🕊️ Former MP Ramamoorthy passes away at 93

Former Swatantra party MP P. Ramamoorthy passed away at his home in Sattur, Virudhunagar district, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. He was 93 years old and is survived by his wife, four sons, and a daughter. Ramamoorthy gained fame contesting the 1962 Assembly election against Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. Five years later, he won the Sivakasi Lok Sabha seat in 1967, defeating P. A. Nadar by 31,600 votes. His funeral is scheduled to happen in Sattur on Wednesday. 🕊️

💥 Trump signals hardline stance against Iran again

US President Donald Trump signaled a new, hardline phase in the ongoing conflict with Iran this Monday. The exchange of fire followed Iran's missile attacks on US bases in Jordan after US strikes on Larak Island. This escalated tension after the initial strikes marked the war's sixth month. Reports suggest Washington might adopt a 'no war, no peace' strategy involving periodic strikes. The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains contested amid these military maneuvers. 💥

⛰️ Rs 2,766 Cr tunnel cuts J&K's tough terrain

A Rs 2,766.71-crore project is moving ahead to build twin, unidirectional tunnels between Sudhmahadev and Dranga on NH-244. This massive 12.85-km package includes over 8 km underground sections, approach roads, and bridges in Jammu and Kashmir. The construction period is set for 28 months amidst rugged Himalayan geology. This vital project aims to create a reliable all-weather road axis through the difficult Chenab region. Ultimately, it will bolster the wider NH-244 network towards Kashmir.

🏍️ Royal Enfield sales jump in August 2026

Royal Enfield managed to sell 1.26 lakh motorcycles during August 2026. This impressive performance was achieved across various markets. The sales figures mark an 11% increase compared to the previous period. This rise indicates growing consumer interest in the brand's offerings. The company is expected to maintain this upward trend in the coming months.

📉 Oracle slashes Indian workforce again, Bangalore braces

Oracle is initiating another round of budget cuts across its organization, targeting staff in Bangalore and Hyderabad. This follows a massive layoff in April, which eliminated 40% of the workforce at the company's India offices. The current horizontal sweep could potentially impact 7,000 to 10,000 global roles, with local estimates suggesting 2,000 to 3,000 cuts. This restructuring aligns with Oracle's massive $55.7 billion FY2026 capex spend on AI data centers. Employees are bracing for potential notifications, similar to the 6 a.m. email seen previously. 📉

🤝 FIRs against student protesters set to be dropped

Union Minister J.P. Nadda confirmed that FIRs against students involved in the NEET-UG paper leak protests will be withdrawn. This assurance follows the Supreme Court quashing all FIRs registered during the CJP-led protests from July 20-25 across the country. Nadda mentioned consulting all BJP-ruled States, which also guaranteed the withdrawal of FIRs against the CJP protesters. He welcomed the CJP's decision to cancel the planned September 5 march in Delhi. The government stated that the welfare and progress of the nation's youth remains their top priority. 🤝

🏏 Padikkal named top choice for NZ Test tour

Former wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta has backed Devdutt Padikkal for the Test squad in India's upcoming tour of New Zealand. Padikkal cemented his claim for the No. 3 spot after scoring two centuries in the Test series against Sri Lanka. He scored 167 in the first Test in Galle and accumulated 328 runs across three innings in the series. Dasgupta noted Padikkal's significant improvement in footwork and basic structure compared to before. India's two-Test series in New Zealand starts on November 19 at Basin Reserve in Wellington. 🏏

🛡️ Should citizens skip overseas trips and gold buys?

PM Narendra Modi has strongly pushed a 'Swadeshi' appeal, asking citizens to avoid foreign holidays, destination weddings, and extra gold purchases. This move aims to safeguard the Rupee and curb the nation's trade deficit amidst global economic instability. Currently, India's GDP grew 7.8% in the April-June quarter, but crude oil prices near $126 per barrel pose a threat. By limiting dollar outflows, individuals can significantly bolster macroeconomic resilience, which is crucial right now. Long term, this focus on self-reliance helps India move towards becoming a developed nation. 🛡️

🏺 3000-year-old matka behind Dahi Handi

This Janmashtami, the Dahi Handi tradition involves breaking a clay pot that is actually a 3,000-year-old invention. Archaeologists link this matka to the Indus Valley civilisation in present-day Pakistan and northwest India. The pot's evaporative cooling process helps keep water cool for hours. Over fifty families in Sangasani village near Jodhpur still craft these essential clay vessels. This ancient design is making a comeback as people look for sustainable alternatives to plastic. 🏺

😠 Uttam slams 'purification' ritual in Haldwani

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy condemned a 'purification' ritual at a public meeting in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. He criticized the FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi for questioning this incident. Reddy stated the developments showcase the BJP's double standards regarding caste discrimination. He emphasized that such actions only fuel the fight against caste-based politics. Moving forward, he vows the Congress Party will continue opposing this political trend.

🏦 Bank unions plan strikes over work week and incentives

Bank unions have called for strikes because of unresolved issues concerning the five-day banking week and the government's revised PLI scheme. The United Forum of Bank Unions announced this from the Press Club of India, New Delhi on September 1, 2026. They scheduled a one-day strike for September 11, followed by a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, with an indefinite strike starting October 26, 2026. Unions want a five-day week and withdrawal of the revised incentive scheme which they deem discriminatory. The agitation continues as the matter is pending in the Delhi High Court. 🏦