Employee unions have sought a substantially higher fitment factor of 3.83. (AI image) 8th Pay Commission news: The Eighth Central Pay Commission is expected to adopt a measured approach while deciding the fitment factor, keeping in view the financial implications for both the Centre and the states as it moves into the concluding phase of…
Imagine an animal that began its life centuries before the Roman Empire reached its height and has quietly continued its daily routine ever since. According to recent reports, scientists have identified a giant Caribbean sponge believed to have lived for around 2,300 years, making it one of the oldest animals ever documented. The sponge is…
A temporary US sanctions waiver has put Iranian oil back on the table, but will Indian refiners return as buyers?While Washington has given Iran a 60-day window to export crude, Indian refiners are unlikely to rush back for those barrels. Most of their oil purchases for the coming months have already been booked, with state-run…
Nature has numerous creatures with surprising abilities, some with abilities that are unsettling and unimaginable. But it is interesting to know that creatures use them not only to create a fearsome image but also to survive in their surroundings, competition for living in the wild, and the need to make the most of limited food…
Courage is one of those virtues we admire from a distance but rarely think we will personally need. Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer who has spent her career defending people in some of the world’s toughest cases, sees it very differently. Courage, she argues, is needed now more than ever. She made the point…
Arabic proverb of the day (Image generated via Google Gemini) A man once left his camel untied, explaining that he was trusting God to keep it safe. The reply he received became one of the most quietly practical pieces of wisdom ever spoken. Trust in God, he was told, but tie your camel. In other…
The Middle East conflict had triggered concerns across global markets as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz threatened energy supplies and raised fears of slower economic growth. However, with the US and Iran reaching a ceasefire and energy markets showing signs of stabilisation, the outlook has improved.Crisil Ratings now expects the impact on corporate India’s…
BMW India today finally launched the BMW X6 M60i coupe SUV in the Indian market, priced at Rs 1.78 crores (ex-showroom). The SUV will be bought in India via the CBU route; pre-bookings are already open. The company is also offering an assured buyback of 60% after 3 years/10,000 km. The BMW X6 M60i is…
July often arrives with warm evenings that make it easier to spend time outdoors after sunset. For skywatchers, those comfortable nights also coincide with a calendar packed with changing celestial sights. Some are brief encounters lasting only a few hours, while others unfold across several weeks, rewarding anyone willing to look up after dark. Planets…
Manufacturing bullet trains involves an entirely different set of capabilities. (AI image) Come 2027 and India may launch its first bullet train service. The Surat–Bilimora section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is expected to be operational by August 2027. While that will put it into a league of few countries that have high-speed rail…
