James Bond Aston Martin DB5 sold at auction for record ₹45 crore
A 1965 Aston Martin DB5 used to promote the James Bond film ‘Thunderball’ has been auctioned off for $6.4 million (₹45.53 crore), making it the most-expensive DB5 ever. The car includes 13 modifications created for Bond, including a Browning .30-caliber machine gun in each bumper, revolving license plates, a retractable rear bulletproof screen and a passenger-seat ejection system.
DD News founding anchor Neelum Sharma passes away
Senior journalist Neelum Sharma, a founding anchor with over 20 years of association with DD News, has passed away. Neelum, known for programmes like ‘Badi Charcha’ and ‘Tejasvini’, was conferred with the Nari Shakti Award by President Ram Nath Kovind earlier this year. She was also a widely acclaimed filmmaker with more than 60 documentaries to her credit.
Sembcorp invests ₹521cr in Indian arm for renewable energy business
Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries has invested ₹521 crore in its Indian arm Sembcorp Energy India. The funds will be used to expand its renewable energy portfolio and for inorganic growth. Sembcorp India announced commissioning of 200MW wind power projects in Gujarat this week, taking its total portfolio to 450MW to become the largest producer of electricity from wind energy in India.
Amazon sends 20 order updates with private info to wrong people
E-commerce giant Amazon has admitted that a “technical issue” sent confirmations and updates for orders placed by about 20 different users to random users. An affected user alleged that the order updates contained private information including name and postal address. The e-commerce giant, however, claimed that email and credit card information of the users was not included in the updates.
Army jawan martyred after Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC
A 35-year-old Indian Army jawan was martyred after Pakistani troops violated ceasefire on Saturday by resorting to mortar shelling and small arms firing along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Nowshera sector. The jawan, identified as Lance Naik Sandeep Thapa, hailed from Dehradun and had reportedly been in service for 15 years.
Empty rice cookers prompt bomb scare in New York
Three empty rice cookers prompted a bomb scare and caused evacuation of a major New York City subway station on Friday. Police are looking to question a man seen on surveillance video taking two of the cookers out of a shopping cart and placing them there. “It is possible that this was an intentional act,” police officials said.
Sydney stabbing suspect suffers from mental illness: Lawyer
A man accused of killing an Australian woman and wounding another in a stabbing rampage in downtown Sydney this week suffers from mental illness, his lawyer said on Saturday. The police charged the 20-year-old on Friday with murder, attempted murder and common assault. The suspect has been remanded in custody and is to face the court again on Monday.
Amtek Auto to go into liquidation, company owes ₹12,600 crore
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has ordered the liquidation of auto parts maker Amtek Auto, which has a debt of about ₹12,600 crore. It turned down a plea by the lenders for a new round of bidding after highest bidder Liberty House backed out. The liquidation value of Amtek Auto’s assets has been determined at ₹4,119 crore.
Private hospitals write to FM for recovery of ₹1,400 cr govt dues
Private hospitals have written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking her help to sanction payments of ₹1,400 crore to them for providing free treatment under central health schemes. The hospitals, including Max Healthcare, Fortis and Apollo, had made several attempts to recover their dues from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The ministry said dues will be cleared soon.
Adani Group cases listed out of turn at SC: Advocate Dushyant Dave
Senior advocate Dushyant Dave has written to CJI Justice Ranjan Gogoi alleging that two cases involving Adani Group were heard out of turn during summer vacations. He added the cases were then disposed of by a vacation bench “in complete contravention of the settled practice”. The benefit to Adani from these judgments will run into thousands of crores, alleged Dave.
Jamie Murray beats brother Andy in Cincinnati doubles clash
Former world number one men’s singles player Andy Murray was beaten by his brother Jamie when the brothers faced off against each other in the men’s doubles match in Cincinnati. Jamie has won both times he has faced his younger brother in ATP Tour doubles matches. Jamie was partnering Neal Skupski while Andy was playing alongside Feliciano Lopez.
Indian women beat hosts Japan 2-1 in Olympic Test Event
The Indian women’s hockey team made a winning start in the Olympic Test Event, beating hosts Japan 2-1 on Saturday. India took the lead with penalty corner specialist, Gurjit Kaur, scoring in the ninth minute. The hosts struck back in the 16th minute as Aki Mitsuhashi scored a field goal before Kaur scored her second goal of the match.
Bangladesh appoint Russell Domingo as their new head coach
The Bangladeshi cricket team has appointed South African Russell Domingo as the new head coach. Domingo, the former coach of South Africa, will start his two-year stint with the Bangladesh team from August 21. Domingo was part of a three-man shortlist that included Mike Hesson and former Pakistan cricket team coach Mickey Arthur.
Modi has cleared the road for Uniform Civil Code: Shiv Sena
In its newspaper, ‘Saamana’, Shiv Sena claimed that “after removing Article 370, [PM Modi] has cleared the road for common civil code.” “Modi and Amit Shah have already taken steps in that direction,” the editorial stated. “The Muslim community will have to participate…[L]aw to control population explosion is being demanded. Therefore, Uniform Civil Code is on its way,” it added.
US to extend Huawei’s temporary licence for 90 days: Reports
The US Commerce Department is reportedly expected to extend the “temporary general licence” given to Huawei for the next 90 days. The licence, set to lapse on August 19, allowed Huawei to purchase supplies from US companies to service existing customers. US blacklisted Huawei earlier this year alleging its involvement in activities contrary to national security or foreign policy interests.
Don’t need opinion of int’l busybodies to run India: Indian envoy to UN
Following UNSC’s closed-door meeting, India’s Ambassador to UN Syed Akbaruddin said, “We don’t need the opinion of international busybodies to run India.” Akbaruddin said this after a journalist asked him about “international organisations accusing Indian troops of human rights violations”. Akbaruddin told the journalist that “no organisations have accused India of anything that you’re saying”.
US man found guilty of murdering actor Ashton Kutcher’s date in 2001
A US jury found a 43-year-old man, nicknamed ‘Hollywood Ripper’, guilty of murdering two women, including actor Ashton Kutcher’s date, and attempting to murder a third victim. All three crimes took place between 2001 and 2008. Kutcher also testified at the trial, recounting that he had visited the woman’s house at the night of her murder but found it locked.
Regret turning down one-night stand with DiCaprio: Reality TV star
Reality television personality Whitney Port has claimed she declined the opportunity of having a one-night stand with Leonardo DiCaprio years ago, calling it one of her “bigger regrets”. She said they exchanged numbers at a party. After months of texting, she claimed DiCaprio asked her out on a date and invited her to his house, to which she said ‘no’.
Can’t sell what I don’t believe in: Shilpa on ₹10cr slimming pill ad
Actress Shilpa Shetty has confirmed that she rejected a slimming pills advertisement for an ayurvedic company, which reportedly offered her ₹10 crore. “I can’t sell something that I don’t believe in,” she said. “Slimming pills…can be tempting since they promise instant results, but nothing beats the sense of pride of being committed to your routine and eating right,” added Shilpa.
Apple sues cybersecurity startup for selling virtual copies of iOS Apple is suing cybersecurity startup Corellium over allegations that it made “virtual” copies of the iPhone maker’s iOS and “illegally” sold them. Apple said that the startup masks its true goal of “profiting off its blatant infringement” under the guise that it’s “a research tool for those trying to discover security vulnerabilities and other flaws”. Corellium was founded in 2017.
