In a bold move by IRCTC, over 2.5 crore user IDs have been disabled due to suspected involvement in ticketing fraud. This decision comes as a response to a viral post by lawyer Sonu Nigam, who highlighted the woes of booking Tatkal tickets on social media. With evidence of agents using technology to secure tickets, this raises serious questions on the fairness of the Tatkal system and the unequal access it provides for ordinary users.
In its second bi-monthly monetary policy review for the fiscal year 2025-26, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a significant 100 basis points reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), bringing it down to 3%. This move aims to boost liquidity and credit growth in the economy. The phased implementation of this reduction, as well as the 50 bps cut in the repo rate and other interest rates, has been well received by analysts and investors. Pranay Aggarwal, a Director and CEO of a discount brokerage firm, has praised the RBI's policy as bold and growth-oriented, with the potential to support the economy and instill confidence in India's macroeconomic fundamentals.
From his lavish lifestyle to legal battles, Vijay Mallya speaks out in an exclusive podcast with Raj Shamani. Learn more about his favourite cars, the infamous Kingfisher tune, and why he believes he's been unfairly targeted by the media. Plus, a condensed version of the 4-hour episode for those lacking patience.
JD Vance, the Vice President of a major company, shared a cryptic jab towards the sensational fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk. In a recent Instagram post, he joked about the highly publicized bromance between the two prominent figures and hinted at an upcoming interview discussing the drama on Von's podcast. This marks the first time Vance has spoken out about the rift between the former political allies, adding to the ongoing speculation and interest surrounding the situation.
The RBI's decision to slash the repo rate by 50 basis points is welcome news for borrowers as it will lead to a decrease in their EMIs. This marks the third interest rate cut by the central bank since the COVID-19 pandemic. With the current repo rate standing at 5.50 percent, borrowers can expect home loans, auto loans, and personal loans to be more affordable.
Tesla's stock has plunged 14% in one day, the biggest one-day loss in its history, erasing $153 billion in market value. This is a staggering amount, and it's even more significant when compared to India's top companies. The loss is nearly 88% of HDFC Bank's market value and 67% of Reliance Industries'. The drop was triggered by a very public feud between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump over a controversial tax bill and federal subsidies for Musk's companies. With declining EV sales and Musk's focus on self-driving technology, the uncertainty created by the confrontation could have major consequences for Tesla's future.
In the modern workplace, feedback is no longer just about performance, but also trust and growth. As a middle manager, giving feedback can be challenging, especially when caught between senior leadership's expectations and your team's realities. To give effective feedback, it's important to approach it with the intention to support, give it in real-time, and balance both positive and constructive feedback. Timing, empathy, and follow-through are key factors in maintaining relationships and driving results.
China's restriction on the export of rare earth materials, crucial for the manufacturing of electric motors and other automotive components has caused global disruptions in various industries including that of automobiles. Japan's Suzuki Motor Corporation is the latest to feel the effects as it halts production of its popular Swift hatchback due to supply shortages. This move has global ramifications, with Mercedes-Benz and other European auto companies being impacted and even causing slowdowns in the EV market. India, where the Swift is a top-selling model, may also face supply gaps and has now begun exploring alternatives for rare earth-dependent components. As Japan plans to seek cooperation with the United States to build a more secure rare earth supply chain, experts warn that China's monopolistic hold on these elements poses a major geopolitical threat to industries worldwide.
Maharashtra's 701-kilometer Samruddhi Mahamarg, connecting Mumbai to Nagpur, is finally fully operational with the inauguration of the final 76-kilometer stretch. This stretch, spanning Igatpuri to Amane, posed significant engineering and environmental challenges, with the highest rainfall zone in Maharashtra. Thanks to advanced construction methods and new safety measures, a 13.1-km section, with India's longest and widest road tunnels, stands out as a technological marvel. And to further enhance travel experience, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation is working on widening the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway. This project is set to have a transformative impact on regional connectivity, logistics, and long-distance travel in Maharashtra.
Data cloud company Snowflake has announced a strategic partnership with e-commerce enablement platform Shiprocket. This collaboration will empower 1.5 lakh Indian merchants with faster access to data, enabling data-driven decision-making and gaining a competitive edge. The use of Snowflake's AI Data Cloud has significantly reduced data processing time and improved operations for Shiprocket's vast network of merchants. Additionally, the collaboration opens up opportunities for advanced applications such as Generative AI and large language models in the future.
As the world marks World Environment Day 2025, Indian industry leaders like ITC and ASUS are stepping up to the plate with transformative actions and innovative solutions to tackle the issue of plastic pollution. Through initiatives like Bioseal and Oxyblock, ITC is reducing its dependence on conventional plastics while ASUS is promoting responsible e-waste disposal through its #DiscardResponsibly campaign. Both brands have exemplified how sustainability can be incorporated into their operations and consumer engagement, setting an example for others in the business world to follow.