The Chandigarh administration has suspended the licences of ride-hailing companies Uber and Rapido for six months over alleged violations of rules. According to the administration, both companies failed to comply with the prescribed regulations despite receiving repeated notices, show-cause notices and several opportunities to present their cases over more than a year. The action comes after authorities gave the companies multiple chances to address the alleged violations. The suspension will remain in effect for six months. The administration said the decision was taken after the companies failed to comply with the applicable rules despite prolonged proceedings and repeated communication from the authorities. (PC: India Today)

Kashmir has hosted its first-ever international film festival, marking a new chapter for a region that once had all 15 cinema halls shut amid militancy. The four-day International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir opened in Srinagar on September 7 with the screening of Lebanese film Dead Dog. A total of 135 films from 41 countries will be screened at venues in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Jammu. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the festival “a new chapter” in Jammu and Kashmir’s relationship with cinema and said the event aims to promote the Valley as a global filmmaking destination. (PC: The Hindu)

A controversy has erupted in West Bengal over calls to keep non-vegetarian food away from Durga Puja pandals. Hindutva organisations and religious preachers have appealed for vegetarian food to be served in and around Puja venues. The debate intensified after Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged people to keep non-vegetarian food away from Durga idols during the festival. His remarks have drawn criticism from sections of Bengali Hindus, including some who identify as Hindu nationalists. The Indian Express spoke to people in Kolkata to understand public opinion, with many highlighting Bengal’s distinct food traditions and cultural practices.

The Delhi government will introduce a new policy to regulate PG accommodations and coaching institutes within six weeks, Education Minister Ashish Sood said. The move comes after the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people. Sood said the policy will set safety and security standards for PGs. A common web portal may list PGs, their facilities, availability and safety details. The government will consult students, parents, PG operators and other groups before finalising the rules. Sood also said Delhi faces a major shortage of hostels, with over two lakh students from outside the city needing accommodation. The government is exploring more options.  

Mumbai Police have arrested two men after one allegedly claimed to be a Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) official and tried to enter an event venue. The incident took place at Jio World Plaza on Monday. Police identified the man as Rohan Parekh. Security staff became suspicious after checking his documents. His alleged PMO identity card was also found to be suspicious. Another man was arrested with him. He was carrying a gun and claimed to be Parekh’s bodyguard. Both men have been sent to police custody until September 11. Police said the incident was not linked to PM Modi’s Tuesday event.  

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has identified 62 dangerous buildings across the city after the Satya Niketan building collapse. According to a survey report, action has already been taken against 20 structures. Sixteen have been demolished and four have been sealed. The remaining 42 buildings are awaiting demolition or sealing. The report was recirculated after the collapse of a five-storey PG building in Satya Niketan that killed seven people. MCD said it surveys buildings before the monsoon every year. The civic body has also suspended several officials as investigations into the collapse continue.

Samsung India has started cutting jobs in its television and home appliance businesses. Around 80 to 100 executives have reportedly been asked to leave in batches. The cuts affect directors, managers and team leaders. Rising memory chip prices, weaker demand and higher raw material costs have increased pressure on the company. The falling rupee has also made electronic products more expensive. Reports suggest up to 25% of the sales and marketing staff could be affected. Samsung’s smartphone team is not part of the current cuts. The company hopes festive-season sales during Diwali will improve demand and support its business.  

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said a building next to the collapsed Satya Niketan PG will be demolished on Wednesday. The building has been declared unsafe. At least seven people died and several were injured in the collapse. Gupta visited injured students at AIIMS and said the government will pay their full treatment costs. Police said repair and construction work was underway in the basement before the collapse. They are searching for the contractor involved. Police also said four floors of the building were illegally built, according to the FIR. The PG owner, his wife and son are in custody.  

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to urgently hear a plea seeking more hostels for Delhi University students. The petition asked DU to provide hostels at every college. The matter was mentioned before Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. The lawyer sought an urgent hearing on Tuesday. The court said a PIL on the same issue had already been filed and would be heard the next day. “One PIL has already been filed. Tomorrow it will come. Unnecessarily you waste your own time,” the bench said. The court also questioned whether an interim order could be passed.  

India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026-27. However, economists Surjit Bhalla and Montek Singh Ahluwalia said this growth is not enough to make India a developed country by 2047. Bhalla said India needs sustained double-digit growth, especially in dollar terms. Ahluwalia also said the country needs a much higher growth rate. He warned that growth is not reaching all sections equally. Both economists stressed the need for more jobs and economic reforms. They also called for greater global trade and lower tariffs. They said strong growth must continue for many years to achieve the Viksit Bharat goal.