PM Modi feels he has Kashmir situation under control: Trump
US President Donald Trump during his meeting with PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France said, “PM Modi really feels he has [the Kashmir situation] under control.” PM Modi told Trump, “All issues between India and Pakistan are bilateral in nature, that is why we don’t bother any other country regarding them.”
China called the US for restarting trade talks: Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump on Monday said China called the US, asking to restart trade talks amid escalating trade tensions between the two nations. Trump said the US would accept the Chinese invitation to negotiate, adding, “They understand how life works.” Earlier, China’s top trade negotiator said China was willing to solve the issue through consultation “with a calm attitude”.
Tata won’t be bogged down by economic slowdown: N Chandrasekaran
The Tata Group will not be bogged down by India’s economic slowdown, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said. He added that Tata will continue investing in its luxury car unit Jaguar Land Rover, the sales of which recently saw a decline amid the automobile sales’ slump in India. “We need to wait for the market to recover,” he further said.
Congress giving BJP chance to do politics: Mayawati on J&K visit
After a 12-member Opposition delegation was sent back from Srinagar airport, BSP chief Mayawati criticised the leaders for the visit. Stating that it will take some time for things to become normal in J&K, Mayawati said, “Congress leaders and other party leaders going to Kashmir is like giving BJP-led central government…a chance to do politics over the issue.”
PM Modi broke news of England’s Ashes win to UK PM at G7 Summit
PM Narendra Modi broke the news of England’s win over Australia in the ongoing Ashes series to UK PM Boris Johnson during the G7 Summit. Johnson later called for an iPad and watched the highlights. Australian PM Scott Morrison congratulated Johnson on the result, jokingly telling him ‘two to go’ while referring to the final two games of the series.
England’s Leach to get free spectacles for life after Stokes’ tweet
Ashes’ official sponsors will give England’s number 11 batsman Jack Leach free spectacles for life after all-rounder Ben Stokes’ tweet following England’s 1-wicket victory over Australia in third Ashes Test. “@Specsavers…do yourself a favour and give him free glasses for life,” Stokes had written. Leach, who remained unbeaten on 1, was seen cleaning his glasses multiple times during the innings.
Apple’s market value falls $44 bn in a day amid US-China trade war
Apple’s market value fell $44 billion on Friday amid the US-China trade war. The slump also comes amid US President Donald Trump ordering American companies to immediately start looking for alternatives to manufacturing in China. Apple is heavily dependant on China as almost all of the world’s iPhones are made in China and assembled by Foxconn.
Chennai engineer again finds Instagram bug, gets $10,000 from Facebook
More than a month after winning $30,000 from Facebook for spotting a flaw in Instagram, Chennai-based security researcher Laxman Muthiyah on Monday said he again discovered a new vulnerability on Instagram. This time he has won $10,000 as part of Facebook’s bug bounty program. He spotted “insufficient protections on a recovery endpoint”, allowing anyone to hack Instagram accounts.
BharatPe raises $50 mn in Series B funding at $225 mn valuation
Delhi-based payments platform BharatPe has raised $50 million in Series B funding round led by Ribbit Capital and Steadview Capital. Existing investors Sequoia Capital, Beenext venture capital fund and Insight Partners also participated in the round. The new round valued the startup at $225 million, said Ashneer Grover, Co-founder and CEO of BharatPe.
CRED raising ₹730 crore in Series B round led by Ribbit, Gemini
Bengaluru-based credit card bill payment startup CRED is raising a ₹730.02 crore Series B funding round led by Ribbit Capital and Gemini Investments, Entrackr reported citing the RoC filings with MCA. Tiger Global and Hillhouse Capital are also participating in the round. Founded by FreeCharge Founder Kunal Shah, CRED raised a $30 million round led by Sequoia Capital last year.
Book-binder secures 10th rank in Kashmir Administrative Service
Suresh Singh, a book-binder from a village in J&K’s Udhampur district, secured 10th rank in the Kashmir Administrative Service examination. “My father has been a great inspiration for me. It was his dream that I find a good job. He had gone through a lot of struggle before passing away in 2013. I studied to fulfil his dream,” said Singh.
Manimahesh Yatra suspended as bridge washed away in Himachal
The annual Manimahesh Yatra was temporarily suspended after a bridge was washed away on Sunday following heavy rainfall in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. Thousands of pilgrims assemble yearly to take a dip in the holy water of Manimahesh Lake as part of the yatra. Meanwhile, National Highway 5 was blocked in Badhal village in Shimla district following heavy rainfall.
CBI asked Chidambaram if he has Twitter account: Kapil Sibal
Congress leader Kapil Sibal representing former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media case, on Monday told the Supreme Court that his client was asked if he has a Twitter account by the CBI during interrogation. Sibal added that Chidambaram wasn’t shown any documents during the questioning. “This is the quality of investigation that is going on,” said Sibal.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Leh on August 29
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Leh on August 29, in his first visit since the Centre announced the decision to convert Ladakh into a Union Territory. Rajnath is expected to interact with locals and military officials during the visit. The visit comes at a time when China has expressed its views against the move to make Ladakh a UT.
Taliban says deal with US won’t end attacks on Afghan forces: Report
Amid talks between the US and Taliban to secure the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, a Taliban commander has said a deal will not mean an end to attacks on Afghan forces, according to a report. “We will…seize power by force,” the report quoted him as saying. US negotiators have been pushing the Taliban to agree to intra-Afghan talks.
Messi-less Barcelona hit five against Betis to claim 1st win
A Lionel Messi-less Barcelona side struck five goals and conceded twice against Real Betis to register their first win of the new La Liga campaign on Sunday. Barcelona’s new signing Antoine Griezmann scored twice while Arturo Vidal, Jordi Alba and Carles Perez were also on the scorer’s list. Barcelona are set to face Osasuna next Saturday.
Father held for raping, impregnating minor daughter in Ajmer
The Rajasthan Police on Sunday arrested a man from Ajmer district for allegedly raping and impregnating his daughter. The police said it took eight months to solve the crime as the family misled them and even fled the village during the probe. However, the Rajasthan Home Secretary took note of the incident and directed policemen to conduct an investigation.
SC dismisses Chidambaram’s plea for anticipatory bail in INX Media case
The Supreme Court has dismissed ex-Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s plea seeking anticipatory bail in the INX Media case. Chidambaram moved SC after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea. The apex court said Chidambaram’s appeal became infructuous since he had been arrested by the CBI. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board’s clearance to INX Media.
Warplanes dump water on Amazon as military begins fighting fires
To fight forest fires in the Amazon, Brazilian military warplanes have begun dumping water. As of Sunday, President Jair Bolsonaro had authorised military operations in seven states to combat the fires. The response comes as leaders of countries in the Group of Seven (G7) nations currently meeting in France expressed grave concerns over the fires.
Iran says it has sold oil from tanker released by Gibraltar
Iran has sold the oil from a tanker released by Gibraltar after weeks in the custody of British Royal Marines, an Iranian government spokesman said on Monday. However, he did not identify the recipient of the oil. After the tanker’s release, the US had said it would take every action it could to prevent it from delivering oil to Syria.
Trump suggested nuking storms to stop them from hitting US: Report
US President Donald Trump had reportedly suggested that the US military should bomb hurricanes in order to stop them from hitting the country. “They start forming off the coast of Africa, as they’re moving across the Atlantic, we drop a [nuclear] bomb inside the eye of the hurricane and disrupt it. Why can’t we do that?” he had reportedly said.
Iran’s Zarif leaves France after surprise visit to G7 Summit
Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif left France after paying a surprise visit to the G7 Summit. He held more than three hours of talks, including with French President Emmanuel Macron, before heading back. Zarif flew in for side talks at the Summit as host France ramped up efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the US.
Russia finds radioactive isotopes in test samples after accident
Russia’s state weather agency has found radioactive isotopes in test samples after an accident during a test at a military site earlier this month. The accident caused a brief rise in radiation levels in the nearby city of Severodvinsk. President Vladimir Putin later said the mishap occurred during testing of what he called promising new weapons systems.
India is proud of PV Sindhu: Sports Minister Rijiju
India’s Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju hailed Indian shuttler PV Sindhu, who became the first Indian to win a gold at the BWF World Badminton Championships. “India is proud of @Pvsindhu1 My hearty congratulations! Govt will continue to provide best support & facilities to produce champions,” read a part of Rijiju’s congratulatory tweet.
SPG security provided to ex-PM Manmohan Singh withdrawn
The Special Protection Group (SPG) security provided to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been withdrawn by the Home Ministry. Manmohan Singh continues to have a Z+ security cover, the Home Ministry said. The current security cover review is a periodical and professional exercise based on threat perception that is purely based on professional assessment by security agencies, it added.
Sindhu’s success will inspire generations of players: PM Modi
Following PV Sindhu’s victory in the BWF World Championships, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “The stupendously talented PV Sindhu makes India proud again!” “Congratulations to her for winning the Gold at the BWF World Championships. The passion and dedication with which she’s pursued badminton is inspiring. PV Sindhu’s success will inspire generations of players,” he added.
