PK Mishra takes charge as Principal Secretary to PM Modi
PK Mishra, who was serving as the Additional Secretary to PM Narendra Modi, took charge as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Mishra, a 1972 batch Gujarat cadre IAS, had earlier worked with Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Additionally, PK Sinha was appointed as the Principal Advisor to the Prime Minister.
Gujarat to witness heavy rains on Wednesday, Thursday: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that almost all parts of Gujarat are likely to witness heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday. The state has already recorded 113.5% average rainfall this monsoon season, with 149 mm rainfall received during the month of September. Meanwhile, IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall in eastern and western Madhya Pradesh.
JPMorgan tells staff to make it clear Taiwan is part of China
JPMorgan has told employees to ensure they don’t refer to Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan as separate countries. They should be Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China, on first reference, Supervisory Analyst Global Manager Stuart Marston said in an email. JPMorgan recently became the first foreign company to take control of its onshore Chinese mutual fund joint venture.
MDH sambhar masala recalled from US after ‘salmonella’ bacteria found
At least three lots of MDH’s sambhar masala were withdrawn from the US last week after the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) found ‘salmonella’ in it. Salmonella is a bacteria that causes salmonellosis, a foodborne illness with symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever. Some affected people may get severe diarrhoea that requires hospitalisation, according to the USFDA.
Nick Jonas criticised for posing with cigar for magazine
Singer Nick Jonas has been criticised for posing with a cigar for a magazine. Some users commented, “Smoking is bad” and “Oh your poor lungs”. Several others also mentioned that his wife, actress Priyanka Chopra suffers from asthma. “Your wife has asthma. I hope you’re thoughtful enough to not smoke when she’s around,” a comment read.
Apple streaming service ‘Apple TV+’ to launch in India at ₹99/month
Apple’s newly-announced video subscription service Apple TV+ will launch in India on November 1 at ₹99 per month. The service will provide original shows, movies and documentaries on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac and other platforms. Customers purchasing any new Apple TV+ compatible device will get one year of subscription for free.
India very capable of tackling terrorism on its own: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said terrorism has become a global threat and an ideology that is deeply rooted and flourishing in Pakistan. He added, “The whole world needs to take a pledge and stand up against those who give shelter and training to the terrorist. India is very much capable of tackling the menace on its own.”
Government’s next agenda is to retrieve PoK: Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said that next agenda of the government is to “retrieve” Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and make it a territory of India. “It’s not only me or my party’s commitment, but it’s a part of a resolution unanimously passed by Parliament in 1994 during Congress government headed by PV Narasimha Rao,” he said.
Animals are dying because of plastic trash: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday highlighted the need to eliminate single-use plastic in the country saying animals are dying because of plastic trash. “The problem of plastic is growing each day…fishes living in rivers, ponds are…dying because of plastic pollution in the water bodies,” the PM added. PM Modi also urged traders to use very less plastic for packaging.
Sacking of NSA Bolton won’t lead to talks with US: Iran
The resignation of US National Security Adviser (NSA) John Bolton will not lead to US-Iran talks, Iran said on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he asked Bolton to resign as he “strongly disagreed” with Bolton’s suggestions. Last year, the US pulled out of 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, under which Iran agreed to curb its atomic programme.
Vanessa Hudgens, Zendaya attend Vera Wang’s show at NYFW
Actress-singer Vanessa Hudgens and actress Zendaya were among the celebrities who attended designer Vera Wang’s show at the New York Fashion Week on Tuesday. Vanessa wore a golden sparkly mini-dress with a grey coat and black shoes. Meanwhile, Zendaya wore a grey top with sleek black leggings and completed her look with hoop earrings and shoulder-length loose hair.
India’s fuel demand rises 2.8% in August
India’s fuel demand rose 2.8% in August compared to the same month last year, when it rose 0.8%. Fuel demand had risen 3.3% in July 2019. Data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) said that consumption of fuel totalled 17.04 million tonnes. Sales of gasoline, or petrol, were 8.9% higher from a year earlier at 2.57 million tonnes.
China removes tariffs on some US goods ahead of Oct talks
China has removed retaliatory tariffs on 16 types of US products ahead of talks scheduled in October. The 25% additional tariffs were put in place last year by China on about $50 billion worth US imports. The exemptions will start on September 17 and last for a year. The list included varieties of animal feed, cancer drugs gefitinib and capecitabine.
Diljit Dosanjh postpones US show after FWICE’s letter
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has postponed his show in the US, scheduled to be held on September 21, after FWICE wrote a letter urging him to cancel the show saying that it’s being promoted by a Pakistan national. “I would like to state that my contract is only with ‘Shri Balaji Entertainment’ and nobody else as mentioned in the…letter,” he added.
MDMK chief Vaiko files habeas corpus plea in SC for Farooq Abdullah
MDMK chief and Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko on Wednesday filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court for allowing former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah to travel to Chennai. Vaiko wrote in his petition that he had invited Abdullah for an event in Chennai on September 15 but he has not been able to contact him.
Apple slashes prices of iPhone XS, XR, other older models in India
Apple has reduced the prices of several of its older iPhone models in India after the unveiling of its 2019 lineup of phones. The starting price of iPhone XS, originally at ₹99,900, is reduced to ₹89,900 and iPhone XR, originally at ₹76,900, is reduced to ₹49,900. Apple, however, kept the starting prices of iPhone XS Max and iPhone X unchanged.
Chidambaram moves Delhi HC for bail in INX Media case
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court for bail in the INX Media case. His counsel also challenged the trial court order remanding him to 14 days judicial custody in the case till September 19. The 73-year-old Congress leader was arrested by the CBI on August 21 in the alleged corruption case.
Tesla-rival Rivian raises $350 million from Cox Automotive
US electric pickup truck startup Rivian has raised $350 million in an equity investment by global automotive services company Cox Automotive. The Tesla rival said the two entities will explore partnership opportunities in service operations, logistics and digital retailing. Rivian had raised a $700-million investment round in February led by Amazon and a $500-million investment from Ford in April.
UK PM’s decision to suspend Parliament is unlawful: Scottish court
Scotland’s highest court of appeal on Wednesday ruled that UK PM Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend the Parliament is unlawful. The UK Parliament was suspended on Monday night until October 14. The suspension of the Parliament will effectively reduce the time for MPs to debate on Brexit, which is scheduled for October 31.
North Korea says it tested a super-large multiple rocket launcher
North Korea tested a “super-large multiple rocket launcher” on Tuesday, which was observed by the leader Kim Jong-un, the country’s state media said. The test was aimed at “measuring the time of combat deployment”, the state media added. North Korea carried out the test hours after it offered to resume nuclear talks with the US.
US designates chief of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan as global terrorist
The US has designated Noor Wali, the leader of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. “Under Noor Wali’s leadership, TTP has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly terrorist attacks across Pakistan,” the US’ State Department said. The designation seeks to deny terrorists the resources to plan and carry out attacks, the State Department added.
ONGC considers buying out rest of petrochemical firm OPaL
ONGC is planning to buy out the rest of a Gujarat petrochemical project it does not already own. ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL), in which ONGC has a 49.36% stake, operates a plant in Dahej which primarily makes polymers. ONGC’s stake in the project could rise to 93% if it converts share warrants and debentures into equity.
Hong Kong Exchanges offers to buy London Stock Exchange for $39 bn
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has made an unsolicited $39 billion bid to acquire the London Stock Exchange Group. This comes just weeks after LSE announced a plan to purchase financial information provider Refinitiv. Hong Kong Exchanges, which owns the London Metal Exchange, said the proposed deal would go ahead only if LSE’s proposed takeover of Refinitiv doesn’t proceed.
India, ASEAN agree to review 10-year-old free trade pact India and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to review their decade-old free trade pact. Their joint statement on Tuesday said the review aimed to make the agreement more “user-friendly and simple”. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said it will “help protect the interests of our industry & farmers, create jobs & boost ‘Make in India'”.
