Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to cut cooking oil consumption by 10%, linking it to “nation’s service and body’s service.” Health experts argue the change doesn’t require bland food, recommending practical kitchen swaps like non-stick cookware, air-frying, measuring oil, and using more herbs and spices to cut unnecessary fat without losing taste.
SEBI has proposed expanding how Infrastructure Investment and Trust (IPF) income can be used. Stock exchanges can already spend up to 5% of IPF investment interest on defined trust and administrative costs, but depositories currently have no such allowance. The move could standardise expense treatment and tighten clarity on what IPF income can cover for depository operations.
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Bi-RIDE has awarded a Rs 1,514 crore contract to ICF for 153 air-conditioned metro-type coaches for Bengaluru’s suburban rail project. The order targets deliveries within 18 months, lining up with the project’s planned inauguration timeline. The deal is being hailed as a major milestone toward a world-class rail network for daily commuters in Bengaluru.
NEDFi has partnered with Veefin Solutions to roll out a multi-year, cloud-hosted digital lending ecosystem across Northeast India. The system will cover loan origination, management, and collections, supported by mobile apps and a customer portal. The goal is to improve credit access for entrepreneurs in remote areas while enabling NEDFi to expand its financial product offerings.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone has named Niraj Bansal as CEO-Ports, effective June 1. Pranav Choudhary will step down at the end of May. Bansal, who joined the Adani Group in October 2022, previously worked extensively including at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust—signaling a leadership reset for the port business.
West Bengal has appointed IAS officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, a seasoned 1990-batch bureaucrat, as the state’s new Chief Secretary. The reshuffle comes at a crucial moment, and government sources point to his “calm leadership style” and “institutional memory” as major reasons he rose above other senior contenders to take charge of top administration.
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Actress Trisha drew massive attention at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony in Chennai. In viral clips, she’s seen leaving the venue as fans crowd around her, turning her mint green saree and jasmine gajra hair accessory into instant social media buzz. The footage quickly spread across platforms, spotlighting her star power beyond cinema.
A UN task force warns that tens of millions could face hunger if fertilizer shipments are blocked through the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption comes as Iran retaliates amid a wider US Israel conflict, squeezing a trade route crucial to global food production. The UN says political will from key countries is needed to reopen passage and prevent a humanitarian crisis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the assembly poll outcomes in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry sparked nationwide enthusiasm. Speaking in Vadodara after inaugurating the Sardar Dham Hostel, he praised the BJP’s performance in the local context and asserted that people working together have “created history,” framing the results as a turning point beyond state lines.
Google says it stopped a criminal group from using AI to exploit an unknown vulnerability in another company’s defenses. The tech giant reported it observed threat actors planning a large operation based on a newly discovered bug. The move underscores growing alarm in both governments and industry about how AI could accelerate cyberattacks.
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Bengaluru’s recent flooding after a short spell of rain points to a larger urban pattern: big infrastructure spending doesn’t translate into resilience when planning stays fragmented. Upgrades decided by different departments often don’t integrate, so drainage, roads, and stormwater systems still fail to work as one. The result is disruption that feels familiar with every heavy downpour.
Cruise ships are facing back to back outbreaks, triggering international concern. After the hantavirus tragedy aboard MV Hondius, another vessel reported a major norovirus outbreak, leaving more than 100 passengers ill with the highly contagious stomach infection. Experts say the key differences from COVID-19 lie in symptoms, transmission routes, and risk profiles, including how deadly hantavirus can be.
The Indian Embassy in Russia has expressed condolences after two Indian employees died in a fire at a textile factory in Ivanovo. Embassy officials said they are coordinating with local authorities and factory management to provide support to the families, and officers have been dispatched to the site to handle the situation on the ground.
SEBI has issued a settlement order in a case involving BofA Securities India, alleging the firm failed to maintain the structured digital database mandated under insider trading regulations. A show-cause notice cited the compliance lapse, while BofA declined to comment on both the settlement order and the allegations. The case centers on record-keeping requirements rather than specific trades.
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A decades-old photograph of actor Vijay and Udhayanidhi Stalin is trending online as Tamil Nadu braces for a high-stakes assembly face-off. The two never shared screen space, but their ties run deeper: Udhayanidhi produced Vijay’s 2008 film Kuruvi, marking his debut as a producer. Now, the past is fueling fresh political curiosity.
HSBC raised its 2026 S&P 500 target to 7,650, pointing to robust corporate earnings and resilient technology stocks. The bank expects broader market participation and improving AI adoption to support upside, with easing macro conditions potentially driving the index toward and even beyond 8,000. Risks remain, including inflation and oil price volatility.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced the first portfolio allocation for five members of his council of ministers. Senior BJP leaders have been given departments spanning administration, welfare, and regional development, aiming to blend experience with broader representation. Adhikari will retain oversight of all remaining portfolios as the cabinet structure takes shape.
India’s digital precious metals industry has launched the Digital Precious Metals Assurance Council of India (DPMACI) to strengthen consumer protection and trust. Chaired by Nirupama Soundararajan, the self-regulatory body will set and enforce operational and governance standards, including 1:1 physical backing verification and insured vaulting, as digital gold and silver adoption accelerates.
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Apple is reportedly preparing major Siri AI upgrades for macOS 27 and iOS 27, including more chatbot-style conversations powered by newer models. The move signals that Siri’s challenge isn’t just competitors like Alexa or Google Assistant—it’s now ChatGPT itself. The result: an update framed less as innovation and more as urgent survival in the AI assistant race.
The DGCA has issued a new compliance rule for airport operators: they must maintain records of all photographs taken in security hold areas and on the tarmac. These photo records must be preserved for three years and can be demanded by the DGCA for inspection at any time, adding stricter oversight around aviation security and operations.
The former coal-mining town of Cumberland is turning an old fossil-fuel legacy into a potential clean-energy breakthrough. Researchers with the University of Victoria’s ACET initiative are studying geothermal heat use from underground mine tunnels, where trapped water could act like a massive underground thermal battery to heat and cool local buildings—using infrastructure that once powered coal extraction.
India’s gold imports are rising fast, with policymakers pointing to intensified flows after the India UAE trade benefits. Prime Minister Modi has urged citizens to cut back on non essential gold purchases, arguing the country could become more vulnerable amid tough global conditions. The concern: what looks like a booming trade may be exposing India to supply and economic shocks.
Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta are signaling that AI spending won’t slow, with their combined budgets now projected to top $700 billion this year. To sustain the push for AI and cloud expansion, more tech companies are tapping debt markets—potentially changing how they finance next-stage infrastructure growth amid rising demand.
BSE has rolled out India’s first futures and options contracts linked to the Focused IT Index, giving traders and investors new tools to hedge or bet on technology stocks. The launch drew strong participation, with debut day turnover hitting Rs 148 crore, underscoring rising appetite for sector-specific derivatives as market dynamics and global tech themes evolve.
Wall Street’s main indexes opened lower on Monday after last week’s record rally, as renewed concerns about stalled US-Iran talks lifted oil prices. Higher energy costs and heightened geopolitical risk dampened investor risk appetite, setting a cautious tone for trading. The market’s early moves reflect how quickly crude and politics are reshaping sentiment.
Indian Railways says it has utilized 98 percent of its FY26 capex budget by February-end. With electrification and new high-speed corridors expanding, the government expects major travel-time cuts that could shift passengers away from flights. Announced timelines include Mumbai to Pune in about 28 minutes and Delhi to Varanasi in roughly 3 hours 50 minutes.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released two female cheetahs into open wild at Kuno National Park in Sheopur on Monday. The cats were part of the latest batch brought from Botswana in February, after completing quarantine and acclimatisation. Officials are now watching closely to see how the new pair adapts to their habitat in the reintroduction programme.
Reliance Industries is reportedly revamping Jio Platforms’ mega IPO plans after internal and investor disagreements over valuation. The shift comes as stakeholders debate what the company should be priced at before listing. ETtech Top 5 also flags DailyObjects lining up fresh capital, adding to the day’s focus on funding and market appetite.
AIMIM corporator Matin Patel, accused of sheltering Nida Khan in the Nashik TCS religious conversion and sexual harassment case, has moved to court to halt the demolition of Khan’s house. Patel says officials issued a notice demanding a response within three days, alleging the property was constructed illegally, and he has sought an immediate stay on the demolition order.
Apple’s Liquid Glass redesign for macOS Tahoe aimed for a modern, layered look, but it reportedly left some users struggling with readability. Now Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is working on interface refinements for macOS 27 to address the most common complaints, suggesting fixes may arrive sooner than many expect and that the issue is significant enough to prioritize.
India is reportedly considering emergency measures to safeguard foreign exchange reserves amid mounting oil costs. The government is said to be looking at curbs on imports such as gold and electronics, alongside possible fuel price hikes. Officials are also urging citizens to conserve fuel and cut back on gold purchases to ease pressure on the economy.
Alphabet is considering its first-ever yen bond sale, aiming to raise capital for its expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem. The move highlights how Big Tech is increasingly turning to global debt markets to fund data, compute, and AI development—once dominated by equity and internal cash flows. Market attention will center on timing, size, and investor appetite for yen issuance.
Gian Singh Mann, cousin of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was welcomed by Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, a move coming with early next year’s Punjab assembly elections in sight. Mann, from Sangrur district, is expected to strengthen the BJP’s outreach as campaigning heats up.
Kerala’s new government is set to roll out free bus travel for women on state buses, but private bus operators are resisting. They argue the move will squeeze their business and demand government support before implementation. The dispute is fueled by Karnataka’s experience with a similar scheme, which reportedly carried a steep cost—raising concerns about Kerala’s transport finances.
Micron (MU) jumped 6% to about $790, testing a 52-week high near $818, as Deutsche Bank lifted its price target to $1,000. The turnaround is driven by a surge in DRAM revenue, up 207%, and total revenue rising to $23.86 billion. Despite the run, MU trades at a forward P/E of 12—half the sector’s median—raising the question: will momentum last or fade fast?
A fragile Iran US ceasefire is growing shakier after President Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal. The dispute remains rooted in Iran’s nuclear program and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. With both sides still locked in a high-stakes standoff, international diplomacy is pushing to prevent escalation, with China seen as a key player in pressing Tehran toward concessions.
The World Health Organization says seven passengers on the cruise ship MV Hondius have confirmed Andes hantavirus infections, bringing the total to nine reported cases. Three deaths have been linked to the outbreak. A French passenger evacuated from the ship tested positive, and two additional suspected cases are still under review as health authorities track contacts.
Edtech firm Adda247, backed by Google, has cut its workforce by 20% as revenue growth slows. The company says the move is aimed at reducing costs and streamlining operations while it prepares for a planned IPO. Employees in product and content verticals were impacted, and Adda247 says it remains committed to supporting affected staff.
A Sultanpur court has granted Rahul Gandhi’s defamation case complainant a final chance to file a revision petition, adjouring the matter to May 21. The complainant’s lawyer plans to challenge an earlier order linked to evidence verification, including a voice sample match. Gandhi, who has faced the case since 2018, maintains his innocence.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a counter-attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the BJP of “betrayal politics” toward its coalition allies. He also turned the spotlight on the party’s internal turmoil in Karnataka, questioning its economic approach and challenging its claims of progress. The exchange raises fresh stakes in the state’s political battle lines.
A French passenger and an American evacuee have tested positive for hantavirus after being evacuated from the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise traveling around Antarctica. Health officials say three passengers have already died, triggering worldwide concern and coordinated evacuations. It is being treated as the first emergency linked to a cruise ship, raising questions about exposure onboard.
Delhi Police have identified four accused in the alleged harassment and assault of two women near Nehru Place in South Delhi. One suspect has already been detained and is being interrogated as multiple police teams conduct raids across the NCR. The allegation includes racial slurs directed at a woman from Assam, sparking renewed concerns over safety and hate-based abuse.
Kerala’s Assembly election has been decided for over a week, but the UDF still has no named Chief Minister. With counting complete, Congress leadership reportedly remains deadlocked among VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, fueling political tension. The BJP has seized on the delay with a surprising dig, escalating pressure on Congress to resolve the internal standoff and make an appointment.
Commerzbank says it will cut 3,000 jobs to fund and accelerate a €600 million AI strategy under its “Momentum 2030” plan. The move comes as pressure mounts from UniCredit’s €37 billion takeover bid. The bank expects €450 million in reorganisation costs, while using AI across service, KYC, fraud prevention and internal assistants to boost revenue and slash operational expenses.
Embattled UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he will “prove” his “doubters” wrong as mounting criticism threatens his leadership after disastrous election results. Returning Labour to power in 2024 after 14 years of Conservative rule, Starmer used a tough message to calm concerns and respond to growing calls for change within the political establishment.
A rare fossil find is rewriting how scientists think dinosaurs sounded. Researchers identified a fossilized larynx from Pinacosaurus, an ankylosaur, and found it carries bird-like features linked to complex vocal control. The discovery undermines the long-standing idea that dinosaurs roared loudly like cinematic monsters, suggesting more nuanced communication abilities instead.
SoftBank’s executive Masayoshi Son is reportedly weighing a France investment that could reach as much as $100 billion, according to Bloomberg News. The potential move signals a major push into European markets and technology buildout, though details on timing, structure, and partners remain unclear. Analysts will watch for how this aligns with SoftBank’s broader funding strategy.
Truecaller is cutting about 70 jobs, roughly 15% of its workforce, after a weak first quarter that exposed pressure on its core advertising-led model. Net revenue fell 27% year-on-year, while India revenue dropped 41%, dragged by losses in real-money gaming ad spend after regulatory bans, advertising partner algorithm updates, and weaker activity from regional conflicts.
Manipal Health Enterprises has acquired a hospital site in Mumbai’s Andheri for Rs 495 crore, a major purchase that forms part of a larger Rs 908 crore deal. The transaction highlights a growing investor appetite for healthcare-focused real estate in India’s biggest cities, where expansion plans increasingly hinge on acquiring prime land and facilities.
Railway pensioners and family pensioners are set to get a Dearness Relief hike, with DR rising from 58% to 60% of basic pension. The revised rates will take effect from January 1, 2026, as part of efforts to offset rising prices. Millions of retirees are expected to see higher monthly payouts after the change.
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