Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
More than 80 days after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home, investigators are still working to find answers. Retired FBI profiler Jim Clemente says doorbell footage suggests the armed, masked suspect actively concealed involvement, including tampering with a security camera. He also believes the abduction may have been carried out alone, possibly at gunpoint.
New Delhi is in the grip of its season’s first major heatwave as IMD confirms conditions after multiple areas crossed critical temperature thresholds. Hot loo winds and searing daytime heat pushed mercury past 43°C, disrupting outdoor plans and daily routines. With residents watching the sky for relief, the big question is whether rain can provide a real respite soon.
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Related Digital has secured $16 billion in financing for a Michigan data centre campus built for Oracle. The package combines equity from Related Digital and Blackstone with long-term debt backed by PIMCO-managed funds. The move underscores how major tech firms are accelerating expansion across the US as demand for cloud and AI infrastructure keeps rising.
Gold edged higher as a softer US dollar provided support for prices. At the same time, uncertainty surrounding potential US Iran developments is keeping investors in risk-off mode, sustaining demand for safe-haven assets. With both currency moves and geopolitical concerns in play, traders are closely watching new signals for the next direction in bullion.
Chelsea Green has confirmed reports that Alba Fyre has left WWE, praising her “untapped” talent and calling it only the beginning. Fans echoed the sentiment that Fyre’s full potential never got the spotlight on the main roster. Alba also replied playfully, nodding to her former NXT persona, hinting at what could come next.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has sued New York, arguing the state’s legal actions against prediction market platforms such as Coinbase and Gemini unlawfully encroach on federal authority. New York’s attorney general says the products function as gambling and violate state consumer protection rules. The CFTC calls the state’s approach overreach and seeks to block it.
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Indian consumers are tightening belts, cutting back on non-essential purchases amid global tensions, job worries, and rising prices. Households are shifting toward savings and value-driven goods, while companies report softer demand for luxury items. Essential categories are seeing more resilience as hiring freezes and job cuts further deepen cautious consumer sentiment.
Ahead of the India Africa Forum Summit, officials called for stronger engagement with African financial institutions, along with greater insurance coverage for projects. They pointed to India’s growing diplomatic footprint and large overseas development assistance. While trade growth remains strong, Africa still struggles with major infrastructure financing needs and a stubborn trade finance deficit that threatens deals.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry says no meetings with the United States are planned in Islamabad during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s Pakistan visit. The trip focuses on regional peace, with Araghchi meeting Pakistani officials and conveying Iran’s position to Islamabad. The clarification comes as the US has outlined plans for envoys to pursue talks linked to Tehran.
Despite a newly announced three-week extension of a Lebanon ceasefire by Donald Trump, Israel and Hezbollah continued exchanging strikes. Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon reportedly caused casualties, while Hezbollah targeted an Israeli armored personnel carrier. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of sabotage, underscoring how quickly the ceasefire arrangement is being challenged on the ground.
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European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic says he understands U.S. relief on Russian oil sanctions is temporary, after talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The discussion also turned to knock-on shocks from closures near the Strait of Hormuz, and fertilizer supply chain disruptions hitting Europe and Africa. Bessent urged G20 countries to improve fertilizer access.
Donald Trump’s planned attendance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is igniting fresh debate over press freedom, media tension, and the purpose of the annual event. Supporters call it a moment for journalism and accountability, while critics are preparing protests, arguing it risks normalizing strained relations between leaders and reporters. The night is set to be closely watched globally.
Swiss commodities giant Vitol says the US-Iran war has already removed up to a billion barrels from global oil markets. Speaking at a summit in Lausanne, the world’s biggest independent oil trader argued the shock didn’t just disrupt supply, it effectively erased volumes from the system—tightening balances and raising uncertainty for prices and availability.
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has ruled that a property purchase discount is not taxable as income. In this case, a homebuyer received a Rs 9.82 crore discount on a Rs 32.95 crore DLF Camellias flat, after which the tax department issued a notice. The ITAT also allowed a Rs 9.65 crore capital gains exemption, reversing the lower authority’s view.
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A new Canadian law effective December 15, 2025, will let millions of Americans with Canadian ancestry apply for citizenship by descent and potentially secure passports. It removes prior generational caps, but applicants must prove their lineage. People born after the cutoff need a Canadian parent with three years of residency. Dual citizenship is allowed, opening new travel and settlement options.
A row erupted in Bengaluru after allegations that Brahmin students were forced to remove their Janeu during the Karnataka CET exam. Despite earlier government assurances, police registered FIRs and suspended three professors over the incident. The dispute has reignited questions about whether religious practices are being unfairly targeted during standardized testing.
Uttar Pradesh is gripped by a severe heatwave, with Prayagraj crossing 45°C and eight cities placing among India’s hottest. The India Meteorological Department has issued heat alerts, saying extreme conditions are likely to continue for several days. Relief is expected only around April 27–29, though light rain may offer brief respite in parts of western UP.
Legal experts say India’s anti defection law has a built in exit route under the Tenth Schedule. They argue a two thirds majority of a legislature party can merge into another party, so seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs led by Raghav Chadha could join BJP without violating rules. The Supreme Court has upheld this provision, though critics call it ineffective and want it replaced.
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A steep tax increase is set to push cigarette prices up by more than 30%, likely hitting overall volumes immediately. But ITC’s bigger headache is competitive: Godfrey Phillips is still gaining share in the regular-sized cigarette market, raising the risk that ITC’s market position worsens even as consumers adjust to higher prices.
The RBI has updated India’s e-mandate framework, effective immediately, raising the OTP-free limit for auto-debit recurring payments to ₹15,000. Utility bills and EMIs now face less friction, while key commitments like insurance premiums and mutual fund SIPs are protected with a higher ₹1 lakh threshold, reducing the risk of missed payments and lapses.
IIT Madras scientists are using indigenous proprietary technology to create extremely high-resolution brain images by slicing tissue down to a fraction of a human hair. The resulting image bank is reported to be several times sharper than advanced MRI, offering new clues about how Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s begin and progress—potentially accelerating earlier detection and better treatments.
Tehran has rejected U.S. conditions for upcoming negotiations, even after President Donald Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire extension, according to IRIB. Trump said the move followed a request from Pakistan’s military leadership and was meant to give Iran time to craft a single negotiation proposal amid internal divisions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry officials say no U.S.-Iran talks are scheduled during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s Islamabad visit. While Araghchi is there to discuss proposals aimed at restarting peace talks, Tehran’s direct rejection underscores the uncertainty around any near-term breakthrough in a conflict already roiling global markets. Pakistani officials remain part of the wider diplomacy push.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by three more weeks, with Prime Minister Netanyahu calling it a step toward peace. Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah may try to disrupt the process, while stressing close coordination with the United States. He also cited President Trump’s pressure on Iran as a factor behind efforts to restore stability in the region.
President Donald Trump will meet King Charles next week in Washington to discuss Iran and NATO, while a major sticking point looms: the UK’s digital services tax. The meeting, celebrating 250 years of US independence, comes as US-UK ties strain further. Trump has criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over Iran and warned of tariffs tied to the tax dispute.
The US State Department has urged global partners to watch Chinese AI firms, including DeepSeek, accused of stealing US artificial intelligence intellectual property. A diplomatic cable warns about adversaries extracting and “distilling” US AI models to enable cheaper replication of advanced systems. China denies the allegations, calling the claims unfounded.
Many Indian workers are told to stay late, often verbally, but the practice isn’t always legal. Under the new Labour Code and state laws, overtime must be paid at twice the ordinary rate. The catch: managerial and supervisory roles may be exempt. Employees can document instructions, file internal grievances, or approach labour authorities to recover unpaid overtime.
Iran is preparing an offer meant to satisfy United States demands, with peace talks expected to restart soon in Pakistan. US envoys are set to travel to Islamabad to meet an Iranian delegation. Donald Trump also said a US port blockade will remain in place until an agreement is reached, though Iran’s proposal has not been revealed.
Nothing has launched a new on-device AI dictation tool that supports more than 100 languages. By processing speech locally, the company positions the feature as faster and more private than cloud based alternatives, while aiming to make voice input practical across regions and dialects.
India is accelerating adoption of the e-rupee by routing parts of its $80 billion welfare system through 10 pilot programs, including programmable subsidies spendable only at approved vendors. While usage remains far below UPI, India is also urging BRICS CBDC linkage ahead of the 2026 summit, aiming for interoperability and reduced reliance on the US dollar—amid geopolitical and trade risks.
Indian spacetech startups are shifting from commercial missions toward defence applications as geopolitical tensions rise. With slower enterprise adoption, founders are prioritising government contracts that can deliver steadier budgets and faster revenue. The change reflects a high-stakes strategy: betting on military demand even as timelines, requirements, and approvals become more complex.
Faircent.com says its NBFC P2P platform is accelerating in non-metro areas, with loan disbursements to borrowers from Tier 3 cities tripling over the past financial year. The move signals a stronger push into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, as lenders target growing demand outside traditional urban centers and expand their footprint to capture new borrower segments.
US President Donald Trump said Iran’s internal disagreements could shape the next phase of peace talks, while Iran responded with a sharp message of “iron unity.” The dispute comes alongside shifting US moves on ceasefire and port pressures, as multiple governments—including India—issue travel warnings even as commercial activity resumes.
The US Treasury has imposed new sanctions on China’s Hengli Petrochemical and a network of roughly 40 shipping firms and tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil. The move escalates pressure on Tehran ahead of upcoming diplomatic talks in Pakistan, signaling tighter enforcement against Iran-linked trade and maritime activity.
A tender vessel linked to the reality series Below Deck caught fire near Mo'orea Island in French Polynesia on April 24, 2026. Witnesses say flames rapidly engulfed the small passenger transport boat. No injuries were reported, but authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the blaze, leaving viewers and locals waiting for answers.
Google Cloud is building an AI-ready data centre campus in Vishakhapatnam with a planned 5-gigawatt capacity. The $15 billion investment is the biggest Google has made in India and is expected to be completed over five years. Once operational, the facility will join Google’s global network and significantly boost data transfer capabilities.
WWE has reportedly made major roster cuts after WrestleMania 42, releasing names that included Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, and members tied to the Wyatt Sicks faction. The list also reportedly includes Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas), Nikki Cross, and Dexter Lumis, with several departures coming despite characters being involved in ongoing storylines, leaving fans stunned.
Ahead of Anthropic’s upcoming public release of Claude Mythos, the AI firm is reportedly in talks with governments worldwide, including India, to safeguard critical infrastructure. Now Nasscom and the Indian government are pushing for early access, fearing the model could reveal vulnerabilities. The goal: strengthen cybersecurity and assess risks before it reaches wider use.
President Donald Trump attacked a recent US Supreme Court decision on tariffs, warning it could force the government to repay companies around $159 billion. He argues the outcome hinged on “one little half sentence,” and that a minor rewrite of the court’s wording could have prevented the financial hit. The case could also reshape trade relations and affect government revenue.
Steve Ballmer, writing in the sentencing of disgraced founder Joseph Sanberg, unleashed a fiery letter detailing the fallout investors faced after the fraud allegations. Ballmer says he was misled by someone he had supported, calling his own involvement a mistake and expressing frustration over the harm done. The comments underscore how quickly business trust can turn into legal fallout.
Reporting by The Intercept says the IRS has been using Palantir’s software since at least 2018 to support investigations into financial crimes. The claim places Palantir’s analytics tools inside a core federal enforcement workflow for years, raising questions about how the technology is deployed and what oversight accompanies its use in high-stakes cases.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the Srinagar–Katra Vande Bharat will be extended to Jammu Tawi from April 30. The service will also add a major capacity boost, with coaches rising from 8 to 20. Officials say winterisation upgrades will improve comfort and connectivity, aiming to boost tourism and travel across Jammu and Kashmir.
Margaret and Ian Wishingrad built Three Wishes Cereal from their cramped one bedroom apartment, turning daily constraints into a real growth play. Their story isn’t just about recipes and retail expansion, but about managing marriage and business at the same time—learning how to collaborate without turning every decision into a fight as the brand scaled to 15,000 stores.
Thousands of Capital One customers reported a major outage affecting the bank’s app and website, with many unable to log in or view account information. Online posts surged as users exchanged error messages and asked for updates. Capital One acknowledged an issue and said it was working to restore services, but customers continued to seek quick access to their accounts.
ITC is expected to conclude its Rs 3,498-crore acquisition of Century Pulp and Paper next week, according to sources. The deal completion hinges on transferring certain leases from Aditya Birla Real Estate, the entity holding Century Pulp and Paper, to ITC. Neither ITC nor the Aditya Birla Group responded to queries at the time of reporting.
A CrowdStrike-linked analysis of Operation Lunar Peek shows how CVSS scoring can fail in practice. Attackers chained two Palo Alto CVEs across 13,000 exposed management interfaces, ultimately gaining root. CVSS v4 and v3.1 assigned conflicting, “manageable” ratings that never flagged the combined kill chain, exposing gaps in how teams triage, patch, and report risk.
RBI has cancelled the licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited with immediate effect, triggering fresh worries among users about Paytm app services and Paytm UPI. While UPI operations may continue depending on underlying arrangements, the move raises questions about access to wallet balances, account features, and how payments and transfers will be handled going forward.
Mumbai’s street tension is rising as the Maharashtra government’s May 1 mandate requires auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi. Even before the deadline, the MNS has started informal roadside Marathi classes for drivers, escalating the debate. Political leaders are divided on whether the language requirement should be strictly implemented, with concerns over enforcement and practical impact.
Karoline Leavitt made headlines during her final press briefing before maternity leave, sharing her pregnancy update and hinting she will be back soon. There is no single fixed replacement, with other officials expected to step in for briefings. The young spokesperson also drew attention for her confident style while handling reporters during her exit.
Nuclear power startup X-energy surged 27% on its first day of trading on the Nasdaq after an upsized IPO. Investors showed strong demand for the company’s public debut, pushing the stock higher immediately as trading opened. The jump underscores continued appetite for next generation energy themes despite the volatility that often follows major listings.
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