Foxconn, a key Apple supplier, faces criticism for reportedly excluding married women from job opportunities at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. A Reuters investigation revealed that Foxconn's hiring policies discriminated against married women due to perceived "post-marriage issues" such as family duties and higher absenteeism. This practice, contradicting both Apple and Foxconn's codes of conduct, has been justified by the company citing concerns over production interference by traditional jewelry worn by married Hindu women. Despite acknowledgments of past shortcomings, discriminatory practices reportedly continued in 2023 and 2024, prompting further scrutiny and calls for reform.

On Tuesday, the S&P BSE Sensex crossed the 78,000 mark for the first time, and the NSE Nifty50 achieved a record high of 23,710.45. The Sensex surged 659.99 points, trading at 78,001.07, driven by strong performances in financial services and banking stocks. Early trading saw positive momentum across major indices, reflecting investor confidence amid robust corporate earnings and favorable economic indicators. Analysts credit the rally to renewed optimism in the market and expect continued strength if macroeconomic conditions remain stable. Both indices closed the session with significant gains, underscoring a bullish outlook.

Britannia Industries will close its 77-year-old Taratala biscuit factory in Kolkata, affecting around 150 workers. The decision stems from "economic viability issues," with all affected employees accepting Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) packages. The closure is part of a broader strategic shift, following the shutdown of older factories in Mumbai and Chennai. Established in 1947, the Taratala facility holds historical significance as one of Britannia’s earliest production units. Despite the closure, Britannia plans to invest Rs 300-350 crore in a new facility in Bengal, maintaining its strong market presence in the state.

India has surged to sixth place globally among deeptech ecosystems with 3,600 startups, receiving $850 million funding last year, reports Nasscom. Over 480 startups were launched in 2023, double the number from 2022, with a focus on AI and new domains like space-tech and healthtech. Notable startups include Agnikul and HealthPlix. Nasscom emphasizes the potential of AI, quantum computing, and robotics across sectors like education and agriculture. Challenges remain for India to reach the top three, including access to patient capital and deeper R&D partnerships. The deeptech policy tabled in 2023 aims to bolster this innovative sector.

Jio users across India are reporting widespread outages, with many unable to access popular apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube. According to Downdetector, 54% of complaints relate to mobile internet issues, 38% to Jio Fiber, and 7% to mobile network disruptions. The outage has left thousands of users stranded, with many taking to social media to vent their frustration. Jio has yet to comment on the issue or provide a timeline for resolution. The disruption has sparked concerns about the reliability of Jio's services.

Harry Dent, a top US economist, warns that a huge stock market crash is coming, potentially worse than the 2008 financial crisis. He believes the "everything" bubble, fueled by artificial stimulus, is yet to burst. Dent notes that most bubbles last 5-6 years, but this one has gone on for 14, making a bigger crash likely. He predicts a significant market downturn when the bubble finally bursts. Dent's warning suggests that the prolonged bubble may lead to a devastating economic crash, surpassing the Great Financial Crisis.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has secured a 5-year contract for the operation and maintenance of the container terminal at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Dock. Awarded through a competitive bidding process, APSEZ will deploy cargo handling equipment within seven months. The terminal, handling 6.3 lakh TEUs in FY24, serves a wide region including West Bengal and the Northeast. The contract enhances Adani Ports’ strategic synergies with ports in Colombo and Vizhinjam, bolstering its presence on both coasts of India. CEO Ashwani Gupta emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding port infrastructure in West Bengal.

The S&P BSE Sensex surged by over 1,600 points on Friday, reaching a historic peak of 76,795.31, while the NSE Nifty50 climbed 2.07% to 23,294.2. This rally followed the Reserve Bank of India’s upward revision of the GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 7.2%, from a previous estimate of 7%. The RBI's decision to maintain interest rates at 6.5% for the eighth consecutive time also fueled investor confidence. The stock market's strong performance reversed the decline observed earlier in the week due to election uncertainties, demonstrating robust recovery and optimism about economic growth.

Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, has seen his net worth surge to $106 billion, making him the 13th richest person in the world. His fortune grew by $93 billion in just 18 months as Nvidia shares skyrocketed over 700% to over $1,200. The company's success is attributed to its role in the AI revolution, with major companies like Microsoft, Tesla, and Meta relying on Nvidia's graphics processors for their AI-powered projects. Huang's 3.5% stake in Nvidia is now worth over $14 billion, putting him close to breaking into the top 10 richest individuals globally.

Nara Bhuvaneshwari, wife of TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu, saw a staggering surge in wealth as Heritage Foods, where she holds a significant stake, witnessed a remarkable rally. With a 24.37% ownership in the company, her influence is evident in its performance. Despite a market downturn post Lok Sabha election results, Heritage Foods’ stock soared, closing at ₹659 per share after five consecutive sessions of gains, up from ₹402.90 on May 31, 2024. Bhuvaneshwari's holdings of 2,26,11,525 shares propelled the surge, underscoring her pivotal role in the company's trajectory.