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India well placed to handle energy shock, backed by strong buffers: WB

The World Bank on Thursday said India is well placed to weather the current global energy shock with ample buffers, including high foreign exchange reserves, fiscal space and low inflation, which will support growth despite global headwinds. Addressing a conference a day after raising India's GDP growth projections for the current fiscal to 6.6 per cent, the World Bank said India had dealt well the trade turbulence last fiscal and the Indian economy entered the current Middle East crisis, which has led to volatility in oil markets, "from a position of strength". World Bank Regional Practice Director, Prosperity, for South Asia, Sebastian Eckardt said, "India has strong policy buffers, high Forex reserves, fiscal space, to provide support as needed, as well as low inflation, and strong goals moment going into this current shock. And that strong growth momentum is supported by gross positive policies, including the EU FTA the new labour, all of these things, of course, reinforced and

Banks exit bulk of India rupee arbitrage positions ahead of RBI deadline

The measures were aimed specifically at curbing arbitrage trades between the onshore market and the non-deliverable forward (NDF) market, per bankers

India's new steel policy targets 25% emissions cut, 400 MT output by 2035

The new emissions reduction target has not been previously reported

Israeli military says it has killed nephew of Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem

Israel struck Beirut's southern suburbs just before midnight and at dawn, and hit towns across the south on Thursday morning, Lebanese state media said

Cabinet clears draft bill for amendments to Women Reservation Act

The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared on Wednesday the draft bill for amendments to the Women's Reservation Act that will ensure an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 with 273 reserved for women, and its implementation in the 2029 general elections. Sources privy to the development said that a meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the draft bill for the amendments to the law, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, more commonly known as the Women's Reservation Act. The government has extended the budget session of Parliament and a special three-day sitting will be held from April 16 to 18, where the amendment bill is expected to be passed. The provision to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution in 2023, but it would have come into effect after the completion of the delimitation exercise on the basis of the 2027 Census. Therefore, it was expected to come int

First phase of PM-KUSUM scheme failed to meet targets, says report

The first phase of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha & Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, which ended on March 31, fell short of meeting its targets, according to a new report. Launched in 2019, the PM-KUSUM scheme is India's flagship programme to promote solar energy in agriculture. The analysis, 'Scaling Solar Power for Irrigation in India: Lessons from PM-KUSUM', was published on Wednesday by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). The analysis focused on the scheme's Component A (setting up small-scale grid-connected solar plants on farmers' land) and Component C-FLS (feeder-level solarisation of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps). The report revealed that deployment under Component A stood at just 8.4 per cent of the target, which was 10,000 MW. In case of Component C-FLS, only 38.2 per cent of the 35.6 lakh pumps ...

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon

Iran said it would offer safe passage in coordination with its armed forces, though its coastguards warned that any ship attempting to sail without permission would be "targeted and destroyed"

Chokepoints and sanctions: How finance has turned into a weapon of war

Neither Iran nor Russia has been deterred by US economic sanctions, and the US itself faces limits on escalation to avoid harming its own interests, argues Edward Fishman in Chokepoints

Iran's 10-point ceasefire plan not what Trump agreed to, says White House

Many of these demands are likely to conflict with a 15-point proposal US mediators laid out last month

Israel strikes Beirut after ceasefire, says Iran deal doesn't apply there

Lebanon's health ministry said dozens were killed and hundreds wounded in an early estimate

Trump announces 50% tariffs on nations supplying Iran with weapons

Trump also said there would be no enrichment of uranium and said many of the 15 points in the US plan proposed to Iran have been agreed to.

Foreign Secretary Misri launches India-US trade Facilitation Portal

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday launched the India-US Trade Facilitation Portal here as the two countries eye the USD 500 billion bilateral trade target. Misri, who is on a three-day visit to the US, launched the portal at a virtual event that was attended by India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and officials and trade representatives from the two countries. "It will serve as a bridge ensuring continuity and ensuring that existing supply chains are reinforced, and at the same time will enable new commercial linkages to emerge and grow," Misri said. Misri on Wednesday began his three-day visit to the US to meet with senior officials to review bilateral trade and defence relations and discuss global developments, including the crisis in the Middle East. Misri's visit comes as both the US and India work to stabilise the ties after a spell of uncertainty and strain. The relations witnessed a major downturn after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on New Delhi a

India adds record 55.29 GW non-fossil capacity in FY26: Pralhad Joshi

India added record non-fossil power generation capacity of 55.29 GW in 2025-26, taking the total to 283.46 GW, New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. Joshi also said India ranks third globally in renewable energy installed capacity, according to the Renewable Energy Statistics 2026. India has surpassed Brazil to secure third position in Global Renewable Energy Rankings, he said while addressing a press conference here. Joshi highlighted that in July 2025, India reached its highest-ever renewable energy share in electricity generation. The renewables met 51.5 per cent of the country's total electricity demand of 203 GW. He said that a total of 283.46 GW of capacity from non-fossil fuel sources has been installed in the country as on March 31,2026. India's total power generation during 2025-26 (up to March 2026) reached 1,845.921 BU. The share of non-fossil fuels in total generation reached 29.2 per cent in 2025-26 (538.97 BU). India achieved the milest

Turkiye detains 9 over attack outside Israeli Consulate in Istanbul

Turkish authorities have detained nine people as part of an investigation into an attack on police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul that left one assailant dead, Turkiye's state-run news agency reported Wednesday. Two other assailants were wounded and captured during Tuesday's shootout in the city's financial and business district, while two police officers sustained slight injuries, officials said. Israel had withdrawn its diplomats from Turkiye over security concerns and deteriorating relations with Ankara shortly after the start of the war in Gaza, and officials said the consulate was closed at the time of the attack. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said one of the assailants had links to a group that he said "exploits religion," without naming the organisation. The Islamic State group has carried out deadly attacks in Turkiye in the past. Anadolu Agency reported that security forces detained nine suspects in operations conducted in Istanbul as well

Government ban on non-STQC CCTVs to boost domestic surveillance firms

Government's STQC certification norms and ban on non-compliant CCTV cameras expected to accelerate domestic manufacturing, strengthen cybersecurity, and reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers

Indian Oil buys first shipment of Iranian crude since 2019 sanctions

Curacao-flagged crude tanker Jaya, laden with Iranian oil, most recently indicated it is heading for India, according to ship-tracking data

Future Consumer reports ₹615 crore default on loans, interest payments

Future Consumer Ltd (FCL) has defaulted on the payment of Rs 615.67 crore in interest and principal repayments on loans from banks, financial institutions, and unlisted debt securities, as of March-end 2026. FCL, the FMCG arm of the debt-ridden Future Group, had defaulted on the payment of Rs 325.26 crore loans and revolving facilities, like cash credit from banks and financial institutions, as of March 31, 2026. This includes both bank repayment and interest default, according to a regulatory filing by the company. The firm has an outstanding total default of Rs 290.41 crore, over loans from unlisted debt securities -- NCDs and NCRPs, for the same period. This includes a principal outstanding of Rs 158.82 crore and accrued interest of Rs 131.59 crore. FCL said the "company is planning/working for asset monetisation and debt reduction over the period in this year". FCL is in the business of manufacturing, branding and distributing FMCG food and processed food products. It was par

Iran refinery on Lavan Island hit in attack hours after ceasefire announced

Iranian state television says oil refinery on Iran's Lavan Island came under attack hours after ceasefire announced

Hilton, Royal Orchid tie up to open 125 'Hampton by Hilton' hotels by 2035

Global hospitality major Hilton on Wednesday announced the signing of a strategic agreement with Regenta Hotels Private Limited, owned by Royal Orchid Hotels Limited, for opening 125 'Hampton by Hilton' hotels across western and southern India by 2035. The partnership accelerates Hilton's upper mid-scale expansion in India, where rising domestic travel and growing demand from the country's expanding middle class are driving strong opportunities in the mid-market segment. The franchised hotels will primarily be developed across western and southern markets, including Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, joining more than 3,100 Hampton by Hilton properties operating globally. Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, "India's economic growth, expanding middle class and rapid infrastructure development are reshaping the country's travel landscape, creating significant opportunities for our brands. Our new strategic partnership with the Regenta

Shipowners eye Hormuz truce as 800 vessels remain trapped in Gulf waters

Then, hours before a deadline set by President Donald Trump ran out during the US evening on Tuesday, the two sides agreed a truce in exchange for a reopening