CSA releases statement on ABD row, says urged him to not retire
Cricket South Africa’s national selection panel convenor, Linda Zondi, has said the decision to not accept AB de Villiers’ offer to overturn retirement to play 2019 World Cup was based on “principle” and he doesn’t regret it. He revealed he had pleaded with De Villiers to not retire in 2018. “We had to be fair to the team,” he further said.
17-yr-old Amanda beats 2018 champ Halep to reach French Open semis
US’ 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova reached the first Grand Slam semi-final of her career after defeating defending champion Simon Halep in the French Open 2019 quarter-final on Thursday. Anisimova won the match with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-4 in 69 minutes. With the win, Anisimova became the youngest semi-finalist at French Open since Nicole Vaidisova in 2006.
World no. 1 Djokovic reaches French Open semi-finals for 9th time
World number one Novak Djokovic defeated world number five Alexander Zverev on Thursday to reach the French Open semi-finals for the ninth time. Djokovic won the match with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and nine minutes. The 32-year-old will face world number four Dominic Thiem in the semi-final on Friday.
Political strategist Prashant Kishor to work for Mamata Banerjee
Political strategist Prashant Kishor will work for West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress ahead of Assembly elections in the state in 2021. Kishor, who is credited with Jagan Reddy’s victory in Andhra Pradesh, had earlier worked actively in then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi’s campaign for 2014 Lok Sabha elections. BJP won 18 seats in West Bengal in general elections.
Rajnath to head panel on Parliamentary Affairs, included in 6 panels
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which takes all important political decisions in the ruling government. He is now a part of six key government panels, including the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Notably, Home Minister Amit Shah is included in all eight key Cabinet Committees.
Shops in Tamil Nadu can now stay open 24×7
Shops in Tamil Nadu will be allowed to stay open 24×7 on all days initially for a period of three years, as per the notification in Tamil Nadu Government Gazette. The precondition of the order involves employers ensuring safety of women employees, including constitution of Internal Complaints Committee. It also mandates transport arrangements for women who work in night shifts.
India signs ₹300-cr deal to buy bombs used in Pak strikes: Reports
The Indian Air Force on Thursday reportedly signed a ₹300-crore deal with Israel for around 100 Spice-2000 bombs, the weapon used during the February 26 air strikes in Pakistan’s Balakot. The bombs would reportedly be delivered to the Air Force in the next three months. This is reportedly the first defence deal to be inked by the new government.
I didn’t have a smartphone in the past two years: NEET topper Nalin
NEET 2019 topper Nalin Khandelwal has revealed that he concentrated solely on studies for the past two years and didn’t have a smartphone during the time. “I studied for 7-8 hours everyday and never shied away from asking my teachers about any doubts I had, however inconsequential they may appear,” he added. Nalin scored 701/720 marks to top the exam.
Drought-hit Karnataka asks temples to pray for rain
Karnataka government has ordered hundreds of temples to perform prayer rituals for a better monsoon. There is an acute shortage of drinking water across the state and 156 of the 176 taluks in the state were declared drought-hit in December 2018. The temples are permitted to use up to ₹10,001 from the donation boxes in order to organise the prayers.
Amit Shah to live in late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s residence
Home Minister Amit Shah has been allotted late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Krishna Menon Marg residence in central Delhi. Vajpayee had moved into the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow in 2004, after his government was voted out, and stayed there with his family for nearly 14 years. His family vacated the house last November after his death in August.
Gautam Buddh Nagar to launch e-portal to report workplace harassment
UP’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district has tied up with an IT firm to build a software and website that will allow women to report workplace sexual harassment online. The software, expected to be launched on August 15, will be available for private and government organisations. Authorities said they will provide a list of private organisations operating in the district.
Keventers no longer as good as before: HC judge during hearing
A Delhi High Court judge remarked during a hearing that milkshake brand Keventers was “no longer as good as it used to be” before closing down in 1970. Keventers was in court against one of its licensees which was allegedly selling sub-standard milk products. “Your products are not at all fit for consumption…you change your own product,” he added.
It has been a long and satisfying journey: Azim Premji
Wipro Founder Azim Premji, who announced his retirement as Executive Chairman and Managing Director on Thursday, said his time at the company was “long and satisfying”. “As I look into the future, I plan to devote more time to focus on our philanthropic activities,” he added. Premji, who has led Wipro for 53 years, will step down on July 30.
World no. 5 Sindhu loses to 29th ranked Jindapol in Aus Open
Shuttler PV Sindhu, who is ranked 5th worldwide in women’s singles lost 19-21, 18-21 to Thailand’s World number 29 Nitchaon Jindapol in Australian Open second round on Thursday. This was Sindhu’s second loss in a total of seven games played against the 28-year-old. Meanwhile, in men’s singles, Sameer Verma and Sai Praneeth also lost their respective second round matches.
Amazon invests ₹2,800 crore in its Indian marketplace
Amazon has infused about ₹2,800 crore in its Indian marketplace, according to a regulatory filing published this week. The fresh infusion comes six months after US e-commerce giant infused ₹2,200 crore into its Indian entity last December. This is also the first fund infusion for the Amazon India marketplace since India’s new e-commerce rules came into effect this February.
IAU invites every country to name an exoplanet and its star
International Astronomical Union (IAU), the governing body that manages names of astronomical objects, has invited every country in the world to name a planet outside the Solar System and its star. About 100 countries have signed up to run public voting competitions to select popular name for their stars and planets. IAU will celebrate its 100th anniversary in July 2019.
India to enhance commitment to Sri Lanka: Foreign Secretary
India’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday said the country will enhance its commitment to Sri Lanka in the wake of suicide attacks on churches and hotels. The comments come ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka and Maldives this weekend. This would be his first foreign trip since winning a second term in power last month.
Govt underpaid food subsidy bill by ₹69,394 crore in FY19
The government underpaid the food subsidy bill to Food Corporation of India (FCI) by ₹69,394 crore in 2018-19. Of the total major subsidies, only 74% were paid during 2018-19 against 83% a year ago, according to the Controller General of Accounts (CGA). As a percentage of the budget estimate, only 59% of food subsidies were paid in FY19.
Coulter-Nile smashes highest ever World Cup score by a no. 8 batsman
Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile today smashed the highest-ever score by a number 8 batsman in World Cup history. The 31-year-old, who had never hit a fifty before today in international cricket, slammed 92(60) including eight fours and four sixes against West Indies. The previous record was held by former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, who hit 72*(84) against New Zealand in 2003.
Model who invaded CL final pitch wearing swimsuit fined ₹11 lakh
Model Kinsey Wolanski, who invaded the pitch wearing a swimsuit during the Champions League final between Tottenham and Liverpool at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium last week, has been fined ₹11 lakh. She was fined ₹4 lakh for running onto the pitch and ₹7 lakh for advertising porn website of her boyfriend on her swimsuit.
Remove Army ‘sacrifice’ badge from MS Dhoni’s gloves, ICC tells BCCI
The ICC has asked the BCCI to get the regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces, also known as the ‘balidaan’ (sacrifice) badge, removed from ex-India captain MS Dhoni’s gloves. Dhoni’s pictures with the badge had gone viral on social media.The ICC equipment regulations don’t permit display of messages relating to political, religious or racial activities.
PM Modi reconstitutes NITI Aayog, Rajiv Kumar retained as VC
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday approved the reconstitution of government think-tank NITI Aayog. Rajiv Kumar has been retained as the Vice Chairman while full-time members include VK Saraswat, Ramesh Chand and VK Paul. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will be the ex-officio members.
