Bharat: Trump's next target & Uber's white number plate chaos
EXPLAINED
Welcome to Monday, where world leaders throw tantrums, startups shake up industries, and Uber decides traffic laws are just suggestions.
But it’s not all bad - India’s economy is flexing, Swiggy wants to feed you on the move, and a startup is literally delivering diesel to your doorstep.
Now, let’s get into it…
📌 Top Headlines of the Day
Trump's tariff to hit Bharat nextThe US president has called India a "tariff offender" and plans to impose new trade barriers. The impact depends on whether these tariffs target broad product categories or specific items.
While some exports might take a hit, Indian auto parts may escape the worst.
Meanwhile, global markets are on edge as Canada, China, and Mexico fight back with their own tariffs.
Closer to home, India's economy is showing strong growth: GDP has jumped 29.3% since 2019.
However, business investments remain sluggish. To help, the RBI is pumping ₹1.9 lakh crore into the economy, making it easier for small businesses and individuals to get loans.
Why is Uber pushing for white number plates?Uber India primarily relies on commercial yellow-plate cabs but is testing private vehicle usage through "Uber Saarthi" in Assam.
This pilot allows women and military veterans to drive their private (white-plate) cars for Uber.
The initiative aims to address driver shortages and could expand to more states. While Indian law currently restricts private vehicles from commercial use, the government is open to revising regulations.
SEBI is now after finance influencers SEBI just dropped the hammer on Asmita Jitesh Patel, the so-called ‘She-Wolf of Stock Market.’
Banning six entities linked to her, SEBI ordered a massive ₹53 crore refund for course fees, with another ₹104.63 crore under scrutiny.
But Patel isn’t alone. This is part of SEBI’s wider war on unregistered “finfluencers” shaping your investment choices.
From blocking real-time stock data to monitoring YouTube and Instagram for misleading financial advice, SEBI is tightening its grip. While this protects investors from shady schemes, some argue it's crushing free speech.
Financial creators are seeing their content removed, and SEBI even wants access to private chats for investigations.
📌 Startup News
You can now get diesel delivered at your doorstepBack in 2016, Aditi and Chetan Walunj had a lightbulb moment: why couldn’t fuel be delivered just like an Amazon package? Fast forward to 2017, and Repos Energy was born.
This Ratan Tata-backed startup has delivered 30+ crore liters of fuel across India straight to people’s doorsteps with zero compromises on safety.
So, what makes Repos Energy special?
They bring diesel to you.
You can track fuel deliveries in real time.
Smart tech helps businesses manage fuel better.
With 2,000+ partners and 25,000+ happy customers, Repos is changing how India fuels up, delivering 1 crore liters every month!
Swiggy expands food delivery to 100 railway stationsSwiggy has expanded its train food delivery service to 100 railway stations across 20 states, thanks to its partnership with IRCTC.
Passengers can pre-order from over 7 million menu items via the Swiggy app, ensuring meals are delivered right to their seats, or they get a full refund if the train departs before delivery.
Since launching in March 2024, over 10 lakh orders have been placed, with biryani topping the list. Vijayawada Junction leads in deliveries, while Kalyan Junction saw the biggest order - 41 burgers and 40 fries!
📌 Crypto News
One of the world's largest crypto exchanges prepares to go publicKraken, one of the largest crypto exchanges, is eyeing an IPO in early 2026, aligning with the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance.
The company is waiting for the right time and recently shared financial highlights to boost transparency. If successful, Kraken would follow Coinbase into the public market.
📌 Now, Bolly News
Should you watch 'Nadaaniyan?'Netflix’s Nadaaniyan is a cringe-worthy attempt at a romantic dramedy, filled with superficial characters and an outdated storyline.
The film follows Pia (Khushi Kapoor), a privileged South Delhi girl, and Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan), a middle-class overachiever, as they navigate a fake relationship that inevitably turns real. However, the narrative feels painfully predictable, lacking depth and realism.
High schoolers today aren’t obsessed with prom nights and designer outfits, they're driven, aware, and far from the shallow portrayal in this film. The script is riddled with clichés, from the rich-girl-poor-boy trope to regressive family dynamics. Even talented actors like Dia Mirza and Suniel Shetty are wasted.
While Ibrahim shows promise, the film does him no favors. With a weak story and lackluster execution, Nadaaniyan is a soulless, forgettable watch.
So, that’s it for today. If you enjoyed this edition, subscribe to hear from us every day!
See ya 👋
