A tourist bus carrying 37 passengers, including 29 from Tamil Nadu, became stuck on a flooded road in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district during heavy rain. Rescuers successfully evacuated all passengers after an eight-hour operation, while the India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for the state, predicting continued heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Two students from Bihar were allegedly assaulted in Siliguri, West Bengal, while preparing for an SSC exam. The incident sparked outrage, with the BJP accusing the INDIA block and the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to maintain law and order. The BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla questioned if it is illegal for Indians to travel to other states, while Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticized the West Bengal government’s handling of the situation. Meanwhile, the West Bengal police have arrested two individuals in connection with the incident.
Establishment Labs Holdings Inc. (ESTA) shares surged in pre-market trading after receiving FDA approval for Motiva Implants. Other notable movers include Fangdd Network Group Ltd. (DUO), Onconetix, Inc. (ONCO), and The Real Good Food Company, Inc. (RGF). Volato Group, Inc. (SOAR), enVVeno Medical Corporation (NVNO), and Momentus Inc. (MNTS) were among the top decliners.
US stock futures are pointing towards a slightly lower open on Friday, ahead of the release of key inflation data. While a positive report could bolster the ongoing market rally, concerns about election uncertainty and slowing global growth are keeping investors on edge. The focus will shift to the third-quarter earnings season in the coming weeks.
Peter Thiel, co-founder of Palantir Technologies, has sold nearly $600 million worth of the company’s stock this week, bringing his total stock sales for the year to over $1 billion. The sales come amid Thiel’s outspoken views on various topics, including artificial intelligence, Bitcoin, and California’s progressive culture.
Voting technology company Smartmatic and conservative cable network Newsmax have settled a defamation lawsuit, averting a trial that was scheduled to begin next week. The specifics of the confidential settlement remain undisclosed, but the agreement was reached during jury selection. This case would have been significant, as it would have been the first to determine whether a cable news network made defamatory claims about a voting technology company in relation to the 2020 election.
Coldplay’s highly anticipated Mumbai concert sold out in minutes, leading fans to explore gig-tripping opportunities to Abu Dhabi. This travel trend, where fans attend concerts in other countries, is booming, with Skyscanner predicting it will be a major travel priority in 2024. The report suggests that Indian fans are willing to fly short or long-haul to see their favorite performers, with a significant number choosing Abu Dhabi for the Coldplay concert due to its potentially cheaper cost compared to Mumbai’s exorbitant resale ticket prices.
Toyota reported a 3.1% decline in global vehicle sales for August, primarily driven by weak sales in Japan and China. However, the company saw an increase in the US market, thanks to the popularity of the new Camry. Toyota’s EV sales continued to grow, with a 23% increase compared to August 2023.
A teenage driver involved in a fatal Porsche crash in Pune is now facing serious charges, including culpable homicide, evidence tampering, and corruption. Police allege the driver and his family were drunk at the time of the accident and bribed doctors to falsify blood alcohol test results.
Alibaba and JD.com saw significant gains after China’s central bank announced new economic stimulus measures, including a reduction in bank reserve requirements and support for the struggling property market. This move reflects China’s efforts to boost its economy amid ongoing challenges.
