Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Deeptech VC Exfinity Venture Partners says it partially exited cybersecurity startup CloudSEK in January, securing a 13X multiple on invested capital and a 40% IRR. The firm sold part of its stake to an existing investor but retained a significant holding and its board seat. Exfinity first invested in 2018, doubled down in 2021, and points to CloudSEK’s AI-led threat prediction and international traction.
Federal aviation officials are investigating a report from a United Airlines pilot that a Boeing 737 may have hit a drone near San Diego International Airport. The aircraft landed safely and no visible damage was found, but the incident is prompting renewed scrutiny over unmanned aircraft operating near controlled airspace and busy airports.
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Australia’s banking regulator APRA is warning that rapid advances in frontier AI could help hackers launch bigger, faster cyberattacks. With tools like Anthropic’s Claude Mythos lowering the barrier for attackers, regulators say many banks’ current defenses may not be keeping pace. APRA urges board members to better understand AI-driven cyber risks to protect the financial system.
OnEMI Technology’s IPO is set to open with a steady GMP, priced between Rs 162 and Rs 171 per share. The company targets around Rs 926 crore, including a fresh issue of Rs 850 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 76 crore. The IPO closes on May 5, with listing expected in early May.
Faridabad’s real estate, long overshadowed by other NCR hubs, may get a revival push from the upcoming Noida International Airport. Better connectivity to the airport and major corridors is expected to boost both residential and commercial demand, setting the stage for stronger launches, sales, and potential price appreciation—after years of stalled momentum.
Iran is signaling it will not give up its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz or soften its nuclear stance even as the US maintains a naval blockade. President Trump says any deal requires Iran to abandon nuclear ambitions first, while Tehran explores counter-strategies, including enlisting regional actors, to raise pressure on Washington.
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State-run Indian oil refiners are using SBI’s special FX credit line sparingly, choosing caution over a rupee-support mechanism. They expect further rupee depreciation, which would raise the cost of repaying the dollar-linked credit. The move comes as renewed pressure builds on the rupee, including from dollar demand linked to oil purchases.
Mumbai Indians once again suffered a painful IPL 2026 loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad despite posting 243. After MI’s defeat and dwindling playoff hopes, captain Hardik Pandya addressed what he felt when parts of the crowd cheered for SRH. His reaction turned the night into more than a batting collapse, highlighting the emotional pressure around results.
Bengaluru residents can expect ongoing pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms until May 2, with the IMD issuing a yellow alert across multiple Karnataka districts, including Bengaluru Urban and Rural. The forecast also points to rainfall and thunderstorms in Odisha, offering some relief from the heat. Citizens are advised to stay alert for sudden weather changes.
ISC results for 2026 will be released today, April 30, at 11 AM by CISCE. Students can check ISC Class 10/12 outcomes via results.cisce.org, DigiLocker, and UMANG, and can also receive results through SMS. Schools will get results via the CAREERS Portal. Here’s how to download the scorecard quickly using each option.
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Cade Cunningham erupted for a playoff-record 45 points as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 116-109, cutting the series deficit to 3-2. Jalen Duren’s early impact helped set the tone. Detroit now needs to win consecutive games to advance, while Orlando looks to force the deciding moment at home.
India and Turkiye’s security cooperation is highlighted by the swift deportation of narco-trafficker Salim Ismailbhai Dola. Wanted by Indian authorities, Dola was arrested in Turkiye after India shared key information and a Red Corner Notice, with Turkish agencies actively supporting the operation. The case is linked to a major fentanyl seizure.
Asia is facing energy shock dynamics reminiscent of the 1970s oil crises, as soaring fossil fuel costs squeeze households and industries. The fallout is accelerating a shift to cleaner options, with electric vehicles and solar adoption rising across the region. If the pressure continues, the scale of change could rival Europe’s earlier pivot toward renewables.
Qualcomm expects lower third-quarter earnings, but investors are focusing on signs of a smartphone rebound and a push into data center chips. CEO Cristiano Amon says new products will drive future growth as the company looks to balance challenges in consumer electronics. The stock jumped sharply on the strategy shift, signaling optimism despite near-term caution.
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Indian benchmarks Sensex and Nifty 50 are set to start lower on Thursday as global markets weaken. Investors are reacting to higher crude oil prices after US-Iran peace talks stalled, alongside a hawkish pause from the US Federal Reserve. Traders will watch key cues ranging from global cues and oil moves to rate expectations and currency direction.
Fino Payments Bank’s Q4 FY26 net profit fell 70% YoY to ₹7.1 crore, and full-year profit dropped 43% to ₹52.5 crore. Total income shrank 14% YoY in FY26, while Q4 revenue fell sharply—especially “other banking operations.” The bank says the decline isn’t linked to its ex-CEO’s arrest, though regulatory scrutiny and conditions for reinstatement remain in play.
MeitY has advised VPN providers and intermediaries to stop enabling access to blocked online betting and prediction markets, citing due-diligence duties under the IT Rules 2021. The ministry says users are bypassing restrictions through VPNs and converting rupees into stablecoins like USDC to participate. The warning intensifies India’s crackdown on real money gaming and opinion trading, despite legal ambiguity.
OnEMI Technology Solutions, the parent of lending platform Kissht, has raised ₹277.8 crore from anchor investors ahead of its April 30 IPO bidding. Kissht allotted 1.62 crore shares at ₹171 per share, the upper end of its ₹162–₹171 range. The issue runs April 30 to May 5 and includes a fresh ₹850 crore component plus an OFS.
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The Trump administration may start issuing tariff refunds around May 11, after the Supreme Court ruled the broad duties were illegal. Refunds will be processed through a new system called CAPE, with about 3% of eligible entries already in the payment stage. If it scales, the payouts could total billions to hundreds of thousands of importers.
Karnataka has filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court against a January 23 High Court order that allowed bike taxi operations, including permits and yellow number plates. The state argues the High Court overstepped by directing registrations and cites safety, congestion and pollution. The dispute has stalled services for riders and aggregators, while Karnataka is also reportedly drafting a future policy to legalise bike taxis.
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck Leh, Ladakh on April 30, 2026, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The tremor was recorded at 03:54:49 IST, with the epicentre at 36.722 N and 74.456 E and a depth of 150 km. Details on damage or injuries were not mentioned in the report.
MrBeast is set to appear as a guest on Survivor Season 50, Episode 10, bringing his blockbuster YouTube fame to TV’s toughest challenge. Despite constant public spotlight, he keeps personal matters tightly guarded—he is engaged to fellow YouTuber Thea Booysen, but wedding plans remain private. His success has also translated into an estimated $2.5 billion net worth.
The dollar held firm after hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials lifted bond yields and reduced expectations for rate cuts this year. At the same time, the Japanese yen slid past 160 per dollar, raising fears of possible intervention. Traders are also watching geopolitical tensions and oil price pressures that could further complicate currency moves.
Vedanta shares will trade ex-demerger today, with a special session set to recalibrate prices. The restructuring paves the way for four new entities to list in the near term, aiming to unlock value for shareholders. With the company recently reporting strong Q4 profit growth, investors are advised to track the upcoming listings and how the market prices the split.
Gold prices bounced back on Thursday as a weaker U.S. dollar supported the metal’s recovery from a one-month low. Yet investors remain cautious: higher oil prices are stoking inflation concerns and keeping expectations of prolonged higher interest rates alive. Meanwhile, global gold demand increased 2% year-on-year in Q1 2026, powered by bar and coin purchases alongside central bank buying.
US President Donald Trump on April 30 welcomed the UAE’s decision to leave the OPEC and OPEC+ alliance, saying the shift could help lower global oil and gas prices. Trump praised UAE leadership and framed the move as a smart strategy, while linking the development directly to potential price relief for markets worldwide.
Kolkata residents may get brief relief from the heatwave as the IMD forecasts rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, April 30. A yellow alert has been issued for Kolkata across the week, with rainfall expected to continue in multiple districts of West Bengal till May 3, bringing stormy conditions back after hot spells.
Crude oil has surged to around $120, its highest level since mid-2022, as worries mount over a prolonged U.S. blockade on Iranian exports. With nuclear negotiations stalled, analysts say the disruption could last until a wider deal is reached, tightening supply and leaving room for further price rises.
Investigators are revisiting the Nashik TCS-linked religious conversion case, with fresh claims pointing to a broader network of “love trap” operations. Sources allege young women were romantically lured to build trust, then pressured into conversion while promises of overseas jobs masked a suspected human trafficking racket with foreign connections. Authorities are now tracing the full modus operandi.
Oil prices extended their gains as the US Iran conflict drags on, with negotiations stalled and supply disruption risks growing across the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked, tightening flows through a key shipping chokepoint. Separately, the UAE’s exit from OPEC is expected to weaken the group’s ability to manage prices.
Tensions involving the U.S. and Israel with Iran are accelerating Asia’s pivot from fossil fuels toward electrification, especially electric vehicles and battery storage. The reported risk to oil and LNG supplies is driving investment and adoption, with the biggest momentum expected in two- and three-wheeler EVs and battery systems across Southeast and South Asia.
Donald Trump has threatened to reduce US troop presence in Germany, pointing to a dispute with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The clash reportedly follows differing views on the war with Iran and its wider economic fallout. Merz has warned that the conflict could hurt global growth, while Trump has previously pushed Germany on defense spending—despite the US still operating major facilities there.
Nasdaq-listed travel tech firm MakeMyTrip is reportedly targeting an India listing in Q1 2027. Bloomberg says it has already roped in Axis Capital, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan as advisers, with more banks expected to join. The company plans to raise capital from domestic investors and use India-listed equity to fund growth, alongside a brand consolidation under one Indian entity.
Deeptech startup Optimized Electrotech has raised ₹35 Cr in a round led by Exfinity Ventures to expand into space-based sensing. The firm says it will build satellite systems, grow its defense and security presence, and scale AI-enabled imaging for continuous real-time surveillance. Founded in 2017, it serves the Indian Army and Navy and works with ISRO, with initial satellite orders already secured.
Mission: Impossible actor Ving Rhames was released from a Los Angeles hospital after collapsing during a family meal. The 66-year-old reportedly felt fine and even made jokes as he left. His representative suggested the incident may have been triggered by overheating rather than something more serious, according to reports.
Cognizant reported Q1 results that topped expectations: revenue rose 5.8% year-on-year to $5.4 billion, and constant-currency growth also beat its own forecast range. Net profit was $663 million, marginally down from a year earlier, though it edged up 2.1% sequentially. Still, the company signaled it is considering layoffs.
Infosys CEO Salil Parekh expects AI to alter India’s IT talent pyramid, shifting demand toward specialized skills while keeping big structural changes gradual. The company is already adjusting hiring and training to better integrate AI tools. Parekh stresses that Infosys measures AI’s value through client outcomes, not intermediate metrics like token usage, which is being leveraged internally for development.
Mutual funds boosted holdings in listed new-age companies in the March quarter even as share prices slid and portfolio values declined. The buying spree by domestic institutional investors is unfolding alongside foreign portfolio investors trimming Indian equities. Funds appear to be leaning on long-term confidence in listed peers’ business models and execution, betting the valuation reset will pay off.
PepsiCo says it will shift nearly all its India beverage lineup to zero or low sugar while expanding capacity. The company also plans to lean harder on digital data, quick commerce partnerships, and evolving consumer preferences to sustain long-term growth. The push targets healthier choices without slowing demand, positioning beverages and distribution for the next phase.
Bengaluru fintech startup Oolka has raised $14 million led by Accel, with Lightspeed and Z47 joining. The fresh capital will strengthen its AI-driven creditworthiness solutions and help expand partnerships with banks. Oolka, which serves six million users, plans to broaden personal finance management including savings tools, marking its second major funding round.
India’s IT Ministry is proposing stricter AI-generated content rules requiring labels to be continuous and clearly visible. The goal is to boost transparency and strengthen platform accountability, but experts warn it could be difficult to implement, raise costs for creators, and affect creative freedom and user experience. Industry stakeholders are split on whether the trust benefits outweigh the practical burden.
Indian markets are bracing for the US Fed decision and election exit polls, with investors tracking HUL, Bajaj Finance and Adani Power closely. Adani Green is set to expand battery storage at scale, while Jaguar Land Rover faces a refund order. Vedanta warns aluminium production costs may rise due to geopolitical tensions.
The US Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling authored by Justice Alito, struck down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana as an unconstitutional gerrymander. By weakening a cornerstone Civil Rights-era protections, the decision could enable more Republican-friendly redistricting. Much of the impact may land after filing deadlines have passed, with major effects expected by 2028.
The Centre is reportedly negotiating with the US and Anthropic to create a way for Indian companies to access Claude Mythos without endangering critical infrastructure like power grids, telecom, and banks. Officials warn the model could fuel major cyber threats, with MeitY and banking regulators assessing risks and asking for faster incident response and stronger defenses.
Sahi, Dale Vaz’s mobile-first trading platform, raised $33 million in a Series B led by Accel with Elevation Capital. The Bengaluru startup plans to upgrade its tech stack, expand trading categories, and grow its user base—then move into wealthtech. It cites major traction, including a 24X trade-volume jump and rapid active-trader growth, even as SEBI tightened F&O rules that squeezed peers.
Meta Platforms is ramping up investment in AI infrastructure, but the market is reacting nervously. The social media giant faces growing backlash from younger users worldwide, and it’s also warning that legal and regulatory risks in the US and European Union could affect results. The combination is weighing on sentiment and shares.
Anthropic, the maker of Claude, is reportedly in talks after receiving multiple pre-emptive offers that value the company between $850 billion and $900 billion. Sources say the bids could lead to a new $50 billion funding round at roughly a $900 billion valuation, underscoring intense investor appetite for fast-growing AI competitors.
India’s AI startup shutdowns have surged, but the story isn’t simple collapse. The article argues the “AI moment” is shifting: investors still fund heavily, yet expectations are higher and selection sharper. Many failures were wrappers, weak defensibility, or business models disguised as products—while some survivors are pivots toward vertical SaaS with real enterprise integration.
US stock futures edged higher as investors tracked tech-led gains and AI-linked trading, even as crude surged on Iran war concerns. The Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged but leaned hawkish, shifting expectations for future policy. With multiple central bank decisions and megacap earnings ahead, markets are bracing for sharper swings.
Fintech startup Novio has raised Rs 100 crore in a Series A led by Cornerstone Ventures, with support from several investors including Shepherd’s Hill Private Equity and Innoven Capital. The funding will expand its distribution into Tier II cities, accelerate product development, and build AI credit advisory features on its UPI-linked credit card platform. Novio claims it has crossed one lakh active cardholders.
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