The Economic Times

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is probing suspicious, well-timed oil futures trades made ahead of major shifts in Donald Trumps Iran policy, amid concerns of potential insider trading.

The military adviser to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Wednesday warned that Iran would sink American ships in the Strait of Hormuz if the United States decided to police the key shipping bottleneck. Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who was named as a military adviser by Khamenei last month, told state TV. These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles and have created a great danger for the US military.

Most US importers who paid $166 billion in tariffs later struck down by the Supreme Court may miss out on refunds because they have not registered for electronic payments, the government told a court.

The Trump administration is shifting its Iran strategy towards economic pressure, threatening secondary sanctions on countries doing business with Tehran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated these moves are the financial equivalent of a bombing campaign, aiming to choke Iran into submission. This escalation targets entities like Chinese banks and warns allies like the UAE, as the U.S.

Search interest in Erika Kirk security threats jumped sharply within hours of her sudden withdrawal. The Turning Point USA CEO canceled her University of Georgia event minutes before appearing with JD Vance. Organizers cited very serious threats. Security teams reacted immediately. Reports mention tracking concerns and potential risk signals. No full details are public yet. Still, officials treated the situation as high priority. This comes months after the death of Charlie Kirk. That history ra

A 1-day delay can now make your return late. The tax return postmark rules 2026 have changed how the IRS reads mailing dates. Many taxpayers still mail returns on April 15. But USPS now applies postmarks at processing centers, not at drop boxes. That means your envelope may get stamped on April 16. The IRS treats that as a late filing. Penalties and interest can start immediately. This shift is real and already affecting filers. The tax return postmark rules 2026 increase risk for last-minute ma

Japanese proverb of the day: Over 70% of leaders now value emotional intelligence over loud confidence. The Japanese proverb of the day A quiet river runs deep explains why. It shows true strength grows silently, not loudly. In todays fast digital world, calm minds perform better. The Japanese proverb of the day A quiet river runs deep highlights patience, depth, and control. People who speak less often think deeper. This wisdom fits modern success trends. It proves real power stays steady, hidd

Over 5% of U.S. households already lack full banking access, and the Trump executive order debanking millions Americans impact could sharply increase that number. The proposal pushes banks to verify citizenship for every account holder. This move directly affects millions with missing or outdated documents. Experts warn sudden account checks may trigger closures. The policy ties to stricter immigration enforcement in 2025. However, critics say it may disrupt legal citizens more than illegal acti

The Iran Red Sea trade threat has intensified sharply, with tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz falling below 10% of its normal daily volume. This is a critical global chokepoint. The crisis is escalating fast. Iran has warned it may expand disruption into the Red Sea and nearby routes. The U.S. blockade ordered by Donald Trump has increased tensions further. Global oil supply is at risk. Shipping costs are rising. Markets are reacting. The Iran Red Sea trade threat now signals deeper in

Rumi's profound wisdom suggests that releasing the ego and its attachments allows us to return to our authentic selves. This Persian saying highlights how pride, insecurity, and social expectations obscure our true nature. By letting go of the constructed self, we reconnect with sincerity, compassion, and inner peace, finding strength not in accumulation but in release.

Gold, silver rates crash fears intensify as prices already dropped sharply. Gold is down over 8%. Silver has plunged more than 16%. This comes during the USIran war. Crude oil now threatens to cross $120 per barrel. This is a critical trigger point. High oil pushes inflation higher. It keeps interest rates elevated. The Federal Reserve stays hawkish. The dollar strengthens further. That reduces bullion demand globally. If this trend continues, gold and silver rates crash risk remains high. Anoth

US airlines have increased checked bag fees, making air travel more expensive for passengers. Major carriers say rising fuel and operating costs are the reason. Experts say these fees will likely stay high or increase further. Travelers now face higher costs unless they use credit cards, loyalty status, or bundle fares that include baggage.

African proverb of the day explains the meaning of the proverb A roaring lion kills no game and why it remains relevant in work culture, leadership, productivity, and personal success. The proverb teaches that talking about plans does not create results, while quiet execution leads to achievement. This explainer shares lessons on action over words, discipline, focus, strategy, and human behavior while highlighting the importance of silent work and real outcomes.

A Latin proverb, 'Aquila non capit muscas,' teaches a timeless lesson. It means the eagle does not catch flies. This ancient wisdom advises people of importance to focus on significant goals. They should avoid getting caught up in petty disputes or minor distractions. This principle remains highly relevant in today's busy world.

The Northern Lights tonight could reach up to 18 U.S. states, driven by rising geomagnetic activity, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Solar wind shifts are pushing the aurora borealis visibility farther south than usual this week. Peak viewing is expected between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Clear, dark skies will boost chances significantly. This rare April 2026 aurora event offers millions a chance to witness vivid green and purple skies without traveling far north.

Quote of the day by Clint Eastwood: His words highlights the importance of knowing when to step away while youre still ahead. It reflects on timing, self-awareness, and protecting success before performance declines. The message offers a simple but powerful reminder about making smart decisions in both life and career moments.

Chinese proverb of the day highlights the meaning of Large chickens dont eat small rice. The saying explains why people with big goals avoid small matters. It shows lessons about focus, success, and human nature. The proverb also connects with other Chinese sayings that teach patience, preparation, and steady growth in daily life and work.

KP Singh, chairman emeritus at leading property developer DLF said the test of prosperity of a country is not GDP but per capita income. India will have the third largest GDP in the world in a year or two. We need the per capita to improve. Singh said India, despite being the most populous country, has one of the lowest rates of urbanisation.

India plans to set up a special NCLT bench with trained members to handle cross-border insolvency cases once new rules under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code are notified. The move, based on a modified UN model law, aims to speed up resolution and improve coordination with foreign courts.

Mehli Mistry, removed from Tata Trusts, has filed a complaint with the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner. He seeks an administrator for the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. Mistry challenges the positions of Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, and Vijay Singh. He alleges procedural violations and conflicts of interest. Mistry previously contested Srinivasan and Singh's roles in another trust.

Amazon is facing a lawsuit over Fire TV Stick devices, with claims that it stopped software updates for older models to push users to buy new ones. Users reported lag, freezing, and device failure after support ended. The case raises concerns about bricking and transparency in tech products. Regulators are also reviewing whether ending updates without clear warning is unfair to consumers.

Noida apparel exporters warn wage hikes and labour unrest may disrupt shipments, as rising costs and pressure from global buyers threaten orders, risking a shift to competing markets like Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Anthropic's rumored Claude Opus 4.7 is poised to revolutionize web design by generating websites and prototypes from simple text prompts. This potential shift has already impacted design-focused stocks like Figma and Adobe, as investors anticipate AI-driven automation in the creative space. The new model could democratize design, allowing non-technical users to build digital products with ease.

Missing the April 15 deadline in 2026 can cost you up to 25% in penalties alone. The 2026 tax penalties cost late filing starts at 5% per month on unpaid taxes. Even one day late can trigger charges. Interest begins immediately and compounds daily near 7%. Costs rise faster than most expect. If you dont file taxes in 2026, the IRS adds both penalties and interest together. Filing late is more expensive than paying late. Acting early reduces total tax debt and protects your finances from rapid es

Fed interest rate decision April 2026: As the Federal Reserve's April 28-29 meeting looms, interest rates are expected to hold steady for a third consecutive time. Officials are navigating inflation risks from the Iran war against economic uncertainty. Added scrutiny surrounds Chair Jerome Powell's potential exit and the political hurdles facing his successor.

Arvind Kejriwal has filed an additional affidavit seeking Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's recusal from the Delhi excise policy case. He cited that the justice's son and daughter are empanelled as central government counsels, assigned work by the solicitor general who appeared for the CBI. This, Kejriwal argued, creates a reasonable apprehension of bias and a conflict of interest.

Amit Shah is intensifying the BJPs election campaign in West Bengal, focusing on booth-level strategy across five organisational divisions. He is holding night review meetings with party workers to assess feedback, resolve issues, and streamline campaign planning as part of the partys broader electoral push.

Enforcement Directorate arrested two former Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group executives. Amitabh Jhunjhunwala and Amit Bapna face money laundering charges. The agency alleges a scheme to divert public money from Reliance Home Finance and Reliance Commercial Finance. Shell companies were allegedly used to siphon funds.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is aiming for a clean sweep in Madurai despite criticism over civic issues such as infrastructure, drainage, and sanitation. In Madurai Central, IT Minister P. T. R. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan faces a high-profile contest against filmmaker Sundar C, amid a multi-cornered fight involving emerging parties and vote-splitting dynamics that could influence the outcome.

UAE Vice President and Deputy Premier Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone call with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran, during which they discussed regional developments and ways to de-escalate tensions in the region, according to a statement released by the WAM news agency.

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu fully backs the proposed delimitation bill and women's reservation, emphasizing the need to delink seats from population figures. He believes the Centre's formula is scientific and will lead to increased representation. Naidu also plans to incentivize larger families and launch a women-centric brand, while advocating for a socio-economic caste census.

A Persian proverb,  ke az sar gozasht, che yek vajb che sad vajb, highlights how once a situation becomes uncontrollable, the exact degree of severity becomes irrelevant. This profound saying speaks to modern life's constant crises, emphasizing that when overwhelmed, distinctions in difficulty blur, reflecting a deep human perception of crisis.

INDIA bloc leaders will oppose a key bill in Parliament. The bill proposes increasing Lok Sabha seats through delimitation for women's reservation from 2029. Opposition parties support women's reservation but oppose the delimitation formula. They believe it is politically motivated and harms federalism, especially for southern states. The government faces a vote challenge.

With Nitish Kumar stepping down as Chief Minister, Bihar is entering a new political phase that strengthens the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party within the NDA alliance. His exit raises questions over the future of the Nitish model of caste balance and welfare-driven governance, particularly his outreach to women and backward communities. While the BJP-led government under Samrat Choudhary is expected to continue key policies, the JD(U)s influence is likely to shift toward organisational conso

The Israeli military has periodically issued warnings urging residents to flee wide swathes of southern Lebanon as it targets the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, but tens of thousands of people have stayed - either because they don't want to leave their homes or because they have nowhere to go.

Social Security COLA for 2027 may be around 2.8% as inflation rises again. Higher oil prices are making daily things expensive, which affects retirees the most. Even if benefits increase, it may not be enough to cover basic needs. Many people on fixed income could still struggle as living costs keep going up slowly.

Tamil Nadus welfare model has expanded into a competitive freebie-driven system, with parties like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam offering cash transfers and subsidies to woo voters, raising concerns over rising debt and fiscal sustainability.

Delimitation a historic injustice against southern states, says TN CM

New Delhi is set to redraw Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies using the 2011 Census. However, seat allocation among states will not change. Parliament will decide on a uniform increase in total seats, maintaining the current inter-state balance. This move aims to address concerns about political weight shifting. The expansion is linked to women's reservation, potentially increasing women MPs significantly.

China deep-sea cable cutter test at 3,500 meters is now a proven capability. Over 95% of global internet traffic moves through submarine cables. Most lie at 1,500 to 4,000 meters. China has now tested a deep-sea cable cutter at 3,500 meters. This is the same critical zone. The system uses an electro-hydrostatic actuator. It blends electric power with hydraulic force and precision control. It can cut armored undersea cables under extreme pressure. China began this work around 2024. It reached rea