Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Kotak Mahindra Bank’s CEO has raised concerns about IDBI Bank’s valuation as the privatization process drags on. IDBI, backed by LIC, reported quarterly earnings that missed market estimates, fueling uncertainty around both the timing and the eventual pricing of the divestment. Investors now watch whether the earnings gap affects negotiations and potential offer terms.
The Election Commission of India released the roadmap for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections after a strong 85.10% voter turnout. In a notable shift, women voters outnumbered men across polling. Vote counting is scheduled for May 4, with arrangements in place to securely and transparently process the mandates of over 48 million voters.
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FIIs stayed net sellers for the tenth month in April, offloading about Rs 70,100 crore of Indian equities. In 2026 so far, overseas investors have pulled nearly Rs 2.4 lakh crore, driven by a weaker rupee, higher US yields and crude oil above $110 amid the Iran conflict. Traders now face election-related noise while Nifty direction hangs on flows.
Bangkok’s street food scenes may be changing fast. Authorities have introduced tighter controls that push vendors from busy roadside corners into a new food hub, which so far hosts only around a dozen stalls. Supporters say the move improves order, but many sellers fear lost livelihoods and a weakening of the chaotic charm that defines the Thai capital’s street culture.
With West Bengal Assembly election results set for May 4, the Election Commission has ordered a repoll in Falta, extending uncertainty for that constituency. Fresh voting will take place at all polling stations, including auxiliary polling stations, from 7 AM to 6 PM on May 21, with counting scheduled for May 24—delaying the final outcome for voters there.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has approved the erection of major equipment for Units 5 and 6 at Tamil Nadu’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. The clearance comes after extensive safety reviews to ensure compliance with national and international standards, marking another step toward expanding India’s clean, reliable nuclear power generation capacity.
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Fifty-eight people, including 27 children, were hospitalized in Odisha’s Jajpur after reportedly falling ill after eating “Cuttack Dahibara” from a local vendor. Preliminary findings point to food poisoning, and authorities have collected food and water samples for testing. The state government has formed three investigation teams to identify the cause and ensure proper medical care for patients.
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh welcomed the Election Commission of India’s decision to repoll all 285 polling stations in Falta. He said the move protects voters’ democratic rights, after many were reportedly prevented from voting earlier. Fresh polling is set for May 21, following allegations of major electoral offenses recorded on April 29.
Actor Archana Puran Singh explored the idea of buying a new sea-facing home in Madh Island, Mumbai. In the process, she looked back at her early days there—when money was tight but ambition wasn’t. Today, she says her existing Madh Island properties are valued at Rs 70 crore and she also owns a farmhouse in Dehradun.
Meta’s daily active users have fallen for just the second time ever, marking a rare break in the company’s long-running user growth streak. The decline shows up in its recent quarterly reporting, raising questions about whether engagement is softening across its core apps as competition and shifting user behavior bite.
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A 51-year-old North Carolina man, Justin Newman, has been charged with kidnapping and statutory rape after authorities allege he transported a 15-year-old girl from Connecticut to his home. Investigators say the teen was reported missing before the move. Newman allegedly met her through a dating app, and he remains in custody as the case continues, with more charges possible.
Five states and Puducherry are set to get their Assembly Election results on May 4. Vote counting begins at 8 AM, with early trends expected within about two hours. Election day saw high voter turnouts across regions, setting up major contests—from a direct face-off in West Bengal to the UDF vs LDF battle in Kerala.
India has notified 100% foreign direct investment in insurance companies via the automatic route, coming into effect under the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025. The move follows Cabinet clearance and raises the FDI cap from 74% to 100%, aiming to boost long-term capital and insurance penetration. Foreign investment still needs IRDAI regulatory clearance, with conditions including resident leadership, RBI FEMA pricing norms, and LIC remains capped at 20%.
India reportedly conducted a nationwide emergency alert test on Saturday, May 2, notifying thousands of people with loud beeps on their mobile phones. The notifications reportedly hit around 11:45 am, raising questions about how the alert system distributes warnings and what it signals in real emergencies. Officials are expected to clarify the scope and purpose of the exercise.
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A growing pattern across India’s National Capital Region shows young, educated women moving into central roles in organized crime. Digitally connected and often operating through legitimate businesses as fronts, they are drawn by easy money, revenge, and a hunger for power—signaling a sharp shift from earlier, more isolated female criminal figures.
Japan’s Iwate region has brought a major wildfire under control after an 11-day battle involving firefighters and the military. The flames swept through about 1,600 hectares, triggering evacuations for thousands of people. Eight structures were damaged, and two people suffered injuries as crews brought the blaze to a halt.
TRS leader K Kavitha says she will reach out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Delimitation Bill. She wants a standardised, fixed number of Lok Sabha MPs for every state to ensure more equal voting representation nationwide. The proposal aims to address disparities in how constituencies and seat counts translate into political influence.
If your phone buzzed with a sudden alert, it was likely part of India’s nationwide test of a faster disaster warning system. Run by DoT with NDMA support, the Integrated Alert System SACHET is adding cell broadcast to replace slower SMS-style delivery. Cell broadcast sends one message to all phones on a tower, needs no registration, and can improve reach even during network congestion.
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Japan has ended its long-standing ban on exporting lethal weapons, signaling a push to become a bigger player in the global defense market. The plan faces hurdles like limited production capacity and workforce shortages, but Japan’s emphasis on high-tech defense industries could help it compete as demand rises internationally. Analysts say the shift is already reshaping expectations for future deals.
A devastating early Sunday fire tore through a four-storey building in Delhi’s Shahdara area, with officials reporting 3 to 4 deaths. Rescue teams are still searching for possible additional victims as residents claim an air-conditioner blast triggered the blaze. Multiple people were rescued, but some families are feared trapped, while fire tenders worked to bring the flames under control.
New age tech stocks ended a holiday-shortened week in split form as Q4 earnings and West Asia tensions drove volatility. While 28 of 56 stocks rose, Unicommerce sank nearly 10% after muted Q4 performance, and Wakefit and Zaggle hit fresh lows. Paytm’s selloff deepened following RBI’s cancellation of Paytm Payments Bank licence, pulling total market cap down.
Actress Vijayta Pandit says her intense romance with Love Story co-star Kumar Gaurav became a career turning point. She claims his father, Rajendra Kumar, disapproved and prioritized his son’s image and opportunities. Even after Gaurav’s engagement to Reema Kapoor, contact continued—until the relationship ended, and Pandit alleges industry influence led to her being removed from films.
Google and Amazon are pouring billions into AI rivals such as Anthropic, fueling a “circular capitalism” loop where firms finance each other’s cloud and chip purchases. The appetite for AI is real, but opaque deal structures blur the line between value creation and financial engineering, reviving concerns that today’s AI surge could resemble past bubbles.
Donald Trump has said the US would reduce its troops in Germany “a lot further,” potentially exceeding the previously announced plan to withdraw 5,000 personnel. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned that Europe must step up to defend itself, framing the shift as a test of European responsibility amid changing US commitments.
A major fire erupted in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar, East Delhi, in the early hours of Sunday. Firefighters and emergency responders rescued around 12 to 15 people, but reports indicate at least four to five residents remain missing. Officials suspect the blaze may have been triggered by an AC blast as search-and-rescue operations continue.
India’s Thomas Cup title defence ended at the semifinals as they fell 0-3 to France and settled for bronze. Lakshya Sen’s absence proved pivotal, with HS Prannoy, Ayush Shetty and Kidambi Srikanth all losing their matches. France then cruised into the final, becoming only the second European nation to reach that stage.
Iran’s UN mission accused the United States of not complying with the nuclear non-proliferation framework, while insisting Tehran retains the right to continue uranium enrichment. In a surprise shift, Iran also presented a fresh proposal designed to ease escalating tensions across West Asia, signaling an effort to change the diplomatic trajectory amid growing nuclear pressure.
India has launched an indigenous Cell Broadcast System that sends real-time, geo-targeted disaster warnings directly to mobile phones nationwide. Inaugurated in New Delhi by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia under Amit Shah’s guidance, it is built by C-DOT with NDMA and the Home Ministry. Operating across all 36 states and UTs, it uses CAP and works on 2G to 5G to reach people even during network congestion.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Kingston for his first official visit to Jamaica, aiming to meet the island’s leadership, business community, and the Indian diaspora. The stop is part of a three-nation Caribbean tour running May 2 to May 10, also covering Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting long standing India ties with the region.
Indian startups recorded a rebound in the last week of April, raising $204 million across 19 deals from April 27 to May 1, about five times last week’s total. Fintech led with $57.5 million, while seed-stage funding fell sharply to $4.6 million. Meanwhile, IPO buzz grew around Kissht, MakeMyTrip, Spinny, and Acko.
Around 25 to 30 people were rescued after a severe storm damaged floating hutments near Dobra-Chanti in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal, officials said. The SDRF received the alert through the Disaster Control Room and an SDRF team from the Koti Colony post, led by Sub-Inspector Narendra Rana, rushed to the site with rescue equipment.
The National Testing Agency will conduct the NEET-UG 2026 pen-and-paper exam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, May 3. Candidates must report to the International Indian School Riyadh by 11 am, as entry will be denied to latecomers. All attendees must carry admit cards, photographs, and valid ID, and follow the NTA dress code.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee hit back after the Election Commission ordered fresh polling in Falta, defending the party’s standing in the constituency. Challenging BJP leader Amit Malviya’s remarks, Banerjee used the phrase “Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang” and urged the opposition to contest from Falta, while positioning himself as both a Lok Sabha representative and an active election strategist.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma stayed unbeaten as Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in IPL 2026. The result became CSK’s 20th win against MI, a standout head-to-head milestone. With this victory, Chennai moved to sixth in the points table, while Mumbai’s playoff hopes took a major hit.
At least 58 people, including 25 children, fell ill in Jajpur district, Odisha, after eating dahi bara from a roadside vendor in the village of Pata Pur. Reports say vomiting and diarrhoea began shortly after consumption. Local hospitals treated the victims, while an elderly woman died, prompting concerns about food contamination.
A boat cruise at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur turned deadly as passengers fought to survive during the chaos. Survivors recount loved ones slipping away in front of them—spouses, children, and siblings separated forever—while the toll rose to 11. Alongside the grief, stories of resilience emerged, including the Verma family’s escape.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has urged the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their ancestral homes, calling their departure the biggest loss for the region. He said Kashmir should remain a shared homeland where all communities can live and thrive together, positioning the issue as central to future coexistence and stability.
Mohanlal and Mammootty’s Patriot crossed ₹50 crore worldwide, but its momentum slowed on Day 2 in India. India net collections reportedly stand at ₹16.15 crore, with Kerala leading among regional markets. The film’s strong overseas traction is cited as the main factor pushing up the global total despite the domestic dip.
In Jabalpur, two more bodies were recovered from Bargi Dam, raising the cruise boat tragedy death toll to 11. Two tourists remain missing as search operations continue after the vessel capsized during a storm two days ago. Survivors allege negligence and safety lapses. The state government has ordered an investigation and banned similar vessel operations.
A Chinese company has shut down its Gwadar operations, saying business difficulties forced it to stop and lay off workers. The abrupt closure is raising fresh concerns for Pakistan as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit China, highlighting the fragility of overseas projects tied to investment and economic momentum.
Mission Mausam, a ₹2,000 crore initiative approved by the Union Cabinet, aims to make India truly weather-ready from 2024–2026. The Ministry of Earth Sciences plans to cut forecasting resolution to 6 km for panchayat-level predictions, using next-gen radars, HPC systems, and AI/ML models to deliver hourly nowcasts. It also links weather data to air quality and disaster decision-making.
In a viral Kentucky Derby 2026 moment at Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo stormed from the very back of the pack to win the 152nd running of “Run for the Roses.” The high-stakes race turned into an emotional sprint as fans watched the comeback unfold, capturing it as “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”
Donald Trump warned the US could restart Iran strikes if Tehran “misbehaves,” while saying he is awaiting fresh details from Iran. At the same time, Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the US blockade, aiming to restart nuclear talks. The back-and-forth signals mounting pressure and possible negotiations, with military options on the table.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he is waiting for the exact wording of a potential deal with Iran, while warning Washington could restart strikes if Tehran misbehaves. Trump also told congressional leaders he did not need permission to extend action beyond a legal deadline, saying the ceasefire had already “terminated” hostilities, despite earlier hopes to avoid further escalation.
For Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 counting on May 4, the Chennai Election Commission is deploying a three-tier security setup and a QR code-based entry system. Multiple perimeters and dedicated personnel will control access at each gate, while mobile devices are restricted to keep counting secure and orderly. CEO Archana Patnaik said the system aims to prevent disruptions and ensure smooth vote tallying.
Cherie DeVaux has made history by becoming the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby, guiding Golden Tempo to victory as a 23 to 1 longshot. Jose Ortiz rode the colt, which rallied from behind to storm past the field at Churchill Downs. DeVaux, once an assistant trainer under Chad Brown, finally fulfilled a lifelong goal with the signature win.
After Delhi judge Aman Kumar Sharma died by suicide, family members claim he was under severe mental distress and faced harassment at home in recent months. Allegations include domestic conflict and interference, with an in law accusing the wife’s sister of being “controlling” over the household. Authorities have not confirmed the claims yet.
The U.S. decision to reduce troop numbers in Germany is being linked to Donald Trump’s widening anger at European leaders. Sources point to disputes over whether allies will back his campaign with Israel against Iran. Trump has reportedly taken aim at figures including Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as leaders in Spain and the UK.
Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran says India’s biggest companies boosted profits after Covid, yet investment spending lagged. He warns firms kept cash rather than putting it into real assets, leaving the public sector to carry growth. With EV momentum rising, he calls for faster private capex to expand domestic opportunities and help narrow trade deficits.
Jayson Tatum’s injury has raised urgent questions over when he’ll be back for the Boston Celtics. Before his absence, he delivered elite two-way production through the first six games of the series, averaging 23.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists, with efficient shooting including 36.5% from beyond the arc.
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