Dynasty’s inheritor thinks nation’s stage: Shah on Rahul’s remark
After Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s “theatre” remark on PM Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah has criticised Rahul, saying that “the inheritor of dynasty thinks that…nation’s a stage!” He added, “Masquerading as leaders, all that ‘The Dynasty’ has done is to plunder, weaken…ruin the nation.” Rahul had criticised the PM after he announced the successful test of India’s anti-satellite weapon.
US team to climb Mt Everest to study effects of pollution
A team of American scientists, led by scientist John All, is preparing to climb Mount Everest in May to study pollution’s effects on the Himalayan mountains and glaciers. Having flown to the region on Wednesday, the team plans to collect samples and study ice, snow and vegetation there for the next two months. John has earlier climbed to the summit.
Our subsidies to farmers low compared to western countries: Govt
Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan has said subsidies provided by India to its farmers are low as compared to “billions of dollars” given by western countries. India provides only about $250 per annum per farmer, he stated. However, the subsidies “run into trouble” as they aren’t structured properly and so there’s a need to learn from other countries, he further said.
EC to examine if PM’s speech today violated Model Code of Conduct
Election Commission has directed a Committee of Officers to examine whether PM Narendra Modi’s address to the nation today violated the Model Code of Conduct. This comes after various political parties complained to the commission, saying the speech came amid the ongoing election campaign. PM Modi announced that India became a space superpower after successfully testing its anti-satellite missile.
Malaika Arora to marry Arjun Kapoor on April 19: Reports
Actress Malaika Arora is set to get married to rumoured boyfriend, actor Arjun Kapoor on April 19, as per reports. They will reportedly have a Church wedding which will be attended by Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone among others, reports added. Malaika was earlier married to actor Arbaaz Khan and they got divorced in 2017.
Scientists should’ve announced it: Mamata on PM’s space power speech
Following PM Narendra Modi’s announcement of India becoming a space superpower, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, “It’s a political announcement, scientists should have announced it, it’s their credit.” “Only one satellite was destroyed… it was lying there since long, it’s the prerogative of scientists when to do it. We will complain to the Election Commission,” Mamata added.
India beat Canada in 10-goal thriller, go top of Azlan Shah table
Mandeep Singh netted a hat-trick as India thrashed Canada 7-3 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019 on Wednesday. With the victory, India reached the top of the points table in the pool stage of the six-team tournament, with 10 points from four matches. India will face Poland in their last group match on Friday.
McGregor under investigation for sexual assault in Ireland: Report
Ex-UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor is under investigation for an alleged sexual assault, according to reports. The 30-year-old has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin in December 2018. He was arrested and released after questioning in January this year, reports added. This comes less than 24 hours after McGregor announced his retirement from MMA.
Previous govt didn’t give permission to ‘Mission Shakti’: Arun Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said when India test-fired Agni-V missile in April 2012, then DRDO chief VK Saraswat said India was capable of developing an anti-satellite missile, but then UPA government didn’t give the permission. “It’s a matter of national security…Opposition mustn’t object to it as an election stunt,” Jaitley added about India successfully testing the missile today.
Tipu Sultan’s gun, bayonet auctioned for ₹54.76 lakh in UK
A flintlock gun and bayonet belonging to the armoury of Tipu Sultan have been auctioned in the UK for £60,000 (over ₹54.76 lakh). A UK family which discovered several artefacts claimed they were found in the attic of their ancestor who was an army officer of British East India Company and had taken them from the palace of Tipu Sultan.
Pakistan must deliver outcomes, build trust between us two: US
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told Pakistan that it must deliver outcomes and build confidence and trust between the two countries, the State Department said. “(W)e want to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security,” it added. Pompeo had recently described Pakistan’s nuclear proliferation as a top national security concern for the US.
We must focus on resolving farm distress, not waivers: Rajan
Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said India needs to focus on farm distress resolution rather than waivers. “There’s a lot of agriculture distress… We need to worry about why people are so distressed and angry,” Rajan stated. Waivers don’t target poorer farmers who have loans from moneylenders or workers who never got loans in the first place, he added.
Banks get ₹1,008 cr by selling Mallya’s shares in Kingfisher maker
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday said that a consortium of banks led by SBI recovered ₹1,008 crore by selling United Breweries shares held by Vijay Mallya’s UBHL. The 2.8% stake in the company known for Kingfisher beer was sold to Heineken. The Dutch brewer is already United Breweries’ largest shareholder and with this purchase, its stake will increase to 46.53%
Adani becomes first Indian port operator to handle 200 MMT of cargo
Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ) has claimed that its portfolio of nine ports and terminals handled 200 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in 2018-19, becoming the first Indian port operator to achieve the milestone. The Gautam Adani-led company doubled its cargo handling from 100 MMT reached in 2013-14. APSEZ’s Mundra Port in Gujarat is India’s largest private port.
Giriraj Singh to contest from Bihar’s Begusarai: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday said that Union Minister Giriraj Singh would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Bihar’s Begusarai constituency. Singh had on Monday accused the party’s state leadership of letting him down by “violating” his self-respect after denying him a ticket from Nawada constituency. Shah said that “all his problems will be resolved by the party”.
Kenichi Ayukawa re-appointed Maruti Suzuki MD, CEO for 3 yrs
The country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki on Wednesday re-appointed Kenichi Ayukawa as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a period of three years effective April. This would be Ayukawa’s third term as the company’s head. He first took over as MD and CEO of the company in March 2013 as Shinzo Nakanishi had attained the age of retirement.
Nissan paid Stanford fee for Ghosn’s four children: Reports
Japanese automaker Nissan paid tuition worth at least $601,000 for all four of ousted Chairman Carlos Ghosn’s children when they attended Stanford University between 2004 and 2015, as per reports. The perk was part of Ghosn’s employment contract from 1999 when he was hired as Nissan CEO, reports added. The 65-year-old has been charged in Japan for financial misconduct.
Soonawala steps down from Tata Trusts due to health reasons
Tata Trusts has said group veteran NA Soonawala retired as the trustee of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust citing his health and advanced age. The 83-year-old served at various positions in Tata Group, including as Tata Sons Vice-Chairman. Ratan Tata’s half brother Noel Tata was recently appointed as a trustee to the Sir Ratan Tata Trust.
Nations should avoid militarization of space: Pakistan
After India announced it had successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon, Pakistan said, “Space is the common heritage of mankind and every nation has the responsibility to avoid actions which can lead to the militarization of this arena.” “We…need to (ensure) no one threatens peaceful activities and applications of space technologies for socio-economic development,” an official statement read.
Micromax Co-founder launching own e-bike brand, invests ₹500 crore
Micromax Co-founder Rahul Sharma has said he will be launching his own new e-bike venture. Sharma is investing nearly ₹500 crore of his own wealth into the venture, whose first product will be an electric motorcycle with a range of 150 km on full charge. “The idea is to create a motorcycle blockbuster…but with an electric product,” he added.
Hope nations will uphold peace in outer space: China
Reacting to India’s anti-missile test on Wednesday, China said, “We…hope each country will uphold peace and tranquillity in outer space.” Announcing the test, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has always been against arms race in space and there has been no change in this policy. The test did not violate any international law or treaty agreements, PM Modi added.
A-SAT missile was fired off Abdul Kalam Island, developed in 2012
India on Wednesday successfully conducted ‘Mission Shakti’ where an anti-satellite missile was fired from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast by DRDO. The building blocks of Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor missile were developed by DRDO in 2012 and the target destroyed was an out of service satellite, launched by ISRO, operating in low-Earth orbit at 300-km altitude.
Julia Roberts met prostitutes for sex worker’s role in ‘Pretty Woman’
Hollywood actress Julia Roberts spent time with two prostitutes to prepare for her role of a sex worker in the 1990 film ‘Pretty Woman’, the film’s late director Garry Marshall’s wife Barbara has revealed. She added that they were paid $35 each to talk to Julia, who also went on a drive with them to Hollywood Boulevard.
Tata enters airports business, buys ₹3,600 cr stake in GMR Airports
A consortium of Tata Group, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC and SSG Capital Management will invest ₹8,000 crore in GMR Airports, which operates Delhi International Airport. Tata will hold 20%, GIC 15% and SSG 10% in GMR Airports after the investment, GMR Infrastructure said. The deal, which values GMR Airports at ₹18,000 crore, will mark Tata’s entry into airports business.
