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Allies fear a rushed US-Iran framework deal could backfire, leaving technical deadlock
US-Iran war news: European allies express concern over a potentially hasty U.S. deal with Iran. They fear an inexperienced American team might secure a superficial agreement on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief. This could lead to prolonged, complex follow-up talks. The U.S. White House rejects these criticisms, stating President Trump prioritizes American interests. Talks are ongoing, focusing on uranium stockpiles and sanctions.
India’s agentic boom tests regulators; Qcomm growth hits brakes
Happy Friday! India’s AI agent boom is outpacing the guardrails meant to keep it in check. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Who is Timmy the whale? From donations to live streams: Viral sensation grips Germany — here’s why
Timmy, a stranded humpback whale in Germany’s Baltic Sea, has become a viral sensation as rescue teams race to save it. First spotted in March, the whale is now weak and stuck in shallow waters near Wismar. Experts believe it may have lost its way during migration. Despite multiple rescue attempts, Timmy remains trapped, drawing widespread public attention through livestreams and media coverage. Authorities have approved a high-risk operation to move it back toward open waters.
ChatGPT maker OpenAI shifts its focus to business users amid Anthropic pressure
OpenAI is prioritising business AI tools to boost revenue. The company is launching a new model for professional work. This strategic shift aims to compete with rival Anthropic. OpenAI is moving away from some consumer offerings. This focus on high-value professional tasks is key to its future profitability. Business clients now represent a significant portion of OpenAI's income.
Lowest home loan interest rates in 2026: PSU banks vs private banks; check lists
home loan interest rates: The RBI's decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% has left borrowers questioning the impact on home loan interest rates and EMIs. While floating rate loans are directly influenced, fixed-rate loans remain unchanged. The article provides a comparative list of the lowest home loan interest rates offered by public and private banks for loans exceeding Rs 75 lakh.
Who was Mark Mobius and why was the $40 billion India bull famous as ‘Indiana Jones of emerging markets’
Mark Mobius, a renowned investor, passed away at 89. He was a global champion for emerging markets, especially India. Mobius saw opportunity where others saw risk. He traveled extensively, visiting factories and meeting business leaders. His conviction helped attract billions to markets previously considered too volatile. Mobius believed in understanding markets through their people.
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ChatGPT maker OpenAI shifts its focus to business users amid Anthropic pressure
OpenAI says it will introduce a new artificial intelligence model for "high-value professional work" as the company faces heightened competition with rival Anthropic in attracting corporate customers to adopt AI assistants in their workplaces. "You'll see a new model coming from us in short order. We feel very excited about it," Friar said in an interview with The Associated Press.

ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or Bankrupt - Part 54: Will manufacturing capability help this firm move into defence space?
The auto ancillary sector is being forced to answer a difficult question: When technology changes, which suppliers remain relevant and which get left behind? This company stands out because it is not built around one narrow-end market. It has automotive at the centre, but also has exposure to engineering, defence, aerospace and other industrial segments. That wider presence offers some support. Still, the main issue remains unresolved. A meaningful part of its current auto-linked basket belongs to the old combustion era, while its manufacturing capability may still travel into newer applications. This is less a collapse story and more a test of adaptation.

ICAI expands mandatory applicability of audit quality evaluation matrix
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is expanding its audit quality model. This now includes firms auditing subsidiaries of listed entities, banks, or insurance companies. Separately, ICAI proposes a single regulator for multidisciplinary partnerships. This move aims to foster large Indian firms and compete globally. These changes are significant for the Indian audit sector.

US blockade of Iran will be major military endeavor, experts say
President Trump announced a U.S. naval blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels paying tolls to Iran. Experts warn this open-ended military endeavor could trigger retaliation from Tehran and strain the fragile ceasefire, potentially leading to dangerous escalation.

Good time to start SIPs: ICICI Prudential AMC's Sankaran Naren explains why markets are more attractive now
Sankaran Naren explains why markets are more attractive but unlikely to deliver outsized returns and shares his macro-driven approach with Sanket Dhanorkar.

Microplastics in India’s agriculture: A growing problem demanding urgent action
A new roadmap by NAAS emphasises national monitoring, improved waste management, and biodegradable alternatives to combat the growing crisis due to microplastics.

Splashdown of Artemis II astronauts concludes 10-day moon mission
The Artemis II mission has successfully concluded. Its capsule and four astronauts returned safely to Earth after a nearly 10-day journey. This marks the first human voyage near the moon in over fifty years. The crew experienced a fiery re-entry. Recovery teams are now assisting the astronauts. This mission paves the way for future lunar landings.

India finalising agreement to supply oil, gas to Mauritius amid West Asia crisis, says EAM Jaishankar
India is set to finalize a government-to-government agreement to supply oil and gas to Mauritius. This move aims to strengthen Mauritius' energy security, especially given the ongoing West Asia conflict. India is also supporting Mauritius with clean energy projects, including a floating solar power plant. The two nations are deepening their strategic partnership across various sectors.

Artemis II astronauts hurtle home from moon toward splashdown
The four Artemis II astronauts are returning to Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft after a historic 10-day mission, marking the first crewed lunar voyage in over 50 years. Their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean will conclude a critical test of the spacecraft's heat shield and pave the way for future lunar landings and Mars exploration.

Mysore Sales International Ltd to launch one-stop tourism ticket booking platform in Karnataka
Mysore Sales International Ltd is set to unveil a revolutionary travel app designed specifically for Karnataka explorers. This innovative platform will allow users to seamlessly book tickets to a wide array of attractions across the state. With the launch expected in just three months, the app is a response to a growing demand for hassle-free travel planning.

AUM in passive investment in India surges to Rs 50 lakh crore in 2026: NSE Indices CEO
NSE Indices on Thursday organised a press meet in Mumbai, where it elaborated on its outlook for passive investing in India. It stated that the total Assets Under Management (AUM) in passive investments surged from Rs 1.63 lakh crore in 2020 to approximately Rs 50 lakh crore in 2026.

These mid-cap stocks with ‘Strong Buy’ & ‘Buy’ recos can rally over 25%, according to analysts
The markets should be in a happy frame of mind till the time the current ceasefire in the Gulf region holds. Not many may like us using the words “till the time”. The reason for our scepticism stems from the fact that we are dealing with President Trump. One never knows what can happen the next day. It is just 24 hours since the ceasefire was declared, and we already have someone like US Vice President JD Vance describing it as a “fragile truce”, along with reports of Iran asking for a safe passage fee. So, remain cautious till an enduring peace materialises.

ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or Bankrupt - Part 53: All vehicles need this auto ancillary’s product, but its EV future is still taking shape
This auto ancillary is not trying to be many things at once. It has stayed in one technical lane for years and built its business around a function every vehicle needs. That gives the story some stability. But it does not remove the risks. A large share of revenue comes from a few customers, the group is carrying unresolved contingent matters, and the gap between standalone and consolidated earnings shows the cost of building backward integration. In a sector moving toward EVs, this business still looks rooted in old strengths, while its next phase is only beginning to take shape.

Will dream run for home loan borrowers end soon despite RBI maintaining status quo on repo rate?
The Reserve Bank of India has kept the repo rate steady at 5.25%. Home loan borrowers may see temporary relief. However, rising inflation, driven by global events, suggests a potential repo rate increase in upcoming meetings. This could lead to higher home loan interest rates. Strategies like prepayment and refinancing can help manage future loan costs.

J&K's Doda to get Doppler weather radar, Jitendra Singh announces
A Doppler weather radar is coming to Doda district for better weather forecasting and disaster preparedness. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also reviewed road projects, including the Chattergala Tunnel and Sudhmahadev Tunnel. He emphasized expediting work on key infrastructure. Educational and healthcare facilities were also discussed. Three new PMGSY roads were inaugurated, benefiting thousands of residents.

Four-day week, taxes on robots, public wealth fund: OpenAI floats policy ideas for the intelligence age
OpenAI has proposed a four-day, 32-hour workweek without pay cuts as part of sharing AI-driven gains. It suggests better worker benefits, wider AI access, and possible taxes on automated labour. It also urged for stronger oversight as advanced AI systems become more powerful and risks increase.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX eyes over $2 trillion valuation in upcoming IPO
Elon Musk's SpaceX is reportedly targeting an IPO valuation exceeding $2 trillion, potentially making it the largest stock market listing ever. The company is in discussions with prospective investors, aiming to raise up to $75 billion. This ambitious valuation follows a recent merger with Musk's AI startup, xAI.

IIFCL to raise up to $1 billion through MIGA guarantee fund this quarter to foster infra sector: MD
India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd plans to raise up to USD 1 billion. This will be done through the MIGA guarantee fund in the current quarter. The funds will support infrastructure development across India. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on the public exchequer. IIFCL is in advanced talks with global banks for this long-term debt.

Explosive claim from James Carville: Trump to quit after midterm elections and ask Vance for pardon
Democratic strategist James Carville believes President Trump will resign after midterm election losses. Carville suggests Trump will find the presidency untenable and seek a pardon from JD Vance. He argues Trump lacks the toughness to endure the post-election fallout. This move would allow Trump to avoid further political challenges and potential legal issues.

RBI floating rate bond at 8.05%: Has the rate changed or is it still one of the best fixed income picks?
The Reserve Bank of India's floating rate bond will continue to offer 8.05 percent interest. This comes as the Finance Ministry decided to keep the National Savings Certificate rate unchanged at 7.7 percent for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2026-27. This bond offers a sovereign guarantee and a 7-year maturity, making it a secure investment.

US Stock Market | Nasdaq speeds up big tech entry with new fast-track index rules
Nasdaq is changing its rules for the Nasdaq-100 index. New large companies can now join faster. This aims to keep the index updated with big firms. The changes will start in May. This move reflects companies staying private longer. It also addresses fewer US companies listing publicly. Faster entry means more visibility and investor interest for new market leaders.

XED Executive Development withdraws first-ever GIFT IPO
XED Executive Development has withdrawn its initial public offering from GIFT City's IFSC due to a cautious investor mood. Despite retail interest, procedural issues and subdued institutional participation led the company to postpone its market debut. The board opted to wait for a more opportune time, citing market volatility and liquidity concerns.

Govt may consider OFS option for raising public float in IDBI Bank
The government may consider selling a stake in IDBI Bank through the Offer-for-Sale (OFS) route to increase public shareholding, after the unsuccessful attempt to divest stake in the LIC-controlled lender, sources said.
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