S&P's upgrade of India's sovereign rating to 'BBB' from 'BBB-' led to a relief rally in the bond market, with the yield on benchmark bonds falling by 8 bps to 6.40%. The upgrade was attributed to India's strong economic growth, fiscal consolidation, and efforts to improve spending quality.
Bill Gates' Xanadu 2.0, named after the fictional mansion in Citizen Kane, is a 66,000 sq ft estate built from 500 Douglas fir trees and seven types of stone. The $130 million property features advanced technology, personalized guest experiences, and sustainable design elements. With a private tunnel, 475 feet of waterfront, and luxurious amenities, it remains Gates' most ambitious project.
Hong Kong is an affordable destination with luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. Indians can now visit without a traditional visa through a Pre-Arrival Registration process. Flights from India are reasonably priced, and the city offers iconic landmarks, fast-paced energy, and Indian-friendly amenities.
In the 1960s, Lata Mangeshkar demanded a fair share of royalties for playback singers, but her friend and collaborator Mohammed Rafi did not support her. This led to a rift between them and a split in the industry. It took decades for singers to receive royalties, and the truce was finally brokered by music director Jaikishen.
Aishbagh Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh is being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with a focus on improving basic facilities, safety, and overall passenger convenience. The upgrade includes a modern station building, improved waiting areas and toilets, a foot overbridge for easier movement, better parking and circulation.
South Western Railway has launched special trains from Bengaluru to Odisha to ease overcrowding and improve ticket availability during the peak summer holiday season. The trains will run from SMVT Bengaluru to Rupsa and offer a convenient travel option for long-distance commuters.
Amancio Ortega, founder of Zara and owner of Inditex, has a €20 billion real estate portfolio in 11 countries through his investment firm, Pontegadea Inversiones SL. Using Inditex dividends, Pontegadea buys prime commercial properties globally. Despite his wealth, Ortega lives modestly in a simple Spanish apartment. Pontegadea's strategy is to invest in properties with long-term value.
UK-born Junead Khan, a startup founder, faced a tough decision between working at JPMorgan in London or Microsoft in the US. Despite being offered a $184,000 salary gap, he chose Microsoft, citing the higher pay in the American tech market. Khan's Instagram post sparked a debate on the salary differences between the two countries, with some noting the challenges faced by immigrants in the US.
Oprah Winfrey's inspiring story of rising from poverty in rural Mississippi to becoming the first Black female billionaire in US history is a testament to her determination and love for learning. Despite facing adversity, she built an empire through media ownership, amassing a net worth of $3.2 billion and earning numerous accolades.
An explosion at Vedanta's power plant in Chhattisgarh killed nine workers and injured 15. The blast occurred in a boiler tube at the plant in Singhitarai village. Rescue operations are underway, and the injured are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The Chief Minister has promised a probe and strict action against those responsible.
India's crude oil imports from Russia surged in March to 5.3 billion euros, driven by a rise in oil prices and a doubling of volumes. This was reported by CREA, which revealed that India was the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels during this time. The increase was due to a one-month sanctions waiver from the US, easing tensions with Iran.
The Indian government has introduced the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a budget of Rs 10,000 crore to aid the country's startup industry. The fund will prioritize deep-tech, tech-driven, and creative manufacturing startups, providing them with tailored support. DPIIT will release the fund's guidelines, which will be implemented by SIDBI.
RailTel Corporation of India has received orders worth Rs 43.96 crore from UP Police Recruitment Board and Rs 23.18 crore from Goa Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. However, the company also faced a setback as an order worth Rs 17.12 crore from Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti was cancelled. RailTel is also working on a comprehensive IT systems project.
Larsen & Toubro's subsidiary, L&T Realty Properties, has acquired International Green Scapes for Rs 1,123 crore in an all-cash deal. This strengthens L&T's real estate presence in Gurugram, with IGSL becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of both L&T Realty Properties and L&T. The acquisition will help L&T leverage IGSL's land assets to expand its development portfolio.
S&P Global Ratings forecasts a potential 80 basis point decrease in India's economic growth if crude oil prices reach $130 per barrel in 2026. However, the country's strong domestic fundamentals, government support, and improved corporate and banking sector health are expected to mitigate the impact. Despite risks, India is well-equipped to handle elevated oil prices and supply disruptions.
The highly anticipated 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards will be held on May 8th, featuring nominees from the Broadcast, Movie, Theatre, and Musical industries. Park Bo Gum, Suzy, and Shin Dong Yeob will be the hosts. Eligible productions must have aired or released between April 1, 2025, and March 31.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, produced on a budget of $110 million, has grossed $629 million globally and is the year's biggest blockbuster. It debuted with $190.8 million domestically and collected $69 million in its second weekend. It has set multiple records, including being the top-grossing release of 2026 from a US studio.
Poonawalla Fincorp raises Rs 2,500 crore through QIP, sees strong participation from institutional investors and long-term funds. The issue price of Rs 370.75 per share was at a 5% discount to the floor price, with proceeds of Rs 2,500 crore. The company's Q4 results will be released on May 5, with strong performance in the last three quarters and improved asset quality.
A US website, Jobs.Now, has revealed "hidden jobs" for American workers, including "Apple PERM jobs" that offer permanent resident status. This has been applauded by top Trump officials for exposing discriminatory hiring practices, like "H-1B visa only" postings. The platform also highlighted the Justice Department's $25 million settlement with Apple for employment discrimination.
The Munger Railway Station in Bihar is undergoing redevelopment as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This includes a modern building, improved facilities, and passenger-friendly amenities such as waiting lounges and clean toilets. The station also has a vast circulating area and a planned parking system to reduce congestion.
ICICI Prudential AMC has proposed a dividend of Rs 12.40 per share, subject to shareholder approval. The company also approved employee incentive plans and saw a decline in Q4FY26 profitability and income. It holds a market share of 13% and is the largest equity-focused AMC in India. The stock has gained 27% in 2026.
Sundas "Sunny" Naqvi, a US citizen of Pakistani origin, is being sued for $1m for falsely claiming she was detained by the US Department of Homeland Security for two days. The Dodge County Sheriff is accusing her of lying about being held in an ICE detention facility and transferred to Wisconsin, revealing that she was actually staying at a hotel near Chicago.
PM Modi to inaugurate Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, featuring a 12-km elevated wildlife corridor, 10 interchanges, 3 ROBs, 4 major bridges, and 12 roadside facilities. The project, costing over Rs 12,000 crore, aims to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from 6 hours to just 2.5 hours.
Talks between the United States and Iran are likely to start again after a tense round of negotiations in Islamabad ended without a deal, but both sides have now left the door open for another meeting in the coming days.
LIC, India's largest insurer, to issue 1:1 bonus shares backed by Rs 6,325 crore from reserves and surplus. Eligible shareholders to receive one bonus share for every one held, doubling LIC's paid-up equity capital. Bonus aimed at rewarding shareholders and increasing trading activity, without affecting financial strength. Stock has seen a rise in response to the announcement.
More than six years after she disappeared, the search for Mayushi Bhagat is still on. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that could help find her or uncover what happened.
"Dhurandhar 2, starring Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar, had a successful fourth week at the box office, grossing nearly Rs 30 crore. However, the Monday blues and the release of Akshay Kumar's 'Bhoot Bangla' may affect its collections. The film has entered the Rs 1700 crore club worldwide and has received praise from south stars.
Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish golfing superstar, won his second consecutive Masters title in 2026. He is also a successful investor and brand ambassador for Whoop, a fitness technology company. His strict training and recovery routine, based on data from his Whoop device, was revealed by entrepreneur Joe Pompliano. McIlroy credits his longevity-focused approach for his success.
Grandmother and DoorDash driver Sharon Simmons went viral for delivering McDonald's to Trump at the White House. She thanked him for his "no tax on tips" policy that saved her family $11,000. The encounter, likely staged, included Trump asking if she voted for him and trying to bring her inside.
The US government is preparing to tighten its visa rules in a big way, and this time, the focus is clearly on wages. The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently rolled out a proposal that could significantly raise the minimum salaries companies must offer when hiring foreign workers under programs like H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and PERM.
Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Monday made it clear that Tehran is taking steps to help Indian ships move safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
In the late 1960s, in Tamil Nadu, a boy was born into a world far removed from robotics, operating rooms, and billion-dollar medical companies. He grew up in Chennai, studied engineering, left India in the early 1990s like many ambitious young engineers
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after facing inconvenience at Jhansi railway station. She blamed railway authorities for confusion and mismanagement, and asked for an explanation and action. Bharti also highlighted similar problems at Mathura station.
South Western Railway has announced a special train service between Mysuru and Dibrugarh to manage the heavy rush during the summer season. The train will operate on 12th and 26th April 2026, with stops at important stations along the route. This service will benefit passengers by providing more travel options and better chances of finding a seat.
JSW Motors, under the leadership of Sajjan Jindal, is set to launch its own line of passenger vehicles in India. The company is prioritizing localisation and has formed partnerships with Indian and global suppliers.
AvenuesAI Ltd. and its subsidiary PhroneticAI are creating on-premise, full-stack AI models for enterprises to address data sovereignty and geopolitical risks. Their platform, PrivateGPT, allows for private generative AI infrastructure within the client's own walls, ensuring data stays on-premise and addressing concerns over data security and privacy with open-source AI tools.
Omnichannel meat and seafood startups, such as Licious, TenderCuts, FreshToHome, and Zappfresh, are experiencing growth due to repeat consumption, expansion into new markets, and investment in supply chains. Licious reported a 47% increase in net revenue and plans to further expand its micro-markets strategy.
Today, professionals are no longer confined to a single domain, instead taking on roles across business, cultural spaces, and organised institutions. This trend is more noticeable in sectors with clearly defined roles, such as corporate directorships and institutional programs.
Traffic restrictions will be in place from April 12 to 14 due to the inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, causing possible delays and diversions for commuters. Alternate routes have been recommended to ease the journey during this time. Major traffic diversions have been issued for vehicles coming from different directions, including Muzaffarnagar, Deoband, Saharanpur, and Behat.
H-1B visa filings from major Wall Street firms have gone down after the Trump administration introduced tougher rules and higher costs for work visas
Indian fans of BTS were disappointed when the group didn't include India in their world tour, but hope has been reignited as Indian rapper Hanumankind and BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani were seen with HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk at a BTS concert in South Korea, sparking rumors of a collaboration.
Lando Norris, the 2025 F1 world champion, is not only known for his speed on the track but also for his impressive car collection. With a lucrative McLaren contract, he currently owns 16 cars, including a Lamborghini Miura P400, Ferrari F40, Porsche Carrera GT, McLaren P1, Senna, and a custom-built Land Rover Defender 90.
The job market for young graduates in the US is getting tougher, with fewer entry-level openings and longer job searches. According to a recent Guardian report, the underemployment rate has now climbed to 42.5%, the highest since 2020, posing new challenges for fresh graduates to find work in their field.
Justin Bieber made history at Coachella 2026 as the highest-paid headliner, earning over $10 million and showcasing his growing control and independence in the music industry by personally negotiating his deal with the festival's organizers. After a four-year hiatus, his standout performance at the Grammy Awards and long-awaited headline slot at Coachella drew both polarizing reactions.
Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has shattered records, grossing over Rs 1700 crore globally and aiming to overtake Pushpa 2's lifetime total. In India, it has crossed the Rs 1000 crore net mark and ranks as the fourth highest-grossing Indian film. Despite being in its fourth week and facing competition from the IPL, it maintains strong theatre occupancy.
Indian Railways offers a 3% discount on unreserved tickets booked through digital payment modes on the RailOne app until 14 July 2026. This discount only applies to tickets booked using digital payment options like UPI, debit cards, credit cards, and net banking. The app provides a convenient and fast way to book train tickets, making train travel more digital-friendly.
After weeks of intense US and Israeli attacks, Iran is still believed to hold most of the material it needs to build a nuclear bomb. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Iran’s nuclear program has taken serious hits in recent weeks, but key parts of it are still intact.
An Indian techie, Singireddy Sai Sriharikrishna, tragically drowned while celebrating his birthday at a waterfall in California. He was working in the United States and on a trip with friends when the accident occurred. The police confirmed the news and stated that Sriharikrishna was from Piridi village in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh.
Coforge has received approvals to acquire Encora, creating a $2.5 billion AI-native technology services firm with a focus on data, AI-led engineering, and cloud-based services. The merger will be completed by April, with leadership continuity, cost optimization, and joint operations planned. CEO Sudhir Singh is confident in the company's growth outlook.
Nomura maintains a positive outlook on India's steel sector and recommends buying stocks of key companies like Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Jindal Steel, and Lloyds Metals & Energy. Domestic price trends and stable input costs are boosting earnings, despite global uncertainties. Risks include geopolitical situation and supply disruptions, but companies are well-prepared.
Conservative journalist Laura Loomer has made a series of claims on X, raising concerns about recent ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran, which were held in Pakistan.