‘Buy from US or go take it from the Strait’: Trump’s suggestion to nations hit by oil shock due to Hormuz crisis

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) suggested that countries facing fuel shortages during the ongoing war with Iran should either buy oil from the United States or take stronger steps to secure supplies, going to the Strait o Hormuz, themselves. Speaking in a prime-time address at 9 pm EDT from the White House’s…

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Tax reform rollout: New Income Tax Act 2025 comes into force, CBDT calls it a shift towards simpler compliance

The Income Tax Act, 2025 came into force from April 1, marking a major overhaul of India’s tax framework, with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) describing it as a step towards simplified compliance and a “new chapter” in tax administration, according to PTI.The new law replaces the six-decade-old Income Tax Act, 1961, and…

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Currency guardrails: RBI tightens forex derivatives rules for banks amid rupee volatility

The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday announced fresh restrictions on authorised dealers (ADs) in the foreign exchange market following a “review of evolving market conditions”, as the rupee remains under pressure, according to PTI.In a late-evening notification, the central bank said ADs — banks authorised to deal in foreign exchange — will not be…

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Govt imposes import curbs on gold, silver jewellery to check misuse of FTAs

The government on Wednesday announced curbs on imports of gold, platinum and silver jewellery with immediate effect, a move aimed at checking misuse of free trade agreements (FTAs). These restrictions will operate irrespective of any prior contract, irrevocable letter of credit, advance payment, shipment status, or any other commitment, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade…

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Parliament passes insolvency law amendments to speed up resolutions; Sitharaman says aim is revival, not liquidation

Parliament on Wednesday passed amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) aimed at expediting resolution of stressed companies and reducing case backlogs, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman underlining that the objective is to revive firms rather than liquidate them, according to PTI.The Rajya Sabha cleared the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by…

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UPI transactions hit record Rs 29.53 lakh crore in March; volumes cross 22.6 billion

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions touched a record high in March, with both value and volume hitting new peaks, driven by festive spending and financial year-end activity, according to PTI.Data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) showed that UPI transactions totalled Rs 29.53 lakh crore in value during March, up 19 per…

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India’s biologics dream hits Chinese wall

NEW DELHI: Indian firms hoping to ride the global biologics boom are finding the path far tougher than expected, as China tightens its grip further on biotech supply chains. Recent data suggests Chinese companies have bagged more than half of several recent project deals from US biotech companies, underscoring the challenge for Indian players trying…

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