Explosion at firecracker factory in Gurdaspur, at least 10 killed
An explosion took place at a firecracker factory in Punjab’s Gurdaspur on Wednesday, following which at least 10 people have died and several others are feared trapped. Fire tenders are present at the spot. At least 10 buildings near the factory are reported to have been damaged by the explosion.
Fintech startup CashFlo raises $3.3 mn from SAIF Partners, others
Mumbai-based lendingtech platform CashFlo has raised about $3.3 million in its Series A round of funding. The round saw participation from SAIF Partners along with angel investors including Bain & Co Partner Arpan Sheth, former Senior Partner and MD at BCG Ashish Iyer, among others. Founded by Dushyant Agarwal and Ankur Bhageria, CashFlo offers end-to-end solution for supply chain financing.
I only want to do acting: Mahesh Babu on rumours of joining politics
Reacting to rumours of him joining politics, actor Mahesh Babu said, “The only thing I want to do is acting.” He further said that he missed a year in school due to acting and his father advised him to study first and then act in films. “That’s the only thing I knew… I wouldn’t want to change that,” he added.
Tanushree seeks probe by crime branch against Nana Patekar
Actress Tanushree Dutta on Tuesday urged the Mumbai Police Commissioner to transfer the probe of sexual harassment case against Nana Patekar to the crime branch. In June 2019, police filed a B-summary report citing a lack of evidence against Patekar. Dutta’s lawyer demanded the withdrawal of the report and alleged that the police didn’t record the statements of several witnesses.
Pak most dangerous country I have dealt with: Ex-US Defence Secretary
Former US Defence Secretary James Mattis has said he considers Pakistan the “most dangerous country” he dealt with in his career because of the level of radicalisation of its society and its nuclear weapons. Mattis added that Pakistan “views all geopolitics through the prism of its hostility towards India.” “They don’t have leaders who care about their future,” said Mattis.
Protestors burn buses, block roads in K’taka over Shivakumar’s arrest
Congress workers staged protests in Karnataka after the party called for a state-wide bandh over party leader DK Shivakumar’s arrest in a money laundering case. Shivakumar’s supporters burnt KSRTC buses in Kanakapura and Ramanagara and they also pelted stones at Kanakapura main bus depot. Protestors also blocked various roads across the state and burnt effigies of BJP leaders.
Amit Shah told us curbs will be eased in 25 days: J&K delegation
A delegation of around 100 people that met Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said he assured them that restrictions on communication will be lifted in 20-25 days and that the next CM will be from the state. Shah discussed government initiatives and assured them that five youths from each village will be provided government jobs, the delegation added.
B’luru startup gets 1st DGCA certification for small category drone
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted the first small category drone certification to Bengaluru startup Aarav Unmanned Systems’ (AUS) ‘Insight’ multicopter drone. Small category drones weigh between 2-25 kg and can fly longer and carry heavier, more advanced sensors. Hence, they need additional compliance requirements to be met as per the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR).
Football fan falls 40 feet from stadium’s stand on top of 13-yr-old girl
A video of a football fan in Brazil falling 40 feet from the top tier of a stadium on a 13-year-old girl sitting at the ground level has gone viral on social media. The 23-year-old man was attempting to climb on the railing of the stadium’s upper deck before falling. The man is suspected to have suffered a broken femur.
Federer out of US Open after 3-hr 12-min 5-set defeat against Dimitrov
World number three Roger Federer crashed out of the US Open after losing to Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-final. The 38-year-old lost the match with a scoreline of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 2-6 in three hours and 12 minutes. This is the first time that Dimitrov defeated Federer in eight matches between them.
Pak protestors damage Indian embassy in London; Mayor calls it unacceptable
Hundreds of Pakistani protestors have staged violent protests outside Indian High Commission in London over Article 370 revocation in J&K. Protestors hurled eggs and stones at the High Commission and broke windows and damaged the premises. Pakistan-origin London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted, “I utterly condemn this unacceptable behaviour and have raised this incident with [police] to take action.”
Schools shut in Mumbai today after heavy rainfall; more rains predicted
BMC on Wednesday ordered all the schools in Mumbai to remain closed after heavy rainfall that led to water-logging in several parts of the city. The Principals were also asked to send back children who’ve reached schools. The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall for Mumbai and adjoining districts for the next two days.
K’taka Congress calls for state-wide bandh over Shivakumar’s arrest
Karnataka Congress has called for a state-wide bandh on Wednesday, following the arrest of party leader DK Shivakumar by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case. Party’s state unit’s General Secretary Sathyan Puthoor said the bandh is to condemn Shivakumar’s arrest and the misuse of the ED by the government. Shivakumar was questioned for four days before the arrest.
Heavy rainfall likely in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that places in east Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday. The weather forecast agency also said that isolated places in Gujarat, coastal Karnataka, Konkan and Goa are likely to witness heavy downpour throughout the day.
My relationship with Putin has a special chemistry: PM Modi
Discussing his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of a summit, PM Narendra Modi stated, “Our relationship has a special chemistry, special ease. With each meeting with President Putin, we get closer and our relationship grows.” Giving the example of Siberian cranes migrating to his home state Gujarat every year, PM Modi said mutual ties also extend to nature.
Start trusting the private sector and we will deliver: Anil Agarwal
Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal has said it is important for the government to start trusting businessmen. “Whenever, in past, the government has trusted the private sector, we have delivered: be it airport, airline, steel plants and telecom,” the billionaire added. He further said the government should be ‘production-minded’ rather than ‘revenue-minded’.
UK PM Boris Johnson loses bid to ensure no-deal Brexit
UK PM Boris Johnson lost a bid to ensure a no-deal Brexit after MPs voted 328 to 301 to take control of the Parliament’s agenda on Wednesday. MPs can now bring forward a bill to prevent Johnson from taking the UK out of the EU without a withdrawal agreement. After the defeat, Johnson said he would seek an early election.
Pak demands charging service fee from pilgrims during Kartarpur talks
During the third round of talks between India and Pakistan on Wednesday, Pakistan demanded to charge a service fee for allowing pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib. Pakistan also refused to allow the presence of protocol officials from India to accompany the pilgrims. “This is extremely repugnant to the spirit of this pilgrimage,” India’s External Affairs Ministry said.
Auto driver fined ₹32,500 in Gurugram under amended Motor Vehicles Act
After a scooter rider was fined ₹23,000 for multiple violations under amended Motor Vehicles Act, an auto-rickshaw driver, caught after jumping a traffic signal, was fined ₹32,500 on Tuesday in Gurugram. The driver was fined for jumping signal, dangerous driving and not carrying licence and vehicle’s documents like registration certificate. The traffic police also impounded his vehicle.
Maruti to stop production at Gurugram, Manesar plants for 2 days
India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki will not produce any passenger vehicles at its Gurugram and Manesar plants in Haryana on September 7 and 9. The company’s installed manufacturing capacity at the two plants stands at around 15 lakh units per annum. The decision comes after Maruti reported a nearly 33% decline in sales at 1,06,413 units in August.
Listen to Manmohan’s advice on economy: Shiv Sena to Centre
BJP ally Shiv Sena has backed former PM Manmohan Singh, who recently said India’s economy is in a bad shape due to “mismanagement” by PM Narendra Modi-led government. Sena stated, “National interest lies in listening to Manmohan Singh’s advice,” adding that Singh had revived the economy when it was in bad shape and he has the “right” to discuss it.
Facebook CEO must face prison for privacy issues: US Senator
US Democratic Senator Ron Wyden has said that Facebook Co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg must face prison time over various privacy issues faced by the social media giant. “Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly lied to the American people about privacy…he hurt a lot of people,” Wyden said. “I think he ought to be held personally accountable,” he also added.
Serena wins quarter-final in 44 min, records her 100th US Open match win
Ex-world number one Serena Williams defeated world number 18 Wang Qiang of China 6-1, 6-0 in just 44 minutes to register her 100th match win at the US Open. With this, the six-time champion reached the US Open semi-finals for the 13th time in her career and Grand Slam semi-finals for the 38th time. Serena will next face Elina Svitolina.
Britney Spears’ ex-husband accuses her dad of abusing their son
Singer Britney Spears’ ex-husband, rapper Kevin Federline who also goes by the name K-Fed, has claimed that Britney’s father Jamie Spears physically abused Kevin and Britney’s 13-year-old son. Reports said Jamie got into an argument with the teenage boy. He reportedly “broke down a door to get to his grandson and grabbed him once he was in the room”.
Hong Kong leader withdraws China extradition bill that sparked protests
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of an extradition bill that triggered months of anti-government protests. The bill proposed to let criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China. Lam had suspended the bill in June and had later said that it was “dead” but had refused to withdraw it entirely.
Azhar, Saeed, Dawood declared individual terrorists under new law Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim have been declared ‘individual terrorists’ by the government. This comes nearly a month after Parliament amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The newly amended act provides for putting a travel ban on individuals declared as terrorists.
