Chinese state-owned refiners have started considering purchases of Iranian crude following a US waiver that allows the sale of some oil already loaded onto tankers, aimed at curbing price spikes caused by the West Asia conflict, according to sources familiar with the matter. Representatives from the National Iranian Oil Company and intermediary traders have also discreetly approached potential buyers among these and other Asian refiners. The sources spoke anonymously because the discussions are private.
Iran used to be a major supplier to Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan before US sanctions tightened. China remains Tehran’s most significant customer, providing essential financial support, though smaller private refiners typically handle these purchases due to lower exposure to global markets. Large state-owned companies have largely avoided Iranian crude, wary of potential US sanctions.
The US Treasury’s recent one-month waiver on seaborne Iranian oil mirrors similar measures taken to ease access to Russian oil, as the White House seeks to relieve supply shortages and stabilize global prices. While the waiver theoretically expands the pool of potential buyers, new entrants in China and elsewhere are carefully evaluating how to navigate purchases amid ongoing restrictions, including limits on Iran’s access to the international financial system. Another challenge is securing compliant shipping capable of transporting Iranian barrels.
Shipowners unfamiliar with Iranian crude are awaiting further guidance and have voiced concerns about potential hidden sanctions risks when dealing with intermediaries in the market, according to Karnan Thirupathy, sanctions expert and partner at Kennedys Law LLP. “There is significant uncertainty about the trade and about what will happen after April 19 if transactions are not completed,” Thirupathy said.
Even experienced intermediaries in the sanctioned oil sector are closely reviewing the waiver’s details to ensure compliance and avoid penalties, the sources added. Without clear guidance, the buyers of the already loaded seaborne oil are unlikely to change. The price of Iranian crude sold to China has already risen. Iranian Light crude is now being offered at a small premium to ICE Brent as suppliers gauge market demand, compared to discounts exceeding $10 per barrel last month.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Rekha Gupta on Monday unveiled a statue of Bhagat Singh and inaugurated a restored “Historic Courtroom” linked to the revolutionary at the Registrar Cooperative Society office on Parliament Street, marking Shaheed Diwas. She was joined by other Delhi ministers, who paid tribute to Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar, honoring their sacrifices for the nation.
Speaking at the event, Gupta described the day as a moment of pride, noting that March 23 serves as a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of young freedom fighters who gave their lives for India’s independence. She also emphasized the historical importance of the site, stating that it was where the trial of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev took place after the Assembly bomb incident, adding that the premises still retain much of their original character and should be visited by every Indian.
The Chief Minister also commended Minister Ravindra Indra and officials involved in restoring the site for presenting the legacy of “Shaheed-e-Azam” Bhagat Singh in a renewed form. Reaffirming respect for the martyrs, she said the nation would always remember their sacrifice. Delhi minister Ravinder Indraj Singh highlighted the significance of the location, recalling that it once echoed with the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” and served as the venue for Bhagat Singh's trial. He noted that the statue would help educate people, especially the youth, about the revolutionary’s life. The initiative was carried out under the leadership of the Chief Minister and PWD Minister Parvesh Verma.
Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru were prominent revolutionaries who were executed by British authorities on March 23, 1931, in Lahore Jail. Their sacrifice is commemorated every year as Shaheed Diwas, in remembrance of their role in the Lahore Conspiracy Case and the killing of British officer John Saunders in 1928.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Amazon is reportedly working on a new smartphone project more than ten years after discontinuing its first attempt. Reuters reports that the device, internally called “Transformer,” is being developed within Amazon’s devices and services division. The focus is on creating a more personalized mobile experience closely integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem. The launch date is not yet known, and the project could be canceled depending on strategic or financial considerations.
The new device is being designed as a mobile hub centered around Alexa, aiming to unify multiple services into a single experience. It is expected to simplify activities like shopping on Amazon, streaming content via Prime Video, listening to Prime Music, and ordering food through partners such as Grubhub.
A major focus of the project is leveraging artificial intelligence for deeper personalization, potentially reducing reliance on traditional app stores. Users may be able to access services directly without installing multiple apps. While Alexa will be central to the experience, it may not function as the device’s primary operating system. The project aligns with Jeff Bezos’ long-standing vision of a voice-driven assistant accessible throughout the day.
Amazon first entered the smartphone market in 2014 with the Fire Phone, overseen by Bezos. It aimed to integrate shopping and Amazon services into the core experience but failed commercially and was discontinued within a year. The Transformer project represents Amazon’s renewed effort in the smartphone space, this time with a stronger emphasis on AI-driven personalization and deeper integration with its ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, remembering him as a remarkable thinker and a leading advocate for social justice. Describing Lohia as a multifaceted personality, the Prime Minister emphasized his key role in mobilizing the public against colonial rule and his significant contributions to India’s development after 1947.
PM Modi noted that Lohia’s steadfast dedication to empowering the poor and marginalized continues to inspire generations. He highlighted that Lohia’s ideas on gender equality and participatory governance remain highly relevant today. On X, he tweeted, “Tributes to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Ji on his birth anniversary. A multifaceted personality, he played a pivotal role in mobilizing people against colonial rule and later contributed to India’s progress post-1947. An outstanding thinker and a foremost voice of social justice, his unwavering commitment to empowering the poor and marginalized continues to inspire generations. His insights on gender equality and participatory governance are equally noteworthy.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute via social media, stating, “On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, eminent socialist thinker, and pioneer of ‘Sapta Kranti’, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, humble tributes. His dedication to social justice, equality, and the national language Hindi will forever inspire us to build a strong and self-reliant India.” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other Parliament members offered floral tributes to Lohia in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.
Lohia was an active participant in India’s Independence movement and a prominent socialist leader, associated with the Praja Socialist Party and later the Samyukta Socialist Party. In 1962, he contested against former PM Jawaharlal Nehru from Phulpur but lost. He later won a bye-election in 1963 from Farukkhabad and was elected again in 1967 from Kannauj.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Delhi’s per capita income at current prices is projected to reach Rs 5,31,610 in 2025-26, growing 7.92% over 2024-25, according to the economic survey presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. This is about 2.5 times the national average. Delhi’s GSDP at current prices is estimated at Rs 13,27,055 crore, a 9.42% increase over the previous year. The 2025-26 budget is Rs 1,00,000 crore, with Rs 59,300 crore for government schemes, up from Rs 39,000 crore in 2024-25. The revenue surplus is budgeted at Rs 9,661.31 crore (0.73% of GSDP), while fiscal deficit rises to Rs 13,703 crore due to capital expenditure doubling to Rs 28,115 crore. Tax revenue, covering 68.7% of expenditure, is expected to grow 15.54%, largely from GST and VAT (71.3%). The service sector dominates Delhi’s economy, contributing 86.32% to GVA, followed by the secondary (12.88%) and primary sectors (0.80%). At constant prices, GSDP is projected at Rs 7,76,479 crore, up 8.53%.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Journalist and author of The Lasting Harm, Lucia Osborne-Crowley, discusses the grooming strategies used by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Speaking to Annie Kelly, Lucia emphasizes that Epstein isn’t unique or mysterious. “Viewing him as special distracts from the reality,” she says. “There are many others like him. These abuses occur in communities and institutions worldwide, following the same patterns repeatedly.”
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In Destination Anywhere, Melanie Oliveiro explores Jewel Changi Airport, where visitors can admire a wall mural by local multimedia artist Priscilla Tey alongside the historic Porsche 956 in its iconic blue-and-white Rothmans livery. Tey and Yannick Ott, Marketing Director at Porsche Asia Pacific, share the story behind their collaboration and explain how the mural blends Year of the Horse motifs with Porsche’s motorsport heritage and design. They also point out hidden “Easter eggs” in the artwork and showcase the exclusive limited-edition merchandise available to fans.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Southeast Asia’s largest conglomerates have traditionally been viewed as the backbone of the region’s economy. However, a recent report by global consulting firm Bain & Company indicates that this model is facing significant challenges. Specialized competitors are encroaching on their markets, and many of these corporate giants are finding it hard to stay competitive. The question now is whether Asia’s major conglomerates need to reinvent themselves — and if they can. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss this with Amanda Chin, Partner at Bain & Company.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has been earning substantial income by sending paid personalized videos on Cameo. Over five years, he has made at least £374,893 from these recordings, often producing several videos per day. While many use Cameo for lighthearted messages, an investigation of over 4,000 of Farage’s videos revealed concerning content. Some videos included endorsements of neo-Nazi events, repetition of extremist slogans, and references to antisemitic conspiracies. He even made a £155 video for a man reportedly sentenced to 16 months for participating in a far-right riot. Farage also made misogynistic remarks about left-wing politicians, including a comment about US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A spokesperson for Reform UK emphasized that these videos were informal, not political statements, and that Farage opposes extremism and political violence. They also noted that occasional mistakes are inevitable given the volume of videos he records. Investigations correspondent Henry Dyer told Helen Pidd that the videos reveal what Farage is willing to say or do for money — raising questions about the judgment of someone who aspires to be prime minister.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
