Will be happy if Sapna Choudhary campaigns for BJP: Manoj Tiwari
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari has said that he will be happy if Haryanvi singer-dancer Sapna Choudhary campaigns for BJP in the future. This comes a day after Sapna denied joining the Congress party despite reportedly signing the membership form of Congress. Tiwari added that he met Sapna but “only time will tell” if she will join BJP.
Kangana’s acid attack survivor sister praises Deepika’s Chhapaak look
Kangana Ranaut’s sister Rangoli Chandel took to Twitter to praise Deepika Padukone’s look from her upcoming film ‘Chhapaak’. “No matter how unfair and unjust the world is we musn’t reflect what we hate…Being an acid attack survivor I pledge to be their biggest cheerleader,” she wrote. Rangoli had earlier revealed she underwent 57 surgeries after the acid attack on her.
Farooq Abdullah files nomination papers for Srinagar LS seat
Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah on Monday filed nomination papers from the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat which is going to polls in the second phase of the general elections on April 18. Srinagar has 12,90,318 voters who will cast their votes at 1,716 polling stations in the constituency. The last date for filing nomination papers is March 26.
Gen VK Singh files nomination papers for Ghaziabad LS seat
Union Minister General (retired) VK Singh today filed nomination papers for the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha seat. Singh said that with the “help of citizens and media, Ghaziabad can be the number one city in cleanliness”. He added that the “agenda” of the elections is the “development as was in 2014” and he will focus on the growth of his constituency.
Air India withdraws boarding passes with PM’s pic after criticism
Air India has decided to withdraw boarding passes with photographs of PM Narendra Modi and Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani after criticism. Ex-Punjab Director General of Police Shashi Kant claimed it was in violation of the model code of conduct. Air India clarified the passes were left over from ones printed during Vibrant Gujarat Summit and the photos are third-party advertisements.
Gadkari files nomination papers for Nagpur Lok Sabha seat
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday filed nomination papers for Maharashtra’s Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, where general elections will be held on April 11. He said that he’ll win the upcoming polls with a “bigger margin”. He added that the people have a “good opinion” of the work done by the PM Narendra Modi-led government in the last five years.
Hema Malini files nomination papers from UP’s Mathura
Ahead of the general elections, BJP MP Hema Malini has filed nomination papers from Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura Lok Sabha seat. Before filing nomination papers, Malini visited a temple along with state CM Yogi Adityanath. Malini is contesting from Mathura for the second time and the Congress has fielded Mahesh Pathak, while the BSP-SP-RLD has fielded Kunwar Narendra Singh against her.
19 societies near Mumbai get notices for refusing non-Catholic tenants
Nineteen co-operative housing societies near Mumbai, a part of The Citizen Housing Complex, were served notices by the sub-registrar of societies over not allowing non-Catholics to rent and purchase flats. The notices were issued after a society allegedly denied membership rights to a Protestant Christian. The societies were warned of action under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960.
What are the features of Chinook helicopters inducted into IAF?
Four Boeing-made CH-47F (I) Chinook multi-mission helicopters were inducted into the Indian Air Force on Monday, boosting the force’s airlift capability in combat and humanitarian missions. The Chinook has the ability to deliver heavy payloads to high altitudes and is eminently suitable for operations in the high Himalayas. The aircraft has been battle-tested in diverse, extreme conditions throughout the world.
34 farmers committed suicide in Bengal in 8 months: Congress
West Bengal Congress chief Somen Mitra has alleged that 34 debt-stressed farmers and agricultural workers have committed suicide in the past eight months in the state. He also criticised TMC’s claims that farmers’ income has tripled since it came to power. He said that due to the “inefficiency” of the state government, the farmers don’t get the minimum support price.
Kenyan teacher who donates 80% of his salary wins $1mn global prize
A Kenyan science teacher who donates 80% of his salary to help poor students has won the $1-million 2019 Global Teacher Prize. Peter Tabichi received the prize at a ceremony in Dubai on Sunday. Around 95% of the students at the school where Tabichi teaches are from poor families and almost a third are orphans or have only one parent.
Ethiopian Airlines believes in Boeing despite crash, says airline CEO
Ethiopian Airlines “believes in” Boeing despite Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane crash that killed all 157 people on board, the airline’s CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said on Monday. It was the second crash for the 737 MAX 8 since the October crash of an Indonesian Lion Air jet. All 189 people on board the Lion Air flight died in the crash.
Sensex, Nifty register biggest single-day fall in a month
Indian equity benchmarks posted their biggest one-day decline in a month with Sensex falling 0.93% and the Nifty 50 Index plunging 0.90% on Monday. The Sensex declined 356 points to close at 37,809 while the Nifty ended 103 points lower to settle at 11,354. The top losers included Vedanta, Tata Motors, Yes Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Jet shares close 15.5% higher after Chairman Naresh Goyal steps down
The shares of cash-strapped Jet Airways closed at ₹261 on Monday, 15.5% more than its previous close of ₹226.05 on Friday. This comes after the airline announced Founder Naresh Goyal is stepping down as the Chairman of the company and leaving the board with his wife Anita Goyal. The airline also announced immediate infusion of ₹1,500 crore by lenders.
K’taka CM’s son files nomination papers for Mandya LS seat
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy on Monday filed his nomination papers to contest from the Lok Sabha seat of Mandya. Nikhil, who has been fielded on a JD(S) ticket, will be contesting elections for the first time. Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy’s nephew Prajwal Revanna will be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Hassan.
SoftBank may put $100mn in PharmEasy at double its valuation
Japan’s SoftBank is reportedly in early talks to invest $100 million in online medicine delivery platform PharmEasy. The Mumbai-based startup is seeking a valuation of about $400 million in this funding round, over double its valuation from the previous funding, the report added. Launched in 2015, PharmEasy had raised $50 million in a Series C funding round in September 2018.
Matter regarding licensing in Karnataka fully resolved: Ola
Ride-hailing startup Ola on Monday tweeted, “We’re glad to inform that the matter regarding licensing in Karnataka is fully resolved.” This comes days after the Karnataka Transport Department issued a notice suspending Ola’s licence for six months for violating rules by running bike taxis. Karnataka’s Social Welfare Minister had tweeted on Sunday that Ola will run its business as usual.
Mob kills husband of NCP corporator in Maharashtra
The husband of an NCP corporator was allegedly killed by a mob which suspected him of helping members of a community in a kidnapping case in Maharashtra’s Beed. A 16-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped by the community’s members and was later found dead, enraging the locals, the police said. The mob reportedly included the mother of the boy.
Rocket fired from Gaza hits house in Israel; 7 injured
At least seven people were injured after a house in Israel was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said it’s reinforcing troops to the Gaza border after the attack, which prompted PM Benjamin Netanyahu to cut short his trip to the US. The Israeli military blamed the Palestinian militant group Hamas for the attack.
NZ PM orders Royal Commission Inquiry into mosque attacks
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that a Royal Commission of Inquiry will be held into the terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch earlier this month. Royal commissions were reserved for the gravest of events and the mosque attack was one of those, Ardern said. Fifty people were killed in the shootings at the two mosques.
Banks will exit Jet Airways in two months: SBI Chairman
SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar has said Jet Airways’ lenders are confident of exiting majority shareholding in the airline within two months. There is enough investor interest in the airline and the door is open to all interested parties, he added. As part of the rescue deal, lenders have agreed to infuse ₹1,500 crore in Jet Airways.
I was a big fish, easier target: Goldman Sachs ex-director
Former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta, who served a two-year prison term on insider trading charges, has maintained he was wrongly convicted in 2012. Speaking of how the “real culprits” of the financial crisis weren’t caught, he stated that he was a “big fish” and an “easier target”. Gupta added the prosecution “wove a masterful story” and plotted against him.
EverSource Capital to invest $1bn in renewable energy sector
Mumbai-based EverSource Capital’s CEO Dhanpal Jhaveri has said the company is looking to invest over $1 billion in renewable energy sector through its Green Growth Equity Fund. The NIIF of India and the UK government are anchor investors in the fund. EverSource Capital is a joint venture between private equity firm Everstone Capital and global solar project developer Lightsource.
Jet Airways Founder Naresh Goyal steps down as Chairman, quits board
Cash-strapped airline Jet Airways’ Founder and Chairman Naresh Goyal and his wife Anita Goyal will quit the board of the airline they founded nearly 27 years ago, Jet Airways said on Monday. Naresh Goyal will also cease to be the Chairman of the company, Jet Airways added. The airline will get an immediate funding support of ₹1,500 crore by lenders.
No one should politicise air strike against Pakistan: Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that the IAF’s air strike on Pakistan terror camps shouldn’t be linked to the upcoming general elections and no one should either politicise or take credit for it. He added that everyone should speak in “one voice” on the issues of national security. He further said that the BJP “never belonged to any leader”.
82-year-old Pope Francis becomes first Pope to write a line of code
Eighty-two years old Pope Francis has become the first Pope of the Vatican City State to write a line of code. In Vatican City, Pope Francis with three young women aged between 11-16 years, contributed a line of code to an app aimed at promoting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Pope Francis wrote the last line of code.
Flipkart sets up $60-100 mn fund to invest in early-stage startups
E-commerce major Flipkart is setting up a $60 to $100 million fund to invest in early-stage startups in financial technology, supply chain, SaaS and other spaces. Flipkart will look to pick up anywhere between 20-25% stake in these early-stage startups in return. Emily McNeal, the group CFO of Flipkart, will lead the fund.
4 dead as UP roadways bus dashes into divider, catches fire
At least four people were killed after an Uttar Pradesh roadways bus caught fire at the Agra-Lucknow expressway on Monday. The bus caught fire after it dashed into the divider as its driver attempted to avoid hitting a vehicle overtaking it, police said. Three others suffered injuries in the accident and are now out of danger, police added.
Fire at mosque in US, note on New Zealand attacks found at scene
A note mentioning the shootings at the two New Zealand mosques that killed 50 people was found at the scene of a fire at a mosque in California, US, police said. No one was injured during the incident, with minor damage being caused to the building’s exterior. The incident is being investigated as arson and a possible hate crime.
Annual fest of BITS Pilani Hyderabad hosted Vicky & Vishal-Shekhar
Pearl’19, the national annual cultural fest of BITS Pilani Hyderabad, was held from March 22-24. Along with a variety of cultural events and competitions, the fest hosted celebrities Vicky Kaushal and Vishal-Shekhar. Further, standup comics Vipul Goyal and Nishant Suri entertained the audience with their humour while world renowned DJs Mashd N Kutcher performed live for the crowd.
Those lecturing on secularism can go and give it in Pak: Uma
Union Minister Uma Bharti, in an apparent dig at Congress, said the latter can only talk about “secularism vs communalism”. “Indian is the only country where we follow secularism…No need for anyone to tell us…about it. If you want to lecture on secularism, you can go and give it in Pakistan,” she added. “We respect all Gods,” she further said.
High alert in Kerala after 3 die due to suspected sun stroke
Authorities in Kerala have sounded a high alert after three cases of suspected sunstroke were reported in the state. The alert has been issued for March 25 and 26 in 11 districts, warning people not to go outdoors in the afternoon. According to India Meteorological Department, the temperature is expected to rise by 2-3 degree Celsius in the 11 districts.
Reliance Project Ventures pledges 41 lakh shares of RInfra
Reliance Project Ventures and Management, the promoter group entity of Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra), has pledged 1.56% or 41 lakh shares of the company’s shares, as per a regulatory filing. The shares were pledged on March 6. With this transaction, the total pledged shares by the promoter entity stands at 35.37% of the total share capital in the Anil Ambani-led company.
Trump didn’t conspire with Russia for 2016 elections: Mueller report
Special Counsel Robert Mueller did not find that Donald Trump or his campaign schemed with Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, according to a summary released on Sunday. “The Special Counsel states that ‘while this report doesn’t conclude that the President committed a crime, it also doesn’t exonerate him’,” Attorney General William Barr’s letter to lawmakers stated.
Virtual SIMs used in Pulwama attack, India to request US for details
India would request for details of a US service provider of ‘Virtual SIMs’ used by the Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber Adil Dar in Pulwama terror attack. In this technology, the computer generates a telephone number and the user downloads an application of the service provider on their smartphone. Dar was in constant touch with attack mastermind Mudasir Khan using the technology.
Indian women’s football team is better than men’s: Sunil Chhetri
While praising Indian women’s football team for winning the SAFF Women’s Championship title for the fifth straight time, Indian men’s football team captain Sunil Chhetri said, “Extremely proud of all of you.” “I have always maintained that the women’s team is much better than the men,” the 34-year-old forward added. Indian women’s team defeated Nepal 3-1 in the final.
Inspired by his philanthropy: Gates as Premji donates ₹52,750cr shares
Days after Chairman Azim Premji donated Wipro shares worth $7.5 billion (₹52,750 crore) to charity, world’s second-richest person Bill Gates said, “I’m inspired by Azim Premji’s continued commitment to philanthropy.” “His latest contribution will make a tremendous impact,” Gates added. The donation took Premji’s total contributions to his education-focused Azim Premji Foundation to $21 billion.
Mamata’s nephew’s wife named in FIR on gold seized at airport: Report
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira Naroola was reportedly named in an FIR alleging Naroola carried 2 kgs of gold in bag without declaration. Reports said that when customs officials asked her to open her bag, she threatened them with “dire consequences”. Kolkata Police reportedly arrived at the Kolkata airport demanding Naroola’s release.
If only similar action was taken post 26/11: Sitharaman on airstrike
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said she has “enough reasons” to believe that Armed Forces told the government to take a similar action during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks as the recent airstrike. “If only a similar deterrent action was taken,” she said. She added that the then government didn’t take a call despite the readiness of the Armed Forces.
Cruise ship reaches Norway port with 900 on board, 479 airlifted
The Viking Sky cruise ship has been towed to port in Norway with about 900 passengers and crew still on board. “It was very nearly a disaster. The ship drifted to within 100 metres of running aground before they were able to restart one of the engines,” police said. Rescue services airlifted 479 people before the weather moderated on Sunday.
Santosh Pandey to contest from ex-Chhattisgarh CM Singh’s son’s seat
BJP on Sunday released a list of nine candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in which it named Santosh Pandey as its candidate from Rajnandgaon. The Rajnandgaon seat is currently held by former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh’s son Abhishek Singh. Earlier, BJP had reportedly announced that it would not field any sitting MPs from Chhattisgarh for the General Elections.
US firm creates beer that can develop Kodak ‘Super 8’ film
America’s Dogfish Head Craft Brewery has created ‘SuperEIGHT’ beer that is designed to develop Kodak’s ‘Super 8’ film. It consists of eight ingredients including prickly pear and mango, with quinoa and Hawaiian sea salt. Dogfish Head’s CEO Sam Calagione started the beer creation after hearing a Kodak podcast that said a beer with low-enough pH could develop Super 8 film.
Engineers make ankle exoskeleton that can fit under clothes
America’s Vanderbilt University engineers claim to have made the first ankle exoskeleton that could be worn under clothes without restricting motion. They made an unpowered friction clutch mechanism that fits under the foot or shoe. Weighing around 0.5 kg, the complete device, with soft shank sleeve and assistive spring, could be used by the elderly, among others, the University said.
Norway to put world’s 1st wireless e-cab charging stations
Norway’s capital Oslo will become the world’s first city to install wireless induction-based fast-charging systems for electric taxis, Reuters reported. Charging plates will be installed in the ground where taxis are parked, which will connect with receivers in taxis and allow them to charge for up to 75 kilowatts. Finland’s Fortum is working on the project with America’s Momentum Dynamics.
Thousands of 518 million-year-old fossils found in China
Scientists have unearthed a trove of thousands of fossils estimated to be 518 million years old on a river bank in China’s Hubei province in a finding they called “mind-blowing”. The 4,351 fossils analysed so far reportedly represent 101 species including 53 new species. Majority of creatures are soft-bodied organisms like jellyfish that don’t normally fossilise, a scientist said.
