Daily wrap: Modi biopic postponed; RBI lowers GDP growth to 7.2% 2019-20

Release of PM Modi biopic postponed till further notice: Producer

The release of ‘PM Narendra Modi,’ a biopic on the Prime Minister, has been postponed till further notice, its producer Sandip Ssingh said on April 4. Ssingh posted on Twitter saying that the movie is not releasing on April 5, as advertised. The Congress had complained to the Election Commission (EC) over the release of the film on April 5, just a week before the first phase of polls were to begin. Opposition parties, including the Congress, alleged the film will give undue advantage to the BJP in electioneering and its release should be deferred till the elections are over.

PM Modi awarded UAE’s highest civilian honour Zayed medal

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded with the UAE’s highest civilian honour, Zayed medal. The medal that is conferred to world leaders for their role in strengthening the inter-country relationship, has been previously awarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Referring to Modi as his “dear friend”, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi said the award is in appreciation of Modi’s role in consolidating the long-standing friendship and joint strategic cooperation between the two nations.

VVIP Chopper: ED files charge sheet against Michel before Delhi court

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 4 filed a supplementary charge sheet against Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, before a Delhi court. The charge sheet was also filed against two firms, Global Services FZE and Global Traders and one of its directors, David Syms. Syms and Michel are both directors of the two firms. Special judge Arvind Kumar said he will take cognisance of the agency’s charge sheet on April 6.

India is one of the highest taxing nations in the world: Trump

India is one of the highest taxing nations in the world, US President Donald Trump has said, as he again slammed the country for imposing 100% tariffs on American products, including the iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Such a high tariff is not fair, Trump said on April 2 during National Republican Congressional Committee Annual Spring Dinner here. Early this year, at a White House event to announce his support for reciprocal tax, Trump had said he was satisfied with the Indian decision to reduce the import tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 100% to 50%.

RBI lowers GDP growth forecast to 7.2% for 2019-20

The RBI on April 4 lowered the GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal to 7.2% from the earlier estimate of 7.4% amid probability of El Nino effects on monsoon rains and uncertain global economic outlook. In its February monetary policy statement, the central bank had projected the GDP growth for 2019-20 at 7.4 % — 7.2-7.4 % in first half of the fiscal (April-September). “GDP growth for 2019-20 is projected at 7.2 % – in the range of 6.8-7.1 % in first half of 2019-20 and 7.3-7.4 % in the second half – with risks evenly balanced,” the RBI said.

Kerala college student burnt to death by stalker

A 22-year-old engineering student was on April 4 burnt alive inside her house in Thrissur by a man who had been allegedly stalking her, police said. Hearing her cries, some neighbours and relatives staying nearby rushed to the house and found the victim on flames in the bathroom, initial reports said. The accused, Neethish, 32, is suspected to have gained entry into the house through the backdoor, K Rajan, a local MLA said. Only the victim and her grandmother were in the house when the incident took place, he said.

Christchurch accused to face 50 murder charges: NZ police

The man accused of carrying out the Christchurch mosque attacks last month will face 50 murder charges when he appears in court this week, New Zealand police said on April 4. Australian Brenton Tarrant was previously charged with one murder as a holding measure, but police said all the deaths and injuries in the March 15 attacks would be reflected in upgraded charges during his next appearance on April 5.

Australia considers bill to jail social media execs for violent livestreams

Australia’s Parliament is considering legislation that could imprison social media executives if their platforms stream violent images such as the New Zealand mosque massacres. The government introduced the bills in response to the March 15 attacks in Christchurch in which an Australian white supremacist gunman apparently used a helmet-mounted camera to broadcast live video of the slaughter of 50 worshippers in two mosques. The government wants the House of Representatives to pass the law on April 4, Parliament’s last sitting day before elections are expected to be held in May.