The Economic Times

Why is Atlassian going to lay off 10% workforce, and will software provider's 1,600 jobs cut announcement push company's shares upwards or downwards? Atlassian announced about 1,600 job cuts as part of a restructuring plan. The company wants to focus on artificial intelligence and enterprise sales. Its shares moved higher in extended trading after the announcement.

Can Iran drones attack California on US West Coast or will it launch another cyberattack? A warning by the FBI says Iran may try a drone strike from a vessel near the US coast. The alert mentions possible targets in California. Officials say they have no details about timing or method.

A quote by Michael Mann talks about how people choose to live their lives. He says some people live honestly while others live with pretence. The idea came from his visit to Folsom State Prison while observing life there. The quote reflects simple thoughts about personal choices, truth, and how people decide to live their time.

Quote of the Day: Franz Kafka's quote, Beyond a certain point there is no return. This point has to be reached, highlights the necessity of decisive action and commitment in life. The article explores Kafka's life, his literary themes of alienation and uncertainty, and how his works, like The Metamorphosis, continue to resonate with readers.

Economists believe India's policy interest rate cuts are unlikely to continue due to West Asia crisis-driven inflation risks and the fading of a favorable base effect. Sustained foreign outflows and a weakening rupee could also force the Reserve Bank of India to reconsider further easing, potentially even a hike.

India sets its sights on transforming into a $350 billion textile powerhouse with $100 billion in exports by the fiscal year 2030-31. To achieve this ambitious target, the industry must elevate its operations to scale up production, enhance value, and streamline garment manufacturing year-round. Moreover, leveraging free trade agreements for market access is crucial.

The Supreme Court has issued a decisive order for the CBI to outline a clear timeline for its investigation into numerous real estate developments in the NCR. The court strongly stated that lingering delays would only intensify the suffering of homebuyers.

Indian insurers are reviewing marine cargo exposures in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Red Sea due to escalating geopolitical tensions. ICICI Lombard is assessing shipments and introducing a 0.25% war-risk premium for Gulf-linked cargo, while existing policies remain in force. This reassessment aims to manage risks and ensure compliance with war-risk provisions.

Public sector banks (PSBs) outpaced private lenders in credit growth during the December quarter of FY26, with loan growth ranging from 17-28% year-on-year. This surge boosted PSBs' market share in loans to 54.4%, while private banks saw a slight decline. Improved asset quality and corporate lending revival fueled PSB momentum.

The amended foreign direct investment (FDI) policy guidelines have allowed proposals for investments from China and other land-border countries to include advanced battery components, rare earth permanent magnets, rare earth processing sectors, whose applications will be processed and decided within 60 days.

India's cooking gas production has risen 25 percent. Refineries are maximizing output to counter supply halts from the Gulf. This boost helps fill a gap caused by the Iran war impacting imports. Households are advised against panic booking. India's crude oil supply remains secure. Additional crude and LNG cargoes are en route to India.

Geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are driving up agricultural input costs, with fertilizer prices already surging 50-80%. While shipping, insurance, and energy costs have climbed, immediate agrochemical availability for the upcoming kharif season remains stable due to pre-built inventories.

Fears of cooking gas shortages have triggered panic buying of electric cooking appliances across India. Retailers are seeing sales surge, with stocks running out rapidly. Manufacturers are increasing production to meet the unexpected demand. Consumers are purchasing multiple units, indicating a shift towards electric cooking.

Brent is up 27% since the start of the war as the Strait of Hormuz is effectively shut and some oil production in the region has been curtailed. We make the assumption in our modelling that the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz will cause oil production in the Middle East (West Asia) to fall further in the coming weeks. We assume this shut-in production will gradually ease as transit through the Strait resumes, the EIA, the primary federal authority in the US for energy statistics, said

India's diamond exporters are boosting rough stone purchases from Antwerp and Africa. The West Asia conflict has disrupted the Dubai trade corridor. Demand for rare white and coloured diamonds is increasing. Investors are turning to these diamonds as a safe investment. India processes most of the world's polished diamonds.

In a strategic shift, India has relaxed its foreign investment regulations, facilitating easier entry for companies from the US, Taiwan, South Korea, and Europe that have minimal Chinese ownership.

India is assessing the diversion of export cargoes stranded by the West Asia crisis to alternative markets. The commerce ministry is seeking details from goods exporters on rerouting options and has also reached out to services exporters to gauge potential risks to trade, including movement restrictions and technology reliance.

India is not banning fuel exports despite global supply issues. Logistical hurdles, contractual obligations with overseas buyers, and tax waivers for export-only refineries are key reasons. Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy are major exporters. China and Thailand have curbed their exports. India aims to avoid adding to global market turbulence. Domestic refiners prefer selling to state retailers for better returns.

India's medical devices industry faces a polypropylene shortage due to the Iran war, causing a sharp price increase of over Rs 55 per kg. This surge, coupled with a deepening gas supply crisis impacting syringe production, threatens small and medium enterprises and overall healthcare delivery.

Indian travellers are increasingly booking domestic holidays for the upcoming summer. Global uncertainties and rising travel costs are driving this trend. Destinations like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the North East are seeing high demand. Travellers are exploring cooler weather and unique experiences. Emerging destinations like Jaisalmer are also gaining popularity. This shift indicates a strong summer for domestic tourism.

India's food and beverages sector faces a severe LPG crisis. Supply disruptions from West Asia are forcing restaurants to close and halt deliveries. Many outlets are reducing menu items to conserve cooking gas. This situation impacts millions of livelihoods and the gig economy. Authorities are reviewing allocations, prioritizing domestic households.

The Delhi High Court is reviewing Hero MotoCorp's challenge to the 'MotorHunk' trademark. Hero MotoCorp claims the mark is too similar to its 'Hunk' brand, potentially confusing customers. Nitin Khanna, founder of MotorHunk, argues the marks are distinct and Hero MotoCorp no longer uses its 'Hunk' mark.

Chinese smartphone makers are moving sales online. OnePlus is telling retailers most stock will be online. Realme has cut its offline sales team. This is to manage rising component costs. Online sales are cheaper than offline. This helps brands offer competitive prices. This shift comes as handset sales are expected to fall.

The steelmaker won a state government auction for the Rengalaberha North-East Extension and Nuagan West iron ore block on Wednesday by offering a 111.15% premium over the base price, they said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended Speaker Om Birla against the Opposition's removal motion, calling it an attack on parliamentary conventions. Shah asserted the Speaker is a neutral custodian and Parliament operates by its rules, not a party's. He also criticized Rahul Gandhi's frequent absences during crucial debates.

Quote of the day by Charles Dickens: His quote on business competition offers a stark view of self-interest. The article explores this quote's meaning, suggesting it can be a critique of selfish behavior. It prompts reflection on ethics and fairness in professional life. Dickens' own life, marked by hardship, shaped his views on social justice.

A job seeker shared a shocking offer on Reddit, revealing that his potential employer wanted him to spend the first weeks learning from a long-time employee and then fire that person within 60 days. The current employee has over ten years of experience and built key systems for the company. Online reactions highlighted the ethical dilemma and warned that such a workplace might not value employees, leaving the new hire with a tough decision about accepting the role.

India has pledged to support global oil markets by taking appropriate measures, aligning with the International Energy Agency's record 400 million barrel oil release. This move aims to stabilize prices that have surged due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which has disrupted India's own energy supplies.

Todays Quote of the Day by Bam Adebayo reflects on how growing up in poverty shaped his drive to succeed. The Miami Heat star shared that although he once did not want to be seen as a below-the-poverty-line kid, he now believes the struggles of living in a trailer helped build his ambition and determination. From difficult beginnings to becoming an NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, Adebayos journey highlights how early hardships played a key role in motivating him to reach the top of profe

The Chief Minister said that nearly seven lakh young people enter the 18-plus age group in Assam every year, which means around 35 lakh youth join the workforce over five years. Society, he said, must collectively address the challenge of providing employment opportunities for this growing population.

IndiGo is restarting flights to nine Middle Eastern cities and some European destinations on March 12, 2026. The airline is working with authorities to ensure safe travel. Passengers should check flight status for any changes. IndiGo is contacting affected customers to arrange new travel plans. The airline is committed to assisting passengers during this evolving situation.

India's relaxed FDI norms for land-bordering countries aim to attract capital and technology while safeguarding interests. Experts highlight the pragmatic balance achieved, with a 60-day expedited approval for specified sectors and clarity on beneficial ownership, fostering supply-chain integration and boosting manufacturing.

As life progresses, friendships often become fewer but deeper, a realization many adults experience. Priorities shift, leading individuals to value loyalty and meaningful connections over a broad social circle. This shift highlights the quality of relationships, emphasizing the importance of nurturing enduring friendships.

Iran's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup is in doubt after the sports minister cited the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and safety concerns, making it impossible to compete. This statement raises significant questions for FIFA as preparations for the expanded 48-team tournament continue, potentially requiring a replacement for the qualified Iranian team.

Tilly Norwood, the AI-generated actress known for sparking Hollywood debate, has released her first music video for the track Take The Lead. The song highlights that AIs not the enemy, its the key, emphasizing how artificial intelligence can collaborate with human creativity. The video combines surreal visuals, humorous nods to Norwoods AI nature, and a large human production team. The release also hints at Norwoods upcoming acting debut and the development of a shared AI universe called the Til

During their talk, Jaishankar and Lavrov focused on the Iran situation and its normalisation. Both nations support SCO and BRICS efforts for de-escalation. They also reviewed bilateral cooperation and upcoming political meetings. This discussion occurred amidst significant Russian oil supplies to India.

Dow Jones today: The Dow Jones today plunged more than 500 points, sending shockwaves across the U.S. stock market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped about 1.1%, while the S&P 500 slipped nearly 0.5% and the Nasdaq Composite declined around 0.3%. The sharp sell-off came after West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude surged nearly 5% to about $87 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed close to $92. Oracle shares surged nearly 910% after the company reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quar

As economic challenges mount, the Russian government is deliberating on a significant 10% cut to discretionary spending. The viability of this proposal largely depends on the trajectory of oil prices in the coming months. While military and social expenditures will enjoy immunity, the Finance Ministry is actively evaluating possible avenues for spending reductions.

The specification will remain open for public comment until April 9, 2026, allowing the industry to provide feedback and support wider adoption. IAB is the global digital advertising technical standard-setting body.

Between 2008 and 2025, India embarked on a journey of nuclear energy expansion, importing significant amounts of uranium for its reactors. This development has catapulted nuclear power generation to new heights. The nation aspires to achieve a formidable 100 GW of nuclear capacity, showcasing projects in progress as well as innovative future plans that incorporate both domestic and global technologies.

ISRO is set to embark on an exciting new chapter in space exploration! With plans for Chandrayaan-4 to bring back lunar samples and Chandrayaan-5 housing a more robust lander with a longer operational timeline, the future looks bright. Additionally, the agency is eyeing a mission to Venus, a groundbreaking Mars landing, and a fully operational space station by 2035.

Iran said Wednesday it was ready for a long war of attrition that would destroy the world economy, after firing on two commercial ships and threatening any vessels from the US or its allies. The US and Israel must consider the possibility that they will be engaged in a long-term war of attrition that will destroy the entire American economy and the world economy, Ali Fadavi, advisor to the Revolutionary Guards' commander-in-chief, told state television.

India's fair trade regulator CCI has dismissed a complaint against IndiGo and Air India. The complaint alleged unfair cancellation charges and market dominance. CCI found no evidence of competition law violations. Refund systems are in place and terms are disclosed. The regulator also rejected a request for a joint investigation into a separate flight cancellation case.