Action

• Indian equity markets closed sharply lower on Wednesday, with the Sensex dropping 183 points and the Nifty declining by 0.52%. • Gains in the banking and metals sectors were offset by a downturn in IT stocks, which weakened due to emerging visa concerns. • The market reversal highlights a shift toward caution, with technical signals suggesting that trading will remain range-bound in the short term.

• Brent crude oil prices have declined for three consecutive days, dropping to approximately $86.7 per barrel, the lowest level seen in two weeks. • The downward trend began on Monday following details released by USTS Bessent regarding "Operation Economic Outcast." • This shift is significant as it signals a U.S. strategic preference for applying economic pressure over military re-escalation.

US labels group ‘global terrorist’ as its legal challenge against proscription in UK nears supreme court hearingThe US ⁠has ​issued sanctions against ⁠the UK-based direct action organisation Palestine ⁠Action, describing it as a “transnational terror group”.The US Department of the Treasury labelled Palestine Action a specially designated global terrorist on Wednesday, which allows the US to freeze the assets of foreign individuals and entities. Continue reading...

Commissioner Virginia Bell resists push to extend antisemitism inquiry noting need for timely recommendationsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCommissioner Virginia Bell says she will delay – by four days – handing down her final report into antisemitism and social cohesion, in order not to distract from commemorations of the Bondi terror attack.On Wednesday, the last day of public hearings of the royal commission, Bell resisted a public push to extend the commission’s work. Continue reading...

• Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Tuesday after reversing early losses, despite experiencing sharp volatility during the first expiry day following the launch of the closing auction session. • Market performance was mixed, with healthcare and financial stocks leading gains while broader market breadth remained cautious. • Key points of interest for Wednesday include analysis from Aswath Damodaran on why major firms like Reliance and L&T are pursuing aggressive acquisition strategies.

• UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher briefed the Security Council, warning that Sudan is suffering from a critical "lack of action" regarding its humanitarian crisis. • The relief effort is currently supported by ten major donors, with the United States providing nearly half of the total funding. • Other key contributors include the EU, Africa Development Bank, UK, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, and Norway.

• US Treasury Secretary Bessent declined to announce secondary sanctions against Iran's trading partners and financial institutions during a recent press conference. • While Bessent unveiled new sanctions targeting specific individuals, entities, and vessels, he issued a final warning instead of the broader measures expected. • The decision falls significantly short of the "economic D-Day" that analysts and markets had anticipated prior to the announcement.