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Late September rains bring winter-like chill to Delhi-NCR; more showers likely before dry spell

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  Late September showers brought a winter-like chill to Delhi-NCR on Tuesday, with the national capital waking up to cooler temperatures and overcast skies. The region is likely to receive isolated rainfall on Tuesday, extending the light spell recorded on Monday. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), mainly dry weather is expected from September 30, with largely clear skies likely to prevail through the first week of October. Rain, thunderstorms and lightning are expected at isolated places across Delhi, Chandigarh and Haryana on Tuesday, with similar conditions likely in Punjab. From September 30, mainly dry weather is expected over several parts of northwest India. As the southwest monsoon nears its final withdrawal from the country, rainfall activity continues over several regions. The IMD has forecast rain across parts of North India, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the Northeast and southern India, with some areas likely to experience heavy showers accompanied by stro...

Rains bring relief to Keralam; IMD issues orange alert in 3 districts

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  Rains lashed several parts of Keralam, bringing relief from weeks of rising temperatures, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert in three districts. The IMD issued an orange alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts for Thursday. The weather agency also issued a yellow alert in six districts. An orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm, while a yellow alert indicates heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. The IMD forecast thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kmph in several parts of the state. However, the respite may be short-lived, with rainfall likely to decrease over the next couple of days. (PTI)

Surging Crude Prices, Geopolitical Uncertainty Drag Sensex Down

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  Stock markets tumbled on Monday, with the benchmark Sensex plunging 1,124 points to a six-month low and the Nifty closing below 22,800 as surging crude oil prices, geopolitical uncertainties, and weak global trends hit investor sentiment. The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 1,124.02 points, or 1.52 per cent, to settle at 72,771.72, the lowest closing level since March 30, 2026. During the day, it lost 1,179.51 points, or 1.59 per cent, to 72,716.23. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 360.25 points, or 1.56 per cent, to end at a near six-month low of 22,780.25. As many as 47 Nifty shares closed lower while three were up, reflecting across-the-board selling. Analysts said surging crude oil prices following the US-Iran stalemate over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, foreign fund outflows, a spike in US bond yields and weak Asian markets triggered selling in financial, PSU banks, metals, FMCG, oil & gas and auto shares. Among the 30 Sensex firms, 29 ended lower. Larsen & Toubro ...

Weather department predicts heavy rain over Uttarakhand; respite likely in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh

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  The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning over Uttarakhand and light showers over parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, northeastern states, Gujarat, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala. Light rain over Uttar Pradesh After torrential rains wrecked havoc in parts of Uttar Pradesh killing at least 46 people, the India Meteorological Department has forecast light rain over the area on Monday. The weather department has predicted strong surface winds and generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The depression over southeast Uttar Pradesh had weakened into a well-marked low pressure area over its northern parts. While 1,021 houses were damaged in three days, Sitapur recorded the highest number of rain and storm-related deaths at seven, followed by Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich and Balrampur with five each. Ayodhya and Gorakhpur reported four deaths each, according to the Relief Commissioner’...

EPF Wage Ceiling Raised From ₹15,000 to ₹25,000: What Employees Need to Know

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  The Centre says the increase could bring more than 51 lakh additional workers under mandatory EPFO coverage and expand access to long-term social security benefits. The Centre has increased the wage ceiling used for mandatory Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month . The move is expected to expand the number of employees covered by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) , with the government estimating that more than 51 lakh additional employees could benefit. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said employees earning between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 would be among those directly affected by the revised ceiling. The government has estimated an annual expenditure of approximately ₹11,339 crore for the measure. What Has Changed in the EPF Wage Ceiling? The previous EPF wage ceiling was ₹15,000 per month . It has now been increased to: New EPF wage ceiling: ₹25,000 per month This means employees who previously earned more than the ₹15,000 thr...

Bank Strike From September 28 to 30: What Customers Need to Know

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  Bank unions have proposed a three-day nationwide strike at the end of September, potentially disrupting branch-based services and creating a longer interruption because of the preceding weekend. Banking services across India could face disruption from September 28 to September 30, 2026 , if bank unions proceed with their proposed three-day nationwide strike. The timing could create a longer period of disruption for customers because the strike follows a weekend. September 30 is also the half-yearly closing date for banks , making the period particularly significant for banking operations. Customers with branch-dependent work, pending documentation or other tasks requiring staff assistance may therefore want to complete them before the proposed strike dates. Digital services such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs can continue to provide access to several routine banking services if the strike goes ahead. Also Read | Salman Khan Calls Out Trolls on Bigg Boss 20: “...