Study disputes report on Tesla Autopilot cutting crashes by 40%
Data analysis company Quality Control System’s study disputed a 2017 US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report claiming Tesla’s vehicle crash rate dropped by 40% after Autopilot systems’ Autosteer installation. The study found that in 5,714 cases with complete before and after Autosteer installation data, crash rates increased by 59%. NHTSA said it was reviewing the report.
Marriott to let guests check if they were victims of hack
US hotel chain Marriott has provided a mechanism to let guests check if their unencrypted passport numbers were exposed in a data leak, disclosed last year, which affected its Starwood unit. The mechanism, hosted by security firm OneTrust, asks for information including last six digits of guests’ passports. Earlier, Marriott said over five million guests’ unencrypted passport numbers were stolen.
Union Minister asks Cong to expel Sidhu over Pulwama remark
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday asked Congress President Rahul Gandhi to expel Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu from the party for his remarks on Pulwama attack. Singh added, “Rahul should offer a clarification…apologise before the nation.” Sidhu, while condemning the attack, had called for dialogue with Pakistan and said, “For a handful of people, can you blame entire nation?”
Targeting innocent Kashmiris is reprehensible: CPI(M)
The CPI(M) on Sunday expressed its concern over the alleged attacks on Kashmiris in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. “It’s natural that people are aggrieved…But to utilise this occasion to target innocent Kashmiris is reprehensible,” it said. The CPI(M) further asked the Centre and state governments to take firm action against those resorting to hate campaigns and violence.
U’khand Police denies Kashmiri girls being trapped in hostel
Uttarakhand Police on Sunday denied reports of Kashmiri girls being ‘trapped’ as an angry mob had assembled outside their hostel in Dehradun, following the Pulwama attack. “This is not true…Police [have] sorted out the issue…there are no crowds,” it tweeted. “Initially there was some confusion regarding slogans by Kashmiri girls in favour of Pakistan…[this has been] resolved,” it added.
Army Major among 4 martyred in Pulwama encounter days after attack
Four army personnel, including a Major, were martyred in an encounter between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pinglan area of Pulwama district, days after the terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred. Two-three terrorists are believed to be trapped in this encounter. The encounter site is near the location where the terror attack took place.
Mamata running WB govt like private firm: Ex-Chhattisgarh CM
Former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh on Sunday said that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is running the state government like a private company. He added that democracy in the state is being violated and a “syndicate raj” is being operated in the state. This comes after Mamata’s dharna over CBI action against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar.
2 Youth Congress workers hacked to death in Kerala
Two Youth Congress workers were hacked to death by unidentified assailants on Sunday in Kerala’s Kasargod. The two workers were returning on a two-wheeler from a function when a car-borne gang attacked them, police said. The Congress alleged that CPI(M) activists were behind the attack and have called for a hartal in Kasargod on Monday.
Protection to Chidambaram, Karti extended in Aircel-Maxis case
A Delhi court on Monday extended interim protection from arrest given to former Union Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case till March 8. The Enforcement Directorate pleaded that the matter be posted for hearing after March 12. The case relates to alleged irregularities in grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval in the Aircel-Maxis deal.
China plans to build space-based solar power station: Report
China is reportedly planning to build its first space-based solar power station, orbiting 36,000 kilometres above ground, to capture solar energy in orbit and beam it to the Earth. Chinese scientists reportedly plan to build solar power stations and launch them into the stratosphere between 2021 and 2025. The beams would be converted into power through ground station, reports added.
BJP will add Citizenship Bill in 2019 poll manifesto: Shah
Addressing a public gathering in Assam, BJP President Amit Shah on Sunday said that his party will add the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in its 2019 Lok Sabha elections’ manifesto. He added that Assam cannot prosper without the bill and BJP is committed to implementing the bill in the state. This comes after the bill lapsed in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
BJYM activists protest against Sidhu’s Pulwama attack remark
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists on Sunday held a protest in Amritsar against Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his remarks on Pulwama terror attack. BJYM members burnt an effigy of Sidhu and raised slogans like ‘Sidhu go to Pakistan’. Sidhu, while condemning the attack, had earlier said, “For a handful of people, can you blame the entire nation?”
‘Total Dhamaal’ crew to donate ₹50L for Pulwama martyrs’ families
The crew of the upcoming film ‘Total Dhamaal’ will donate ₹50 Lakh to the families of 40 CRPF jawans who were martyred in the Pulwama attack on Thursday. The film stars Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Anil Kapoor, Jaaved Jaaferi, Riteish Deshmukh and Jackie Shroff among others. A suicide bomber had rammed into a bus carrying jawans.
Saudi Crown Prince signs $20 billion in agreements with Pakistan
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday said that the kingdom has signed investment agreements worth $20 billion during his visit to Pakistan. Salman added the $20 billion figure represents only the start of an economic tie-up that would bring the allies even closer. “Pakistan is going to be very, very important in the coming future,” he further said.
Trump believed Putin over US intelligence: Ex-acting FBI chief
Former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe has claimed US President Donald Trump dismissed US intelligence on North Korea because Russian President Vladimir Putin had given him different advice. “The President said he did not believe that the North Koreans had the capability to hit the US with ballistic missiles because Putin had told him they did not,” he said.
PSL to go off air globally as IMG-Reliance cancels production deal
Pakistan Super League 2019 will go off air globally after IMG-Reliance on Sunday announced its withdrawal as its official production partner to protest against the Pulwama terror attack. The decision from Reliance came just a few hours after the broadcasting channel DSport suspended the telecast of PSL in India. IMG-Reliance had bagged the deal to produce PSL 2019 in January.
Didn’t refuse air transit for CRPF jawans, reports untrue: Govt
The Ministry of Home Affairs has denied reports suggesting air-transit facility for CRPF personnel on Jammu-Srinagar sector was not allowed. “Over the last few years, MHA has significantly enhanced…air courier services for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in all sectors,” the statement read. The ministry added it was always necessary to move convoys by road for logistical and operational reasons.
Pakistan calls back Ambassador to India after Pulwama attack
The Pakistan Foreign Office’s spokesperson Mohammad Faisal has announced that the country has called back its Ambassador to India Sohail Mahmood for consultations amid tensions between the two nations over the Pulwama terrorist attack. Mahmood left New Delhi this morning, Faisal tweeted. Forty CRPF personnel were killed in the attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Drunk, mentally unsound man beaten in Delhi over ‘anti-India slogans’
A 28-year-old Kashmiri man was beaten up by public before being detained on Sunday for allegedly raising ‘anti-India’ slogans during a protest against the Pulwama terror attack at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Police, however, let him go after they found he was “mentally unstable” and “heavily drunk at the time”. “Prima facie there is no case against the man,” said police.
11-year-old girl donates ₹680 she saved for birthday to J&K martyrs
An 11-year-old girl from Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal has donated ₹680 that she had saved in her piggy bank for her birthday to those martyred in the Pulwama attack. The girl handed over the money to the office superintendent of the District Sainik Kalyan Office. Her birthday was on February 15, a day after the terror attack.
CRPF to add new features to convoy movement after Pulwama attack
Following the terror attack in J&K’s Pulwama, the CRPF has decided to add new security features to its convoy movement in the state. While, the movement of civilian vehicles during the movement of the force has been totally stopped, the CRPF said that the timing of the convoy movement, their midway halts and other procedures will be added.
J&K-like attack doesn’t occur without security lapse: Ex-RAW chief
Referring to the attack on CRPF convoy in J&K’s Pulwama district, former RAW chief Vikram Sood said that such kind of terror attack doesn’t take place without a security lapse somewhere. “They’ve knowledge about the vehicles’ movement. They knew the spot where they’re going to do it,” he added. As many as 40 CRPF jawans were martyred in the attack.
Anupam Kher takes a dig at Sidhu over remark on Pulwama attack
Anupam Kher took a dig at Navjot Singh Sidhu over his remark on the Pulwama terror attack. After a Twitter user asked, ‘Wat shld be penalised to the communist especially #NavjotSinghSidhu?’, Kher replied, “Sometimes when you talk too much, it can lead to you talking rubbish.” Sidhu had said, “For a handful of people, can you blame the entire nation?”
Couldn’t attend shoot, have no info on sacking: Sidhu on Kapil show
Reacting to reports that he’s been sacked from ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ over his remarks on Pulwama attack, Navjot Singh Sidhu said, “I couldn’t go for the shoots and they got somebody else in my replacement for two episodes.” “I have no intimation about my termination from the channel,” he further said, adding, “I will stick to what I’ve said.”
SC sets aside NGT order, says TN Sterlite plant can’t be reopened
The Supreme Court has set aside a National Green Tribunal order and said the Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin can’t be reopened. The court directed the company that owns the plant to approach the Madras HC against the Tamil Nadu government’s order to close it. Thirteen people died in police firing during protests against the plant last year.
2 terrorists killed by security forces in Pulwama; encounter underway
Security forces have killed two terrorists in an encounter underway in J&K’s Pinglan area of Pulwama district. The terrorists, whose identities are yet to be confirmed, were reportedly linked with JeM terrorist Adil Dar, who was involved in the attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred. Four army personnel, including a Major, were also martyred in the encounter.
Israel PM gives up Foreign Minister role ahead of election
Ahead of the parliamentary election, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has handed over his role as Foreign Minister to Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, giving up the portfolio he had held since 2015. Netanyahu still holds the defence portfolio, which he assumed after his former far-right coalition partner Avigdor Liberman quit that post in November. He is also the Health Minister.
Akshay Kumar to donate ₹5 crore for Pulwama martyrs’ families
Akshay Kumar will be donating ₹5 crore to the families of 40 CRPF jawans who were martyred in the Pulwama attack on Thursday when a suicide bomber rammed into a bus carrying jawans. Urging his followers on Twitter to do the same, Akshay tweeted, “Act now, donate to the martyrs of Pulwama on bharatkeveer.gov.in…This is the only official site.”
Pak artistes disappointed over Shabana, Javed cancelling Pak event
A few artistes in Pakistan are disappointed as Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar cancelled their Pakistan visit for an event organised by the Karachi Arts Council in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. “After always having spoken up against extremism and in favour of people-to-people contact, they [Shabana and Javed] have now given up hope,” said veteran actor Shakeel.
Brother diverted money to guru to be named his successor: Malvinder
Fortis co-founder Malvinder Singh in a complaint claimed his brother Shivinder Singh diverted funds to spiritual guru Gurinder Singh Dhillon. Shivinder allegedly directed the family holding company to acquire debt-ridden firms which collectively loaned ₹1,000 crore to Dhillon’s family. In return, Shivinder was promised he’d succeed Dhillon as head of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, Malvinder alleged.
Cognizant used L&T to bribe Indian officials $3.6 million: Report
American IT giant Cognizant reportedly routed $3.64 million through L&T for bribes to officials in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The bribes were allegedly paid to secure construction-related permits and environment clearance for Cognizant’s campuses in Chennai and Pune. Cognizant reimbursed the money to L&T by disguising it as compensation for cost overruns, reports added.
ICJ begins hearing in Kulbhushan Jadhav case, India to argue today
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday began the trial over the death sentence handed to Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistan over alleged “spy and sabotage” activities. During a four-day public hearing, India and Pakistan will present their arguments before the ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands. A retired Indian Navy officer, Jadhav was sentenced to death in April 2017.
Pak ignored 13 requests for consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav
Senior lawyer Harish Salve, while representing India at the International Court of Justice trial of Kulbhushan Jadhav said that Pakistan had ignored 13 requests for consular access to Jadhav. Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. India moved the ICJ in May 2017.
SoftBank invests in Mubadala’s $400 mn European tech fund: Reports
Japan’s SoftBank has invested almost half of the money in Abu Dhabi’s state investor Mubadala Investment Co’s new $400-million fund for European technology startups, reports said on Monday. Earlier, Mubadala had committed to invest $15 billion in SoftBank’s Vision Fund. The European fund has already made a few investments and will be run from a London office, reports added.
French startup SeaBubbles shows ‘flying’ electric boat prototype
French startup SeaBubbles, an electric ‘flying’ boat startup, showed off one of its five prototype boats in Miami. The boat has three main sensors — two high altitude sensors to measure the height of the water and a gyroscope. The boat has a foiling mode where only foils touch the water, lifting the boat about 40 cm above the water.
23 men with suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed links detained in J&K
At least 23 men suspected to have links with Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, who had claimed the responsibility of the Pulwama attack, have been detained in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. According to a report, the detained men were trying to reach out to the top commanders of Jaish-e-Mohammed. The detained men reportedly include members and sympathizers of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Morale of security forces is high: Rajnath on Pulwama encounter
Home Minister Rajnath Singh while speaking about the ongoing encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama said that the morale of the security forces is high. “They are being successful in neutralising the terrorists,” he added. Two terrorists, reportedly linked to JeM terrorist Adil Dar involved in the terror attack that claimed 40 CRPF jawans’ lives, were killed in the encounter.
Pulwama attack proves time for talks over, it’s time to act: PM Modi
In a joint statement with Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, PM Narendra Modi on Monday said, “Brutal terrorist attack in Pulwama proves the time for talks has passed.” “Now, the entire world needs to unite against terrorism and its supporters and take strong action,” PM Modi added. “Hesitating from taking actions against terrorists is kind of encouraging terrorism,” he further said.
Indian film industry announces total ban on Pak actors and artists
The All India Cine Workers Association on Monday announced a total ban on Pakistani actors and artists working in Indian film industry following the Pulwama attack. It added if any organisation still insists on working with Pakistani artists, it’ll be banned and a strong action will be taken against it. “Nation comes first…we stand with our nation,” the association added.
Punjab government cuts petrol price by ₹5 per litre, diesel by ₹1
The Punjab government has decided to reduce petrol prices by ₹5 per litre and diesel by ₹1 per litre from midnight. This is after it slashed value added tax (VAT) on fuel selling in the state in the budget. “This move will bring the prices of petroleum products in line with neighbouring states,” Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted.
Mary Kom joins PUMA as their ambassador
World’s No.1 boxer, Mary Kom has recently joined India’s No.1 sports brand, PUMA as their ambassador for women’s performance category, signing a two-year deal. She will be leading PUMA India’s #DoYou conversation that recognizes the strength, grace and confidence of women across the country. Speaking about the association, Mary said, “This brand perfectly reflects my own ethos”.
Devgn’s ‘Total Dhamaal’ not to be released in Pak after J&K attack
Actor Ajay Devgn took to Twitter to announce that his upcoming film ‘Total Dhamaal’ won’t be released in Pakistan. The decision comes after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred last week. ‘Total Dhamaal’ has a multi-star cast including Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, and is scheduled to release on February 22.
