Mumbai: Easing in corporate borrowing costs mid-April, which encouraged a wave of bond issuance, appears to be reversing as concerns over a prolonged conflict in West Asia drive yields higher once again. Firming local yields have made issuers more cautious, with some scaling back planned bond sales after a brief period of frenetic activity.

Recent state-backed bond issuances show signs that borrowing costs may be beginning to edge higher again. SIDBI, which had planned to raise ‘6,000 crore through a three-year bond sale on Tuesday, mobilised only ‘3,025 crore at a yield of 7.61%. A week earlier, NABARD raised ‘4,250 crore against a planned ‘7,000 crore at 7.48% for a similar tenor.

Taken together, the two issuances indicate that funding costs are starting to move higher, debt market participants said.

“We saw a pickup in bond issuances after mid-April as lower yields encouraged corporates to tap the market. But borrowing costs are beginning to inch up again over the past few days,” said Venkatakrishnan Srinivasan, managing partner at Rockfort Fincap, a debt advisory firm. “So, appetite remains selective, and many are finding it difficult to raise the full amount they had initially planned.”
Yields on India’s 10-year benchmark paper slipped to around 6.86% by April 15 from as high as 7.13% early April. But they have steadily climbed again to around 6.98%, with little clarity on the direction of the West Asia war and its impact on oil prices.

Mid-March, NABARD had raised ‘7,265 crores for 3-years at 7.44%, while REC raised ‘3,000 crores for 5-years at 7.19%
The pickup in issuances mid-April also coincided with a period of ample surplus liquidity in the banking system, which boosted demand for fixed-income securities. This encouraged institutions such as banks and mutual funds to deploy funds into the debt market, and the resulting surge in demand helped compress yields, debt market participants said.

The reported exit of the UAE from the OPEC+ alliance has triggered fresh speculation over the long-term cohesion of the oil producers’ group, even though immediate market disruption remains limited. While the short-term impact on crude prices appears muted due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, analysts suggest the development could reshape global oil supply dynamics once stability returns.

Speaking to ET Now, market expert Peter Cardillo from Spartan Capital Securities described the development as a potentially significant turning point for the alliance’s future.

“First signs of a crack” in OPEC+
Commenting on the broader implications for the producer group, Cardillo noted that the development could signal deeper structural issues within OPEC+.“Well, it is a big deal in a sense that to me this raises the question whether or not OPEC plus is going to be around for much longer. It is the first signs of a crack and the UAE produces anywhere from 2.9 million to 3 million barrels a day and so it is among the 10 top oil producing nations. Now what does this mean? In the short run, obviously during the war it does not have much of an impact in terms of oil prices but once the war is over and, of course, the war will come to an end at one point or another, this just means that more production and it means more oil on the world markets and it means probably prices collapsing in a big way and so I think it is a big deal.”

Cardillo highlighted that the UAE’s output levels make it a key player in global supply, and any shift in its alignment could gradually influence pricing trends, particularly once current geopolitical disruptions ease.Price floor concerns remain limited—for now
When asked whether OPEC’s ability to maintain a price floor is weakening without the UAE’s participation, Cardillo downplayed immediate risks but pointed to longer-term uncertainty.“No, I do not think so, not in the short term, but obviously this also raises a question: who is next?”

Market implications: stability now, uncertainty ahead
While oil markets continue to be driven largely by geopolitical developments and near-term supply constraints, the potential fragmentation of OPEC+ raises questions about how coordinated production policy will remain in the years ahead.

For now, traders appear to be focusing on immediate demand-supply dynamics. However, analysts suggest that if more members reconsider their participation, the long-standing influence of OPEC+ on global oil pricing could gradually weaken, opening the door to more volatile and market-driven pricing structures in the future.

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Elon Musk made explosive claims during his testimony in a federal courtroom this week as his legal battle against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman officially began.

Speaking before a jury in Oakland, Musk argued that his long-standing concerns about the safety of artificial intelligence motivated his involvement in OpenAI long before AI became mainstream.

Musk Claims Google Ignored AI Safety

The billionaire entrepreneur testified that he personally warned Barack Obama about the dangers of artificial intelligence during a private meeting in 2015.

JUST IN: Elon Musk says he tried to warn former President Obama about AI, but was not taken seriously because it was not smart enough yet.

“Here we are in 2026, AI is very smart.” pic.twitter.com/QFzf4qwBwz

— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) April 28, 2026

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According to Musk, AI was still largely ignored at the time, but he believed it could eventually become a major threat to humanity.

During his testimony, Musk also revealed details about the tensions he had with former Google CEO Larry Page.

The 54-year-old tycoon claimed Page labeled him a “speciest” because of his pro-human stance regarding AI development.

Furthermore, Musk explained that one reason he helped create OpenAI was to establish a counterbalance to Google’s growing dominance in AI. He accused Google of failing to prioritize AI safety during the early stages of rapid AI advancement.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO also described efforts to recruit AI researcher Ilya Sutskever away from Google to help build OpenAI.

OpenAI Lawsuit Seeks More Than $100 Billion

The focus of the lawsuit is Musk’s accusation that OpenAI abandoned its original nonprofit mission.

As reported by Business Insider, Musk claims the company shifted toward private profit despite promises that artificial intelligence development would benefit humanity rather than corporate interests.

The lawsuit reportedly seeks more than $100 billion in damages and challenges OpenAI’s for-profit restructuring, which includes major backing from Microsoft.

Musk testified that he personally donated around $38 million to support OpenAI’s original mission when the organization launched in 2015.

AI Safety Debate Continues To Intensify

Musk compared AI to a highly intelligent child that can be uncontrollable without proper guidance and values.

He warned that unchecked AI development could create dangerous consequences once machines surpass human intelligence.

OpenAI strongly denied Musk’s accusations, describing the lawsuit as an attempt to disrupt competition within the rapidly expanding AI industry. The company called it a “legal ambush” in its own terms.

Originally published on Tech Times

Wade Lyons is a security professional and business leader with nearly two decades of experience in public safety. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Black Onyx Investigations, a firm focused on background investigations, private security, and executive protection services.

He began his career in 2006 with the Austin Police Department. Over the next 17 years, he moved through a range of roles, including patrol, investigations, and strategic intelligence. He later became a Police Commander, where he led both operational units and the department’s training and recruiting division.

In that role, he oversaw programmes that supported more than 2,000 officers and civilian staff. He managed large teams, developed training systems, and helped modernise recruitment efforts. His work included improving hiring standards and expanding community engagement in the training process.

Wade Lyons is known for his structured approach to leadership. He focuses on clear processes, strong accountability, and practical decision-making. His experience reviewing critical incidents and leading large teams shaped how he approaches risk and performance.

In 2024, he moved into the private sector and founded Black Onyx Investigations. The firm supports organisations with hiring decisions, risk assessments, and security planning. His work now centres on helping clients reduce exposure and make informed decisions.

He holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and is completing an MBA. His background in law enforcement continues to influence his work in private security.

Q: You began your career in law enforcement. What drew you into that field?

I grew up in Houston and originally planned to go into medicine. During my final semester at Texas A&M, I did a ride-along with a police officer. That experience changed everything. I saw the impact officers could have on people in real time. I applied to the City of Austin shortly after graduating and started my career there.

Q: What were your early years in the Austin Police Department like?

I started in patrol, which is where you learn the job properly. You respond to thousands of calls and see every type of situation. It builds your judgement. I later moved into investigations and worked on cases involving violent crime and narcotics. That period taught me how to manage information, interview people, and build cases step by step.

Q: You later moved into leadership roles. How did that transition happen?

I was promoted through the ranks into supervisory and command roles. As a sergeant and lieutenant, I managed teams and handled operational planning. Eventually, I became a Police Commander. I led area operations and later the Training and Recruiting Division. That role involved managing over 100 personnel and supporting the development of more than 2,000 officers and staff.

Q: What stands out from your time leading training and recruiting?

We had to rethink how we trained officers. One example was moving away from long classroom sessions and introducing scenario-based training. I remember watching an officer go through a simulated call where communication made the difference between escalation and resolution. That moment reinforced how important realistic training is.

Q: Recruiting has been a major challenge for many departments. What did you learn from that experience?

Recruiting is not just about numbers. It is about selecting the right people. I reviewed many background investigations. One candidate had strong test results but showed a pattern of dishonesty in previous jobs. That disqualified him. You cannot train integrity. That lesson stayed with me.

Q: What led you to leave public service and start your own company?

After 17 years, I wanted to apply what I had learned in a different environment. I saw a gap in how organisations handle risk, especially in hiring and internal investigations. In 2024, I started Black Onyx Investigations to focus on those areas.

Q: What does your work look like now?

Most of our work involves background investigations and security consulting. We help organisations verify candidate information and assess potential risks. Each case follows a structured process. We define the scope, collect and verify information, and provide a clear report.

Q: How does your law enforcement background influence your business approach?

In policing, you work within strict procedures. You document everything and base decisions on evidence. I use the same approach in my business. Clients need clear, accurate information. That is what allows them to make informed decisions.

Q: What are the most common issues clients come to you with?

Hiring risk is a major one. Organisations want to know if a candidate’s background aligns with the role. We also see cases involving internal concerns, where companies need a structured review of a situation.

Q: Looking ahead, how do you see your work evolving?

I expect continued growth in private investigations and executive protection. Organisations are paying more attention to risk management. My focus is building systems that maintain quality as we expand.

Mumbai: HSBC has initiated coverage on JSW Steel and Jindal Stainless with Buy ratings, and on Jindal Steel and Power with a Hold, citing a multi-year demand upcycle driven by infrastructure and urbanisation.

It has also reiterated a Buy on Tata Steel, underscoring strong balance sheets, import protection and margin expansion as key sector tailwinds. The price targets on JSW Steel, Tata Steel and Jindal Stainless imply an upside of 13-19% from Tuesday’s closing prices.