Weekly News Platter
The Economic Times

Weekly News Platter

25 Apr, 2026, 05:04PM IST, PTI
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In case you had a busy week, these are the top stories you need to get caught up to speed...
RIL Q4 profit slips 13% to ₹16,971 cr; ₹6/share dividend announcedRIL Q4 profit slips 13% to ₹16,971 cr; ₹6/share dividend announced
Reliance Industries Q4 Results: Reliance Industries saw its net profit drop 13% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. Revenue, however, climbed 13%. The company's oil-to-chemicals segment faced cost pressures. Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail showed strong growth. JioStar also delivered robust performance, highlighting diverse business strengths. Read more
Major blow to AAP: Raghav Chadha among 7 MPs who cross over to BJP in shock moveMajor blow to AAP: Raghav Chadha among 7 MPs who cross over to BJP in shock move
Raghav Chadha has left the Aam Aadmi Party and is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. This move could significantly reduce AAP's strength in the Rajya Sabha. Chadha stated AAP has moved away from its core principles. Many other AAP Rajya Sabha members are also expected to switch to the BJP. Read more
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Trump indefinitely extends ceasefire with Iran on Pakistan's requestTrump indefinitely extends ceasefire with Iran on Pakistan's request
US-Iran ceasefire: U.S. President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, just hours before it was due to expire, to keep space open for ongoing peace negotiations. He said on social media that the decision followed a request from Pakistan, which is mediating talks, asking the U.S. to pause any planned attacks until Iran’s leadership presents a unified proposal. Read more
'Not an inch lost to China': Ex-Army Chief Naravane stands firm, urges nation to keep defence forces out of politics'Not an inch lost to China': Ex-Army Chief Naravane stands firm, urges nation to keep defence forces out of politics
Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane breaks his silence on his memoir "Four Stars of Destiny". He firmly defends his position that India lost no territory during the 2020 Indo-China border standoff. General Naravane emphasizes the need to keep armed forces insulated from political narratives. Read more
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JioMart network serves 1,200 cities through 3,100 stores: Reliance Retail CFO Dinesh TalujaJioMart network serves 1,200 cities through 3,100 stores: Reliance Retail CFO Dinesh Taluja
Reliance Retail hyperlocal commerce arm JioMart has built the widest network in the country, serving 1,200 cities through 3,100 stores, a mix of dark stores and walk-in outlets, Reliance Retail CFO Dinesh Taluja said during the earnings call. Read more
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner headed to Pakistan for Iran talks, White House saysSteve Witkoff and Jared Kushner headed to Pakistan for Iran talks, White House says
U.S. President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling to Islamabad for mediated talks with Iran. The White House reported "some progress" from the Iranian side, with Vice President JD Vance on standby to join if negotiations prove successful. Trump recently extended a ceasefire to allow more time for peace talks. Read more
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Trump's 'gold card' visa starting at $1 million granted to just 1 person so far, White House saysTrump's 'gold card' visa starting at $1 million granted to just 1 person so far, White House says
President Donald Trump's 'gold card' visa program, requiring a $1 million investment for legal U.S. residency, has seen one approval. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated hundreds are in the queue. This initiative aims to attract foreign talent and boost federal funds. The program offers a path to U.S. citizenship for wealthy investors. Read more
RBI cancels Paytm Payments Bank licenceRBI cancels Paytm Payments Bank licence
In a release, the central bank said Paytm Payments Bank can no longer conduct banking business under the Banking Regulation Act. Read more
Starbucks layoffs hit tech teams amid restructuring pushStarbucks layoffs hit tech teams amid restructuring push
Starbucks is reportedly laying off staff from its technology departments. This move is part of a larger restructuring plan by new CEO Brian Niccol. The company aims to reorganize operations and focus resources effectively. These cuts follow previous workforce reductions and store closures. Further adjustments to operations and cost structure are anticipated. Read more
Petrol, diesel prices to rise Rs 25–28 per litre? Petroleum ministry clarifiesPetrol, diesel prices to rise Rs 25–28 per litre? Petroleum ministry clarifies
Government has firmly denied any plans to raise petrol and diesel prices, calling such reports mischievous and misleading. Officials emphasized that India is unique in not seeing fuel price hikes over the past four years. Efforts are ongoing to shield citizens from global price volatility, especially amidst Middle East tensions. Read more
India to get German submarines soon: Check key features and capabilities of TKMS Type 214 submarines to be acquired under $8 billionIndia to get German submarines soon: Check key features and capabilities of TKMS Type 214 submarines to be acquired under $8 billion
India is set to acquire advanced Type 214 submarines from Germany. Defence ministers from both nations visited a submarine facility, highlighting cooperation. The deal, valued between eight and ten billion dollars, includes technology transfer and local manufacturing. Six submarines will be built in India, with the first expected in seven years. Read more
Economist Ashok Lahiri from Bengal to become Niti Aayog vice-chairman, Gobardhan Das named as memberEconomist Ashok Lahiri from Bengal to become Niti Aayog vice-chairman, Gobardhan Das named as member
Economist Ashok Lahiri and scientist Gobardhan Das from West Bengal are set to join Niti Aayog. Lahiri, a former chief economic advisor, will be the vice-chairman. Das, director of IISER Bhopal, will serve as a member. This appointment brings distinguished expertise to the policy think tank. Their contributions are expected to shape future economic and scientific initiatives. Read more
Foreign universities drive hiring boom in IndiaForeign universities drive hiring boom in India
India's educational landscape is on the cusp of transformation as NEP 2020 invites a host of foreign universities to set up campuses here. This influx is anticipated to generate 400+ faculty roles, opening the door for Indian scholars based overseas to return home and bring their experiences into play. Read more
Can BJP blitz breach TMC citadel? The battle for Bengal beginsCan BJP blitz breach TMC citadel? The battle for Bengal begins
West Bengal politics remains a high-stakes battle between the long-standing dominance of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) under Mamata Banerjee and the rising challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite BJP’s rapid growth and strong national presence, it continues to face hurdles such as the “outsider” perception, weaker grassroots networks, and lack of a fully established local leadership structure. In contrast, the TMC benefits from deep organisational reach, strong emotional connect with voters, and welfare-driven support bases, particularly among women and rural populations. Read more
Bengal, Tamil Nadu record highest-ever turnout since Independence in Phase 1 of polling, says Gyanesh KumarBengal, Tamil Nadu record highest-ever turnout since Independence in Phase 1 of polling, says Gyanesh Kumar
Voter turnout in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu reached historic highs on Thursday. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the record participation. West Bengal recorded 91.78% polling. Tamil Nadu followed with 84.69%. This surge demonstrates a strong commitment to democratic values across both states. Citizens actively participated in the electoral process. Read more
Nvidia becomes first company to cross $5 trillion in market valueNvidia becomes first company to cross $5 trillion in market value
Nvidia has achieved a historic milestone. The chipmaker is now the world's most valuable listed company. Its market capitalization has surpassed five trillion dollars. This surge places Nvidia ahead of tech giants like Alphabet and Apple. The company's success is driven by its crucial role in supplying GPUs for artificial intelligence models. Nvidia's stock performance reflects its strong market position. Read more
EC steps in, issues notice to Mallikarjun Kharge over ‘terrorist’ remark on PM ModiEC steps in, issues notice to Mallikarjun Kharge over ‘terrorist’ remark on PM Modi
The Election Commission of India has issued a notice to Mallikarjun Kharge. This action follows his remarks on Prime Minister Modi. The Bharatiya Janata Party had lodged a complaint. They stated the language used was unacceptable. The Commission is taking a serious view of the campaign statements. Read more
A quiet weapons crisis is building up within the US militaryA quiet weapons crisis is building up within the US military
As America's military stockpiles face a concerning decline, the prolonged ceasefire with Iran gains new importance. The US has exhausted many of its precision-guided munitions, and restocking these vital resources is a lengthy process. This scarcity hampers the nation's readiness for emerging conflicts. Read more
‘India is a great country’: US clarifies Trump stance after ‘hellholes’ remark‘India is a great country’: US clarifies Trump stance after ‘hellholes’ remark
In a bid to repair diplomatic ties following recent controversies surrounding President Trump's social media, U.S. officials highlight Trump's respect for India, referring to it as a remarkable nation. An embassy representative emphasized that Trump considers India’s leader a close ally, despite backlash from a recent post where he described India in less favorable terms. Read more
Netanyahu says he was successfully treated for prostate cancerNetanyahu says he was successfully treated for prostate cancer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. A routine checkup revealed a malignant tumor. Targeted treatment removed the issue without a trace. Netanyahu delayed his medical report release for two months. This was to prevent Iran from spreading false propaganda. He previously refuted death rumors spread by Iran. Elections are due in Israel by October. Read more

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