Motilal Oswal Profit Rises, But Future Outlook Worries

WhatsApp has introduced advanced chat privacy features to help users protect their personal information and conversations. With growing concerns about unauthorized access and spam invites, users can easily enable settings to secure their chats. Key features include preventing chat exports, controlling who can add you to groups, and muting calls from unknown numbers. Additionally, users can send photos or videos that disappear after being viewed once, ensuring sensitive content remains private. These features empower WhatsApp users to take control of their privacy and enjoy a safer messaging experience.

Anant's brief chat with Mukesh Ambani sparked curiosity when he asked, “What does it take to be successful?” Ambani's answer was simple yet powerful: “Focus, delegate, and diversify.” This wisdom resonated with many, especially in the business world, highlighting the importance of clarity in success. Anant shared the interaction online, and it quickly gained attention, receiving over 2,000 likes. Comments praised Ambani's insights, with users calling it “timeless wisdom” and “inspiring.” This exchange not only reflects Ambani’s philosophy but also motivates others to streamline their efforts for better success.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has released a new action plan for 2025-26, setting a bold target of ₹25.20 lakh crore for the Income Tax department. This plan includes detailed strategies to improve tax collection, such as analyzing sectors with poor tax payments and encouraging taxpayers to reassess their advance tax obligations. The department aims to tackle incorrect claims on deductions that lead to revenue losses and focus on areas with low tax collection. Additionally, it plans to educate taxpayers about filing returns correctly and issue faster refunds to minimize budget impacts.

India is taking a strong stance against financial support for Pakistan from international banks following a recent terror attack in Kashmir. A senior government official stated that India will directly engage with multilateral development banks like the World Bank and the IMF to express concerns about funding that may support terrorism. The government aims to address this issue in upcoming meetings of these banks, especially as the IMF plans to review its financial aid to Pakistan. With significant loans already issued to Pakistan, India is determined to ensure that financial assistance does not contribute to terrorist activities.

Rishabh Pant’s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced a tough 37-run defeat against Punjab Kings, marking their sixth loss this season. Despite this setback, LSG still has a chance to make it to the IPL 2025 playoffs with three matches left to play. It's a crucial moment for the team; they need to win all their remaining games to secure a top-four finish. However, even winning all three might not be enough due to the fierce competition this season. To enhance their chances, LSG may need to achieve big victories to boost their net run rate.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajasthan made a significant arrest on May 4, capturing MLA Jaikrishn Patel of the Bharat Adivasi Party for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20 lakh. He was caught 'red-handed' while attempting to drop three questions in the state Assembly related to mines owned by a complainant. Patel had previously contested elections and received considerable support. The complainant managed to convince Patel to meet in Jaipur to deliver the bribe. ACB officials were alerted and arrested Patel just after the cash was handed over. The incident raises serious concerns about corruption in politics.

Tensions between India and Pakistan are escalating, prompting the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to hold a closed meeting today. This comes after Pakistan requested an emergency session following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The meeting will include the five permanent members with veto power, along with ten non-permanent members. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need to bring those responsible for the attack to justice. The situation remains delicate, and further actions may be expected soon as discussions continue.

OpenAI is on a winning streak with its ChatGPT, recently surpassing X (formerly Twitter) in monthly page views. In just 28 days, ChatGPT racked up 4.786 billion views, outshining X's 4.028 billion. This remarkable shift began in March when ChatGPT consistently beat X daily. OpenAI's efforts come as rumors swirl about launching its own social media platform aimed at improving content sharing while gaining real-time user data. Meanwhile, X, owned by Elon Musk, has been merging with Musk's AI company, xAI Holdings, to enhance its app with new AI features.

Gold prices are on the rise due to a weaker US dollar and ongoing trade discussions that have not yet produced clear outcomes. On Monday, gold rates opened higher at ₹93,249 per 10 grams, reaching an intraday peak of ₹93,340 shortly after. Experts attribute this increase to recent shifts in US-China tariff policies and a more lenient approach by US President Trump towards the Federal Reserve, which is boosting demand for gold as a safe investment. However, uncertainty remains, and while the market is volatile, gold is expected to trade between ₹92,000 and ₹94,500 in the coming days.

Falling crude oil prices are a blessing for India, which imports around 85% of its oil. Industries like paint, that depend on crude, will see lower costs and better profits. Recently, crude prices dropped nearly 4% after OPEC+ announced a production increase of 411,000 barrels per day starting in June. This production boost aims to penalize those exceeding their quotas and could lead to a surplus by November. Despite concerns about a slowing global economy, this decrease in oil prices can lead to more affordable products for consumers in India.

After a troubling incident, Sai Rajesh shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, which later made its way to Reddit. He questioned Babil Khan's team, expressing frustration over their attitude and the lack of respect shown to those who supported Babil. Sai pointed out that while Babil praised several well-known artists, it seemed that only they were valued. Babil himself shared his struggles in Bollywood through emotional Instagram stories, even deleting and then reinstating his account on the same day. This situation highlights the pressures faced by young actors in the film industry.

The State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest bank, has lowered its loan growth target for the financial year 2026 from 14-16% to 12-13%. This decision comes as the bank faces uncertainties related to tariffs, impacting overall economic conditions. In the last quarter, SBI's profit after tax fell 10% to ₹18,643 crore. Despite these challenges, the bank's corporate loan book has expanded, and net profit for the fiscal year increased by 16.08% to ₹70,901 crore. SBI is also raising equity capital of up to ₹25,000 crore to support its growth strategies.

Traveling this summer? Consider leaving your personal phone at home! An increasing number of travelers are using burner phones to protect sensitive information from border searches. The U.S. government has the right to inspect personal electronics, and last year, nearly 43,000 searches were conducted. While most travelers aren't affected, those with sensitive data might want to consider alternatives. Cybersecurity experts suggest backing up data and using a passcode instead of biometrics. For the most cautious travelers, a burner phone with only essential apps is a smart choice to keep personal information safe during your journey.

Anant Ambani is stepping into his new role as Executive Director of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) starting May 1. This appointment is part of the Ambani family's plan to hand over leadership to the next generation at India's biggest business group. Previously a Non-Executive Director, Anant will now take on more responsibilities, focusing on energy and sustainability projects, including clean fuels and carbon capture technologies. Recently, Reliance reported a record revenue of ₹1,071,174 crore, highlighting strong growth in consumer-focused sectors. With ambitious goals for net-zero emissions by 2035, Anant's leadership is crucial for the company's future.

In San Francisco, a startup called World is introducing a unique way to verify human identity online through a device called the Orb. Users can scan their irises to receive a digital ID and cryptocurrency called Worldcoin, which they can use or trade. This initiative aims to tackle the growing issue of distinguishing between real people and AI bots in online interactions. While the concept has gained traction in developing countries, it faces challenges in privacy and skepticism, especially in the U.S. Some see it as a bold solution, while others worry about data security.

The Perplexity WhatsApp bot is an innovative tool designed to enhance communication by fact-checking messages, decoding videos, and creating shareable media like memes. It aims to help users, especially senior citizens, verify the accuracy of information they receive. Users can simply forward any message, including texts and images, to the bot, which checks claims against real-time web data. Currently supporting 20 Indian languages, the bot faces challenges, especially in group chats, but shows promise in preventing scams targeting vulnerable individuals. As it evolves, improving language support will be essential to reach more users in India.

Lamborghini sees India as a future key market in the Asia Pacific region, with impressive triple-digit growth year-on-year. The brand's regional director, Francesco Scardaoni, highlights India's rapid economic growth but notes that infrastructure still needs improvement. While sales are lower than in other APAC markets, Lamborghini is considering opening a fourth showroom, focusing on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Scardaoni acknowledges the challenges posed by India's infrastructure but is optimistic about the growing racetrack culture, which can enhance supercar enjoyment. He also emphasizes the importance of monitoring global tariff situations and geopolitical tensions that might influence market sentiment.

India has taken a significant step in response to rising tensions with Pakistan by banning Pakistani ships from its ports and preventing Indian vessels from going to Pakistan. This decision, effective immediately, aims to protect Indian maritime interests and ensure the safety of assets. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) issued this directive under the Merchant Shipping Act, highlighting that it applies solely to ships bearing the flags of India and Pakistan. While maritime trade between these two nations has been limited due to strained relations, this ban is part of a broader strategy following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The enforcement will be managed through port agents, and while the impact may be minimal, it signals a tough stance amidst ongoing conflicts.