News brief: Big stories of the day

"WhatsApp has sent us a reply from California. They say they've launched a setting where a group admin can decide who can send messages. They also said they're trying to see that messages aren't forwarded without reading and understanding. I appreciate this initiative," IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. 

"We sent a notice to WhatsApp yesterday. We found that disinformation and provocative messages on WhatsApp played a major role in instigating violence. While we welcome WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook they must also remain accountable, responsible and vigilant," he added. 

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Interfaith couple passport row: Internal govt probe finds official, police were wrong

"The passports of Tanvi Seth and Anas Siddiqui have been cleared," Regional Passport Officer (RPO) Piyush Verma told PTI in Lucknow today.

The probe found that department official Vikas Mishra was wrong in asking the couple questions about their religion when they visited his office with their passport applications, sources said today.

They said the police in Uttar Pradesh police were also wrong in seeking details about their residence while conducting the verification process required for issuing a passport.

Won't return to India till I feel 'safe from unfair prosecution', says Zakir Naik

Zakir Naik, the controversial Islamic preacher who has been staying abroad to evade arrest in various cases in India, on Wednesday said he would not return home till he felt "safe from unfair prosecution".

Naik's statement, issued through his PRO in Mumbai, came amid reports that he was being deported to India from Malaysia.

"The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to come to India till I don't feel safe from unfair prosecution," said Naik in the statement.

Bullet train, if ever made, will be built by Congress: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Wedneday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "bullet train" (project) should really be called a "magic train". 

He added that it will never be built. And if it is, it will be built by the Congress. 

"It should not be called a bullet train. It should be referred to as a magic train. It will never be constructed, if at all it is ever made it is going to be in Congress regime," ANI quoted Gandhi as saying. 

Sonali Bendre diagnosed with cancer, says 'determined to fight every step of the way'

In a shocking update, Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre released a statement revealing that she has been diagnosed with high-grade cancer. She is currently in New York undergoing treatment for the same. 

Taking to both Instagram and Twitter, she wrote: "Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with high-grade cancer that has metastised, which we frankly did not see coming. A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis. My family and close friends have rallied around me, providing the best support system that anyone can ask for. I am very blessed and thankful for each of them.”