their lives for our country and for what should we say every fruit?
My heartfelt congratulations
Jai Hind

How a 'Dumb' Plastic Object With No Electricity Can Talk to Wi-Fi

The number of objects that could become "smart" just went through the roof.

Researchers at the University of Washington have made 3D printed plastic objects and sensors that can communicate with other Wi-fi devices, despite the fact that they're not even electrified.

“Our goal was to create something that just comes out of your 3D printer at home and can send useful information to other devices,” says Vikram Iyer, co-author of the paper showing the work, in a press statement. “But the big challenge is how do you communicate wirelessly with Wi-Fi using only plastic? That’s something that no one has been able to do before.”

The researchers took inspiration from a decidedly old-school source: mechanical watches. First developed in the 13th century, mechanical watches move without electricity, using intricate gears and springs to keep the hands in motion. Similarly, the UW team replaced some of the functions of electric parts with 3D-printed springs, gears, switches.

An antenna embedded within the 3D-printed object reflects radio signals sent out by a Wi-Fi router. The antenna then sends the signal to another Wi-Fi receiver in a phone, computer, or any other object. This setup, known as a backscatter system, is activated by physical motion, which triggers the gears and switches inside the 3D-printed object. These gears and switches will turn on and off the antenna's reflective properties, meaning that the object will send a signal only when the user wants.

3-D printed gears (in white) and a spring (blue spiral) control a switch (white box with grey surface) made of conductive plastic.

“As you pour detergent out of a Tide bottle, for instance, the speed at which the gears are turning tells you how much soap is flowing out. The interaction between the 3-D printed switch and antenna wirelessly transmits that data,” says paper author Shyam Gollakota, a UW professor. “Then the receiver can track how much detergent you have left and when it dips below a certain amount, it can automatically send a message to your Amazon app to order more.”

The team printed a variety of objects, from a version of the Utah teapot to buttons, knobs, and sliders that, when activated will send messages. The team was also able to encode static information in 3D printed objects, information that could range from bar codes to instructions for how a robot should handle it while moving.

“It looks like a regular 3D printed object but there’s invisible information inside that can be read with your smartphone,” said co-lead author Justin Chan.

The UW team has released their CAD models so builders can experiment with their work at home. If you're just getting started in 3D printing, or don't know where to start, we've got the guide to get you there.

How AI For Recognizing Cats Moved on to Finding Gene Mutations

The open source software DeepVariant is now the best way to scan a genetic code for mutations.

The AI created by Google researchers Mark DePristo and Ryan Poplin was built to recognize images of cats and dogs. Now, a year after the project started, the software based on this same neural network (now called DeepVariant) is better at recognizing gene mutations than any other program out there.

Humans have worked for years on programs meant to identify mutations in genes. Their most accomplished program is GATK, an algorithm that took ten human scientists five years to build. “It wasn’t even clear it was possible to do better,” DePristo told The Atlantic. “We built tons of different models. Nothing really moved the needle at all.” But they hadn't tried using artificial intelligence. DeepVariant is now outperforming GATK, only a year after its inception. DeepVariant has been published by Google as an open source software, so other scientists around the world can use it and alter it.

As The Atlantic explains, both DeepVariant and GATK solve a technical problem in gene sequencing that arises from the way gene sequencers analyze DNA in broken up strands, each about 100 letters long. These snippets are compared to a reference genome, and differences suggest a possible mutation. But snippets in the sequence also overlap with each other, so, theoretically, their overlapping bits should match each other as well as the reference genome. When two overlapping pairs don't match up and differ from the reference genome to boot, scientists know there was an error reading the DNA. If the pairs match, but the genome doesn't, you've just spotted a mutation.

Unlike the human-led program GATK, which used a lot of data in its attempt to figure out where the sequencing may have gone wrong, DeepVariant uses a totally different method to try to solve these glitches: It turns the data into an image. Since Google's AI was originally used for image recognition, this technique ended up working really well.

Friday 8 December 2017

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Understanding the Data Protection White Paper Part VIII: Ensuring data quality and the rights of access and rectification

This article is Part 8 of a multi-part series explaining the recently issued white paper on data protection in India. The responses to the white paper will help in the formulation of India’s future data protection laws. You can read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7.

For the protection of data, it isn’t enough to ensure that the data controller has collected data with the people’s consent, or that the use of the data is legitimate. It is equally important to ensure that the quality of the data in the possession of the controller is maintained. For this, a data protection law imposes obligations on entities in the form of privacy principles of storage limitation and data quality. Along with these, people can also play their part, in the form of rights to access and rectification.

Digital data storageDigital data storage

Storage limitation

The principle of storage limitation imposes restrictions on the amount of data that is stored with a data controller. This is also closely linked to the purpose specification principle, that was discussed previously in Part 6 of this series. This principle ensures a limit on the data collected, and therefore subsequently stored, for the purpose specified.

Another aspect of this principle is the limit on the time for which this data is stored. Most data protection laws impose such restrictions. The Indian IT laws also often contain such restrictions, such as the requirement under the IT (Safeguards for Interception and Monitoring) Rules, 2009, to destroy interception and monitoring records within 6 months. This is an important rule, given practices like widespread surveillance, databanks like the CIDR, data broking and data analytics.

Data quality

Along with limiting the amount of data stored by the data controller, it is also important to ensure that the data that is stored, is accurate. This data is, after all, used for making key decisions on the individual in future. For example, consider the practice of credit scoring, which uses the data on an individual in the possession of financial institutions to determine if they are eligible for facilities like loans, and the impact of an error in this data. Alternative credit scoring using data from new financial technology, such as mobile wallets, payment banks or small finance banks, has also become popular, demonstrating the importance of ensuring data quality with even smaller institutions.

Individual participation rights

Under data protection laws, individuals have been given a set of rights known as individual participation rights. These have been given to ensure greater participation of an individual with the decision-making process involving his or her data, beyond the basic granting of consent.

Together, these are considered to be among the most important safeguards for an individual, since they allow the processing of your data to be transparent to you, and allow you to influence the manner in which it is used. For data quality, the rights of access, confirmation and rectification play a crucial role.

Right to Access and Confirmation

This is the right of an individual to gain access to the data that an entity has on him, and the right to confirm whether his personal data is being processed by that entity. This includes the right to access information on the types of data being processed, the purpose for which it is being processed, who receives his data, etc. This right is crucial considering the myriad uses to which data is being put these days, as seen in Part 6 of this series on big data.

However, this right is also typically subject to certain restrictions, such as when granting access to the data is cost prohibitive for the entity or the disclosure can threaten the life or privacy of another. Data that is crucial to an organisation, such as trade secrets, will also be restricted. Care must be taken in framing these to ensure that the exercise of the right remains relevant despite the restrictions.

Right to Rectification

This is a right to rectify the data that the entity has on him. If the data is inaccurate, irrelevant, not up-to-date or excessive, the individual can approach the entity or the courts to have the data erased, modified or rectified. Another important aspect of this right is that it allows people to get data which an organisation is no longer authorised to hold, such as by exceeding the time limits for storage, removed.

Challenges with implementation

Apart from granting these rights, it is also important to take into account the practical challenges with implementation. The suitability of these rights, the extent to which they should be granted and the restrictions to them are factors that need to be taken into consideration.

Moreover, methods need to be devised to allow these rights to be exercised without overburdening the entities involved. Considering India’s huge start-up sector and small businesses, this is a factor that needs to be considered. At the same time, neither should people’s privacy be put at risk by allowing data collection yet reducing obligations.

One solution is to make the two proportional to each other, i.e., determining different levels of obligations for different levels of data collection. The extent of use by an entity would be determined by their ability to adhere to a certain level of obligations.

Some of the key challenges are as follows:

Cost: Cost is one of the key issues with implementation of these rights. While the fees charged for an access and rectification request is minimal, it could cost the data controller, for example in the UK, anywhere between £50-550, depending on the sector. This cost may be difficult for smaller enterprises to bear. Frivolous requests only add to the burden of the data controller.

Technical: Another challenge is the technical aspect of handling the volumes of data in the possession of the data controller. For example, consider data like e-mails, where a single organisation may have millions of e-mails containing data on individuals. The same issue applies to governmental organisations as well.

Automated decisions: A number of decisions based on data are being taken using automated decision making, which uses a logical algorithm, and involves no human intervention. Access to the logic behind these decisions is one of the rights provided in the EU, but it is being argued that this is not enough to protect individuals from the outcome of automated decisions. For example, while explaining why a credit card application was rejected, a person may be told that his credit history, age and postcode was taken into account. The actual reason for rejection, or the logic behind the automated decision, may go unspecified, since its revelation may be restricted due to reasons like protecting trade secrets.

Limited exercise of rights: A very limited exercise of rights has been found in other jurisdictions. This may be because people are unaware of their rights or because they are unaware of the consequences of handing their personal data over to an organisation.

Key questions raised in the White Paper

Provisionally, the White Paper is in support of the inclusion of these rights and obligations for ensuring data quality, subject to their streamlining in the Indian context. It has presently sought comments on the following key questions with respect to ensuring the quality of data and the rights to access and correction:

What are your views on the principles of data quality and storage limitation?

On whom should the primary onus of ensuring the accuracy of this data lie?

What time-limits should be prescribed for storing data? Thereafter should the data be erased or anonymised?

Should there be a one-size-fits-all kind of regulation?

What are your views on the individual participation rights to be granted?

What exceptions should be granted?

What restrictions should be imposed on the right to access information? What is the scope of the right to rectify? Should a fee be imposed?

Should access to the logic behind automated decisions be granted?

Should a time limit be fixed for responding to these requests?

Any other views?

Part I of the series explores the definitions of personal data and sensitive personal data, Part II of the series examines the jurisdiction and territorial scope of data protection laws, Part III of the series explores cross-border data flows and data localisation, Part IV deals with exemptions to data protection law, Part V deals with notice and consent, Part VI deals with the big data challenge to privacy principles, and Part VII deals with processing of sensitive personal data.

The author is a lawyer and author specialising in technology laws. She is also a certified information privacy professional.

Gujarat polls: 397 crorepati candidates in fray for state's 182 Assembly seats

There are nearly 400 crorepati candidates in fray for Gujarat's 182 seats. The state goes to the poll today in a two-part election.

As many as 397 crorepati candidates are in the fray for the Gujarat assembly elections, an analysis of their election affidavits done by two NGOs has found.

Of the total 1,828 candidates trying their luck in the two-phased Assembly polls, 1,098 nominees have passed class 12 or below. Also, there are only 118 women candidates in the fray, according to the report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch (GEW).

While 198 out of the total 977 candidates of the first phase have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore, 199 nominees out of the total 851 of second phase have emerged as crorepati as per the analysis of their affidavits conducted by the NGOs.

As per the study, 131 of these 397 crorepati candidates have declared assets worth over Rs 5 crore, while 124 others have shown movable and immovable assets in the range of Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore.

While the ruling BJP has given tickets to 142 crorepati candidates, the opposition Congress has fielded 127 such nominees. The NCP has given tickets to 17 crorepati candidates, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded 13 such candidates and the BSP to five.

The report said that 56 independent candidates also fall under this category. The remaining crorepati candidates belong to lesser known parties or outfits.

Congress candidate for Daskroi seat, Pankaj Patel has emerged as the wealthiest candidate with declared assets worth Rs 231.93 crore, it said.

He is followed by another Congress nominee Indranil Rajyaguru of Rajkot-West seat who has declared assets worth Rs 141.22 crore.

Rajyaguru is followed by BJP candidate for Botad seat Saurabh Patel. Patel, who is former Gujarat finance minister, has declared assets worth Rs 123.78 crore, the report said.

BJP candidate and prominent businessman Dhanjibhai Patel of Wadhwan seat is in the fourth place with declared assets of Rs 113.47 crore.

In a sharp contrast, six independent candidates have declared that they have zero movable or immovable assets.

The report also suggests that as many as 13 candidates have declared that their annual income is more than Rs 1 crore, based on the last Income Tax returns filed by them.

In terms of educational qualifications, the report said that as many as 1,098 nominees have either passed only 5th, 8th, 10th or 12th class. 119 candidates mentioned that they were only literate, while 23 others declared that they were illiterate.

According to the report, of the 1,828 candidates, 118 were women. 658 candidates were in the age group of 25 and 40 years, 889 between ages of 41 and 60, while 193 of them were between 61 and 80.

Voting for the first phase of the polls began this morning, while polling for the second phase will be held on December 14. Counting of votes for both the phases will be held on December 18.

India warns on Bitcoin as investors rush in

The digital currency Bitcoin is rallying at phenomenal speed, leaving many high and others dry in markets around the world. But why are prices higher in India than elsewhere? The BBC's Devina Gupta explains.

While the Bitcoin bull run has been welcomed by many, financial regulators in emerging economies are still trying to find a way to understand it.

The central bank of China has shut down Bitcoin exchanges in the country. Indonesia and Bangladesh have banned its use as a payment tool.

In India the government has made it clear that, while it doesn't recognise Bitcoin as "legal tender" like paper money, there are no guidelines on Bitcoin trading.

In the absence of any specific legal framework, online Bitcoin trading platforms are operating freely, even as the Indian central bank is getting jittery.

What's behind the Bitcoin gold rush?

Bitcoin - risky bubble or the future?

It has issued its third warning this week, cautioning "users, holders and traders of virtual currencies including Bitcoin" of "economic, financial, operational, legal, consumer protection and security-related risks".

But is anyone listening?

Experts claim that demand outweighs supply in India, pushing the Bitcoin price in the country up to 20% higher than international prices.

There are at least 11 Indian Bitcoin trading platforms online which claim that about 30,000 customers are actively trading at any given point of time. With a simple click, an investor can open an account and choose whether to purchase an entire Bitcoin or a fraction to trade with.

What is Bitcoin?

There are two key traits of Bitcoin: it is digital and it is seen as an alternative currency.

Unlike the notes or coins in your pocket, it largely exists online.

Secondly, Bitcoin is not printed by governments or traditional banks.

A small but growing number of businesses, including Expedia and Microsoft, accept Bitcoins - which work like virtual tokens.

However, the vast majority of users now buy and sell them as a financial investment.

"Last year this time we had 100,000 registered customers. Now we have gone up to 850,000. The price is surging and from my analysis the people who are investing in Bitcoins are investors who have big pockets and are willing to take risks on their portfolio," Satvik Vishwanathan, co-founder of Unocoin, told the BBC.

And it's not just online trading. Some Indian e-commerce platforms have started recognising the digital currency as well. FlipKart and Amazon are already giving customers the option to convert Bitcoin into regular currency and purchase goods with it.

But at the end of the day, Bitcoin is just an open software with a digital code. Is it more secure than depositing money in a bank?

"There is no architecture to hold the Bitcoins safely, so right now people are taking a physical print out and keeping that in a locker. What the government can do is start a global wallet registry so that we know who is transacting and where the transactions are being done. If my Bitcoin is stolen then with this global wallet at least you can track it," Vishal Gupta, co-founder of Diro Labs, told the BBC.

At the start of the year Bitcoin was valued below $1,000

But the time for just issuing warnings may be over.

With the popularity of Bitcoin, other digital currencies like Ethereum and Litecoin are also attracting Indian investors. So is it time for the government to make its policy clear?

"There are revolutionary changes in this sector and huge progressive moves here. Technology is always ahead of government and is a big disruptor. It is important that we keep pace with technology and make regulatory changes. It is an issue that finance ministry has to debate and do inter-ministerial discussions to take it forward," Amitabh Kant, the CEO of India's premier think-tank Niti Aayog, told the BBC.

Every high has a low. A look at the past five years of Bitcoin shows several stomach-churning moments where it has tumbled by 40% to 50% in a single day without any warning. The April 2013 Bitcoin meltdown where the currency fell by over 70% overnight from $233 to $67 still haunts many.

But perhaps the biggest shot in the arm for Bitcoin investors is the recent green light from the US for futures trading. This decision has fuelled the recent Bitcoin rally. But Wall Street banks are raising concerns and heavyweights like Warren Buffet have red flagged Bitcoin as "a real bubble".

This leads us to the big question: Is the digital currency an idea whose time has come or is it destined for disaster?

Only time will tell.

Philippines launches probe into dengue vaccine scare

The Philippines has launched an investigation into the immunisation of 730,000 children with a dengue vaccine that could pose health risks.

Last week French drug company Sanofi announced its vaccine could worsen the potentially deadly disease in people not previously infected.

The public immunisation programme was suspended on Friday.

Dengue fever affects more than 400 million people each year around the world.

The mosquito-borne disease is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian and Latin American countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Sanofi's Dengvaxia is the first-ever approved dengue vaccine. In addition to the Philippines, the company said the vaccine was registered in Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Singapore, Thailand and Venezuela.

The vaccine has also been used in a public immunisation programme in Brazil which, combined with the Philippines scheme, has to date provided around one million people at least one dose of drug.

Malaria breath test shows promise

Drones scatter mosquitoes to fight diseases

Zika virus: Brazil says the emergency is over

Sanofi said in a press conference on Monday that there had been no reported deaths related to its dengue vaccine in the Philippines.

"As far as we know, as far as we are made aware, there are no reported deaths that are related to dengue vaccination," the company's medical director, Ruby Dizon, told reporters on Monday.

"Of course, rest assured, monitoring is continuing, we are working with the department of health (DOH), in collaboration, to make sure this is maintained."

Philippine presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Monday that "people should not panic over the dengue vaccine" as the government was looking into the matter.

Dengue is a viral infection which causes a severe, flu-like illness that can be fatal if it develops into its most serious form.

The global incidence of dengue has risen dramatically in recent decades, according to the WHO, putting about half the world's population at risk of the disease.

WHO recommendation

Sanofi said last week that a new long-term study had shown that while the Dengvaxia vaccine worked with people who had prior infection, it posed a risk for those who hadn't.

"For those not previously infected by dengue virus, the analysis found that in the longer term, more cases of severe disease could occur following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection," the company said in a statement.

The French drug maker said it would ask health authorities to update the information given to doctors and patients working with the vaccine.

In its latest advice on the vaccine, the WHO recommended that Dengvaxia should only be administered to "subjects that are known to have been infected with dengue prior to vaccination," pending a full review of the study.

Lord's Prayer: Pope Francis calls for change

Pope Francis has called for a translation of a phrase about temptation in the Lord's Prayer to be changed.

The current wording that says "lead us not into temptation" is not a good translation because God does not lead humans to sin, he says.

His suggestion is to use "do not let us fall into temptation" instead, he told Italian TV on Wednesday night.

The Lord's Prayer is the best-known prayer in Christianity.

The pontiff said France's Roman Catholic Church was now using the new wording "do not let us fall into temptation" as an alternative, and something similar should be used worldwide.

"Do not let me fall into temptation because it is I who fall, it is not God who throws me into temptation and then sees how I fell," he told TV2000, an Italian Catholic TV channel.

"A father does not do that, a father helps you to get up immediately."

It is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, a 4th-Century Latin translation of the Bible, which itself was translated from ancient Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic.

Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has not shied away from controversy and has tackled some issues head-on, Vatican observers say.

He has previously said the Roman Catholic Church should apologise to gay people for the way it has treated them.

He has also compared European migrant detention centres with concentration camps.

Palestinians shot dead by Israeli army in clashes over Trump's Jerusalem declaration

Israel launches airstrikes in response to rockets fired from Gaza as a "day of rage" results in two Palestinian deaths.

By Bethan Staton and Alan McGuinness, News Reporters

Two Palestinians have been shot dead by the Israeli army in Gaza during clashes over Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

As tensions rise following the US President's move, Israel responded to three rockets being fired from Gaza with airstrikes it said targeted a Hamas training compound and ammunition warehouse.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 25 people were wounded in the strikes, six of them children.

It comes after Mahmoud al Masri, 30, and 54-year-old Maher Atallahwas were killed in clashes with Israeli security forces.

A third man was in a "very critical" condition after being shot in the head, the ministry added.

The deaths are the first after protests began at the announcement on Wednesday that Mr Trump would move Israel's US embassy to Jerusalem and his declaration that he recognises the city as Israel's capital.

Israeli forces clash with Palestinian protestors near an Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank city of Bethlehem

Protests as Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israeli capital

Palestinian protesters run during clashes in the southern Gaza Strip

There were protests in Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza's Khan Younis,

The Israeli military said in a statement that soldiers had "fired selectively at two main instigators" and confirmed hitting them.

It said 4,500 Palestinians had been involved in "violent riots at six locations along the border with the Gaza Strip".

One of three rockets fired on Friday hit the town of Sderot, the army added, but did not comment on possible casualties.

Palestinians had declared Friday a "day of rage", with protests in cities including Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza's Khan Younis, where Mahmoud al Masri was killed and at least 40 others were wounded.

People at the no-man's land by the border fence rolled burning tyres and threw stones, and were met with gunfire and tear gas from soldiers.

In the West Bank, Palestinian medics said dozens of demonstrators had been treated for tear gas inhalation and rubber bullet wounds, following sporadic clashes at Israeli checkpoints.

A Palestinian protester uses a sling shot to hurl stones towards Israeli troops during clashes in Ramallah

Palestinians hurled stones towards Israeli troops in Ramallah

Worshippers at Al Aqsa mosque headed towards Jerusalem's Old City after Friday prayers, chanting "Jerusalem is ours, Jerusalem is our capital" and "We don't need empty words, we need stones and Kalashnikovs".

Heavy security reinforcements had been put in place in expectation of violence, but by the evening the situation appeared calmer than some had expected.

Mr Trump's decision has received widespread condemnation, with leaders including Theresa May, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russia's Vladimir Putin all speaking out.

At the UN on Friday, traditional US allies criticised the move.

There was a heavy Israeli security presence in the city on Friday

There was a heavy Israeli security presence in Jerusalem on Friday

Britain's UN ambassador Matthew Rycroft said it was "unhelpful to peace", while Italy's Sebastiano Cardi voiced fears of "the risk of unrest and tensions in the region".

In response, US ambassador Nikki Haley said Washington is more committed to peace "than we've ever been before - and we believe we might be closer to that goal than ever before".

She also hit out at the UN, accusing the organisation of hindering the peace process.

Ms Haley said: "Over many years the United Nations has outrageously been of the world's foremost centres of hostility towards Israel.

"The UN has done much more damage to the prospects for Middle East peace than to advance them. We will not be a party to that."

Palestinian protesters gathered in Bethlehem, to reject Trump's Jerusalem declaration

Palestinian protesters gathered in Bethlehem to reject Trump's Jerusalem declaration

Top Palestinian diplomat Saeb Erekat earlier said the announcement meant "the two-state solution was over", while Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called for a new Palestinian uprising, or Intifada.

Both Israelis and Palestinians stake a claim on Jerusalem, and the status of the city was set to be decided in a final peace agreement.

The east of the city has been annexed by Israel since the 1967 war, which also saw the occupation of the West Bank.

How to Get a Girl to Fall in Love with You

Who doesn’t want to fall in love? It’s an almost universal desire, as common as a hashtag on a Kardashian tweet. If you are interested in a girl and desperately want her to love you back, there are some ways to inspire her interest. Getting a girl to fall in love with you requires you to build attraction with verbal and nonverbal interaction, while also showing her your naturally lovable qualities and taking the time to get to know her. Most importantly, be yourself and respect her for who she is.

Understanding Attraction

1. Learn how physical attraction works

Underlying all the emotion, thoughts, and hopes about love is our basic biochemistry. We are hard-wired to love! Attraction is based in brain chemistry. A group of neurotransmitters called monoamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) creates the feeling we experience as attraction.

2. Take care of you

Women are generally attracted to men or women who demonstrate that they are able to care for themselves. This includes good grooming, and an overall healthy look. Keeping your body feeling and looking strong and healthy, is a big evolutionary sign of your “reproductive fitness” — basically, a sign that your genes are strong and healthy too.

3. Groom yourself for success

Your physical appearance and presence is the biggest first impression. It is also usually the strongest. You can have a great online profile and interaction, but if you finally meet the girl in real life and you reek of body odor and wear unflattering clothing, that will make a stronger impression than any online chat room

4. Consider body language signals

Body language can be either conscious (like winking at someone) or subconscious (like your lips reddening or pupils dilating). People convey a variety of messages through body language, including the language of attraction. Most body language signs relevant to physical attraction communicate a few basic messages:

5. Look for open body language

Body language cues that say “I’m available” and “I’m approachable” suggest that the other person is in a state of mind that is receptive to your advances. Look for things such as

6. Look for signs of attraction

Some body language is unconscious and happens when we are attracted to someone. Others are more conscious behaviors. Looking for these cues can help you figure out if your tender feeling for the girl is reciprocal.

7. Pay attention to the way she is smiling

A genuine smile from a woman may be a signal that she wants to make herself more attractive to you.[14] (It may also just be a sign that she’s friendly, so make sure to check out her other body language cues as well.) Watch to see what facial muscles she uses when she smiles to get a sense of whether it’s real or not.

8. Signal your own attraction

Once you’ve determined whether you have a shot or not, you can do a few things with your own body language to tell the girl you’re interested in her.

9. Try an opening gambit.

Also known as a “pickup line,” an opening gambit is how you initiate a conversation. Despite the general creepiness of the pickup artist community, you don’t have to be a 'creepster' to use an opening gambit. Studies suggest that there are three types:

10. Try a gentle touch if you sense that she is inviting you

Touching is a great way to signal physical attraction. If you have been talking for a while and the girl seems interested in you, you can try a light brush of her arm or touch her hand

Facebook testing pre-roll video ads on ‘Watch’ platform: Report

San Francisco: Just like YouTube, Facebook is also reportedly planning to test pre-roll video advertisements before the shows on “Watch” – its redesigned video platform for creators and publishers.

According to a report in AdAge on Saturday, the social media giant “plans to test pre-roll video ads at the start of ‘Watch’ shows, according to advertisers who are familiar with the social network’s strategy”. Facebook is yet to comment on the development.

Saturday 30 December 2017