Overview

• Kerala has once again secured the Top Achiever position in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Rankings 2024, demonstrating its strong governance reforms, transparent procedures, and investor-friendly policies. The rankings were released under the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Overview

Israel has reopened the Zikim crossing to facilitate the entry of UN and international humanitarian aid into northern Gaza. This marks an important policy shift after months of restricted access, aimed at addressing severe shortages in the conflict-affected region.

• The IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook presents the latest ranking of the world’s largest economies, illustrating shifts in global economic power and the growing role of emerging markets. The report highlights how economic size continues to shape global influence, investment flows, and geopolitical weight.

Google is facing a significant legal battle in the United States after a class-action lawsuit accused the company of enabling its Gemini AI assistant across core communication platforms Gmail, Google Chat, and Google Meet—without obtaining proper user consent. The lawsuit, filed in a San Jose federal court, argues that the October update allowed Gemini to access sensitive user data by default.

• A major development in the governance structure of the Tata Group took place with the appointment of Neville Tata—son of Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata—as a trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. The trust is one of India’s oldest philanthropic institutions and the single-largest shareholder in Tata Sons, making this appointment strategically significant for the conglomerate’s long-term leadership framework.