A Congress leader and a former police officer, along with their supporters, joined the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Assembly elections. J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina stated that the pre-poll alliance between Congress and National Conference is due to BJP's growing popularity. The new members included former SSP Mohan Lal and senior Congress leader Choudhary Abdul Gani, who expressed support for PM Narendra Modi's leadership and the party's developmental agenda.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah warned about rising inequality fueled by divisions of religion and caste. At an international symposium, he expressed concern over educated people becoming casteist. He connected human greed to environmental disasters and emphasized Mahatma Gandhi's enduring relevance, stressing values of peace, truth, and brotherhood for societal harmony.
NASA was expected to finalize the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station. They encountered delays related to Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The decision, between the Starliner or SpaceX's Dragon capsule, was anticipated during a scheduled press conference with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and other leaders.
Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole encouraged voters to utilize Election Commission's mobile apps to enhance their election experience in the upcoming assembly elections. The apps—cVIGIL, Know Your Candidate, Suvidha, and Voter Helpline—are designed to foster transparency and ease. The three-phase elections will occur on September 18, 25, and October 1, with results announced on October 4. These tools support over 88.03 lakh voters in J-K for an efficient voting process.
In the wake of violence targeting religious minorities, the Religious Affairs Adviser in Bangladesh urged for unity and peaceful coexistence. Addressing Muslim devotees, he emphasized that fasting and puja can coexist, and stressed the importance of communal harmony. He promised stern action against those disrupting peace and urged cooperation to uphold law and order.
Jonathan Bloomer, former CEO of Prudential Plc and chairman of Morgan Stanley International, died alongside his wife Judy in a yacht sinking off Italy. They were celebrating tech tycoon Mike Lynch's acquittal. Their family requested privacy. Bloomer’s career spanned several decades with significant roles in various financial firms. This incident marked a substantial loss in the financial industry.
A recent report highlighted that work-life balance issues are a primary reason for women quitting jobs, affecting 39 percent. Lack of flexible work options and family responsibilities also present significant challenges. While 73 percent of women believe in equal opportunities at workplaces, concerns over pay gaps and career growth remain notable.
Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) released a manifesto promising free electricity up to 200 units, water tax abolition, and 12 free LPG cylinders annually for poor households. Mehbooba Mufti stressed ending contentious laws, and highlighted her party’s commitment to peace, justice, and policy reforms within the region.
Severe floods in Bangladesh resulted in 15 fatalities and impacted 48 lakh people. The government urged India to give prior notice before releasing water from shared rivers. Muhammad Yunus suggested a joint emergency response to Indian diplomat Pranay Verma. Relief efforts continue, as the Hindu community reallocates Janmashtami resources to aid victims.
The Delhi High Court granted provisional admission to six candidates at St Stephen’s College, affiliated with Delhi University, giving hope to other waiting candidates. The conflict arose from discrepancies in the number of seats and admission procedures between the college and university. Some candidates with higher CUET scores are still awaiting updates on their applications.
Space Zone India successfully launched its reusable hybrid rocket, Mission RHUMI-2024, from Chennai, focusing on research related to global warming and climate change. The rocket, which carried multiple satellites for atmospheric data collection, exemplifies India's growing prominence and commitment to sustainable space missions. The project was supported by Martin Group through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
This week witnessed a significant surge in smallcap stocks, with 152 of them posting double-digit gains, and nine even surpassing the 30% mark. This performance is notably stronger than the previous week, which saw only 43 smallcaps achieve double-digit growth. Leading the pack was Rane Madras with an impressive 39% return, followed closely by SEPC at 38%, Shriram Properties at 36%, and Tasty Bite Eatables at 35%.
India needs to nearly double its female labour force participation rate to 70% by 2047 to add USD 14 trillion to the economy, according to a report by The/Nudge Institute. Despite progress, women faced significant job insecurity and limited opportunities. Urgent action is required to address economic, social, and cultural barriers to achieve this target.
Ambuja Cements, owned by Adani Group, saw an investment boost from GQG Partners, increasing their stake to 2.04%. Shares rose 4% following the deal. The Adani Group plans to raise Rs 30,000 crore by selling shares in its listed firms. Adani is aggressively expanding its cement business to challenge market leader UltraTech.
Prince Andrew could face eviction from Royal Lodge amid financial pressures and King Charles' decision to cut security funding. The 30-bedroom home incurs high maintenance and security costs. Speculation suggests the move might pave the way for it to be a future home for Queen Camilla. The issue is expected to be discussed during the royal family's retreat at Balmoral Castle, where resolutions might emerge.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced efforts to manage U.S. tensions to mitigate sanctions. He highlighted a shift in foreign policy towards neighbors, Africa, China, and Russia, criticizing Europe for hostile actions. Araghchi reiterated support for the anti-Israel axis of resistance. President Masoud Pezeshkian's new reformist cabinet received approval, albeit with criticisms regarding minimal female inclusion. Shina Ansari was named vice president for the environment.
A private aviation company's helicopter crashed near Paud in Pune, causing four injuries, according to SP Pankaj Deshmukh Pune Rural Police.
The Haryana BJP asked the Election Commission to delay the October 1 Assembly elections, citing concerns about low voter turnout due to surrounding holidays. The party argued that extended holidays might prompt people to take vacations, negatively impacting voter participation. The commission received the request and will review it. The election was initially scheduled for October 1, with results due on October 4, and the current assembly term ending November 3.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the Madhya Pradesh government's actions after a man's house was demolished following protest-related violence. She insisted that only the courts should determine guilt and punishment. The protest was in response to objectionable remarks by seer Ramgiri Maharaj, leading to injuries and property damage.
Security forces from India and Bangladesh had a tense confrontation this week over the construction of a fence supposedly meant to keep cattle from straying over their shared border, officials said Saturday. The latest dispute arose on Thursday, when India's Border Security Force (BSF) claimed they were stopped from erecting the fence by their Bangladeshi counterparts.
FD interest rate up to 7.55%: Banks offering best 3-year FD rates
The BJP-led Rajasthan government has ended the 52-year ban preventing government employees from engaging in RSS activities. The decision was made after reviewing directives from 1972 and 1981. This follows the Centre and other states like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, which have also lifted similar restrictions. The official circular was issued by Joint Secretary Rajendra Singh Kavia.
