South African president Zuma resigns to PNB reports fraud: Top stories of the day
The Punjab National Bank said it had detected fraud of almost $1.8 billion at a branch in Mumbai, sending its shares plunging more than 7%. South African President Jacob Zuma resigned after police raided the Johannesburg home of the Gupta business family accused of overseeing government corruption under his rule. These stories made news on Wednesday.
india Updated: Feb 15, 2018 07:58 IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi
The Punjab National Bank said it had detected fraud of almost $1.8 billion at a branch in Mumbai, sending its shares plunging more than 7%.South African President Jacob Zuma resigned after police raided the Johannesburg home of the Gupta business family accused of overseeing government corruption under his rule. These stories made news on Wednesday. Here is more about them.
PNB detects Rs 11,300 crore worth fraudulent transactions
Punjab National Bank, India’s second biggest state-owned lender, reported it has uncovered Rs 11,300 crore ($1.8 billion) of “fraudulent and unauthorised” transactions from a single branch in Mumbai. The scam may have spilled over to rival lenders, too. PNB says “other banks appear to have advanced money to these customers abroad”.
South African President Jacob Zuma resigns amid pressure
South African President Jacob Zuma resigned on Wednesday as the ruling ANC party finally turned against him after nine years of corruption scandals, economic slowdown and falling popularity. Earlier in the day, police had raided the home of the Indian-origin Gupta family, which is suspected of using its connections to Zuma to influence Cabinet appointments, win state contracts and has been a flashpoint for national anger over corruption in state enterprises during Zuma’s tenure.
Terrorist blamed for serial bomb blasts that killed 165 arrested
Ariz Khan, who allegedly made bombs for the Indian Mujahideen terrorist group, was arrested for serial explosions in Indian cities that killed 165 people and injured more than 500. “He is an expert bomb maker, conspirator and executioner,” said a Delhi Police officer about Khan.
Indian Army rejects Asaduddin Owaisi’s comment
The Indian Army rejected Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s comment about soldiers killed in the Sunjuwan terrorist attack, saying it doesn’t “communalise martyrs”. “Five of the seven killed in the attack (on Saturday) were Kashmiri Muslims. Now, everybody is silent on their sacrifice,” Owaisi had said. Lt. General Devraj Anbu, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, said people making such comments “don’t know the Army well.”
Donald Trump slams India over Harley-Davidson import tariffs
President Donald Trump called a tariff imposed by India on Harley-Davidson motorcycles as an example of “unfair” trade practice that the United States must fight back with “reciprocal taxes”. He said India’s decision to reduce the tariff from 75% to 50% was not enough, as the US imposes “zero tax” on the import of motorcycles.
Indian cricket team rises to No. 1 in ODI rankings after South Africa series win
India replacedSouth Africa at the top of the International Cricket Council’s One Day International (ODI) rankings after winning a series against them in Port Elizabeth. Rohit Sharma’s century helped India wrap up the ODI series against hosts South Africa with a 73-run victory at St George’s Park.
Roads, air pollution priority for AAP government: Arvind Kejriwal
The Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi is going to focus on roads and air pollution in the remaining two years of its tenure, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said. Kejriwal, who marked the third anniversary of his government, said budget allocation for health, education and water will remain the same, but investment on improving roads is going to increase manifold.
Israel PM Netanyahu shrugs off police corruption claims
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shrugged off police recommendations that he be charged with corruption, calling the allegations “biased, extreme, full of holes, like Swiss cheese” and vowed to remain in office.
BJP MLA’s son, supporters ‘beat up’ toll plaza staffer in UP
The son and supporters of a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA in Uttar Pradesh were seen on CCTV purportedly thrashing a toll plaza employee near Mathura. A video showed Pooran Prakash’s car was passing through the toll plaza, when a boom barrier fell on its roof. His son and supporters came out of the car and thrashed the employee. Prakash alleges he was targeted “purposely”.
Police complaint against Priya Varrier’s song ‘Manikya Malaraya Poovi’
Police in Hyderabad registered a case for hurting religious sentiments of Muslims against the director of a Malayalam movie, whose song featuring actress Priya Prakash Varrier has gone viral. The complainants allege the song’s lyrics have objectionable references to Prophet Mohammad and his wife Khadijah Bivi.
