Elon Musk-run Tesla has reported $1.5 billion in profit for the April-June period (Q2) this year, down 45 per cent from the same period in 2023.

Total revenue was up 2 per cent (year-on-year) at $25.5 billion, but automotive revenues was down 7 per cent to $19.9 billion, according to the electric car-maker.

“In Q2, we achieved record quarterly revenues despite a difficult operating environment. The Energy Storage business continues to grow rapidly, setting a record in Q2 with 9.4 GWh of deployments, resulting in record revenues and gross profits for the overall segment,” Tesla said in a statement.

The company is looking at a possibility of selling fewer EVs in 2024 than 2023.

Continuous rains triggered by Typhoon Gaemi and the southwest monsoon caused flooding that paralysed the Philippine capital Manila and many parts of the main Luzon Island on Wednesday.

The widespread flooding, knee-deep in some areas, forced the government to evacuate people near Manila Bay and rivers to safety, and close schools and offices. Local authorities also evacuated residents of coastal areas in the central and southern Philippine regions, news agency reported.

Airport authorities said at least 16 flights were cancelled at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday morning.

Stock market experts on Wednesday said that investors should focus on buying stocks which can deliver superior returns after a marginal increase in long-term capital gains tax (LTCG) on equity becomes a reality.

According to experts, the taxation of capital gains has undergone significant streamlining in the Union Budget 2024 with respect to holding period and tax rates.

There will only be two holding periods -- 12 months (for listed securities) and 24 months (for all other securities) to determine short-term and long-term capital gains.

Thus, the holding period for bonds and debt mutual funds for being classified as long-term has been reduced from 36 months to 24 months.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy landed in New Delhi on Wednesday for his first official visit since he assumed office.

The dignitary’s visit is believed to be a significant event in light of impending discussions pertaining to the strategic partnership between India and the UK.

Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, took to X and announced: "The visit will strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and will make the 'living bridge' between (India) & (UK).”

Talks on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership and an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be the highlight of Lammy's flying visit to New Delhi.

One terrorist was killed and a soldier injured on Wednesday in an ongoing encounter in J&K’s Kupwara district.

Security forces had started a CASO (Cordon & Search Operation) in Kowut, Trumkhan forests of Kupwara district on Tuesday evening after getting information about the presence of terrorists there. Officials said as the security forces closed on the hiding terrorists, they fired triggering the gunfight.

The Army’s Srinagar-headquartered Chinar Corps posted on its X handle, “OP KOWUT-Kupwara Based on specific input regarding presence of terrorists in general area Kowut, Kupwara, a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on days leading upto 23 July 24."

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolted off Indonesia's eastern Highland Papua province on Wednesday morning, the country's meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency said.

The inland earthquake struck at 07:22 a.m. Jakarta time, with the epicentre located 96 km northeast of the Mamberamo Tengah regency at a depth of 26 km, according to the agency as reported by news agency.

Indonesia, an archipelagic country, lies in a vulnerable quake-hit zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire," making the nation prone to earthquakes.

The Indian startup ecosystem on Tuesday hailed the Union Budget 2024 for abolishing angel tax -- the tax imposed on funds raised by startups from angel investors -- for all classes of financiers.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech, said that the move was aimed at bolstering the Indian startup ecosystem, boosting the entrepreneurial spirit, and supporting innovation.

“The removal of angel tax is great news for early-stage startups and shows the government's support for startup funding. The focus on creating jobs, developing skills, supporting MSMEs, and boosting manufacturing is setting the stage for a better India,” added Varun Gupta, Co-Founder, BOULT.

"The elimination of angel tax will boost confidence among investors in India, particularly at a time when startup funding is declining,” added Neha Singh, co-founder of Tracxn.

The death toll from a landslide in Ethiopia has risen to 55, local media reported on Tuesday.

The deadly landslide occurred on Monday morning at around 10.00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) in southern Ethiopia's Geze Gofa district, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported.

Misikir Mitiku, the chief administrator of the district, said that more than 55 bodies, including women and children, have been found in the district, adding that the death toll could yet increase as rescue continues, news agency reported.

Ethiopia is in the midst of a rainy season which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September.

Indonesia is planning to broaden its mineral and coal online tracking system, known as Simbara, to include several commodities, including copper, gold and bauxite, said the country's Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif.

He mentioned the plan after the government officially broadened its Simbara to encompass nickel and tin commodities on Monday, news agency reported.

"Next, we will finish several other commodities, including copper, gold, bauxite, manganese, and others," said the minister.

The makers of the upcoming multi-starrer film 'Khel Khel Mein' unveiled its motion poster on Tuesday, promising a rollercoaster ride of humour and intriguing conversations.

The poster showcases the ensemble cast of Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Vaani Kapoor, Ammy Virk, Aditya Seal, Pragya Jaiswal, and Fardeen Khan sharing a hearty laugh.

It then flips to show them hiding a secret, with their fingers pressed to their lips.

The film is touted to provide a delightful mix of laugh-out-loud moments and heartwarming scenes that resonate deeply.

'Khel Khel Mein' is set to be released on August 15, coinciding with Independence Day.