📉 Zomato lays off 240 Hyderabad staff; here’s the deal

Zomato is laying off around 240 employees from its 'Customer Delight' operations in Hyderabad due to operational reviews. The company is providing these affected workers with their August salary and four months' pay. Eternal, Zomato's parent company, is also offering medical insurance and counselling support until March 31, 2027. This move comes as Zomato is integrating its customer support model closer to its Gurgaon functions. Furthermore, Zomato has introduced a zero-tolerance policy banning analogue dairy dishes on its platform.

😠 Punjab Govt transfers key union leader amidst ongoing strikes

The Punjab Government transferred prominent union leader Sukhchain Singh Khera from the Administration Branch to the Planning Branch. This move comes as protesting Punjab Government employees announced another mass casual leave for September 8. The government is attempting to quell protests by 4 lakh employees and 3.50 lakh pensioners. Previously, the government issued showcause notices after the August 27 mass leave to press for DA installments and Old Pension Scheme reversion. The federation has warned that punitive action could trigger nationwide protests against the AAP Government. 😠

📱 iPhone 17 under 54k on Flipkart for limited time

The iPhone 17 is currently available for under Rs 54,000 on Flipkart with a special offer. This deal is accessible to buyers holding specific credit cards and opting for a phone trade-in. The 256GB model is listed at Rs 80,900, which can drop to Rs 53,817 with a trade-in of an iPhone 13. This powerful phone runs on Apple's A19 chip and features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. Apple also confirms it offers up to 30 hours of video playback and fast charging capability.

🛂 31 Bangladeshi nationals deported from Bengaluru to West Bengal

Thirty-one Bangladeshi nationals were transported from Bengaluru to West Bengal for deportation on Monday, August 31. These individuals were detained across 10 different police stations in Bengaluru City. The transfer took place from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal to Malda Railway Station. This action is part of 'Operation Muktha,' an ongoing drive by Bengaluru City Police against illegal immigrants. The police team of 20 is expected to reach Malda by Tuesday, September 1, at around 5 p.m.

📚 Sonia Gandhi memoir hold-up: PRHI denies outside pressure

Penguin Random House India stated there was no external pressure regarding Sonia Gandhi's memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love'. The publisher clarified this on Monday, August 31, 2026, citing an impasse over a particular issue during discussions. This comes after Congress leaders alleged governmental pressure over content related to PM Modi and China. PRHI confirmed the manuscript went through its normal editorial process, but an agreement couldn't be reached. The author's team then chose not to proceed, a decision PRHI respected.

🎾 Navone beats Djokovic at US Open in epic five-setter

Mariano Navone managed to defeat Novak Djokovic in a grueling match at the US Open. The contest took place in New York City, where Navone secured the win on Sunday. The match lasted four hours and 40 minutes, with Navone winning 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Djokovic struggled significantly with health issues, including vomiting, while fighting to reach a 25th major title. Navone felt the mental aspect was key, successfully navigating a tough challenge against a legend. 🎾

🔭 New light helps trace universe's chemical history

Astronomers have identified specific light wavelengths useful for tracking the universe's chemical evolution. The research was done by a team, including Anil Pradhan, at The Ohio State University. They found that certain emission lines are sensitive to temperature and density changes, detailed in The Monthly Notices of The Royal Astronomical Society. Understanding galaxy chemistry helps decipher star and universal evolution, which is key to knowing everything's composition. The team plans to verify these findings using the James Webb Space Telescope. 🔭

📈 India's GDP Surprises with Strong Growth

India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has surpassed the initial growth projections, showing a robust performance. This positive economic indicator was reported by financial analysts across the country. The GDP grew at a rate of 7.8% according to recent estimates. This surge reflects the ongoing momentum in various sectors of the Indian economy. Experts are now closely monitoring the trajectory for the upcoming fiscal periods. 📈

🏛️ Delhi Police to drop CJP protest FIRs

Delhi Police has approached the Supreme Court to quash 13 FIRs related to the Cockroach Janta Party protests. These FIRs, covering July 20 to 25, 2026, involve charges like rioting and property damage across various locations. The police want to replace these with one fresh FIR targeting 2,873 individuals with serious criminal histories. This move follows a Central Government decision made on July 25, 2026. They also promised no new FIRs will be filed for this matter going forward. ⚖️

🚂 Southern Railway opens 4,471 apprentice roles

Southern Railway has launched online applications for Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This recruitment is taking place across various divisions, workshops, and units of Southern Railway. There are 4,471 training slots available, with 163 for freshers and 4,308 for Ex-ITI candidates as of August 28, 2026. Candidates can apply between August 28 and September 27, 2026, with a monthly stipend provided based on their category. The selection process will be based on a merit list, and the tentative shortlisted list will be released on October 15, 2026. 🚂

🌍 India-Russia Talks Focus on Trade & Defence at SCO

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO summit in Bishkek, discussing visa-free travel. Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Putin to discuss energy, trade, and defence. The talks aim to address a widening trade deficit exceeding 50 billion dollars, even as total trade crosses 100 billion dollars. India is also engaging with Iran to address West Asia's geopolitical tensions. This high-stakes engagement happens amidst global turbulence and US observation. 🤝