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Hurriyat doesn't belong to India, it advocates Pak: RSS
Dubbing Hurriyat as an "illegal" organisation, the RSS on Saturday slammed its leaders for calling a Kashmir bandh ahead of PM Narendra Modi's proposed visit. "Hurriyat doesn't belong to India...It's an organisation which advocates Pakistan, which shelters terrorism," RSS leader Rakesh Sinha said. Notably, PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate India's longest highway tunnel in the state on April 2.
Central Assistance worth ₹2000 crore for Tamil Nadu released
The government has released the Central Assistance worth ₹2014.45 crore for Tamil Nadu. "The assistance to Tamil Nadu includes ₹1748.28 crore for drought (Kharif), ₹264.11 crore for cyclonic storm 'Vardah' and ₹2.06 crore under National Rural Drinking Water Programme," Union Home Ministry said. Rajnath Singh had chaired a High Level Committee meeting for approving the assistance on March 23.
Principal shot dead in school in Bihar
Unidentified assailants on Saturday shot dead the principal of a school at Kamlakund village of Bihar's Bhagalpur district, police said. Shambhu Mandal, principal of a government-run secondary school, died on spot when assailants fired at him while he was entering the school. The police suspected that the killing might have been an outcome of personal enmity.
April Fools' Day comet to pass closest to Earth in a century
Comet 41P, playfully named the April Fools' Day comet, is set to make its closest approach to Earth in more than a century on Saturday, NASA has said. The comet was first seen in 1858 and reobserved in 1907, 1951, and 1973. Northern Hemisphere's comet hunters should look for it near the constellations Draco and Ursa Major, said NASA.
Finance Bill gets President's nod, takes effect from April 1
President Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Finance Bill 2017, and the provisions of the bill will come into effect from Saturday. This will give effect to provisions like ban on cash transactions above ₹2 lakh. Further, this marks the first time the annual Budget and taxation proposals have come into effect from the financial year's first day.
Begging is illegal in 20 Indian states
According to the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, begging is illegal in 20 Indian states. The states which have anti-beggary laws include Bihar, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab. Further, two Union Territories, Delhi and Daman & Diu, also have anti-beggary laws.
Why is the Apple logo bitten?
The designer of the Apple logo, Rob Janoff, stated that he added a bite to the apple for scale and distinction. The bite aimed to make the logo instantly identifiable as an apple, and not be mistaken for some other fruit, for example a cherry. Notably, technology major Apple, turned 41 on Saturday.
Man has world record for most spoons balanced on face
The most number of spoons balanced on the face is 31 and was achieved by Dalibor Jablanovic from Serbia, according to the Guinness World Records. He achieved the record in September 2013 on the Guinness World Record Challengers site. Dalibor also holds the Guinness record for most spoons balanced on the body, at 79.
Germany has a 'hanging' rail system
The Wuppertal Suspension Railway, which is often referred to as the world's oldest monorail, is a hanging rail system in Germany. The suspension system, which also features elevated stations, runs along 13.3 kilometres. Also called the 'floating train', the first train track under the system was inaugurated in 1901.
Trailer of horror film 'IT' becomes most viewed in 24 hours
The trailer of the upcoming horror film 'IT', based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King, has set a record for the most viewed trailer within 24 hours of its release. The trailer received 19.7 crore views globally across all social media platforms. It broke the record previously held by action thriller film 'Fate of the Furious'.
China should not meddle in India's internal affairs: Rijiju
Following Beijing's objection to Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said China should refrain from meddling in India's internal affairs. "We are not interfering in the internal matters of China and that country should not interfere into ours," he added. Notably, Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit the state this month.
Trump forgets to sign executive orders and leaves
US President Donald Trump on Friday walked out of an executive order signing ceremony without actually signing them. This happened as he tried to avoid questions about former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who has offered to testify on Russia's involvement in US elections. Vice President Mike Pence then collected the unsigned orders which were later signed in another room.
2 journalists sue Trump over US drone strikes 'kill list'
Two journalists, who allege their names were erroneously placed on the "kill list" of individuals targeted by the US for drone strikes under Obama administration, have sued President Donald Trump accusing him of illegally maintaining that designation. The lawsuit claims the journalists were labelled as terrorists and targeted on the basis of data gathered from their travels and communications.
Protesters set fire to Paraguay Parliament
Demonstrators in Paraguay on Friday set fire to the country's Parliament amid violent protests against a bill that would let President Horacio Cartes seek re-election. Dozens of people have been reportedly injured, including protesters, politicians, and police officers. Notably, the country's 1992 Constitution, introduced after 35 years of dictatorship, limits the President to a single term.
Five associate banks, Bharatiya Mahila Bank merge with SBI
Five associate banks and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank merged with the State Bank of India (SBI) on Saturday, moving the country's largest lender among the top 50 banks in the world. With this, the total customer base of the bank will reach 37 crore. Further, the bank will have a branch network of around 24,000 and nearly 59,000 ATMs.
Don't know if Parineeti, Priyanka can sing well live: Pawni
Singer Pawni Pandey has said that though actresses Priyanka Chopra and Parineeti Chopra sing well in recordings, she isn't sure if they can sing well while performing live. Notably, Priyanka made her singing debut in 2012 with the single 'In My City'. Meanwhile, Parineeti made her Bollywood singing debut recently with a song in the upcoming film 'Meri Pyaari Bindu'.
'Baahubali: The Beginning' to re-release in theatres
The 2015 Indian epic historical fiction film 'Baahubali: The Beginning' will re-release in theatres on April 7, announced filmmaker Karan Johar. "It's time [to] refresh the memory of this epic!!" tweeted Johar. 'Baahubali: The Conclusion', the second instalment of the film, is scheduled to release on April 28 on 6500 screens, the highest ever for any film in India.
People falling out of love with cricket: England ODI captain
England's ODI captain Eoin Morgan has said change is needed in the current format of cricket since "people are falling out of love with the game". Speaking about England's new city-based T20 tournament, Morgan said, "We're always going to have the same cricket fans unless we do something differently...People are falling out of love...because it's not engaging enough."
Baseball players lie down on the field as bees halt play
A swarm of bees overtook a baseball field, sending players, umpires, and coaches ducking and lying down on the field during the Major League Baseball match between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres on Thursday. The bees were also seen to be making a hive on a microphone placed near the edge of the playing field.
Real Madrid set up fake site to improve club's image: Report
Spanish football club Real Madrid reportedly paid over ₹2 crore to set up a website which would publish 'fake news' in order to improve the public image of the club. Club President Florentino Perez admitted to having paid the amount for setting up the 'El Diario Bernabeu' website. Authorities are investigating Perez for being involved in a money laundering scandal.
23-year-old footballer saves 3 from drowning in Caribbean
Sunderland player Duncan Watmore recently saved the lives of three people after being involved in a boat crash in Barbados. The 23-year-old English player and his girlfriend were riding a speedboat when it was rammed into by another boat, sending them overboard. Watmore managed to help three other passengers climb out of the water, giving coastguards time to rescue them.
Player wears shoes designed by cancer-struck kid in NBA game
NBA team Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin wore shoes designed by an 11-year-old boy suffering from leukemia, during the team's game against Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Griffin is now auctioning the shoes, with the proceeds going to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. The team will also match donations by people up to $25,000 for the hospital.
FIFA hands 1,300-page corruption report to Swiss authorities
World football governing body, FIFA has submitted a 1,300-page report about the corruption in FIFA to the Swiss authorities investigating the body for high-level corruption and criminal misconduct. The report is a result of FIFA's 22-month-long internal enquiry in which over 2.5 million documents were reviewed. Notably, the submission also includes 20,000 pages of "exhibits" and documentation.
Woman ordered to pay ₹3.2 crore over false Facebook post
A US woman has been ordered by a judge to pay ₹3.2 crore for a Facebook post that falsely accused an acquaintance of killing her own son. The complainant said that social media makes it "easy" for people to defame others. "There are no filters to say whatever you think behind the safety of your screen," she said.
Thailand launches "Happy Zone" to improve image
Authorities in Pattaya, Thailand launched a "Happy Zone" over the weekend, which featured a police rock band and fish mascots. This comes after several international newspapers portrayed Pattaya as "Sin City." Provincial Governor Pakkaratorn Teianchai said, "I want people to see that we are not like what they say. We are not allowing prostitution in these entertainment places."
London hosts exhibition on history of selfies
The Saatchi Gallery in London on Friday launched the 'From Selfie to Self-Expression' exhibition, which is aimed at exploring the history of selfies. The exhibition, which starts with 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt, includes selfies by former footballer David Beckham and reality television personality Kim Kardashian. It also features the first selfie shot by an animal.
India's GDP to grow at 7.7% in 2018: Arun Jaitley
Speaking at the second annual meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB), Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.2% in 2017 and at the rate of 7.7% in 2018." The Finance Minister added that the growth in emerging and developing countries is picking up, and news from economies of BRICS countries is "encouraging".
Relatives vandalise hospital in MP after death of RSS worker
A private hospital in Indore was vandalised on Friday by the relatives of an RSS worker who died while undergoing treatment there, police said. Following the death of Himmat Singh Rathore, his relatives damaged glass doors and furniture alleging the doctors' negligence in providing the treatment. Rathore was suffering from cancer and was admitted to the hospital recently.
Bihar seals 7 illegal slaughterhouses in areas bordering UP
The administration of Bihar's Rohtas district, which lies near the Uttar Pradesh border, has sealed seven illegal slaughterhouses, according to reports. This comes after a directive from the Patna High Court stating that the illegal slaughterhouses in the district be sealed within six weeks. Yogi Adityanath-led government had earlier initiated a crackdown on the illegal slaughterhouses in UP.
Kuwaiti woman arrested for filming maid attempting suicide
Kuwaiti police have detained a woman for filming her maid falling from the seventh floor in an alleged suicide attempt without trying to rescue her, according to reports. In the video the maid can be seen screaming "hold me, hold me", just before her hand slips and she falls but the employer made no reaction as she continued filming.
RBI logo was inspired from East India Company's gold coin
The Reserve Bank of India, which was established on April 1, 1935 during the British Rule, modelled its official emblem after the double mohur of The East India Company. The logo originally featured a sketch of the Lion and Palm Tree but it was later decided to replace the lion with a tiger to represent India better.
Hand baggage stamping to continue for international fliers
The hand baggage of international passengers will continue to be stamped at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Cochin and Ahmedabad Airports, an official said on Friday. The airports have stopped stamping domestic fliers' hand baggage. Reportedly, the practice was not extended to international fliers as security regulators of foreign countries needed to be informed in advance.
Aadhaar to be mandatory for getting driving licence
The Cabinet on Friday decided to link issue of driving licences and vehicle registration to Aadhaar as part of the amendments approved under the Motor Vehicles Bill. The bill further proposes higher penalties for traffic offences, including fine and three-year jail for parents of minors caught driving and causing fatal accidents. Aadhaar was earlier made mandatory for filing I-T returns.
There is a sport called 'Extreme Ironing'
A sport named 'Extreme Ironing' involves people ironing clothes in extreme environments such as rock climbing, kayaking and at remote locations like the edge of buildings. It was founded in the city of Leicester, United Kingdom, in 1997 by Phil Shaw. An Extreme Ironing World Championship was held in Germany in 2002.
Ex-RBI Deputy Governor thought tiger on logo looked like dog
Unhappy with designs of Reserve Bank of India's emblem in 1935, then Deputy Governor Sir James Taylor arranged for photographs to be taken of a tiger statue in Calcutta. However, RBI's website notes, "Something or the other went wrong with the sketches," leading Taylor to remark, "tree is all right but his tiger looks too like some species of dog."
Cannes poster slammed for retouching actress' waist, thighs
The organisers of Cannes Film Festival 2017 have been slammed for allegedly retouching the waist and thighs of Italian actress Claudia Cardinale to make her appear slimmer on the festival's poster. A Twitter user wrote "Appalled that #Cannes2017 felt the need to 'slim' this photograph...insulting & unnecessary." However, the festival's director said that the poster has been "very well received".
Naga constable collects garbage in his old van to clean town
A 28-year-old constable from Nagaland, Neingupe Maru, voluntarily collects garbage in his old Maruti Van to keep Pfutsero town, located nearly 70 km from Kohima, clean. Maru deposits the pile of garbage in the dumping site located several kilometres outside the town. It reportedly took him 21 trips to rid the entire town of garbage on the first day.
On pressing SP symbol, EVM generated BJP's receipt: Cong
The Congress has alleged the VVPAT system attached to the EVM generated a receipt with BJP's lotus symbol when Chief Electoral Officer pressed the Samajwadi Party symbol during a demonstration ahead of Assembly by-polls in Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has tweeted, "If technical error, then why error always in BJP's favour, wherever detected? (sic)".
One who betrays his father, can’t be others' friend: Mulayam
Samajwadi Party Founder Mulayam Singh Yadav has slammed his son Akhilesh Yadav, stating, "One who betrays his father, can't be a friend of others". "No father made his son the CM during his own lifetime. And, what did Akhilesh do? He sacked his own uncle from his Cabinet," Mulayam said. "I've never been insulted so much," he added.
Govt aims to introduce BS-VI compliant fuel by 2020: Pradhan
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday asserted that his ministry aimed to introduce Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) compliant fuel in the country by 2020. He was speaking at the launch of BS-IV compliant fuel in the country. Notably, this comes after the Supreme Court ordered a ban on the sale and registration of BS-III compliant vehicles from Saturday.
FIR against warden who stripped girls to check period blood
An FIR has been registered against the hostel warden of a government school in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar for allegedly stripping 70 girls naked to check if they were menstruating. As per reports, the warden ordered all the students to remove their clothes because she was upset over a few blood stains left on the toilet seat.
Ola makes vehicle for transport to office cafeteria as prank
Ride-hailing startup Ola said it was launching 'Wheels', a Segway-like self-driving vehicle to let users commute from their office cubicle to gate or cafeteria as an April Fools' prank. The service costs ₹2/km and offers features like making small talk with the voice-based 'companion'. Ola's prank website also includes testimonials from Gasla CEO Melon Musk and Goggle CEO Sundar Picture.
Ex-airport cleaner defends grinning Cristiano Ronaldo bust
Self-taught sculptor Emanuel Santos has defended his recently-unveiled bust of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, saying Ronaldo has praised his efforts and asked him to make it more jovial. Santos, a former airport cleaner, said, "It's impossible to please the Greeks and the Trojans, and even Jesus couldn't please everyone... It's a matter of taste and not as simple as it seems."
Lebanese President falls on face at Arab League summit
Lebanese President Michel Aoun tripped and fell face down at the start of the Arab League summit in Jordan on Wednesday. The 82-year-old appeared to trip on a low, red-carpeted podium where flags of Arab states had been arranged. Following this, two men in suits rushed to help him to his feet.
Multinationals think firms like us are from villages: Amul
RS Sodhi, MD of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, which runs Amul, said multinational companies "think companies like ours are from the villages so we wouldn’t know anything". Commenting on HUL's complaint against Amul's ice-cream ad, Sodhi said, "It is a case of multinational ego." "They feel they have the best of brains and the best of lawyers," he added.
Akshay Kumar cleans toilet pit in Madhya Pradesh
Actor Akshay Kumar emptied a toilet pit in Reghwan village located in Madhya Pradesh along with Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Shri Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday morning. They held up the compost found in the toilet in their hands to demonstrate that the exercise is perfectly safe and that there should be no stigma attached to it.
Amber sues producer for adding sex scenes without consent
Actress Amber Heard has sued the producer of her 2015 film 'London Fields', accusing him of keeping a series of intimate photos of her and adding nude scenes to the film without her consent. A body double was reportedly used in an explicit pornographic scene, leaving viewers with the impression that it was Amber.
Reporter interrupts TV broadcast to rescue dog from floods
A video of Peru-based reporter Aaron Rodriguez interrupting his live TV broadcast to rescue a dog struggling to swim in flood waters has emerged online. Rodriguez can be seen following the dog with his camera before rescuing it and wading towards dry land. Notably, thousands of people have been displaced due to floods in Peru.
BCCI confirms Virat Kohli to miss start of IPL 10
BCCI has confirmed Virat Kohli will miss the start of IPL 10, which commences on April 5, due to his shoulder injury. In a release, BCCI said Kohli's fitness will be reassessed in the second week of April, which will determine an exact return date for the skipper. Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav have also been advised two weeks' rest.
Armless teenager scores three-pointers in school c'ship
A footage of an armless 13-year-old kid, named Jamarion Styles, shows him scoring two three-point shots in a basketball match during a local school championship. Styles, who lost his arms as an infant due to a bacterial infection, said that he also plays drums and that scoring those three-pointers in the match was "a good feeling."
Kyrgios hits tweener passing shot vs Federer, wins point
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios played a between-the-legs passing shot to win a point against 18-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in Miami Open semifinals on Saturday. Approaching the net after Federer's drop shot, Kyrgios hit the ball from between his legs into the open court to Federer's right. The 21-year-old, however, lost the match to Federer in three sets.
Other countries envious of Indian team, says Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar has said he feels other countries are envious of the Indian cricket team because of its bench strength. "When we have the full strength, it is a good problem...Whom to leave out? That means your bench strength is really strong. That is how champion teams are...Everyone is watching us the way we have played," said Tendulkar.
Concrete headphones weighing 5 kg made as April Fools' prank
Headphones maker Master & Dynamic has teased a pair of headphones made of solid concrete as an April Fools' Day prank. The company says that the headphones, priced at ₹26,000, will weigh nearly 5 kg. "Master & Dynamic has consistently chosen the road less travelled. As of today, that road is paved with concrete," said CEO Jonathan Levine.
Parents fined ₹2.4 lakh after kids illegally download music
Germany's highest court has ordered parents of three children to pay a ₹2.4 lakh fine after someone in the house illegally downloaded Rihanna's 2010 album "Loud." The state prosecutor reportedly said that nobody will be forced to "deliver their children at knifepoint," but if parents refuse to name the guilty party, whoever pays the internet bill will be held responsible.
Fish venom found to be painless but can disorient attackers
Researchers at Liverpool, UK, studying a two-inch-long blenny fish found its venom components to induce no pain when injected into lab mice. Researchers believe the venom might cause a sudden drop in blood pressure leaving the attacker disoriented and unable to chase. Researchers also found that the fangs (teeth) of the fang blenny fish evolved before the venom, unlike snakes.
Rickshaw puller sexually assaulted, murdered in Rajasthan
A 40-year-old rickshaw puller died after he was allegedly sodomised, beaten, and set ablaze by unknown persons in Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan, the police has said. The victim was sleeping on a pavement at night when the incident took place in the city area, DSP Tulsidas Purohit said.
DMK's Stalin demands loan waiver for Tamil Nadu farmers
Visiting the protesting Tamil Nadu farmers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, DMK Working President MK Stalin on Saturday demanded that PM Narendra Modi waive off their loans like he promised in Uttar Pradesh. Notably, the farmers have been protesting for 19 days demanding a drought relief package of ₹40,000 crore from the Centre, along with a farm loan waiver.
Won't apologise for Pathankot attack coverage: NDTV tells SC
NDTV has told Supreme Court it will not tender an apology for its coverage of Pathankot terrorist attack in January 2016. NDTV had allegedly revealed the location of suspected Pakistan-based terrorists involved in the attack. In November, the government had asked NDTV India to go off air for a day for revealing 'sensitive details', but later suspended the ban.
Unitech MD Sanjay Chandra held for duping Noida flat buyers
Real estate major Unitech's Managing Director Sanjay Chandra and his brother have been arrested by the economic offences wing of Delhi police for money laundering. The brothers have been accused of duping buyers who booked flats in Unitech’s project in Greater Noida. The buyers alleged that Unitech failed to complete the project on time and also didn't refund their money.
Film on youngest girl to climb Everest made tax-free in Maha
'Poorna', based on Poorna Malavath, world's youngest girl to climb Mt Everest has been made tax-free in Maharashtra. The Rahul Bose directorial was previously exempted from entertainment tax in Telangana, Karnataka and Delhi. "I was fixated on getting tax exemption for Poorna from Maharashtra because this is my home state," said Bose, who also features in the film.
Court stays release of film featuring Pratyusha Banerjee
A Mumbai court has stayed the release of short film 'Hum Kuchh Kah Naa Sakey' featuring late TV actress Pratyusha Banerjee, which was scheduled to release on Saturday. This was based on a police complaint filed by Pratyusha's boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh, who claimed the film has shown him in bad light. Rahul has been accused of abetting Pratyusha's suicide.nn
Congress' Jaffer Sharief backs Mohan Bhagwat's name for Prez
Senior Congress leader in Karnataka, Jaffer Sharief, on Saturday backed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's name for the post of President of India. Sharief has also written to PM Narendra Modi about it and has said that "there should not be any doubt about his (Bhagwat) patriotism, love for the people of India, loyalty to the nation".
Cow mummy in UP, yummy in Northeast: Owaisi
Taking a jibe at BJP's crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh, AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has said, "cow is mummy in UP but yummy in Northeast". His remark came after Nagaland's BJP leader Visasolie Lhoungu said, "Ban on cow slaughter like the one in UP won't take effect in Nagaland if our party comes to power next year."
CPI slams Govt for replacing English signboards with Hindi
The Communist Party of India on Saturday slammed the Centre for replacing English signboards with those of Hindi along National Highways in Tamil Nadu and questioned it for not following three-language formula. Further, DMK leader MK Stalin said, "If the BJP government tries to prioritise Hindi and give less importance to Tamil language, then a movement against Hindi could start."
Elon Musk confirms SpaceX once launched cheese into space
Elon Musk on Saturday confirmed that the 'secret' payload of the first flight of his aerospace startup SpaceX's Dragon capsule was a wheel of cheese. The 2010 launch marked the first time a commercially built and operated spacecraft was recovered from Earth's orbit. Musk was replying to a Twitter user's query on the test payload for a future SpaceX launch.
Scientists explain expansion of universe without dark energy
'Dark energy', thought to make up 68% of the universe, may not exist at all, according to a study that explains the universe's accelerating expansion without the need of dark energy. Using a computer simulation with a mathematical conjecture to model gravity's effect on dark matter, scientists reconstructed the evolution of the universe consistent with Einstein's theory of general relativity.
6-foot-long mammoth tusk found on English coast
Archaeologists have discovered a 6-foot-long mammoth tusk during an unusually low tide on the Essex coast of England. The low tide made the water recede by over 1km exposing the foreshore. The mammoth tusk was found during a field exploration walk in which participants walk along a stretch of beach in a long line and record what they find.
Cow protection must to save global moral degradation: Guj CM
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani on Friday termed cow protection as the most important principle for saving the world from moral and spiritual degradation. "To Indians, the cow symbolizes all other creatures. The cow is a symbol of the Earth, the nourisher, the ever-giving," he added. Notably, this comes after the Gujarat government recently made cow slaughter punishable by life imprisonment.
Christians offered acquittal on conversion to Islam in Pak
Pakistan's public prosecutor allegedly told 42 Christians accused of murder that he can guarantee their acquittal if they renounce Christianity and embrace Islam. The Christians are charged with the killing of two Muslims who were suspected of planning suicide blasts at two churches in Youhanabad in 2015. At least 14 people were killed in the blasts.
No free-trade talks until £52 bn-Brexit bill is settled: EU
The European Union has issued a draft proposal saying there will be no talks on a free-trade pact until the UK government makes "sufficient progress" on the £52 billion-Brexit bill. The draft further said the UK must accept EU rules, including budget contributions and judicial oversight in a transition period likely to follow Britain's departure in March 2019.
How did the tradition of April Fools' Day originate?
According to one theory, when a change in the new year date was made from March to January in 1500s, those who continued to celebrate it in March, were considered to be fools and had pranks played on them. Another theory states that it was initiated by an ancient Roman festival, celebrated in March, wherein people dressed up in disguise.
Surgeons transplant arm-grown ear to man's head in China
A Chinese man who underwent a procedure to have a replacement ear grown on his forearm got it successfully transplanted to his head. The ear, which had been growing on his forearm since November 2016, was transplanted in a seven-hour surgery at a hospital in China's Shaanxi province. The patient had lost his ear in 2015 following a traffic accident.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui to rap for film 'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz'
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be rapping for his upcoming film 'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz'. "When you get down to actually doing it, you realise it's not that difficult," he said. Nawazuddin further said that since he does not have a problem in remembering long dialogues, he is not worried about remembering the rhyming lyrics of the rap.
Man gets suspended sentence for sexually abusing chicken
A man in France has been given a three-month suspended sentence for sexually abusing a chicken. His wife caught him in a compromising position with the chicken, following which their marriage broke up. Further, his seven chickens and a goat have been confiscated and he has been banned from owning any pets.
6 months pregnant, 5-time Olympic champ to compete in race
Five-time Olympic gold medallist Dana Vollmer will compete in a 50-metre freestyle race at a USA Swimming Pro Series meet next month, while being six months pregnant. Vollmer, expecting her second child, revealed on Instagram she "started having dreams about being at competitions", following which she decided to compete. She has won golds at the 2004, 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
Sania defeats ex-partner Hingis to reach Miami Open final
Sania Mirza and her Czech partner Barbora Strýcová defeated the Swiss-Taiwanese pair of Martina Hingis and Chan Yung-jan 6-7, 6-1, 10-4 to advance to the final of the Miami Open on Friday. This will be the second final for third-seeded Mirza-Strýcová, after they finished runners-up at the Sydney International tournament in January. The duo will play the final on Sunday.
Apple fixes iOS loophole that made iPhones dial 911 non-stop
Apple has fixed an iOS vulnerability that an 18-year-old had exploited in October last year to trick iPhones into dialing US emergency service number 911. The teenager shared a link on Twitter, tapping on which dialled 911 non-stop till the iPhone was shut down. However, tapping on the link on Android devices redirected users to a site that said "LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL."
Charges fabricated, BJP conspiring against me: Himachal CM
Following the CBI filing a chargesheet against him, Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh on Saturday rejected the charges as fabricated and accused the BJP of conspiring against him. "The fight has just begun and I know the truth will prevail. The BJP is misusing its power," he added. The CBI chargesheet also named his wife in the disproportionate assets case.
Scientists find 1st proof of star birth in black hole winds
Astronomers have discovered the first evidence of star formation in winds expelled from supermassive black holes. Black holes gobble galactic matter heating up the surrounding gas in the process and expel them in the form of powerful dense winds. The discovery was made using ESO's 'Very Large Telescope' at a Chile-based Observatory while studying colliding galaxies 600 million light-years away.
Blind tadpoles 'see' after researchers graft eyes on tails
Blind tadpoles were able to process visual information from eyes grafted onto their tails by US-based researchers. Partial vision was enabled after treatment with a neurotransmitter drug facilitating innervation, integration, and function of the transplanted organ. The drug's use is approved in regenerative medicine for use in humans for innervation, the supply of nerves to a body part.
Gold hidden in amplifier seized at Amritsar Airport
Gold worth over ₹30 lakh, which was concealed in an amplifier, was seized from a passenger at the Amritsar Airport, said officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Friday. The passenger, who was from Amritsar, had returned from Dubai. "Gold biscuits were concealed in such a way that even the x-ray machines failed to detect them," said DRI officials.
Navy personnel gets 2 yrs in prison for harassing minor girl
An Indian Navy personnel was on Friday sentenced to two years in prison for outraging the modesty of a minor girl through vulgar chat messages over the internet in 2010. The court also imposed a fine of ₹15,000 on the INS Shikra staffer Dilip Kumar, working in Mumbai. He was accused of enticing the minor girl into an online relationship.
Over 280 Iraqi soldiers killed in western Mosul: US
The US military has said that 284 members of their allied Iraqi forces have been killed and over 1,600 have been wounded since February in the battle to liberate western Mosul from ISIS. Also, the battle for eastern Mosul killed 490 Iraqi soldiers and wounded over 3,000, the military added. Notably, Mosul is ISIS' last stronghold in Iraq.
Classical music to be performed live at Amir's fashion show
Pakistani designer Amir Adnan has invited the band 'Raga Boyz', which comprises three classical singers, to perform live during his fashion show at the Bridal Couture Week. The singers will be dressed in sherwanis designed by Amir. The largely monochromatic collection is rooted in the traditions of the land, said Adnan.
Madhya Pradesh plans to introduce death penalty for rapists
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said that his government will introduce a bill in the forthcoming monsoon session to award the death penalty to rapists. He added the state might also have an anti-Romeo squad on the lines of Uttar Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh witnesses an average of 12 rapes every day according to latest data.
Reserve Bank of India was established on this day 82 yrs ago
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935 in Calcutta as a shareholder's bank. RBI, which was nationalised in 1949, issued its first notes in 1938 bearing the portrait of King George VI. However, the bank continued to act as the Central Bank for Burma (now Myanmar) till 1947 and Pakistan till 1948.
Why did Steve Jobs name the company Apple?
In a 1980 video, Apple Co-founder Steve Jobs revealed the company, which was founded on April 1, 1976, was named 'Apple Computers' so as to list it before his previous employer Atari, in phonebooks. Jobs said the name epitomised "simplicity" and "sophistication". The company decided to go with 'Apple' unless a better name was suggested by "5 o'clock that day".
Gilbert Baker, creator of gay rights flag, dies aged 65
Gilbert Baker, an openly gay American activist who created the rainbow flag representing gay rights, died aged 65 on Thursday. Baker was stationed in San Francisco in the 1970s while serving in the army when the gay rights movement began. He made gay rights banners at the request of Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay person elected to public office.
Japan kills 333 whales for 'research purposes', faces flak
Japan's whaling fleet recently returned after a four-month-long Antarctic hunt with carcasses of 333 minke whales despite an international ban on commercial whale hunting and appeals from animal rights groups. The country's Fisheries Agency described the hunt as "research for the purpose of studying the ecological system in the Antarctic Ocean," reaching its goal of killing 333 whales.
CNN anchor announces resignation, says anchors do wear pants
CNN News 18 anchor Karma Paljor ended his last bulletin with the channel on Friday, hoping to clear the "popular misconception" that anchors do not wear pants. Paljor stood up for the audience and said, "most of us do wear trousers, as you see me right now." He ended with, "this is Karma Paljor signing off, with his trousers on."
Hoverboard startup sues Jennifer Lopez for not promoting it
Hoverboard startup SideKick Wheels has sued singer Jennifer Lopez for failing to promote the brand on Twitter and Instagram. According to the lawsuit, the startup gave Lopez 42 hoverboards to use during a show and in return, Lopez was required to post about the hoverboards at least once every three months. However, she tweeted only once about SideKick Wheels.
Federer to face Nadal for the third time this year
Tennis player Roger Federer will face Spain's Rafael Nadal in the final of the Miami Open on Sunday, making it their third meeting in an ATP tournament this year. The duo has played each other in the Australian Open final and Indian Wells fourth round this year, with Federer winning both the matches. Nadal, however, has a 10-win advantage overall.
Samsung Galaxy S8 face lock can be tricked with a photo
A video posted by a Twitter user shows that the facial recognition lock on electronics major Samsung's newly-launched Galaxy S8 flagship smartphone can be unlocked with just a photograph. The user reportedly registered his face on a Galaxy S8 at Samsung's launch event and then unlocked it by waving a selfie clicked on another device in front of the phone.
Power, water bills will rise, if BJP, Cong win MCD: Kejriwal
Ahead of the MCD election in Delhi, CM Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said if BJP or Congress wins, the power and water tariff will increase. He further alleged that both BJP and Congress have "hatched a conspiracy" to snatch these departments from the Delhi government. Our government has halved power tariff in Delhi and provided free water, he added.
TMC allowing illegal slaughterhouses in Bengal: BJP Minister
Union Minister Babul Supriyo on Friday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of encouraging illegal abattoirs to flourish in West Bengal. "Even my constituency Asansol is filled with illegal slaughterhouses," said the Lok Sabha MP. "They are thriving in Asansol because (Trinamool leader) Moloy Ghatak, the local MLA is extending support to the illegal slaughterhouses," he added.
Parrikar should thank Gadkari for MLA shopping: Digvijaya
After Goa CM Manohar Parrikar thanked Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for "doing nothing" and helping BJP in forming government in Goa, the latter responded, stating Parrikar should thank BJP leader Nitin Gadkari for "aggressive MLA shopping". "And Governor Goa who violated Constitution Sarkaria Commission guideline & Supreme Court decisions and robbed the mandate of People of Goa," he tweeted.
How did SpaceX relaunch and land a used rocket?
Elon Musk-led space exploration startup SpaceX on Friday successfully launched and landed its pre-used Falcon 9 rocket, marking the first reuse of an orbital class rocket. SpaceX used a technique which involves firing the rocket's engines in the opposite direction at speeds greater than sound. Fuel leftover from launch is used to reignite the engine to make a landing.
Govt aimed to build 15K km roads in 2016-17, but built 8K km
The government, which had aimed to build 15,000 km of roads in 2016-17, could build only 8,200 km of roads. However, the construction figure is much higher in comparison with previous UPA regime. While 6 km to 9 km of roads were built each day between 2009-2014, 9 km to 22 km of roads were built per day between 2014-2017.
India's 1st transgender sub-inspector clears training in TN
India's first transgender Sub-Inspector of Police, Prithika Yashini (25), on Friday cleared the year-long course at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy. Born and raised as Pradeep Kumar, Prithika underwent a sex change surgery. "Both men and women training to be sub-inspectors were very cooperative, helpful and friendly with me," she stated.
Cops of anti-Romeo squad tonsure man's head in Shahjahanpur
A man's head was tonsured by three police constables of the anti-Romeo squad in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur for allegedly molesting a woman. Though the incident reportedly happened on March 22, the Shahjahanpur SSP suspended the constables after its video got circulated on social media on Thursday. The man in the video is seen pleading for mercy from the policemen.