Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
The Supreme Court will hear a case to protect the Aravalli hills on Monday after taking suo motu cognisance. Environmentalists and locals worry unchecked mining and rapid urbanization are harming the fragile ecosystem. The CJI-led bench’s upcoming hearing is expected to address alleged violations and determine next steps to safeguard the hills and local livelihoods.
A JEE aspirant identified as Saurabh Kumar was found dead allegedly by suicide in Patna near the Gandhi Maidan Police Station area. Police say his cousins discovered him after he returned from coaching. Investigators recovered a suicide note from the room in which Kumar reportedly blamed academic pressure and wrote that no one else was responsible.
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The Indian rupee ended Monday nearly unchanged, stuck in a tug-of-war between dollar inflows and outflows. Dollar sales gained momentum as traders unwound arbitrage positions, while importers sought protection through hedging. Adding pressure to market sentiment, escalating risks tied to the Iran war kept traders cautious and limited large swings in the currency.
India’s big QSR players are facing a sharp shift as food delivery platforms like Zomato change customer control. Despite still-rich valuations, stocks tied to brands such as Westlife and Jubilant have stumbled. Margin pressure, slower growth hovering in single digits, and empowered local competition are eroding the old advantage of scale—raising a new question: who owns the customer now?
India has expanded the roster of Russian insurers permitted to provide marine insurance for ships calling at Indian ports. The update increases access to protection and indemnity coverage by allowing additional Russian firms to operate. Several newly included companies have authorisations running through 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2030, extending coverage well into the future.
Japan is set to roll out “Tourist Pasmo” in May, a new prepaid IC card for foreign visitors. Issued by Pasmo Co., it will be valid for 28 days and usable for both transport and payments. The card will be available at Narita and Haneda airports without a deposit, replacing the earlier Pasmo Passport.
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Canadian universities say they are extending relief to international students affected by the Middle East conflict. Schools including the University of Victoria, Queen’s, Carleton, and McGill are offering exam deferrals, longer tuition deadlines, additional financial assistance, and expanded mental health services to help students stay on track during disruption.
AIIMS Jodhpur student Anuj Agnihotri has topped the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 with 1,071 marks and a 52.88 percent score. The commission said 958 candidates qualified for elite services including IAS, IFS, and IPS after stages comprising the preliminary, mains, and personality test. Rajeshwari Suve M ranked second, while Akansh Dhull took third.
OpenAI has unveiled GPT-5.5, its most advanced research model, designed to handle complex work with minimal prompting. The system can plan its approach, use external tools, and self-correct along the way, positioning it as a major leap toward faster machine-driven AI research and raising AGI expectations. GPT-5.5 is rolling out to Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise users.
Zerodha’s rapid rise in liquid ETFs is transforming India’s fixed-income landscape. Its liquid fund has scaled to about INR 6,500 crore, drawing traders and even banking customers away from incumbents like Nippon. With a growth option and roughly 6% returns, the product is benefiting from low savings rates and market volatility, accelerating a broader shift to liquid ETFs.
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The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued fresh directives for IPTV operators, reaffirming the 2008 policy framework. Telecom licensees and cable providers will need to submit a self-attested declaration before starting services. The ministry says this streamlined process reduces unnecessary third-party involvement, and cautions companies to avoid relying on unauthorized representatives.
Legal-tech startup Lawyered raised Rs 8.5 crore from the IdeaBaaz Titans at a Rs 120 crore pre-money valuation. The funds will go toward accelerating expansion of its mobility compliance services, including LOTS247 and ChallanPay, as it pushes deeper into compliance workflows for vehicles and enforcement needs.
Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry, DHR Global and Sheffield Haworth report surging demand for leadership advisory and senior talent in India. The shift is being fueled by AI-driven transformation, fresh IPO activity and broad growth across sectors, prompting these firms to treat India as a key leadership hub for executive searches and boardroom-level hiring.
Since October 2024, global crypto markets have shed a staggering $2 trillion, with Bitcoin and Ether both sliding sharply. Analysts point to institutional investors pulling out of crypto exchange-traded funds as a key catalyst, compounded by a broader weakness in tech stocks. The shakeout raises urgent questions on what investors should do next.
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The government is reportedly considering a Rs 7,500 crore outlay under the PLI scheme for IT hardware manufacturing, with very different eligibility thresholds. Foreign companies seeking incentives may need to invest about Rs 500 crore over four years, while domestic firms could qualify with around Rs 20 crore over five years, according to a source.
An EY-HICA report urges the GST Council to reduce tax on household insecticides from 18% to 5%. The proposal is aimed at lowering prices so more households can access these products, improving prevention efforts against vector-borne diseases. Supporters say it could strengthen India’s preventive healthcare approach by making hygiene and vector control more affordable and widespread.
About 500 Indian students are part of a group lawsuit against 36 UK universities, arguing they paid for in-person education during COVID-19 but instead received online teaching and saw facilities shut. The students are seeking compensation for the reduced value of what they bought, underscoring how debt and a disrupted learning experience may still trigger legal battles post-pandemic.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru host Gujarat Titans in a pivotal IPL match where both teams are searching for a batting spark. RCB want a strong home performance ahead of upcoming away fixtures, while GT, coming off a heavy defeat, need to rebound quickly with better runs. The contest is set as two struggling batting units push for momentum.
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Twitter’s India policy head is set to step down and transition responsibilities in March, according to reports. The move comes as the San Francisco-based platform faces pressure from the Indian government over allegations involving the blocking and unblocking of specific accounts that tweeted about the farmer protests.
India’s private sector picked up momentum in April, led by manufacturing with stronger output and new orders. Companies expanded capacity, invested in technology, and even built buffer stocks to soften supply-chain uncertainty. Employment growth rose as well. Fuel and raw-material costs increased, but businesses remained confident about future output growth.
Gold and silver in India eased on MCX as a stronger US dollar pressured prices. Traders are watching potential US-Iran talks this weekend, with analysts flagging volatility risk from oil and currency swings. While MCX quotes softened, physical gold in major Indian cities held steady. Key technical levels point to cautious buy-the-dip strategies.
Social media is circulating claims that the RBI has introduced new rules to exchange old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. RBI has not announced such changes according to the report. The publication urges readers to ignore unverified posts and check only official RBI communications or the RBI website for any updates on currency exchange and banking regulations.
Regional airline FLY91 says its flight IC3401 from Hyderabad to Hubballi had no technical issues, dismissing reports of a snag. As the aircraft neared Hubballi, adverse weather forced a diversion to Bengaluru. The airline stressed that safety was never compromised and the move followed standard operating procedures.
FADA’s president warns that a prolonged West Asia conflict could disrupt India’s automobile sector, particularly through weaker vehicle exports and supply challenges for key commodities like oil and aluminium. While the domestic market is holding up better, dealers and industry leaders are monitoring risks that could translate into higher costs, slower deliveries, and export headwinds.
President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is under firm US control and ordered the US Navy to respond to any ships it deems a threat to the vital shipping lane. His comments come amid reports that Iran seized two vessels in the region, escalating tensions and signaling a tougher US posture until an Iran deal is reached.
EV leasing platform Drivn has signed a partnership with Energy In Motion (EIM) to deploy around 1,000 heavy-duty electric trucks across India within two years. By combining EIM’s vehicle and energy solutions with Drivn’s leasing and operations expertise, the deal is designed to cut the barriers for fleet operators and make the EV transition simpler and more accessible.
India is planning a major energy push in Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee, teaming with the UAE on a new energy hub that includes an oil pipeline. The move is intended to strengthen India’s fuel supply chains and counter China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka’s energy market, potentially reshaping regional energy dependence.
Spain’s government has approved a major housing plan backed by 7 billion euros to expand public housing. Over the next four years, spending is set to rise sharply with a focus on making it easier for young people to afford both renting and buying. The package signals a long-term push to ease the country’s worsening housing crisis.
FIFA has selected New Delhi from among 12 countries for its Women’s Development Programme, running May to October 2026. The All India Football Federation’s application was chosen as part of an effort to help clubs build sustainable growth through commercial strategies and structured development. The move is designed to prepare Indian clubs for upcoming club licensing requirements.
JSW Infra’s INR1,200-crore acquisition of three promoter firms has drawn scrutiny as the company claims it gains quicker access to railway permits and rakes under schemes that are currently under a moratorium. Analysts, however, argue the listed entity could have built the same capacity independently, potentially avoiding costs of more than INR500 crore.
Gold and silver prices in India slid for the second straight session on 24 April 2026. A firmer US dollar and delayed Fed rate-cut expectations weighed on MCX gold and silver, while global COMEX prices also retreated. Surprisingly, even the Strait of Hormuz tension failed to trigger a safe-haven bounce, leaving bullion trading softer across major cities.
Maharashtra’s Lok Sabha contest looks set to change after splits in Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party. In 2019, BJP and Shiv Sena combined won 41 of 48 seats, with BJP leading. Now most of Sena is allied with BJP, while NCP’s Ajit Pawar has joined Eknath Shinde’s ruling alliance, redrawing voter expectations.
Airports Council International (ACI) World has published its 2025 rankings of the world’s busiest airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International retained the top spot for total passengers with 106.3 million, ahead of Dubai and Tokyo Haneda. While Atlanta led passengers, Chicago O’Hare topped aircraft movements. Overall global passenger traffic hit 9.8 billion, up 3.6% from 2024.
A 24-year-old lawyer in Kanpur died after jumping from a court building, according to police. Before the incident, he posted a two-page suicide note on his WhatsApp status, alleging his father subjected him to ongoing mental harassment and torture since childhood. Authorities say the note details multiple instances, and investigations are ongoing to verify the claims and determine culpability.
Asia’s rice prices are moving unevenly as India keeps export rates steady despite muted demand. Vietnamese rates edged higher on tighter supplies and rising production costs, while Thailand’s prices also inched up. In Bangladesh, rice remains costly for consumers even after a good harvest, highlighting how supply-side pressures are still feeding prices.
HDFC Life’s board has approved Vibha Padalkar’s reappointment as Managing Director and CEO, starting September 12, 2026, for a five-year term. Shareholder and regulatory approvals are still awaited. The company says the move supports leadership continuity, and Padalkar has not been debarred by regulators.
A US Army soldier, Gannon Ken Van Dyke, has been arrested after authorities accused him of using confidential military mission details to place bets on Polymarket. Reports claim he profited massively before the information became public, raising concerns about misuse of classified data and the growing risk of insider betting tied to real-world events.
Peer-to-peer lending firms are watching closely as the RBI seeks comprehensive financial data from P2P players. Industry participants believe the move could set up major policy changes, including a possible revision of the current Rs 10 lakh lending cap. The regulator’s data request signals a deeper review that may reshape how P2P platforms operate going forward.
Apple’s new iPhone Air reportedly sold out in China within minutes of launch, signaling unusually strong demand in the world’s biggest smartphone market. The surge comes after CEO Tim Cook’s recent visit to promote the device, even as China and the US remain locked in geopolitical tensions that have complicated tech business for both sides.
OpenAI has acquired Hiro Finance, a 2023-founded startup backed by Ribbit, General Catalyst, and Restive. Just five months after launching, Hiro rolled out an AI personal finance planning tool that lets users enter salary, debt, and monthly expenses to model multiple scenarios and guide decisions—now brought under OpenAI’s umbrella.
Indian markets closed slightly lower, with financials and IT dragging Nifty and Sensex. But action was stock-specific, as Paytm, Sudeep Pharma, M&M, Reliance Infrastructure, GAIL and GMDC saw sharp swings. The catalysts ranged from upgrades and new listings to tariff moves and profit-booking, underscoring how headlines—not the broader market—drove trading.
Block Inc. CEO Jack Dorsey announced major job cuts and framed them as a pivot toward artificial intelligence. The move echoes a familiar Silicon Valley playbook: rebrand setbacks as innovation. While the company now spotlights AI, questions around earlier over-hiring and questionable acquisitions risk getting drowned out—at least for investors.
Heineken-owned UB Group said it will suspend beer supplies to Telangana, citing significant and ongoing operating losses. The move comes as the state’s dues are reported at about INR 3,900 crore, with talks ongoing. ET Prime examines how the supply halt could ripple through prices, retailers, and the broader beer market in one of India’s biggest consumption hubs.
Rajasthan Royals delivered a comfortable 40-run win over Lucknow Super Giants, posting 159 for 6 before restricting the chase to 119 all out. Lucknow couldn’t build momentum and collapsed under pressure. Jofra Archer led the Royals’ bowling with three key wickets, turning the contest decisively in Rajasthan’s favor and keeping Lucknow’s struggles going.
In Round 12 of the FIDE Candidates 2026, India’s Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh suffered defeats, shaking up the standings. Vaishali’s loss was especially costly, ending her sole leadership and dropping her into a joint top position. Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa managed a hard-fought draw, keeping his campaign alive as the tournament tightens.
Tensions are rising as the fallout from a possible Hormuz blockade reverberates toward the Malacca Strait near Singapore. Singapore is stressing transit rights under international law, while Malaysia is calling for dialogue with Iran. With one of the world’s busiest shipping routes at stake, regional positions are quickly becoming a global concern for trade and maritime security.
Factory input costs are rising across regions as Iran war-linked disruption feeds into delivery delays and price hikes. The pattern complicates readouts of economic health: some growth appears in parts of Europe, but Asian manufacturing is under pressure from higher fuel costs and ongoing uncertainty, threatening recovery momentum.
Iran-linked regional tensions are chilling Gulf capital flows, leaving Indian alternative investment firms facing a fundraising slowdown. High-net-worth investors and family offices are putting new commitments on hold, while some firms pivot toward raising money in Africa and Europe. Meanwhile, sovereign investors are favoring local deployments, complicating timelines for India-focused funds.
Jio Financial Services says it is expanding its lending book through property and asset-backed corporate loans, keeping its focus on secured segments for now. The company is prioritising balance sheet strength before moving into unsecured credit. Alongside lending growth, its payments bank and payment aggregator businesses are also expanding as it targets a broader full-service financial model.
Infosys CFO said the company plans to hire 20,000 freshers in FY27, following the release of the firm’s fourth-quarter results for FY26. The IT services company, now the second-largest in its category, reported total employee strength of 3,28,594 at the end of March, underscoring its scaling workforce alongside new recruitment.
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