Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
India’s bankruptcy process under the IBC is plagued by long delays, with cases lingering for years. RBI now proposes tightening timelines by changing key wording: moving from “may” to “shall” for whether authorities admit insolvency applications. An amendment bill incorporating the regulator’s suggestions is expected to be tabled in the upcoming budget session.
The US has intensified pressure on Iran with a sweeping maritime blockade, signaling a tougher posture in the Strait of Hormuz. Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth warned allies in Europe and Asia that complacency is over, as tensions rise around Iran’s regional role and potential threats to shipping lanes.
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French President Emmanuel Macron says he will leave politics when his current presidential term ends in 2027, arguing he was not involved before taking office and will not return afterward. The remarks, delivered publicly, mark a potential turning point for France’s political landscape as voters and rivals react to his unexpected exit timeline.
The Centre has been pulled to the Supreme Court over reports that 10 Indians died while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Ukraine war. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said the matter needs “tactful handling”, noting there may be immense difficulty in retrieving mortal remains from the conflict zone.
In British Columbia, a female gray wolf was filmed dragging an underwater crab trap onto shore to reach herring bait. Researchers, drawing on Indigenous knowledge, say the behavior could be the first documented tool use by a wild wolf. The finding challenges the long-held view of how much problem-solving and intelligence wolves display in nature.
After an Indian tanker fire in the Strait of Hormuz, India is pushed toward “interim practical arrangements” for safe passage. The choke point’s status remains contested despite talk of openness, while maritime law ideals collide with national interests. India also has to deal with multiple Iranian entities, requiring careful bilateral solutions that do not strain relations with either Iran or the US.
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Wildfires are rapidly spreading across Georgia and Florida, driven by drought, low humidity, and strong winds. Dozens of blazes have already burned thousands of acres, destroying homes and triggering mass evacuations. Firefighters face heavy challenges containing major fires in Clinch and Brantley counties, while worsening air quality is threatening public health. Burn bans and safety steps are now in effect to curb risk.
Meta has signed a landmark AWS agreement to deploy tens of millions of Graviton5 CPU cores, positioning it among the biggest users of the chip worldwide. The expansion targets agentic AI workloads like real time reasoning, code generation, and multi step orchestration—supported by Graviton5’s 3nm design and efficiency gains, starting with a rollout already at massive scale.
California’s oil and jet fuel crunch is deepening as inventories fall more than 25% to multi-year lows and refining capacity drops nearly 20% after major shutdowns. Jet fuel is nearing $15 per gallon and gasoline is around $5.85 statewide. With California reliant on slower, pricier imports from Asia amid Middle East-related disruptions, airlines are cutting routes—leaving the big question: when does supply stabilize?
In his Senate confirmation hearing, Kevin Warsh pledged to preserve the Federal Reserve’s independence and to set monetary policy strictly based on economic data. He also signaled support for balance sheet reductions, framing them as a policy path guided by conditions rather than political pressure—amid heightened scrutiny of the next Fed chair’s approach to rates and credibility.
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Oil prices eased Wednesday after President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, reducing fears of an immediate Middle East supply shock. Brent fell to $97.42 and WTI to $88.53. However, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely constrained, with reports noting only three ships passed in the past 24 hours.
Aam Aadmi Party has suffered another high-profile rupture as Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and six others resigned and reportedly moved to the BJP. The latest split follows a familiar pattern of leaders exiting the party, with critics pointing to concerns about internal democracy and centralized control. Even so, AAP continues to hold strong electorally in key pockets.
Ultraviolette, the TVS-backed electric two-wheeler startup, has struggled to grow beyond modest volumes for years, largely because its premium pricing limited mainstream appeal. Now, with renewed momentum in the EV two-wheeler segment led by competitors like Ather, Ultraviolette is trying to break through and reach meaningful scale. Can it finally turn attention into sales?
Zohran Mamdani is at the center of a widening controversy after Citadel objected to New York Mayor’s use of Ken Griffin’s name in a tax push. The hedge fund claims the mayor is leveraging Griffin to support individual taxation efforts, escalating a dispute that also touches public political messaging tied to pro-Palestinian views.
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Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha, resigned and announced a merger with the BJP, pointing to ideological convergence and frustration with AAP’s current direction. Analysts say it fits a repeating pattern: legislators from smaller parties aligning with the BJP after breakpoints emerge within their original ranks.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said BJP will not allow construction of a “Babri Masjid” in West Bengal as long as even one party worker remains alive. He accused Mamata Banerjee’s government of permitting a mosque modeled on the Babri structure in Murshidabad. Shah also promised that after May 5, the BJP will identify and jail “infiltrators.”
Sebi has relaxed settlement norms for foreign portfolio investors in the cash market by allowing net settlement of funds. The change permits netting of outright transactions while keeping safeguards intact, aiming to reduce liquidity requirements and streamline operations. Officials expect this to lower trading friction and make Indian markets more attractive for global investors.
India’s drug trust crisis is widening as Sun Pharma, Torrent, and Alkem come under scrutiny for alleged “not of standard quality” medicines. Government agencies recently pulled up more than 50 popular brands, raising fears that the supply chain may be allowing inferior drugs to slip through. The big question now is how patients can reliably trust what they take.
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Eighty-five percent of enterprises run AI agent pilots, but just 5% ship them in production, according to Cisco’s Jeetu Patel. The blocker isn’t “rogue agents” but the lack of a trust architecture that covers delegation, identity, and telemetry for action risk. Patel also outlined Cisco’s rapid security tooling and a push for AI-built products.
Archaeologists studying Monte Sierpe in Peru have decoded thousands of small pits once assumed to be ritual or unknown storage features. New findings suggest the holes formed a structured marketplace where goods were placed and measured, functioning as an early accounting system—possibly connected to Inca record-keeping—recasting how ancient Andean trade and economy worked.
Friday trading saw a sharp dip in Indian indices as heavy IT selling pulled down the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50. Infosys was among the notable losers, while select stocks such as Himadri Speciality Chemical and Adani Energy Solutions rose on the back of earnings and fresh momentum, highlighting a split market mood.
Indian markets opened lower on Wednesday, April 22, as global uncertainty tied to a US-Iran ceasefire and continued blockade risks for the Strait of Hormuz pressured investor sentiment. The Sensex fell 0.32% to 79,019.34, while the Nifty 50 dropped 0.43% to 24,470.85, reflecting a cautious start to trade.
A new report finds a stark gender gap in India’s unicorn leadership: women occupy only about 10% of C-suite roles. The underrepresentation is especially sharp in tech and strategic functions, where women are far less likely to become CEOs, CTOs, or CIOs. Even as women lead strongly in HR, systemic barriers still limit advancement and acceptance in top positions.
Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of undermining Punjab’s mandate after Raghav Chadha resigned from AAP and moved toward joining the BJP. Chadha alleged AAP has strayed from its founding ideals, calling it corrupt and compromised. Analysts say his departure, and possible defections of other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, could substantially weaken AAP’s Upper House influence.
Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff has reportedly bought a prime luxury waterfront apartment in Dubai’s Maritime City area, part of Danube Properties’ Breez project. The residence offers sea views and close access to major landmarks. Shroff called Dubai his “second home,” pointing to the city’s lifestyle and growth as the motivation behind his significant investment.
Confusion is mounting in diplomatic circles as the US and Iran send conflicting signals over a potential peace deal. Reports suggest Trump may visit Islamabad to finalise terms, but developments in Washington and Tehran are not aligning. With talks now deepening amid uncertainty, markets and observers are left waiting for clarity that could change the region’s political and economic outlook.
A court has framed charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Lawrence Bishnoi and 19 others, with additional Arms Act and Explosives Act provisions. The case stems from a 2021 Delhi Police FIR alleging an interstate crime syndicate involved in extortion, arms trafficking, and contract killings. The trial is set to follow.
TVS Motor Company has officially launched operations in Zambia, signing Zamoto Manufacturing Ltd as its distributor. The company plans to grow its African footprint by introducing eight products spanning taxi, commercial, personal and premium segments. The move targets mobility demand in a country seeing fast urbanization, offering buyers options for different use cases.
Raghav Chadha announced that two-thirds of Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs will merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party, announcing seven members in a press conference. The move comes amid a history of internal turbulence in AAP since 2012, with multiple high-profile leaders including Shazia Ilmi and Kumar Vishwas previously distancing themselves over ideological differences and disputes.
IndusInd Bank reported a standalone net profit of Rs 533 crore in Q4, reversing a year-ago loss of Rs 2,236 crore. While profit dipped sequentially, the lender still declared a final dividend of Rs 1.5 per share. The results mark a sharp turnaround and signal improving fundamentals for the bank’s earnings trajectory.
Alcohol giants including Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Radico Khaitan, and Sula Vineyards are rethinking climate risk. With global warming pressuring water supplies, some are sourcing water from the air rather than the ground. The shift highlights how major spirits and wineries are moving fast on sustainable measures to protect production and future growth.
India plans to introduce barrier-free, seamless toll collection on national highways by December, using FASTag and AI camera systems such as ANPR. Vehicles are expected to pass through toll points without stopping, with charges collected automatically. The government says the move will cut logistics costs and help align India’s logistics efficiency with global benchmarks.
IndoSpace is moving to capture the growing Grade A warehousing demand in India’s tier II markets, driven by e-commerce and FMCG storage needs. While major logistics players chase metro growth, IndoSpace plans to build new distribution hubs using its spread-out portfolio and risk tolerance. The challenge: turning smaller cities into reliable warehousing destinations.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Budget 2026 with a clear push toward higher capital expenditure while keeping personal income tax slabs unchanged. The Budget also offers targeted positives for NRIs, positioning the government’s roadmap around investment-led growth without altering tax brackets for individuals. The mix of capex momentum and stability in taxation is the standout takeaway.
The Centre has promulgated an ordinance amending the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to introduce pre-packaged insolvency for MSMEs. Under the change, a firm prepares a restructuring plan in coordination with creditors before formal insolvency proceedings start. The goal is to reduce delays and overall costs by front-loading negotiations and speeding up resolution.
New research on an 800,000-year-old campsite near Israel’s Hula Lake suggests early humans picked the location because driftwood was readily available. The wood likely powered fires for warmth and cooking, making it central to survival. At Gesher Benot Ya’aqov, archaeologists also found tool-making activity and evidence of hunting large animals, showing resource management guided settlement decisions.
Raghav Chadha has announced a major split among Aam Aadmi Party MPs in the Rajya Sabha, saying a significant number are set to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Chadha claims AAP has strayed from its original ideals and supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The development could reshape AAP’s national clout and tilt parliamentary strength further toward BJP.
Oil prices surged as the Strait of Hormuz reportedly closed again, reigniting supply disruption fears. Brent crude futures climbed $6.11 (6.76%) to $96.49 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose $6.53 (7.79%) to $90.38 by 2327 GMT, reversing earlier declines and boosting sentiment across energy markets.
India has notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, effective May 1, 2026. The rules operationalise the PROG Act, 2025 and set up the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) to label prohibited money games, enforce via banks and payments, and require age and fair-play safeguards. e-sports and compliant social games get a clearer compliance path.
Ukrainian local authorities issued a mandatory evacuation order for families with children in Pokrovsk, an eastern city that still has about 53,000 residents. Officials say Russian forces are moving so quickly that parents and children must leave the city and nearby areas. The order raises urgent questions about protection, logistics, and remaining civilian access.
The RBI has released draft Master Directions on Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) to replace the 2021 framework, tightening oversight for banks, fintechs and wallet operators. The proposal sharply categorises PPIs by KYC levels, sets strict monthly and outstanding caps, expands UPI-linked options for foreign visitors, and mandates escrow, reporting, and clearer customer disclosures—while limiting cross-border use.
Gold prices stayed steady and are poised for a fourth weekly gain as hopes for a US-Iran peace deal reduce worries about inflation and interest rates. Optimism also grew after a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, with potential US-Iran talks over the weekend. Even with stable US unemployment claims, employers remain cautious amid the ongoing conflict.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court reduced a death sentence to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment for a man convicted of raping and murdering a five-year-old girl in 2018. While delivering the ruling, the court criticised India’s “Raja Beta” culture, arguing that blind parental protection and patriarchy can shield offenders and delay justice.
Hockey India is considering fielding separate men’s teams for the Asian Games and the Hockey World Cup, which fall just three weeks apart. The federation is prioritising the continental event because it provides a direct qualification route to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, potentially reshaping player selection and tournament strategy this year.
India’s Army has reportedly conducted successful tests of indigenously developed kamikaze FPV drones near the Line of Control, signaling a shift toward more direct, precision drone strike capabilities. The trials, carried out by the Fleur-De-Lis Brigade with defence research support, underscore how rapidly FPV and loitering-style tactics are being integrated into field operations amid regional tensions.
Just after IPL 2026 ends, India is set to host Afghanistan for a one off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium. A report suggests India could rotate heavily, with Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah among those likely to be rested, as the team prepares a fresh XI for the standalone match.
Krunal Pandya has put an end to rumours of a rift with brother Hardik Pandya, speaking up during an RCB social media session. Addressing the growing chatter around alleged tension, he dismissed the claims directly, shifting focus back to cricket amid rising IPL 2026 speculation. The clarification is expected to cool the controversy among fans and media alike.
Bitcoin has crossed $100,000 for the first time, surging up to 6.59% in 24 hours and sparking fresh momentum across crypto markets. The rally is being tied to support from a newly cited backer, raising questions about how geopolitics, including a Putin connection, may be influencing investor sentiment and demand at this milestone.
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz’s Miami Open run ended in the third round as Sebastian Korda stunned him in three sets. The 22-year-old—fresh off a January career Grand Slam win—saw his season slip to 17-2. On the women’s side, Sabalenka, Rybakina, and Pegula advanced as multiple seeded players were eliminated.
India’s armed forces are moving beyond the long-serving INSAS rifle, adopting a dual-rifle approach built around two new platforms: Russia’s AK-203 and America’s SIG 716. The update aims to modernize infantry firepower and improve flexibility on the battlefield, signaling a broader overhaul of small-arms doctrine and procurement strategy for future operations.
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