1. Syria: Four Indians trying to join ISIS confined in Damascus
Deputy Prime Minister of Syria Walid al Moualem, who is currently in India on a state visit, disclosed that four Indian nationals trying to join the militant extremist group Islamic State (IS) are currently confined in a Damascus prison.
So far, the Indian intelligence officials believe 23 Indians have joined the ranks of militant groups like IS and al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al Nusrah in Syria. Of these, six have died fighting the deadly civil war between the government forces and a rebel opposition spanning a range of armed Jihadist groups. Read more here
2. Magnitude 6.7 quake jolts northern Japan, no tsunami damage expected
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck just off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Thursday, Japan's Meteorological Agency said.
No tsunami warning was issued and NHK national television said that while there might be some changes in sea level, no tsunami damage was expected. There were no immediate reports of damage. Read more here
3. Pathankot attack: India likely to take final call on Foreign Secretary level talks today
India on Wednesday night deferred a decision on whether to go ahead with the Foreign Secretary- level talks with Pakistan on Friday after the detention of "several individuals" of the dreaded JeM by Islamabad although there was no confirmation of reports that its chief Maulana Masood Azhar was held.
Ministry of External Affairs Ministry officials said after a two-hour meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that it was decided to await the return of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval from Paris on Thursday afternoon for a call to be taken. Read more here
4. Look what Alia Bhatt thinks of Shah Rukh Khan and Sidharth Malhotra in Daboo Ratnani calendar
Actress Alia Bhatt finds superstar Shah Rukh Khan's photoshoot for Daboo Ratnani's new calendar hot and calls her rumoured boyfriend Sidharth Malhotra's look in it "cool".
The ace photographer's calendar for 2016 features a host of Bollywood biggies, including the young actress. Read more here
5. Will India accept the Decision Review System?
India may have not accepted the Decision Review System (DRS) saying it is not foolproof, but the debate is not likely to die any time soon.
The question of whether India should accept the controversial DRS like the other International Cricket Council (ICC) members, has popped up again. This time at WACA in the 1st ODI against Australia on Tuesday. Read more here
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