We just tore a book, BJP tore the Constitution: PDP MP Laway
After being asked to leave Rajya Sabha for tearing a copy of the Indian Constitution to protest against the scrapping of Article 370, PDP MP Nazir Ahmad Laway said, “What we have torn is just a book, but what the BJP government has torn is the Constitution.” Laway added, “This BJP government wielded a sharp-edged sword because they have power.”
US labels China a currency manipulator for 1st time in 25 years
The US has labelled China a currency manipulator for the first time since 1994. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the country will engage with the International Monetary Fund to eliminate unfair competition from China. The US action follows China allowing its currency yuan to weaken past the 7-per-dollar level for the first time in more than a decade.
As if depression is a choice: Deepika takes a dig at Salman’s remark
Deepika Padukone took a veiled dig at Salman Khan’s remark wherein he had said he “didn’t have the luxury to be depressed”. She said, “People confuse it with being a bit sad. A male star said recently that he didn’t have the luxury to be depressed. As if depression is a choice!” Deepika was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2014.
Lok Sabha passes Transgender Persons Bill
The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 which aims for social, economic and educational empowerment of transgender persons, by a voice vote. The bill has scrapped provisions that criminalise begging by transgenders. As per the bill, a transgender is someone whose gender doesn’t match with the gender assigned at birth.
World’s 500 richest people lose $117 billion in one day
A plunge in US stocks on Monday cut the fortunes of world’s 500 richest people by $117 billion, Bloomberg reported. While Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was the worst hit as he lost $3.4 billion, Mukesh Ambani lost $2.4 billion. French tycoon Bernard Arnault saw the second-biggest decline of $3.2 billion followed by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who lost $2.8 billion.
Masaba responds to allegations of copying design from another brand
Fashion designer Masaba Gupta has responded to allegations that she copied the packaging of her latest beauty collection from another brand. “To put print on packaging, paper is the best form globally. Paper packaging is universally available and is neither patented by one or someone’s innovation,” she said. Earlier, Instagram page Diet Sabya called her out for the alleged plagiarism.
N Korea took $2bn in cyberattacks to fund weapons program: UN
North Korea has generated an estimated $2 billion for its weapons of mass destruction program using “widespread and increasingly sophisticated” cyberattacks to steal from banks and cryptocurrency exchanges, a UN report said. North Korea also “continued to enhance its nuclear and missile programs although it did not conduct a nuclear test or Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launch,” it added.
We’ll develop new nuclear missiles if you do: Putin to US
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Monday that the country would start developing short and intermediate-range land-based nuclear missiles if the US started doing the same. This comes after the US announced its formal withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Following US withdrawal, Russia had said that the pact was “formally dead”.
Pak summons Indian High Commissioner over scrapping of Article 370
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood on Monday called in Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Ajay Bisaria to lodge a protest over India’s move to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution. “The Foreign Secretary conveyed Pakistan’s unequivocal rejection of these illegal actions as they are in breach of international law and several UN Security Council resolutions,” Pakistan’s statement read.
He touched my butt: Air hostess says Indian man molested her in 2017
Vijayan Mathan Gopal, an Indian man residing in Singapore was found guilty of molesting an air hostess on a Scoot flight from Kochi to Singapore in 2017. Vijayan smelled of alcohol and his pants were unzipped, the stewardess said. She added that he repeatedly kept calling her, “cupped her face with both hands” and also “touched her butt”.
World’s richest man Bezos sells Amazon stock worth $2.8 bn in a week
World’s richest man and Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos sold his company shares worth $2.8 billion last week. This includes $900 million stock sold on Thursday and Friday, and stock worth $1.8 billion sold in the last three days of July. Earlier, Bezos said he plans to sell stock worth $1 billion each year to fund his space startup Blue Origin.
Jaan de denge iske liye: Amit Shah on PoK in Lok Sabha
While speaking in Lok Sabha about scrapping Article 370 in J&K, Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Whenever I’ve mentioned J&K in Parliament, I’ve meant to say that Pakistan occupied Kashmir is part of it.” “Jaan de denge iske liye,” Shah said on PoK. He said this after Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “I don’t think you are thinking about PoK.”
James Anderson ruled out of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s
England pacer James Anderson has suffered a calf injury and has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test which is set to be held at Lord’s from August 14. Anderson left the field after having bowled just four overs in Australia’s first innings in the first Ashes Test before returning to bat at number 11 in both England innings.
India raises cost of refinery project with Aramco to $60 bn: Reports
India has reportedly increased the cost estimate of the refinery and petrochemical project to be jointly built with Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company from $44 billion to $60 billion, a 36% increase. This comes after farmer protests forced the relocation of the plant. The refinery is now expected to be built at Roha in Maharashtra’s Raigad district.
Trump blames video games for mass shootings in US
US President Donald Trump on Monday blamed video games for mass shootings in the country after more than 30 people were killed in two shootings within 24 hours. “We must stop the glorification of violence in our society. This includes the gruesome video games…We must stop or substantially reduce this and it has to begin immediately,” he added.
N Korea says will make US, S Korea pay; launches more missiles
North Korea fired missiles into the sea off its east coast for the fourth time in less than two weeks as it protested that joint US-South Korea military drills violated diplomatic agreements. “If the US and South Korea disregard North Korea’s repeated warnings, we will make them pay [a] heavy price,” a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman said.
Northern Command chief chairs Core Group meeting in Srinagar
Following the abrogation of Article 370, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh chaired a meeting of the Core Group of Intelligence and Security agencies in Srinagar on Tuesday to review the operational readiness. He said, “Necessary security arrangements have been put in place for ensuring peace and security.”
Gurugram co-working startup GoWork raises $53 mn in debt funding
Gurugram-based co-working startup GoWork said on Tuesday it has raised $53 million in a debt round financed by a private fund managed by BlackRock’s Private Credit team and CLSA Capital Partners’ Special Situations Group. Prior to today’s announcement, GoWork had raised an undisclosed amount from Nimitaya fund. GoWork plans to establish 50 centres across several major Indian cities by 2025.
