Covid centre scam: ED arrests Sujit Patkar, BMC health official Bisure
Patkar’s firm is accused of receiving around ₹31.84 crore from the BMC as part of the contract even though between 50 and 60 per cent of the medical staff at the centres for which it had billed the civic body were allegedly non-existent. Bisure had allegedly connived with the firm to approve its dubious bills related to manipulated attendance sheets of the employees at the Covid centres, and received a laptop, cash and funds in his driver’s account, the ED claimed | Mumbai news Key Points
Hindustan TimesAustralia No.3 bank reaches union deal that lets staff work from home
National Australia Bank (NAB) (NAB.AX), the country's No.3 lender, reached a deal that lets employees work from home, a union representing staff said on Friday, one of the first in the world to give legal protection for remote work. Key Points
ReutersTo cut costs, Twitter shuts offices in Delhi, Mumbai
Amid layoffs and a severe cost-cutting, Twitter has closed offices in Delhi and Mumbai and asked staff to work from home, according to sources. The micro-blogging platform’s Bengaluru office that largely has engineering staff remains operational, the sources said. Key Points
The Tribune IndiaPrivate secretaries yet to be assigned to many Madhya Pradesh ministers. CMO vetting candidates
Recommendations by 15 ministers for appointment of personal staff were turned down as they were working during CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's rule. Work affected, says a minister. Key Points
ThePrintWhat happens when 'fun' corporate retreats cross a line
Company getaways are making a comeback, especially as many firms move to remote-first models. They can be well meaning – but turn out problematic. Key Points
BBC
Former Indian envoy to Australia ordered to pay AU$ 1,00,000 penalty for underpaying domestic staff
The fine comes on top of a previous order in November 2023 that required Navdeep Suri to pay his staff member AU$ 1,36,276.62 plus interest. Key Points
ThePrintElden Ring Meteorite Staff: Here’s what you may want to know about where to find, how to acquire and more
The Meteorite staff in Elden Ring is a potent weapon for magic-oriented players, offering high damage spells and safety in combat. Obtainable in Caelid or through a teleportation route, it enhances Gravity sorceries, making it a valuable asset for Tarnished seeking power. Key Points
Economic TimesBeginning of end of work from home: Meta, Amazon among firms calling employees back to office in 2023
The orders come as office occupancy across the US this year broke 50% for the first time since the pandemic began and CEOs like JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Jamie Dimon continue to reject remote work. Working from home “doesn’t work” for managers or younger staff, Dimon said recently. Key Points
FinancialexpressPharmacy staff from CVS, Walgreens stores in US plan 3-day walkout
Thousands of employees at CVS Health Corp (CVS.N) and Walgreens Boots Alliance's (WBA.O) U.S. pharmacies are planning a three-day walkout starting Monday, in an attempt to get the companies to improve working conditions and recruit more people, among other issues. Key Points
ReutersUS FDA advisers to consider need for more studies for Vertex/CRISPR gene therapy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's staff reviewers on Friday asked the regulator's advisory panel to consider the need for additional studies for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX.O) and CRISPR Therapeutics' (CRSP.BN) sickle cell disease gene therapy. Key Points
Reuters
NCRTC investigation finds lapses by operational staff
An NCRTC probe into a recent derailment on the regional rapid rail project found operational staff lapses. The incident occurred at Duhai depot in Uttar Pradesh, with the high-level committee attributing it to an operational lapse. The committee recommended penal action and refresher courses for staff. The project, aimed at reducing travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour, involves German rail operator Deutsche Bahn and Alstom. Key Points
Economic TimesAir India reaches out to unhappy pilots, staff over salary revision
Last week, the Tata Group-owned airline announced a new salary structure for pilots and cabin crew but the staff was disappointed with the revisions. Their main grouse was about promoting captains with more than four years of experience in management. Key Points
Economic Times‘Taking care of staff my first priority, no decision yet on my future’
Four months ago, Tata Group announced the consolidation of Air India and Vistara. Involving layers of approvals, the process has kickstarted and is expected to be completed before March next year. Key Points
FinancialexpressCitigroup outlines layoff process, reassignments in overhaul -memo
Citigroup (C.N) managers are reviewing staff rosters to determine by November who will stay in place, be reassigned or laid off during its biggest reorganization in decades, according to a global memo to staff on Wednesday seen by Reuters. Key Points
ReutersGurugram sees exodus by informal workers
The recent communal unrest in Gurugram has led to an exodus of blue collar temp workers from Haryana, with employees such as parking attendants and security staff leaving the city for safer options. It has reminded people of the reverse migration of Covid-19 times, with executives calling the informal temp workforce the most vulnerable. The impact is being felt on future livelihoods of informal workers and it could lead to reverse migration. Key Points
Economic Times
UN tells Afghan staff to stay home over women worker ban concerns: Report
A second U.N. source said the United Nations was seeking further information from the Taliban authorities. | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesTCS looks to double staff in France over next three years
India Business News: TCS aims to double its staff in France over the next three years, driven by strong business growth. With over three decades of presence in the country, TCS considers France as one of the fastest growing markets in Europe. Key Points
Times Of IndiaA day of joy as kids at KGMU ward treated with gifts and goodies
Children at the paediatric surgery ward of KGMU celebrated Children's Day with gift packages containing snacks and hospital essentials organized by Seva Sankalp. The Kalyan Singh Cancer Institute also hosted a small Diwali celebration for patients. Key Points
Hindustan TimesPolice probing sexual harassment plaint at children’s orphanage
Police investigate alleged sexual harassment and corruption at a Saharanpur orphanage after district administration suspends five employees. Charges have been filed against the superintendent, manager, and three staff. The residents had accused the staff of irregularities, corruption, and sexual harassment. A committee has submitted its report, prompting the suspension order. Preliminary investigation found no evidence of sexual harassment, but further probing will be conducted. Key Points
Hindustan TimesHow Prince William split with Prince Harry because of Meghan Markle and how the Duke of Sussex stood by his wife-Entertainment News , Firstpost
'William split with Harry because he did not feel Meghan was treating her staff well. Nothing to do with race … she was accused of mistreating her staff, that’s not the way royal people are supposed to behave,' said Royal historian Robert Lacey. Key Points
Firstpost
Air India is like a startup as it’s being reinvented, says CEO Campbell Wilson
Wilson looks for deep cultural changes as Air India, under the Tata Group since January 2022, has embarked on refurbishing its fleet, website, operations, revenue and data management, and even staff. Most recently, it has placed an order for 470 planes. Key Points
Economic TimesCEO accused of killing 4-yr-old son in Goa was 'triggered' by court order giving husband visiting rights
Suchana Seth, 39, allegedly wanted to keep son away from estranged husband. 'Missing' boy and blood stains in her room led hotel staff to alert police. Key Points
ThePrintLufthansa Airlines strike today: 100,000 passengers to be affected | Details
Lufthansa Airlines, the German flag carrier, is set to go on a strike on Wednesday. Some 25,000 staff will take part in the walkout over pay. | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesAmazon’s Audible fired over 100 employees
Amazon's Audible division to reduce its workforce by approximately 5 per cent as part of the company's broader efficiency strategy. The move follows similar layoffs in other Amazon units. Key Points
India TodaySurvey reveals dissatisfaction among air passengers in India over compromised comfort and service cutbacks
A survey conducted by LocalCircles, a community social media platform, revealed that nine out of ten respondents, consisting of about 13,000 air passengers, believe that Indian airlines have compromised on comfort and cut corners in the last 24 months. The survey highlighted a surge in complaints about excessive fares, flight cancellations, delays, boarding denials, damaged or misplaced luggage, steep hikes in onboard food prices, silent gate changes, and rude behavior from staff. Key Points
Economic Times
Govt clarifies position on debt, says general govt debt will decline substantially in the medium to long t
The government noted that the IMF staff report had presented the figures as a worst-case scenario and was not a ‘fait accompli. “It is also noteworthy that the same report indicates that under favourable circumstances, the General Government Debt to GDP ratio may decline to below 70 per cent in the same period. Therefore, any interpretation that the report implies that General Government debt would exceed 100% of GDP in the medium term is misconstrued,” the ministry said. Key Points
Economic TimesCitigroup employees brace for layoffs, management overhaul -sources
Citigroup (C.N) employees expect the bank to announce layoffs and senior management changes on Monday as part of its biggest reorganization in decades, according to five sources with knowledge of the matter. Key Points
ReutersUS SEC chief says government shutdown would reduce agency to 'skeletal' staff
Wall Street's top regulator on Wednesday told U.S. lawmakers that a looming shutdown of the federal government would reduce his agency's staffing to "skeletal" levels. Key Points
Reuters