Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
SpaceX Pushes for Early Stock Index Inclusion Ahead of Potential Record-Breaking IPO 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026 
Amazon Stock Rebounds After Earnings as $200B Capex Plan Sparks AI Spending Debate 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
American Airlines CEO to Meet Pilots Union Amid Storm Response and Financial Concerns 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Toyota’s Surprise CEO Change Signals Strategic Shift Amid Global Auto Turmoil 
India will not be putting back TikTok and other Chinese apps that it previously banned from being used in the country. The decision to retain the ban on 59 apps from China resulted from the review of responses from companies regarding issues on privacy and compliance.
Why the companies were barred in India
As noted by Reuters, when India first announced the limitation in June of last year, the ministry of electronics and information technology in India gave the affected Chinese apps a chance to throw light on the issues such as whether they censor contents or work on the side of foreign governments.
The companies that include well-known brands like TikTok, WeChat, Tencent Holdings, and Alibaba’s UC were requested to explain their sides by answering 77 questions that India has prepared. This also happened at the height of mounting tensions between China and India over the clashes on the disputed Sikkim border.
After reviewing the responses, the government panel, which was tasked to look into the Chinese apps ban, came to a decision that it will not be changing the government’s stand to prohibit the tech applications from China. They said that for now, India would continue to prohibit the listed 59 apps to protect the nation’s national security and sovereignty.
It was said that India’s government has already sent notices to the Chinese companies that were affected. They listed reasons why they have come to the decision of upholding the ban that was issued last year. Moreover, while it was not mentioned until when the ban will be in effect, a local newspaper reported that the limitation will be permanent.
TikTok responds to the new ban from India
TikTok is a popular video-sharing app that took over the world when it was first introduced. It still has many users worldwide, but as many countries are following suit and banning the app, the companies number of users has declined. With India’s decision, TikTok immediately issued a statement, although it is not likely to change anything.
“We continually strive to comply with local laws and regulations and do our best to address any concerns the government may have,” the company said in a statement. “Ensuring the privacy and security of all our users remains to be our topmost priority.”
