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Standard Chartered will cut about 7,800 jobs by 2030, roughly 15 per cent of its corporate functions, with back-office hubs in Bengaluru, Chennai, Shenzhen and Warsaw hardest hit. CEO Bill Winters said the Asia-focused bank is replacing "lower-value human capital" with AI and automation, as StanChart targets an 18 per cent return on tangible equity by 2030 and higher income per employee.

The US has sanctioned ten individuals and companies, including those in China and Hong Kong, for aiding Iran's drone and ballistic missile programs. These measures aim to curb Iran's military capabilities and its threat to regional shipping. The sanctions target entities involved in procuring weapons components and raw materials, with a warning to foreign firms engaged in illicit Iranian trade.

The US and UK have imposed separate sanctions targeting individuals, companies, and networks involved in Iran's oil sales, financial transactions, and alleged hostile activities. These measures aim to disrupt Iran's oil exports to China and cut off funding for the IRGC, while the UK focuses on shadow banking and destabilizing operations linked to criminal networks.

Chinese developers are bypassing AI restrictions by using underground 'shadow APIs' hosted outside mainland China. These services provide access to leading US AI models like Claude and Gemini for coding and other tasks. Despite tightened controls and identity checks, demand persists as Western AI is perceived as superior for complex engineering, fueling a growing grey market.

The Sensex tumbled over 1,000 points to slip below the 74,300 mark, while the Nifty 50 dropped more than 300 points to trade under 23,350. The steep decline erased nearly Rs 7 lakh crore from the total market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies, reducing it to around Rs 454 lakh crore.

Despite the bullish undertone in equities, several risk factors continue to keep investors on edge. The rupee touched a fresh record low after breaching the 95.8 mark against the US dollar for the first time.

Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz faces immense risks despite remaining technically open, with Indian vessels experiencing significant disruptions and safety concerns. Seafarers exhibit hesitation due to past incidents, impacting normal traffic flow and leading to increased operational costs for shipowners.

South Korea's stock market has hit an unprecedented high, surpassing 6,000 trillion won in total valuation. The Kospi index reached a new intraday record, boosted by strong performances from tech giants like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

A Russian-linked superyacht, Nord, owned by sanctioned billionaire Alexey Mordashov, has successfully sailed through the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway remains a flashpoint amid ongoing tensions, with maritime traffic significantly reduced. The yacht's passage highlights its defiance of sanctions and the complex geopolitical landscape.

The sell-off was widespread, extending beyond large-cap stocks to the broader market. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index was down 0.5%, while the Nifty Midcap 100 index fell more than 1%.

A Chinese national, Xu Zewei, has been extradited to the United States to face charges. He is accused of hacking into computers between 2020 and 2021. These alleged intrusions were part of the HAFNIUM campaign and targeted COVID-19 research. Xu is said to have worked under the direction of Chinese intelligence services.

Hyderabad's Jawahar Nagar and Mumbai's Kanjurmarg landfills are among the world's top 25 super-polluting methane emission sites, a UCLA study reveals. These facilities are releasing significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing heavily to global warming. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved waste management practices globally.

Asian markets faltered after touching record highs, weighed down by surging oil prices and lingering US-Iran peace talk uncertainties. Japan's Nikkei briefly crossed 60,000 before retreating. Escalating Middle East tensions, including shipping disruptions, fueled oil price spikes, impacting investor sentiment across the region. Despite a Wall Street rally, regional markets succumbed to geopolitical anxieties.

Technology stocks bore the brunt of the selling. Shares of Infosys, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra and Tata Consultancy Services fell between 2 per cent and 4 per cent after Infosys’ fourth-quarter results failed to meet market expectations.