Indonesia threatens to quit Paris climate deal over palm oil
Indonesia has threatened to withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement if the European Union goes ahead with a plan to phase out palm oil from transport fuel by 2030. The European Commission has concluded that palm oil cultivation results in deforestation. The Indonesian government, however, says that palm requires far less land to produce oil compared to other crops.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t: Mallya as banks get ₹1,008cr
A day after banks recovered ₹1,008 crore by selling shares held by Vijay Mallya in United Breweries, the liquor baron tweeted, “So much so for branding me a thief who stole PSU Bank money and ran away”. “All included in my settlement proposal too. Damned if you do and Damned if you don’t is how I am treated,” he added.
It was unpleasant: Sophie on working with rape accused Bryan Singer
Actress Sophie Turner, while speaking about her experience of working with rape and sexual harassment accused director Bryan Singer in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’, said, “Our time together was…unpleasant.” Singer has been accused by multiple men, dating back to the sets of his 1998 film ‘Apt Pupil’. He was earlier fired from directing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, a film on rock band ‘Queen’.
May God forgive you for showing Advani the door: Shatrughan to BJP
Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha on Wednesday said the manner in which senior BJP leader LK Advani had been “shown the door/royal exit from electoral politics” was in “very poor taste”. Stating BJP’s action has “hurt the entire nation”, he tweeted, “May God forgive you!” Advani’s name did not feature in BJP’s list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Pak calls India’s Pulwama dossier mostly ‘social media content’
Pakistan on Thursday dismissed a dossier handed over by India following the Pulwama terror attack, saying most of it was based on “social media content”. “The Indian paper contains 91 pages and 6 parts, out of which only part 2 and 3 pertain to Pulwama incident,” it said. Pakistan added that other parts of the dossier are “generalised allegations”.
Facebook mentions Kashmir as separate country in blog, apologises
Facebook has apologised for naming Kashmir as a separate country in a blog post that mentioned countries targeted by an Iranian network and said it has removed the reference. Earlier, Facebook said it removed 513 Iran-linked pages, groups and accounts for “coordinated inauthentic” behaviour. The blog stated the page admins were using fake accounts to impersonate media and political organisations.
31-yr-old man arrested for Facebook post seeking contract to kill PM
A 31-year-old man named Naveen Kumar Yadav was arrested from Jaipur under sedition charges on Thursday for a Facebook post seeking contract to kill PM Narendra Modi. Yadav had posted, “Is there anyone who can give me a contract to murder Modi? I have a foolproof plan.” He said he was unhappy with PM Modi and the central government’s work.
Dastardly act of violence remains unpunished: NIA court on Samjhauta
In its verdict acquitting all accused in Samjhauta Express blast case made public on Thursday, the Special NIA Court observed that a “dastardly act of violence” remains unpunished for want of credible and admissible evidence. It also observed “gaping holes” in the prosecution evidence. The court also criticised investigating agencies for coining various terms like “Muslim terrorism and Hindu fundamentalism”.
Working with India to provide alternatives to Russian missiles: US
The US is working with India to provide alternatives to the S-400 missiles that India has decided to purchase from Russia, Randall Schriver, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, said. India signed the deal in October last year to buy five units despite US’ sanctions on defence trade with Russia.
US resolution on Masood Azhar will complicate the matter: China
After the US circulated a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, China said the move will “complicate the matter”. The US’ move bypassing the 1267 Sanctions Committee to introduce a resolution undermines the authority of the Committee as a main anti-terrorism body of the UNSC, China added.
Infosys to buy ABN Amro’s mortgage services arm for ₹1,000 crore
India’s second-largest software services firm Infosys on Thursday said it would buy a 75% stake in Dutch bank ABN Amro’s mortgage administration services unit Stater for nearly ₹1,000 crore. ABN Amro will continue to hold the remaining 25% stake. Stater provides services for over 1.7 million mortgage and insurance loans for around 50 clients in the Netherlands and Belgium.
PNB targeted me, destroyed my ₹12,000-crore business: Choksi
Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, accused in the ₹14,000-crore PNB scam along with nephew Nirav Modi, has claimed the state-run lender “maliciously” targeted him in a “desperate attempt to save their own skin”. He claimed he was not a partner in any of the firms under scrutiny. Choksi further accused the bank of destroying his ₹12,000-crore business built over 25 years.
PM Modi biopic doesn’t violate model code of conduct: Vivek’s lawyer
Actor Vivek Oberoi’s lawyer Hitesh Jain on Thursday filed a response to the show cause notice received from the Election Commission saying that the biopic ‘PM Narendra Modi’ isn’t in violation of model code of conduct. The EC had sent the notice to the filmmakers after receiving complaints from political parties regarding the intent and timing of the movie.
Not sure if I’ll contest upcoming Lok Sabha polls: Urmila
Actress Urmila Matondkar, who joined the Congress on Wednesday ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, said she is not sure if she’ll contest the upcoming polls. “I’ve joined Congress because I adhere to its ideology. If I get the ticket..then I’ll work for the people of Mumbai,” Urmila added. As per reports, she’ll be fielded from Mumbai North constituency.
Diljit becomes 1st turbaned Sikh with Madame Tussauds wax figure
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh on Thursday unveiled his wax figure at the Madame Tussauds museum in New Delhi, making him the first turbaned Sikh to have a statue at the museum. “For someone who couldn’t get ticket of Madame Tussauds, it’s a…privilege to [be] immortalized in wax,” Diljit said. The unveiling was earlier postponed following the terror attack in J&K’s Pulwama.
US Air Force unveils AI-powered self-driving drone concept
The US Air Force unveiled a conceptual design for an artificial intelligence-powered (AI) self-driving drone under its ‘Skyborg’ program. The primary goal of the program is to deploy a modular, fighter-like aircraft that can be used to quickly update and help warfighters, the US Air Force said. It plans to launch the drone’s prototypes as early as 2023.
Land Rover to use UV light to prevent spread of ‘superbugs’
British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover claimed its future models could help prevent the spread of drug-resistant ‘superbugs’ by using existing ultraviolet light technology. It said the technology, being used in the medical industry for over 70 years, will neutralise bacteria and viruses within the air conditioning system. The automaker cited medical trials that reduced four ‘superbugs’ by 30%.
Zomato may acquire Google-backed delivery app Dunzo: Report
Gurugram-based Zomato is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Bengaluru-based task management and hyperlocal delivery platform Dunzo. This comes amid reports that Google-backed Dunzo is in final stages of closing a $15-20 million (up to ₹140 crore) funding round. Notably, Zomato-rival Swiggy had recently launched in-app service ‘Swiggy Stores’ to deliver products from local stores to users.
Don’t ball-tamper with Afghan peace process: US to Imran Khan
The US Ambassador to Afghanistan, John R Bass, has criticised Pakistan PM Imran Khan over his comments suggesting Afghanistan should set up an interim government to facilitate US-Taliban talks. “Some aspects of cricket apply well in diplomacy, some do not. [It’s] important to resist the temptation to ball-tamper with the Afghanistan peace process and its internal affairs,” Bass tweeted.
Rampur to enjoy thumkas, ghungroos: SP leader targets Jaya Prada
In a derogatory remark apparently targeted towards actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada, UP Samajwadi Party leader Firoz Khan said that the people of Rampur with be enthralled with “thumkas and ghungroos”. “Evenings in Rampur will turn colourful now,” he further said. Jaya Prada recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Rampur seat.
SP’s ‘sa’, RLD’s ‘raa’ and BSP’s ‘ba’ means ‘saraab’: PM Modi
Taking a dig at opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh, PM Narendra Modi said, “Take the ‘sa’ of Samajwadi Party, ‘ra’ of Rashtriya Lok Dal and ‘ba’ of Bahujan Samaj Party and it makes ‘saraab’.” “For Uttar Pradesh’s good health and for India’s future, should you not stay away from ‘saraab’…This ‘saraab’ will destroy you,” he added
Ole Gunnar Solskjær named Manchester United’s permanent manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjær was today appointed as Manchester United’s permanent manager on a three-year deal after a successful stint as caretaker manager, the club announced. The 46-year-old, who replaced José Mourinho in December, has managed United in 19 matches, winning 14, drawing two and losing three. “I’m beyond excited to have the chance to lead the club long-term,” Solskjær said.
