Hindustan Petroleum recognises ONGC as promoter after 1.5 years
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) has recognised Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as its promoter, according to its revised shareholding pattern. Markets regulator SEBI had asked HPCL to refile shareholding pattern by August 13 for all six quarters since ONGC acquired government’s 51.11% stake in the refiner. ONGC completed the ₹36,915 crore acquisition on January 31, 2018.
US yield curve inverts for 1st time since 2007 in recession warning
The US yield curve inverted for the first time since June 2007 on Wednesday, sparking fears that the American economy could be falling into recession. This means that the interest rate on 10-year US government debt has now fallen below the rate on the 2-year equivalent. The US curve has inverted before every recession in the past 50 years.
India beat England to win Physical Disability World Series
India defeated hosts England by 36 runs in the final on Tuesday to win the inaugural T20 Physical Disability World Cricket Series 2019. Middle-order batsman Ravindra Sante, who scored 53 off 34 balls including two fours and four sixes, helped India post 180 for 7 in 20 overs. The six-nation tournament was organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
India keen to offer aviation infra solutions to neighbours: Govt
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said India would be keen to offer solutions and support for aviation infrastructure to its immediate neighbourhood. “Indian aviation industry has been instrumental in the overall economic development of the country,” he added. Puri was speaking at a conference organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in the national capital.
Death toll due to floods in Karnataka rises to 61; 14 missing
Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) in its report stated that 61 people have died due to flood-related incidents across 22 districts of the state as on August 14. The report further said that at least 14 people are still reported missing. As many as 6,97,948 people have been rescued so far, the report stated.
₹2L ex-gratia for families of deceased in U’khand van accident
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh each to the families of nine children who were killed in a road accident in Uttarakhand on August 6. PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of ₹50,000 for the injured. The accident took place when a school van carrying the children fell into a gorge in Tehri Garhwal.
India’s trade deficit narrows to $13.43 billion in July
India’s trade deficit in July narrowed to a four-month low of $13.43 billion from $18.63 billion a year ago. Exports grew 2.25% to $26.33 billion in July, while imports dropped 10.43% to $39.76 billion. Decline in overall imports, including oil and gold, led to the fall in the trade deficit in India. Oil imports decreased 22.15% to $9.60 billion.
Danish bank launches world’s 1st negative interest rate home loan
Denmark’s third-largest bank, Jyske Bank, has launched the world’s first negative interest rate home loan, where the charge is -0.5% a year. This means that Jyske Bank will effectively pay borrowers 0.5% a year to take out a loan. Borrowers will make monthly repayments but the amount outstanding will be reduced each month by more than what the borrower paid.
Changes brought in J&K will benefit people: President on I-Day eve
Addressing the nation on the eve of 73rd Independence Day on Wednesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said, “I’m confident that the recent changes made in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh would be of immense benefit to those regions.” He added, “They’ll enable people to access and enjoy the same rights, privileges and facilities as their fellow citizens in the country.”
A$AP Rocky found guilty of assault in Sweden, gets suspended sentence
American rapper A$AP Rocky has been found guilty of assault in Sweden and given a two-year suspended sentence over a fight in Stockholm in June. “The assault has not been of such a serious nature that a prison sentence must be chosen,” the court said. Rocky and two other defendants had claimed they had acted in self-defence against two men.
India manager called back from West Indies tour over indiscipline
Team India administrative manager Sunil Subramanian has been asked by BCCI to return midway from the ongoing West Indies tour for his alleged high-handedness while dealing with senior Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers from Indian High Commission in the Caribbean. Subramanian has reportedly apologised unconditionally, citing sleep deprivation and stress as reasons behind his poor behaviour.
MNC manager allegedly kills self, wife slits wrist in Greater Noida
An MNC manager allegedly committed suicide while his wife, a programmer with an IT firm, slit her wrist in Greater Noida on Monday. “Prima facie, it appears there were some issues between them,” police said. The woman’s relative said, “She spoke to her father on Monday and said she’d no reason to live since her husband was no more.”
Sukhoi jets chase away F-18 from Russian Defence Minister’s plane
Two Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets chased away a NATO F-18 jet which tried to shadow a plane carrying Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu over the Baltic Sea. The F-18 jet belonged to Spain, Russia’s Defence Ministry said. Shoigu was returning from Russia’s Kaliningrad region guarded by the two Su-27 jets when the incident took place.
Terror sympathisers opposing Article 370 abrogation: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said those opposing the revocation of Article 370 are the ones “who sympathise with terror”. “The people of India, irrespective of what their political preference is, have supported the steps taken in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh,” he said in an interview with IANS. “This is about the nation, not politics,” the PM added.
UP government to release 73 prisoners on Independence Day
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to release 73 prisoners from various district jails on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day. The prisoners have completed their jail term but were unable to pay the penalties imposed on them, an official statement said on Wednesday. A direction to this effect was given by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the statement further said.
Pak seeks urgent meeting of UN Security Council over Kashmir
Pakistan has requested the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to convene an urgent meeting over India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he requested for the meeting “in view of the dangerous implications”. Qureshi claimed that China, a permanent UNSC member, will support Pakistan over the issue.
Consider character while rewarding players: Ethics professor to BCCI
During his lecture to the BCCI, ethics professor Dr Simon Longstaff, who supervised Cricket Australia’s ‘Cultural Review’ report, said at international level, cricketers’ character and off-field conduct should also be taken into account while rewarding them financially. He mentioned that if character is not taken into account then players are ready to cross any line to win at all costs.
Police ban namaz on roads across Uttar Pradesh
The UP Police has imposed a ban on offering namaz on roads across the state. “On special occasions, when large crowd gathers for offering prayers on festivals, it could be allowed,” DGP OP Singh said. He added that officials have been asked to hold meeting with mosque administrations to sensitise them on how namaz on roads interrupted smooth traffic flow.
Jayalalithaa’s house to be acquired and converted into memorial
The Chennai District Collector has given approval to acquire Veda Nilayam, the residence of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa, and convert it into a memorial. The district administration has made public the final report on the issue after holding public consultation with the residents of Chennai’s Poes Garden in January this year.
