Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Specialty chemicals firm LANXESS has signed an agreement with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to market aviation and industrial lubricants in India and across the SAARC region. The partnership is designed to expand availability of advanced lubricant solutions, leveraging HPCL’s distribution reach and LANXESS’s technical expertise to serve aviation and industrial customers.
Onward Technologies has approved a Rs 180 crore share buyback, repurchasing nearly 5.49 lakh shares at Rs 328 each, a 20% premium. This is the company’s first-ever buyback, with May 18 set as the record date. Promoters will not participate, and Centrum Broking has been appointed as the buyback manager.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
The BCCI is preparing stricter disciplinary and access-control measures for IPL 2026 after multiple incidents left the board uneasy, particularly over security and crowd or entry management. According to sources, the guideline is meant to reduce repeat trouble and strengthen control around the league, signaling a tougher stance for teams, officials, and related parties going forward.
A Pakistani lawmaker claimed colleagues were working for India’s intelligence agency RAW during a stormy assembly session. The accusation triggered loud protests and interruptions, prompting the Speaker to abruptly cut off the MLA’s microphone. The clip has since gone viral, intensifying debate over rising hostility and mistrust inside Pakistan’s political environment.
A Hyqoo AI Engineer job posting reportedly required 4+ years of experience with LangChain, a framework that launched in late 2022. The mismatch—experience exceeding the tool’s lifespan—sparked a viral Reddit debate and raised fresh questions about outdated hiring filters in fast-moving AI markets, where candidates may not have had time to gain “years” on newly released tech.
India’s retail inflation inched up to 3.48% in April, driven mainly by firmer food prices. Food inflation rose to 4.20%, while personal care and miscellaneous goods saw the sharpest increases. Even with the uptick, inflation remains comfortably below the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% target, keeping the rate outlook relatively steady.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
Astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit, known for predicting C. Joseph Vijay’s political rise, has been appointed Officer on Special Duty to Tamil Nadu’s newly elected Chief Minister. The move follows TVK’s major breakthrough in the 2026 Assembly elections, where it exceeded expectations and disrupted long-standing political equations.
India and Russia are reportedly in advanced talks for a critical minerals pact that would span exploration, processing and technology for resources like lithium and rare earths. The proposed framework is designed to reduce India’s dependence on China while enabling easier corporate investment. If finalized, it could strengthen long-term access to inputs key for clean energy and high-tech manufacturing.
Electronics manufacturing platform Mekr has raised ₹67 crore in a Series A round led by Avaana Capital, with Titan Capital Winners Fund participating. The startup will invest in R&D, product engineering, proprietary tooling, supplier localisation, and manufacturing automation. Founded in 2022, Mekr operates an end-to-end digital ODM platform and targets global export readiness from its Sonipat facility.
Experts say India should rapidly expand domestic coal gasification to reduce vulnerability to global energy shocks. By converting dry coal into syngas, the process can support alternative fuel use while lowering carbon emissions. The move is also framed as a step toward energy security and import substitution, with downstream benefits for critical sectors such as fertilizers.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
eBay has rejected GameStop’s audacious $56 billion takeover offer, citing concerns over financing. GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen had signaled he might approach eBay shareholders directly, but investors remain skeptical about the deal’s feasibility. The proposal would combine GameStop’s physical stores with eBay’s network, betting on an offline push that now looks stalled.
Samsung Electronics’ South Korea labour union is threatening to stop pay negotiations unless a mediation proposal is put forward. The union is pressing for a larger share of operating profit to boost performance bonuses, arguing payouts are smaller than rival SK Hynix. The dispute intensifies despite Samsung’s record profits fueled by the AI chip boom.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has launched the updated NX500 with E-Clutch, an electronically controlled clutch designed to automate engagement during starts, stops, and gear shifts. The middleweight adventure tourer aims to deliver clutch-free riding while using Honda’s system to manage transitions. The updated NX500 is priced at ₹7.43 lakh ex-showroom and bookings are open.
NEET UG 2026, taken by over 22 lakh students, has been cancelled by the Central government over paper leak allegations. The National Testing Agency has announced a re-examination, with dates yet to be confirmed. The CBI will investigate the irregularities. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the government over corruption and negligence that he says shattered students’ dreams.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
Students took to the streets outside Shastri Bhawan to protest the NEET UG 2026 paper leak. The National Testing Agency cancelled the exam, citing concerns that point to widespread irregularities. NSUI called the move a win for student power, pressing for the Education Minister’s resignation and demanding that the NTA be banned from conducting future exams.
A pregnant passenger went into labour aboard the Pune-Supaul Express near Ahilyanagar station and safely delivered her baby in a crowded general coach. Railway Protection Force personnel were alerted immediately, boarded the train without delay, and provided timely assistance to ensure both mother and child were safe. The swift response turned a tense moment into a relief-filled outcome.
Robinhood has reportedly filed confidentially for what would be its second venture fund, aiming at growth and early-stage startups. The move signals a deeper push beyond trading as the AI rally boosts investor appetite for new companies. While details remain limited, the filing suggests Robinhood wants to broaden its startup bets and position for a future retail-facing listing.
McDonald’s is outperforming competitors in Q1, keeping market share steady as its new Extra Value Menu strengthens demand. The strategy is built around affordability, and the early results suggest it’s not just customers who are benefiting—franchisees are reporting stronger value perception and improved performance. With rivals struggling, McDonald’s’ focus on lower prices appears to be paying off.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
Thinking Machines says today’s AI conversations are built like text chains: it waits to listen, then replies. The company is developing a different approach where the model processes your input and generates its response simultaneously, closer to a phone call. The goal is faster, more natural back-and-forth that better matches how people actually talk.
A tourist in Tokyo was just three minutes late to their destination after a train delay. Instead of brushing it off, authorities sent a formal apology that even specified the exact duration and issued official certificates. The staff reportedly apologized in person too, reflecting a culture where punctuality and accountability extend to the smallest disruption.
West Bengal is restarting the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY), offering cashless health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh per family each year. The update opens eligibility for senior citizens aged 70 and above to apply for coverage, aiming to reduce out of pocket medical costs and ease financial stress on households across the state.
Amazon is stepping up its value commerce push in India. Amazon Bazaar, its low-cost marketplace, reportedly grew fivefold in 2026, and the company is now integrating it directly into the main Amazon app. The strategy targets price-sensitive shoppers by keeping most deals within tight limits, including items under Rs 300 and a Rs 600 cap, while leveraging Amazon’s existing logistics and platform reach.
Kedarnath temple’s income rose sharply to Rs 71.06 crore in 2024-25, up 34.32% from the prior year, according to an RTI response. The figure covers earnings from special pujas, donations, and helicopter services, while major expenses go to staff salaries and maintenance. The temple committee also manages multiple shrines and facilities.
TikTok has challenged its EU “gatekeeper” status, arguing it doesn’t meet the Digital Markets Act’s strict eligibility criteria. The outcome could reshape how regulators apply DMA obligations to major platforms across Europe. A court decision is expected in the coming months, making this dispute a potential turning point for big tech oversight.
Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and GE Aerospace’s Larry Culp are set to join US President Donald Trump on his China trip, Reuters reports. The delegation also includes Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, Micron’s Sanjay Mehrotra, and leaders from Mastercard, Qualcomm and Visa—highlighting high-stakes business diplomacy.
India has fully operationalised four new labour codes, consolidating 29 existing laws into a single modern framework. The government says the overhaul strengthens worker protection while making compliance easier for businesses. Key promises include equal pay for equal work and universal social security, with officials positioning the move as both pro-poor and industry-friendly.
South Korean startup RLWRLD is training robots by capturing skilled workers’ real-world actions, from hotel staff folding napkins to logistics workers handling goods. The company is assembling a large human-expertise library that helps robots learn complex physical tasks. Its goal: turn humanoids into practical tools for next-generation factories and everyday homes.
Agilent Technologies has expanded its collaboration with C-CAMP to broaden India’s access to advanced, high-resolution analytical and mass spectrometry platforms. The shared-infrastructure model lets startups, academia, and industry use specialized workflows for tasks like biotherapeutic characterization and quantitative biomolecular analysis—reducing the need for large upfront capital investments while supporting more reproducible translational research.
Police in Arizona arrested a man linked to the death of another man after investigators responded to an apparent homicide call. Dismembered remains were allegedly found in a suitcase, and authorities reported bleach and blood at the scene. The suspect now faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges, as the investigation continues into what led to the crime.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the AI revolution will trigger a major U.S. infrastructure surge that needs more than software talent. He predicts electricians, plumbers, and builders could see wages rise as AI data centers are built at unprecedented scale. The shift suggests AI’s impact will extend into skilled manual work, potentially reshaping career paths for traditional trades.
After years of urging Apple to adopt RCS standards, Google says cross platform messaging between Android and iPhone users can now be end to end encrypted. The change aims to make conversations more seamless and safer, narrowing a major security and interoperability gap that persisted as both companies used different messaging systems.
GM has reportedly laid off hundreds of IT employees while moving to recruit candidates with stronger AI capabilities. The company’s postings emphasize AI-native development, data engineering and analytics, cloud engineering, and work tied to agent and model development. It also highlights prompt engineering and new AI workflows, signaling a rapid redesign of parts of its tech team around machine-focused skills.
Bengaluru fabless startup HrdWyr has raised $13 million in Series A led by Ideaspring Capital to accelerate its AI-native system-on-chip (AISoC) products. Founded by ex-industry leaders, it integrates AI directly into chip architecture for real-time edge processing, targeting power-sensitive markets like consumer electronics, EVs, white goods and data centres. The round also reflects surging investor momentum in India’s semiconductor push.
Crown Worldwide Group will invest an additional $30 million in India over the next two years, expanding its capacity in a fast-growing market. The plan includes a new integrated storage and information management facility in Coimbatore, aimed at meeting rising demand for secure storage and digitisation services.
India’s April 1, 2026 STQC crackdown on uncertified internet-connected CCTV cameras pushed out major Chinese brands and left a market vacuum. Indian OEMs like CP PLUS and Sparsh are scaling production and shifting to AI-enabled, end-to-end security. The biggest scramble may be in the stack too—local SoCs and Vision AI chips are being built to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.
In Bhilwara, Rajasthan, police arrested three men accused of mutilating a deceased man by burning his finger and toe to stage an insurance fraud. The victim’s mother alleged a conspiracy and post-death mutilation. Investigators say the plot fell apart because a doctor could not be reached. One accused remains absconding, and police are probing links to similar cases.
Keir Starmer is under growing pressure after disappointing local election results, with MPs urging him to either name a resignation timeline or step aside. A formal leadership challenge isn’t automatic; it requires substantial support from Labour lawmakers and party members before it can even begin. The situation is testing how united the party leadership really is.
Olectra Greentech, India’s electric bus maker, has partnered with Dassault Systèmes to adopt the 3DEXPERIENCE platform for digital product development in electric mobility. The move connects design, simulation, validation and manufacturing in a single virtual workflow, letting Olectra align its development pipeline with global OEM standards while targeting faster launches, lower prototyping costs, and scalable next-generation bus and truck platforms.
Dubai’s once-strong pitch as a safe financial haven is taking a hit. Regional conflict fears are disrupting transactions, slowing IPO activity and leaving billions in deal value stuck. Even Dubai’s property market and flagship projects are seeing delays and higher costs, pushing investors to demand tougher risk premiums and reassess exposure across the Gulf.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare urged Indian manufacturers to make quality standards central to everyday operations to boost global competitiveness. She said markets are no longer driven only by cost and scale, but by quality, safety and reliability. Her message points to stricter processes, better compliance and stronger trust as key to competing abroad.
Canara Bank has increased its Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) by 5 basis points across all loan tenors, effective May 12, 2026. For borrowers with MCLR-linked loans, this means new interest charges that may translate into higher EMIs. In contrast, Bank of Baroda’s MCLR rates are unchanged.
InCred Capital, the wealth management arm of IPO-bound InCred Holdings, has acquired Singapore-based asset manager S Cube Capital, adding MAS-regulated fund vehicles to its Singapore platform. The company plans to integrate S Cube into InCred Global Wealth pending regulatory approvals and will onboard S Cube leaders as joint vice chairmen. InCred is also expanding its India-GCC-offshore investment corridor, while keeping deal value undisclosed.
Official data says land mafia has encroached over 17 lakh kanals of state land across Jammu and Kashmir, with Jammu accounting for the bulk and Rajouri emerging as the worst-hit district. Authorities have started removing illegal entries from revenue records and are working to retrieve the occupied land, including efforts to regularize portions where possible.
With gold prices staying high, Indian buyers are increasingly exchanging old jewellery for redesigned pieces instead of purchasing fresh gold. Jewellers including P. N. Gadgil Jewellers and Tanishq report strong jumps in these trade-ins as consumers treat old gold as a savings asset. The shift is also expected to curb demand for new gold imports.
At least nine people were killed and more than two dozen injured in a bomb blast in Lakki Marwat’s bazaar, officials say. The explosion targeted a rickshaw, and police officers were among the dead. Investigators suspect militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban, following another deadly attack on a security post. Pakistan has also raised concerns with Afghanistan’s Taliban about sanctuary sites.
India’s Railway Minister says upcoming bullet trains will dominate short-haul routes like Mumbai Pune and Bengaluru Chennai, signaling a major shift toward premium high-speed rail. The warning mirrors global trends where faster trains win intercity travel by cutting journey times, tightening economic links, and reshaping how commuters and business travelers choose transport.
Even as foreign portfolio investors pull back, Indian equities are holding up, propped by domestic buying. Market veteran Gautam Trivedi points to a growing split between economic fundamentals and market appeal to foreigners. With India seen as less attractive than AI-linked and commodity-driven emerging peers, domestic retail and institutions are stepping in to absorb FII outflows and support benchmarks.
Hindustan Zinc has signed an MoU with Group Nirmal to set up a zinc wire manufacturing facility in Rajasthan. The plant will produce high-grade zinc wire for sectors including infrastructure and automotive, aiming to strengthen domestic zinc manufacturing. The collaboration is designed to support higher-value industrial applications and expand India’s capacity for specialized zinc products.
A five-year-old European military drone startup, Helsing, backed by Daniel Ek, is reportedly close to raising $1.2 billion at an $18 billion valuation. The latest funding push highlights how quickly defense tech is attracting mega-investment interest, even as the company remains relatively young and focused on drones for military use.
Investigators say the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak was driven by a coordinated inter-state network that allegedly copied, reproduced and distributed the exam paper across at least five states before the test. Officials allege the papers were moved from Nashik toward Haryana first, then circulated through Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. A WhatsApp group called “Private Mafia” is reportedly under scrutiny.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.