Trump launches US Space Command to defend space interests
US President Donald Trump announced the official establishment of the US Space Command on Thursday. Trump described space as “the next war-fighting domain”, saying that Space Command is essential for defending the US’ vital space interests. Trump named General John Raymond as the head of the new combatant command, calling him a “warrior”.
Ex-FBI Director not to be prosecuted despite leaking Trump info
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has decided not to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey despite an internal investigation that found he improperly leaked information to the news media. DOJ said leaked information did not contain classified material. Comey leaked the information to pressure the DOJ to launch an independent investigation into his conversations with President Donald Trump.
US man jailed for stealing $50 to be freed after 36 years
A US man who was sentenced to life without parole after stealing $50.75 in his 20s is to be released after 36 years in prison. Court records say 58-year-old Alvin Kennard was sentenced to life in 1983 under Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act for stealing from a bakery. Kennard says he’ll live with family in Bessemer and work in carpentry.
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong arrested ahead of protests
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was arrested on Friday ahead of the planned weekend protests, Wong’s political party said. Two other activists, Andy Chan and Agnes Chow, have also been detained. Police said Wong and Chow were arrested on suspicion of “organising unauthorised assembly” and “knowingly participating in unauthorised assembly”.
They’ve been recording us: Mexico Prez as spy camera found in office
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has said unknown forces are spying on him after a hidden camera was found in the presidential office. “What we talk about is completely legal [and] transparent, and there’s nothing that could be used against us,” he said. Obrador had even claimed during his presidential campaign that he and his family were spied upon.
Share of ₹2,000 notes declines to 31% from 50% in FY17
The share of ₹2,000 notes in terms of the total value of currency in circulation fell to 31.2% as of March from 50.2% in 2016-17, RBI data showed. The value of ₹500 notes in the economy is now 51% of the total value of currency in circulation from 22.5% two years ago. The share of ₹200 notes is at 3.8%.
After Melania’s statue, Trump’s figurine erected in Slovenia
A wooden statue of US President Donald Trump has been built in his wife Melania Trump’s home country of Slovenia. The nearly 26-foot tall statue was constructed on private land and depicts Trump with a square head and jaw, raising his fist in the air. Earlier, a life-size wooden sculpture of Melania was unveiled near her hometown of Sevnica.
Goa’s Grand Hyatt faces HC notice over demolition plea
The Bombay High Court at Goa has issued notices to the state government and the management of Grand Hyatt Hotel on a petition filed by an NGO seeking orders to demolish the five-star hotel for violating coastal zone regulations. In 2014, the HC had deemed the hotel illegal but referred the matter to the government on action to be initiated.
Govt to set up 12,500 AYUSH centres across India: PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi on Friday said the government will be setting up 12,500 AYUSH centres across India, 4000 of which will be set up this year. “We are opening 1.5 lakh health, wellness centres,” the PM added. He also spoke of the need for a homogenous system by creating an ‘AYUSH grid’ on the lines of one nation, one tax.
Yoga, Pranayama, Ayurveda have kept me running: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said there are “professional hazards” related to politics in terms of health and he also faces difficulties at the time of elections. “Yoga, Pranayama and Ayurveda (have) kept the vehicle of my life running,” PM Modi added while addressing an event in New Delhi. The PM also launched ‘Fit India Movement’ on Thursday.
Death toll from Ebola outbreak in Congo climbs above 2,000
The death toll from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s year-long Ebola outbreak has climbed above 2,000, according to government data. The government team overseeing the response said the number of confirmed and probable cases stood at more than 3,000. “We are fighting literally (along) with all partners on the ground…to identify cases as early as possible,” World Health Organisation said.
UK court rejects bid to block suspension of Parliament before Brexit
A UK court has rejected a request to place an interim block to prevent British Prime Minister Boris Johnson from suspending the Parliament. Johnson’s request to suspend the Parliament for several weeks ahead of Brexit deadline on October 31 was approved by the Queen. Meanwhile, UK’s ex-PM John Major has sought to join a legal battle to prevent the suspension.
CBI gets custody of P Chidambaram for 3 more days after he volunteers
The CBI today got further three days of remand to interrogate ex-Finance Minister P Chidambaram in relation with the INX Media case. This comes after Chidambaram voluntarily offered to remain in CBI’s custody till September 2. The Supreme Court said it will pronounce the order on plea of Chidambaram in the case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate on September 5.
PNB, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank to be merged
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday announced that Punjab National Bank will merge with Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India while Canara Bank will be merged with Syndicate Bank. Further, Union Bank of India will be merged with Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank. She also announced that Indian Bank will be merged with Allahabad Bank.
500 workers to quit if Scindia not part of MP politics: Cong leader
Congress leader Ashok Dangi has threatened to march to Delhi and resign along with 500 party workers if senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia “is kept away from politics of MP”. In a press note, Dangi said, “The top leadership of the party should not forget about the contribution made by Jyotiraditya Scindia in the formation of Congress government in state.”
India, Pak hold 1st meeting on Kartarpur Corridor after J&K move
Officials from India and Pakistan on Friday discussed the technical modalities of the Kartarpur Corridor in a two-hour-long meeting at Zero Point, an NHAI official said. Reportedly, the area where the meeting took place was heavily guarded and no media personnel was allowed to go near it. This was the first such meeting after India revoked Article 370 in J&K.
Bihar govt bans employees from wearing jeans, T-shirts in Secretariat
Bihar government has issued an order asking employees not to wear informal clothes like jeans and T-shirts to the Secretariat as it’s “against the culture and dignity of the office”. Adding that the attire should be according to the weather and nature of work, it instructed the employees to wear a “proper formal dress” which is “soothing, decent and comfortable”.
Reliance Jio moves regulator against 3 firms with ‘Jio’ in their names
Reliance Jio, whose parent Reliance Industries owns 45 classes of trademark on the word ‘Jio’, has approached the Corporate Affairs Ministry against three companies with ‘Jio’ in their names. The three companies have now been directed by the Registrar of Companies to change their names within six months, failing which prosecution proceedings will be initiated against them and their directors.
Angry and frustrated: Nadal’s US Open round 2 rival who withdrew
Three-time champion Rafael Nadal got a walkover into round three of US Open after his opponent Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrew from their match with a shoulder injury. “Cannot describe how angry and frustrated I’m right now. Having to pull out…after working so hard,” Kokkinakis later tweeted. The 23-year-old was seeking his first third round appearance at the US Open.
Udaan raises $300 mn in Series D funding from Altimeter Capital
Online marketplace Udaan has raised $300 million in Series D round funding. California-based hedge fund Altimeter Capital, existing investors DST Global and Lightspeed Venture Partners participated in the round. Udaan, founded by ex-Flipkart executives Vaibhav Gupta and Amod Malviya, is reportedly seeking to raise about $500 million in the round at a valuation of $2.2 billion.
Lightstone Aspada to increase cheque size, raise large fund
With the aim to raise a large fund, impact investment fund Lightstone Aspada plans to increase its investment cheque size from $2-$8 million to $4-$40 million per company. Lightstone Aspada has invested about $100 million across 20 platforms in the last six years. Swiss investor LGT acquired Aspada from its sole shareholder Soros Economic Development Fund on August 28.
