Home Blog Page 6437

AR Rahman’s mother Kareema Begum dies due to age related ailments

By
Shivani Negi
-

Kareema Begum, mother of Oscar winning composer AR Rahman, passed away on Monday due to age related ailments. To mourn her demise, Rahman posted a photo of her on his verified Twitter account.

To pay their respect to the legend’s mother, celebrities from across the world poured in heartfelt condolences in the comment section of actor’s tweet.

“Your heart is broken, I know. But your mother left you with an inner strength , an inner resilience and belief .. that I have seen and admired for long. Stay strong, my friend,” commented director Shekhar Kapur.

“Deeply saddened by this news Rahman sir. She was one of the most gentle affectionate person I have met. Praying for her departed soul,” wrote singer Shreya Ghoshal.

“Dear Sir.. deeply saddened by your loss.. may god give you strength. Remembering Amma’s wonderful and gentle soul. She will forever remain in our hearts,” said singer Harshdeep Kaur.

“Sending you love and strength @arrahman sir,” shared actress Aahana Kumra.

Kareema Begum was married to famous Malayalam music composer Rajagopala Kulashekharan aka RK Shekhar, who passed away in 1976. She is survived by her son Rahman and daughters AR Reihana, Ishrath Qadri and Fathima Shekhar. Time and again, the music maestro has expressed that his mother played a crucial role in shaping his career as she was the first person to recognize his musical talent.

Nitish Kumar says he don’t care about CM Position

By
Neha Kumari
-

After a two-day meeting of the Janata Dal United, National General Secretary KC Tyagi gave the information in the press conference after the press conference. He said that Nitish Kumar did not want to become Chief Minister after Bihar Chunav, but under pressure from friendly parties and party leaders, he became CM.

He said that Nitish Kumar is not a leader but a leader of credit. Even in 2005, he became the Chief Minister despite not having the numbers. His credibility is strong. He said that according to the CSDS data, the NDA got a big vote of those who were on the margins of the society. This time the vote percentage was the same as last time.

Former deputy CM of Bihar and currently BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi supported Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying that – yes he did not want to become the Chief Minister but the leaders of BJP and JDU said that we have on his name and vision Fought Bihar election. People voted for us in his name. He then accepted the post of CM at the behest of JDU, BJP and VIP leaders.

During the meeting of the National Executive, Nitish Kumar announced the resignation of the post of JDU’s national president, making the party’s Rajya Sabha MP RCP Singh the new national president of the JDU. Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister and the outgoing National President of the party, himself had proposed a proposal to make RCP Singh the President in the meeting of the National Executive. This was unanimously agreed upon by the Executive and then the National Council also approved it.

Congress foundation day, details about Tiranga Yatra

By
Neha Kumari
-

On the 136th Foundation Day of the Congress, Tiranga Yatra was out in the market area. During this, the activists recalled the founders of the party and also told the people about the contribution of the Congress in the independence of the country. In the crowded market, Congress was with tricolor shouting slogans.

The yatra started under the leadership of Metropolitan President Rahul Chimwal started from Shaheed Park. Earlier, the Leader of Opposition Dr. Indira Hridayesh addressed the workers. After this, they went to Ramlila Maidan, Patel Chowki, Mira Marg, Factory Market, Rope Market etc. During the meeting held in Shaheed Park, the party officials said that the history of the Congress has been not only of cheating but of dying for the country. Thousands of Congressmen had to go to jail for raising their voice against the British. Despite that, no one accepted defeat.

The INC, formed on 28 December 1885, held its first session in Mumbai until 31 December 1885 under the chairmanship of lawyer Umesh Chandra Banerjee. AICC said in a press release, “December 28, 2020 marks the 136th year of the INC’s foundation. On this day, the PCC is requested to observe the party’s foundation day at state and district headquarters and Instruct the office bearers, MPs, MLAs / MLCs. “

The Congress, which is speaking in support of farmers agitating against the three agricultural laws on the national capital’s borders, will also focus on increasing solidarity with them as part of its Foundation Day celebrations.

It is stated in the press release. “The PCC is also requested to show solidarity with our fighting peasants, who are sitting on an indefinite strike against farm laws.” Let us tell you that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will not attend the events organized by the party. It is reported that he will be traveling abroad during this period. Party general secretary Randeep Surjewala confirmed this on Sunday. He said, “Rahul Gandhi is currently on a short personal journey.”

Happy birthday Ratan Tata: 10 inspiring quotes by great industrialist

By
Jyoti B
-

Tata Sons’ Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata
whose Vision & Leadership continues to inspire us everyday has turned 83 today on Monday (December 28, 2020).

Ratan Tata was born on 1937 in Surat, Gujurat, His father’s name was Naval Tata while Sooni Tata was his mother.

Naval Tata was the adopted grandson of Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata Group. He started his career with Tata Group in 1962 at the age of 25.

He later went to Harvard Business School to complete his studies. He is also an alumnus of the Cornell University College of Architecture.

He at the current time holds a full-time leadership role at Tata Trusts, which owns 66 percent of the group holding company, Tata Sons.

A recipient of two of India’s highest civilian honours, including the Padma Vibhushan (2008) and the Padma Bhushan (2000), Ratan Tata took up his first job of managing blast furnace and shovel limestone at Tata Steel in 1961.

Quotes by Ratan Tata that will inspire you to succeed

1. “I don’t believe in taking right decisions. I take decisions and then make them right.”

2. “Business need to go beyond the interest of their companies to the communities they serve.”

3. “People still believe what they read is necessarily the truth.”

4. “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together.”

5. “I have been constantly telling people to encourage people, to question the unquestioned and not to be ashamed to bring up new ideas, new processes to get things done.”

6. “I’ve often felt that the Indian Tiger has not been unleashed.”

7. “Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going, because a straight line even in an ECG means we are not alive.”

8. “If it stands the test of public scrutiny, do it… If it doesn’t stand the test of public scrutiny then don’t do it.”

9. “Power and wealth are not two of my main stakes.”

10. “None can destroy iron, but its own rust can! Likewise none can destroy a person, but its own mindset can!”

25 cities in India will have Metro services by 2025: PM Modi inaugurates first driverless Metro

By
Shivani Negi
-

Prime Minister Narednra Modi on Monday kickstarted India’s first driverless metro train’s operations on the Magenta Line of Delhi Metro. Addressing a virtual conference, the PM also launched National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) in the same ceremony.

The Prime Minister said that it was possible because “we took urbanisation as an opportunity, not a challenge.”

“Today’s ceremony is an attempt to turn urban development, urban ready and future ready,” the prime minister said. He, however, added that till a few years ago, when it came to urbanisation, no attention was paid to its future needs, people worked half-heartedly and there was confusion all around. “Urbanisation was taking place rapidly but our cities were not equipped at the same speed to deal with its after effects,” PM Modi said, adding that this led to a huge gap between the demand for urban infrastructure and its delivery.

Recalling the legendary works of former Prime Minister Atal Vihari Vajpayee said that under his government, Delhi’s first-ever Metro was flagged off in 2002. He further added that by 2025, India will expand Metro services to more than 25 cities. As of now, India has metro services in five countries.

This isn’t just an infrastructure made of bricks, stones and concrete. This, in fact, is the evidence of the fulfilment of the ambitions of the country’s middle class,” he said while comparing the development of Metro trains in the country.

India’s first driverless Metro will run on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line, between Janakpuri West and Botanical Garden.

According to reports, the driverless trains will have six coaches and will be equipped with several advanced features such as better regeneration of energy during braking, emergency efficient sub systems like LED lighting and air conditioning systems. They will operate at a speed of 85 kmph to 95 kmph, Delhi Metro had said.

Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s wife summoned in PMC bank fraud case

By
Shivani Negi
-

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s wife, Varsha Raut, has been summoned for quizzing by the Enforcement Directorate in a case related to PMC bank fraudery.

She has been called in connection with a Rs 55 lakh transaction at the Punjab Maharashtra Cooperative Bank between her and an associate.

 The agency is currently investigating alleged financial transactions between Varsha and Pravin Raut, who was earlier arrested in the case.

Before Varsha, the agency had summoned BJP-turned-NCP leader Eknath Khadse in the same case.

The ED has asked Varsha to appear for questioning before December 29 with relevant papers of her accounts in the PMC Bank.

This is the third time that Varsha has been summoned in the case. She had skipped earlier two summons with the latest being on December 11.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena, which rules Maharashtra with the Congress and NCP, had alleged that the Centre is unfairly targeting the party leaders over their personal feuds.

After the summon, in a tweet, Sanjay Raut without mentioning anyone, wrote, “Come, let’s see who has the more strength. Step out without fear my friends.”

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Devendra Fadnavis reacting to Raut’s tweet said that he talks like this every day.

“Tell them not to worry. If it is a good job, go ahead. Why be afraid? Sanjay Raut tweets like this every day. They have many lions. They talk like everyday, Mr Fadnavis said.

Kangana Ranaut returns to Mumbai with Y-plus security

By
Shivani Negi
-

Actor Kangana Ranaut has finally returned to Mumbai after holding family functions back at home in Manali. She was accompanied by her nephew Prithvi.

A few pictures and videos of her return has gone viral on the internet which show the actress returning along with security personnel.

Kangana was seen wearing a long fitted skirt, paired with a grey and white top and a long trench coat. To compliment her look, she had paired her attire with leather boots. Meanwhile, in other pictures, her sister and manager Rangoli and nephew Prithviraj were seen inside a car.

https://twitter.com/lokeshreddy94/status/1343223848305455104

Kangana was granted Y plus security after she was heavily criticized by Mumbaikars following her comments on Maharasthra. One of them was comparing Mumbai to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and adding how she felt unsafe in the city.

Kangana has been in the spotlight post the death of actor Sushant Singh Rjput who died by suicide on June 14. The actor had claimed that Sushant’s death was a well-planned murder by Bollywood honchos who ganged up against the outsider actor after seeing him succeed in Bollywood.

Kangana was granted the security by Home Minister in September when she returned Mumbai post her feud with BMC. “I see many people are threatening me to not come back to Mumbai so I have now decided to travel to Mumbai this coming week on 9th September, I will post the time when I land at the Mumbai airport, kisi ke baap mein himmat hai toh rok le (stop me if you can).” She had responded to a tweet by MP Parvesh Sahib Singh, who had written in Hindi, “Does Mumbai belong to just one person? What is happening in Maharashtra?” she had written on Twitter.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kangana has a number of films that are scheduled to be released in 2021 in her pipeline. She will be seen in J Jayalalithaa’s biopic Thalaivi and is currently shooting for Dhaakad.

Chinese Journalist Jailed for covering Wuhan’s coronavirus outbreak

By
Jyoti B
-

A chinese citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, was sentenced to four years of jail on Monday morning for covering Wuhan’s coronavirus outbreak in February, AFP reported.

She was found guilty of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” for her reporting.The 37-year-old former lawyer was detained in May, and has been on hunger strike for several months. Her lawyers say she is in poor health, the BBC reported.

Zhang Zhan, 37, was sentenced after a brief hearing in Shanghai, Ren Quanniu, one of her defence lawyers, told reporters.

Beijing has congratulated itself for “extraordinary” success in controlling the virus inside its borders, with an economy on the rebound while much of the rest of the world stutters through painful lockdowns and surging caseloads a year on from the start of the pandemic in Wuhan.

Controlling the information flow during an unprecedented global health crisis has been pivotal in allowing China’s communist authorities to reframe the narrative in their favour.

But that has come at a serious cost to anyone picking holes in that storyline.

“Zhang Zhan looked devastated when the sentence was announced,” Ren Quanniu, one of Zhang’s defence lawyers, told reporters confirming the four year jail term outside Shanghai Pudong New District People’s Court on Monday morning.

Around a dozen supporters and diplomats gathered outside Shanghai Pudong New District People’s Court on Monday morning, but police pushed journalists and observers away from the entrance as the defendant and her lawyer arrived.

China’s communist authorities have a history of putting dissidents on trial in opaque courts between Christmas and New Year to minimise Western scrutiny.

The trial comes just weeks before an international team of World Health Organization experts is expected to arrive in China to investigate the origins of Covid-19.

Fresh 20,021 covid-19 cases take India’s tally to 1,02,07,871

By
Shivani Negi
-

India on Monday recorded fresh 20,021 Covid-19 infections, pushing the total number of cases to 1,02,07,871. The number of deaths remained below 300 for the third straight day at 279, taking the tally of fatalities to 1,47,901, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

In the last 24 hours, 21,131 people have recovered with the total number of people recuperating from the virus reaching 97,82,669. There are 2,77,301 active cases in the country. The recovery rate stands at 95.83 per cent while the fatality rate is 1.45 as per cent.

A total of 16,88,18,054 samples have been tested for Covid-19 till now. Of these, 7,15,397 samples were tested on Sunday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state in the country with 19,13,382 cases.

Here’re some more updates:

*A two-day dry run for coronavirus vaccine program starts today in Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat and Assam. 

*Mainland China reported 21 newly confirmed coronavirus cases, including six locally transmitted infections, the National Health Commission said on Monday.

*France has flagged off its covid-19 vaccination drive with a 78-year-old woman being the first person to administer the vaccine developed by Pfizer.

*Canada has confirmed two cases of the highly transmissible variant of the coronavirus first detected in Britain.

*South Korea detected the first case of the new covid variant on Sunday, the health officials said.

* The US, currently the hardest-hit country in the world by the Covid-19 pandemic, has reached yet another grim milestone as its overall caseload has surpassed the 19 million mark.

*Sydney has banned large gatherings on New Year countdown at Opera House amid an outbreak of the coronavirus. The viewers are told  to watch its famous new year fireworks from home.

*World Health Organisation Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Sunday called on countries to make greater investment in their public health systems to be better prepared for pandemics and epidemics.

Meanwhile, the overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 80.7 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.76 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

China orders Jack Ma’s Ant Group to return to its roots 

By
Jyoti B
-

Chinese regulators ordered Jack Ma’s online financial titan Ant Group Co. to return to its roots as a provider of payments services, threatening to throttle growth in its most lucrative businesses of consumer loans and wealth management.

Ant executive told to ‘rectify’ the company’s lending, insurance and wealth management services, after Central Bank summoned them, the People’s Bank of China said in a statement Sunday.

Executive stopped short of directly asking for a breakup of the company, the central bank stressed that Ant needed to “understand the necessity of overhauling its business” and come up with a timetable as soon as possible.

Chinese regulators ordered Jack Ma’s online financial titan Ant Group Co. to return to its roots as a provider of payments services, threatening to throttle growth in its most lucrative businesses of consumer loans and wealth management.

The series of edicts represent a serious threat to the expansion of Ma’s online finance empire, which has grown rapidly from a PayPal-like operation into a full suite of services over the past 17 years. Before regulators intervened, Ant was poised for a public listing that would have valued it at more than $300 billion, with existing backers including Carlyle Group Inc. and Silver Lake Management LLC. The Hangzhou-based firm now needs to move forward with setting up a separate financial holding company to ensure it has sufficient capital, and protect personal private data, the central bank said.

Authorities also blasted Ant for sub-par corporate governance, disdain toward regulatory requirements, and engaging in regulatory arbitrage. The central bank said Ant used its dominance to exclude rivals, hurting the interests of its hundreds of millions of consumers.

China last week intensified its scrutiny of the twin pillars of billionaire Ma’s internet domain when it also kicked off an investigation into alleged monopolistic practices at Ant affiliate Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. The e-commerce firm’s US-listed shares tumbled the most ever on news of the probe.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine offers 95 % protection against coronavirus, says CEO

By
Shivani Negi
-
A medical syringe and a vial in front of the AstraZeneca British biopharmaceutical company logo are seen in this creative photo taken on 18 November 2020. Pfizer and Biontech announced its conclude phase 3 study of COVID-19 vaccine candidate with 95% primary efficacy analysis, as media reported on 18 November 2020. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Oxford covid-19 vaccine can “protect 95 per cent of patients” from the virus and is “as effective as the Pfizer and Moderna” alternatives, Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca. The CEO added that the vaccine has achieved “winning formula” for efficacy.

However, the AstraZeneca is yet to make an official statement. In an earlier analysis last month, the vaccine maker had said that their vaccine showed 70 per cent efficacy rate as the average of two dosing regimens.

One of these regimens – a half dose followed by a full dose – showed 90 per cent efficacy. The difference in efficacy rate of two regimens raised questions from health officials worldwide, following which the company had said that they will release a discrete analysis of the final stage trials.

Meanwhile, Mr Soriot said that the vaccine will also be effective against the aggressive new mutant strain of the virus which was first detected in the United Kingdom in September and is currently being transmitted across various parts of the world.

The Oxford vaccine has sought emergency use authorisation from the British government. The vaccine, which will be mass-produced in India by the Serum Institute, has also applied for emergency use in India. On Saturday, reports confirmed that the vaccine will be cleared Drug Controller General of India after clearance received from British authorities.

Reports are also of the view that Oxford-AstraZeneca’s vaccine may become the first vaccine to be approved in India for emergency use.

Besides AstraZeneca, US pharma giant Pfizer/BioNTech and indigenous Bharat Biotech have also asked for emergency approval in India.

Considering statement from the CEO while Pfizer is yet to present its data and Bharat Biotech hasn’t yet completed Phase III trials, it is likely that the AstraZeneca vaccine will be cleared by the end of this month.

The Oxford vaccine is also expected to be cheaper than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as it is likely to cost $2.5 per dose while Pfizer’ and Moderna’s vaccines cost $20 and $25 respectively.

India’s first ‘driverless’ train to be inaugurated by PM Modi on Monday

By
Shivani Negi
-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India’s first driverless metro train on December 28. The train will run on the 37-km long Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro.

“The driverless trains will be fully automated, which will eliminate the possibility of human error,” Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.

“Hon’ble PM Sh.@narendramodi is going to inaugurate India’s first driverless train operations on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line & the fully operational National Common Mobility Card services on the Airport Express Line via video-conferencing tomorrow at 11 AM,” DMRC tweeted.

The automated train network is spread across the national capital region – Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden.

“With the commencement of driverless trains on the Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line, DMRC will enter the elite league of seven per cent of World’s Metro networks which can operate without drivers,” a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson said.

According to reports, the driverless trains will have six coaches and will be equipped with several advanced features such as better regeneration of energy during braking, emergency efficient sub systems like LED lighting and air conditioning systems. They will operate at a speed of 85 kmph to 95 kmph, Delhi Metro had said.

“These trains would be more energy efficient than the earlier trains of Delhi Metro because of improved design features,” an official told news agency PTI.

“These innovations will herald a new era of travelling comfort and enhanced mobility.” the official statement added.

After these automated trains begin operations on the Magenta Line, the Pink Line will also start operations by the mid of 2021.

“After the start of driverless services on the Magenta Line, the Pink Line of Delhi Metro is expected to have driverless operations by the mid of 2021,” Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.

The flagging-off of the driverless trains will be hosted via video conferencing, a senior DMRC official said.

CBI must submit findings of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case: Maharashtra Home Minister

By
Shivani Negi
-

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has urged the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) to submit their report on Sushant Singh Rajput death case at the earliest.

“It has been more than 5 months since the investigation began but CBI has not revealed if actor Sushant Singh Rajput was murdered or he died by suicide. I request CBI to reveal finding of the investigation at the earliest,” Deshmukh said while addressing the media on Saturday.

Sushant was found dead at his Bandra residence in Mumbai on June 14. His death was earlier registered as the case of suicide and Mumbai Police carried out the initial investigation into the death and confirmed the actor died by suicide. However, his father later filed a case against late actor’s girlfriend and actor Rhea Chakraborty and her kins for abetment of suicide. The case was then transferred to Bihar Police and subsequently Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered an CBI inquiry into the case.

Meanwhile, following the apex court’s order, the CBI approached the forensic department of the AIIMS Delhi for re-evaluating actor’s autopsy. The forensic team submitted its report to the CBI while asserting that there are no certain signs that could prove that the actor was murdered.

Apart from CBI, Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB) is also investigating a drug probe into the case that came into light while investigating actor’s death.

EU starts vaccination drive against coronavirus

By
Shivani Negi
-

The European Union has begun rolling out vaccines against coronavirus infections on Sunday across its 27 member states in a drive to inoculate approximately 450 million people.

Vaccination drive is being carried out following approval of the BioNTech-Pfizer jab by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).   

“Today, we start turning the page on a difficult year. The COVID-19 vaccine has been delivered to all EU countries. Vaccination will begin tomorrow across the EU,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a video she tweeted Saturday.

“The #EUvaccinationdays are a touching moment of unity. Vaccination is the lasting way out of the pandemic,” she added.

“The European Union has secured enough doses of vaccines for our whole population of 450 million people,” she said. “We also secured vaccines for our EEA neighbours like Iceland or Norway,” she mentioned.

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shipments have arrived to EU countries on Saturday and in the first phase, most countries received just under 10,000 doses. The vaccine has been made available to all the EU countries at the same time. 

While three members — Germany, Hungary and Slovakia — started vaccinations a day early on Saturday, rest are supposed to take leads from them on rolling out the vaccines in the market.

Germany gave first vaccine shots to elderly people on Saturday. Hungary, on the other hand,  administered its first vaccine doses to frontline health workers in Budapest. Slovakia also vaccinated some of its health care workers in the first phase.

The vaccination process in EU countries started a week after the UK Prime Minister announced that a new covid strain has been found which is expected to be 70 per cent more aggressive.

As of now, 45 countries across the world have started vaccination drive against the virus which have killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Can Amit Shah’s visit result in Saffron poll-bound North-East?

By
Harshit
-
Amit Shah, Amit Shah in Manipur, Amit Shah in North

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah is in his three days North-East. He will address a public rally in Manipur shortly and this morning he offered prayers at the Kamakhya Devi temple in Guwahati.

Shah’s visit to the poll bound Assam yesterday was the headlines as he said BJP will win the 2021 Assam polls with a complete majority.

Manipur is also a poll bound for the year 2022. Shah will address the public and before inaugurating Thoubal multipupose project worth Rs.1,998.99 crores and Bisnupur Tupul-Thoubal-Kasom-Kullen road worth Rs 475.68 crore.

In total Amit Shah will lay foundation stones for seven major projects and also expected to meet representatives of several civil bodies today.

Shah will also stress his focus on Indo-Naga peace talks which is reportedly in the final stage.

The gathering also set to launch a democratic movement in Manipur for the demand of “Special Status” for Manipur with the framework of the Indian government and Home Minister’s visit will speculate about the government’s stand on the issue.

1...6,4366,4376,438...6,638Page 6,437 of 6,638