Home Blog Page 1271

India’s industrial activity likely to remain subdued in near term

By
Web Team
-

industrialIndia’s industrial activity is expected to remain subdued in the near term, owing to muted domestic demand, weak global economic outlook and uncertainty among businesses over the outcome of Lok Sabha elections, 2019, says a report.

According to D&B Economy Forecast, concerns about the government curtailing its investment due to significant shortfall in tax collections against the target, are expected to keep the industrial activity subdued in the near term.

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) expects Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to have moderated by 1.5-2 per cent during December 2018.

As per data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), industrial output growth dropped to a 17-month low of 0.5 per cent in November on account of contraction in manufacturing sector, particularly consumer and capital goods.

Factory output as measured in terms of the IIP had grown by 8.5 per cent in November 2017.

D&B Lead Economist Arun Singh said the likelihood of a robust economic growth during 2018-19 was dented by unfavourable developments and unexpected shocks that occurred during the year.

He said that the upcoming union budget will set the tone for the economy.

“We believe that there are likely to be some populist measures announced in the Budget, given it is the election year, around the rural and MSME sectors and overall job creation,” Singh said adding that the initiatives around labour and land laws, if taken, would be an added support.

On rupee, the report said that concerns over widening trade deficit, rise in global crude oil prices, and uncertainty over the general election outcome are expected to drag down the domestic currency in the near term, even as a likely pause in the US Fed rate hike is expected to support the local unit.

 

Enjoy live interactions with my audience, says Sushmita Sen

By
Web Team
-

cover 9

Former Miss Universe and actor Sushmita Sen has said she was waiting for the right script to make her comeback and might even don the cap of film producer in the near future.

The style icon, who walked the ramp here for designer Ashish N Soni, also said that she felt more comfortable directly interacting with her audience as a professional model than facing the camera in films.

Since my days as a girl, I have been doing fashion shows. I always feel at home in events where I can have live interactions with audience,” she told reporters recently.

Asked if she had plans to take up film projects any time soon, Sen, who has acted in top grossers like Sirf Tum (1999), Biwi No 1 (1999) and Main Hoon Na (2004) said, “I have to wait for the right thing.”

“I was very close to being a part of a film, which finally did not happen Not because of me though. Let’s see, God has better plans.

Sonam Kapoor gushes over meeting Mindy Kaling

By
Web Team
-

755007 sonam kapoor mindy

Sonam Kapoor, who is currently in the US, met Mindy Kaling and the actor could not contain her excitement.

The 33-year-old actor attended a Lakers game at the Staples Center with husband businessman Anand Ahuja on Tuesday where she bumped into the Hollywood star.

“So last night at the game I got to meet and hang out with one of the coolest people I’ve ever met @mindykaling she’s impossibly sweet, funny and smart. Also thanks @anandahuja for taking multiple pictures of us!” Sonam wrote on Instagram and also shared a picture.

Sonam’s cousin and actor Arjun Kapoor commented on the post, saying, “I wanna be @mindykaling she’s the best.”

Mindy also posted about her chance encounter with Sonam on Twitter.

“Had the best time meeting the gorgeous and hilarious @sonamakapoor and her husband @anandahuja at the game last night,” she wrote.

Sonam will be next seen in “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga”, which is set to bow out on February 1.

Kaling was last seen in “Ocean’s 8”.

 

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ scores 5 Oscar nominations, producer Graham King ‘overwhelmed’

By
Web Team
-

golden globeAfter making its mark at the Golden Globes, the Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is now leading the race at the Academy Awards with 5 Oscar nominations.

The music film that sweeped awards at the Golden Globes has been nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor In a Leading Role (Rami Malek), Film Editing, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing.

The film has been performing outstandingly well in and outside theatres ever since its release in October last year.

In a statement reacting to the nominations, Producer Graham King asserted that he thinks they have “made the best version of a Queen story.”

Thanking the Academy for recognising the film, the producer said, “Heartfelt thank you to the Academy for recognising a film that has been a true collaboration from a team with a specific vision and determination to honour Freddie Mercury and Queen,” he said.

He also asserted that he is “extraordinarily proud of all of the nominations and the entire Bohemian Rhapsody team.”

After impressing the fans on the big screens, the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ team kick-started the year by performed exceptionally well at the 2019 Golden Globes. Rami Malek won an award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) while the film won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama. The team’s big honour has however sparked controversy.

Depp ready with new evidence to disprove Amber’s domestic violence allegations

By
Web Team
-

depp readyJohnny Depp has claimed that he has fresh evidence to disprove his ex-wife Amber Heard’s domestic violence allegations against him.

Depp is all set to use the evidence in his libel case against ‘The Sun,’ said a UK tabloid which published an article in which the actor was called a “wife-beater.”

The UK based tabloid also went on to criticise writer J.K. Rowling for allowing the Hollywood actor to continue working in the ‘Dangerous Beasts franchise,’ despite reports of his alleged abusive behaviour towards Heard.

Asserting that they have found some evidence that will prove Heard’s allegations wrong, Adam Waldman, said, “Today we filed a partial list of evidence that we will use to disprove the fraudulent underlying allegations against Depp.”

The former Hollywood couple settled their divorce in 2017 and Depp agreed to pay around 7 million USD, however, Heard ended up donating the money to a charity.

They even issued a joint statement during the time of their divorce, saying, “Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.

Here’s how Akshay and Kareena announced first day of shoot for ‘Good News’

By
Web Team
-

E66 0collage48Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor took to social media to announce the first day of shoot for their upcoming film ‘Good News’ in an innovative manner.

The Bollywood stars alluded to the #10YearsChallenge that has gone viral on social media and posted a picture collage of themselves from their film ‘Kambhakt Ishq’ that was released 10 years ago along with one from the sets of their current film.

In the photo, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor can be seen looking at each other with their hands clasped together.

Akshay Kumar captioned the post, “2009 to 2019, the #GoodNews is that not much has changed, or so we hope First day of shoot it is, do send in your best wishes #10YearChallenge.”

Kareena Kapoor posted another picture on Instagram from the sets of the film and captioned it, “Good News started …New Beginnings.”

Karan Johar, on Monday had taken to twitter to announce the date of the film’s release and had written, “#GOODNEWS releases on the 6th of September, 2019!!! AKSHAY KAREENA DILJIT KIARA!!! Directed by RAJ MEHTA!!”

Notably, ‘Good News’ will see Akshay and Kareena reunite after 10 years and will also star Diljit Dosanjh and Kiara Advani.

The film revolves around a couple trying to have a baby and was earlier supposed to release in July.

 

Bradley Cooper had originally turned down ‘A Star Is Born’

By
Web Team
-

cooperBradley Cooper and Lady Gaga starrer ‘A Star Is Born’ has scored 6 nominations at the Academy Awards. While Cooper has now bagged a ‘Best Actor’ nomination for his performance in the film, he had originally passed on the lead role in the movie.

The musical romantic drama has been nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor In a Leading Role (Bradley Cooper), Best Actress In a Leading Role (Lady Gaga), Best Supporting Actor (Sam Elliott), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound Mixing.

The Hollywood actor, who ended up directing the film, was approached years ago by Clint Eastwood, who was potentially directing the film at the time to play the lead character in the film. Bradley had, however, turned down the offer.

“I was too young. I always thought I didn’t have enough experience to play this guy. I was 38 at the time, I’m 43 now, and I just thought, ‘I don’t know if I could buy me like that.’ And then life happens,” an online portal quoted Cooper as saying.

While he initially refused the part, it was after starring in Clint Eastwood’s ‘American Sniper’ and spending a year performing in ‘The Elephant Man’ on Broadway that Cooper finally felt that he was ready for the role.

‘A Star is Born’ is a remake of 1937 film of the same name. The story revolves around an established singer (Cooper) who helps a struggling artist (Gaga) to find fame while he struggles with his own demons.

 

Over 100 Indian MSMEs to feature in Singapore export forum

By
Web Team
-

msmeOver 100 Indian firms will feature in the Singapore export forum during a business conclave on Thursday that aims to promote India’s export-oriented industries in the strategic ASEAN region.

The business forum along with an exhibition is being organised as part of the India Week, showcasing India’s favourites for the global markets — ayurveda, cinema, food, lifestyle, handicrafts, literature, music, tourism and yoga.

“The forum aims to promote this very important export-oriented industries in the ASEAN region from Singapore which is a regional hub and gateway to the South East Asian markets,” India’s High Commissioner to Singapore Jawed Ashraf told PTI.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military among others vital matters.

The ASEAN countries include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.

Ashraf said that the Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) account for 45 per cent of total Indian exports and 40 per cent of the country’s manufacturing output.

“As such, it is important to promote enterprises from the MSME sector in export markets,” Ashraf said.

Singapore Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chairman T Chandroo will address the Indian industries at the forum, which is held under the banner of “India-Singapore Trade: Sustainability, Strengths and Strategies Making it work for Smaller Businesses”.

The President of Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Ganesh Kumar Gupta, will give an insight into the wide range of exports available for the regional markets.

Karan Johar apologises for Pandya-Rahul ‘Koffee with Karan’ episode

By
Web Team
-

pandya09012019Breaking his silence on the controversy following comments by cricketers Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul on his chat show, filmmaker Karan Johar said that he apologises for what happened and admits the conversation “may have crossed boundaries”.

The filmmaker also said that he feels very responsible for the remarks made on “Koffee with Karan” and has spent sleepless nights wondering how to “undo this damage”.

Pandya and Rahul were widely slammed for their remarks labelled misogynistic and sexist and have been provisionally suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), pending an inquiry.

“I’m not justifying the conversation that happened on the episode. I’m saying that perhaps things were said that may have crossed boundaries and I apologise because it was my platform where it happened,” Johar told in an interview.

The filmmaker, who is in Davos for the World Economic Forum, said that the boys have “paid the price” for what happened on the episode.

“I haven’t spoken about it really… I feel very responsible because it was my show and my platform. I invited them as guests and so the ramifications and repercussions of the show are my responsibility. I have had so many sleepless nights, just wondering about how I can undo this damage. Who is going to listen to me? It has now gone into a zone that is beyond my control,” Johar told the channel in the interview posted on Twitter on Wednesday.

Calling himself a feminist who has been brought up by strong women, Johar said that he asks the same questions to everyone.

“I don’t defend myself when I say this, the questions I asked the two boys are the questions I ask everyone, including women. When Deepika (Padukone) and Alia (Bhatt) were on the show, I asked them those questions. I have no control over the answers that come my way. And post the show, I have a control room of about 16-17 girls. The show ‘Koffee with Karan’ is run entirely by women. I’m the only man there. None of them came up (with issues).”

According to Johar, some of them thought Pandya was wild, “crazy or cracked” and some said he was funny too.

“No one came and told me that ‘Karan, this is was inappropriate’,” he added.

Asked if that he has any regrets about the episode, Johar said he regretted what has happened to them.

“And then there was talk about me actually enjoying the TRP. I don’t care about the TRPs. This is a spin-off… It’s not my career, it’s theirs. I don’t care about the ratings. People don’t understand that an English language show is never dependent on its ratings. We are nowhere in the radar of ratings. It was not ratings, it was meant to be my show and I want to say it is frivolous. It is sometimes completely borderline ridiculous, irreverent, candid and stops making sense… That’s the show,” he added.

After the controversy, the episode featuring the two cricketers was taken down by Hotstar.

“Certain remarks/comments made by the guests on the episode 12 of Koffee with Karan may hurt the sentiments of our users/viewers. As a responsible platform, we have removed the episode from Hotstar with immediate effect,” Hotstar had tweeted.

10% quota move will backfire on BJP; ‘bahujans’ feeling duped: Tejashwi

By
Web Team
-

tejashwi yadav 1The move of granting 10 per cent quota to general category poor will “backfire” on the BJP as the “bahujans” (majority) are feeling duped, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has said.

The Modi government met a key demand of those castes, which had so far not been covered under reservation benefits, earlier this month as it got a Constitution amendment bill passed in Parliament to give 10 per cent quota in education and jobs for the general category poor.

Yadav slammed the government’s move as hasty and said that like demonetisation it was implemented hurriedly. Reservation was not a poverty alleviation programme, he added.

The government has amended the Constitution without any report from any commission or social and economic survey, he told agencies.

“To make such a provision, the government must have supporting data and figures, but the Modi government doesn’t have that. They implemented it in a hurry, just like demonetisation. The BJP will bear the consequences of it,” the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader said.

Asked if the government’s move to give reservation to the general category poor will have an impact on the Lok Sabha polls, Yadav said that contrary to the general perception, the reservation for the “so-called poor upper caste” persons will “backfire” on the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

“The Bahujan class is feeling duped… While it was stated that there is a cap of 50 per cent on reservations, but, suddenly the government opens a pandora’s box and exceeds reservations beyond 50 per cent, that too without any demand, agitation or movement by beneficiary classes,” the former Bihar deputy chief minister said.

“Now, the honourable Supreme Court will have to play by its own yardstick,” he said.

‘Bahujans’, a reference to communities seen as traditionally backward and poor, were denied further reservation in the name of this 50 per cent limit, Yadav said.

Reservation is for ensuring representation to those who have been suffering for ages due to all kinds of inhuman atrocities and restrictions in the name of caste, he said.

“If atrocities were heaped in the name of caste, how can assertive steps or remedial measures be in the name of economic status,” Yadav asked.

The RJD leader alleged the government was changing the narrative from caste-based atrocities to economic status to suit its “upper caste mindset”.

“On what basis did the government give 10 per cent reservation to those who are already enjoying de facto 50 per cent reservation and in reality much more than that. And what about the caste-based census data? Why it is being hidden by the government? Is it banana republic or a democracy” he asked.

1...1,2701,2711,272...5,577Page 1,271 of 5,577