Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Sebi has settled proceedings against four entities tied to alleged diversion of funds connected to erstwhile Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd. The regulator confirmed the case closure after the entities paid a combined settlement amount of about Rs 10.49 crore. The move brings an end to Sebi’s action in the matter, subject to settlement terms and applicable conditions.
In Kolkata, the post-mortem of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, found three gunshot wounds—two in the chest and one in the abdomen. Doctors said the injuries caused excessive blood loss and multiple organ failure, concluding Rath died instantly at the scene. Investigators are using the findings to sharpen the case timeline and identify responsibility.
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Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, said Pakistan and China are forging a deeper military link, creating complex challenges for India along the same border. He emphasized that Indian armed forces have absorbed lessons from the previous year and are prepared to manage threats from multiple adversaries simultaneously.
On the one-year anniversary of Operation Sindoor, MoS External Affairs Pabitra Margherita praised the valour of India’s armed forces and said the world has seen that anyone threatening India’s peace and security cannot evade the reach of the country’s forces. The statement underscored confidence in deterrence and readiness as the operation moves past its first year.
Madhya Pradesh Congress staged a “Chakka Jam Andolan” on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway spanning 747 km across 11 districts. Senior leaders, including Jitu Patwari and Satish Sikarwar, accused the BJP-led state government of betraying farmers on MSP promises and failing to address corruption linked to crop price issues. The protest spotlighted pressure for fair rates and justice for growers.
Nora Fatehi appeared before the National Commission for Women over the “Sarke Chunar” row, apologising and saying she never intended to offend. Taking responsibility as an artist, she also announced plans to sponsor the education of orphan girls, positioning the apology as the start of a bigger commitment to give back to society.
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India is set to scrap physical toll plazas by the end of 2026, replacing them with an automated distance based system. Charging will rely on number plate recognition and FASTag to track how far a vehicle travels, so drivers won’t have to stop at toll booths. The goal is to cut congestion and keep highways moving smoothly at speed.
A manager rejected an employee’s work from home request during heavy rain and flooding, citing company policy. When the employee wasn’t available to respond to a client message at night, the manager questioned them again. The employee responded with a sharp loophole: if working from home is “not allowed” during the emergency, then late night responsiveness under normal rules should also be reconsidered.
FSSAI raided a Gujarat alkaline water manufacturer and seized products worth over Rs 31 lakh over major food safety and labelling violations. Inspectors found missing product details, incorrect ingredient declarations, visible black particles, and the non-permitted substance fulvic acid. The agency has moved toward legal action after confirming serious lapses in compliance and labelling standards.
Swaasa AI is developing a smartphone-based cough sound analysis platform to screen respiratory conditions like COPD, asthma, and pneumonia. By using audio signals instead of traditional spirometry, the tool could make lung disease detection faster, cheaper, and more accessible—particularly in regions where spirometry testing is hard to get.
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A 22-year-old man in Gurgaon was allegedly kidnapped and extorted after meeting a stranger on Grindr. Police have arrested four accused and are probing whether a wider pattern exists, with gangs allegedly using dating apps to lure victims, isolate them, and then exploit them. Investigators are now looking for links to similar complaints.
Yanolja, a global travel technology firm, has acquired India’s InnKey, an enterprise hospitality platform. The deal is designed to expand Yanolja’s presence in the hotel sector by bringing InnKey’s unified operating system for front office and finance. InnKey already supports 500 plus hotels in India and connects with global systems to help hotel groups streamline operations and improve guest experiences.
Former India cricketer and ex-West Bengal Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary says he has quit the TMC, accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of corruption and internal sabotage. After TMC’s defeat, he alleged he was sidelined from his sports ministry role, with Aroop Biswas reportedly blocking his work. Tiwary claims he was asked for Rs 5 crore and refused, sparking the backlash.
India has urged Bangladesh to extend full cooperation for the repatriation of illegal nationals, after a Bangladesh minister’s “pushback” remark. The MEA said more than 2,860 nationality verification cases remain pending with Bangladesh authorities, including several stuck for over five years, and called for faster processing to resolve them smoothly.
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India has restricted airspace over the Bay of Bengal from May 6 to May 9, triggering speculation about a possible Agni-6 intercontinental ballistic missile test. Officials have not confirmed details, but the move is being linked to plans for a missile reportedly exceeding 10,000 km range and designed with MIRV technology, aimed at strengthening India’s strategic deterrence.
A video of senior Congress leader Cherian Philip allegedly forcefully trying to hug Kollam MLA designate Bindu Krishna has gone viral, triggering sharp outrage online. The incident reportedly occurred at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters. Social media users have raised concerns about consent and conduct, while supporters and critics debate the context and authenticity of the clip.
Finance Secretary M Nagaraju has cautioned Indian banks about the growing threat posed by advanced AI models like Anthropic Mythos. Speaking with SBI Chairman CS Setty, he urged banks to harden cyber defenses and improve operational resilience, warning that AI can be used for both defense and offense. Regulators are pushing banks to prepare for AI-driven attacks.
Axis Bank has raised a three-year $500 million offshore loan from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, using it to support lending and general business needs. The move highlights mounting pressure on Indian banks as loan growth continues to outpace deposit growth, with Axis reporting 19% loan growth versus 14% deposit growth in the year ended March.
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China has sentenced two former defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, to death for corruption, granting each a two-year reprieve. Both were found guilty of taking bribes, while Li was also convicted of offering them. Both were expelled from the Communist Party, and each had led major PLA units including the Rocket Force.
After complaints that many CUET-UG 2026 candidates were assigned exam centres hundreds of kilometres away, the NTA has opened a correction window. Students can update their exam state, date and shift on a first-come, first-served basis until May 7 at 11:50 PM. Eligible candidates should act quickly to secure a better slot.
India’s MEA has reiterated that it has the right to defend itself against cross border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, marking the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. The statement follows India’s airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in response to a terror attack, which officials say eliminated terrorists and helped cool tensions. India also reaffirmed its commitment to global counterterror efforts.
PSG are six points clear of Lens with three matches remaining in Ligue 1. The reigning leaders can clinch the title as early as their game against Brest if Lens drop points at Nantes. PSG and Lens face each other in Lens on Wednesday, with the clash potentially deciding the momentum in the race for the top spot and Champions League places.
Spotify’s AI DJ is getting a wider voice. The feature now supports French, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese, joining its earlier language availability. For listeners, this means more natural spoken guidance, smoother recommendations, and a personalized experience that matches their language preferences—potentially across more regions without switching services.
A new viral video shows Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra aboard a commercial flight as passengers turn hostile and chant slogans calling her a thief. The clip captures her quietly exiting the cabin while others raise demands and echo familiar political language. The incident is spreading rapidly online, reigniting debate around escalating rhetoric in public spaces.
Adani Green Energy and four other BSE 100 LargeMidcap TMC stocks reached fresh 52 week highs, even as the broader market stayed weak. The rally has pushed gains up to about 48% over the past month, with Adani Green joining leaders such as Polycab and Nestle India in the standout momentum.
Hotel Palacio Hospitality says it will invest around Rs 800 crore over the next decade to expand across Eastern India, with a special focus on the Northeast. The plan includes launching 10 new properties to build a stronger hospitality portfolio, and Guwahati is set to play a central role in guiding the growth strategy.
With Tamil Nadu’s government formation still stuck, DMK, VCK and others have rallied behind actor-politician Vijay’s bid to lead. Reports say Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar grilled Vijay in a second meeting in two days, probing how he would cross the majority and whether a stable government is feasible, leaving the process uncertain.
On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, India’s top military commanders disclosed that Indian forces struck 11 Pakistani airfields, destroyed 13 aircraft, and decimated nine terrorist camps. Officials say the operation reset India’s threshold for cross-border action by achieving clear objectives and bringing hostilities to a close after Pakistan sought negotiations.
India’s military has issued a hard warning to Pakistan, saying no terror sanctuary along the frontier is safe. The message follows the Pahalgam attacks and India’s Operation Sindoor, a tri-services mission that targeted nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists. Officials say the strikes reflect precision and a firm pledge to defend sovereignty.
Adtech unicorn InMobi has acquired San Francisco-based app marketing and analytics platform MobileAction, though it did not reveal deal value. The acquisition aims to boost InMobi’s iOS user acquisition via organic growth and AI-powered optimisation. MobileAction will continue operating independently, with its US, Europe and Turkey teams joining InMobi. InMobi also plans product and go-to-market investment across US, APAC and MENA.
Tamil Nadu Governor remains unconvinced that actor-politician Vijay has enough support to form a government, triggering fresh speculation about who is applying political pressure. BJP’s Tamil Nadu spokesperson Thirupathy says TVK must constitutionally prove its majority and that if Vijay can demonstrate it, the Governor will accept it—leaving TVK scrambling for additional MLAs.
Nearly seven years after Jeffrey Epstein’s death, a federal court unsealed a handwritten suicide note linked to his first apparent suicide attempt in July 2019. The note was found by cellmate Nicholas Tartaglione inside a graphic novel in a New York jail. Its language reportedly matches phrases from Epstein’s emails, reinforcing claims he was suicidal weeks before his death.
A Trump-era immigration crackdown in Minnesota disrupted federal investigations into serious crimes, triggering a sharp drop in gun and drug prosecutions. The operation pushed prosecutors to resign and diverted agents away from ongoing cases, weakening the U.S. Attorney’s Office and blunting public safety efforts.
New Zealand plans to introduce a citizenship test for migrants starting in late 2027. Applicants will need to answer at least 15 out of 20 multiple-choice questions covering the Bill of Rights Act, human rights, and democratic principles. The government says the move will help ensure future citizens understand both their responsibilities and privileges before gaining citizenship.
NeoLiv will invest Rs 500 crore to develop a golf-led luxury plotted township on 47 acres in Faridabad. The move follows strong momentum from a prior project where 285 premium plots generated Rs 1,251 crore in sales, with prices between Rs 2.88 crore and Rs 9.94 crore. Built through a management contract, the new project targets completion by March 2031.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari hit out at the Trinamool Congress after the murder of his aide Chandranath Rath. Adhikari alleged the killing was cold-blooded and pre-planned, linking it to his political defeat of Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. He accused the TMC of encouraging political violence in West Bengal, escalating a new round of blame and counter-blame.
A growing set of Indian road projects under the hybrid annuity model is facing execution delays, largely linked to model complexity and a slow right-of-way acquisition process. However, Crisil finds lenders are still protected because concession agreements provide strong safeguards, keeping credit profiles stable even as timelines slip. The key friction point remains getting land access cleared.
Dabur India’s fourth-quarter performance outpaced expectations as domestic FMCG demand and volume growth supported broad-based category gains. Revenue rose 7% while consolidated profit after tax increased 15% year-on-year to Rs 369 crore. The company also declared a final dividend of Rs 5.50 per share, citing resilience despite global inflation and geopolitical headwinds affecting overseas operations.
DMK chief MK Stalin has called a meeting of all party MLAs at the headquarters to reassess the party’s position amid the ongoing stalemate over Tamil Nadu government formation. Sources say the party could also select its Opposition leader in the assembly during the session scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm, signaling a fast shift in strategy after the poll drubbing.
India has strongly rejected claims by Canada’s CSIS alleging foreign interference, calling them baseless and contrary to India’s long-standing respect for national sovereignty. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said any issues should be handled through established diplomatic mechanisms rather than politicised public narratives, while also urging action against Khalistani extremist elements.
Walmart’s CEO says India is among the most dynamic opportunities in global commerce after the company sourced more than $40 billion in goods from the country. Walmart is also backing Indian entrepreneurs and suppliers with support to meet international standards and build capabilities, aiming to help them expand exports and reach customers worldwide.
Doordash shares jumped after the company posted a strong quarterly forecast, driven by sustained demand for food and grocery deliveries. The firm is expanding membership programs and broadening grocery coverage across the US and Canada. Even with higher gas prices and increased driver relief costs, Doordash signaled confidence in its performance as Uber reported upbeat delivery growth too.
Sayantan Banerjee, a visually impaired teacher from Kolkata, leads the way at Bikramgarh High School—teaching even sighted students. Learning through audiobooks and Braille, he later founded a Reader-Writer Bank to support blind students. His story has become a powerful reminder that disability doesn’t decide a future, and access to tools can unlock education for all.
The Indian rupee jumped sharply on Thursday afternoon as crude oil prices slid, helping reduce import costs and lift sentiment. Traders said the move was also reinforced by stop-losses on short rupee bets and faster dollar sales in the non-deliverable forward market, signaling traders were repositioning quickly as the dollar eased.
Amazon Prime Video will invest at least 90 million euros in French film and video production in 2026, according to a regulator. The amount may increase to 110 million euros if specific conditions are met. The move ties to EU rules that require streaming platforms to fund European content, reshaping how global services allocate budgets in the region.
Cricket Australia is reportedly making a massive push to keep Pat Cummins on board, with an offer worth $12 million across the next three years. The Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, fresh off a World Cup-winning ODI leadership stint, remains one of Australia’s most valuable fast-bowling assets. The reported contract aims to lock in his service long term.
Emirates posted a record $5.4 billion net profit, crediting strong cash reserves and effective fuel hedging for buffering the shock from the Iran war and surging jet fuel prices. Even with disruptions, the airline is continuing aircraft deliveries and launching a retrofit program to bring capacity back toward pre-disruption levels.
A KLM flight attendant in Amsterdam is being tested for hantavirus after developing mild symptoms. The concern follows a Dutch woman who was removed from a KLM flight from Johannesburg and later died of the virus in South Africa. Health authorities are reaching out to other passengers to assess exposure and take precautionary steps.
Scientists have named Daturodendron absconditum, a newly classified tree genus found in the Colombian Andes cloud forests. After more than two decades of research, the tree is identified as a distant relative of tomatoes and potatoes, with distinct physical traits and an ancient genetic lineage. The discovery underscores how plant taxonomy and conservation remain urgent, even for species hiding in remote habitats.
Days after suing Nykaa, Zee Entertainment Enterprises has reportedly filed a fresh Delhi High Court case against JioStar, alleging unauthorised use of its copyrighted music after licence expiry. Zee claims the streaming platform JioHotstar and some TV channels exploited its catalog at least 50 times between 2024 and 2025, seeking about $3 million in damages and orders to stop infringement.
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