Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
India’s real GDP growth is projected at 7.2% for Q4 FY26, with full-year FY26 growth expected to reach 7.5%. The forecast points to resilient rural and urban consumption as the main engine. Looking ahead, real GDP growth for FY27 is estimated at 6.6%, balancing global economic headwinds with steady domestic demand.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for responsible consumption as West Asia tensions disrupt oil and gas supplies and push prices higher. Fadnavis cautioned that improper fuel use could worsen shortages in India. Modi also urged citizens to cut edible oil consumption and shift toward natural farming to reduce pressure on imports.
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Gold prices fell as stalled U.S. Iran peace talks pushed oil higher, reviving worries about inflation and potential interest rate hikes. A stronger dollar weighed on bullion further. At the same time, China’s gold output declined, but Indian buyers held back, waiting for lower prices. Still, speculators increased long positions, hinting at a split market mood.
China’s car sales dropped 21.6% year-on-year in April, extending a seventh straight month of contraction. With the domestic market weakening, automakers are leaning on export growth that jumped 80.2% to offset losses. The shift is visible in BYD’s results, where global shipments rose even as overall sales declined.
Oil prices surged by more than $3 a barrel after US and Iran failed to agree on a US-drafted peace proposal, ending hopes of ending their ongoing conflict. With the Strait of Hormuz largely closed, global supply risk stayed high. Brent futures rose about 3%, reflecting renewed fears of tighter energy availability ahead.
Udhayanidhi Stalin congratulated C. Joseph Vijay on being sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, while signaling he will remain a strong opposition voice. The DMK leader also credited MK Stalin for appointing him as Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, saying he is committed to serving the public and holding the government accountable.
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A Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Kathmandu reported tyre fires as it landed at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal. Emergency teams evacuated all 278 passengers and 11 crew members safely using the aircraft’s emergency doors. Reports describe flames on the right landing gear, and investigators are still examining the cause, with no official statement from the airline or airport yet.
The dollar climbed against major currencies early Monday as strong US jobs data and renewed Iran US tensions increased demand for safe-haven assets. Oil prices also rose amid the geopolitical backdrop. Meanwhile, China’s export growth accelerated in April, adding complexity to global trade signals. Trump and Xi are expected to discuss key issues later this week, adding further market uncertainty.
West Bengal Police have arrested three alleged sharp shooters from Uttar Pradesh in the Chandranath Rath murder case. Rath, executive assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead on May 6 near his home in Madhyamgram in what investigators call a pre-planned contract killing. The accused are expected to be produced in Barasat Court today.
Petrol and diesel prices across major Indian cities held steady on Monday, May 11. But Prime Minister Modi’s fresh appeal to conserve fuel, linked to West Asia tensions and climbing global crude prices, is raising expectations of an imminent hike. With state-run oil companies reportedly covering heavy losses, prices may soon be adjusted to balance the impact.
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Instant househelp platforms are gaining rapid traction, with startups together crossing three million monthly bookings in April. The growth signal is also drawing investor attention, as Agnikul reportedly looks to raise fresh funding. The momentum suggests demand for on-demand domestic services is strengthening and competition is likely to intensify.
Victor Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his NBA career after an elbow to Naz Reid’s chin in a Spurs–Wolves playoff game. Officials reviewed the incident and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2 for excessive, unnecessary contact above the neck, triggering automatic ejection. The clash happened in the second quarter with Minnesota barely ahead.
RCB stunned MI in an IPL 2026 last-ball thriller, with Krunal Pandya’s 46-ball 73 driving the chase as RCB edged over the line. The win lifted RCB to the top of the points table. But the moment after the match turned viral when captain Rajat Patidar made a startling remark that raised eyebrows across cricket circles.
Reliance Industries will pivot Jio Platforms’ IPO from an offer for sale to a fully fresh issue after investor disagreements on pricing. The company says the change is meant to protect retail investors, letting post-listing prices be set by the market. Proceeds will flow to Jio Platforms for debt repayment and expansion, rather than to existing shareholders.
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Social media platforms are now required to remove non-consensual intimate imagery within two hours of a complaint, down from a previous 24-hour deadline. The change is driven by updated IT rules and covers content such as deepfakes and material targeting women and children. Officials say most cases comply, but false positives and cross-jurisdiction reviews can slow timelines.
Hexaware CEO R Srikrishna says enterprise AI spending has shifted from pilots to detailed roadmaps, driven by expectations of near-term returns. He argues that AI model providers moving into services won’t displace large IT firms because transformation still needs specialized implementation. In the post-AI era, he says customer trust will decide who wins.
President Donald Trump slammed Iran’s response to a US peace proposal on Truth Social, calling it “totally unacceptable,” triggering a quick oil price surge. The US had proposed ending fighting before negotiations on tougher issues like Iran’s nuclear program, but Iran’s hardline terms suggested talks without a pause in combat. Markets fear escalation and prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal for peace talks, dashing hopes of a rapid end to a 10-week conflict. The fighting has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, hit parts of Iran and Lebanon, and contributed to higher global energy prices. The rejection raises uncertainty over when tensions can ease.
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China’s April producer inflation climbed 2.8% year-on-year, its highest in 45 months, as energy and commodity prices surged, lifting costs in metals and oil-linked sectors. Consumer inflation also rose to 1.2%, with higher gasoline prices and gold jewelry adding pressure at the shop floor and household level, complicating an already weak domestic demand outlook.
Cerebras Systems is considering raising its IPO price range to $150 to $160 after demand for its AI chips surged. The company may also expand the offering size by selling more shares. The update comes as strong adoption of AI models increases demand for its processors, which are being used for deployments at scale.
Passengers from the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius are starting to fly home from Tenerife after a coordinated evacuation operation. Military and government planes have begun moving travelers, many escorted by personnel in full protective gear. Spanish and French passengers were reportedly the first to leave, while the wider response involving more than 20 countries is expected to continue through Monday.
Instant house help platforms notched over 3 million bookings in April as demand grows even while companies raise prices. But worker shortages and uncertainty around the “10-minute” category’s long-term profitability are raising questions. To deepen engagement and offset margin pressure, firms are branching into adjacent services like cooking and car washing, testing whether the market can scale beyond quick tasks.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is set to testify Monday in Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI. The case hinges on newly disclosed Microsoft emails from January 2018, which Musk argues track how funding coincided with OpenAI’s move from a philanthropic model to a for-profit AI power. Nadella is expected to argue Microsoft only supported the shift once profitability became plausible.
India’s fintech leaders like Paytm, PB Fintech and Groww are shifting strategy toward AI-powered products and services. The push includes expanding into wealth management and using AI to personalize customer experiences, streamline operations, and find fresh revenue opportunities. It signals a move from core payments toward broader financial ecosystems driven by efficiency and smarter decisioning.
President Donald Trump will visit China from May 13 to 15 at Xi Jinping’s invitation. The state visit is expected to focus on Iran and broader trade issues, as the two leaders meet to align positions on pressing international challenges and economic cooperation. The trip is set to test whether both sides can narrow gaps while addressing destabilizing regional concerns.
Asian markets rose as AI and tech stocks led the climb, with investors appearing to look past Middle East risks despite oil moving higher. Even as inflation worries linger and crude prices add pressure, sentiment stays supported by expectations that corporate profits will benefit from AI spending. Still, traders aren’t fully calm as volatility risk remains.
Even as crypto prices languish in a bear market and hopes of “maturity” grow, the Consensus after-party in Miami allegedly revived a controversy from 2018. Reports from the E11even club event describe attendees anticipating lap dances, fueling claims of a persistent “degenerate culture” that alarms gender equality advocates. It stands in sharp contrast to the more cautious mood seen in traditional markets.
The IMD has issued fresh warnings for severe thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rainfall, squally winds and possible hail across multiple states, with Jharkhand among the most affected. Delhi-NCR and parts of Uttar Pradesh and nearby regions may also see thunderstorms. Meanwhile, intense heatwave conditions continue over western and central India, keeping the threat split between storms and sweltering heat.
US President Donald Trump plans to “apply pressure” on Chinese leader Xi Jinping over Iran during a Beijing visit this week, a senior administration official said. Trump arrives Wednesday evening, after postponing the trip in March due to the ongoing Iran war. The move signals Washington’s push for a deal aimed at bringing an end to the Middle East conflict.
State Bank of India is aiming to keep its net interest margin above 3% in FY27, banking on easing funding costs as deposits are repriced. But if CASA growth stays slower than credit expansion, SBI may have to rely more on costlier term deposits. To protect margins, it plans faster retail and MSME loan growth while strengthening fee income.
Pimco’s CIO says escalating tensions around Iran could disrupt oil supplies and lift energy prices, forcing the Federal Reserve to delay rate cuts and possibly turn more hawkish. The risk is that higher inflation pressure from energy costs complicates the Fed’s fight against inflation, with experts warning similar pressures could spread globally.
More Indian investors are moving beyond domestic markets, chasing diversification and global innovation as local returns lag. New investing platforms have made overseas access smoother, while a weaker rupee has improved the appeal of foreign assets. Growth is visible in global feeder funds and rising overseas equity allocations, signaling a lasting reallocation trend.
Nasscom and digital rights groups are pushing back on draft IT second amendment rules, arguing they could impose obligations beyond what the IT Act allows. They warn that advisories might become binding without parliamentary scrutiny, risking over-censorship. The proposal’s reach to ordinary users and AI-generated content also raises complex technical and legal questions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel aims to end U.S. military aid within ten years, arguing it’s time to reset the financial relationship. In a CBS interview, he also pointed to strengthening ties with Gulf countries as part of the shift, noting that American support for Israel has been declining in recent years.
Two crude oil tankers reportedly switched off their tracking systems as they moved through the Strait of Hormuz, a tactic seen as protection for Middle East oil exports amid regional tensions. The move helps vessels reroute oil stranded in the Gulf, including one that has offloaded in Fujairah and another still carrying Iraqi crude while continuing its journey.
Indian markets ended higher despite choppy trade as investors monitored the US Iran deal. Canara Bank and MCX drew attention with strong Q4 results, including a sharp jump in MCX profits. Ola Electric cleared the path for a new scooter, while Vodafone Idea weighed options for capital infusion—signals that could reshape sector momentum.
The Nifty is holding a bullish structure but moving in a tight range, with resistance building near 24,600. Analysts point to mixed cues as traders wait for a clear move, watching 23,800 for support. Bank Nifty momentum is improving, suggesting participation may broaden once direction emerges. Stock picks are also in focus for active traders.
Indian stocks are slipping while several Asian markets post gains, as a global AI investment boom disproportionately benefits chipmakers such as Samsung and SK Hynix. With fewer direct AI-linked revenue streams, Indian corporates face weaker earnings growth and valuation support. Foreign investors, chasing better returns tied to AI supply chains, are redirecting flows away from India.
Large state-owned and private banks have urged the RBI to reconsider a uniform cap on unhedged forex exposure. Instead of one fixed limit, they propose dynamic regulation that ties a bank’s NOP to its size, business flows, and overall risk profile. Bank officials say this approach could better balance stability and flexibility as FX markets evolve.
Spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos is reportedly in talks to raise $50–75 million at a flat $500 million valuation, following a similar funding exercise in November. Investors appear increasingly confident in India’s expanding private space sector. The money is expected to fund expanded production capacity as the company moves closer to commercial deployment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Indians to revive Covid-era work from home and online meetings while cutting fuel use, linking the call to economic pressure from rising oil prices. Speaking in Hyderabad, he argued that travel and energy consumption reductions could ease the impact of the US-Iran conflict on transport costs, cooking gas, and everyday household spending.
Foreign investors have sharply trimmed their holdings in Indian equities, citing slower earnings growth, a tech-led AI surge in South Korea and Taiwan, and a costly mix of higher oil prices with a weakening rupee. The result has been heavy outflows. While strategists expect selling to ease, they warn India may not quickly regain its former appeal.
Noel Tata, approaching 70 in November, is set to step down from boards of Tata group companies, triggering a major leadership reshuffle. The group has begun discussions to appoint replacements to keep key businesses running smoothly, following its governance approach that non-executive executives retire at 70. Changes are expected soon.
India has eased eligibility rules for build-operate-transfer highway projects, allowing pension and sovereign wealth funds to bid directly for new greenfield toll roads. The government’s goal is to attract more private infrastructure capital by letting institutional investors deploy their balance-sheet strength, while partnering with construction expertise. Officials also want BOT’s share in highway awards to rise significantly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to adopt a “pandemic-era” austerity mindset amid fuel and supply chain disruptions linked to the West Asian conflict. He called for reduced consumption of petrol, diesel and non-essential gold, and for people to skip foreign holidays and destination weddings to conserve India’s foreign exchange reserves.
A ceiling fan stamped “Made in Pakistan” was reportedly found during a repair at a madrasa in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. Locals say the fan bears the brand “AL-AHMAD” and “Pakistan,” and that it was donated via Saudi Arabia in 2023. After photos went viral, residents are pressing for an administrative investigation into how it was procured and used.
Iran has formally submitted its response to a US proposal aimed at ending the Persian Gulf conflict, but Donald Trump rejected it as “totally unacceptable.” Tehran characterized the US approach as surrender and is pushing for reparations and control of Hormuz, as drone attacks, naval blockades, and stalled nuclear-stockpile talks keep tensions escalating.
US stock market futures fell as escalating Persian Gulf tensions threatened oil supply and disrupted key shipping routes, rattling investor confidence. Iran’s rejection of a US ceasefire proposal intensified fears after drone incidents and renewed threats near the Strait of Hormuz. Traders are now closely tracking oil prices, diplomatic signals, and incoming economic data to judge whether the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow can rebound.
MeitY has denied involvement in blocking Rahul Gandhi’s Instagram posts about TVK chief Vijay’s swearing-in. The ministry says its internal system mistakenly flagged the content and that the posts have since been restored. The denial comes as Congress alleges suppression, escalating the dispute over social media moderation and political claims.
US Central Command says its forces redirected 61 commercial vessels and disabled four more amid a continuing blockade-style standoff in the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement comes as Iran reportedly submitted a 14-point counter-proposal to a US peace plan, while both sides trade threats of retaliation, raising fears of further escalation across the Gulf.
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