This happened to me, and it was because the file /var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu .com_ubuntu_dists_precise_main_i18n_Translation-en had been created while I was on a public wifi that redirected all HTTP traffic to their authentication page. I deleted the offending file, ran apt-get update, and everything worked swimmingly.
-- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/986568 Title: 'E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/in.archive.ubuntu .com_ubuntu_dists_precise_main_i18n_Translation-en, E:The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.' To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+bug/986568/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
