2 girls from UP top CBSE’s Class 12 exams with 499/500 marks
Muzaffarnagar’s Karishma Arora and Ghaziabad’s Hansika Shukla scored 499 marks out of 500 each to become joint-all-India topper of CBSE Class 12 exam, the result of which was declared today. Around 13 lakh students had registered for the exam, which saw an overall pass percentage of 83.4%. The results were declared within 28 days of the last exam.
GoT actress Sophie gets married to Joe, videos surface online
‘Game of Thrones’ actress Sophie Turner got married to American singer Joe Jonas in a wedding ceremony in Las Vegas. The couple headed to a chapel after attending Billboard Music Awards 2019. EDM DJ Diplo took to his Instagram Story to share videos of the nuptials. The couple had announced their engagement in October 2017.
Can’t say outsiders get step-motherly treatment in B’wood: Nawaz
When asked if he feels people from non-film family background find it harder to make it in Bollywood, Nawazuddin Siddiqui said, “We can’t say we’re getting step-motherly treatment and no one’s giving us work.” “If you have…talent, sooner or later people see it,” he added. Nawazuddin further said today there are lots of avenues for people to show their talent.
Drake sets new record at Billboard Awards, wins 12 prizes
Canadian singer Drake, who was named ‘Top Artist’ at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, set a new record by bagging 12 prizes at the award ceremony. Drake also received awards for ‘Top Streaming Songs Artist’ and ‘Top Rap Artist’, among others. Ariana Grande was named ‘Top Female Artist’, while K-Pop band BTS took home the prize for ‘Top Duo/Group’.
Multiple surgical strikes during UPA’s tenure: Ex-PM Manmohan
Stating the Armed Forces were given a free hand to respond to threats during the previous UPA government, former PM Manmohan Singh said, “Multiple surgical strikes took place during our tenure too.” He added, “For us, military operations were meant for strategic deterrence and giving a befitting reply to anti-India forces than to be used for vote garnering exercises.”
UN ban on JeM chief couldn’t have come at better time for BJP: Omar
After UN designated Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, “The…development in the UN…couldn’t have come at a better time for the Modi ji’s re-election campaign.” “The opposition must be wondering if it’ll ever catch a break. Every time BJP campaign seems to be flagging it gets a shot in the arm,” he added.
EC notice to Rahul over ‘PM Modi govt law to shoot tribals’ claim
After Congress President Rahul Gandhi claimed that PM Narendra Modi-led government enacted a new law “that allows police to shoot at tribals”, the Election Commission sent him a notice for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct. The leader has been given 48 hours to respond to the notice. Rahul had made the remarks during a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol.
Cocaine, banned pesticides found in shrimps from UK river
Researchers have found cocaine, other illicit drugs and banned pesticides in freshwater shrimp in UK’s Suffolk. They collected samples from five catchment areas, and 15 sites across Suffolk and found cocaine in all samples tested. “Although concentrations were low, we were able to identify compounds…which might pose a risk to wildlife,” a researcher said.
Victory for American diplomacy: US on terror tag for Masood Azhar
After UN Security Council designated Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “This long-awaited action is a victory for American diplomacy and the international community against terrorism.” Adding it was an important step towards peace in South Asia, Pompeo congratulated US mission to the UN for negotiating Azhar’s designation as a terrorist.
Blacklisting Masood Azhar step in right direction: India
India on Wednesday hailed the move to blacklist Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, calling it “a step in the right direction to demonstrate the international community’s resolve to fight against terrorism”. “India will continue to ensure that terrorist organisations and their leaders who cause harm to our citizens are brought to justice,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Israeli extradited to India in 2011 held for staying 7yrs without visa
A 43-year-old Israeli man, Yaniv Benaim, who has been staying in India for seven years without a valid visa, was arrested in Uttarakhand’s Banbasa town on Tuesday. Immigration authorities held him while he was trying to cross into Nepal. Benaim was extradited to India in 2011 and was arrested and later acquitted in a drug-related case, involving politicians, in Goa.
J&K police personnel shot at by terrorists in Srinagar
A Jammu and Kashmir police personnel was injured after he was shot at by terrorists in Srinagar’s Khanyar area on Wednesday. He was later shifted to a nearby hospital, while the police launched an investigation into the incident. The incident occurred days after another policeman was injured in firing by terrorists at the Chanapora police post in Srinagar.
Pak’s ISI hiding Masood Azhar in safe house: India’s dossier
Jaish-e-Mohammed chief and Pulwama attack mastermind Masood Azhar has been shifted to a safe house in Islamabad from his Bahawalpur residence by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), as per a dossier prepared by India. The dossier states that JeM has intensified terrorist operations against India and broadened its operational focus by joining Afghan Taliban in attacks against Afghanistan.
EC stalls RGV’s film on NTR, director to challenge the order
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma announced on Twitter that he will challenge the Election Commission’s (EC) order to stall the release of his film on former Andhra Pradesh CM NTR Rao. “[We’re] going to court against contradictory stand of EC…to stop film after giving permission to release,” he wrote. EC earlier ordered producers not to release the film during general elections.
Late actor Kader Khan’s son collects father’s Padma Shri in Canada
After late actor-screenwriter Kader Khan was conferred with the Padma Shri, his son Sarfaraz collected the award from India’s Consul General Dinesh Bhatia in Toronto, Canada. “I’m grateful to the Honourable President of India for presenting the award to my father,” he said. Sarfaraz, who lives in Toronto, couldn’t make it to the award function in New Delhi in March.
Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas attend Billboard Music Awards
Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas together attended the 2019 Billboard Music Awards held in US’ Las Vegas on Wednesday. Nick performed on-stage with his brothers Joe and Kevin Jonas for the first time since 2009, while Priyanka and her sisters-in-law cheered for them. Priyanka was seen wearing a gown by designer Zuhair Murad.
I know Ranveer will give 100% to playing my role in ’83: Kapil
Speaking about Ranveer Singh essaying his role in the upcoming film ’83, former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev said, “It wasn’t up to me to decide who’ll play my character.” “But Ranveer has…great energy. I know that he’ll give more than 100 percent to the film,” he added. The film is based on India’s first Cricket World Cup victory in 1983.
Don’t believe Cong fielded weak candidates anywhere: Akhilesh
Refuting Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s claim that Congress had chosen candidates “carefully” for the UP LS polls to cut into BJP’s vote share and not into the SP-BSP-RLD alliance’s votes, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “I cannot believe in these types of statements.” Akhilesh added, “I do not believe that the Congress has fielded weak candidates anywhere. No party does it.”
Madras, Kerala HC Ex-CJ Justice Subhashan Reddy passes away
Former chief justice of the Kerala and Madras High Courts B Subhashan Reddy died on Wednesday in Hyderabad following a brief illness. The 76-year-old was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gachibowli. Reddy, who served as the Lokayukta of the combined Andhra Pradesh state, has also been the first chairman of Andhra Pradesh state Human Rights Commission and Lokayukta.
Operations suspended at Paradip port after cyclone warning
Operations at Odisha’s Paradip port have been suspended and all vessels have been told to leave the port ahead of Cyclone Fani expected to make landfall on Friday. State-owned ONGC has also taken preventative measures and evacuated 480 employees from rigs operating in the Bay of Bengal. Tourists have also been advised to leave the coastal town of Puri.
Shatrughan Sinha richest Lok Sabha candidate in Patna Sahib
Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha has emerged as the richest candidate from Bihar’s Patna Sahib seat with assets worth over ₹112 crore. His rival BJP’s Ravi Shankar declared assets worth over ₹22 crore. Notably, Sinha’s wife and Samajwadi Party’s Lucknow candidate Poonam Sinha is the richest candidate in the fifth phase of the elections with assets worth over ₹193 crore.
Shooter Apurvi Chandela becomes world number one in 10m air rifle
Indian shooter Apurvi Chandela today attained the world number one position in women’s 10m air rifle event, while her compatriot Anjum Moudgil rose to number two. Chandela is among the five Indian shooters to have secured 2020 Olympics quotas for the country. Chandela had shot a world record score of 252.9 to clinch gold at ISSF World Cup in February.
Kumar Sangakkara named as first non-British President of MCC
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has been named as the next President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), becoming the first non-British President of the club. Sangakkara will take up the post on October 1 and will serve for a period of one year. In 2012, Sangakkara was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Club.
Eating more rice could prevent obesity, study suggests
Obesity levels are substantially lower in countries that consume high amounts of rice (150g/day/person) than countries with lower rice intake (14g), as per a study comprising 136 countries. Researchers accounted for factors like total energy consumption, smoking, and GDP per capita. Scientists estimate that increasing average rice consumption by a quarter of a cup could reduce worldwide obesity by 1%.
Chandrayaan-2 to be launched between July 9 and 16: ISRO
ISRO has revealed the launch window for its second Moon mission Chandrayaan-2 is from July 9 to July 16 with an expected Moon landing on September 6. The ₹800-crore mission has been delayed since 2016 and was last scheduled for an April launch. Last week, an ISRO official said the launch was shifted to July after Israel’s failed Moon mission.
Big victory: PM Modi after Masood Azhar declared global terrorist
Addressing a rally in Jaipur on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the move to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist is a big victory for India in its fight against terrorism. “This is a major breakthrough in India’s struggle against terrorism and its long-standing efforts to uproot terrorism,” he added.
CJI to appear before SC panel probing sexual harassment allegations
CJI Ranjan Gogoi has agreed to get examined by the in-house Supreme Court panel led by Justice SA Bobde over the sexual harassment allegations made against him by a former woman staffer. He was partly examined by the panel of Justices SA Bobde, Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee. The proceedings continued despite the complainant choosing to withdraw from the inquiry.
Thai King marries deputy head of his bodyguard unit; names her Queen
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn announced on Wednesday that he had married General Suthida Vajiralongkorn, a former flight attendant and a deputy commander of his bodyguard unit. She was named as Queen Suthida three days before his scheduled coronation. This is the fourth marriage of the Thai King, who has five sons and two daughters from his previous marriages.
NBCC gets govt backing for revised offer for Jaypee Infra
State-owned NBCC on Wednesday said it has received government approval for its revised offer to acquire cash-strapped Jaypee Infratech. This comes within a week after its bid was rejected by lenders as it was subject to approval of government authorities. NBCC has offered ₹5,000 crore worth land and 100% equity of Yamuna Expressway, the only cash-generating asset with Jaypee Infratech.
