Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Prime Video is rolling out a new TikTok like “Clips” feed inside its app, designed to help viewers discover content faster. Instead of browsing full titles, users will get a scrollable stream of short snippets from shows and movies, aiming to make recommendations feel more immediate and addictive like social video.
A new video circulating in West Bengal shows BJP supporters applying tilak on portraits of well-known historical and religious figures, including Mother Teresa, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekanand, and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The clip has triggered controversy as it emerges days after the BJP’s landmark sweep in the state elections, its first such victory.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Goa has notified over 82 lakh square metres as a no-development zone to curb unchecked construction on fragile hill slopes, according to officials from the Town and Country Planning department. The Centre has also cleared plans to designate 6,729 hectares along the Mandovi-Zuari stretch as eco-sensitive. Paddy fields are reportedly next in line for NDZ protection.
Corporate Affairs Ministry data shows Jammu and Kashmir’s new business registrations jumped 28% after a sharp slowdown earlier in 2025. Incorporations had fallen 22% year-on-year in both May and June, signaling weaker investor appetite, but rebounded in July. The pattern points to a quick post-shock normalization even amid heightened security concerns.
Newly released Pentagon documents say Apollo 17 astronauts observed “Fourth of July”-like lights and drifting particles near the moon, alongside odd sightings from Apollo 11, Apollo 12 and Gemini VII. The reports are fueling renewed fascination with unexplained space phenomena, but the Pentagon stresses there’s no shared conclusion about what caused the anomalies.
Applied Aerospace and Defense, a private equity backed government contractor, has filed for a U.S. IPO after reporting a 24.8% revenue jump to $498.8 million in 2025. The company posted a $17 million net loss, but investors are watching its strong growth and its position supplying critical defense hardware.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
ET Graphics reports that winning candidates in Kerala’s recent Assembly elections are far wealthier than in the prior cycle, with average assets doubling to around Rs 7 crore since 2021. The Congress-led UDF won decisively, and asset holdings among Congress and BJP winners were higher than those of other parties. Re-elected MLAs also recorded notable asset growth.
Britannia is rolling out a “Many Indias” strategy, giving startup-style teams more local decision-making power to respond quickly as consumer preferences shift amid inflation. The FMCG firm plans to customize products for regional markets while ramping up investment in premium offerings and new food categories. Management expects early gains to show in upcoming quarters.
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the National Investigation Agency to set up exclusive special courts to expedite pending NIA trials. The court ordered at least one special court for every 10 to 15 trials, with High Courts approached for establishment. Trials are to be conducted on a day-to-day basis, aiming to cut prolonged delays.
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde suffered a head injury following an on-field altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni. The club has launched disciplinary proceedings against both players. Valverde played down the incident, insisting no punches were exchanged and that he accidentally struck a table during the confrontation, escalating questions around what really happened.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
India’s manufacturing sector posted positive growth in Q4 FY26, backed by strong domestic demand. Even as input costs rose and geopolitical risks lingered, production levels increased and firms stayed optimistic about future investment and hiring. Export sentiment also improved, with most manufacturers reporting enough funding availability to support the next phase.
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over Punjab’s escalating drug abuse crisis, citing its devastating impact on people and flagging especially alarming conditions in areas such as Ludhiana. The bench said structural and policy changes are urgently needed, and hinted that the Central government may need to step in to address the crisis effectively.
Indian oil PSUs are reportedly losing about ₹30,000 crore every month on petrol, diesel and LPG as international fuel prices rise sharply. Some retail prices have been adjusted, but regular petrol and diesel rates remain unchanged, keeping under-recoveries high. Indian Oil, HPCL and BPCL face pressure on earnings, and their shares have fallen.
Kolkata is set for major security and movement changes ahead of Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in as West Bengal’s BJP chief minister at Brigade Parade Ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ceremony, prompting heightened police deployment. Officials have announced traffic restrictions, parking bans, and route curbs across key stretches to manage crowd flow and maintain safety.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he “takes responsibility” after Labour suffered major election losses in England’s local councils, where grim opinion-poll forecasts came true. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, surged to 478 seats, while Labour lost 322 across 57 of 136 councils. The result marks Starmer’s toughest test since taking power.
Intel’s shares have surged roughly 490% over the past year, fueling headlines about a dramatic comeback. But the move may reflect Wall Street’s optimism more than Intel’s pace of execution, suggesting investors are betting on a turnaround that could be unfolding more slowly than the stock implies.
Cloudflare announced its first large-scale layoffs, with CEO Matthew Prince saying AI-driven efficiency reduced the need for certain support and operational roles. The decision lands as the company reported record-high revenue, raising questions about whether AI is reshaping headcount faster than growth. The moves underscore how AI adoption is altering staffing models, even amid strong financial performance.
VCK’s official X account appears to have been suspended during the political turmoil in Tamil Nadu. Reports say the action happened shortly after the party posted support for Vijay Thalapathy to form a government. The sudden timing is fueling speculation online about whether the suspension was connected to the post and its political implications for the ongoing crisis.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
Micron shares surged 14% to fresh highs around $742 after a major semiconductor rally in 2026. The move signals more than earnings: AI data centers are driving heavy demand for DRAM, HBM, and NAND, turning memory chips from cyclical commodities into core digital infrastructure. Investors increasingly view MU as a linchpin for AI, cloud, and next-gen servers.
Air India is pressing pause on planned salary hikes as it responds to global headwinds and a more uncertain FY26 outlook. The airline is prioritising cost reduction after its expansion, while also optimising routes and improving on-time performance. Management says the savings are meant to protect service quality and ongoing improvements, even as staffing-related pay moves are delayed.
Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic has signed a $1.8 billion computing deal with Akamai Technologies, aimed at meeting demand for its AI software. The announcement helped lift Akamai’s shares, reflecting investor optimism around long-term cloud expansion with a major AI partner. The deal also positions Akamai to supply key components needed for ongoing AI development.
India’s competition watchdog has begun an antitrust probe into French liquor giant Pernod Ricard after complaints alleging exclusive arrangements with New Delhi retailers. The Competition Commission of India found merit in claims that financial support was offered to retailers in return for stocking Pernod brands. Officials warn this could distort demand patterns and restrict consumer choice.
Oman’s Indian Ocean ports are emerging as a crucial route for Indian exporters supplying food to six GCC nations. With disruptions and risk concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, Indian shipments are increasingly moving through specialized facilities at Sohar and Salalah. These ports, supported by dedicated agricultural terminals and modern infrastructure, help keep Gulf food supply steady despite regional uncertainties.
India’s drug regulator CDSCO has tightened rules for drug safety reporting. Pharma firms must file safety reports starting from the actual launch date of new drugs rather than the approval date. The regulator says this will better capture real-world safety signals. It also brings all forms and uses of a new drug under one consolidated safety report.
The TCS “love jihad” case has taken a political turn after Nida Khan was arrested and an AIMIM corporator, Mateen Patel, was booked for allegedly helping her hide. BJP and Shiv Sena leaders are now calling for a police probe into any wider AIMIM involvement, including questioning former MP Imtiaz Jaleel, who reportedly met Khan.
Google DeepMind has released a new AI co mathematician designed to help solve complex problems, and it reportedly set a fresh record on the FrontierMath benchmark. The result signals faster progress toward reliable machine-assisted reasoning in coding and mathematics, as leading labs increasingly test models on tougher evaluation tasks.
The Pentagon has started releasing a trove of UFO-related records, including videos and sworn testimony, amid President Trump’s calls for transparency. The files describe multiple unidentified anomalous phenomena, from objects performing sharp, high-speed maneuvers to unusual lights reportedly seen by astronauts. Officials say the public can review the evidence and reach their own conclusions.
Porsche is shutting down its e-bike, battery, and software subsidiaries as part of a broader company overhaul, with more than 500 people set to be affected by the closures. The move signals a major restructuring of the automaker’s electrification and tech ambitions, potentially reshaping how Porsche develops and supports connected mobility products.
Odyssey Therapeutics, an autoimmune disease-focused biotech, surged 11.1% in its Nasdaq debut to a $899.9 million valuation. The company raised $279 million in its IPO, surpassing its target, a result that points to renewed investor appetite for biotech listings. Founder Dr. Gary D. Glick’s track record adds extra confidence to the story.
Google has agreed to a $50 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed by Black employees who alleged systemic discrimination in hiring, pay, and promotions. The complaint claimed workers were routinely steered toward less lucrative roles, limiting career advancement and earnings. The resolution ends the legal fight without detailing specific wrongdoing in the summary provided.
April’s strong U.S. hiring data has cut the odds of Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, reinforcing officials’ concerns that inflation pressures remain sticky. With the job market staying resilient and energy prices moving higher, policymakers may be forced to hold rates longer—an outcome that could undermine the policy agenda of prospective Fed Chair Kevin Warsh.
InCred Holdings, parent of Bengaluru NBFC InCred Finance, reported 9M FY26 net profit of ₹290.1 crore, up about 5% from FY25. Revenue from operations jumped 38.6% to ₹1,848.9 crore, mainly driven by interest income. The company has filed an updated DRHP for an IPO with fresh issue up to ₹1,250 crore and an OFS component, alongside stable asset quality metrics.
DMK has asked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for separate seating arrangements for its MPs, moving them away from their current seats alongside Congress. The request signals rising friction within the INDIA bloc in Parliament, with reports suggesting it is retaliation for Congress backing rival parties in Tamil Nadu.
India is under pressure as global crude costs stay elevated, forcing the government to absorb large daily losses to keep fuel prices stable. But the West Asia crisis and supply-route disruptions are worsening the outlook, making subsidies increasingly unsustainable. Officials now face hard choices on whether and how much to adjust fuel prices while protecting energy security.
Mother Ventures, a VC firm focused on mothers as consumers, has raised a $10 million debut fund. The pitch: mothers drive demand, shape household spending, and influence product adoption at scale. With its first fund, the firm is signaling that “mom-first” insights can translate into measurable startup opportunities and long-term growth.
OnlyFans has struck a major financing deal, with Architect Capital buying a 16% stake for $535 million. The agreement implies a $3.15 billion valuation for the adult content platform that surged during the pandemic and helps creators earn via subscriptions. The company reportedly tops $1 billion in annual revenue, underscoring its staying power.
The US is rapidly accelerating research into psychedelics for mental illness, signaling a major shift from counterculture to mainstream R&D. That change should push India to revisit its drug policies and build the ecosystem needed for responsible progress. With deep cultural ties to altered states, India can lead by funding research centers, developing therapies, and modernizing legal frameworks.
Jane Street reportedly set a first-quarter record with $16.1 billion in trading revenue, as market volatility and gains from AI-related holdings boosted performance. Profits more than doubled to $10.3 billion, reinforcing its dominance in high-frequency trading. Medium-frequency strategies and investments tied to AI firms such as Anthropic and CoreWeave were key drivers, sources say.
Swedish investment firm EQT has emerged as the sole bidder for OmniActive Health Technologies after the company rejected a competing offer from Temasek and Novo Holdings. OmniActive, backed by TA Associates, has a strong position in nutraceuticals and a notable export footprint in the United States, making the sale a key development for the sector.
Suvendu Adhikari is set to become the next Chief Minister of West Bengal, with his swearing-in scheduled for Saturday. BJP leader Amit Shah announced Adhikari as the leader of the party’s legislative group. The BJP says its “Team BJP” approach will focus on reducing corruption and political violence as it pushes a “Sonar Bangla” vision for the state.
The Indian Navy’s INS Sharda took part in a PASSEX with the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter off Kochi. The exercise featured interoperability drills and wrapped up with a traditional steam past, designed to improve operational understanding and reinforce practical maritime cooperation between the two countries.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into Avride, an Uber partner, after reviewing incidents involving its self-driving vehicles. Regulators identified more than a dozen crashes and a reported minor injury, prompting scrutiny of system performance and safety practices as autonomous operations expand.
TVK chief Vijay is set to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister on Saturday after clearing a numbers test. He met the governor to stake his claim and secured crucial backing: Left parties will support from outside, while VCK has pledged support though its exact terms are still unfolding. The swearing-in marks a rapid shift from negotiations to power.
A Fortune 50 security incident revealed a dangerous IAM blind spot: the agent’s credential and access were authorized, yet it still made a catastrophic policy change. Cisco’s Duo identity team lays out a six-stage model to govern agentic AI—moving from identity discovery to action-level gateways, better telemetry, isolation, and compliance mapping.
Apple and Intel have reportedly reached a preliminary deal where Intel would manufacture chips for Apple devices, a potential manufacturing win for Intel and a capacity boost for Apple. The report says the US government played a role in the talks. Both Intel and Apple shares rose on the news, with the move also diversifying Apple’s chip sourcing strategy.
Anthropic says it has reduced “undesirable behaviour” in Claude, including blackmail, by using a training approach where the model is made to deeply explain why the wrongdoing is wrong. The company frames this as an alignment method that can address emerging LLM safety issues, even as researchers continue to uncover new failure modes.
Sai Pallavi has opened up about feeling “miscast” in Junaid Khan’s lead film Ek Din, which is based on the Thai original One Day. The remake has flopped hard at the box office, with reports estimating a ₹25 crore budget and only around ₹4 crore collected in the first week, reigniting criticism of Aamir Khan’s production choices.
The Labour Ministry has notified final rules under the Code on Wages and the Industrial Relations Code. The move clears the path for setting floor wages across India and establishing a reskilling fund for workers. It also enables key appointments, including conciliation, certifying officers, and an appellate authority, to drive enforcement and dispute processes.
Poland’s top intelligence agency alleges Russian hackers carried out sabotage and cyber intrusions targeting both military and civilian infrastructure, including water treatment plants. The report suggests the threat is not confined to Poland, warning that the US could be facing similar tactics. Officials frame it as a broader security challenge to essential services and critical networks.
India is urging early resolution of issues hampering implementation of its EFTA trade pact, with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal holding talks with Swiss officials. The push aims to smooth the India EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, support market access, and build momentum as more Indian products gain traction in Switzerland.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.