1. Lok Sabha Clears Finance Bill with Property Sale Relief: The Lok Sabha approved the tax proposals from the Union budget for FY25, including amendments by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which restore the inflation adjustment benefit in taxing gains from property sales.
2. Tata Motors Matches EV Prices with Conventional Vehicles: Tata Motors is aligning the prices of its electric vehicles (EVs) with those of competing conventional vehicles to boost sales amid an industry-wide slump in EV sales.
3. NARCL Targets ₹2 Trillion Stressed Assets by FY26: The government-backed National Asset Reconstruction Co. Ltd (NARCL) plans to acquire ₹2 trillion worth of banks’ non-performing assets by FY26, having already achieved ₹1 trillion in FY24.
4. Stock Market Recovery Driven by Short-Covering: Wednesday saw a significant market recovery driven by heavy short-covering, as bearish derivatives bets hit a record on Tuesday. The Bank of Japan's decision to maintain stable interest rates also contributed to this rally.
5. PowerGrid Collaborates with AIIMS for Underprivileged Patients: PowerGrid is set to work with AIIMS to support underprivileged patients, reflecting a broader commitment to corporate social responsibility.
6. Peerless Group Begins Transformation Journey: The Peerless Group has embarked on a significant transformation journey to enhance its business operations and customer offerings.
7. PHDCCI Appoints New CEO and Secretary General: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has appointed a new CEO and Secretary General, indicating a leadership renewal in the organization.
8. RailTel Partners with Cylus for Cybersecurity: RailTel has teamed up with Cylus to enhance the cybersecurity framework of Indian Railways infrastructure by integrating CylusOneTM, a rail-specific cybersecurity solution.
9. SCOPE Workshop on Climate Action: The Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE), in collaboration with GIZ, organized a workshop focusing on the role of climate co-benefit methodologies to strengthen climate action by Indian public sector enterprises.
10. International Conference on India-New Zealand Partnership: Sri Aurobindo College (Evening), University of Delhi, in collaboration with Let’s Do It India Foundation, held an international conference to explore the India-New Zealand partnership for a sustainable future.
11. CM Vishnu Deo Sai Celebrates Hareli Tihar: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai celebrated Hareli Tihar at his residence, emphasizing the government’s commitment to farmer prosperity.
12. VIT Holds 39th Annual Convocation: Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) conducted its 39th annual convocation with Prof. Anil D Sahasrabudhe as the Chief Guest and TR Parasuraman as the guest of honour.
13. Tata Power-DDL Training Program for Senegalese Officials: Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL) conducted a training program on best practices in smart metering for senior officials from SENELEC, Senegal.
14. NCRTC Wins Global Sustainability Award: The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) received the 14th Platinum Global Sustainability Award 2024 for its RRTS Project, presented by the Energy and Environment Foundation (EEF) at the 15th World Renewable Energy Technology Congress in New Delhi.
15. RBI Governor Expresses Concerns Over Unsecured Loans: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das highlighted concerns regarding the stress in unsecured loans, in line with the central bank’s earlier apprehensions.
16. Market Watch: Nifty and Derivatives: The Nifty index faced a 4% decline, prompting option sellers to sell more call options than puts, leading to a recovery driven by short-covering.
17. Insurance Law Amendment Bill Faces Legislative Hurdles: The Insurance Law (Amendment) Bill, 2008, faces uncertainty in passing due to a deadlock between the NDA government and the Congress-led opposition, with only five working days left in the current Parliament session.
18. Factories and Apprentices Amendment Bills to Boost Business: The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2014, and Apprentices (Amendment) Bill, 2014, aim to make India more business-friendly by allowing flexibility in hiring and working hours, potentially boosting manufacturing and employment.
19. FDI in Railway Infrastructure Proposal: The proposal to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in railway infrastructure seeks to provide additional resources for ongoing projects, modernization, and safety measures, requiring substantial funding.
20. Raising FDI Cap in Defense Sector: Raising the FDI ceiling in the defense sector from 26% to 49% is expected to expand the manufacturing ecosystem while ensuring control remains in Indian hands.
Science:
The Mystery of Strong Bones During Breastfeeding:
During pregnancy, the body diverts energy from bone health towards milk production.
This leads to a decrease in estrogen, a hormone crucial for bone strength.
Surprisingly, mothers' bones become stronger during breastfeeding, not weaker.
Discovery of the "Hidden" Hormone:
Researchers found a new hormone called CCN3 in the brains of lactating mice.
This hormone is produced in a specific area called the arcuate nucleus (ARC).
CCN3 stimulates bone-building cells and enhances their ability to form bone.
How CCN3 Works:
CCN3 is released from the brain and travels to the bones.
It promotes the growth and activity of bone-forming cells.
This leads to increased bone density and strength.
Implications for Bone Health:
The discovery of CCN3 provides new insights into bone health during and after pregnancy.
It may lead to the development of treatments for osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
Additional Information:
The research was conducted on mice, and further studies are needed to confirm the findings in humans.
The exact mechanism by which CCN3 influences bone health is still being investigated.
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