Delhi, Noida hit by heavy rain, hailstorm; 18 flights diverted
Four international and 14 domestic flights were diverted from Delhi airport on Thursday as parts of the National Capital received heavy rainfall while areas in Noida witnessed hailstorms. The overall air quality index (AQI) was at 265, classified as ‘poor’. Further, the minimum temperature on Wednesday in Delhi-NCR was recorded at 12ºC and the maximum was settled at 25ºC.
Mukesh Ambani announces ₹10,000-cr investment in West Bengal
Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Thursday announced ₹10,000-crore investment in West Bengal, over and above current investments worth ₹28,000 crore RIL has in the state. Speaking at Bengal Global Business Summit 2019, he added that a part of the fresh investment would fund RIL’s new e-commerce venture. He further said RIL currently provides about 1,00,000 jobs in Bengal.
Govt has the right to demand interim dividend: RBI Governor
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said it is the right of the government to ask for an interim dividend from it. “Payment of surplus or interim dividend to the government is a part of the RBI Act,” he added. The government reportedly expects dividend worth ₹69,000 crore from the RBI in the next financial year.
10 policemen missing after avalanche hits J&K
At least 10 policemen have gone missing after a police post was hit by an avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam. Around 20 policemen were at the post when it was hit by the avalanche, 10 of whom came out safely, an official said. The avalanche hit a tunnel along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the official added.
KL Rahul donates largest individual amount for Martin’s treatment
Ex-India cricketer Jacob Martin’s family has revealed batsman KL Rahul donated the “largest amount of money” for Martin’s treatment but refused to disclose the amount. Martin’s wife Khyati said Rahul’s team asked about their immediate requirement and the money was transferred into their account the same day. Martin had severely injured his lungs in a road accident in December 2018.
Vidarbha to get ₹5-crore prize money for 2nd straight Ranji title
Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) has announced a cash reward of ₹3 crore for Vidarbha team for winning Ranji Trophy title for the second time in a row. The BCCI will be giving ₹2 crore to the team, increasing the total cash award amount to ₹5 crore. Vidarbha on Thursday defeated Saurashtra to clinch the title.
BC is ‘Before Congress’, AD is ‘After Dynasty’ for Congress: PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi attacked the Congress party on Thursday while addressing the Lok Sabha in the Budget session. “Our friends in Congress see things in two time periods. BC, which is ‘Before Congress’, when nothing happened, and the other is AD ‘After Dynasty’ where everything happened,” PM Modi said. He also wished for healthy competition in the upcoming general elections.
Will scrap Triple Talaq law if we come to power: Cong leader
Congress leader Sushmita Dev on Thursday said the party will scrap the Triple Talaq law if voted to power in the upcoming 2019 elections. Speaking at the Congress’ minorities convention, the leader said the law is just another weapon of the Modi government to arrest and imprison Muslim men. She said it’s a promise that Congress will repeal the law.
Priyanka Chopra gets wax statue at Madame Tussauds museum
Priyanka Chopra on Thursday unveiled her wax statue at the Madame Tussauds museum in New York, US. Posting a series of pictures with the statue, Priyanka wrote, “Coming to other locations soon!” The wax statue of the actress will also be launched in the United Kingdom, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore, later this year.
Daisy Shah to play football coach in debut Gujarati film
Actress Daisy Shah has been roped in to play a football coach in the upcoming Gujarati film ‘Gujarat 11’, marking her debut in the Gujarati film industry. “I feel lucky to have found a good project to work in and that’s the reason I am doing a Gujarati film,” Daisy said. Shooting for the film will reportedly commence this month.
Newlyweds Justin, Hailey feature on March cover of Vogue US
Singer Justin Bieber and his wife and model Hailey Baldwin featured on the cover of fashion magazine ‘Vogue US’ for its March issue. While Hailey is seen in a cream-coloured Prada dress, the cover features Justin in dark blue Dior shorts. This marks the couple’s first magazine cover together since they tied the knot in September, last year.
Apple to remove Safari’s ‘Do Not Track’ over privacy threat
Apple has removed support for “expired” ‘Do Not Track’ feature in version 12.1 of its Safari web browser, saying it may potentially be used to track users. The feature only submits a request to stop tracking, which websites can choose to overlook. However, Apple has added the ‘Intelligent Tracking Prevention’ to the new version with new limits for long-term tracking.
Do not expect miracles: Rahul Gandhi tells Priyanka, Scindia
During a Congress strategy meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, party president Rahul Gandhi told Priyanka Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia not to expect “miracles” in two months. Stating that they should not feel any pressure, Gandhi asked them to spring into “mission mode” and focus on the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
10 Naxals gunned down in Chhattisgarh
The security forces have reportedly gunned down 10 Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur. The Naxals were killed in an encounter with the security forces and 11 weapons are said to have been recovered. SP Bijapur told ANI that the team that gunned down Naxals comprosed of personnel from Special Task Force (STF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG).
Massive fire breaks out at Metro Hospital
A fire reportedly broke out at Metro Hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, which is a part of National Capital Region (NCR), on Thursday. The Metro Hospitals and Heart Institute is located in Noida’s Sector 12. The fire broke out at the third floor of the hospital after which scores of patients had to be evacuated from the building.
Tamil Nadu budget to be presented today
Amidst expectations of populist announcements by the ruling AIADMK government ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and finance minister, O Panneerselvam presented the state budget for 2019-2020 in the Assembly on Friday. The budget session began from 10 am.
Induction of new snipers along LoC
The Indian Army has started the induction of new sniper rifles along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, a top army officer said. Under the General Officer Commander-in-Chief of Northern Command’s special financial power, the Army floated tenders for procurement of 5,719 sniper rifles from global vendors in January.
Mumbai bus driver uses bamboo as gear lever, arrested as bus hits BMW
A 21-year-old school bus driver named Raj Kumar was arrested after the bus crashed into a BMW car in Mumbai. When the car’s owner confronted the driver, he discovered that the driver was using a bamboo stick as a makeshift gear lever to operate the bus. The driver said he had been using the bamboo stick for three days.
Freedom to choose: Rahman after daughter is criticised over niqab
Singer-composer AR Rahman, in a veiled reference to comments criticising his daughter Khatija for wearing a niqab, shared a picture showing his other daughter Raheema and wife Sairaa without the veil but Khatija covering her face at a party. “The precious ladies of my family… #freedomtochoose,” he wrote. Khatija had recently made an appearance with Rahman at an event.
Banner on sexual consent removed from stadium during NZ-India T20I
New Zealand Cricket and Westpac Stadium removed a banner promoting sexual consent during Wednesday’s New Zealand-India T20I. The banner reading, “No means No”, was being displayed by a woman, who was escorted from her seat by security. The banner was directed at all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn, who was found not guilty of rape following a trial in 2017.
NIA files supplementary chargesheet
The National Investigation Agency has filed a supplementary chargesheet against two persons in connection with an Islamic State case. The NIA says that Abdullah Basith, a resident of Hyderabad was continuously making efforts to propagate the ideology of the Islamic State, following which he entered into a conspiracy with some handlers and his associates.
Cong to finalise LS candidates by Feb-end
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday directed senior office-bearers of the party to finalise candidates for the Lok Sabha polls by February-end and asked newly appointed Uttar Pradesh in-charges Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia to strengthen the party in the state in “mission-mode”.
Rahul Gandhi challenges PM Modi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi once again challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for debate with him for 10 minutes on stage, saying PM Modi is ‘darpok’ (coward) person. While addressing the national convention of AICC Minority Department, Rahul Gandhi, said, “The institutions in India do not belong to any party, they belong to the country.
Hazard likes Madrid – Fabregas
Eden Hazard has made a decision on his future and Cesc Fabregas hopes he is staying at Chelsea. The Belgium international revealed this week he had made a decision on his future and would announce it “soon”. Hazard, 28, has long been linked with a move to Madrid, but is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2020.
Queiroz: James needs to be playing
New Colombia coach Carlos Queiroz hopes to see James Rodriguez playing regularly for Bayern Munich. Colombia boss Queiroz – who left his role as Iran coach after the Asian Cup – hopes to see a return of James’ form after taking over from Jose Pekerman on a contract that runs until the 2022 World Cup.
Body recovered in plane wreckage identified as missing footballer
The body recovered from plane wreckage in English Channel was on Thursday formally identified as Cardiff City’s 28-year-old Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala, police said. It was recovered late on Wednesday after the wreckage was found on Sunday. The aircraft, carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson, had vanished on January 21, while on the way from France’s Nantes to Wales’ Cardiff.
Body from plane wreckage carrying Sala transported to Britain
A body that was found in wreckage of plane carrying 28-year-old Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala was recovered on Thursday from the English channel and transported to Britain for identification. The investigators were not able to recover the plane from the Channel due to bad weather. The plane had vanished over the English Channel on January 21.
Jeff Bezos accuses tabloid owner of blackmail over his nude photos
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has accused US tabloid National Enquirer’s owner of “blackmail and extortion” over intimate pictures of him and ex-TV host Lauren Sanchez. Bezos said the tabloid’s parent company wanted him to drop an investigation into how it obtained his private messages. Notably, National Enquirer had published reports about Bezos’ affair with Sanchez along with their private messages.
Scientists partially regrow mice limbs using just 2 proteins
Texas A&M University scientists have successfully stimulated growth of joint and bone tissue in damaged or amputated limbs of newborn mice using just two proteins. This proves treatment of growth factors can be used to engineer regeneration response from a non-regenerating amputation wound, researchers said. Around 60% of the bone stumps formed a layer of cartilage within 3 days.
Man jumps off train to chase thief, gets phone back in 5 hrs
A 29-year-old Mumbai man named Akshay Gaikwad managed to retrieve his phone within five hours after it was snatched on a local train, said Government Railway Police officers. Gaikwad jumped off the train to chase the thief but the latter managed to escape. Gaikwad’s phone was retrieved after he approached the GRP and helped identify the thief via CCTV footage.
Man falls to Madhya Pradesh minister’s feet; he walks on
A video of a man falling to Madhya Pradesh Minister Govind Singh’s feet has surfaced online. The video shows Singh moving forward without listening to the man and getting inside a car. Reportedly, the minister was meeting people who were submitting their petitions in Bhopal and the man fell to his feet in an attempt to present his case.
SpaceX Mars rocket engine achieves launch power levels: Musk
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter to announce the Raptor flight engine has achieved the power levels needed for use in the Starship rocket designed for human Mars missions. The engine reached 172 metric tons of force, Musk said. He had earlier suggested nearly 31 Raptor engines could be attached to Starship’s launch rocket Super Heavy.
Lamborghini’s new Huracán EVO launched in India at ₹3.73 cr
Italian sports car maker Lamborghini on Thursday launched its new Huracán EVO sports car in India priced at ₹3.73 crore, that goes from 0-100 kmph in 2.9 seconds. It is equipped with a 5.2-litre V10 engine and has a top speed of over 325 kmph. India is reportedly the first country in which the car has been launched.
Ghosn under scrutiny over $57,000 Versailles wedding bill
France-based Renault on Thursday said it has uncovered a transaction worth $57,000 involving its ousted chief Carlos Ghosn and the Palace of Versailles, where the executive’s wedding reception was hosted in 2016. The arrangement was made through a sponsorship deal between the former royal residence and the carmaker, it added. Renault further said it would alert prosecutors about the discovery.
IIT Mandi team uses diesel residue to filter oil from water A team of IIT Mandi researchers has developed a method that uses soot, emitted by diesel engines, to remove oil and organic chemicals from water. The team incorporated diesel soot, which contains carbon known to absorb organic pollutants in water, into polymer sponges. They found that these recyclable sponges had a high absorption capacity of various oils without any pretreatment.
193 Bangladeshis found locked up in shophouse in Indonesia
Indonesian police have found 193 Bangladeshis locked up in a shophouse in Medan on the island of Sumatra in a case of human trafficking. The victims had entered Indonesia as tourists and were promised work in Malaysia by the traffickers. Some of the people had been held by the traffickers for three months, according to reports.
France recalls ambassador to Italy amid worst tension since WWII
France has recalled its ambassador to Italy amid escalating diplomatic tension, saying the situation was “unprecedented” since the end of WWII. “For several months, France has been the target of repeated, baseless attacks and outrageous statements,” the French Foreign Ministry said. This comes after Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio met French ‘yellow-vest’ protesters near Paris.
3-year jail, ₹10L fine for film piracy, Cabinet approves amendment
The Cabinet has approved Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s proposal to introduce the Cinematograph Amendment Bill, 2019. The Bill aims to tackle film piracy by making unauthorised camcording and duplication of films a legal offence and punishing the offender with a three-year jail term and a fine of ₹10 lakh. The amendments will boost industry revenue, an official statement read.
People don’t want a ‘Mahamilavat’ govt: PM Modi on Mahagathbandhan
Attacking the grand alliance of Opposition parties, PM Narendra Modi has said, “People have seen the work a government with an absolute majority can do. They do not want a ‘Mahamilavat’ government of those who recently gathered in Kolkata.” “Modiji will frighten the people who are corrupt,” PM Modi added during the Budget session in Lok Sabha on Thursday.
My party will face Lok Sabha polls by itself: Kamal Haasan
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Thursday said his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on its own in Tamil Nadu. He added, “We are trying to keep our hands clean by not allying with any of the Dravidian parties.” He said, “We are trying to serve good for the people with clean hands.”
Pakistan end their tour of South Africa with win in final T20I
Pakistan ended their tour of South Africa with a 27-run victory in the final T20I at Centurion on Wednesday. Shadab Khan, who scored an unbeaten 22* off 8 balls and took two wickets, was named Man of the Match. Pakistan lost the three-match T20I series 1-2 after having lost the three-match Test series 0-3 and the five-match ODI series 2-3.
Cong-mukt Bharat not my slogan, fulfilling Gandhiji’s wish: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a dig at the Congress saying ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’ was not his slogan but he was just fulfilling the wish of Mahatma Gandhi. Addressing the Parliament, the PM added that Mahatma Gandhi “had back then recommended the dissolution of the Congress party”. He said that had to be done as a tribute to Gandhiji.
PM’s reply demolished false slogans of Opposition: Jaitley
Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said PM Narendra Modi’s address in Parliament demolished false narrative and slogans of the Opposition. Taking a dig at the Opposition, Jaitley tweeted PM’s reply in Parliament is a “report card” of the BJP government’s five year performance. He further asked whether the Opposition had a reply to the data shared by the PM.
Search on for Indian pilot as aircraft goes missing in Philippines
The Philippine Coast Guard is searching for a training aircraft that went missing with the instructor pilot and his student pilot, both of them Indian nationals. The aircraft is believed to have gone missing over the Bataan area on Monday. The plane took off from Plaridel airport and landed at Subic airport but went missing on its way back.
Vadra questioned 9 hrs on day 2, Priyanka picks him from ED office
Robert Vadra was questioned for over nine hours by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case on Thursday after which his wife and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi picked him up. This comes after Priyanka dropped Vadra to the ED office for Wednesday’s session and told reporters, “I stand by my husband in this political witch hunt”.
Gucci criticised for racist sweater resembling blackface, apologises
Gucci on Thursday apologised and stopped selling its ‘wool balaclava jumper’ with immediate effect after the brand was widely accused of racism over the sweater resembling ‘blackface’. ‘Blackface’ is a form of make-up used by non-black performers in the 19th century to represent a black person. “We consider diversity a fundamental value to be fully upheld and respected,” Gucci said.
Nick to feature in ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ sequel
Nick Jonas, who played a pilot named Alex in the 2017 film ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’, has confirmed that he will feature in the film’s upcoming sequel. “I couldn’t be more excited to bring Alex back to the big screen,” Nick wrote on Twitter. The film, starring actor Dwayne Johnson, is scheduled to release in December, this year.
Chinese student jailed for taking pictures of US naval base
A Chinese student has been sentenced to a year in prison after he pleaded guilty to illegally taking pictures at the Naval Air Station Key West in US. Zhao Qianli went directly to an area that contains a range of satellite dishes and antennas called the Farm and took videos and multiple photographs of the equipment there, court documents said.
Indian-American entrepreneur Gurinder Khalsa enters politics
Gurinder Singh Khalsa, an Indian-American philanthropist and entrepreneur, has decided to run for the City Council of Fishers in the US’ Indiana state. He attributed the decision to enter politics to an “interest in public policy…along with the desire to give back to (his) community”. Khalsa had led a campaign for the US to change its headgear policy at airports.
Islamic State will be defeated 100% by next week: Trump
US President Donald Trump said the Islamic State may lose 100% of its territory in Iraq and Syria by next week. “Rest assured, we’ll do what it takes to defeat every ounce and every last person within the ISIS madness and defend our people from radical Islamic terrorism,” he added. Trump has ordered the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.
