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<ul><li>BSNL recorded a huge increase in its subscriber base in July 2024.</li><li>Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vi have all reported a significant decline in their subscriber base.</li><li>This comes after the tariff hike in July 2024, which increased tariffs by up to 25%.</li></ul> In a big boost to state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the telco has reported a huge 2.93 million increase in subscribers in July 2024, while other telecom operators such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vi reported a substantial decline in their subscriber base. After a long time, the month of July recorded a net decline in the Indian telecom user base. In July, there was a decline of 0.92 million users, down from an increase of 1.57 million users in June 2024. This takes the total subscriber base from 1.171 billion in June 2024 to 1.169 billion in July 2024. As we<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-gained-over-3-million-subscribers-in-june-vi-lost-nearly-a-million/articleshow/112670406.cms"> mentioned earlier</a>, the effect of the price hike announced by the private telcos was visible in July, with all three telcos losing subscribers in huge numbers, while BSNL benefitted. We expect there to be a second wave of decline for these telcos in August as well. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111331794" title="Reliance Jio and Airtel price hike – new plans and how you can save money" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio had announced a tariff hike, which was followed by Airtel and Vi. The telcos had announced a tariff hike of up to 25%, which came into effect from July. <h2>BSNL records a huge increase</h2>For the first time, BSNL has recorded a huge increase in subscribers while the private players have reported a decline. BSNL recorded an increase of 2.93 million subscribers in July 2024, taking its total subscriber base from 85.58 million users in June 2024 to 88.51 million in July 2024. <h2>Airtel records the highest decline</h2>Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel has recorded the biggest decline in its subscriber base in July at 1.69 million users. The telco’s subscriber base declined from 389.02 million in June 2024 to 387.33 million in July 2024. Despite this, the telco continues to enjoy a high active subscriber base. The company's active subscribers stand at 383.66 million users out of its 387.33 million users, which is 99.05% of its total user base. <h2>Vi continues to bleed subscribers</h2>Vi, which is yet to launch 5G services in the country has once again reported a huge decline in subscribers. The company lost nearly 1.41 million users in July 2024. The company’s subscriber base decreased from 217.30 million in June 2024 to 215.88 million users in July 2024. Out of the 215.88 million users, the company’s active user base stands at 185.23 million users, which is 85.80%. <h2>Reliance Jio also records a decline in users</h2>Reliance Jio, which has been continuously increasing its subscriber base lost 7,58,463 subscribers in July 2024. With this, Jio's subscriber base has decreased from 476.53 million in June 2024 to 475.77 million in July 2024. Out of the 475.77 million subscribers, the company’s active subscriber base stood at 440.73 million, which is 92.64%. <h2>MNP requests continue to grow</h2>Mobile number portability (MNP), which allows users to shift from one telecom operator to another, recorded 13.68 million requests during July 2024. With this, the total number of MNP requests received since the introduction of this in November 2010 has reached 1.01 billion. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/samsung-galaxy-watch-ultra-review/articleshow/113520294.cms">Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review – premium watch with a rugged design</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/arkade-developers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113493854.cms">Arkade Developers IPO allotment – Check allotment status, GMP, listing date and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-emerges-as-the-worlds-second-biggest-smartphone-brand-in-august/articleshow/113478178.cms">Xiaomi emerges as the world’s second-biggest smartphone brand in August</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Jio and Airtel lost subscribers in July after tariff hike, BSNL records growth

<ul><li>Kashmir’s saffron farming has come under threat from global warming.</li><li>Declining yields have resulted in production dropping to 15 tons annually.</li><li>Erratic weather patterns, unseasonable warmth, and diminishing snowfall have disrupted the balance required for saffron cultivation.</li></ul>Saffron has long been more than just a crop for the people of Kashmir valley, it is a symbol of heritage and a vital source of income for local farmers. But its farming is facing significant sustainability and livelihood issues, highlighting the urgent need for suitable technologies to combat global warming. As global temperatures rise, the very foundations of this traditional cultivation industry are under siege. Erratic weather patterns, unseasonable warmth, and diminishing snowfall have disrupted the delicate balance required for saffron cultivation. Saffron production, which once reached nearly 17 tons annually, has now declined and stabilised at around 15 tons per year. Farmers who have invested their lives in saffron farming are now facing uncertainty and declining yields, jeopardizing their livelihoods. However, the technology and research being developed by the Advanced Research Centre for Saffron and Seed Spices in the Pampore district of Jammu and Kashmir – the only Saffron research centre in India – is continuously engaged in increasing the production of the crop. "Due to changing weather patterns, the research centre has developed an irrigation schedule for saffron farmers. This schedule, detailing when and how much irrigation the crop requires, has been shared with the Department of Agriculture. The research centre has provided comprehensive guidance covering all aspects of saffron cultivation, from land preparation and seed sowing to intercultural operations, harvesting, and post-harvest management, which is now accessible to our farmers," Bashir Ahmad Ilahi, Professor in Head Saffron Research Station, Pampore, told ANI. He said that saffron seeds are ideally sown in late July, with the crucial condition that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. "The flowers typically begin to bloom between October 10 and 15, and harvesting occurs regularly by November 15. Once sown, the saffron crop can yield new produce for the next 4 to 5 years," Ilahi said. This delicate spice is cultivated across 3,500 hectares by generations of dedicated growers. Abdul Majeed Wani, a Saffron grower, told ANI that his family has been engaged in saffron farming for decades, particularly in the Pampore area of Kashmir. "Unfortunately, saffron production has declined in recent years. While India's demand for saffron reaches nearly 50 tons, we only produce about 10 to 12 tons. To support saffron farmers, the Indian government established a Saffron Park in Pampore in 2014, which became operational in 2020. Over 500 farmers bring their harvests here for testing, drying, and marketing. The facility also provides a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which helps prevent adulteration and ensures the quality of our saffron," Wani said. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally promoted GI-tagged saffron, ensuring customers receive authentic saffron thanks to this certification. "All saffron farmers sell their products at the Saffron Park within two months. This facility houses the only authenticated saffron laboratory in Asia, specifically designed to meet the demands of Kashmiri saffron. While saffron is also produced in Iran and Afghanistan, Kashmiri saffron is classified as Grade 1, renowned for its superior quality," he said. Wani said that the world's best saffron is produced in Pampore, where prices range from 1.10 lakh to 1.25 lakh per kilogram. "Since the establishment of the Saffron Park, we have been able to sell saffron for as much as 2.50 lakh per kilogram. Pampore stands as the major hub for saffron farming in the region. "Global warming has contributed to a decline in saffron crops, with untimely rainfall adversely affecting production. Previously, annual yields ranged from 15 to 17 tons, but this has decreased in recent years. Fortunately, last year saw timely rainfall, allowing the crop to recover to previous levels. This year, the rain has arrived on time once again, and we remain hopeful that the crop will be plentiful," he added. Ashraf Gull, Saffron grower and trader from Pampore, told ANI that he is both a saffron farmer and trader, specializing in organic saffron. "Our production ranges from 10 to 15 tons, but it is declining due to climate change. Here, saffron is priced at around Rs 300 per gram, while it can sell for Rs 700 per gram outside Kashmir. Saffron is well-known for its medicinal properties, particularly its benefits for treating coughs and promoting overall health," Gull said. With respect to occupation, only one per cent of saffron growers are dependent on any other agriculture. The fight to preserve this precious crop symbolises a broader struggle against climate change, urging collective action to safeguard not just their livelihood, but the very essence of their culture. With inputs from ANI. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/samsung-galaxy-watch-ultra-review/articleshow/113520294.cms">Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review – premium watch with a rugged design</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/arkade-developers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113493854.cms">Arkade Developers IPO allotment – Check allotment status, GMP, listing date and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-emerges-as-the-worlds-second-biggest-smartphone-brand-in-august/articleshow/113478178.cms">Xiaomi emerges as the world’s second-biggest smartphone brand in August</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Kashmir's saffron comes under threat due to rising global warming

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Mark Cuban said Elon Musk's joke about Taylor Swift's Kamala Harris endorsement was "kind of insane."</li><li>But Cuban said he'll "defend him a little bit" on that count — because he does get Musk's humor.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-cuban-elon-musk-x-dei-interview-echo-chamber-2024-4">Mark Cuban and Elon Musk</a> have often sparred on X, Musk's social media platform. But Cuban says he does get the Tesla and SpaceX chief's sense of humor.Cuban was speaking to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://youtu.be/QqDPrv8oFyY?feature=shared">Brian Tyler Cohen</a> when the podcast host asked the billionaire about the joke Musk made about <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-goes-after-taylor-swift-following-kamala-harris-endorsement-2024-9">Taylor Swift</a> after the pop star endorsed <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-endorses-kamala-harris-2024-8">Vice President Kamala Harris</a> for president.Cuban said that Musk's joke was "kind of insane" but defended Musk by arguing that that's just the kind of banter you'd expect from him.Cuban told Cohen that he sent Musk a text once — adding that they're "not friends" but have communicated in the past."We just texted back and forth a few times and he had just had a child, and I said: 'Congrats on your 90th child,'" Cuban said."And his response was — 'Mars needs people.' Right, so that's just Elon's sense of humor, right? I have no problem throwing Elon under the bus, but I'll save it for when it's truly deserved," he added.Musk, for his part, likes to believe he's often engaging in harmless trolling on his social media platform, once proclaiming himself the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1744528285273321825">Chief Troll Officer</a>.But his <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-twitter-antics-causing-tesla-owners-ditch-car-brand-2023-1">online antics</a> have put him under intense scrutiny on several occasions.In 2018, Musk tweeted that he was considering taking <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-420-tweet-timeline-analysis-through-2020-2020-1#musks-take-private-plan-collapsed-over-the-next-few-months-tesla-shares-fell-to-250-and-musk-would-eventually-face-an-sec-investigation-into-whether-musk-misled-investors-the-settlement-cost-the-ceo-and-the-company-40-million-and-musk-agreed-to-restrict-his-twitter-habit-while-also-forfeiting-his-chairman-title-at-tesla-3">Tesla private at $420</a>, referring to the pseudo-holiday of smoking marijuana on April 20. The Securities and Exchange Commission opened up an investigation that ended in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-musk-out-as-tesla-chair-remains-ceo-in-40m-sec-settlement-2018-9">$40 million settlement</a> Musk and Tesla had to pay out. Musk and Tesla admitted no wrongdoing but the CEO agreed to relinquish his chair role.On Sunday, after the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-shots-fired-florida-golf-course-2024-9">apparent assassination attempt</a> against former President Donald Trump, Musk shared a post musing why the same thing hasn't happened to Trump's political opponents.The comment sparked a probe from the Secret Service, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-09-19/musk-x-post-about-biden-harris-threats-leads-to-secret-service-investigation">Bloomberg</a>, which filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the agency for any documents referencing Musk's post.The agency told Bloomberg that the records were exempt from the FOIA request because it could "interfere with enforcement proceedings.""The Secret Service is aware of the social media post made by Elon Musk and as a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence," a Secret Service spokesperson wrote in an email to Business Insider. "We can say, however, that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees."Musk deleted his post on the same day. Like many of his controversial posts, the billionaire called this one a joke."Well, one lesson I've learned is that just because I say something to a group and they laugh doesn't mean it's going to be all that hilarious as a post on X," he wrote.Musk and Cuban did not respond to a request for comment.<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Mark Cuban says that despite their differences, he understands Elon Musk's sense of humor

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Federal Reserve governor Michelle Bowman was the only dissenter to Wednesday's 50 basis point rate cut.</li><li>On Friday, Bowman said such a big cut could hurt progress on the Fed's 2% inflation goal.</li></ul>The Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fed-cuts-interest-rates-how-much-september-fomc-powell-inflation-2024-9">50 basis points </a>got a near-unanimous vote.In a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/feds-rate-cut-dissent-governor-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-split-2024-9">historic dissent</a>, Michelle Bowman, a Fed governor, advocated instead for a smaller 25 basis point cut.In <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/bowman20240920a.htm">a statement released Friday</a>, Bowman voiced the concerns behind her disagreement with the rest of the rate-setting committee, explaining that such a big initial cut could dash hopes of reaching the Fed's 2% inflation goal."Although it is important to recognize that there has been meaningful progress on lowering inflation, while core inflation remains around or above 2.5 percent, I see the risk that the Committee's larger policy action could be interpreted as a premature declaration of victory on our price stability mandate," Bowman wrote.Leading up to the rate cut, Fed Chair Jerome Powell repeatedly emphasized the Fed's goals of maximum employment and a 2% inflation rate.In the weeks prior to Wednesday's policy meeting, Powell seemed increasingly concerned about the labor side of the dual mandate amid data that showed the labor market slightly weakening. Inflation, meanwhile, has ticked down, with the consumer price index rising 2.5% year over year in August.Bowman said she believes inflation could come closer to the Fed's target with more gradual easing, which would avoid a spike in demand from lower borrowing costs."We have not yet achieved our inflation goal. I believe that moving at a measured pace toward a more neutral policy stance will ensure further progress in bringing inflation down to our 2 percent target. This approach would also avoid unnecessarily stoking demand," Bowman said.Bowman added that despite her dissent, she respects her colleagues' decision, and is committed to working with them to "ensure that monetary policy is appropriately positioned" for maximum employment and a 2% inflation rate.Bowman's dissent marked the first by a Fed governor since 2005. Dissent has become uncommon among Fed governors, who, with the Fed Chair and New York Fed president, make up the central bank's eight permanent voting members.The remaining four votes come from rotating Fed presidents, who are more frequent dissenters.Bowman has long advocated for tighter monetary policy to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-august-consumer-price-index-federal-reserve-rate-cuts-2024-9">rein in inflation</a>, skewing hawkish among the Fed's members."We should keep in mind the historical lessons and risks associated with prematurely declaring victory in the fight against inflation," Bowman said in a speech last year.<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

The Fed's lone dissenter on the big rate cut says she's concerned about 'premature declaration of victory' over inflation

<ul class="summary-list"><li>People around the world rushed to their local Apple stores Friday for the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/iphone-16">new iPhone 16</a>.</li><li>BI spoke with some customers in New York about why they bought the phone.</li></ul>Thousands upon thousands of people descended on Apple stores around the world on Friday morning to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-16-launches-in-apple-stores-2024-9/">get their hands on the new iPhone 16</a>.BI spoke with customers who lined up at Apple's flagship Fifth Avenue store in New York to hear why they're getting the new device. Their responses ran the gamut from those who just needed an upgrade from their old phones to diehard Apple fans who get the latest model every year.Akan Assylbekuly, who said he upgrades his phone every year, primarily for camera quality improvements, felt this year was no different: The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-16-camera-button-creating-buzz-despite-no-ai-2024-9">new Camera Control button</a> or <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-intelligence-coolest-new-ai-features-announced-wwdc-2024-6">upcoming Apple Intelligence features</a> "doesn't matter" to him, but he got the 16 Pro Max because "the camera is improved."Saul Campos, who said he also purchases a new iPhone each year, got the new iPhone for the same reason."For the most part, I'm in it for the cameras because I take a lot of pictures and they upgrade them every year," he said, noting he's excited for the Camera Control button."For the most part, I'm in it for the cameras because I take a lot of pictures and they upgrade them every year," he said.One <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/TrungTPhan/status/1833515481371971978">criticism</a> of Apple's latest iPhone is that it's not much different than the iPhone 15. But Analie Cruz, a self-proclaimed "early adopter" of tech, doesn't see it that way. "To me, it is still a big change, going from 6.1" to 6.3" on the 15 Pro to the 16 Pro and actually adding something on the phone itself," she said, referring to the phones' screen sizes and the Camera Control button. "I'm pretty into tech things, so bells and whistles will get me."Cruz writes for a tech publication, but said that she wasn't at the Apple store as a member of the media. She said she ordered and picked up her device because she wanted to experience it first-hand. "I wanted to see what the new Camera Control button is about," Cruz, said. "I've tried other AI so I also wanted to see how Apple's works. I'm excited to try it out."Film director RD Alba, who <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/28-years-later-first-blockbuster-shot-on-iphone-2024-9">shoots with iPhones</a>, says the changes in the iPhone 16 might seem relatively minor but "Apple Intelligence will go a long way.""Tech now is so much better they can't really invent something big so it's really more of the software," he said.Alba, who also lined up for the first iPhone in 2007, got to the Apple store before 6 a.m. Friday and took a selfie with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-daily-routine-schedule-apple-ceo">Apple CEO Tim Cook</a>, who usually visits the Apple flagship store on iPhone launch days, to much fanfare. This year, Cook also shot a video outside the flagship store with "The Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon, who was seen wearing the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/apple-vision-pro-review">Apple Vision Pro</a> headset.One new iPhone 16 owner, Sven Korać, marks a return to the iPhone with his purchase. He said he had an iPhone years ago but has most recently used the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/huawei-p30-p30-pro-review-hands-on-impression-features-2019-3">Huawei P30 Pro</a>. Korać came back to Apple, however, after consulting with friends and finding that "looking at the cameras, they seemed a lot better over the years."Korać, visiting from Croatia, said his first time in line for a new iPhone was "crazy.""Everyone was clapping when the store opened, saying 'Tim is here,'" he said. "I have no idea who Tim Cook is."<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Apple's new iPhone 16 just hit stores. Customers told us why they bought it.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Intel lost its chipmaking lead years ago and is struggling to regain it.</li><li>Qualcomm could sell parts of Intel to other buyers, WSJ reported.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-is-in-our-dna-says-qualcomm-cmo-don-mcguire-2024-6">Qualcomm</a> is interested in acquiring <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intel-ceo-pat-gelsinger-turnaround-plan-aws-2024-9">Intel</a>, the Wall Street Journal <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/qualcomm-approached-intel-about-a-takeover-in-recent-days-fa114f9d">reported</a> Friday. It's the latest potential development in the sad decline of a US tech powerhouse. A deal is not a certainty, and could face antitrust hurdles, WSJ explained, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. Qualcomm could sell parts of Intel to other buyers to get any deal done, the newspaper added. Intel shares surged about 10% in afternoon trading on Friday, following the WSJ report. It closed up 3.3% on the day, and added a little more in after-hours action. Intel was once the world's largest chipmaker and a US technology powerhouse. Around 2018, this leadership began to crumble as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tsmc-power-players-14-execs-leading-worlds-biggest-chipmaker-2024-9">TSMC</a> steadily took over as the chip manufacturer of choice for most big tech companies, including Nvidia, Apple and Qualcomm. Qualcomm makes chips used in smartphones, including Apple iPhones, a market Intel <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intel-ceo-pat-gelsinger-turnaround-plan-aws-2024-9">missed out on</a>. Intel mostly sells chips for PCs and data center servers, although Nvidia's GPUs have made serious inroads into this lucrative data center business. <h2 id="293ee582-19df-4433-9b2e-8e64315e92bf">An "odd" fit</h2>Semianalysis chief analyst Dylan Patel said Qualcomm and Intel would be an "odd" fit."It would result in a lot of duplicate intellectual property, so there would need to be significant cost cutting," he told Business Insider."Furthermore, Qualcomm has no ability to turn around the data center business, which is the most important one," he continued.Qualcomm would also struggle to improve Intel's Foundry business, Patel added. This foundry business makes chips for other companies and competes (ineffectively so far) with TSMC, which is now the clear world leader.An Intel spokesperson declined to comment. Qualcomm did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.<a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intel-ceo-chip-largest-silicon-manufacturing-location-plant-ohio-2022-1">Pat Gelsinger</a> took over Intel as CEO in 2021 and attempted to reverse the tech giant's downward slide. The company's revenue has declined in recent years while rivals like Nvidia, TSMC, and Broadcom are riding the artificial intelligence wave to new heights. So far, Gelsinger has been perceived as unsuccessful and the company announced plans for 15,000 layoffs last month.On Monday, Intel announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services in which the chipmaker will produce custom designs for the cloud giant in what the companies called a "multi-year, multi-billion-dollar framework." Intel's stock shot up on Monday's announcement.Intel has mostly missed the AI boom. Its Gaudi 3 AI chip, intended to compete with Nvidia and AMD, is expected to generate just $500 million in sales this year. Nvidia will pull in many billions of dollars in the same period. Qualcomm has made moves toward competing more directly with Nvidia in the age of AI. The company joined a coalition called the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-face-first-major-threat-rivals-software-cuda-ai-chips-2024-3">UXL Foundation</a> last year, along with Google and Intel with the objective of making hardware-agnostic software to go up against <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-cuda-software-gpu-ai-chips-cerebras-ipo-2024-6">Nvidia's dominant CUDA platform.</a><meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Intel jumps after WSJ reports Qualcomm approached the struggling chipmaker about a deal

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US Securities and Exchange Commission isn't happy with Elon Musk.</li><li>The financial regulator thinks Musk blew off court-ordered testimony to attend a SpaceX launch, according to a court filing.</li></ul>The US Securities and Exchange Commission wants a federal judge to show <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a> that there will be serious costs if he blows off court-ordered testimony in the agency's probe of his <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-twitter">takeover of Twitter</a>, according to court documents filed Friday."Without further action by the Court, nothing deters Musk from violating the May 31, 2024 Order again by simply failing to show up for that date," Robin Andrews, an SEC attorney, wrote in a court filing.For now, the SEC does not want to sanction Musk; it just wants the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-twitter">X</a> owner to know that he will face repercussions if he misses his now-rescheduled testimony early next month.The commission is investigating Musk's 2022 acquisition of Twitter, later rebranded as X. The SEC has previously disclosed that it is investigating whether Musk violated securities law by secretly amassing Twitter stock in 2022 and statements he made before the ultimately successful $44 billion deal was finalized. Musk had tried to resist the SEC's efforts to compel him. US Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler said in February that Musk viewed the SEC's investigation as "baseless and harassing."The SEC and Musk, who have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/supreme-court-rejects-elon-musk-remove-twitter-sitter-sec-2024-4">tussled repeatedly</a> in the past, disagree on whether Musk blew them off when his attorneys told the agency he could not show up for previously scheduled testimony in California on September 10 because he needed to attend a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-elon-musk">SpaceX</a>'s Polaris Dawn launch in Florida.Andrews' filing said that Musk's attorneys sent their request to reschedule his testimony just three hours before he was scheduled to testify at the SEC's Los Angeles office. In the regulator's view, Musk should have known about the launch and made proper arrangements beforehand."Despite this advance knowledge, Musk did not notify the SEC of his intent to attend the launch until three hours before his testimony was to begin, and after the SEC spent thousands of dollars to fly three attorneys to Los Angeles," the filing said.Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, responded that the SEC's intent to seek sanctions is a "drastic action" that is inappropriate at this time. Spiro also argued that Musk's attendance at the SpaceX launch was exactly the type of emergency that the court order agreed could lead to rescheduling."The parties have already rescheduled the testimony for approximately three weeks after the original date, an immaterial amount of time in the context of an investigation that began two and a half years ago," Spiro wrote in his part of the joint statement to the court. "Any request for sanctions should be denied."In response to Business Insider, Spiro continued to dismiss the SEC's efforts."The last time the SEC went hysterically running into court, they were told to 'put their big boy pants on,'" Spiro wrote in an email to BI.The SEC declined to comment on Spiro's claim.Musk's contempt for the SEC is well documented.In 2018, he lashed out after a settlement with the regulator led him to step down as chairman of Tesla for three years and to pay a $20 million fine. The agreement did not require Musk or Tesla to admit to or deny the SEC's allegations related to his tweet where he claimed to have "secured" funding to potentially take Tesla private at $420 a share."Just want to that the Shortseller Enrichment Commission is doing incredible work," Musk wrote on Twitter. "And the name change is so on point!"<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

SEC is unhappy that Elon Musk did not give testimony to the financial regulator to attend a SpaceX launch

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ted Colbert, head of Boeing's defense, space, and security division, is leaving the company, per CNBC.</li><li>Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced Colbert's departure in a staff memo on Friday, CNBC reported.</li></ul>Ted Colbert, the head of Boeing's defense, space, and security division is leaving the company after 15 years, CEO Kelly Ortberg told staff in a memo on Friday, according to CNBC.CNBC reported that in the memo, Ortberg — who came to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-labor-crisis-wage-increase-union-strike-contract-2024-9">Boeing</a> in early August — thanked Colbert for his service to the company and announced that Steve Parker, the chief operating officer of Boeing's defense, space, and security division, would take over Colbert's duties until a replacement can be named.Colbert and representatives for Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider."At this critical juncture, our priority is to restore the trust of our customers and meet the high standards they expect of us to enable their critical missions around the world," CNBC reported Ortberg wrote in the memo. "Working together, we can and will improve our performance and ensure we deliver on our commitments."Colbert's departure comes amid significant turbulence in the company. He is the first executive to leave the company since Ortberg became CEO. It's unclear what led to his departure.Boeing's defense, space, and security division has had budget overruns in developing its next-generation tanker for the US Air Force, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2024/01/09/cautionary-tale-how-boeing-won-a-us-air-force-program-and-lost-7b/#:~:text=The%20contract%20was%20firm%2Dfixed,contract%20value%20of%20%244.9%20billion.">Defense News</a>, and had recent issues with its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-starliner-spacecraft-returns-to-earth-without-nasa-astronauts-2024-9">Starliner spacecraft</a>.Earlier this month, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-starliner-spacecraft-returns-to-earth-without-nasa-astronauts-2024-9">Starliner returned to Earth</a> without issue but also without the NASA astronauts who piloted it to the International Space Station. NASA announced last month that the astronauts would remain on the space station and will return on a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-admits-spacex-working-on-backup-plan-stuck-boeing-astronauts-2024-8">SpaceX craft</a> in February 2024 due to concerns about thruster issues and a helium leak with the Starliner.Stock for the aerospace company is down more than 39% since January 1.<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

The executive in charge of the division that has 2 astronauts stuck in space is leaving Boeing

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US stocks traded slightly lower as investors pressed pause on the rally to record highs.</li><li>The S&amp;P 500 and Dow Jones hit record highs on Thursday after the Federal Reserve's 50 basis point rate cut.</li></ul>US stocks traded sightly lower on Friday as investors pressed pause on the ongoing rally to record highs.The muted trading activity on Friday followed Thursday's trading session, which saw the S&amp;P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average indexes leap to record highs, while the Nasdaq 100 surged nearly 3%.Those gains were sparked by the Federal Reserve's Wednesday interest rate cut of 50 basis points, the first rate cut in over four years. For a lot of investors, the Fed's dovish move suggests that a soft landing for the US economy is within reach, with markets clinging to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's characterization of the economy and the labor market as being a good place. "We continue to believe a soft landing is the most likely economic scenario which makes the current environment most comparable to the mid-1990s,"BMO's Brian Belski said in a note on Thursday.According to NYSE senior market strategist Michael Reinking, Friday could see heavy trading activity due to a surge in option expirations.The so-called triple witching day occurs when there is a simultaneous expiration of stock options, index options, and index futures contracts. It occurs on the third Fridays of March, June, September, and December every year, and sees heavy trading and a potential burst of volatility. "Today is triple witch expiration and the S&amp;P quarterly index rebalances which is typically one of the heaviest volume days of the year, primarily occurring in the closing auction. If the market starts to trend and break strikes this could add to the momentum," Reinking said in a note on Friday.Here's where US indexes stood shortly after the 9:30 a.m. opening bell on Friday:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/s&amp;p_500?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest%3Futm_source%3Dmarkets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">S&amp;P 500</a>: 5,705.86, down 0.14%</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/dow_jones?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest%3Futm_source%3Dmarkets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">Dow Jones Industrial Average</a>: 41,984.29, down 0.08% (-34.30 points)</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/nasdaq_composite?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest%3Futm_source%3Dmarkets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">Nasdaq composite</a>: 17,991.88, down 0.12%</li></ul>Here's what else is going on:<ul><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/djt-stock-price-record-low-donald-trump-lockup-expiration-sell-2024-9">Trump Media stock plunged to a record low as the lockup period for insiders expires, giving them clearance to sell shares.</a></li><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/home-depot-lowes-stock-fed-rate-cut-benefit-2024-9">Home Depot and Lowe's are already seeing the benefits from the Fed's first interest rate cut.</a></li><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/interest-rates-fed-cuts-recession-us-economy-outlook-1995-2024-9">The Federal Reserve is following its 1995 playbook, which is great news for both the stock market and economy.</a></li></ul>In commodities, bonds, and crypto:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/oil-price">West Texas Intermediate</a> crude oil decreased 0.46% to $70.83 a barrel. <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/oil-price">Brent crude</a>, the international benchmark, dropped 0.55% to $74.47 a barrel.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/gold-price">Gold</a> was up 0.89% to $2,637.80 an ounce.</li><li>The 10-year Treasury yield was higher by 3 basis points at 3.746%.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies/btc-usd">Bitcoin</a> was down 0.02% to $62,948.</li></ul><meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

US stock market indexes edge down as traders hit pause after rally to record highs

In a landmark moment for Indian equities, the benchmark Sensex surged past the 84,000 mark for the first time, closing at a record high of 84,544.31 on Friday. This impressive rally, fueled by gains in frontline bank stocks and positive global trends, signals a buoyant sentiment in both domestic and international markets. The Sensex climbed 1,359.51 points, or 1.63%, while the NSE Nifty followed suit, gaining 375.15 points or 1.48%, closing at a record 25,790.95. The intra-day highs saw the Sensex touching 84,694.46 and the Nifty peaking at 25,849.25. Mahindra &amp; Mahindra led the rally with a gain of over 5%, while other top performers included ICICI Bank, JSW Steel, Larsen &amp; Toubro, and Nestlé. <h3> </h3><h3>Top gainers and losers</h3>While the overall market was in an uptrend, sectoral performances varied. Nifty Auto, Metal, Real Estate, Power, Capital Goods, FMCG, Consumer Durables, and Bank Nifty saw minor gains. However, sectors like IT, Telecom, Oil &amp; Gas, and Pharma lagged behind. Notably, Nifty IT emerged as the top sectoral loser, with a drop of over 3%, weighed down by losses in major IT firms such as TCS, which fell 5.1%. Within the Nifty, ICICI Bank led the gains with a 7.8% surge, followed by Mahindra &amp; Mahindra (+7.4%) and Nestlé (+6.5%). On the losing end, TCS (-5.1%), Grasim Industries (-4.1%), and BPCL (-2.8%) faced pressure. Foreign and domestic institutional investors were net buyers, providing further momentum to the market. The Volatility Index, India VIX, rose by 2.24%, signaling a slight uptick in market uncertainty but not enough to dampen the bullish sentiment. <h3>Global cues propelling the bull run</h3>Analysts attribute the rally to a combination of domestic strength and global optimism, particularly the recent 50 basis points rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The Fed’s highly accommodative monetary policy has reignited confidence in global markets, with foreign inflows expected to increase, bolstering Indian equities in the short to medium term. Asian markets, including Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, all closed in the green, adding to the positive momentum. In contrast, European equity markets showed some weakness, while the U.S. markets continued their upward trend, with the Dow and S&amp;P 500 reaching new highs. "The U.S. markets, led by the Dow and S&amp;P 500, setting record highs is a testament to the ongoing global bull run. Indian markets are benefiting from this, as global liquidity and optimism remain strong," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services. "Unemployment data, along with the Fed’s half-point rate cut has bolster investors’ sentiment in the US. Initial jobless claims, which came in at 219,000 for the week of Sept. 14, were lower than expected and showed a decline from the prior week. In Europe, investors digested a slew of central bank rate decisions this week and their impact on the global economy," says Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities. <h3>Bullish momentum intact, but caution ahead</h3>From a technical perspective, the Sensex and Nifty are showing strong bullish momentum. The Nifty closed above the key resistance of 25,600, signaling further upside potential toward the 25,900-26,000 range. However, traders should keep an eye on the short-term profit booking, as indicated by the formation of a Shooting Star-like candlestick pattern near the index’s all-time high. Immediate support for the Nifty stands at 25,500, with additional support levels at 25,300 and 25,120, according to technical analysts. As long as the Nifty remains above 25,600, a "Buy on Dips" strategy is advisable for traders. However, if it falls below 25,620, a "Sell on Rise" approach might be more prudent. "The recent surge in major indices, particularly the high beta index BankNifty, indicates a favorable shift in market dynamics. It is recommended to capitalize on the upward momentum by taking profits, rather than adopting an aggressive stance in the overbought territory," says Osho Krishan, Senior Analyst - Technical &amp; Derivatives, Angel One Ltd. <h3>What's next for the markets?</h3>As markets head into uncharted territory, the focus will shift to key macroeconomic indicators, including inflation, geopolitical concerns, and global economic trends. While the current rally is underpinned by strong global cues and positive domestic sentiment, market participants are advised to remain cautious in the face of potential volatility. Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, emphasized the need for a balanced approach: “While the 50 bps Fed rate cut is undoubtedly positive, markets should remain mindful of evolving global conditions. In the short term, foreign inflows will boost the market, but longer-term prospects depend on the global economic landscape.” As the market rally continues, the challenge will be to maintain momentum while navigating potential headwinds, including global oil price fluctuations—Brent crude settled slightly lower at USD 74.71 per barrel, a dip of 0.23%. With the Sensex and Nifty scaling new heights, the mood on Dalal Street remains optimistic, driven by a combination of domestic strength and global tailwinds. But as always, market participants should keep their strategies flexible and be prepared for any shifts in sentiment. (With inputs from PTI) SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/arkade-developers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113493854.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/arkade-developers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113493854.cms" target="_blank">Arkade Developers IPO allotment – Check allotment status, GMP, listing date and more</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/western-carriers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113511375.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/western-carriers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113511375.cms" target="_blank">Western Carriers IPO allotment – How to check allotment, IPO GMP, listing date and more</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-16-series-allows-users-to-wirelessly-restore-the-firmware-using-an-iphone-or-ipad/articleshow/113455048.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-16-series-allows-users-to-wirelessly-restore-the-firmware-using-an-iphone-or-ipad/articleshow/113455048.cms" target="_blank">iPhone 16 series allows users to wirelessly restore the firmware using an iPhone or iPad</a><meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Sensex @ 84k: With 1,359 pts gain, benchmark index settles above historic mark

16 million credit cards purchased in FY 2023-24, UPI payments up by 42%: PwC report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Both Trump and Harris are proposing policies that defy economic reality, Howard Marks wrote.</li><li>Trump's tariff and tax plans ignore the potential costs associated with them, the billionaire investor said.</li></ul>The presidential election is running on promises that just don't hold up, according to billionaire investor Howard Marks."Like me, you've undoubtedly noticed that politicians ranging from former President Trump and Vice President Harris to down-ballot candidates are back to making promises that ignore economic reality," Marks wrote in his <a target="_blank" href="https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/memo/shall-we-repeal-the-laws-of-economics">latest memo</a>.These proposals either disregard the costs that come with them or show a failed understanding of the problem they hope to address, the Oaktree Capital founder wrote.Marks emphasized that he was neither dismissing nor promoting either candidate, and took aim at policy ideas on both sides of the aisle.<h2 id="d3caa353-6fb1-4806-bb6f-b551a0e1c2fc">Donald Trump: Tariffs and taxes</h2>In Trump's case, plans for higher tariffs on virtually all US imports are equivalent to a price hike on average American consumers, Marks said.Trump has frequently disregarded this <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariff-trade-policy-barrier-income-tax-rate-hikes-krugman-2024-7#:~:text=Trump%27s%20wide%2Dreaching%20tariff%20plan,%25%2C%20Nobel%2Dwinning%20economist%20says&amp;text=Trump%27s%20proposed%20tariffs%20would%20benefit,%2Dtax%20income%2C%20he%20said">argument as a false alarm</a>, despite warnings of a tariff-led <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-tariff-outlook-trade-policy-income-tax-consequences-fiscal-crisis-2024-7">US economic shock</a>. Instead, the former president has emphasized that 10% across-the-board duties would correct trade inequalities and bring back domestic production, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariff-plan-inflation-policy-impact-trade-war-china-rates-2024-5">with no risk of inflation</a>.Marks agreed that tariffs might stimulate US output, but higher taxes on foreign goods discourage low-cost imports. As these disappear, consumers should prepare for higher prices. One think tank estimated that these could amount to an additional <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-10-tariff-proposal-cost-households-1500-extra-presidential-election-2024-3">$1,500 cost on households</a> a year.The billionaire investor also scrutinized Trump's tax proposals.If elected, he has vowed to extend the expiring 2017 tax cut, keeping the corporate tax rate at 21%. But Marks warned that this will increase the national deficit by $5.8 trillion in the next decade, or $4.1 trillion if the cut leads to a stimulative impact.In recent years, scrutiny has mounted over US overspending and the rise of federal debt. Marks noted that annual interest on national debt now exceeds the defense budget — and will eventually need to be addressed."The truth is, deficits encourage the economic growth that most people enjoy, and spending more than the government takes in permits officials to give away 'free stuff,' thereby gaining votes," he said. "But doing this perpetually requires ignoring the laws of economics, running up debts in the apparent belief that they'll never have to be paid. Can it go on without end? We'll see, but I would think not."<h2 id="10164c8d-4177-48cd-8562-3dd9ee36ceea">Kamala Harris: Price gouging and housing</h2>Marks' primary criticism aimed at Harris' anti-price gouging policy.Gouging happens when corporations lift prices for their benefit, taking advantage of supply-demand imbalances — such as during a natural disaster or in a pandemic.While Harris has voiced a desire to tackle grocery inflation, Marks isn't convinced that price hikes have stemmed from bad intent on the part of corporations."There's nothing wrong with trying to bring down the cost of necessities. However, the best way to do this is to encourage additions to supply. Another way is to not overstimulate demand by injecting excessive liquidity into the economy," he said. "Mandating lower prices is generally the least effective way to get them."Economists have generally been split on whether Harris' gouging <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-economic-plan-price-controls-gouging-food-inflation-election-2024-8">policy amounts to price controls</a>, though proponents say this is misleading.Marks also considered Harris' proposal for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-kamala-harris-plans-to-build-3-million-new-homes-2024-8">$25,000 in downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers.</a> Since the pandemic, the housing market has become increasingly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-demographia-housing-markets-affordability-crisis-home-prices-selling-sunset-2024-6">unaffordable</a>, with prospective buyers facing low supply and high costs."Certainly, it's hard these days for young people to come up with the cash needed to become homeowners," Marks wrote. "The problem here is that giving a million would-be buyers $25,000 each, or $25 billion in all, would almost certainly result in an immediate increase in home prices, eliminating much of the hoped-for benefit from the program."<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Trump and Harris are pushing proposals that 'ignore economic reality,' billionaire investor Howard Marks says 

The Covid-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we work, with remote work quickly becoming the new normal. Employees across the globe adapted to working from home, enjoying newfound flexibility and a better work-life balance. And for a long time, we all thought that this was the new world and going to the office every day would be a thing of the past. However, as pandemic restrictions eased, many companies began rolling back these remote policies, pushing employees to return to the office. Tech giant Amazon recently ended remote work for its employees and told them to come to office five days a week, just like how it used to be before the pandemic. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, in a blog post, said that working from offices has its benefits and therefore all employees will have to start coming to work the entire week. He added that even though they will permit work from home in case of emergencies (taking care of your sick kid, running emergency errands etc), remote work will no longer be the norm. <h2>Companies are calling employees back to offices</h2>Amazon isn’t the only company that has implemented the RTO (return to office) mandate. Companies like Wipro, TCS, X (earlier called Twitter) and Infosys also require employees to be there in office for at least three days a week. While X boss Elon Musk had once asked those seeking work from home to “get off of their moral high horse,” Infosys CEO N. R. Narayana Murthy had made headlines for saying that workers in India should work 70 hours per week. In wake of Amazon’s recent RTO mandate, many young professionals are reacting strongly on the internet. While some feel that the RTO mandate will hamper their productivity, others feel that it is simply unnecessary. And then there are also some people who think that this is a good decision. Let us take a look at how people are reacting on being called back to offices. <h2>How are people reacting?</h2>Social media sites like Reddit, X, and LinkedIn are full of reactions on the RTO mandate. Many employees feel that this will increase their cost and time spent on commute. Amazon’s recent decision to bring its employees back to offices has not sat well with many, especially those accustomed to the hybrid work model. On LinkedIn, Samrat Bhardwaj, who has previously interned with Amazon India, questioned the rationale behind the shift, asking whether the company truly considered employee well-being or was more focused on its own benefits. He also voiced concerns over the increased cost in case employees think of moving closer to tech hubs. He also added that if people start living at a distance from tech parks, rent will be lower, but you'll be wasting a lot of time to and fro from the office every day. On the other hand, Erin Mantz, a former Meta and Amazon employee, pointed out the stark difference between previous work norms and the flexibility of today's workforce in a LinkedIn post. “Gen Xers, for decades, used to have to go in every day... no working from home, no midday walks or being home for the dishwasher repairman,” she said, reflecting on how work-life balance has evolved. She concluded that the shift back to in-office work might not align with modern expectations, suggesting that today’s workforce has experienced a better way of working. <h2>“Working in the parking lot isn’t a bad idea”</h2>People aren’t just concerned about the increased cost and wastage of time in commute. Some also pointed out the irony of commuting to the office only to continue working in their cars due to a lack of proper space and resources. One Reddit user said, “Genuinely had no idea how bad RTO would be until it hit. I'm as unproductive as ever and half my work is done in the parking lot at this point for these exact reasons. Going back to the office isn't the end of the world, but when there's zero space or even disability accommodation for the employees? Unacceptable, especially considering the ones who usually enforce the arrangements all have their own private offices with the best gear their department offers.” Another user, Oracle-2050, quipped that working from their car was a makeshift solution, noting, "At least I can attend Teams meetings and make phone calls." The absurdity of the situation was highlighted by yet another commenter who sarcastically remarked, “Only in clown world would a worker drive to the office in order to do work in their car.” Another user pointed out that the decision-makers pushing these mandates “all have their own private offices with the best gear their department offers,” leaving regular employees to struggle in far less conducive work environments. <h2>The “Fake work” problem </h2> Annie Dean, who earlier used to work as Director of Remote Work at Facebook, took a critical stance on LinkedIn, highlighting that return-to-office mandates don’t address the core problem which is “Fake work.” This term, popularised by Airbnb’s Brian Chesky, refers to tasks that feel like work but don’t actually create value for the business. Dean explained in her post that employees are drowning in endless meetings and messages, which detract from productivity. She argued that instead of mandating office attendance, companies like Amazon should focus on “pioneering new, more efficient modes of work.” This argument has resonated with many on X as well, where employees have expressed frustration over the return-to-office mandates being viewed as a quick fix. One Twitter/X user remarked that "commuting to do the same virtual meetings in person isn’t solving anything," while others echoed that the core problem lies in work structures, not location. Here are some other reactions on X: <div type="image" title="negative reactions" msid="113528739" hostid="261" sizebytes="64721"></div> <h2>A quiet layoff strategy? </h2> Yet another take on the RTO mandate comes from Jennifer DeLorenzo, a former senior recruiter at Pinterest. She suggested that the move feels like a “quiet layoff strategy.” According to her, by mandating full-time office attendance, companies may be hoping for a wave of resignations without having to deal with the negative press of formal layoffs. “This tactic allows them to reduce headcount while avoiding the negative optics of layoffs,” DeLorenzo wrote on LinkedIn, adding that it may backfire as hiring becomes challenging again when the economy shifts. Many others seemed to agree with her view. On Reddit too, there are many people talking about how companies might be carrying out soft layoffs by implementing an RTO mandate. Her comments tapped into a broader conversation on how companies may be using return-to-office mandates to indirectly reduce their workforce. Other social media users pointed out similar trends across industries, where companies tighten office attendance policies to nudge employees toward leaving voluntarily. <h2>Some mixed reactions too </h2> While the return-to-office mandates are frustrating for many, not all reactions are negative. Some employees, particularly newer hires, see value in the traditional office setting. Bhardwaj, for example, also noted that going to the office is beneficial for freshers who want to learn. “I do believe that going to the office makes you learn a lot as freshers,” he wrote in his post, suggesting that for those early in their careers, the in-person experience might be crucial for growth and networking. Some users on X too seemed to be in support of this mandate. Here’s a look: <div type="image" title="mixed-reactions" msid="113528718" hostid="261" sizebytes="77770"></div> This duality reflects the ongoing debate around the future of work. On one hand, companies like Amazon, Google, and Meta are focusing on building stronger in-office teams, believing that physical presence fosters better collaboration, innovation, and mentoring. On the other hand, employees, especially those who experienced the benefits of remote work during the pandemic, are pushing back against these mandates, valuing the flexibility and improved work-life balance that working from home provides. As companies continue to adjust their RTO policies, the tension between employee expectations and corporate strategies is likely to persist. However, one thing is clear — the future of work is still being negotiated, and both sides are making their voices heard across the internet. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

'I'm unproductive, this is not the real solution': Internet reacts as Amazon, Wipro and others call employees back to office

<ul><li>iPhone 16 can be delivered to your doorstep in under 10 minutes</li><li>The phone is available on Blinkit, BigBasket and Zepto</li><li>The iPhone 16 was made available for sale in India today</li></ul> Earlier this morning, Apple stores in Mumbai and Delhi witnessed huge lines of iPhone buyers, ready to get their hands on the next-gen models. Apple’s iPhone 16 series went for sale in India today and the excitement around the new phones is palpable. However, what if we tell you that you can order an iPhone within the comfort of your home? Blinkit is selling the iPhone 16 promising to deliver it to your doorstep in a few minutes. The phone is also being sold at BigBasket. However, it is to be noted that Blinkit and Big Basket are not selling the pro variants of the iPhone 16. If you are looking for the higher-end variants, you will have to either buy from a store or order it online. In India, the iPhone 16 is priced at ₹79,900, while the iPhone 16 Plus is available for ₹89,900. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at ₹1,19,900, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced at ₹1,44,900. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113214171" title="iPhone 16 Pro with A18 Pro chip launched: Should you upgrade if you own an iPhone 15 Pro?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Let us take a look at where you can buy all variants of the iPhone 16 and what are the bank offers available. <h2>iPhone 16 available in under 10 minutes</h2>Blinkit is currently selling the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models, though only the 128GB variant is available for purchase. The higher storage options are currently unavailable on Blinkit, and BigBasket. It's still unclear if the Pro models will be added to their listings in the coming week. In addition to Blinkit and Big Basket, the iPhone 16 is also available at Zepto. Blinkit and BigBasket, meanwhile, promise to deliver the phone in under 10 minutes. On the other hand, Zepto is promising to deliver the device in about 30 minutes. <h2>Customer orders iPhone 16 via BigBasket</h2> In a press release, BigBasket shared that a customer from Koramangala, Bengaluru had ordered an iPhone 16 at 8:00 AM and received the product in just seven minutes, at 8:07 am. The customer, upon receiving the product, said as per the press release, “I’ve always trusted bigbasket for my daily needs and groceries. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they are also delivering the new iPhone 16. What topped the excitement was getting the iPhone 16 within minutes of ordering! It’s a game-changer in quick delivery.” <h2>Bank offers on the iPhone 16</h2>Shoppers can enjoy savings of up to ₹5000 when purchasing an iPhone 16 using eligible credit cards from Kotak Mahindra, SBI, and ICICI Bank credit cards on Amazon. To make the purchase even more convenient, no-cost EMI options are available for 3 to 6 months through most major banks. Meanwhile, Vijay Sales is offering various deals to select card holders of ICICI bank, SBI, HDFC bank, Kotak Mahindra bank, YES Bank, IDFC FIRST Bank and Federal Bank. EMI options are also available on the website. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113448967" title="You can get free Apple Airpods 4 and Apple Pencil with this limited-time deal in India, details here" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> In addition to this, Apple is also offering its popular Trade-In program, which allows buyers to exchange their old devices for a discount. Depending on the condition and model of the device being traded in, customers can receive anywhere from ₹4000 to ₹67,500 off their new iPhone. In addition to these savings, those purchasing an iPhone 16 will receive a complimentary three-month subscription to Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade, adding even more value to their purchase. <h2>About the iPhone 16 lineup </h2> Apple has introduced some new features in the new iPhone 16 series, aiming to make both the standard and Pro models more advanced and user-friendly. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus now boast a new Camera Control button, giving users quicker access to key functions. Both phones are powered by the upgraded Apple A18 chip and come with an improved dual-camera system that includes a new spatial capture feature for enhanced photography. Running on iOS 18 right out of the box, these models are set to receive further smart updates with upcoming software enhancements. The vanilla iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Plus offers a larger 6.7-inch screen. Both displays are protected by Ceramic Shield technology and reach a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, though they continue to use 60Hz OLED panels. On the camera front, these models come with a 48MP main sensor capable of 2x zoom and a 12MP ultrawide camera that can now take macro shots. For selfies, a 12MP TrueDepth camera is included on both models. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max take things a step further, with bigger screens and narrower bezels. The Pro comes with a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max offers a 6.9-inch one. Both feature Retina XDR OLED screens with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2,000 nits of brightness. Both phones are powered by the advanced A18 Pro chip and run on iOS 18. For photography enthusiasts, the Pro models pack a triple-lens setup, including a 48MP main camera, a new 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP periscope camera offering 5x optical zoom. The front-facing camera remains a 12MP TrueDepth unit, and both Pro models now support 4K video recording at 120fps. Like the standard versions, they also come equipped with the new Camera Control button, making it easier than ever to snap photos and capture moments. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

You can get the iPhone 16 in under 10 minutes while sitting at home, here is how

In an astonishing breakthrough, scientists in India have genetically engineered bacteria capable of performing mathematical operations. Researchers from the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) in Kolkata have demonstrated that clusters of bacterial cells can add, subtract, and even identify prime numbers between 0 and 9. This accomplishment marks a crucial step toward the development of biocomputers—computational devices made from living cells that could revolutionise how we think about computing in the future. <h2>A history of biological computing </h2>The concept of using living cells for computation is not entirely new. Over the past two decades, researchers worldwide have explored the potential of biological systems to perform computational tasks. The first major breakthroughs came in the early 2000s when scientists developed synthetic biology techniques to engineer cells with logic gates—the fundamental components of digital computers. These biological logic gates allowed simple operations such as "AND," "OR," and "NOT," mimicking the operations seen in silicon-based processors. Following this, scientists advanced by using various microbes, such as E. coli and yeast, to perform basic mathematical operations like addition and subtraction. Researchers were able to construct networks of genes and proteins within the cells, programming them to respond to specific chemical inputs. While these early studies were promising, the computational tasks performed by cells were relatively simple and far from rivalling the capabilities of modern microprocessors. However, SINP's latest research takes a significant step forward by using a more sophisticated approach. The integration of artificial neural network concepts with genetic engineering enabled these bacterial cells to solve more complex and abstract problems, such as identifying prime numbers — tasks traditionally considered the domain of human brains or advanced computers. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="103532224" title="Scientist engineered bacteria to generate electricity from wastewater" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Turning bacteria into living machines </h2>The research team modified the E. coli genomes, incorporating 14 distinct genetic circuits, to create different bacterial types. These bacteria can be combined and arranged in liquid environments to execute various computational functions. In one set of experiments, the scientists were able to get them to add, subtract, and solve ten different computational problems, including determining prime numbers between 0 and 9. The bacteria's ability to answer yes-or-no questions, like "Is 4 a prime number?" or "Is 7 a prime number?" was particularly astonishing. When the bacteria were questioned chemically, they responded by secreting proteins that indicated their answers — green for "yes" and red for "no." This development underscores their capacity to function as living computers. The implications of this research are immense, not only for computational science but also for fundamental biology. “Mammalian cells make decisions all the time, and we currently have very little understanding of this decision-making process,” said Mohit Kumar Jolly, assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. This study offers fresh insights into biological decision-making and could open new avenues for understanding how living organisms process information. As scientists continue to explore the computational power of living cells, the possibilities are endless. Bacteria, once considered simple organisms, may well hold the key to the future of computing. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110909568" title="A living computer? This AI made from interconnected &amp;quot;mini-brains&amp;quot; requires a million times less power than ChatGPT!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

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