Govt has no intention to ban petrol and diesel vehicles: Gadkari
Addressing a gathering at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers’ (SIAM) annual convention, Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Centre has no intention of putting a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles. Gadkari also highlighted that the automobile industry has contributed greatly to employment and exports in the country.
P Chidambaram sent to judicial custody at Tihar jail till September 19
The Rouse Avenue Court has sent Congress leader and ex-Finance Minister P Chidambaram to judicial custody at Tihar jail till September 19 in INX Media case being probed by CBI. Chidambaram has filed an application before Delhi court seeking direction to ensure safe detention while in judicial custody. Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI on August 21.
I wish Salman and I got along during Khamoshi but we didn’t: Manisha
Actress Manisha Koirala, while speaking about not getting along with actor Salman Khan while they were working in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Khamoshi The Musical’, said, “I wish Salman and I got along during Khamoshi but we didn’t.” “We had our fights and our moments during the film, and I still think Salman’s best work is with Bhansali,” she added.
RBI denies action against Paytm Postpaid over PIL allegation
The RBI refused to take action against Paytm Payments Bank in response to a PIL against its ‘Postpaid’ service. The PIL had alleged that the service was operating contrary to the existing law and guidelines regulating such entities. RBI said that PIL could not be used as a weapon to challenge financial decisions taken by it or the government.
Nick Kyrgios should be suspended for bad behaviour, says Rod Laver
Eleven-time Grand Slam champion Rod Laver has said that world number 20 Nick Kyrgios should be suspended from the ATP Tour for his bad behaviour. “I’m not sure he’s learned anything from any of the things that have gone on,” he added. The 24-year-old Australian was fined ₹80 lakh for his outburst in Cincinnati Open ahead of the US Open.
We stand with India: US after Azhar, Dawood declared as terrorists
The US has backed India designating four Pakistan-based criminals as individual terrorists under the amended Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). “We stand w/ #India and commend it for utilising new legal authorities to designate 4 notorious terrorists: Maulana Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Dawood Ibrahim,” the Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, Alice G Wells, tweeted.
Saddened to hear about it: Deol on firecracker factory blast
Sunny Deol, MP from Punjab’s Gurdaspur, expressed grief over the death of 23 people in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Batala. “Saddened to hear about the news…NDRF teams and local administration has been rushed for the rescue operation,” he tweeted. President Ram Nath Kovind also condoled the loss of lives in the blast.
Priyanka, Nick 1st couple to be named Best Dressed by People
Actress Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas on Wednesday were named the 2019’s best-dressed celebrities by People magazine and also became the first couple ever to win the title. “Their best fashion moments come when they choose clothing that speaks to each of them,” their stylist Mimi Cuttrell said. The list also included Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga.
Producer S Sriram passes away due to cardiac arrest
Producer S Sriram, who was in his sixties, passed away on Wednesday after suffering a cardiac arrest. The producer formed the Aalayam Production House along with director Mani Ratnam and went on to produce the National Award-winning film ‘Bombay’. Remembering Sriram, Mani Ratnam’s wife Suhasini Mani Ratnam said, “He was a calm… man with a great sense of humour.”
‘Aadhaar’ to premiere at Busan International Film Festival
‘Mukkabaaz’ actor Vineet Kumar Singh’s upcoming film ‘Aadhaar’ will have its world premiere at the 24th edition of Busan International Film Festival. The film will be screened in the ‘A Window on Asian Cinema’ category on October 6. ‘Aadhaar’ revolves around the challenges faced by the protagonist as he’s the first person from the village who enrols for the card.
Delhi Traffic Police to pay double penalty on breaking traffic rules
An order issued by Delhi Traffic Police has stated that traffic police officials are liable to pay double the fines set under amended Motor Vehicles Act if they’re found breaking traffic rules while driving official or private vehicles. The order asked all the DCPs Districts/ Units to brief and sensitise the staff about the traffic rules.
Software firm Commvault to acquire tech startup Hedvig for $225 mn
Nasdaq-listed software firm Commvault has announced the acquisition of US-based technology startup Hedvig for $225 million. Hedvig was founded in 2012 by former Facebook software engineer Avinash Lakshman and Srinivas Lakshman and has raised $52 million to date from investors including Vertex Ventures and HP Pathfinder. Commvault was formed in 1988 as a development group within Bell Labs.
Porsche unveils its 1st electric car Taycan starting ₹1.08 crore
German automaker Porsche has unveiled its first-ever all-electric sports car, the Taycan. The car was introduced in two high-performance versions, the 670-horsepower Taycan Turbo starting $150,900 (over ₹1.08 crore) and the 751-horsepower Taycan Turbo S starting $185,000 (over ₹1.3 crore). Porsche claimed the Turbo and Turbo S can drive about 450 km and 410 km on a single charge, respectively.
If Pakistan wants war, Indian Army is ready: Army Chief
When asked about Pakistan’s continuing war rhetoric, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat responded, “I am ready for whatever Pakistan wants.” General Rawat added, “If it wants BAT (Border Action Team) action, I am ready. If it wants limited action with India, I am ready and if it wants war with India, the Indian Army is ready.”
I believe Woody Allen: Scarlett on sexual abuse allegations against him
Actress Scarlett Johansson, while speaking about the sexual abuse allegations against director Woody Allen, has said she believes him. “I love Woody…I would work with him anytime,” she added while stating that she has spoken to Allen about the accusations. Allen was accused of child sexual abuse by his now grown-up daughter Dylan. However, he has never been criminally charged.
India offers $1 bn loan to Russia for development of Far East: PM Modi
While addressing the Plenary Session of 5th Eastern Economic Forum in Russia on Thursday, PM Narendra Modi said India will offer $1-billion loan to Russia for development of the Far East. “My government has actively engaged in East Asia as part of its ‘Act East’ policy,” he added. He said that India wants to help Russia in every possible way.
SC allows Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter to travel to Srinagar to meet her
The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija to travel from Chennai to Srinagar and meet her mother, who is under house arrest amid restrictions, in private. In her plea, Iltija had stated she was worried about Mufti’s health since she had not met her in a month.
Grammy-winning songwriter LaShawn Daniels dies at 41
Grammy-winning songwriter LaShawn Daniels passed away at the age of 41 after suffering injuries in a car accident in South Carolina, his wife April Daniels said in a statement on Wednesday. Daniels won the Grammy award for his songwriting work in ‘Say My Name’ in 2001 and was again nominated in the same category for ‘Love and War’ in 2014.
Tribunal allows ₹19,700 crore sale of Bhushan Power to JSW Steel
The National Company Law Tribunal on Thursday approved JSW Steel’s ₹19,700 crore bid for Bhushan Power & Steel. The sale won’t be affected by criminal proceedings against the former promoters of Bhushan Power over alleged siphoning of funds, the court said. Bhushan Power will add 3.5 million tonnes a year of capacity to the Sajjan Jindal-led steelmaker’s operations.
Lupin signs $700 million deal with German drugmaker for cancer drug
Lupin has signed a $700-million licensing agreement with Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim to develop a drug for patients suffering from difficult-to-treat cancers. Lupin will receive an upfront payment of $20 million, while additional payments will be based on successful achievement of clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones. It’s also entitled to receive royalties on sales of the product.
Death toll from Hurricane Dorian in Bahamas rises to 20
The death toll from Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas has risen to 20, Bahamas’ Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said. As per reports, the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco were the worst hit by the hurricane that destroyed homes, toppled trees and flooded streets. Minnis had earlier called Hurricane Dorian “one of the greatest national crises” in the Bahamas’ history.
Iran lifts all limits on nuclear research and development
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered to lift all limits on nuclear research and development as part of the third step in reducing Iran’s commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal. Rouhani announced that from Friday, Iran will begin developing centrifuges to speed up uranium enrichment. Iran’s move comes in retaliation to the sanctions imposed on it by the US.
PM raises Zakir Naik’s extradition in meeting with Malaysian PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad on the sidelines of the 5th EEF Summit in Russia and discussed the issue of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s extradition. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale stated, “Both the parties have decided that our officials will stay in contact regarding the matter and it is an important issue for us.”
ED seeks 14-day custody of Ratul Puri in AgustaWestland case
The Enforcement Directorate has sought 14-day custody of businessman Ratul Puri in the alleged AgustaWestland money laundering case at Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi. Puri, who is the nephew of Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, was formally arrested in relation with the case by the ED on Wednesday. Puri was already in ED’s custody in another alleged bank fraud case.
PM ends speech in Russia with ‘Dasvidaniya’ and ‘Aavjo’, Putin claps
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his speech at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia with the Russian and Gujarati words for goodbye ‘Dasvidaniya’ and ‘Aavjo’. Russian President Vladimir Putin applauded as PM Modi explained that he saw cultural similarities between both countries. PM Modi said in his home state Gujarat, ‘Aavjo’ is said for goodbye, which means ‘come again soon’.
Rashid Khan becomes youngest ever captain in Test cricket history
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who is captaining Afghanistan in the one-off Test against Bangladesh, has become the youngest ever captain in 142 years of Test cricket history. Rashid achieved the feat at the age of 20 years and 350 days, overtaking the previous record (20 years and 358 days) set by Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Taibu against Sri Lanka in 2004.
PSU banks to give in-principle approval of loans in 59 mins
Home and personal loan applicants will now be able to get in-principle loan approval within 59 minutes from 19 public sector banks on ‘PSB Loans in 59 Minutes’ web portal. The move comes after the platform’s success in loan approvals for MSMEs in the same duration. Banks include State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda etc.
New York Fashion Week schedule shortened to 5 days and 5 nights
The New York Fashion Week’s calendar has been shortened by one day to five days and five nights by the newly-elected chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Tom Ford. CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb said the feedback they got suggested that the longer schedule was difficult for the editors, buyers and guests of the show.
