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If confirmed, that would be a setback for London, New York and Hong Kong, which have all vied for a slice of the much-touted IPO International news : Saudi oil giant Aramco is considering a two-stage initial public offering (IPO) with a domestic debut and a subsequent international listing possibly in Tokyo, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Aramco has said it plans to float around five per cent of the state-owned company in 2020 or 2021 in what could potentially be the world's biggest stock sale. The oil giant is now considering a plan to raise as much as $50 billion in a domestic listing, the Journal said citing unnamed sources. It added that the world's biggest energy firm favours Tokyo as a... read more

China has hit back against each previous tariff increase by the US, so not responding in kind this time may signal a change in strategy International news : China indicated it wouldn’t immediately retaliate against the latest US tariff increase announced by US President Donald Trump last week, emphasising the need to discuss ways to deescalate the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. “China has ample means for retaliation, but thinks the question that should be discussed now is about removing the new tariffs to prevent escalation of the trade war,” Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said on Thursday. “China is lodging solemn representations with the US on the matter.” When asked if that meant China wouldn’t retaliate at all for the latest escalation by the US, Gao didn’t elaborate but repeated the same comments. China has hit back against each previous tariff increase by the US, so not responding in... read more

The speech on October 1 will be accompanied by a national day parade showcasing China's advances in military technology International news : Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a major speech to mark 70 years since the official founding of the People’s Republic of China, it was announced on Thursday. The speech on October 1 will be accompanied by a national day parade showcasing China’s advances in military technology, Wang Xiaohui, executive vice-minister for the Communist Party’s Publicity Department, said. “The purpose is to motivate and mobilise the whole party, the whole... read more

Lee is the designated heir to South Korea's largest conglomerate and a national icon International news : South Korea’s highest court ordered the retrial of Samsung Electronics Vice-Chairman Jay Y Lee over bribery charges, reviving legal uncertainty around the company just as it is navigating global trade turmoil. The Supreme Court voided an earlier decision to suspend Lee’s 2.5-year prison sentence and is sending the case back to the lower court. Lee may end up going to prison again, having previously served a year after getting arrested in February 2017. He was released in 2018 after the Seoul High Court halved what had originally been a 5-year term and suspended it... read more

Johnson's move to suspend Parliament for longer than usual was cheered by US President Donald Trump but provoked criticism from some lawmakers and media International news : UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government on Thursday challenged opponents of Brexit to collapse the government or change the law if they wanted to thwart Britain's exit from the European Union. More than three years since the Brexit referendum, the UK is heading towards its gravest constitutional crisis and a showdown with the EU over Brexit due in just 63 days. In his boldest step since becoming PM, Johnson enraged opponents of a no-deal Brexit by ordering the suspension of Parliament for almost a... read more  

The Trump administration has identified Russia and China as the countries who pose threat to the United States in space International news : US President Donald Trump on Thursday formally launched the Space Command, which he said will defend America's vital interests in "the next war-fighting domain". Gen John W Raymond is the commander of the US Space Command, which has been established as the 11th Unified Combatant Command of the American armed forces. "It's a big deal. As the newest combatant command, SPACECOM will defend America's vital interests in space -- the next war-fighting domain. And I think that's pretty obvious to everybody. It's all about space," Trump said addressing a... read more  

Newspapers, not television, is option No.1 for the well-heeled in their quest for information Old Monk : The Hurun Indian Luxury Consumer Survey 2019 goes past the data with a ultimate objective to understand creating instances of lifestyle, use, and brand awareness of rich Indians. The revelations demonstrate some standard suspects and a couple o f shocks. For example, Old Monk rum is clearly the Indian blended refreshment of choice. By then, it is papers and not TV that is elective No.1 for the well-obeyed as they kept searching for information. Not too dumbfounding is the choice of guest objectives. The UK heads the summary, trailed by Italy and the Maldives. On the broad summary of genuine use, it is preparing that is before fervor and voyaging. With respect to collectibles, craftsmanship turns into the mind-boggling center. What is the favored cabin organize for rich Indians? It is the Taj Group of Hotels over the Hyatts and the Four Seasons. Also, business pioneers who ...

India lacks an organised system for management of plastic waste, leading to widespread littering across its towns and cities Current affairs : India is set to impose a nationwide ban on plastic bags, cups and straws on October 2, officials said, in its most sweeping measure yet to stamp out single-use plastics from cities and villages that rank among the world's most polluted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is leading efforts to scrap such plastics by 2022, is set to launch the campaign with a ban on as many as six items on October 2, the birth anniversary of independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, two officials said. These include plastic bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets, said the officials, who asked not to be... read more

Also allows CPI(M)'s Yechury to visit J&K to meet party colleague Md Yousuf Tarigami Current affairs : The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday agreed to hear a bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and said a five-judge Constitution Bench would start hearing the validity of the government’s move from the first week of October. Despite stiff opposition from Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal and Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, a three-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, issued notices to the Centre and the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) administration, and sought their response on the petitions. The issuance of notice by the apex court would mean that the case has been formally taken on board by the SC. AG Venugopal and SG Mehta, while opposing the same, said that the... read more

The classic novel became a point of contention during the day's hearing after Pune Police claimed the book was part of the 'highly incriminating evidence' it had seized from Vernon Gonsalves' house Current affairs : The Bombay High Court on Wednesday asked Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case accused Vernon Gonsalves to explain why he kept "objectionable material" like a copy of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" and some CDs at his home. A single-judge bench of Justice Sarang Kotwal hearing the bail plea of Gonsalves and others also said that "such books" and CDs prima facie indicated they contained some material against the State. The classic novel about Russia during Napoleonic wars became a point of contention during the day's hearing after the Pune Police probing the case claimed that the book was part of the... read more

For improving the "gati" and "disha" (speed and focus) of governance, Modi said there should be better coordination between Cabinet ministers and ministers of state Current affairs : Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed his council of ministers on Wednesday to make only those claims which can be established and also not to appoint their near and dear ones in advisory roles in ministries. Chairing a meeting of the Union council of ministers, Modi referred to unnecessary remarks being made in media and in public and categorically told them to state only facts or make claims which can be established, sources said. He also asked ministers not to appoint their near and dear ones in advisory roles in their ministries or departments. For improving the "gati" and "disha" (speed and focus) of... read more

Once the formal order comes, he will replace Justice Manmohan Singh who joined as chairman on September 22, 2016 for a three-year term CBI officials bring Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram to produce him at the CBI court in connection with the INX Media money laundering case   Current affairs : The government is believed to have appointed Justice Sunil Gaur, who had rejected the bail plea of former finance minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media case, as chairman of the PMLA Appellate Tribunal. While no government notification or order appointing Gaur as chairman has been made public so far, sources in the know said the appointment has been cleared. Once the formal order comes, he will replace Justice Manmohan Singh who joined as chairman on September 22, 2016 for a... read more

The US lawmaker has also said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan needs to cool his heated rhetoric During the interaction, the Kashmiri-American community appreciated his support in democratic resolution of the conflict and upliftment of communities from poverty and terror   Current affairs : Asserting that Kashmir is an internal issue for India, Indian-American lawmaker Ro Khanna who recently joined the Pakistani Congressional Caucus has said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan needs to cool his heated rhetoric. "Kashmir is an internal matter for India's democracy and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan needs to cool his heated rhetoric and not escalate to a war or conflict," Congressman Khanna told members of the Indian-American community during an interaction in Freemont, California recently. "Imran Khan's rhetoric of war with India is absolutely ridiculous," Khanna, the two-term Democratic Congressman representing Silicon Valley i...

Agree on passing a law to force the government to seek a delay Cross-party MPs after signing the Church House Declaration after an event about opposing the suspension of Parliament to prevent no-deal Brexit, in London   International news : Opposition parties said they would try to pass a law which would force Prime Minister Boris Johnson to seek a delay to Britain’s departure from the European Union and prevent a potentially chaotic no-deal exit at the end of October. The United Kingdom is heading towards a constitutional crisis at home and a showdown with the EU as Johnson has pledged to leave the bloc in 66 days without a deal unless Brussels agrees to renegotiate the Brexit divorce. Parliament returns from its summer break next week and is preparing for a battle with Johnson, who has vowed to take Britain out of the European Union at the end of October with or... read more

Analysts and investors have long speculated that the companies would merge International news : Philip Morris International and Altria Group are discussing an all-stock merger, potentially reuniting two of the world’s largest tobacco firms after more than a decade, in a deal aimed at domination of the fast-growing e-cigarette market. Altria’s shares initially rose more than 6 per cent, while Philip Morris fell almost 10 per cent. A merger of the two would create a company with a market value of more than $200 billion. Analysts and investors have long speculated that the companies would merge, given mounting pressure from declining cigarette sales and the need to invest in other sources of... read more

The deal calls for a $4 billion initial payment to BP with the remaining $1.6 billion in earnout payments over time International news : British oil major BP Plc on Tuesday agreed to sell all its Alaskan properties for $5.6 billion to privately held Hilcorp Energy Co, exiting a region where it operated for 60 years. The deal, which includes interests in the most prolific oil field in US history at Prudhoe Bay, and the 800-mile (1,300-km) Trans Alaska Pipeline, is part of BP's plan to raise $10 billion over the next two years through asset sales to further strengthen its balance sheet, it said. [nRSa3228Ka] For years, BP has been reducing its role in Alaska, where oil production for fallen with declines at the Prudhoe Bay field. BP, which began working in Alaska in 1959, is the operator and holds a 26 per cent stake in Prudhoe, where... read more

Anthony Levandowski's prosecution is one of Silicon Valley's highest-profile trade secret theft cases, as engineers race to develop self-driving cars, which experts view as a $1-trn market opportunity International news : The US Department of Justice on Tuesday filed criminal charges accusing Anthony Levandowski, a pioneer in self-driving car technology, of stealing trade secrets from his former employer Google before joining rival Uber Technologies Inc. Lawyers for Levandowski said their client stole nothing and that they looked forward to proving his innocence at trial. The 33-count indictment largely mirrors allegations that the Waymo unit of Google's parent company Alphabet Inc, where Levandowski had worked, had made in a civil lawsuit against Uber in 2017, which later... read more

The essential point is that this money, on entering Brazil, will be under the control of the Brazilian people An aerial view shows smoke rising over a deforested plot of the Amazon jungle in Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil, in this August 24, 2019 picture taken with a drone.   Amazon rainforest : Brazil will accept foreign aid to help fight fires in the Amazon rainforest on the condition that the Latin American country controls the money, the president's spokesman said Tuesday. "The Brazilian government through President (Jair) Bolsonaro is open to receiving financial support from organizations and even countries," Otavio Rego Barros told reporters. "The essential point is that this money, on entering Brazil, will be under the control of the Brazilian people.

The Amazon forests have been hit with this decade's worst blaze. Brazil's handling of the fires has led to ill-feeling between the two Presidents A helicopter drops water over a wildfire. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California.   International news : Brazil may reject the $20 million offer from G7 nations to combat the Amazon fires if French President Emmanuel Macron fails to withdraw his "insults", the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday. "First of all, Macron has to withdraw his insults. He called me a liar. Before we talk or accept anything from France...he must withdraw these words then we can talk. First, he withdraws, then offers (aid), then I will answer," Sputnik quoted Bolsonaro as saying. He, however, refuted his Chief of Staff, Onyx Lorenzoni's words. "Thanks, but maybe those resources are more relevant to reforest Europe," ...

"We have registered an offence at MRA Marg police station based on the complaint of Economic Offences Wing," an official said Current affairs : Mumbai Police on Monday registered an FIR against senior NCP leader and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and other functionaries in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam case on the directions of the Bombay High Court. Other accused include Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) leader Jayant Patil and officials from the superseded bank's units in 34 districts in the state, an official said. "We have registered an offence at MRA Marg police station based on the complaint of Economic Offences Wing," an official said. On August 22, a bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and S K Shinde of... read more

Protection from arrest by ED to continue till Tuesday when the court takes up the matter again Current affairs : A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Monday extended the police custody of former finance minister P Chidambaram till August 30. This gives the agency more time to question him in connection with the alleged discrepancies in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approvals to INX Media. Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI on August 21 and produced before the special CBI judge the following day. The court had then remanded him in the probe agency’s custody for five... read more

Modi and Trump exchanged a warm handshake and spoke to the media on Indo-Pak tensions, bilateral trade and other issues G7 Summit :  Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks very good English, but he just doesn't want to talk, US President Donald Trump said jokingly on Monday before the two "friends" met for formal talks on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit. The two leaders held 40-minute discussions in Biarritz, the French town which is hosting the meeting of the world's most industrialised nations. Modi and Trump exchanged a warm handshake and spoke to the media on Indo-Pak tensions, bilateral trade and other issues. Modi answered questions posed by reporters in Hindi. "He (PM Modi) actually speaks very good English, he just doesn't want to talk," Trump joked when Prime Minister Modi asked reporters to let the... read more

Prime Minister Modi, flanked by Trump, on Monday categorically rejected any scope for third party mediation on Kashmir Trump and First Lady Melania Trump returned home late Monday night after attending the G7 Summit   G7 Summit :  The White House on Monday claimed helping reduce India-Pakistan tension is one of the five big takeaways from the just-concluded G7 Summit. President Donald Trump returned home from the Group of Seven Summit held in the French city of Biarritz from August 24 and 26. In its daily round-up for Monday, the White House said, "The five big takeaways are: A message of unity, security a billion-dollar trade deal, promoting the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), developing stronger trade with... read more

There's enough oxygen in the air to last for millions of years, and the amount is set by geology rather than land use A tract of Amazon jungle burns in Boca do Acre, Amazonas state, Brazil August 24, 2019    Amazon rainforest : Fires in the Amazon rainforest have captured attention worldwide in recent days. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who took office in 2019, pledged in his campaign to reduce environmental protection and increase agricultural development in the Amazon, and he appears to have followed through on that promise. The resurgence of forest clearing in the Amazon, which had decreased more than 80% following a peak in 2004, is alarming for many reasons. Tropical forests harbor many species of plants and animals found nowhere else. They are important refuges for indigenous people, and contain enormous stores of carbon as wood and other organic matter that would otherwise contribute to the climate crisis. Some media accounts have suggested that fir...

French President Emmanuel Macron said G7 nations would release $22 mn In this Aug. 20, 2019 drone photo released by the Corpo de Bombeiros de Mato Grosso, brush fires burn in Guaranta do Norte municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil    G7 Summit : G7 members have agreed to provide logistical and financial support to help fight fires in the Amazon rainforest. French President Emmanuel Macron said G7 nations would release $22 mn. However, President Jair Bolsonaro said the plan of an “alliance” to “save” the Amazon treated Brazil “as if we were a colony or no man’s land”. A record number of fires is burning in Brazil, according to the country’s space research agency.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the key Gulf nation, offered prayers at the Shreenathji Temple in Manama, the oldest temple in the region Current affairs : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the $4.2 million redevelopment project of the 200-year-old Lord Sri Krishna temple in the Bahraini capital.   Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the key Gulf nation, offered prayers at the Shreenathji Temple in Manama, the oldest temple in the region, and also the prasad' that he bought with the RuPay card after launching it in the UAE on Saturday.   Prime Minister then unveiled the plaque, thus officially launching the redevelopment project of the iconic temple.   Thank you Bahrain for the warmth and affection. PM @narendramodi... read more

The two sides exchanged views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest during the meetings Current affairs : In a veiled attack on Pakistan, India and Bahrain on Sunday called on the international community to reject the use of terrorism against other countries as both sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in the field of security, counter-terrorism and the exchange of intelligence and information during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gulf Kingdom. During his two-day visit to Bahrain, the first by an Indian prime minister, that concluded on Sunday, Modi held bilateral meetings with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and prince and Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest during the meetings, according to a joint statement. "Both sides called on all states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries; dismantle terrori...

The 66-year-old BJP stalwart passed away at the AIIMS here on Saturday Current affairs : Former finance minister Arun Jaitley was cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat here with full State honours on Sunday in the presence of relatives, top leaders from across the political spectrum and scores of his admirers and party workers. Skies opened up as Jaitley's son Rohan lit the pyre amid chanting of vedic hymns. Hundreds of mourners had converged at the cremation ground along the banks of the Yamuna river to bid final farewell to the 66-year-old BJP stalwart who passed away at the AIIMS here on Saturday. Senior leaders laid wreaths on the mortal remains and a gun salute was... read more

In a statement, the Jammu and Kashmir administration also said 1,165 out of 1,666 chemist shops in Srinagar remained open on Sunday Ease of restrictions in the Kashmir valley will help India's case at the international level   Current affairs : Most of the chemist shops remained open in the Kashmir Valley on Sunday as Governor Satya Pal Malik denied any shortage of medicines and essential commodities in Jammu and Kashmir, and said communication curbs helped save many lives in the state. In a statement, the Jammu and Kashmir administration said 1,165 out of 1,666 chemist shops in Srinagar remained open on Sunday. The Kashmir Valley has 7,630 retail chemist shops and 4,331 wholesale shops, it said, adding that around 65 per cent shops remained open there. Malik said there was no shortage of medicines and essential commodities... read more

Under Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir was permitted to have its own flag, which was red in colour with three equidistant white vertical strips and a white plough Under special status granted to J&K by Article 370 of the Constitution, the region had been permitted to fly its own flag   Current affairs : The flag of Jammu and Kashmir which used to fly along with the tricolour was removed from the Civil Secretariat here on Sunday, three weeks after the Centre revoked Article 370 provisions which granted special status to the state, officials said. Under Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir was permitted to have its own flag, which was red in colour with three equidistant white vertical strips and a white plough. The flag, which was hoisted along with the tricolour every day atop the civil secretariat, the seat of the government, was supposed to be removed on October 31 when the law bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into... read more

His son Rohan performed the last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat FINAL JOURNEY: Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh and senior leaders from across the political divide paid their last respects to the late finance minister Arun Jaitley at the BJP headquarters on Sunday afternoon before his final journey. Wrapped in the tricolour, the mortal remains were brought to the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg at 11 am. He was later cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi. Current affairs : Arun Jaitley, former finance minister, key troubleshooter of the Narendra Modi government and the liberal face of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was cremated in the national Capital with full state honours on Sunday afternoon. His son Rohan performed the last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat. Several political leaders, and not just of the BJP’s but the Congress and other parties as well, chief ministers, friends, followers, and admirers attended the cremation. Rohan, son of Arun Ja...

Senior Citizen Day 2019 :  After spending decades of your life fulfilling personal and professional commitments, you look forward to living your golden years stress-free and to the fullest. Now, while life indeed begins at retirement, it is also true that you retire from work and not from life. This means that you still need a steady stream of income to meet your household and medical expenses and fulfil your retirement dreams without depending much on your children or lowering your standard of living. Here are some tips that can help senior citizens achieve their financial and emotional freedom: Invest Wisely After the retirement, your risk appetite goes considerably down because your monthly salary discontinues. Hence, you should build a financial portfolio that maximizes returns and minimizes risks on your investments while generating a regular income and growing your money. You can invest the balance 15-20% in low-risk mutual funds and/or tax-free bonds to fetch bette...

Apex court asks trial court magistrate to try and finish trial against BSNL employees within one year Current affairs : The Supreme Court on Monday held that employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are not entitled to protection from criminal protection automatically on account of being a ‘public servant’. In doing so, the apex court overruled Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which says that prior sanction from a competent officer was mandatory to prosecute a government servant for alleged criminal act done in discharge of his official duty. Dismissing an appeal moved by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) against a high court order which had also held that protection of sanction under CrPC was not available to the officers of PSUs, the apex court also said that trial court magistrate should try and complete proceedings in the case within one year. The case dates back to 2003 when a criminal complaint was filed against BSNL for engaging “unregister...

From France, the prime minister will proceed for bilateral visits to the UAE and Bahrain, and will return to the French city of Biarritz on August 25 to attend the G7 Summit Current affairs : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a two-day State visit to France from August 22 during which he will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen strategic ties in key sectors such as defence, nuclear energy, maritime cooperation and counterterrorism. Ahead of the visit, officials here said progress on setting up the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project is likely to be discussed during bilateral talks and India is committed to finalising the venture "as soon as possible". From France, the prime minister will proceed for bilateral visits to the UAE and Bahrain, and will return to the French city of Biarritz on August 25 to attend the G7 Summit, where India has been invited as a partner country. Modi will arrive in France on Thursday evening and straightaway he...

Heavy rain battered Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, claiming 37 lives so far An official checks the water level of Yamuna river as it rises after the release of water from Hathnikund Barrage, in New Delhi, Monday, Aug 19, 2019.   Current affairs : Delhi -  Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday urged people in low-lying areas to move to temporary shelters set up by the administration Traffic on Old Yamuna Bridge was closed by the administration as Yamuna breached danger mark -According to a Delhi government official, the river was flowing at 205.36 metres on Monday evening, just above the danger mark of 205.33 metres - The Yamuna flows through six districts of Delhi where low-lying areas are... read more

According to a government statement, Modi and Trump had a 30-minute telephonic conversation. Current affairs : Alluding to recent statements by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told US President Donald Trump that extreme rhetoric and incitement to anti-India violence by certain leaders in the region were not conducive to peace. According to a government statement, Modi and Trump had a 30-minute telephonic conversation. “In the context of the regional situation, the prime minister stated that extreme rhetoric and incitement to anti-India violence by certain leaders in the region was not conducive to peace,” it stated. Modi, the statement said, highlighted the importance of creating an environment free from terror and violence, and eschewing cross-border terrorism without exception. The prime minister recalled his meeting with Trump in Osaka on... read more

It is also relatively nearby, just over 63 light years, and surrounded by a disk of stellar dust Current affairs : A second planet has been discovered circling Beta Pictoris, a fledgling star in our own galaxy offering astronomers a rare glimpse of a planetary system in the making, according to a study published Monday. "We talking about a giant planet about 3,000 times more massive than Earth, situated 2.7 times further from its star than the Earth is from the Sun," said Anne-Marie Lagrange, an astronomer at France's National Centre for Scientific Research and lead author of a study in Nature Astronomy. The new planet, b Pictoris c, completes its orbit roughly every 1,200 days. Like its big sister b Pictoris b, discovered by Lagrange and her team in 2009, it is a gassy giant. Visible with the naked eye, Beta Pictoris -- with a mass nearly twice that... read more

State says linking needed to fight terrorism and fake news as Facebook appeals that the top court hears all such cases The Madras high court, while hearing the petition, had observed that the application to link Aadhaar with social media profile was dangerous as “it would affect the right to privacy of every individual”   Current affairs : Social media profiles should be linked to users' Aadhaar number to check terrorist messages, pornography, and fake news, the Tamil Nadu government told the Supreme Court on Monday. The state told the court that it was working with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) professors to find a solution to trace the origin of WhatsApp messages. Tamil Nadu made the submissions when a two-judge bench of Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose was hearing a petition by Facebook, to transfer all such cases pending in different high courts to the Supreme Court. The High Courts of Madras, Bombay, and Madhya Pradesh are hearing nearly simil...

The prime minister will first travel to United Arab Emirates where he would receive the 'Order of Zayed', the highest civil decoration of the country, the External Affairs Ministry said Current affairs : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a three-day visit to United Arab Emirates and Bahrain beginning August 23 and hold extensive talks with top leaders of the two countries on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. The prime minister will first travel to United Arab Emirates where he would receive the 'Order of Zayed', the highest civil decoration of the country, the External Affairs Ministry said on Sunday. From UAE, Modi will leave for Bahrain on August 24 on a two-day visit, which will be the first ever prime ministerial visit from India to the Gulf nation, the ministry said. In April, the UAE announced conferring the prestigious award on... read more

Tarun Tejpal, founder and former editor of Tehelka magazine, has denied charges made by a former colleague. Current affairs : The Supreme Court is on Monday likely to rule on senior journalist Tarun Tejpal's appeal to quash charges in an alleged sexual assault case lodged against him by a former colleague. The Goa Police has said there are "contemporaneous" WhatsApp messages and e-mails which showed Tejpal, the founder and former editor of Tehelka magazine, should face trial in the case. The police, while opposing Tejpal's plea seeking quashing of charges framed against him, had told the bench that there was "ample material" warranting trial in the case. Tejpal's lawyer had refuted the allegations and told the bench that... read more

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has not issued any bulletin on Jaitley's health condition since August 10 Current affairs : Several Union ministers including Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Jitendra Singh, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited AIIMS here on Sunday to enquire about the health condition of former finance minister Arun Jaitley, who is on life support system. Jaitley, 66, was admitted to the hospital on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has not issued any bulletin on Jaitley's health condition since August 10, and several prominent leaders have been visiting the hospital since to know about his wellbeing. Sources said on Sunday evening that Jaitley is... read more

In southern India, the death toll in flood-ravaged Kerala climbed to 121 with the retrieval of more bodies Delhi witnessed rains with the maximum temperature settling at 29.7 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season's average.   Current affairs : Heavy rains lashed northern parts, leaving at least 28 people dead and 22 missing in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab on Sunday, while a flood alert was sounded in parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh as Yamuna and other rivers were in spate. Haryana has asked the Army to remain on standby after 8.14 lakh cusec water was released from the Hathini Kund barrage in the Yamuna river. At least 22 people, including two Nepalese, were killed and nine others injured in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh, while three people died and 22 went missing following a cloudburst in Uttarakhand. Three people lost their lives in Punjab. In southern India, the death toll in flood-ravaged Kerala climbed to... r...

Curbs tightened in parts of Kashmir Current affairs : The local administration, which is currently under Centre’s control, tightened restrictions in some parts of Srinagar and across Kashmir on Sunday, following incidents of violence in the last 24 hours. In the Jammu region, the administration cut off low-speed (2G) mobile internet services in five districts on Sunday to check rumour mongering. The move came within 24 hours of services being restored. Addressing a public meeting in Haryana’s Kalka ahead of flagging the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for the Assembly polls in the state, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said no dialogue with Pakistan was possible until stops aiding and abetting terrorism. He said if talks are held with Islamabad they will be only on Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). “Now it (Pakistan) is knocking every door and approaching various countries for help. Have we committed any crime? And they are trying to threaten us. However, America, perceived a...

'The US would be unwise to turn to Pakistan as a strategic partner,' Richard N Hass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in an op-ed last week. 'India has rejected participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative, whereas Pakistan, struggling economically, has embraced it'   Current affairs : Amid an increased India-Pak tension on Kashmir and an ongoing Afghan peace talks, a top American foreign policy expert has cautioned the Trump Administration against any strategic tilt towards Pakistan and moving away from India. "The US would be unwise to turn to Pakistan as a strategic partner," Richard N Hass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in an op-ed last week. Pakistan sees a friendly government in Kabul as vital to its security and competition with arch-rival India, he wrote in his op-ed that was first published by Project Syndicate and thereafter... read more

Punia along with Vinesh Phogat was recommended by the Wrestling Federation of India for the prestigious award Sports : Ace wrestler Bajrang Punia is set to be awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2019 -- the country's highest sporting honour. Speaking to IANS, sources in the know of developments said that Punia will be rewarded with the award for his consistent showing in the field of wrestling and his contribution in bringing laurels to the country. Punia alongwith Vinesh Phogat were recommended by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for the prestigious award. Punia recently defended his title at the Tbilisi Grand Prix as he won the gold medal by prevailing over Iran's Peiman Bibyani in the 65kg final of... read more

It is extremely rare for the Security Council to discuss Kashmir Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel patrol a street during restrictions in Jammu, Friday, Aug 9, 2019. Current affairs : The UN Security Council will meet here on Friday to discuss India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir after Pakistan wrote a letter on the issue to the world body. China, the closest ally of Pakistan, asked for "closed consultations" in the Council, which will meet at 10 am (7:30pm IST) to discuss the matter. A UN diplomat had told PTI that China had asked for closed consultations on the Security Council agenda item 'India Pakistan Question'. "The request was in reference to the Pakistani letter to Security Council President," the diplomat said. The Council's schedule said "Security Council consultations (closed) India/Pakistan... read more

A special bench, comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer, will hear the petitions Current affairs : The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday the petitions posing legal challenges to the Centre's decision to scrap provisions of Article 370 which abrogated special status to Jammu and Kashmir and subsequent measures putting restrictions on the working of media in the region. A special bench, comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer, will hear the petitions filed by advocate M L Sharma and Executive Editor, Kashmir Times, Anuradha Bhasin. While the advocate has challenged the scrapping of provisions of Article 370 which has resulted in the creation of two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the journalist has sought directions for restoring of all modes of communication, including mobile Internet and landline services, throughout the state to provide an enabling environment for... re...

During preliminary questioning, Faesal said he was taking a connecting flight to London from Istanbul, officials said Current affairs : Former IAS officer Shah Faesal, who is under detention, has been taken to a makeshift detention centre at the Centaur Hotel in Srinagar, officials said on Thursday. He was shifted from his home to the hotel during the night, they said. Faesal who was stopped from taking a flight to Istanbul at the Delhi airport during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday was flown back to Srinagar where he was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA), they said. During preliminary questioning, Faesal said he was taking a... read more

Sinha was a prominent presence in these slightly off-beat, middle class stories of the '70s Current affairs : Vidya Sinha's name conjures up the image of a working woman, who dressed in her everyday chiffon sarees, travels via Mumbai's crowded buses while being pursued by Amol Palekar's shy and slightly awkward hero in Basu Chatterjee's "Chhoti Si Baat". A shared bus route and being work neighbours is so instrumental to their romance that the city becomes a silent facilitator to their love story in the film, which is an immensely enjoyable watch even today. Sinha was a prominent presence in these slightly off-beat, middle class stories of the '70s with roles in "Rajinigandha", "Chhoti Si Baat" and "Pati, Patni Aur Woh". The actor passed away in Mumbai on Thursday after prolonged... read more

The Indian Army has also strengthened its vigil along the LoC and kept its personnel on high alert to effectively deal with any "misadventure" by Pakistan Current affairs : The Indian Army on Thursday called as "fictitious" the Pakistan military's claim of killing five Indian soldiers during a cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The response by the Indian Army came after Pakistan military's spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor claimed that three of its soldiers and five Indian personnel were killed in the cross-border firing. In a tweet, Ghafoor also alleged that the Indian Army has increased firing along the LoC in an effort to divert attention from the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that a number of bunkers were damaged and "intermittent... read more