Biz failures shouldn’t be tabooed: FM on Siddhartha’s demise
Reacting to CCD Founder VG Siddhartha’s death, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said business failures in the country shouldn’t be tabooed. She said, “On the contrary, we should give an honourable exit or resolution to the problem in letter and spirit of IBC.” In a letter purportedly written by him, Siddhartha had alleged harassment by the I-T Department.
Centre to deploy 28,000 more troops in J&K: Reports
Days after the Centre deployed 10,000 troops in Jammu and Kashmir, over 28,000 more security personnel are being sent to the valley, as per reports. No reason has been given by the government for the move, an official said. Reportedly, major entry and exit points have been taken over by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Man swept away by water in flooded Rajasthan street
A man was swept away by water in Rajasthan’s Ajmer on Thursday as the streets flooded after heavy rainfall. In the video of the incident, the man can be seen flowing away on the street while some people try to rescue him. Earlier today, reportedly three people died after a house collapsed in Ajmer following heavy rainfall.
Train of recession coming at full throttle: Rahul on economy
Commenting on a media report about economic slowdown in India, Congress’ Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said, “[T]he train of recession [is] coming at full throttle”. The report Gandhi referred to claimed that out of the 16 economic indicators set by a tracker, eight showed a dip in the domestic demand. Gandhi also referred to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as ‘incompetent’.
Free electricity decision result of BJP’s effort: Manoj Tiwari
Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari on Thursday claimed that Delhi government’s decision to give free electricity for up to 200 units was a result of BJP’s efforts. “This will barely cost ₹100 crore to the treasury,” he said. “More important question is that when will CM Arvind Kejriwal return ₹8,500 crore looted in the name of fixed charges,” Tiwari added.
Rare Assam tea variety auctioned for record ₹50,000 a kg
A rare variety of tea from Assam, Manohari Gold, was sold for ₹50,000 per kilogram on Tuesday at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre. “The price that Manohari Gold has fetched is the highest for tea in a public auction,” claimed Dinesh Bihani, Secretary, Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association. Last year, a kilogram of Manohari Gold was sold for ₹39,001.
Cell to deradicalise terror accused to come up at Tihar jail
The Intelligence Bureau, Tihar jail authorities and Delhi Police’s special cell are working to launch a de-radicalisation programme for prisoners, a government official has revealed. The programme will also focus on ensuring that prisoners booked in terror cases do not succeed in radicalising other prisoners. The idea was first proposed by the Home Ministry two years ago, the official added.
Jeff Bezos sells $1.8 billion worth of Amazon shares in 3 days
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos sold shares worth $1.8 billion in the last three days of July, reducing the value of his stake in the company to about $110 billion. The move was part of a previously adopted trading plan. Bezos has said previously that he would sell stock worth $1 billion each year to fund his rocket company Blue Origin.
MacKenzie officially world’s third-richest woman with $37 billion
Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Bezos has officially become the world’s third-richest woman with a net worth of $37 billion. Jeff Bezos transferred a 4% stake in Amazon to 49-year-old MacKenzie as part of their divorce settlement, making her the company’s second-largest individual shareholder. He retains 12% stake worth $110 billion and remains the world’s wealthiest person.
Arsenal sign Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe in club record deal
Arsenal have signed forward Nicolas Pepe from French club Lille for a club-record fee of £72 million (₹605 crore), the Premier League club announced on Thursday. The 24-year-old Ivorian signed a five-year contract at Emirates Stadium after having a medical on Tuesday. Pepe scored 35 goals in 74 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille, who he joined from Angers in 2017.
Saudi allows women above 21 to travel abroad without male consent
Saudi Arabia has allowed women above the age of 21 to obtain a passport and travel abroad without male consent, according to royal decrees published on Friday. The royal decrees also grant women the right to register child birth, marriage or divorce. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has eased social restrictions as part of the ‘Vision 2030’ program.
Trump again offers to mediate on Kashmir issue
US President Donald Trump has again offered to mediate on Kashmir issue, saying the “battle has been going on for a long time”. “I spoke with Pakistan about that, and I spoke, frankly, to India about it…if they wanted me to, I would certainly intervene,” he added. Earlier, Trump claimed PM Narendra Modi requested him to mediate on Kashmir issue.
Block committee member arrested with 100 kg meat in UP
A block committee member was arrested after 100 kg of meat, suspected to be beef, was found in his vehicle during checking in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, police said. The police added that four other occupants of the vehicle managed to escape. The accused were going to Meerut to smuggle the meat, Station House Officer (SHO) said.
Former India physio Patrick Farhart joins Delhi Capitals
Former Indian team physio Patrick Farhart has joined the Indian Premier League side Delhi Capitals. Farhart has also worked with Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians in the IPL. “I am delighted to be working in the Indian Premier League again. Delhi Capitals is a team that has made some very positive changes,” Farhart stated.
Anushka calls for ‘severe punishment’ in Jamshedpur rape case
Actress Anushka Sharma has called for “severe punishment” expressing her anger on Twitter over Jamshedpur rape case where a three-year-old was allegedly kidnapped from a railway station, raped and beheaded. Reacting to the incident, Anushka tweeted, “It is literally making me shake in anger. Absolutely horrifying.” The victim was abducted while she was sleeping beside her mother.
Trump announces 10% tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods
US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a 10% tariff on an additional $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting September 1. Trump called it a “small tariff”, saying, “We…feel that the future between our two countries will be a very bright one!” About $250 billion of imports from China are already subject to a 25% tariff.
North Korea fires ballistic missiles for 3rd time in 8 days
North Korea fired ballistic missiles for the third time in eight days on Friday. The launch follows North Korea’s warning over a US-South Korea military exercise which is scheduled to take place this month. US President Donald Trump said the missiles were short-range and “very standard” and would not affect his willingness to negotiate with North Korea.
Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop plan gets infrastructure project status
Maharashtra has granted infrastructure project status for a ₹70,000-crore plan to build the world’s first Hyperloop project, aiming to connect Mumbai and Pune. The status could help fasten land acquisition for the project over a 117.5-km stretch that will shuttle people between the cities in 23 minutes. The construction on an 11.80-km test track is expected to begin in 2020.
Amazon to fine sellers who ship products in oversized packaging
Amazon has asked its sellers to make packaging for larger items more efficient and easier to open, The Wall Street Journal revealed. The e-commerce giant has said it has extended the deadline to comply with the changes from August 1 to September 3. Every package which does not meet the new standards will be subject to a $1.99 surcharge.
