Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
India’s fertiliser production fell nearly a quarter in March, driven by disruptions to imported natural gas linked to the Middle East conflict. Since gas is a core input for producing urea—the key fertiliser powering much of India’s agriculture—the shock highlights how directly global energy disruptions can ripple into farm supply and food costs.
India’s weight-loss drug market is rapidly shifting as generic semaglutide becomes available after Novo Nordisk’s patent loss. The cheaper alternatives are already pressuring Eli Lilly’s sales while unlocking a surge in demand. With multiple Indian drugmakers racing to launch affordable options, the country’s obesity-treatment landscape is entering a new, more price-accessible phase.
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A Ghatkopar East homebuyer who bought five apartments in Bhandup discovered the builder had sold refuge (vacant) areas as residential flats. The High Court found the occupancy certificate plan contained an error showing those spaces as flats on specific floors, yet still denied the buyer society membership, leaving the dispute unresolved for him.
JSW Steel, led by Sajjan Jindal, is taking a different route to decarbonisation. While competitors chase a specific net-zero target date, JSW is not setting a net-zero year. Instead, it has a 2030 decarbonisation roadmap anchored in renewables, circularity, and process efficiency, paired with sustainability-linked remuneration from board to managers.
Global streaming giants are increasingly partnering with Indian digital platforms as they race to grow in India’s OTT market. Instead of taking on full operational risk, players such as BBC, Disney+, and Warner Bros Discovery are using local expertise to reach a huge potential subscriber base while accelerating launch and expansion.
A new study finds India’s crypto futures trading is being reshaped by younger and more diverse participants. Gen Z traders aged 18–25 account for 61% of futures traders, while women’s participation has risen 20% year over year. Trading is also getting more intense, with bigger trades and higher frequency, and Eastern India showing standout growth beyond metro hubs.
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Crude oil prices have been falling and pump rates remain largely steady, but state-run IndianOil’s net profit has still dropped by 67%. The question now is why margins are getting squeezed, with attention turning to the lingering impact of past subsidies and under-recoveries that can distort earnings even when fuel prices don’t move.
Congress MP K. C. Venugopal has moved a breach-of-privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging Modi made aspersions on opposition MPs in an April 18 address. The claim centers on Modi criticising lawmakers who voted against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, potentially escalating tensions in Parliament.
Asian countries dependent on imported oil are scrambling as major suppliers impose export restrictions, triggering jet fuel rationing and urgent appeals for international assistance. The immediate impact on air travel underscores a broader vulnerability: when energy flows tighten, trade and daily economic activity can quickly ripple across borders, exposing how fragile current supply chains remain.
South Korea is pushing back after American lawmakers criticized its investigation into US-listed e-commerce giant Coupang. Seoul says the probe follows domestic law and due process, with no discrimination against US firms. The dispute escalated as reports claimed Washington could pause security talks unless Coupang’s American chairman is guaranteed legal safety, worsening US-South ties.
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Shriram Finance Limited has revised fixed deposit interest rates effective May 6, 2026, lowering returns across multiple tenures for deposits up to Rs. 10 crore. The move comes after the company’s upgrade to a AAA (Stable) credit rating, signaling strong safety for depositors. Investors, especially women and senior citizens, should compare new maturity-wise yields before locking funds.
Vedanta Group has moved to challenge the insolvency outcome that selected Adani Enterprises’ bid for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. Vedanta says its offer was higher, but the insolvency appellate tribunal will review whether lenders used correct evaluation metrics. Lenders argue several factors shaped the choice, while Jaiprakash’s value spans real estate, cement, and hospitality assets.
Kafi, a 17-year-old from Hisar, Haryana, has achieved 95.6% in CBSE Class 12 after scoring 95.2% in Class 10, continuing a streak of above-90 results. The achievement is especially striking because she was blinded in a childhood acid attack. Despite the life-changing injury, she credits resilience and now dreams of becoming an IAS officer.
NDR InvIT plans to raise Rs 726.8 crore through a preferential issue to accelerate its expansion, after completing a Rs 410 crore bond issuance. The funds will support acquisitions such as NDR Space Private Limited and ongoing projects, as the trust ramps up warehousing capacity and pushes into new cities to strengthen its logistics platform.
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Flipkart is preparing a dedicated, standalone app for its quick commerce service, Flipkart Minutes, aiming to strengthen visibility and brand recall beyond the main marketplace. The company plans a pilot launch soon and expects broader rollout before the year ends. The move mirrors competitive tactics seen from players like Swiggy, underscoring a rush to own the quick-delivery user journey.
Under the Labour Code 2025, employees can claim earned leave after 180 days of work—much sooner than earlier practice. The law also adds annual encashment for unused leave, turning downtime into a monetary payout. However, the enhanced benefits exclude managerial or supervisory employees earning above Rs 18,000 per month.
A Maharashtra official says AI is already improving yields for smallholder farmers, pointing to practical tools on the ground. In Kashmir, smart “cow necklaces” monitor animals and flag infections early. Separately, satellites are being used to predict sugarcane sweetness, helping farmers plan better and reduce uncertainty about crop quality.
Meta Platforms will raise prices for its Quest VR headsets in the United States starting April 19, citing higher memory chip costs. The adjustments will apply to the entry-level Quest 3S and the higher-end Quest 3 models. Meta’s move follows a broader trend as other tech firms also pass on component supply and pricing pressures to customers.
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Five years after stewardship codes became mandatory for mutual funds and AIFs, India has largely nailed the paperwork. But regulators and analysts are finding little proof that this procedural compliance is translating into stronger governance outcomes. The result: institutional investors increasingly act, yet companies see limited influence from those actions on decisions that matter.
Vedanta Resources is reportedly in talks to increase its existing $350 million loan by at least $200 million, potentially with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and First Abu Dhabi Bank joining the facility. The company says the funds would help refinance obligations, cover transaction costs, and meet general corporate needs as it continues efforts to reduce debt.
Bangladesh’s nationwide student protests have turned violent, leaving at least six dead and hundreds injured. The unrest was sparked when the High Court reinstated a 30% government job quota for families of 1971 war freedom fighters, a benefit that had been scrapped in 2018. The Supreme Court later suspended the order and scheduled an August 7 hearing.
Tej Pratap Yadav met political strategist Prashant Kishor late Tuesday night to seek guidance on Bihar’s fast-shifting political landscape and public expectations. Yadav said the discussions strengthened his resolve to serve people as equations change around him. Party leaders now whisper about a potential third-front alliance, while Kishor has earlier praised Yadav’s transparency.
FICCI FLO’s annual session centered on entrepreneurship, skilling, and livelihood creation, aiming to empower 16 lakh women toward Viksit Bharat 2047. The event also saw the release of a new report examining gender diversity challenges and opportunities across India’s services sector, spotlighting where participation and progress still lag and what could accelerate inclusion.
Waaree Energies shares fell over 5% after the US imposed preliminary anti-dumping duties of up to 123% on solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos. The shock has rattled investors and renewed concerns for Indian exporters dependent on the American market, even as global demand for renewable energy equipment remains strong.
Indian government bonds extended their selloff as the rupee slid past 95 per dollar and investors priced in higher rates. Surging swaps inflows pushed the 10-year bond yield to around 7%, a level not seen for nearly two years. The move also reflects concern that a prolonged Middle East war could disrupt fiscal plans.
The IEA reports that global emissions growth slowed in 2025, driven largely by rapid solar expansion in developing countries. While advanced economies saw emissions rise, the new solar capacity helped offset that increase. India recorded an emissions fall for the first time in typical economic conditions, China also cooled due to solar additions, but the United States bucked the trend with rising emissions.
Novyte Materials has raised pre-seed funding with support from Theia Ventures and other backers. The company says the capital is meant to boost its speed, talent, and execution, helping translate early materials work into faster product development and scaling. The investment signals continued interest in nascent deep-tech teams building from early traction.
Sunteck Realty reported a 34% increase in FY26 net profit to Rs 202 crore, driven by strong sales momentum and steady margins. Revenue grew 32% for the full year, while operational pre-sales rose 25% annually, signaling continued demand and a supportive topline for the real estate developer.
India’s music industry revenue fell 2% in 2024 to about INR 5,300 crore, leaving listed labels like Saregama and Tips Music under pressure as stocks dropped sharply. With streaming growth uneven, insiders are looking for new routes to revive demand and margins beyond playlists—yet the biggest question is what actually scales now.
Indian Railways has allowed PwDs with valid UDID cards to travel in unreserved Divyangjan coaches on mail and express trains. The move treats UDID card holders as bona fide passengers in designated compartments. The railways also warned that unauthorized travelers will face strict action, aiming to ensure the facility reaches intended passengers.
India is planning a major wind energy expansion, aiming to reach 100 gigawatts by 2030 and 156 gigawatts by 2036. The move, flagged by Pralhad Joshi, underscores a fast-growing clean energy roadmap, with wind expected to play a central role in powering the country’s greener future.
In the I-PAC raid case, the Supreme Court censured West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying a CM cannot interfere with an ongoing probe. The court warned against turning raids into a Centre-versus-state dispute. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating allegations of obstruction during raids on I-PAC offices.
Firozabad cyber crime police arrested three people from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan for running an illegal IPTV network. The setup streamed premium television and OTT content without authorization, including live IPL matches. As part of a wider piracy crackdown, authorities seized electronic devices and froze ₹20 lakh, signaling tougher enforcement against digital content theft.
Air India is planning a major upgrade to its passenger experience, combining refurbished premium cabins on older aircraft with newer, state-of-the-art planes. The revamp is also set to include exclusive airport lounges aimed at attracting premium travelers. The airline’s strategy is explicitly revenue and profit growth, betting that upgraded comfort will translate into higher margins.
Bomb threats sent via email triggered panic in Jaipur, with the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, the High Court, and the local Sessions Court all reporting alerts. Security agencies rushed to the spots and heightened checks as evacuations were carried out, according to initial reports. Authorities are investigating the source and intent behind the threats.
India’s aviation regulator DGCA has issued a formal warning to IndiGo over the fare levels the airline set for December 2025. The notice comes after the government imposed caps on domestic fares during the month. IndiGo says it has moved to correct the issue, including issuing refunds for any charges found to be inflated.
An AI startup founder is betting big on an Nvidia-shaped roadmap, despite having only about $4 million in cash. The Ken story traces how the company’s strategy, hiring, and product timeline are being shaped by GPU economics and competition, and why the next milestone may determine whether the dream scales—or collapses quickly.
India’s renewable power generation hit a record high in 2025, driven by solar and wind reaching new individual highs. The rapid rollout and output growth pushed coal generation down, signaling a clear shift in the energy mix. Still, coal remains the dominant source of electricity, underscoring how far the transition has to go.
Nokia’s CEO says Europe is losing ground in AI data-centre build-out, citing thin investment and infrastructure gaps that make it harder for companies to scale locally. He warns firms may shift toward the more adaptive AI ecosystems in the US and China, while pointing to persistent regulatory hurdles and energy supply constraints as major bottlenecks.
A SpiceJet aircraft and an Akasa Air flight collided on the ground at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The impact damaged the right winglet of the SpiceJet plane and the horizontal stabiliser of the Akasa Air aircraft. While passengers on the Akasa flight were safe, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has started an investigation to determine what led to the collision.
Vedanta Aluminium is creating a manufacturing hub at its Aluminium Park in Jharsuguda, Odisha, with two companies signing MOUs to establish downstream facilities. The move is designed to deepen value addition, strengthen small businesses linked to the ecosystem, and draw new investment. The park is also projected to generate significant job opportunities for the region.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), the Tata Group firm, has completed its purchase of a 51% stake in Brij Hospitality for about Rs 222 crore. Through IHCL and its step-down subsidiaries, the transaction includes buying shares from existing shareholders and making a primary investment, bringing Brij Hospitality under IHCL as a subsidiary and strengthening its growth plan.
Zen Mobility and Delhivery have announced a long-term EV partnership aimed at deploying thousands of purpose-built electric vehicles across India over the next three to five years. The plan builds on existing traction, with more than 500 EVs already operational, signaling a major scaling push for logistics electrification and greener last mile operations.
Tax rules for 2026–27 kick in from April 1, 2026, bringing six key shifts across TDS and TCS. Coverage expands for NRI property TDS and TCS on overseas education remittances, while interest on motor vehicle compensation becomes tax-exempt. The process for lower TDS certificates also gets easier for small taxpayers, and TDS on manpower supply is clarified.
Britain is investigating after UK Biobank data appeared on China’s Alibaba for sale. The anonymised dataset reportedly covered 500,000 volunteers. Officials say the listings were removed, with no purchases made, and access to the data has been paused. The Information Commissioner’s Office is also probing what happened and how the data surfaced.
India’s obesity treatment market is expected to change quickly by year-end as oral GLP1 weight-loss pills become widely available, including new options from China. These tablet therapies promise a cheaper, easier alternative to injectable GLP1 drugs, which could boost patient adoption as convenience and affordability rise. Market analysts expect demand to accelerate as more people can access treatment.
Warren Buffett and Michael Burry have taken opposite bets on the AI surge, intensifying uncertainty on Wall Street. Berkshire Hathaway expanded its stake in Alphabet, signaling confidence in AI-driven growth. Meanwhile, Burry is shorting Palantir and Nvidia, arguing Big Tech’s accounting may be overstating fundamentals. The clash fuels a wider debate: breakthrough or bubble?
Indian markets extended gains for a second straight day on Tuesday, led by auto and FMCG stocks. Among the top movers were All Time Plastics, textile-linked names, Delta Corp, BlueStone, Ola Electric and Bajaj Holdings, reflecting a broad appetite for selective growth and value plays as investors tracked sector-specific catalysts.
Budget proposals for FY 2023-24 suggest restricting input tax credit (ITC) on goods or services used to meet CSR obligations. Experts warn this could reduce the practical value of CSR benefits by raising effective costs for companies. Businesses are concerned the move may make it harder to sustain or expand CSR programs, especially where tax credit currently improves affordability.
Branded hotels are set to expand rapidly across India’s state capitals, with Patna emerging as a standout. The pipeline in Patna is expected to reach eleven branded hotels, while across the country roughly 60,253 new rooms could be added over the next five years. Cities such as Lucknow, Kolkata, Shimla, and Raipur are also preparing for new developments.
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