Tencent targets 10% managers for job cuts or demotion: Reports
China’s largest gaming and social media company Tencent is reportedly planning to put about 10% of its managers on notice amidst growth slowdown and intensified competition. President Martin Lau intends to remove or demote Tencent’s lowest-performing managers and promote “star performers”, reports added. The company’s workforce has grown to over 50,000 as of September 2018 from 30,000 in 2015.
Airlines advised to increase flights to keep fares in check
Aviation regulator DGCA is reviewing hike in airfares on specific routes across the country and has advised airlines to increase flights in order to keep fares in check, a senior official said on Tuesday. The airlines have agreed to keep airfares under control, he added. The rise in fares comes as Jet Airways grounded several aircraft, leading to flight cancellations.
Pine Labs to buy gift cards startup Qwikcilver for $110 mn
Noida-based digital payments platform Pine Labs on Tuesday signed a definitive agreement to acquire gift cards-providing startup Qwikcilver Solutions for about $110 million. On completion of the deal, which is subject to a few closing conditions, Qwikcilver Co-founder and CEO Kumar Sudarsan will join Pine Labs’ leadership team. Bengaluru-based Qwikcilver is backed by investors including Amazon.
1 family’s desire for power cost nation so greatly: PM Modi
In an apparent dig at the Gandhi family ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “As you go to vote- remember the past and how one family’s desire for power cost the nation so greatly.” He added, “If they could do it then, they can surely do it now. Eternal vigilance remains the price of liberty.”
Go home, your wife won’t come: Man was told after NZ mosque attack
After the terror attack on a mosque in New Zealand’s Christchurch, a wheelchair-bound man was at the mosque ‘comforting his dying friends’ when he learnt about his wife’s death. “I don’t want you to wait the whole night, Farid. Go home, she will not come,” a detective told over the phone. “My response was I felt numb,” the man said.
Will firmly support Pak in upholding its territorial dignity: China
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said, “No matter how things change in the world and in the region, China will firmly support Pakistan in upholding its sovereign independence and territorial integrity and dignity.” Yi was speaking at the first-ever China-Pakistan Foreign Minister-level strategic dialogue with visiting Pakistani minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Beijing.
CRPF jawan killed wife for opposing his election duty: Police
CRPF constable Guruveer Singh allegedly strangled his wife to death in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur after she tried to stop him from going on Lok Sabha election duty, the police have said. Singh allegedly tried to pass off the murder as a suicide but was arrested after a police investigation was launched. He has confessed to the murder.
Robbers flee with entire ATM containing ₹30 lakh cash in Delhi
Robbers in Delhi’s Dwarka fled with the Corporation Bank’s entire ATM, which contained around ₹30 lakh, and covered the CCTV cameras with grease, police said on Tuesday. According to the police, the bank’s security guard forgot to pull the ATM’s shutter down. Meanwhile, the police is also investigating the role of bank staff, including the guard, in the incident.
Pak woman who entered J&K with Kashmiri husband gets 5 yrs jail
A Jammu court has awarded five-year imprisonment to a 27-year-old Pakistani woman, who in 2012 accompanied her husband and their three minor children on his return to J&K from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. They were returning after J&K announced return and rehabilitation scheme of former militants. The woman was arrested as she didn’t have a valid passport and violated Foreigners’ Act.
Raj Congress MLA makes sarpanch sit on floor during meeting
Rajasthan Congress MLA Divya Maderna asked sarpanch Chandu Devi to sit on the floor, where villagers were seated, instead of on a chair beside her at a meeting. Divya later said she couldn’t recognise Chandu as her head was covered, adding, “I considered her a simple villager and thought she’d come…with some grievance.” Rajasthan Sarpanch Sangh has sought an apology.
Senior Telangana Congress leader DK Aruna joins BJP
Senior Telangana Congress leader DK Aruna has joined BJP in the presence of BJP chief Amit Shah and its National General Secretary Ram Madhav. Aruna is likely to contest from Mahbubnagar parliamentary constituency. She said, “There is no hope of the Congress regaining its glory in Telangana…the BJP is the only party that can fulfil the aspirations of the people.”
Hotel says Kannada actress didn’t pay ₹3L bill, actress denies claim
The security manager of Bengaluru’s 5-star hotel The LaLiT Ashok has filed a case against Kannada actress Pooja Gandhi and her politician friend Anil P Mensinkai, for allegedly fleeing the hotel without paying an outstanding bill of ₹3.35 lakh. “Mensinkai duped the hotel by issuing cheques without sufficient balance in…account,” the security manager said. The actress has denied the allegations.
Bill Gates’ wealth hits $100 bn, becomes centibillionaire: Bloomberg
Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates’ wealth has hit the $100 billion mark, making him a centibillionaire and the only second person besides world’s richest person, Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, with $100 billion wealth, Bloomberg said on Wednesday. Amazon’s 55-year-old Founder is now worth $145.6 billion after adding $20.7 billion to his wealth this year. Microsoft’s 63-year-old Gates gained $9.5 billion.
Ex-officer admits 3-yr-old died as she left her in car to have sex
A former US police officer, while pleading guilty in court, told a judge she was having sex with her supervisor while her three-year-old daughter was dying inside an overheated patrol car in 2016. The car’s air-conditioner was turned on, but wasn’t blowing cold air. Prosecutors recommended 20-year imprisonment for the 29-year-old, who was earlier charged with second-degree murder.
BJP’s new Goa CM proves majority, gets support of 20 MLAs
BJP leader Pramod Sawant on Wednesday proved majority in Goa Assembly during the floor test, after he was sworn-in as the Chief Minister at 2 am on Tuesday. With 12 BJP MLAs in the house, the 45-year-old CM got support of 20 members. The floor test was necessitated after the demise of former CM Manohar Parrikar.
BSP chief Mayawati to not contest Lok Sabha elections
Bahujan Samaj Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati has announced she’ll not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing “current political situation”. “I know I can win from any seat. All that I have to do is to file my nomination…It is more important for us to win more seats than for me to win one,” Mayawati stated.
76% Indian firms face shortage of skilled personnel in Al: Report
Even with a median salary of ₹14.3 lakh for AI and ML professionals, 76% Indian companies are unable to find qualified employees, as per an Intel report. Professionals can build a career in AI with Great Learning’s PGP-Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The program, offered in collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin, imparts industry-relevant skills through real-world projects.
Etihad offers to sell its 24% stake in Jet Airways to SBI: Reports
Jet Airways’ strategic partner Etihad Airways is reportedly offering to sell its entire 24% stake in the cash-strapped airline to State Bank of India (SBI). The Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s CEO Tony Douglas has asked the lender to buy the stake for about ₹400 crore, reports stated. He has also offered Etihad’s 50.1% stake in Jet’s loyalty programme, JetPrivilege, reports added.
First bodies returned to families after New Zealand terror attack
The bodies of six victims of the terror attack in New Zealand were returned to their families on Tuesday. Police said autopsies on all 50 bodies had been concluded but only 12 victims have been identified by the coroner. The shooting is the worst ever peacetime mass killing in New Zealand.
NY’s alcohol e-commerce startup Thirstie raises $7 million
New York-based alcohol e-commerce startup Thirstie has raised $7 million in a Series A funding round led by Queens Court Capital. It also announced its partnership with Drinkworks to power e-commerce experience for the cocktail-making machine created by Keurig and Budweiser’s parent. Co-founded by Devaraj Southworth, Thirstie enables e-commerce on alcohol brand websites in a legally compliant way.
Cross-border payments startup InstaReM closes $41 mn funding
Singapore-based cross-border payments startup InstaReM has closed its Series C funding round after raising $20 million, taking the total to around $41 million. The round was led by Vertex Growth Fund with participation from South Korea-based VC firm Atinum Investment. Founded in 2014 by Indian entrepreneur Prajit Nanu along with Michael Bermingham, InstaReM has raised around $59 million till date.
FB, YouTube CEOs asked to meet US officials over NZ attack
The US Homeland Security Committee Chairman wrote to CEOs of Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Microsoft, requesting a briefing before the committee over the video of attack on two New Zealand mosques. The letter stated the video was widely available on the platforms well after the attack that killed at least 50 people. “You must do better,” the letter added.
Suresh Oberoi to feature in son Vivek’s PM Modi biopic
Actor Suresh Oberoi will feature in the upcoming biopic based on PM Narendra Modi, which will see his son Vivek Oberoi in the lead role. “Suresh Oberoi’s character in the film is of a saint. It is a fictional character yet extremely important,” the film’s co-producer Sandip Ssingh revealed. The film is set to release on April 5.
Disney closes $71 billion deal for Fox assets, now owns Star India
The Walt Disney Company on Wednesday closed its $71 billion acquisition of entertainment assets of media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s Twenty-First Century Fox. Disney now owns Fox film and TV studios, FX Networks, National Geographic, Indian TV giant Star India and Marvel characters X-Men and Deadpool. Fox’s news and sports businesses have been spun off into the newly formed Fox Corporation.
Indian-origin Jagmeet Singh makes debut in Canada parliament
Indian-origin Jagmeet Singh on Monday made his debut in Canada’s House of Commons as the first non-white leader of a major opposition party in the country. Singh’s arrival was cheered by all members including PM Justin Trudeau and coincided with the induction of a senior woman member into the cabinet. The 40-year-old was elected in federal by-elections on February 25.
Woman injects self with juice to ‘stay healthy’; 4 organs damaged
A 51-year-old woman in China almost died after she injected herself with fruit juice made from some 20 fruits, to stay healthy. Soon after injecting herself with the mixture, the woman came down with a fever and itchy skin. She suffered liver, kidney, heart and lung damage and was put in the intensive care unit for five days.
Yakub Pataliya gets life in jail for 2002 Godhra train burning
An Ahmedabad SIT Court today sentenced convict Yakub Pataliya to life imprisonment in the 2002 Godhra train burning case. Pataliya, who was arrested in 2018 in Godhra, was part of the mob that torched coach S-6 of Sabarmati Express on February 27, 2002. The incident led to the deaths of 59 people, mostly kar sevaks, and triggered riots in Gujarat.
Indian Navy provides humanitarian aid to cyclone-hit Mozambique
Three Indian Navy ships operating in the Southern Indian Ocean were diverted to Mozambique’s Port Beira, on the request of Mozambique government to provide humanitarian aid. This comes in the wake of the destruction caused by Cyclone Idai. The ships are likely to set up medical camps and provide food, water and other relief items, as required by local authorities.
Police arrest man who sent ‘d*ck picture’ to journalist Barkha Dutt
Police have arrested a man, who works at a butcher shop, who had sent journalist Barkha Dutt obscene photos, including a ‘d*ck picture’. Three more people were arrested for sending her abusive text messages. Earlier, Dutt had filed an FIR and stated that her phone number is being circulated online and she received around 1,000 abusive messages and calls.
India lose hosting rights of tennis events over closed Pak airspace
India have lost the hosting rights of the junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup after Pakistan closed its airspace in the aftermath of Balakot air strikes. Sixteen Under-16 teams were to travel to India from April 8-13 for Davis Cup, while Fed Cup was scheduled from April 15-20. Both the competitions will now be held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Germany backs move to designate Masood Azhar as terrorist at EU
Germany has backed the move to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist at the European Union (EU), spokesperson of the German Embassy in India, Hans Christian Winkler, said. He added that discussions in this regard are being held with EU member states. Germany had supported designating Azhar as a global terrorist at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
₹14,000-crore PNB scam accused Nirav Modi arrested in London
Fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi, wanted in the ₹14,000-crore PNB scam, has been arrested in London and will be produced in the court later today. This comes days after the 48-year-old was seen walking on the streets of London by a reporter of the UK newspaper The Telegraph. UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid recently certified India’s request to extradite him.
Vodafone Idea plans ₹25,000 cr rights issue at 60% discount
India’s largest telecom firm Vodafone Idea on Wednesday announced its board has approved ₹25,000 crore rights issue at a discount of around 60% to the current share prices. Vodafone Group and the Aditya Birla Group would contribute ₹11,000 crore and ₹7,250 crore, respectively. The issue will increase the number of Vodafone Idea shares by 229%.
Danish MP told to remove 5-month-old baby from parliament chamber
Danish MP Mette Abildgaard said she was ordered to remove her 5-month-old daughter from the parliament’s chamber, with the Speaker saying ‘she wasn’t welcome with the baby’. Abildgaard said it was the first time when she had brought her daughter to work, as her husband could not come to take care of their daughter.
Crowdfunding platform Kickstarter CEO Perry Chen steps down
Global crowdfunding platform Kickstarter Co-founder Perry Chen has stepped down as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) but will continue as the board Chairman. Chen had served as Kickstarter’s CEO for the first five years and reassumed the role in 2017 for a then-planned duration of six months. Head of Design and Product Aziz Hasan has been promoted as interim CEO.
It’s different from my other Sikh roles: Akshay on ‘Kesari’
Akshay Kumar, who portrays the role of a Sikh warrior in the upcoming film ‘Kesari’ has said the role is very different from all the other Sikh roles played by him. “Playing Havildar Ishar Singh [his character] wasn’t challenging because the director was well prepared,” he added. Akshay further said the only difficulty he faced was wearing the heavy turban.
Indian-Omani group signs $3.8bn deal to build Sri Lanka refinery
India’s Accord Group and Oman’s oil ministry have signed a $3.85 billion deal to build an oil refinery in Sri Lanka. This is the biggest single pledge of FDI ever made in the country. The project will be located near the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota, which was handed over on a 99-year lease to a state-owned Chinese company.
India called off Coast Guard meet with Pakistan: Reports
India had cancelled the dialogue between the Coast Guards of India and Pakistan scheduled to be held from March 6 to 9 in the wake of the Pulwama attack, according to reports. Indian DG Coast Guard Rajendra Singh was supposed to visit Pakistan for the dialogue. Forty CRPF jawans were martyred in the Pulwama terror attack claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.
