India Inc’s annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending increased by 29 per cent between FY2022 and FY2024, according to a report on Tuesday.

The report by ICRA ESG Ratings showed that till March 2024, the sample set of companies collectively spent Rs 12,897 crore, with an average of Rs 129 crore on CSR initiatives.

Between FY2022 and FY2024, average net profits rose by 37 per cent while CSR spending increased by 29 per cent.

Notably, 16 out of 100 companies increased their CSR spending despite the decline in profits during the same period, reflecting a commitment to social responsibility beyond compliance.

Despite a decline in profits, 48 per cent of companies surpassed the mandated CSR budgets, underscoring their commitment beyond compliance.

Australia wrapped up their Caribbean tour in style with another commanding win, sealing the final T20I in St Kitts. After sweeping the West Indies 3-0 in the Test series, the Aussies maintained their dominance in the T20Is, completing a 5-0 series sweep.

Chasing a target of 171, the middle-order trio of Cameron Green, Mitchell Owen and Tim David once again played pivotal roles. Green’s consistent performances across all five matches earned him the Player of the Series accolade.

Australia made an ideal start in the powerplay after choosing to bowl first. Returning to the lineup, Ben Dwarshuis made an immediate impact by dismissing both openers. Keacy Carty followed soon after with a mistimed shot, departing for a scratchy 1 off 8 balls, leaving the hosts in early trouble. It was only Sherfane Rutherford’s aggressive, boundary-filled start that prevented the West Indies’ powerplay from turning into a complete collapse.

Employers across key industries in India are planning measured yet meaningful compensation increases in current fiscal, with salary increments projected to range between 6.2 per cent and 11.3 per cent across sectors, and some city and role-level salary increments are expected to reach up to 13.8 per cent, according to a report on Tuesday.

The highest salary increments are expected in sectors such as EV and EV Infrastructure (11.3 per cent), Consumer Durables (10.7 per cent), Retail (10.7 per cent), and NBFCs (10.4 per cent), TeamLease Services, a people supply chain company, said in its report.

According to the report, top roles within industries with the highest salary increment are Electrical Design Engineer (12.4 per cent) in EV and EV Infrastructure, In-Store Demonstrator (12.2 per cent) in Consumer Durables, Relationship Executive (11.6 per cent) in NBFC, and Fashion Assistant (11.2 per cent) in Retail.

“The projected salary growth, ranging from 6.2 per cent to 11.3 per cent, signals a broader realignment in India’s job and wage landscape," said Kartik Narayan, CEO-Staffing, TeamLease Services.

India’s real estate sector has significantly improved its financial discipline, resulting in more credit from banks, credit rating upgrades and investor enthusiasm, according to a report on Tuesday.

The credit rating of real estate companies rose due to better operating margins, profitability margins and leverage ratios, the report from real estate management firm Colliers India said.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the real estate sector showed a ‘V-shaped’ recovery, with its credit and financial metrics outperforming other major industries, it added.

From FY21 to FY25, bank credit to this sector has doubled from Rs 17.8 lakh crore to Rs 35.4 lakh crore, outperforming the average bank credit to other industries by 30 per cent. Nearly one-fifth of bank credit deployment was in real estate, indicating lender confidence.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word ‘superpower’ has two primary definitions: a highly influential nation, and an extraordinary or superhuman capacity or skill in a normal human being.

From a cricketing perspective, Rishabh Pant has already performed feats on the field that have left many convinced he possesses some kind of superpower — hitting a six through his falling sweep shot, sweeping fast bowlers for boundaries, breaching long-standing fortresses, and chirping with his trademark lines while donning the keeping gloves.

But there’s one particular superpower, which is deeply admirable, that truly defines Pant — the 'never giving up' attitude. “Chahiye hi nahi yaar superpower, already hai – never giving up,” Pant once said in a video posted on the Lucknow Super Giants’ Instagram account on March 19.

Mongolia's measles death toll has reached ten after two more related deaths were registered, according to the country's National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD).

Meanwhile, 109 people remained in hospital, including six critically ill children, the NCCD said in a statement on Monday.

The NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contact, news agency reported.

Common complications include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and inflamed eyes. The disease can be prevented by immunisation.

Measles can affect anyone but is most common in children.

Heavy rainfall on Tuesday brought much-needed respite from the lingering heat in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), as the intermittent showers and overcast skies have not only brought down soaring temperatures but also led to a significant improvement in air quality.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) has improved across many parts of Delhi and NCR, offering residents cleaner and fresher air to breathe.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this pleasant weather is expected to linger for the next week.

From July 29 to August 3, the skies will remain mostly cloudy, with the likelihood of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall at several locations.

Power couple Ajay Devgn and Kajol recently attended their daughter Nysa Devgan’s graduation ceremony in Switzerland.

The actress, on Tuesday, shared a video from the special day and penned a heartfelt note, expressing her joy and emotions as her “first baby” steps into adulthood. In the clip, Ajay, Kajol can be seen striking poses along with their children, daughter Nysa and son Yug. The video also shows the mother-daughter duo posing together for the camera. The ‘Dilwale’ actress also added Rodell Duff’s popular track “Good Days” as background track for the video.

Alongside the clip, the proud mommy captioned the video, “Such a special occasion .. so proud … and wholly emotional.. #graduation #firstbaby #shesanadult.”

Two men were killed and two others injured in a shocking stabbing incident at a business premises on Long Lane in London, United Kingdom, local media reported.

The Metropolitan Police were called at around 1:00 p.m. (local time) on Monday, following reports that multiple individuals had been assaulted, reports.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with paramedics treating four people for stab wounds at the scene.

A 58-year-old man was pronounced dead on the spot, while a 27-year-old man later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Two other men, both in their 30s, were also injured -- one of whom is in critical condition.

At least 30 people were killed in the heavy rainstorms in Beijing, the state media reported on Tuesday.

The deaths occurred in Beijing's northern mountainous districts, with 28 in Miyun and two in Yanqing, as of Monday night, the Beijing municipal flood control headquarters said.

A total of 80,332 people have been relocated across the city, and the maximum rainfall was registered in Miyun, reaching 543.4 mm, according to local authorities.

The rainstorms damaged 31 road sections and disrupted the power supply in 136 villages.

In recent days, extreme and severe convective weather brought by warm, moist air from the edge of the subtropical high has occurred in Miyun and other areas in Beijing.

At 8 p.m. Monday, the Beijing municipal flood control headquarters activated the highest level of its citywide flood-control emergency response mechanism.