📉 HDFC group took a big hit in one year 📉

HDFC group stocks collectively lost about Rs 4.38 lakh crore in market value over the last 12 months. HDFC Bank, HDFC Life Insurance, HDB Financial, and HDFC AMC were the four listed names experiencing the decline across the year. HDFC Bank's stock fell 26%, while HDFC Life Insurance saw a sharper drop of 29% within this period. This underperformance highlights struggles even for major financial franchises amid pressure on growth and valuations. The group faces varied issues, from merger digestion at HDFC Bank to slower growth at HDFC Life.

💻 NIC opens 376 Scientific Assistant roles

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has announced an opening for 376 Scientific Assistant positions. These roles are available across various disciplines and require candidates to meet specific eligibility criteria. The recruitment drive, which is for 2026, invites applications online through the official portal. Candidates must carefully review the detailed notification to match their qualifications with the required posts. Further selection details and the exam pattern will be shared on the NIC website soon.

💰 California's billionaire tax sparks global watch 🧐

California will vote in November on a proposal to impose a one-off 5% tax on the wealth of all billionaires in the state. This initiative was proposed to raise US$100 billion for state healthcare, food assistance, and education. Currently, Sergey Brin has donated US$100 million against the tax, hoping to avoid a potential US$13 billion liability. Globally, similar wealth taxes are being discussed in New York, the UK, and other states. This debate reflects a larger concern over spiralling global economic inequality.

📉 Tata Power shares dip after court ruling

Tata Power shares dropped by 4% following a ruling from a Singapore court. The court dismissed a $490 million arbitration challenge filed against Kleros Capital. This development came after the arbitration was initiated, affecting the company's stock valuation. The market reacted negatively to this legal outcome, causing the share price decline. Investors are now watching how this legal decision impacts Tata Power's future trajectory. 📉

📉 Awarapan 2's box office starts dipping after release

The film Awarapan 2 has shown initial signs of slowing down at the box office after its toxic release. The movie features Emraan Hashmi and was released in the market. So far, the collections on Day 13 indicate a noticeable drop in audience footfall. This decline suggests that the initial hype generated by the film is starting to fade out. Industry watchers are now closely monitoring its performance for the coming weeks. 📉

🤖 Meta's AI cut plan hit a snag 🤖

Mark Zuckerberg planned for Meta to become an AI-first company, aiming to use AI agents to handle large portions of human work. Internal plan Project OT considered cutting some teams by up to 60 percent across two waves. The company executed layoffs in May but dropped a planned November wave due to backlash and poor AI results. Employee resistance and disappointing productivity from AI agents forced Meta to pull back the aggressive restructuring. Zuckerberg is now reframing AI as an empowering tool, acknowledging AI progress is slower than anticipated.

😮 Akanksha slams Orry's 'milking fame' claims

Akanksha Chamola has publicly refuted allegations made by Orry regarding her use of Gaurav Khanna's fame. The actress addressed the claims after Orry, who shared Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, suggested she was leveraging her estranged husband's popularity. Chamola stated that no one can use another person's popularity, emphasizing that the audience grants her attention willingly. She clarified that she is grateful for the attention received and does not actively seek it out. Furthermore, she stated she is not angry with Orry's opinions, acknowledging everyone's right to express themselves. 😮

😥 Nepal floods: nearly 300 Indians missing

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal confirmed devastating flash floods struck the region on Thursday. He stated that 160 people have died, and thousands remain untraced across the Rasuwa region. Close to 300 Indian nationals, primarily Masarovar pilgrims, have been reported missing in the disaster. The Nepali government is actively coordinating with embassies to ensure the safety of all foreign nationals. Immediate focus remains on rescue and relief, while urging global support for rebuilding efforts.

🚜 Techie quits US job for farming, hits big 🚜

A techie named Shashi Kumar left his comfortable IT role at Wipro in the US to pursue farming through Akshayakalpa. The move faced severe challenges, including nearly going broke 10 times and a period of silence from his father. After 12 years at Wipro and his transition, Akshayakalpa now supports 2,800 farmers, paying Rs 1.28 lakh monthly each. The venture currently generates a Rs 60 crore monthly profit and earns Rs 600 crore annually. The story has gained massive traction online, receiving praise for his sheer determination.

📈 India's FDI Reaches 15-Year Peak

Gross Foreign Direct Investment hit a major milestone, reaching $30.7 billion during the April-June 2026 period. This significant inflow was recorded across various sectors within India. The figures reflect a substantial jump compared to previous quarters. This growth indicates strong international confidence in the Indian economy's trajectory. Authorities are expected to monitor this trend closely for future policy planning. 📈

⛽ E20 worries? E10 might return via high-octane fuels

The government is looking into selling branded fuels like XP95 and Speed in an E10 formulation due to consumer complaints about E20 petrol. This move involves discussions between the Union Petroleum Ministry and state-run OMCs like Indian Oil and BP. Currently, Octane 95 is priced at ₹110-115 per litre, and calls for E10 have increased since automakers switched to E20-compliant vehicles in April 2023. Retailers suggest using existing Octane 95 infrastructure for E10, while the government has cautioned against managing multiple ethanol blends. A final decision on whether to offer a cheaper or premium E10 is still pending.