Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered the shutdown of 717 state-run TASMAC liquor shops located within 500 meters of schools, colleges, religious sites and bus stations. Authorities began a statewide audit after the directive and will implement the closures within two weeks. The move marks his first major policy action since taking office.
Global hedge funds are piling into Asian equities with a weekly buying pace not seen in a decade, led by South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The rush is concentrated in technology firms, as investors chase exposure to artificial intelligence beneficiaries. Chipmakers across the region appear to be the key drivers, reflecting how money is flowing into Asia’s tech supply chain.
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US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s latest peace proposal, arguing the ceasefire is on “life support.” Speaking from the Oval Office during a maternal healthcare event, he reiterated that Iran has been militarily defeated and claimed any gains made during the ceasefire would be undone quickly. Trump also renewed warnings that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Norway next week for the first time in 43 years by an Indian prime minister to Oslo. The agenda is expected to spotlight a long term LPG energy partnership alongside maritime cooperation, climate action, and broader sustainable development ties between the two countries.
Assam Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the four ministers expected to be inducted into the Himanta 2.0 Cabinet, ahead of the swearing-in in Guwahati on Tuesday, May 12. He also named the candidate for Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, signaling how the new government will be structured after a BJP landslide.
US-Iran tensions escalated as Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest peace bid, calling it “garbage,” while declaring a ceasefire was on “massive life support.” Reports also claim Pakistan, despite acting as mediator, allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields and shielded jets from potential US strikes near the Nur Khan base.
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GitLab says it will cut jobs to free resources for AI agents, betting on the “agentic” wave to automate internal workflows and boost efficiency. The plan includes reducing management layers and reorganizing R&D teams to integrate AI agent capabilities. The CEO adds that while some roles may be enhanced with AI, others will be expanded to keep momentum.
On May 11, five Nifty500 stocks, including PVR Inox, finished more than 2% below their VWAP, a level tracked by traders as the average traded price. Closes beneath VWAP typically point to heavier selling than buying through the day, worsening intraday sentiment and hinting at short-term weakness in these counters.
Oxford-trained financial advisor Udayan Adhye’s viral claim says raising a child in an Indian metro over 21 years can total about Rs 6.75 crore. He points to education inflation and lifestyle costs, factoring in private schools, coaching, healthcare, and vacations. The estimate varies widely with city and spending choices, but it has ignited fierce debate online.
India are set to host Afghanistan for a three-match ODI series, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli expected to return to the playing XI. Despite the excitement around the Rohit-Kohli combo, the bigger surprise may be the possible rest for Jasprit Bumrah following an intense IPL campaign, reshaping India’s bowling plan for the series.
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JSW Energy’s March quarter results are drawing fresh investor attention after net profit rose 38% year-on-year to Rs 574 crore and revenue climbed 41%. Power sales volumes increased, with both renewable and thermal generation registering substantial gains. The company also recommended a dividend payout, adding to the positive read-through for shareholders.
India’s cola battle between Reliance’s Campa Cola and beverage giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo is unexpectedly boosting commercial refrigeration sales. To grab market share, companies are aggressively installing coolers even in small retail outlets, turning these refrigerators into a marketing tool that directly drives product visibility and sales.
Congress leaders are meeting in Delhi to lock in Kerala’s next Chief Minister, but the party high command is still widening consultations. It’s seeking input from former state presidents and working presidents while juggling top contenders including Ramesh Chennithala, V D Satheesan and K C Venugopal. A formal decision is expected soon as consensus-building continues.
Iltija Mufti’s social media account was blocked in India after she shared a video of the late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a case tied to the video. The PDP criticized the move, saying silencing voices will not solve Kashmir’s underlying issues.
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A fresh diplomatic storm has hit Pakistan after US officials, citing CBS News, alleged that Islamabad quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at the Nur Khan airbase. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says the claims require a review of Pakistan’s standing and neutrality amid rising tensions. Islamabad has not been shown to confirm the allegations, but doubts are widening in Washington.
RCB’s Tim David was fined after making an obscene middle-finger gesture from the dugout following RCB’s last-ball win over Mumbai in Raipur. The incident drew the attention of match officials, who issued the penalty for the display during the IPL 2026 thriller. The win capped a dramatic chase, but David’s celebration became the headline.
Investor Michael Burry, known for “The Big Short,” says the Nasdaq 100 could be heading for a sharp downturn. He compares today’s “parabolic” tech surge to the dot-com bubble’s peak, citing surging chip stocks and stretched valuations. Burry argues Wall Street may be overestimating earnings and urges caution, including profit-taking, ahead of a likely correction.
India has reduced royalty rates for crude oil and natural gas production, aiming to accelerate domestic exploration and output. The biggest cuts apply to deepwater and ultra-deepwater fields, where the new framework can offer zero royalty for an initial period. The policy is designed to make difficult reserves more economically viable and attract investment into domestic energy supply.
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Hayden Panettiere opens up in an upcoming memoir about a traumatic late-teen sexual assault aboard a boat by someone she trusted. She recounts how quickly she realized she was in danger and describes the lasting emotional betrayal that reshaped her view of trust and personal safety. The details spotlight the profound impact of being harmed by an insider.
A gunman allegedly opened fire on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the middle of traffic, firing about 50 to 60 rounds around 1:30 PM. Two people were left with life-threatening injuries. Police say Cambridge received an earlier 1:06 PM warning call from Boston Police about a man behaving erratically and believed to be armed. The suspect was later stopped by Massachusetts State Police.
A rare elephant trunk-like waterspout surprised tourists off Odisha’s Astaranga coast. Dark clouds spawned a funnel that descended to the sea, whipping up a visible vortex. Locals call it Hatisunda, and weather experts linked it to a developing low-pressure system. Authorities also warned of more thunderstorms and gusty winds across Odisha in the coming period.
Oil prices rose for a second straight day, driven by heightened uncertainty over US-Iran ceasefire negotiations and ongoing global supply worries. Trump said peace talks are struggling, while the US plans to release oil from its reserves. Traders are also watching Trump’s upcoming China visit, hoping diplomatic pressure could help unlock a resolution and ease market risk.
Gramin Dak Sevaks will get a Dearness Allowance of 60% of their basic TRCA starting January 1, 2026. The revision was confirmed by the Department of Posts after approval from the Ministry of Finance, bringing GDS DA rates in line with central government employees. The change is expected to raise monthly payouts from the new effective date.
Delhi Capitals pulled off a historic 200+ chase to beat Punjab Kings by three wickets in their PBKS vs DC match on Wednesday. Axar Patel and David Miller set the platform with fifties, while Ashutosh Sharma and Madhav Tiwari finished it off. Despite Punjab posting 210/5 powered by Shreyas Iyer and Priyansh Arya, DC climbed to seventh in the IPL standings.
Market watchers expect a farm deal at the upcoming U.S.-China summit that may expand Beijing’s purchases of grains and meat. Yet analysts say big new soybean purchases are unlikely beyond last October’s agreement, citing weak domestic demand and cheaper substitutes. Attention is shifting to possible commitments for corn, sorghum, milling wheat, beef, and poultry.
The U.S. dollar steadied as fears of renewed Middle East conflict pushed investors toward safety while oil prices climbed. Traders are watching for inflation pressures that could delay potential interest rate cuts. With diplomacy showing limited progress, markets are waiting on key U.S. inflation data and developments around President Trump’s China visit.
Atal Innovation Mission hosted the AIM SUMVAAD Central India Edition in Indore at RRCAT, uniting government, industry, academia, incubators, and startups. The summit launched the Madhya Pradesh Incubation Consortium and Rajasthan’s Thar Incubation Alliance while focusing on stronger state-centre collaboration, inclusive entrepreneurship, and scaling innovation. Leaders stressed incubators as engines of scalable ventures and patient, research-led growth.
OpenAI has reportedly capped its revenue-sharing payments to Microsoft at $38 billion, according to The Information. The move suggests the partnership’s financial upside for Microsoft is now limited, even if OpenAI’s earnings keep rising. The report does not detail the trigger or whether additional terms adjust future economics beyond the cap.
Delhi may finally get relief from days of dry heat as the IMD issues a rain and thunderstorm warning from Monday. Cloud cover and cooling rain are expected to nudge temperatures down slightly to around 35–37°C by Tuesday. The alert also covers parts of northwestern India, including Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, with gusty winds possible.
US officials removed details from a government website about an agreement with Microsoft, Google, and xAI. The arrangement reportedly let government scientists test new AI models for security flaws before they were released publicly. The deletion comes as national security concerns over advanced AI intensify, but officials have not clarified why the information was taken down.
Gold prices rose as markets priced in potential outcomes from an awaited Trump Xi meeting and closely watched fragile ceasefire negotiations involving Iran. Traders are also looking ahead to U.S. CPI data, viewing it as a key signal for the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate moves. Risk sentiment and rate expectations are driving the commodity’s momentum.
The Chandigarh Consumer Commission ruled that EPFO’s claim of software problems does not justify a decade-long delay in processing an employee’s EPF transfer request. Finding the delay inordinate and unexplained, it held the agency guilty of deficiency in service. EPFO was ordered to pay Rs 50,000 in compensation plus litigation costs.
France’s MBDA and India’s Air Force have agreed to set up an IAF-run MRO facility in India for MICA missiles, covering maintenance, repair, and mid-life overhauls. The plan is set to speed up missile turnaround times and reduce overseas servicing, boosting readiness and self-reliance. However, India won’t get production rights, and future missile upgrades still require new purchases from MBDA.
Former OpenAI executive Ilya Sutskever testified that he spent a year gathering evidence tied to claims of Sam Altman’s dishonesty. His account feeds into a high-stakes legal fight involving Elon Musk, who is suing OpenAI and Microsoft over allegations the company abandoned its nonprofit mission. The trial’s outcome could directly affect OpenAI’s future and control structure.
Amazon’s 10-minute delivery push is escalating pressure on India’s quick commerce leader Blinkit. As rivals battle for the same urban, high-frequency shoppers, Blinkit is adjusting beyond its earlier premium-focused strategy. Amazon, meanwhile, leans on Prime membership to combine speed with a wider selection, aiming to steal share where timing matters most.
Amazon’s push into quick commerce is unsettling Blinkit, despite the move arriving later than competitors. The latest ETtech dispatch also flags fresh insurance models gaining traction, signaling how marketplaces and adjacent services are reshaping consumer expectations. Together, these developments point to intensifying competition and faster product and policy journeys for customers.
The UAE has reportedly carried out unconfirmed military strikes against Iran, including an alleged early-April attack on a refinery on Lavan Island. The Wall Street Journal cites sources familiar with the matter, while Reuters has not independently verified the claims. With no public confirmation from the UAE yet, the episode remains closely watched amid rising regional tensions.
President Trump is facing mounting hurdles over Iran, with experts arguing his leverage has been significantly diminished. The standoff is already rippling into global oil prices, raising costs and anxiety for Americans. With Trump preparing to travel to China, analysts say the timing could worsen an already complex situation shaped by the consequences of military action.
Oil prices rose slightly in early Asian trade as fragile US-Iran negotiations revived worries about crude supply disruptions, especially around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s response signaled deep differences, while reduced output from OPEC helped keep prices steady above $100. The US also plans SPR loans and sanctions targeting Iranian shipments to curb market pressure.
US-listed Alpha Compute is expanding its confidential GPU-as-a-service offering in India by partnering with local data centers. The company says demand from clients including Telegram is driving the push, with a focus on low-latency AI infrastructure. The expansion follows a rebrand from a digital asset treasury platform to a secure AI infrastructure provider.
Eli Lilly has paused its obesity awareness campaign in India after the country’s drug regulator cautioned it over potential rule violations. The initiative sought to reframe obesity as a chronic disease using multiple media formats without naming specific products. Lilly says regulatory uncertainty and conflicting guidance led to the halt, while the regulator warned against indirect promotion of medicines.
The Trump administration has asked an appeals court to pause a trade court ruling that overturned President Donald Trump’s 10% global tariffs. Despite the court setback, the government wants the levies to remain in effect while its legal challenge proceeds. The decision will determine whether tariff payments continue during the appeal process, with broader trade and market implications.
The rupee closed at a new record low as equities slid following a sharp jump in oil prices beyond $100 a barrel. The shock traces to Donald Trump rejecting Iran’s peace plan, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged austerity to protect foreign exchange reserves and reduce fuel consumption amid rising risks from the ongoing Gulf conflict.
Canara Bank’s March-quarter net profit fell 10% to ₹4,506 crore, hurt by treasury losses linked to higher sovereign bond yields. Still, the bank’s asset quality improved, cushioning the downturn. For the full fiscal year, net profit grew 12.7% to ₹19,187 crore, showing stronger performance despite volatile markets.
With many IPOs failing to inspire, investors are showing strong demand for REITs and InvIT issuances. The reason: these trusts typically generate stable, annuity-like income from operational assets, translating into more predictable cash flows. In a choppy equity environment, that balance of resilience and returns is drawing capital away from traditional listings toward these infrastructure and real estate vehicles.
AI services are accelerating in India as Anthropic launches a joint venture and OpenAI reportedly seeks funding, raising competitive pressure on local IT firms. The bigger near-term challenge: several AI companies are moving to usage-based pricing, which can unsettle delivery economics and force Indian providers to rethink contracts, capacity planning, and risk sharing quickly.
Gold jewellery stocks slumped as Prime Minister Modi urged Indians to avoid buying gold for a year to conserve foreign exchange. The move rattled investor sentiment and clouded the near-term outlook for companies in the sector. Still, analysts argue that deeper demand drivers like weddings and organized players could keep long-term consumption resilient.
Embedded insurance is quickly finding a growth path in ecommerce and fintech, as payment and online retail platforms bundle protection for merchants. Startups such as Riskcovry and Assurekit use data analytics to build customised coverage, targeting costly issues like return-to-origin shipments and fraudulent orders, while enabling more accurate premium pricing and better risk assessment.
Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent for China. Prosecutors say she secretly coordinated with Chinese officials from 2020 to 2022, using a website called “U.S. News Center” to push propaganda and advance Beijing’s messaging. The case highlights how influence operations can reach local politics.
The US is releasing 53.3 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, awarding supply contracts to firms including Trafigura, Marathon Petroleum and Exxon Mobil. Trafigura received the largest portion of nearly 13 million barrels. The oil is scheduled to come out between June and August, ahead of peak US gasoline demand, amid price pressure tied to the Iran war.
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