SECULAR
Global M&A deal rush fades in third quarter as rising borrowing costs bite
Global mergers and acquisitions activity saw a notable decline in the third quarter, totaling $993 billion. This figure marks a 41% decrease compared to the previous quarter, falling below $1 trillion. Despite this dip, worldwide M&A is up 28% year-to-date, reaching $3.9 trillion, the highest since 2001. Asia Pacific M&A experienced growth, totaling $242 billion, boosted by companies seeking strategic acquisitions.
Celebrate National Teetotalitarian Day!
National Teetotalitarian Day serves as a dedicated 24-hour opportunity for individuals to embrace sobriety, emphasizing the importance of responsible choices and financial prudence. By choosing to forgo alcohol, participants can steer clear of avoidable errors and complications, thereby enhancing both personal and collective financial well-being. Following this day, National No-Hangover Day will commemorate wise decision-making, allowing everyone to reap the rewards of clarity and keen judgment.
Rahul Gandhi is 'pre-eminent fraudster' in Indian politics: BJP
BJP hits back at Rahul Gandhi after he alleged illegal alterations to the Election Commission's online voter registration forms. Labelling the Congress leader a "pre-eminent fraudster" and "inauthentic politician," senior BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused Gandhi of using lies, misinformation and different propaganda to protect his own family's political interests.
US stocks: Nasdaq rises while S&P, Dow dip as softer inflation cools Fed hike bets
On Wednesday, inflation data led to mixed market movements, with the Nasdaq increasing slightly. The Dow and S&P 500 faced declines, although both indexes posted quarterly gains. Private employers added 90,000 jobs in September, contributing to labor market reports this week. The S&P 500 achieved new highs while also experiencing several lows in its performance. Rising concerns about inflation continue to influence economic outlooks and Federal Reserve expectations.
No permission yet for Oct 2 Jantar Mantar protest against CEC, say Delhi Police sources
No permission has been granted for the planned protest at Jantar Mantar on October 2 against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Various opposition parties and civil society groups are mobilizing for demonstrations across India. Mumbai Police have also denied permission for a parallel gathering at Shivaji Park due to legal constraints. Prominent leaders from the Shiv Sena and Congress are rallying support for these protests.
NSE shares fall 2%, slip below IPO price, but analysts’ target prices go up to Rs 2,050. Time to buy?
NSE slipped below their Rs 1,785 IPO price on Monday, taking its market capitalisation to Rs 4.36 lakh crore. Despite the decline, brokerages remain positive on the stock, with Macquarie, Emkay and PL Capital setting target prices between Rs 1,950 and Rs 2,050, citing its market leadership and growth prospects.
- Go To Page 1

SIR row: Delhi Police debunk viral Jantar Mantar protest video as "old" footage
The viral video was shared by several accounts on X (formerly Twitter), including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. In a post, DCP New Delhi on Saturday said the claim of a live and massive protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar was "false" and warned of legal action against those deliberately spreading misleading content.

Hundreds of thousands turn out for Pope Leo's popemobile parade along Champs-Elysees ahead of Mass
Pope Leo XIV conducted an outdoor Mass in Paris that drew an estimated 700,000 people to the Champs-Elysees. The event highlighted the continuing appeal of the Catholic Church in a predominantly secular France. Many attendees included people of various faiths and backgrounds seeking a message of peace and unity. Attendance has notably increased among young converts to Catholicism in recent years.

Mehbooba Mufti appeals to 'secular-minded' people to join protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on September 29
Mehbooba Mufti has called for a rally at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on September 29 to protest injustices against democracy and cultural integrity. Organized by the Monitoring Committee for Indian Muslims, the event is set for 2 pm to 5 pm. She encourages all secular voices to unite in defense of essential values, opposing the demolition of religious sites and advocating for fairer voter registration practices.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Rs 200 crore home Mannat is a 27,000-square-foot mansion the Khans rebuilt around its 200-year-old heritage shell, with diamond nameplates, art gym, swimming pool and private theatre
SRK’s splendid house, Mannat, is now a cultural landmark in Mumbai. The house reportedly had royal origins. Before the superstar bought the house in 2001 for Rs 13 crore, Gujarati entrepreneur Nariman Dubash owned it, registered it under the Bai Khorshed Bhanu Sanjana Trust, and it was known as Villa Vienna. Raja Bijai Sen, the ruler of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, is said to have built it in the 1800s.

Psychologist Jonathan Haidt on dangers of overprotective parenting: 'Children need a lot of varied experience. We have overprotected our children in the real world, but…’; life lessons on importance of real connections, limits of social media from NYU Stern School of Business professor
In an interview, psychologist Jonathan Haidt explained why children nowadays are more prone to struggling with mental health than ever. Their parents have mollycoddled them a lot, keeping them away from real-world experiences and forming real relationships with people, yet left them unsupervised in digital spaces, creating a toxic dependency between kids and social media validation. This has affected the mental health of a generation of kids.

Anti-Sharia rhetoric surges in US as Muslim Americans push back against attacks on faith
Texas politicians, including Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott, have renewed their focus on anti-Sharia rhetoric. Muslim leaders argue that Sharia represents personal guidance and does not conflict with American values. Prominent figures like Sabeel Ahmed are working to educate the public about Sharia's true nature. Despite increased political opposition, Muslim Americans are encouraged to engage in dialogue with their communities.

NSE shares fall 2%, trade marginally above IPO price after debut. Why are Macquarie, other brokerages bullish?
NSE shares fell by 1.6% to Rs 1,790 following its stock market debut on Thursday. Brokerages Macquarie and Emkay assigned positive ratings, citing growth potential and resilient market leadership. NSE's market capitalisation now ranks among the largest firms in India. Analysts expect varying revenue growth rates for transaction income and diversified revenue streams. Overall, optimistic projections suggest significant upside potential for NSE shares in the coming years.

Beyond numbers: Why India’s electoral rolls, census and GDP need public trust
Recent activities related to GDP, census, and electoral rolls reflect deep concerns regarding transparency and trust. Ongoing processes aim to ensure effective governance and participation in democracy. Analysts highlight that discrepancies and disputes must be addressed to maintain public confidence. Furthermore, addressing citizens' rights and needs is vital for social justice and economic development. Ultimately, these efforts require sincere intentions from all stakeholders involved to foster trust in democratic processes.

NSE draws brokerage attention on stock market debut as 3 firms initiate coverage on Day 1
NSE shares rallied after a muted listing at Rs 1,800, pushing the exchange into India’s ninth-most valued company with a market cap of Rs 4.63 lakh crore. The post-listing surge came as three major brokerages initiated coverage on Day 1 with positive ratings. Macquarie called NSE “The Dominator” and assigned an Outperform rating with a Rs 1,965 target price.

Quote of the day by French philosopher Simone Weil: 'Every separation is a link. The world is the closed door.' A life lesson on connection
It is natural to be consumed by life’s experiences – the good and the bad – and to treat each experience as the ultimate pleasure or devastation. French philosopher Simone Weil once observed that instead of becoming too emotionally attached to life and worldly joys and sorrows, we should treat each experience as fleeting and as a bridge towards the divine.

SC seeks Centre's response on Carnatic musician's plea challenging penal protection for Vande Mataram
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to respond to a plea by Carnatic musician T M Krishna challenging penal provisions linked to singing Vande Mataram, while indicating that its 1986 Bijoe Emmanuel judgment should protect conscientious objectors from criminal consequences.

West Bengal bypolls emerge as battle for opposition space
West Bengal’s October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar have become a contest for the opposition space after the TMC split and loss of its original name and symbol. The Congress and Left seek to regain voters, while rival TMC factions compete for the party’s political inheritance, with BJP also in contention.

How October 7 reshaped Israelis’ relationship with Judaism, faith and tradition
The October 7th attack has profoundly impacted Israeli Jewish identity and faith. Some secular Israelis are finding new meaning in religious practices and traditions. Others are questioning their beliefs and the role of God in such events. Many are exploring their Jewish heritage and spirituality in diverse ways. This has led to increased interest in community gatherings and traditional observances.

'Muslims should not feel they are outsiders in India': Maulana Sajid Rashidi on Hamid Ansari's remarks
All India Imam Association (AIIA) president Maulana Sajid Rashidi on Sunday reacted to former Vice President Hamid Ansari's remarks on "Hindu extremism" and RSS, saying that Muslims should not feel like outsiders in India and calling for action against statements targeting any community.

Mamata's backing of Congress in Nandigram bypoll signals possible reset in Bengal opposition politics
In a notable political shift, a former West Bengal chief minister endorses a Congress candidate for the Nandigram bypoll, suggesting a realignment of opposition politics within the state. Amidst unrest, the Election Commission has suspended the use of the Trinamool Congress's name and symbol. The former chief minister emphasizes Congress as a vital ally in safeguarding the country's interests, as TMC faces its most serious internal crisis to date.

Quote of the day by Albert Einstein: 'I never think of the future — it comes soon enough.' Life lessons from motivational quote on excessive worry, action, mindfulness, anxiety, mental clarity, peace, true enjoyment and overthinking
Quote of the day by Albert Einstein, ‘I never think of the future — it comes soon enough,’ explains why people can benefit from focusing on the present instead of spending too much time worrying about what may happen. The saying connects with action, mindfulness, mental clarity, peace, anxiety and overthinking. Its background also links to a 1938 newspaper appearance and its later popularisation in 1944.

India's cultural, civilisational renaissance remained incomplete after Independence: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated India's cultural renaissance remained incomplete after independence. He attributed this to appeasement politics and a distorted secularism concept. Singh highlighted India's ongoing cultural and civilisational renaissance under Prime Minister Modi. He emphasised strengthening national consciousness through heritage awareness for progress. India's achievements in defense, economy, and poverty reduction were also noted.

Experts back India's stand on Indus Waters Treaty at UNHRC sidelines conference
Experts at a UNHRC conference backed India's Indus Waters Treaty stance. They argued for examining the treaty in the context of security and human rights. Pakistan's conduct affected the treaty's spirit, according to one speaker. Domestic factors contribute to Pakistan's water challenges, it was noted. The conference highlighted community water rights beyond bilateral agreements.

Gorilla investing and 34% return: How Mihir Vora made Trust Smallcap Fund top performer
Trust Smallcap Fund has emerged as the best performing fund in its category over the past year, delivering a 34% return as investors reassess the potential of India’s broader market.

Regulation of educational institutes: SC issues notice to school education secretary on contempt plea
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Ministry of Education’s school education secretary on a contempt plea alleging inaction on a representation seeking regulation of institutions imparting secular or religious instruction to children below 14. The plea seeks registration, recognition, supervision and monitoring under constitutional provisions protecting children’s education.

Psychology says people who love celebrating their birthdays aren’t just looking to make the day special
Birthdays have a unique way of making the passage of time feel more noticeable. Unlike an ordinary day, they create clear milestones that divide life into distinct chapters. A person may be 29 one day and 30 the next; while nothing dramatically changes overnight on a biological level, crossing that numerical boundary can carry considerable psychological meaning.

EC recognises TVK as registered political party, CM C Joseph Vijay thanks people
In a significant political development, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay proclaimed the official recognition of his TVK party, which has been granted the 'whistle' election symbol by the Election Commission. With an impressive thirty-five percent of the vote share in the recent Assembly elections, TVK has emerged as the single largest party. Vijay has committed to delivering governance that is both honest and free from corruption.

Regression can't be peddled as diversity
A Hindu temple organization has initiated a controversial request to impose gender-specific restrictions on female employees at the Eiffel Tower, igniting widespread outrage. This situation underscores a vital principle: visitors should respect local customs and regulations of the host country. Enforcing one’s cultural norms can undermine the values of the nation being visited, emphasizing the need for consistent standards to foster cultural harmony and uphold diversity.
Load More