Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Canada has rolled out a temporary policy for eligible foreign workers in Quebec to extend employer-specific work permits by up to 12 months. The move is designed to help workers transition toward permanent residence through Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program, ensuring they can keep working while their applications are processed.
Drishti Group has appointed Vipan Joshi as its new Chief Financial Officer. The seasoned finance leader brings more than 23 years of experience across multiple sectors, including education. In his role, Joshi will oversee financial strategy, strengthen risk management, and ensure compliance as the company looks to support growth with tighter controls and planning.
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Delhi Capitals have signed England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed as Ben Duckett’s replacement for the remainder of IPL 2026. The right-arm spinner brings international experience across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, and will join DC for the rest of the season. The move adds a specialist spin option as the tournament heats up.
College Board has opened global registrations for the SAT 2025-26 cycle. The first exam is scheduled for August 23, 2025, with registration closing on August 8. Students can use free practice resources via Khan Academy, while eligible candidates may qualify for fee waivers under the India Scholars Program. The digital SAT is designed to improve access for students worldwide.
Tech giants are warning of a sharp memory chip shortage as AI demand accelerates, squeezing supply for core products from smartphones to connected cars. Apple and Tesla are among those facing tighter RAM availability, with risks ranging from delayed product launches to higher consumer prices. Industry insiders call it “RAMmageddon,” signaling the stress is only intensifying.
Swiggy Food Marketplace CEO Rohit Kapoor argues that delivery partners should be treated as flexible employment rather than “gig work.” He positions the role as a third pillar of the job market, separate from formal employment and entrepreneurship. Kapoor notes that millions have worked on Swiggy’s platform, highlighting the sector’s scale and long-term growth potential.
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In Dubai, landlords can’t impose rent increases at will. Legal rules cap hikes at 20% and require 90 days’ notice before a lease expires. The process also considers market averages and the property’s condition, giving tenants time to plan financially and reducing sudden, sharp price jumps.
The US Department of Education has launched two new investigations into Harvard University. One probe examines allegations of racial discrimination in admissions after the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling. The second looks into claims of antisemitism on Harvard’s campus. The move signals a sharper Trump-era focus on how elite US schools handle sensitive admissions and speech issues.
Nilesh Shah of Kotak Mutual Fund, and a member of the PM’s economic advisory council, says India must reduce vulnerability to energy shocks by accelerating electrification and rapidly scaling up nuclear power. His argument centers on cutting dependence on energy imports and strengthening long-term energy security as global disruptions threaten supply and prices.
The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) is set to release the SLST 2025 answer keys for teacher recruitment exams soon. Answer keys will be published for classes 9-10 and 11-12 on 16th and 20th of this week. The exams followed a nine-year gap, drawing large participation, including candidates from outside West Bengal.
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A Saket Court has granted Delhi Police four days of custodial interrogation of Rahul Meena in the rape and murder case involving an IRS officer’s 22-year-old daughter. The victim, an IIT Delhi graduate preparing for her first UPSC attempt, was found unconscious in her study and died after being taken to hospital. Investigators allege Meena used deception to gain entry and attempted to dodge suspicion using a fake call.
Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu distributed ducklings to women members of Self Help Groups at Lok Bhawan in a bid to boost rural livelihoods. The initiative supports five SHGs and is designed to encourage sustainable income generation through small-scale poultry rearing, giving SHG members a practical pathway to strengthen household earnings.
Aster DM Healthcare, led by Alisha Moopen, is ramping up expansion across India with plans to add over 3,300 beds and scale to become the country’s largest clinical chain. The company already runs around 40 hospitals. Moopen links the growth push to earning trust in a technology-driven world, backed by long-term, family-led investment.
IndiGo’s latest turmoil highlights how past reliance on regulatory clout did not cushion the airline this time. With key executives reportedly out of the country and away from day-to-day control, operations unraveled in a way described as unprecedented in Indian aviation history—raising questions about internal trust, staff relations, and readiness for disruptions.
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Oil prices edged lower as investors leaned into optimism that a potential US-Iran deal could ease supply-disruption fears. That improving outlook weighed more heavily than worries from other ongoing geopolitical tensions, helping sentiment turn cautious but not panicked. The move signals markets are reacting faster to deal expectations than to disruption headlines for now.
Bengaluru payments firm Cashfree has named Sameer Gandhi as its new Chief Financial Officer. Gandhi previously headed finance at Visa India, and will now steer Cashfree’s financial strategy and commercial operations. The appointment is aimed at supporting the company’s plan for faster growth and improved profitability in the coming quarters, even as it processes over $80 billion in annual transactions.
Tata Consultancy Services says it has not received any formal complaints through its official reporting systems regarding the Nashik allegations. The company says it has appointed independent experts—consultancy firm Deloitte and law firm Trilegal—to support an internal investigation led by COO Aarthi Subramanian.
Chennai Super Kings put on a commanding display against Mumbai Indians, winning by 103 runs. Sanju Samson anchored the innings with an unbeaten century as CSK piled up 207. In response, MI’s chase never got going, collapsing to 104 all out. Akeal Hosein led the damage with 4/17, sealing CSK’s decisive victory.
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Thailand is reviewing visa-free entry for travelers from more than 90 countries after authorities flagged compliance gaps and misuse of entry rules. The government wants to shift away from sheer tourist volume toward higher-quality visitors and stronger income generation, potentially shortening the current 60-day stay to better align tourism with economic goals.
During West Bengal campaign trail for the 2026 Assembly elections, Amit Shah said “aapka samay samapt hua” and vowed a paan research centre in Chandipur. The elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with votes counted on May 4, as political parties battle for influence ahead of the high-stakes contest.
Coach Gautam Gambhir and Test captain Shubman Gill are reportedly unhappy with the BCCI’s packed schedule, prompting fresh discussion about India possibly fielding a “B” team for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. The duo had earlier raised concerns with the board, and the latest reports suggest their objections could influence team selection for the marquee match.
After Covid’s second wave, 92% of active managers failed to beat the index, while passive inflows surged. About INR 7,500 crore a month is reportedly flowing into equity ETFs, many linked to EPFO. Critics argue this consistent buying is inflating Nifty 50 prices, but the bigger question is whether the market’s balance is quietly shifting.
Hyundai Motor and TVS Motor have signed a joint development pact to commercialise electric three-wheelers in India, targeting improvements in last-mile transport. Hyundai will spearhead design and technology, while TVS contributes its electric platform and deep local market expertise. The partners plan to prioritise local manufacturing to cut costs and create jobs, with the first vehicle expected soon.
ISRO has successfully completed the second integrated air drop test for the Gaganyaan mission at Sriharikota. The test is designed to validate safe recovery of the crew module during re-entry, building on a previous successful trial. By testing parachute performance and splashdown safety, ISRO is tightening key systems ahead of future crewed flight milestones.
WTC Mumbai has submitted a memorandum seeking GST issue redressal, spotlighting emerging challenges faced by the industry. The document outlines key concerns and puts forward recommendations aimed at improving how GST-related problems are addressed, signaling growing pressure on policymakers to respond to business difficulties and streamline compliance.
Elon Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, says any proceeds from his ongoing legal fight against the company will go to charity. His California lawsuit alleges he invested over $40 million expecting OpenAI to remain a non-profit with open research, accusing it of breaking founding principles after creating a for-profit arm and deepening ties with Microsoft.
PSU mutual funds recorded Rs 4,498 crore in outflows in March, a modest improvement from February, per Vallum Capital. Despite solid long-term performance, sector flows were uneven: consumption saw withdrawals, while manufacturing, infrastructure, defence and pharma pulled in fresh money—hinting investors are rotating toward domestic capex themes even as broader sentiment stays cautious.
At the IATA AGM in Delhi in June 2025, IndiGo seemed to dominate the spotlight, with Air India looking sidelined. Six months later at Wings India in Hyderabad, the mood changed: IndiGo appeared defensive after its December meltdown, while Air India presented itself as resurgent, signaling a fast-changing competitive balance in Indian aviation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fierce campaign attack on West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing it of 15 years of “loot” and “destroying” the state’s identity. He further alleged that infiltration is forcing Bengalis to leave their homes in search of opportunities, and said early voting signals a large defeat for the TMC.
A Pune-based startup founded by Niharika Kolte Alekar is targeting a risky blind spot in industrial maintenance: confined-space inspections. While drones are increasingly used outdoors, the company focuses on navigating tight, hard-to-reach interiors to improve safety and reduce exposure for workers, potentially changing how industries approach inspections and compliance.
On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, Congress attacked the Modi government, arguing that Pakistan has gained global “respectability” despite orchestrating the assault that killed 26 people. The party called India’s retaliatory action insufficient to change Pakistan’s standing, framing the moment as clear failure in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
New Zealand has introduced updated visa rules for dependent children, spelling out new age limits and eligibility criteria for both resident and temporary visas. The changes also follow legal updates affecting international adoptions, with New Zealand recognizing fewer adoptions for immigration purposes. Officials say the revised framework is meant to make family visa processes more predictable and consistent.
The Supreme Court criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after objections to an Enforcement Directorate raid at I-PAC offices in Kolkata. The bench said a Chief Minister cannot endanger democracy and stressed the matter is extraordinary, urging courts to consider real conditions on the ground in West Bengal rather than ignoring them.
The Reserve Bank of India has directed authorised dealers to stop offering rupee non-deliverable derivative contracts to both resident and non-resident entities, including local companies. The move targets a specific forex hedging instrument and applies broadly across counterparties. Market players will now have to unwind or rework exposure strategies under the RBI’s instructions.
An Iran crisis is exposing a gap between “paper” oil prices and the cost of actually buying barrels. Futures markets price in expectations of eventual calm, but physical markets are reacting to immediate scarcity. Disrupted shipping and higher freight costs are inflating spot prices, creating big global disparities that traders and consumers feel right away.
Sony Pictures Networks India has secured India media rights for the 2026 Asian Games being held in Japan, reportedly for around $3.5–4 million. The Games, featuring 41 sports including cricket, will stream on Sony LIV and air on Sony Sports Network, with expectations of strong Indian viewership.
India led the global IPO market in 2025, fueled by venture-backed startups reaching public-market readiness in under five years. The momentum reflects a changing founder mindset focused on scaling earlier and preparing for listing. In total, 20 VC-backed startups went public and nine new unicorns emerged, alongside a count of 28 profitable unicorns, signaling a maturing startup ecosystem.
A delegation from Bangladesh National Hindu Mahajot visited the family of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, who was beaten to death by a mob on December 18 over alleged blasphemy. The group demanded justice and extended support to the victim’s relatives, drawing attention to the brutality and alleged abuse surrounding the case.
PM Modi welcomed the launch of a Google AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, built in collaboration with AdaniConneX, a hyperscale data services provider. Google says the initiative will attract roughly $15 billion in investment over five years from 2026 to 2030, aiming to scale AI infrastructure and data capabilities in India’s east coast.
The National Stock Exchange’s Rs 20,000 crore IPO is set to gear up, with a June DRHP filing expected. The offer will be a pure OFS, meaning shares will be sold only by existing eligible shareholders. Investors must have held fully paid-up NSE shares since June 2025 and submit their EOIs by April 27, 2026.
India’s performance in the QS Subject Rankings 2026 has jumped sharply, with four IITs, JNU, and BITS Pilani placing across the world’s top 50 in multiple subjects. The country logged 27 top-50 entries across 12 institutions—more than double last year. IIT Delhi topped the list with six top-50 placements, highlighting rising global academic recognition.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah says BJP governments are coming in Anga, Banga and Kalinga after May 5, pointing to strong voter turnout in Bengal’s first phase as proof of public appetite for change. Shah predicts BJP will win an absolute majority in West Bengal and pledges a focus on women’s safety while ending corruption, in a bid to shape momentum for the remaining phases.
A bipartisan bill in the US House would waive a steep $100,000 H-1B visa fee for foreign doctors and nurses. The charge was introduced earlier and could raise hospital costs, especially at facilities already stretched thin. With the US facing a major doctor shortage, the proposal aims to help bring more medical professionals into care, including in rural and underserved communities.
Gold ETFs logged record net inflows of ₹68,867 crore in FY26, up 4.5x and a 364% year-on-year jump. Geopolitical risks and equity market volatility pushed investors toward the yellow metal, with gold ETFs capturing close to 10% of total mutual fund inflows—far outpacing equity and debt funds.
Chaos erupted inside Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI supporters entered. Instead of debate, the session turned into blocked rallies, security clashes, and physical scuffles, with Afridi reportedly dragged and shoved as tensions escalated. The incident underscores how political routines in Lahore are increasingly spilling onto the floor of governance.
Wheat prices are rising sharply this week as weather disruptions threaten supply while fertilizer shortages worsen. Analysts point to constraints linked to the Iran conflict as a key factor tightening fertilizer availability, raising fears of lower yields and a broader global wheat supply squeeze.
Dubai has merged real estate and residency services into a single system through cooperation between the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs and the Dubai Land Department. The move is designed to streamline applications, cut processing times, and improve coordination for residents and investors navigating property and residency requirements.
Vedant Fashions, once a showstopper after its IPO, is seeing flat revenues as the wedding market cools and demand shifts. With Gen Z increasingly indifferent to traditional sherwanis, the brand’s signature appeal is losing lustre. The struggle highlights how consumer spending priorities are changing even for well-known ethnic wear players.
Thousands of Windows users in the US and Australia report the Blue Screen of Death after a recent CrowdStrike update. The BSOD can abruptly restart or shut down systems, hitting companies, banks, and government offices. Microsoft says it’s working on a fix while users are urged to remove recently added hardware, update Windows, or run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter.
Adobe is expanding its AI ecosystem with a clear bet on first-party data to solve enterprise customer experience fragmentation. With privacy rules tightening and third-party cookies fading, companies increasingly need their own customer data unified and governed. Adobe Experience Platform is positioned as the backbone to keep compliance, control, and governance intact while powering scalable personalization.
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