The winter session of the Odisha Assembly began on a stormy note on Friday as members of the opposition Congress created a ruckus over farmers' issue.

Late singer-composer Aadesh Shrivastava's 21-year-old son Avitesh sought megastar Amitabh Bachchan's blessings ahead of the launch of his single "Main Hua Tera".

Popular belief has it that the Ramayana is idealistic while the Mahabharata is realistic but these two epics have "identical building blocks, themes, and history," says writer-mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik, whose new book "Ramayana Versus Mahabharata: My Playful Comparison" is all set for release later this month.

California-based Enterprise software provider Automation Anywhere on Friday announced that it has raised $300 million from the SoftBank Group's Saudi Arabia-backed Vision Fund.

Bangladesh on Friday continued its efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar after a failed attempt the day before because none were willing to return.

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei's online focused sub-brand Honor on Friday announced that it sold over 6 million units of the recently launched "Honor 8X" globally, becoming the top "Singles Day" performer in terms of sales volume and revenue under the smartphone category.

Film: "Bohemian Rhapsody"; Director: Bryan Singer; Cast: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Allen Leech, Tom Hollander and Mike Myers; Rating: ***

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has awarded the Gold Label to the Lattelecom Riga Marathon as one of the world's leading road races, organisers of the Riga Marathon said.

Vested interests are trying to "fail" India's first locomotive- less train or Train 18, a top official said on Friday, adding there was nothing to worry about the glitches that occurred during a trial run. "During the low speed trials of Train 18, a power disarray was noticed - technically called harmonics - which led to blowing up of fuses and activation of safety (systems) at (electricity) sub-stations and stalling of some locomotives in the section," S. Mani, General Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) that has manufactured the train, told IANS. "Vested interests are trying to fail the train even before trials were completed," he added. Mani said after the problem was resolved, "the locomotives were promptly put back into service, the sub-stations were attended to and feedback was given to the ICF". He said the onboard software for traction and regenerative braking were also tuned to eliminate harmonics. "This was all done within a day of reporting." On October 29, the Rs 100 crore indigenously developed high-tech, energy-efficient, self-propelled or engine-less train was flagged off here by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani. The train was later put through lowspeed trials to test its various systems. "The train underwent the low-speed trials between ICF (Anna Nagar station) and Villivakkam, a distance of 1 km. Such a short distance does not permit higher speed build-up. However, many important systems were tested such as operations of brakes, interaction of the pantograph with overhead wire, familiarity of driver controls and high voltage tests to the extent possible at a speed limit of 30 kmph," Mani said. According to the official, the high-tech train was despatched to Delhi for pre-trial checks on November 11. "The train was hauled 'dead' by an additional locomotive since it was not certified to run on its own power enroute. Certification to run on all routes was given only after extensive trials. "The current certificate is valid only for Moradabad-Bareilly and Kota-Sawai Madhopur sections. However, during its travel from Chennai to Delhi at full sectional speed all its mechanical systems such as wheels, springs, pneumatic suspension and pneumatic brakes as well as its dynamics proved themselves satisfactory," Mani added. Train 18 reached Delhi on November 13 and was showcased to the media at the Safdarjung Railway Station the next day. "The interiors were kept locked since they were loaded with sand bags in passenger areas to simulate passenger load. Also, due to its instrumentation, it could not have been opened to a large number of curious onlookers," Mani said. Talking about the speed trials, Mani said medium speed trial of Train 18 will be conducted between Moradabad and Bareilly over the next few weeks. "Vast instrumentation has been provided on the train by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for this purpose. These tests will certify that Train 18 is fit on all tracks of Indian Railways at a speed of 110 kmph," Mani remarked. High-speed trials will be conducted between Kota and Sawai Modhopur after the Moradabad trials. Train 18 is capable of touching 200 kmph provided that the rest of Indian Railways' system such as tracks and signals permit, Mani said.

Tesla has acquired trucking companies to ensure early delivery of Model 3 and help buyers get tax credits by the end of the year, the electric car company's CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet on Friday.

The Indian government has revoked the passports of 25 men living abroad for abandoning their spouses in India, a Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) official said on Friday.

North Korea has said it will deport a US citizen who was detained in October after entering illegally from China, Pyongyang state media reported on Friday.

Bold brushstrokes by artist Arpita Chandra conjure up a dreamland in her ongoing solo exhibition "Dream" here, narrating the tale of women who might be physically at home, but their imagination runs wild and unrestrained.

The National Commission for Women has written to Prasar Bharti CEO Shashi S. Vempati and Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare seeking a report on the developments in the sexual harassment cases in All India Radio (AIR).

Two men killed their 15-year-old sister and cousin on Friday in Shangla district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in a suspected case of honour killing, the police said.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetization, calling it the "biggest scam" in the country, and attacked the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh over corruption and unemployment.

On the occasion of National Press Day, Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore on Friday said that a responsible and objective media was one of the most important institutions for nation building.

China's former number 1 Peng Shuai rallied to beat Swiss player and top seed Belinda Bencic 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the second round to reach the quarterfinals of the Houston tennis tournament.