*NEWS DIGEST to start the DAY - Apr 16 2026 Thursday updated at 0615HRS IST; 5 Mins read* _NHAI directs banks to validate FASTag vehicle details; India's March trade deficit narrows to $20.67BN; NCW sets up panel to probe TCS Nashik case; IMF cautions countries against broad fuel subsidies to deal with war-driven energy shock_ *Japan plans $10 bn Asia oil security plan; India’s office vacancy drops to 13.85%; Dubai realty cools as conflict clouds demand; India's jewellery exports rise to ₹2.44 lkh Cr; Dubai’s Burj Al Arab to close for 18-months; Allcargo Logistics ramp-up FMCG frameworks* _RBI gives operational flexibility to NBFCs for branch expansion; Mega deals less likely, but media M&A show to stay strong in 2026; Axiro, MPower invest in Japanese AI chipmaker EdgeCortix; Jeh Aerospace signs supply pact with France-based Liebherr-Aerospace_ *NBFCs' reliance on bank borrowings to increase in FY27 on lower interest rates; 20 years on, 3,000 Agra homebuyers seek UP govt intervention over stalled Ansal township; CleanMax, Sangam India partner for hybrid renewable energy supply in Rajasthan* _VinFast expands India lineup with VF MPV 7; Mahindra eyes South Africa expansion as China rivals gain ground; Auto sales hit record high in FY26 as tax cuts, rate easing drive demand; Air India asks Tata, Singapore Air for funds after $2.4 billion loss_ *Difficult to declare millions of beliefs wrong': SC hears PIL limits in Sabarimala case debate; TDB argued PIL pleas cannot be allowed to "become a vehicle" for interpreting religious practices* _Case Against 2 Indore Corporators For Not Singing Vande Mataram Sparks Row; Police sources confirmed both corporators summoned, questioned for 4.5hrs; Massive Fire Rips Through Lucknow Slum Cluster, Thick Smoke Seen Miles Away_ *Chhattisgarh Vedanta plant blast: 17 killed, ₹35 lakh aid; job support for families of deceased; blast occurred in boiler tubes, triggering a large rescue effort; A probe is under way; University workers protest in Greater Noida; situation calm amid heightened vigil after earlier unrest* _TCS Nashik Office Shut After Conversion Allegations, Cops Probing Accused's International Links; Tata Sons Orders Group-Wide Review Of Workplace Conduct Money Row Between 2 Friends Uncovers Amaravati Minors' Abuse_ *Iran ups threats over blockade, but still talking to US; Despite Trump's naval blockade, Iran has not run out of cards; IMF warns of global debt at WW2 levels by 2029; Hormuz shipping muted as US blockade takes hold; Iran warns Red Sea block* _Russian LNG under US sanctions heads for the first time to India; BBC plans to cut 2,000 jobs to reduce costs by about 10% over next 2 years; Sundar Pichai, Vikas Khanna, Ranbir Kapoor named among TIME's 100 most influential people_ *CIC flags lack of tracking system for tax evasion complaints, urges GST authorities to improve transparency; Honey-trap espionage case: HC denies bail to ex-DRDO scientist; 'shared vital info with Pak officer* _Pakistani delegation arrives in Tehran in move to ease tensions, arrange more US-Iran talks; UK hits back after Trump's trade deal threat; threatening to review a trade deal agreed in 2025; Crude prices unlikely to fall anytime soon; India’s import bill could swell by $70bn annually_ *Japan will provide support worth about $10BN to help strengthen energy supply in Asia; Saudi to focus $925BN fund on domestic economy under new 5-year plan; China surpasses US as India's largest trading partner in FY26; trade gap swells to USD 112.16BN* _5 Guns, 7 Magazines: 13-Year-Old Kills 9 In Turkey School, Then Shoots Self; Israel Says Struck Over 200 Hezbollah Targets In Lebanon In 24 Hrs; US Woman Fakes Cancer To Scam Rs 18 Lakh From Donors, Uses Money To Fund Lifestyle: "She's A Sociopath_ *US Dr Indicted For Fatal Surgery Where He Removed Patient's Liver Instead Of Spleen; French Man Arrested For Fake Doctor's Notes Scam, Earned Over $1MN; In France, a doctor's sick note allows an employee to stay away from work with Govt picking up part of the salary* Today's Word – *Deride* - Express contempt for; ridicule #news #news