Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
BJP-led NDA leaders in Assam will meet the Governor on Sunday morning to officially begin the process of forming the next state government. After electing a new legislature party leader, the alliance plans to stake its claim and is working toward an oath-taking ceremony on May 12, setting the timeline for the new administration.
A Delhi Saket court granted three days of police custody to Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, chairman of Al-Falah University, in a PMLA-linked money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate says the Al-Falah Trust generated over Rs 493 crore in proceeds of crime. His earlier bail plea was rejected, and the ED has already filed a charge sheet.
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India’s cancer care is shifting as cheaper immunotherapy drugs developed in China arrive through Indian partnerships. Oncologists say these options are expanding access for patients who cannot afford pricier Western medicines. The result, doctors claim, is less financial strain and fewer cases where cancer treatment drives families into severe debt, alongside improving affordability of sustained care.
Handcare is exploding as the next big skincare frontier after a viral 15-step routine popularised by influencer Victoria Ortega. Experts link the momentum to the pandemic, when heavy use of soaps and sanitisers revealed dryness, damage and early ageing. Now, hands are being treated like a dedicated beauty category, and India is rapidly catching up with the trend.
India’s hospital sector is poised for a major expansion as patient demand rises with higher incomes, expanding insurance coverage, aging demographics, and chronic disease burden. Hospitals are also racing to add capacity to address a persistent bed shortage. Alongside AI-driven improvements, growth in private insurance is expected to lift revenues, opening fresh opportunities for investors and operators.
India’s smartphone and social media boom is creating a “data obesity” crisis as users’ photos, videos and AI-generated files balloon faster than device storage. Experts warn that people are struggling to manage ever-growing libraries. Counterpoint estimates cloud storage paying users could jump to as high as 100 million by 2030 from roughly 10–15 million today.
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Hours after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as West Bengal’s first BJP chief minister since independence, Mamata Banerjee called for a united opposition platform against the BJP across the state. She also signaled her party is ready to challenge the election outcome in court, pointing toward a major legal battle ahead.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has shed light on President Donald Trump’s late-night “Trump time” schedule and reported 18-hour workdays. Describing the internal coping mechanism used by senior aides, she says they follow a “survival system” to keep operations running as the president’s routine stretches deep into the night, renewing questions about his sleep habits.
Australia’s right-wing populist One Nation has won its first lower house seat, promising to end mass migration and reduce the cost of living. While the result doesn’t change the Prime Minister’s parliamentary majority, it signals momentum for the party, which is polling strongly and whose leader remains highly popular with voters.
Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister D Sudhakar, a senior Congress leader and MLA from Hiriyur, died on Sunday morning at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences. He was 66 and had been battling a lung infection for nearly two months. The hospital’s Medical Director confirmed the death, prompting condolences and political reactions.
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A 16-year-old Class 10 student was stabbed to death in Gautam Vihar, North East Delhi, on Tuesday evening after an argument following a market trip. Police say the teen was intercepted by a small group, attacked with multiple stab wounds, and the suspects fled. Delhi Police have started a high-level investigation, including identifying the minors involved.
US officials including Rubio and Witkoff met Qatar’s Prime Minister in Miami to discuss negotiations with Iran. The talks are centered on a potential agreement aimed at ending the West Asia conflict, with mediators pressing both sides to de-escalate. Iran is still reviewing a US proposal and plans to respond when ready, leaving the deal timeline uncertain.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Europe outreach next week will center on upgrading semiconductor technology partnerships with ASML during a Netherlands visit. Talks are expected to support India’s upcoming semiconductor fabs with advanced equipment collaboration. The tour also includes renewable energy technology engagements in Sweden and Norway, and SME partnership discussions in Italy.
After losing by a single vote in Tamil Nadu’s 2026 election, former DMK minister K R Periyakaruppan has filed in the Madras High Court to prevent newly elected TVK MLA Seenivasa Sethupathy from casting a ballot in the upcoming trust vote. The case is centered on whether the MLA can participate following the narrow defeat in the polls.
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DMK MP Kanimozhi has asked for separate seating in the Lok Sabha after DMK and Congress parted ways in Tamil Nadu. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said Parliament will accommodate the request. The change follows Congress moving its support to actor Vijay’s TVK after the assembly election results, which has altered INDIA bloc optics and raised questions about alignment.
An Amber Alert has been issued in Arizona for five day old Ollie Olsen, last seen in Phoenix on Saturday morning, May 9. Authorities believe the baby needs urgent medical attention and are searching for a black 2003 Jeep Liberty with Oregon license plate 041HYB. Tyler Olsen and Asia Wilson are named as suspects.
A charter boat exploded in Biscayne Bay near Miami, prompting an emergency response from local services and the US Coast Guard. Eleven people were injured and taken to hospitals. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident. Authorities have not yet identified the cause of the blast, leaving residents and officials waiting for answers.
A report says Israel set up a secret military outpost in Iraq’s desert to back operations against Iran, including special forces and a logistics hub. The base was reportedly close to being discovered by Iraqi troops in March, with Israeli airstrikes allegedly used to deter them and keep the site hidden. The account adds to mounting regional shadow-war concerns.
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The EU health agency says every passenger aboard a cruise ship affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak is considered a high-risk contact. As the ship anchors off Tenerife, asymptomatic travellers will be repatriated via special transport to self-quarantine. Symptomatic passengers will get priority for medical assessment and testing on arrival.
A pedestrian who jumped a fence and entered a runway at Denver International Airport was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff. The impact triggered an engine fire, leading to the emergency evacuation of all 231 people on board. Airport authorities and the NTSB are investigating how the runway breach occurred and the circumstances around the collision.
John Cena has announced an annual WWE event, the John Cena Classic, arriving at WWE Backlash 2026. In a twist, fans will vote to crown the champion even if the Superstar they back loses their match. The competition will draw talent from both WWE and NXT, while Cena—now retired from in-ring action—continues shaping WWE programming.
Hungary has sworn in Peter Magyar as prime minister, ending Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule after Tisza’s decisive election victory. Magyar’s government vows to restore democratic institutions, tackle corruption, and rebuild strong ties with the European Union. The inauguration signals a major shift in Hungary’s domestic governance and its relationship with Brussels.
Vladimir Putin called the US-Iran conflict in West Asia “very difficult,” while insisting Moscow has seen no evidence that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. He cited Russia’s role in the 2015 nuclear deal and referenced Iran’s Bushehr project, arguing existing cooperation and implementation undercut fears of hidden nuclear aims.
State Bank of India reported FY26 net profit jumping 13% to ₹80,032 crore, with Q4 profit up about 6%. The bank also announced a ₹17.35 per share dividend and showed improving asset quality as NPAs declined. Yet SBI shares fell roughly 7% post-results, as investors focused on slower quarterly growth and margin pressure rather than the headline profit jump.
Iran’s IRGC has warned the United States against striking Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, saying any aggression would trigger a significant attack on American military ships and bases. The warning follows recent exchanges of fire near the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring rising tensions as both sides trade threats over maritime security and regional shipping lanes.
IndiaAI mission startups say paperwork delays are slowing projects even after compute access is granted. Founders report pending MoUs have blocked non-compute support and raised concerns around intellectual property terms, potentially shifting timelines. The government is now considering advance payments to reduce friction and keep missions on schedule as companies wait for formal agreements.
A car bombing struck a police post in Bannu, Pakistan, killing at least three officers and injuring 15 while destroying the installation. After the blast, militants ambushed police and responders, leading to additional casualties. The coordinated attack was claimed by the Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen alliance, raising fears that the death toll could rise further.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he briefed India, China, and the United States on risks in Kyiv before Moscow agreed to a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine during Victory Day commemorations. He described the pause as driven by humanitarian and historical considerations, and said it includes a prisoner exchange—framing the truce as coordinated groundwork rather than a sudden move.
On Victory Day, Vladimir Putin told media the Ukraine conflict is “coming to an end,” while blaming the “globalist wing” of Western elites for provoking the war. He pointed to NATO expansion and referenced the failure of a 2022 Istanbul agreement, amid fresh claims after Trump announced a three-day ceasefire Russia and Ukraine reportedly agreed to.
Actor turned politician C Joseph Vijay will take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister today, marking a historic moment for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in its first assembly election. Governor Rajendra Arlekar appointed him after Vijay secured support across parties to form the government, but set a strict timeline—he must prove his majority by May 13.
A fragile calm is holding around the Strait of Hormuz after sporadic skirmishes earlier this week eased. The US is awaiting Iran’s response to proposals meant to end recent clashes and open peace talks. Iran has not yet indicated whether it will engage, even as US forces reported strikes on Iranian-linked vessels.
The Supreme Court ruled that tax authorities can apply the benami law retroactively to confiscate assets and initiate action over disguised ownership deals made before 2016. The decision also strengthens prosecution risk for individuals using succession or other arrangements to mask ownership. It signals a tougher stance against tax avoidance and attempts to keep prohibited transactions hidden.
Diesel engines still power many Indian SUVs thanks to torque and efficiency, but upcoming BS7 emission standards are expected to raise costs sharply. That may push buyers to reconsider diesel and explore alternatives like CNG, hybrids, or electric vehicles. Automakers are already expanding powertrain portfolios to match shifting regulations and customer preferences.
A Gurugram sessions court granted a seven-day ED remand to Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora after his arrest in a Rs 100 crore money laundering case tied to alleged fraudulent GST transactions. The Enforcement Directorate had sought a 10-day remand following multiple raids, but the court decided on a shorter custody period as the probe continues.
The government has mandated that gig aggregators register workers by uploading their details to a central portal within 45 days under the Code on Social Security, 2020. If social security contributions are delayed, a 12% annual interest charge applies. The new compliance rules also require real-time recording of worker appointments and exits, tightening monitoring and reporting.
Tesla has introduced the long-wheelbase six-seater Model Y L in India for ₹61.99 lakh, with deliveries starting June 2026 and a 681 km WLTP range. At the same time, Tesla’s 2026 Model Y in the U.S. became the first vehicle to pass NHTSA’s newly updated ADAS safety tests, adding requirements like pedestrian AEB and blind-spot intervention.
DRDO has reportedly achieved a major hypersonic technology breakthrough after completing a long-duration test of an actively cooled, full-scale scramjet combustor in Hyderabad. The trial ran for over 1200 seconds and used indigenous fuel and cooling technology, marking a significant step toward India’s hypersonic missile development programme.
On the day Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as West Bengal’s first BJP chief minister, TMC announced changes to its legislative leadership. Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay was appointed Leader of the Opposition, while Firhad Hakim was named Chief Whip. The move signals a rapid restructuring as the BJP claimed a historic Assembly election win and took charge of the state government.
Seventeen prisoners were illegally released from Lunglei District Jail in Mizoram between January and March after forged court documents and fake release orders were used. Police later traced most of the inmates and re-arrested them. The case points to fabricated judicial orders as the core mechanism behind the fraud, raising questions about how the papers went unnoticed.
In Tamil Nadu, AMMK has filed a complaint against TVK after TTV Dhinakaran alleged that an AMMK MLA S Kamaraj support letter was forged. Dhinakaran also claims the video of Kamaraj signing the letter was manipulated. The dispute follows a police complaint linked to using a photocopied letter for government formation, with TVK citing Kamaraj’s support on Dhinakaran’s approval.
Regional parties are recalibrating INDIA bloc strategy after election setbacks in Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav are urging opposition unity, while Tejashwi Yadav argues regional parties are vital to counter the BJP. But friction is growing after Congress parted ways with the DMK, leaving the bloc’s cohesion uncertain ahead of upcoming contests.
The Finance Ministry has tightened procurement rules for government contracts, requiring strict compliance with labour laws. Contractors that fail to pay wages or deposit social security contributions can be debarred for up to three years. To enforce the change, ministries and departments will verify contractor compliance every month, targeting protections for outsourced and contractual workers.
A newly released note linked to Jeffrey Epstein reportedly matches the handwriting of a message authorities found in his cell after he died. The note, attributed to the same writer by a former cellmate, includes claims about investigators “for month” finding “nothing” and references choosing the “time to say goodbye,” intensifying scrutiny around the timelines.
India’s Jan Suraksha schemes have enrolled nearly 940 million people, covering life and accident insurance alongside pension benefits. Payments so far include over ₹21,500 crore under PMJJBY and ₹3,660 crore under PMSBY, with digitisation helping claims settle faster. The government is now weighing revisions to benefit levels to strengthen financial security for citizens.
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has only two MLAs in Tamil Nadu, yet it has outsized influence in government formation. Led by Thol Thirumavalavan, the state’s largest Dalit party draws inspiration from the Black Panther movement and fuses Ambedkar, Periyar and Marxist ideas, positioning itself against “Sanatan forces” while negotiating political sway.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukraine conflict is nearing its end and indicated he is open to talks. He suggested former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as his preferred negotiator, while European Union leaders are reportedly preparing for potential discussions. Moscow has previously urged European governments to initiate contact after cutting ties in 2022.
Gujarat Titans routed Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs in the IPL, firing to 229 for 4 with Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 84 and Sai Sudharsan’s 55. Then Rashid Khan produced a sharp 4 for 34 to bowl Rajasthan out for 152. The win stands as Gujarat’s biggest victory by runs in the league.
Vijay will be sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday at 10 am, after meeting the state Governor. His party cleared the majority hurdle with support from VCK and IUML, setting the stage for governance. The new CM is expected to move for a vote of confidence in the Assembly by May 13, 2026, to confirm stability.
C Joseph Vijay will be sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister on Sunday, May 10 at 10:00 AM at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium. After assembling support from smaller parties including VCK and IUML, he is set to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly by May 13, formalizing his government’s mandate.
Honasa Consumer, the Mamaearth parent, said chief business officer Yatish Bhargava will step down effective May 15, less than a year after he joined. He cited “personal circumstances” in a regulatory filing. Honasa has not named a replacement. The move follows the earlier CBO exit of Zairus Master, with Honasa continuing to pursue growth and offline expansion efforts.
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