Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
The first Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express starts today, with a direct journey taking about five hours—an order-of-magnitude improvement for travellers across difficult terrain. Operating with 20 coaches, it will run six days a week, excluding Tuesdays. Fares are set between Rs 715 and Rs 1,515, aiming for dependable, all-weather connectivity.
India’s data centre capacity is forecast to jump nearly sixfold to 10.5 GW by FY2031, fueled by AI adoption and data localization rules. Meeting demand will require more than $60 billion in capital expenditure, much of it earmarked for power infrastructure and renewable energy, highlighting how energy supply may become the real bottleneck.
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India’s primary market is set for Rs 3,491 crore in new offerings next week, led by Bagmane Prime Office REIT. While the REIT issue is expected to draw most investor attention, two smaller SME IPOs will also open, acting as a quick test of broader market appetite amid growing interest in yield-focused investment options.
After a US Supreme Court decision that weakens the Voting Rights Act, Republican officials in states including Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee are calling special sessions to redraw congressional districts. The changes could reshape electoral advantages ahead of upcoming midterms, mirroring a broader national pattern of states revising maps in response to the ruling.
The Supreme Court refused to issue an order on the Trinamool Congress’s plea challenging the Election Commission’s decision to appoint central government and PSU employees as supervisors at West Bengal vote-counting sites. The court was responding to a Calcutta High Court ruling that upheld the EC’s staffing choice over state employees. TMC argued the setup could affect counting fairness.
A video from Haridwar’s Sarvanand Ghat shows a woman bathing her pet dog in the Ganga, triggering objections from local priests and residents who cited the river’s sanctity. The woman argued on the spot, and the clip quickly went viral, splitting online opinion between those calling it hypocrisy and those condemning the act as disrespectful.
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President Donald Trump told top US lawmakers that hostilities in Iran have ended, according to letters sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate president pro tempore Chuck Grassley. The announcement came after Congress pushed the administration to seek authorization for the conflict as it entered its third month, with hostilities beginning Feb 28, 2026.
Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets at Jaipur as IPL 2026 roared on May 1. But the spotlight shifted when DC’s Kyle Jamieson faced a penalty from match officials after an aggressive send-off to RR youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The incident sparked scrutiny and added tension despite DC’s dominant win.
A fresh video from Jabalpur’s Bargi Dam shows passengers scrambling for life jackets moments before a boat capsized, killing nine people. Survivors allege the jackets were not distributed promptly, and that the delay worsened the tragedy. Authorities say an investigation is underway and officials are taking action over alleged negligence.
Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO celebrated the April launch of its EO-3 satellite, but its own website later showed the “new” image had already been uploaded months earlier in 2025. The identical photograph suggests the mission’s first view was repackaged as fresh, helping build a misleading narrative around an otherwise real but modest achievement.
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AlphaGrep, backed by Bhautik Ambani, is entering India’s mutual fund space with a promise: institutional-grade quantitative investing for retail investors. The firm plans AI-driven, multi-asset strategies built on systematic processes rather than distribution tactics, aiming to reduce human bias and improve consistency. Its approach is designed to build long-term trust in model-based investing.
Global markets steadied as traders focused on sharp yen moves, reportedly linked to suspected Japanese intervention. The dollar dipped briefly, then stabilized, while equities found support from strong tech earnings. Central banks kept interest rates unchanged, but hawkish cues from the Fed and ECB maintained caution. Meanwhile, rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions are reigniting inflation worries.
Bank lending to non-banking finance companies surged 26% in the previous fiscal year, the fastest pace expected into FY26. The jump is linked to the Reserve Bank of India easing risk weights, making NBFC exposures less capital-intensive for banks. Looser regulatory norms and lower lending rates further boosted financing demand, reshaping credit flows.
London’s FTSE 100 edged lower during thin holiday trading as weakness in crude prices hit energy heavyweights Shell and BP. AstraZeneca also weighed on sentiment, while NatWest fell despite reporting profit growth. Some relief came from gains in Unilever, Rolls-Royce and Pearson, but mixed earnings kept investors cautious.
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Repolling in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas saw voting paused for over an hour after an EVM malfunction at a polling booth in Diamond Harbour. Voting began early at 7 AM across multiple booths in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim, but electors were left waiting in long queues while officials addressed the technical issue.
The Trump administration is changing tactics in its immigration crackdown, moving away from highly visible, aggressive enforcement operations. Deportation targets remain high, but officials are expanding detention capacity and pursuing efforts to weaken migrants’ legal protections. The stated goal: remove about one million people annually, even as the most public-style raids decrease.
The dollar is on track for its sharpest weekly drop versus the yen since February, as traders suspect Japan may be stepping into the market to curb volatility. Japanese officials have signaled unease, keeping sentiment cautious. Still, lasting yen strength is far from certain because Japan’s policy stance diverges from the Federal Reserve, and attention turns to possible action during Golden Week.
A newly surfaced video from Jabalpur’s Bargi Dam cruise shows the final moments of the boat tragedy, pointing to a near-total breakdown of safety protocols. Despite visible strong winds, choppy water, and passengers not wearing life jackets, the footage suggests essential safety gear was sealed. The incident, among Madhya Pradesh’s deadliest tourism disasters this week, is intensifying questions and scrutiny.
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RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra has pushed Indian banks to step up as global market-makers for the rupee, aiming to regain offshore trading share. He cited shortcomings in rupee derivatives and said tighter foreign exchange market rules are already in place to curb volatility, reshaping how banks manage currency risk and liquidity.
Delhi Capitals bowler Kyle Jamieson was penalized in IPL 2026 for an aggressive send-off to Rajasthan Royals player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, receiving a demerit point and a warning. Jamieson admitted to the offense after the incident during the match. Despite the controversy, Delhi Capitals went on to win by seven wickets.
Anantnag Police in south Kashmir, supported by the civil administration, demolished an allegedly illegal property valued at about Rs 1 crore in Bijbehara. The property is linked to suspected drug peddler Sajad Rather as part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking and anti-national activities across the region.
India’s governance is being judged by optics, not outcomes. Editorials point to archaeology and housing projects launched with fanfare, yet facing a hard reality: key staff are missing and homes may be finished but lack basic services like toilets and electricity. The gap between official claims and lived conditions signals mismanaged resources and development that looks good on paper, not in homes.
Indian equities snapped a months-long slide with a sharp rebound in April, marking the Nifty’s best month since December 2023. The broad market led gains, with midcaps and smallcaps outperforming strongly. Sectoral action was led by defence and realty, while banks and IT recovered only moderately, signaling a selective rally rather than a uniform boom.
The UAE has exited OPEC and OPEC+, dealing a major blow to long-running Saudi influence over regional oil markets. Analysts frame the move as a “political rebellion,” driven by the UAE’s push for market share and an independent foreign policy toward the US, Israel and Asia. The strategy also targets monetizing oil reserves before they become stranded assets and using proceeds to fund a green transition.
Kerala’s 2026 assembly elections drew a record 78.27% voter turnout, with exit polls pointing to a tight contest between the UDF and LDF. With results due on May 4, the political focus is shifting beyond local issues to whether the Middle East crisis could disrupt the state’s deep Gulf connections and influence how voters decide.
The Reserve Bank of India has reduced deposits with other central banks and increased allocation to US Treasury bills, signaling a shift toward assets with deeper global liquidity. The change is linked to rising geopolitical tensions and aims to strengthen India’s foreign exchange reserves through the transition to more globally liquid instruments.
Foreign portfolio investors recorded only a slight inflow into Indian debt in April, yet sentiment remains cautious. Rising US and Japan interest rates, a weaker rupee, and ongoing fiscal uncertainty are deterring fresh bets. Analysts also flag that crude oil pressures could trigger further outflows, keeping near-term optimism muted despite any brief improvement in inflows.
A four-year-old girl in Nasrapur village, Bhor taluka of Pune, was reported missing on Friday afternoon. After a search, her body was found in a cattle shed. Police arrested a 65-year-old man from the same village, linking him to the case. Villagers protested outside the police station, demanding swift action and justice.
Gold stabilized after an early drop, helped by hopes of easing Iran tensions and a softer dollar alongside a cooling oil mood. Still, the metal is set for a weekly decline as markets price a hawkish Federal Reserve. Risks from inflation and persistently high yields are weighing on gains, while silver is outperforming on a stronger demand outlook.
Two days before counting on May 4, repolling is underway at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas’s Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies. These booths had voted in the second phase on April 29, but fresh elections are being held due to irregularities reported earlier. BJP’s Amit Malviya alleges voters were prevented from choosing the party candidate at multiple polling booths in Falta.
The Allahabad High Court held that public land cannot be claimed for exclusive religious use for offering Namaz. It said individuals cannot unilaterally appropriate public property, stressing that religious practice must respect public order and the rights of others. Dismissing a petition for exclusive access, the court added that activities affecting the public domain can be regulated by the state.
Indian investors are bracing for next week’s US market signals, tracking a strong rally that could hinge on earnings and fresh jobs data. The backdrop is riskier: oil prices are surging and the US Federal Reserve has hinted at a tougher stance. Global tensions remain, but traders expect reported results and labor numbers to steer sentiment and volatility.
West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari welcomed repolling across 15 polling stations in Magrahat West amid allegations of EVM tampering. While praising the action, he urged that repolls should extend to the entire Falta assembly segment too, saying the BJP’s lotus symbol was allegedly covered with tape at some booths. The dispute adds pressure to election officials.
India is set for above-normal May rainfall, with the southwest monsoon expected around May 14-16, according to the IMD. Delhi may see partly cloudy skies with light rain and thunderstorms on May 3. Kerala has a yellow alert for heavy showers and strong winds across all districts, while heavy downpours are forecast for parts of the Northeast and East.
The Academy Awards will require that acting and writing for Oscar eligibility be human-created. New rules explicitly bar artificial intelligence from being used in these categories, affecting submissions for the March 2027 ceremony. The Academy says the update responds to growing concerns that AI could replace human actors and writers in the film industry, reshaping how future entries are made.
Canada’s intelligence service CSIS warns that Khalistani elements are a violent extremist threat to national security. The report further alleges that foreign actors are interfering in Canadian politics, naming China, Russia, India, Iran and Pakistan. The findings raise concerns about coordinated influence operations alongside extremist activity.
President Trump said U.S. Navy actions against Iran are “like pirates” after U.S. forces seized a ship and its oil cargo. The remarks come as the U.S., Israel, and Iran remain locked in a spiraling conflict marked by naval blockades and mounting casualties, with knock-on effects disrupting global oil shipments.
A massage therapist in Kansas has been charged with rape and sexual battery after multiple women alleged abuse during appointments. Police say the incidents occurred at a yoga studio in Baldwin City and at a chiropractor’s office in Grandview, Missouri. The case began when one woman reported an alleged assault during a massage appointment, leading to an arrest in April. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing.
US President Donald Trump said military action was taken against Iran’s nuclear programme to protect the Gulf, including Israel, from the risk of Tehran obtaining a nuclear weapon. Speaking in Florida, he argued talks were not delivering the kind of deal Washington requires, adding that he is ruling out any “early exit” from the region.
Sarah Danh, a Texas newlywed bride, is off life support and breathing independently after a sudden collapse during her honeymoon in Japan. Doctors diagnosed acute liver failure and she fell into a coma. Now, her family reports steady progress—Sarah is responding to loved ones and has even begun taking steps with assistance, fueling hope for further recovery.
Riteish Deshmukh’s period drama Raja Shivaji has made a sensational Marathi box office debut, collecting ₹11 crore on its release day. The Marathi version accounted for ₹8 crore net, surpassing prior records from major crowd pullers. Strong advance bookings and high occupancy rates across Maharashtra point to strong audience momentum for the historical epic.
The Supreme Court granted bail and suspended a jail sentence for a government officer accused of taking a Rs 10,000 bribe, citing an unusual disruption: rats destroyed the seized bribe money. With the cash used as evidence reportedly damaged, the court said it will examine evidence preservation concerns further.
Aamir Khan says his “perfectionist” approach didn’t always guide his career. He reveals he agreed to Awwal Number and Tum Mere Ho without reading or hearing the story, influenced by his father. The actor now prefers instincts and meticulous preparation, citing Taare Zameen Par as an example. Those early 1990 films, however, failed at the box office.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said he is “over the moon” about India’s growth, pointing to rising middle-class demand and strong double-digit expansion across product categories. The March quarter brought standout iPhone momentum and record Services revenue, even as supply constraints and AI spending shape the outlook. Meanwhile, Indian VC activity snapped back in late April with funding more than doubling week-on-week, led by multiple $20M-plus rounds.
The Pentagon is integrating artificial intelligence into classified computer networks, signing deals with seven major tech companies to supply AI capabilities for military decision-making. The effort is designed to speed up target identification and strengthen logistics, aiming to improve warfighter confidence and reinforce national security as threats evolve.
Indian VC activity snapped back in the last week of April into early May, with startups raising $219 million across 18 deals after the prior week’s $81 million low. The surge came from multiple mid-sized rounds, including several above $20 million, spanning startups across sectors and stages. Still, investors remain cautious as macro headwinds persist.
The Pentagon says a US blockade in the Gulf of Oman and nearby shipping routes has cut into Iran’s oil income, costing nearly $4.8 billion in revenue, according to estimates shared by Axios. US officials argue the move is meant to sustain economic pressure on Tehran, and will remain in place until navigation terms revert to those before February 27.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it is issuing new rules to strengthen its control over the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global energy shipping. The announcement also aligns with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s criticism of foreign military presence, calling US bases ineffective and signaling tougher regional posture.
Zayn Malik has cancelled all US dates for his 2026 “Konnakol” tour as he continues recovering at home after being hospitalised last month for an unspecified illness. The singer shared the update via Instagram, thanking fans for their support and promising he will “be stronger.” Reports say his family urged followers to stay calm and avoid sending flowers.
Alphabet’s latest quarter shows AI reshaping cloud: Google Cloud revenue jumped about 63% on surging enterprise demand, lifting overall revenue and profits. The company signals a bigger push on capital expenditure to expand AI infrastructure. Separately, energy engineering firm Kimbal Pvt Ltd secured a $22 million Series B led by GEF Capital Partners to scale smart grid and metering tech.
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