Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the INDI alliance remains strong even after Congress chose to support Vijay-led TVK in Tamil Nadu, despite its alliance with DMK. Raut dismissed concerns about splits, arguing the decision won’t divide opposition unity. He also claimed the parties will come together ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Mumbai Indians are heading into IPL 2026 with a rare leadership uncertainty ahead of their May 10 clash against RCB. Hardik Pandya’s fitness concerns have sparked speculation about who will captain if he misses out. With Suryakumar Yadav confirming his availability, attention is turning to whether Rohit Sharma could be asked to take charge again despite no longer leading MI.
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BJP stalwart B.S. Yediyurappa has ruled out retirement from public life, saying he will keep working for the party as long as he has strength. Speaking at a felicitation event marking 50 years in politics, he framed his journey as collective with the people of Karnataka, crediting farmers, party cadre, and the public for his rise.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav renewed his push for ballot paper voting in India, pointing to the UK’s recent election process. He criticized the BJP for relying on Electronic Voting Machines and also attacked the government’s economic policies. Yadav said he is confident of defeating the BJP next and urged parties to unite to protect democracy and the Constitution.
A rare hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship has reignited health concerns nationwide. Officials say two passengers connected to the incident are from Texas, intensifying worries about how quickly symptoms may appear and whether human-to-human spread could be possible. Public attention is growing as experts urge vigilance while investigations continue.
A retired teacher, Himangshu Maji, says he feels proud seeing former student Suvendu Adhikari become West Bengal’s Chief Minister. Maji recalls Adhikari as hardworking, disciplined, and respectful even after stepping into politics. Coming from a marginal district to the state’s top role, the moment brought joy to his teacher, following Adhikari’s oath-taking at Brigade Parade Grounds.
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Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz missed Saturday’s Premier League match against Chelsea after coach Arne Slot said the German was dealing with a stomach bug. Slot revealed Wirtz fell sick this week, skipped parts of training, and was left out of the squad for the trip to Anfield. The absence raises questions over his availability next.
Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is set to take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday at 3:15 pm, reports say. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has secured enough support to form the government, with parties like Congress and IUML backing the move. VCK’s unconditional support helped TVK cross the majority mark, and Vijay will meet the Governor to stake his claim.
About 20 metric tonnes of ODOP honey from Assam’s Baksa district have been exported to the United States for the first time. The shipment is backed by APEDA, aiming to strengthen farmer incomes and improve rural livelihoods. Marketed for its high quality and purity, the consignment is expected to open doors for broader honey exports from the region.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar rejected reports that Tamil Nadu Congress MLAs were being housed in a resort near Bengaluru. He said he has no knowledge of any such move and has not received any communication about it from the party’s high command. The denial challenges claims circulating within political circles and raises questions on who initiated them.
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Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is set to lead the government in Tamil Nadu after securing support from several smaller parties. The combined strength of TVK and its allies pushed the coalition beyond the majority mark, helping avert what leaders described as a critical political crisis. Joseph Vijay’s TVK will now form the government and govern with its expanded backing.
A three-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a 57-year-old school caretaker in Delhi’s Janakpuri on April 30. The accused was arrested, but a court later granted bail. Police say they are investigating CCTV footage, while allegations of delayed action and police misconduct have been raised, intensifying public outrage.
DMK chief M K Stalin said he respects alliance partners’ support for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to form the government, calling for political stability and an end to uncertainty. He added DMK will function as a constructive opposition and thanked allies for backing during a tense phase. Stalin also expressed hope that welfare schemes continue under the new leadership.
In the five sessions ending May 08, the Sensex gained just 0.54% to close at 77,328, advancing in only two of those days. Yet 42 BSE 500 stocks advanced every single session between May 4 and May 08, and 14 of them delivered cumulative gains up to 25%.
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The ₹81,000-crore Great Nicobar project has run into a major legal challenge after the Calcutta High Court’s Port Blair circuit bench cleared three PILs filed by retired Union Secretary Meena Gupta. The petitions contest clearances tied to forest rights, and the court is set to hear the matter in June despite objections raised by the Centre, potentially delaying parts of the project.
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said his party will support Vijay’s TVK, arguing the move is meant to prevent President’s rule in Tamil Nadu. He claimed the decision ensures the people’s mandate for TVK is honoured and said VCK’s backing will be unconditional. The statement signals how alliance dynamics could shape government formation after the election.
Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa says Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni’s apologies should close the book after their scuffle. The incident still cost both players a combined 500,000 euros, with the club levying hefty fines. Arbeloa insisted the matter was settled once they acknowledged the problem and moved on, signaling unity over punishment.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy is scheduled to take oath as the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Monday. The move marks a dramatic transition from the screen to the state’s top executive role, drawing immediate attention across politics and the public. Further details around his government and priorities are expected soon.
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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a direct attack on the BJP after ED action against a minister, saying the party “does not love Punjab but hates it.” Mann further alleged the BJP is fomenting unrest across different parts of the country, escalating the political battle around central enforcement and state-level governance.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has claimed Muslims are being targeted through a planned agenda, linking India’s Special Intensive Revision to the NRC and NPR. He also raised concerns over the Nida Khan case, alleged media trials, and challenged references in an FIR. Owaisi questioned the legality of possessing religious books and said the issue will be taken to court.
After a tense deadlock, Vijay Thalapathy’s camp has crossed the 118 mark, the number needed to form a government in Tamil Nadu. VCK’s support has further strengthened the bid, and the oath is now expected on Monday. But the major twist: the Governor has not yet met Vijay to approve his stake.
German defense startup Helsing is in advanced talks for a major funding round targeting an eye-popping valuation of about $18 billion. Reportedly led by US firm Dragoneer Investment Group, with co-lead Lightspeed Venture Partners, the round is said to be nearing execution, underscoring surging investor appetite for defense-focused tech.
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora in a Rs 100 crore money laundering case tied to alleged fraudulent GST transactions. Officials said the arrest comes in connection with an ongoing investigation involving suspected fake or improper tax-related dealings. The ED is expected to continue probing the case’s financial trail and links to others involved.
Congress leaders are meeting in New Delhi to finalise the next Chief Minister of Kerala after the UDF’s major electoral victory. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are reportedly reviewing assessments from observers across the state. Sources suggest the final decision could come soon, as top brass weighs who can best lead the government in the south.
An OpenAI courtroom showdown is putting Elon Musk and Sam Altman under a harsh spotlight. Testimony alleges Musk faced claims over technical competency and temper, while Altman was accused by former board members of dishonesty and integrity lapses. Jurors must decide whose account is credible as the trial examines OpenAI’s leadership disputes and early history.
Roy Kapur Films’ web series Matka King has soared to the top on Amazon Prime Video, becoming the platform’s most successful new show in over three years. The series also made it into Amazon’s Global Top 10 rankings. With popularity already driving momentum, a second season has now been announced, alongside more projects planned for Prime Video, JioHotstar, and Netflix.
India says it successfully tested an Advanced Agni missile fitted with a MIRV system on May 8, 2026. Officials report the missile released multiple payloads that struck different targets across the Indian Ocean region, demonstrating the ability to hit several strategic locations with a single launch. The Defence Minister congratulated DRDO and the Indian Army for the milestone.
Amazon India has leased nearly 2.78 lakh square feet of warehousing space in Bengaluru’s Nelamangala, underscoring the continuing demand for large logistics hubs in India’s e-commerce market. The arrangement begins with a sub-lease that starts in January, while rent will only commence in March 2026.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has appointed retired IAS officer Subrata Gupta as his adviser, positioning Gupta’s experience to strengthen policy coordination and day-to-day governance. In another key move, IAS officer Shantanu Bala has been named the Chief Minister’s private secretary. The appointments are seen as part of the new administration’s strategy to streamline decision-making.
India is reportedly considering a jump in ethanol blending in petrol to 25% as part of a broader push toward renewable energy. The move is meant to reduce dependence on imported crude, while increased refining capacity and higher strategic oil reserves aim to strengthen energy security. Together, these steps could help shield the economy from global oil price shocks and support biofuels and hydrogen priorities.
Researchers used advanced X-ray imaging to uncover ancient astronomical fragments hidden beneath medieval writings, preserved only because older parchment was reused. The team believes the recovered pieces may connect to Hipparchus, shedding light on early efforts to systematically catalog the night sky. It is a rare snapshot of how ancient science survived by accident, then re-emerged through modern technology.
In a scaled-back Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square, Vladimir Putin told Russians his soldiers in Ukraine face an “aggressive force” backed by NATO and said his war aims are “just.” Speaking alongside Russian units and troops from North Korea, he invoked the Soviet victory to bolster support for the campaign despite the reduced ceremony.
The WHO reports eight hantavirus cases globally, with three deaths and six confirmed as Andes virus. While overall global risk is assessed as low, WHO flags a moderate risk for passengers and crew aboard a cruise ship. Experts say spread in India is unlikely because human-to-human transmission is rare, and public health actions are underway to contain exposure.
PB Fintech, the parent of Policybazaar and Paisabazaar, has received SEBI approval for its wholly owned arm PB Marketing and Consulting to act as a stock broker for the debt segment on the NSE. The licence starts from May 8, though certification is still pending, positioning the firm against newer wealth and brokerage players as it diversifies amid scrutiny over insurance commission revenue.
A woman identified as Shaivya has accused a Rapido driver of harassing her after a ride. In a viral video, she alleges the driver persistently contacted her with repeated audio and video calls, including from multiple numbers, after accessing her phone number. The claims have sparked debate online about safety and platform responsibility.
Tamil Nadu’s government formation push for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) got a major boost as IUML extended unconditional support. With this addition, the number of supporting parties rose to five, and the alliance’s combined strength reached 121 seats—above the majority threshold. TVK chief Vijay is now expected to meet the Governor soon, accelerating next steps for government formation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged Left and national opposition parties to unite against the BJP, calling for a “joint platform” to challenge the saffron camp. She alleged atrocities against TMC workers after the election and argued that BJP should remain the central adversary, dismissing “enemy’s enemy is my friend” politics.
Vedanta Group says India must accelerate domestic exploration and faster operationalisation of natural resource assets to cut import dependence. The push comes as Strait of Hormuz geopolitical tensions raise supply risk and global competition for critical minerals intensifies. The company argues stronger long-term resource security will require quicker development rather than relying on imports.
A fragile ceasefire is being tested after the US disabled two Iranian oil tankers and says attacks on its ships were thwarted. Bahrain has announced arrests tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. While Washington awaits Iran’s response, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Pakistan are pushing talks aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing longer-term peace.
Congress Maharashtra MLA Amin Patel claimed TMC’s “mistakes” blocked proper alliance alignment in West Bengal. He said Congress is a national party and alleged Mamata Banerjee failed to coordinate with INDIA bloc leadership before the state elections. The remarks add to the INDIA bloc’s internal friction as parties try to settle blame for seat-sharing and campaign strategy.
Archaeologists studying Hisarlık, the site linked to Troy, say the legend’s city was never a single settlement destroyed in one war. Instead, nearly 4,000 years of continuous human activity were recorded, with multiple towns built over earlier ones. The layered evidence reshapes how scholars reconstruct the past using stratigraphy, showing Troy as a layered archive of history, myth, and memory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to BJP activists allegedly killed by Trinamool Congress workers, with a memorial set up at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The leaders called the victims’ sacrifices a source of strength for the party. BJP’s state president alleged that more than 300 workers were killed during post-poll violence.
Gujarat has rolled out battery energy storage systems totaling 870 MW across five locations to keep the renewable power grid stable. The state has also registered 13 more battery projects and added BESS to Modhera, its first solar village. Officials say the move reinforces Gujarat’s leadership in India’s rapidly growing battery storage ecosystem.
Displaced Kashmiri Pandits staged a protest in Jammu, pressing the government for a comprehensive rehabilitation policy to enable their return to the Kashmir Valley. They also demanded a fresh employment package for 15,000 educated youth. Carrying placards and chanting slogans, protesters said their demands have been pending for long, while expressing faith in a justice-focused rehabilitation vision.
Researchers at IIIT-Delhi used AI to analyze more than 118,000 recipes from 26 cuisines and found four statistical laws that govern cooking patterns across cultures. The study suggests recipes follow consistent mathematical structures, echoing how human language exhibits predictable statistical behavior.
Congress is deliberating over who will lead Kerala as the next chief minister, with top party leaders convening at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to finalize the decision. The Congress-led UDF has secured a strong majority in the recent assembly polls, while the Kerala Congress Joseph faction is seeking two ministerial positions amid the coalition’s power-sharing talks.
New-age tech stocks ended the week higher amid Q4 FY26 earnings optimism, with 40 of 56 names gaining. ideaForge led the charge, soaring 33.74% after a sharp profit swing, while Urban Company fell nearly 8% on widening losses in its InstaHelp quick services business. Market cap for covered firms also climbed, despite FIIs selling and West Asia-driven volatility.
Birla Corporation reported a strong Q4 with March quarter net profit up 15% year-on-year to Rs 295 crore, even though revenue grew only 0.8% to Rs 2,836 crore. The company recommended a dividend of Rs 12.50 per share. For the full year, profit surged 89% to Rs 558 crore alongside a reduced debt-to-equity ratio.
Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands are sending planes to evacuate their citizens from a Spain-bound cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak. The EU is adding two more aircraft for other Europeans, while the US and the UK are arranging transport for non-EU citizens as officials coordinate repatriation.
Chinese military courts have convicted two former defence ministers in a widening campaign under Xi Jinping. Reporting from Phayul says both were found guilty of accepting massive bribes and misusing authority while holding top defence roles. Instead of carrying out death sentences immediately, the court reportedly suspended them, signalling harsh punishment alongside political messaging.
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