The Economic Times

Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq today April 1: Stocks surged on Wednesday, led by major tech companies, as optimism grew regarding a potential end to the US conflict with Iran. Major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed higher, influenced by President Trump's comments on de-escalation and a potential US military withdrawal. Oil prices fell as tensions eased, while airline stocks gained.

Wayne State fire: A fire erupted on the 11th floor of Wayne State University's historic Maccabees Building on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a swift evacuation. Officials confirmed no injuries were reported as fire crews quickly contained and extinguished the blaze, which is believed to have originated from an HVAC unit. Water damage was reported on several upper floors.

Gen X retirement savings are under pressure as many near retirement with less money than needed. Rising inflation, late saving, and economic shocks made it harder to build large 401(k) balances. Experts say boosting contributions, investing for growth, and delaying retirement can help. Many Gen X workers are now trying to catch up before retirement.

Advances in DNA technology have officially linked Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of Utah teen Laura Ann Aime. While Bundy had confessed to her killing, authorities lacked sufficient evidence for independent confirmation until now. Aime disappeared after a Halloween party and her body was found weeks later, with recent forensic analysis solidifying the connection to the notorious serial killer.

Who is Lindsey Buckingham, and what is his net worth, wife and children details? The former Fleetwood Mac guitarist was targeted in a stalking incident in Santa Monica where a suspect threw an unknown substance before fleeing. This explainer details the police investigation, his $150 million net worth, career milestones, catalog sale, lawsuit with Fleetwood Mac, real estate deals, marriage to Kristen Messner, and information about his three children and family life.

Trump announcement today: President Trump is set to address the nation amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict, now in its second month. Shifting signals from the administration have left the war's direction uncertain, with Trump suggesting both escalation and a potential end. Rising gas prices and economic impacts are being felt domestically due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

India Inc seeks clarity on General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) for payments to foreign entities after a Supreme Court ruling. The government offered partial relief on GAAR for old stock investments, but companies want assurance against tax officials invoking GAAR on dividends, interest, and royalties.

Artemis II crew: Artemis II will mark a major step in space exploration, sending four astronauts around the Moon on a 10-day mission. Led by Reid Wiseman, the crew includes Victor J. Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. The mission will test deep-space systems and pave the way for future lunar landings and Mars exploration.

Actor and TVK chief Vijay will file his nomination papers for the Tiruchirappalli (East) assembly constituency on April 2. This marks a significant electoral contest in central Tamil Nadu. Vijay is also contesting from Perambur in Chennai. His campaign plans include public addresses at key city locations. Concerns have been raised regarding police restrictions on campaign activities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a crucial meeting to tackle challenges in key sectors like agriculture and logistics. The government is boosting coordination with states to ensure essential supplies and combat misinformation. Efforts are underway to diversify energy sources and secure supply chains. Measures are in place to maintain stable prices and availability of commodities for citizens.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused the ruling TMC and other parties of exploiting West Bengal's Muslims for votes without ensuring their development. Addressing a rally, Owaisi urged the community to elect leaders from within to secure economic progress and political representation.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seeking US waivers to import fuel from Russia. This move follows India's similar request. The Iran war has disrupted global energy markets, impacting developing nations. Bangladesh plans to import diesel. Sri Lanka also approached Russia for energy sourcing. Discussions are underway for bilateral energy cooperation.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of plotting to incite violence in the state. He stated that the DMK government has successfully thwarted these alleged conspiracies. Stalin highlighted the peaceful environment and effective governance under the DMK's rule, which he claims is attracting investments.

The IRS Fresh Start program helps taxpayers manage tax debt but does not erase everything. It makes it easier to apply for payment plans, settlements and lien relief. Eligibility depends on income, assets and tax compliance. Not everyone qualifies and approval is not automatic. Taxpayers must apply with documents, and the IRS decides based on ability to pay and financial situation.

The BJP's outreach to Kerala's Christian community faces a hurdle. A proposed amendment to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act has sparked concerns. Church leaders and opposition parties allege the bill targets charitable work. BJP leaders deny this, stating the law ensures transparency. The controversy arises as the BJP fields Christian candidates in the region.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused the BJP government in Assam of exploiting women-focused schemes. She claims women are compelled to attend party rallies, facing threats of removal from beneficiary lists. Gandhi Vadra also highlighted stagnant wages for tea garden workers and unfulfilled promises of Scheduled Tribe status for tribal communities.

US recession fears 2026: Soaring gas prices are fueling worries of a US recession, with economists citing a nearly 50% chance within a year. Elevated oil costs, exacerbated by the Iran conflict, are squeezing consumer budgets, potentially leading to reduced spending, job cuts, and further economic pressure. Experts advise building emergency funds and managing finances proactively.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies in Assam, criticizing Congress for a divisive law and promising development. He emphasized the BJP's commitment to protecting tribal traditions and implementing the Uniform Civil Code. Modi highlighted Assam's progress in the hydrocarbon sector and plans for job creation and infrastructure investment.

India's Census 2027 has commenced with Phase I, the Houselisting and Housing Census. This significant undertaking introduces digital data capture and a self-enumeration option for citizens. President Murmu, Vice-President Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Modi have initiated the process. The self-enumeration facility is now active in eight States and Union Territories, with many households already participating.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has released the Deportation Manual 2026. This manual provides guidelines to states and Union Territories for managing illegal migrants. It covers prevention, detection, movement restrictions, and deportation. The procedures are also shared with border forces and immigration bureaus.

The Trinamool Congress has written to Chief Justice Sujay Paul. They want judicial officers to record rejection reasons in supplementary lists. This will help appellants address issues. The party also seeks a decentralised system for filing appeals. This aims to make the process easier for many voters. Trinamool also requested the Chief Justice to publish notification for offline appeals soon.

Chime down and when will popular mobile banking app be back up? Thousands of users report a Chime outage today with login failures, frozen screens, and Chime server error messages. Many are asking is Chime down right now, is the Chime app down, and how to fix Chime not working issues. This report tracks Chime outage updates, explains Chime outage users issues, and shares what to expect as Chime works to

Biju Patnaik's strategic vision challenged India's non-alignment policy during critical national security moments. His approach involved seeking US collaboration for defense, a move that proved crucial after the 1962 China war. Patnaik's legacy includes the formation of the Special Frontier Force and facilitating US intelligence sharing, influencing India's defense strategies even today.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the Supreme Court's observation on the Supplementary list of electors. She stated her efforts resulted in 22 lakh names being added and 18 lakh deleted. Banerjee warned of future NRC implementation and detention camps. She urged people to remain vigilant during polling and counting.

A nationwide general strike, dubbed General Strike 2026, is scheduled for April 5, aiming to exert economic pressure for significant change. Organizers are calling for mass disruption, urging Americans to avoid work and school, boycott major companies, and limit spending to impact large corporations and bolster local businesses.

The United States has deployed the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), signaling a shift toward affordable drone warfare. Backed by U.S. Central Command, with Admiral Brad Cooper calling it indispensable, LUCAS reflects lessons from Ukraines drone-heavy conflicts. Costing about $35,000 and capable of long-range strikes, it offers a cheaper alternative to missiles, highlighting a growing emphasis on scalable, low-cost combat systems.

The Supreme Court has permitted appellate tribunals in West Bengal to accept new evidence from individuals removed from voter lists. These documents must be verified for authenticity. The Election Commission of India has notified 19 appellate tribunals. Judicial officers are adjudicating claims and objections, with pending matters expected to be cleared by April 7.

The Election Commission of India has changed its rules on party symbols. This benefits alliance partners in upcoming state elections. Parties like AMMK in Tamil Nadu, Twenty20 in Kerala, and ISF in West Bengal can now keep their common symbols. The new rule requires only 1% vote share in one of the last two elections.

Shipments averaged 3.33 million barrels a day during the month, tanker tracking data show. The drop would have been much bigger if Saudi Arabia hadn't been able to divert crude to export terminals on the Red Sea.

Career advice of the day by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei: Over 40% of routine office work is now at risk from AI disruption in 2026, making the career advice of the day by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei more relevant than ever. He warns that learning replaceable skills is no longer enough. The real edge is learning how to work with AI, guide it, and think beyond it. This shift is already visible across tech, finance, and healthcare jobs. Traditional safe careers are evolving fast. The smartest profess

President Trump publicly chided his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, during a briefing. He stated she was doing a terrible job handling his press coverage. Trump complained about receiving 97 percent negative press, which he labeled as fake. He questioned Leavitt's performance in managing public perception. This incident follows previous criticisms of her team's work.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh alleged that God was not secure in Kerala, accusing the ruling LDF of betraying Lord Ayyappa over gold loss cases. He also criticized both LDF and UDF for corruption, dividing society, and economic mismanagement, citing alleged gold smuggling and money laundering links to the CM's family.

Eli Lilly (LLY) stock today: Eli Lilly's stock surged over 5% following the US FDA's approval of its new oral weight-loss drug, Foundayo. This marks a significant expansion for Lilly in the lucrative obesity market. Clinical trials showed substantial weight loss, and the drug's accessible pricing strategy is expected to boost its adoption, strengthening Lilly's portfolio.

California may face fuel price rises after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz. Oil shipments dropped sharply, creating fears of shortages. Experts say West Coast supply is more at risk due to heavy Middle East dependence and refinery closures. Asia is hit harder, but U.S. costs may still increase. Even if shipping resumes, normal supply could take weeks to return.

Where will SpaceX IPO get listed, and how will largest stock market listing affect CEO Elon Musk net worth? SpaceX has confidentially filed for a US IPO that may value the company above $1.75 trillion and raise more than $50 billion. The expected Nasdaq listing could revive the IPO market, reshape space and AI investments, increase public investor access to SpaceX, and significantly influence Elon Musk net worth and global stock market trends.

NASA Artemis 2 launch live telecast will be available on YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and others. Check lauch time, other key information.

In an order on Wednesday, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered its director general (DG) to investigate if the groups business practices adversely impact competition in the market and submit a report in 90 days.

Eva Longorias quote Goals focus you, but dreams have power reflects the balance between structure and imagination in personal growth. Goals bring clarity, discipline, and direction by turning ambitions into measurable steps, while dreams provide emotional energy, inspiration, and long-term vision. Together, they create a complete path to success, where imagination fuels motivation and goals transform it into reality.

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas sparked outrage by suggesting most people dislike their jobs, implying AI-driven layoffs offer entrepreneurial opportunities. Critics slammed his remarks as insensitive, highlighting the financial hardship of job loss and the necessity of employment for stability. While some agree AI boosts productivity, many decry the perceived disregard for workers' struggles.

Delhi Capitals secured a six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants. Sameer Rizvi's unbeaten 70 guided DC to the target. Earlier, pacers Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan took three wickets each. LSG were bowled out for 141. DC chased the total with 17 balls remaining. Tristan Stubbs also contributed with a valuable unbeaten 39.

Iran war: Instead of crushing Iran's theocratic rulers, it could leave them stronger, emboldened by surviving weeks of U.S.-Israeli attacks, firing on Arab Gulf states and rattling global energy markets by effectively shutting the Strait of Hormuz.

Americans reducing retirement savings is emerging as a serious warning sign in 2026. New data shows contributions dropped to 8.9%, down from 9.2% a year earlier. That signals rising financial stress. Many workers are cutting 401(k) contributions to manage daily expenses. Nearly one in four reduced retirement savings last year. More people are also taking loans from retirement accounts. This reflects a growing affordability crisis. Middle-income households feel the biggest pressure. Experts warn

Bollywood star Varun Dhawan shared insights into his humble beginnings. He spoke of a childhood rich in love but modest in wealth, recalling auto commutes and household budget cuts when his father David Dhawan's films faltered. David Dhawan's journey from editor to successful director is highlighted.

Horoscope 2026 suggests that these six dates could mark defining moments for all zodiac signs. While some periods may bring challenges or uncertainty, others offer opportunities for growth, healing and transformation.

Global financial bodies are uniting to tackle the Middle East conflict's fallout. The International Energy Agency, IMF, and World Bank will coordinate responses to energy and economic shocks. This group will assess impacts, coordinate aid, and mobilize support for affected nations. Higher prices for oil, gas, and fertilizers are already a concern, impacting food security and global supply chains.

What is Muskonomy, and why is SpaceX IPO the largest ever in history? SpaceX IPO explained as Elon Musk prepares to take SpaceX public in a listing that could raise over $50 billion and value the company above $1.75 trillion, surpassing past records including the Saudi Aramco IPO and reshaping investment across space, AI, satellites, and global financial markets.