This is Your Thursday Update 1️⃣8️⃣ April

Hello Otter community!

In today’s edition: Is India changing its FDI rules to accommodate Musk’s entry?; Adani is in the news for the right reasons; Lebanon’s attack on Israel; EU to release new sanctions on Iran; Google is slashing its headcout and Tech companies are in experimentation and expansion mode.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

1. US Investors at Peace with Fed, Indian Investors Unfazed: RBI unlikely to cut rates before the Fed; inflation concerns mount. Commodity prices on the rise; interest rates in India to stay high.

2. Musk’s Clout? India opens space sector to offshore investors; Eases FDI rules to attract satellite manufacturing and Launch Vehicle ventures 🛰️🚀 Starlink deal to finalize soon; Musk will meet space-tech founders and ISRO execs during visit

3. Smriti Irani Accuses Congress of 'Institutional Abuse' During 2004-2014: RBI Governor's memoir reveals pressures for 'Rosy Picture' 📚💼 Sparks controversy!

4. #LSElections Congress Makes Unemployment Allegations: Rahul Gandhi criticizes PM Modi for allegedly failing to generate employment; Promises ‘Right to Apprenticeship’ for graduates in UP 🎓👷‍♂️

5. 29 Maoist Rebels Killed in Chhattisgarh Gunbattle Ahead of Indian Elections: Security forces launch raid in Maoist stronghold 🇮🇳🔫

6. Confidence Reaffirmed in Adani: GQG Partners pumps $1 Billion, Stakes surge 33% in Q1! 🚀💰 Defies pessimism and Hindenburg's shadow! 💼💰📈

7. India Shines on Time's 100 Most Influential List 2024! 🌏 ⭐️ Satya Nadella, Sakshi Malik, World Bank president Ajay Banga and actress Alia Bhatt make the cut

THE MARKET MOVEMENT

1. Cement: Adani boosts Ambuja Cements with Rs 8,339 cr infusion, to achieve 140 MTPA capacity by 2028 💰Stake now at 70.3%; Shares rise by 2.3% to Rs 633.2 on NSE; 6-month gain over 43%

2. Auto-Ancillary: Ramkrishna Forgings enters US EV market, signs deal with Tesla 🚗 Shares jump 3%

3. IT: Mastek's shares soar 20% on £1.2 billion UK defense ministry deal, biggest gain since 2021

GEOPOLITICS SPOTLIGHT

1. Israel Under Fire: Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah 🪖 launches retaliatory attack on Israeli military facility; 14 soldiers injured

2. United Against Iran: EU vows to isolate Iran with new sanctions targeting drone and missile manufacturers 🎯 after missile attacks on Israel 🚀

3. IMF Calls for Fiscal Discipline Amidst Global Election Year: IMF urges rebuilding of buffers with 🌍️ 88 countries having national elections in 2024; Warns of budget overruns and high debt as set global growth is expected at 3.2% 🗳️📉

TECH NEXUS

1. Big Tech ‘Restructuring’: Google announces layoffs in finance department amidst cost-cutting to redirect funds to expansion plans; Follows tech industry’s continued job cut trend ✂️ 💼

2. Project Nimbus Protests Lead to Firings: Google fired 28 employees for protesting $1.2 billion Israel AI joint deal with Amazon

3. VerSe Innovation Expands with Magzter Acquisition: Plans to launch Dailyhunt Premium with ad-free experience and Magzter's catalog 🚀📱

4. LinkedIn Quietly Tests new Premium Company Page Subscription: Priced at $99/month, offering AI content creation and follower-boosting tools

5. New Atlas: Boston Dynamics, now owned by Hyundai, introduces a leaner and more agile electric-powered Atlas robot, retiring its hydraulics-powered predecessor 🌟

6. Reddit Unveils Post-IPO Plans: AI-powered features, global expansion, and improved moderator tools 🌐🚀

7. CommentSold Unveils AI ClipHero: A gen-AI tool for creating short product explainer videos from live-streamed footage, enhancing the e-commerce experience 🛍️📹