Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Gold rose for a third straight session as a softer US dollar boosted buying interest. The gains were also supported by expectations of a potential US Iran peace deal, adding a geopolitical tailwind to markets. Analysts say prices may stay rangebound near $4,600 to $5,100 an ounce in the near term, even as momentum builds.
Lucknow hosts Bengaluru at the Ekana Stadium for the LSG vs RCB IPL 2026 match, with RCB slightly favoured as they look to strengthen their grip on the top of the points table. However, a key concern looms: weather conditions in Lucknow suggest rain could disrupt play, potentially impacting team strategies and momentum.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Tech layoffs are accelerating in 2026, with over 93,000 roles cut so far as AI and automation reshape how companies operate. Meta, Coinbase, and Freshworks are among the firms restructuring to reduce costs, streamline teams, and prioritize efficiency. The trend signals a shift away from traditional hiring and toward AI-powered roles and leaner execution.
The Indian rupee jumped to 94.61 against the US dollar on Wednesday, its strongest single day gain in about a month. The move followed a broader relief rally in Asian currencies as investors grew more optimistic about the possibility of a cessation of hostilities between the US and Iran. Risk sentiment improved, lifting regional FX broadly.
A seemingly light campaign moment during PM Narendra Modi’s West Bengal trail has morphed into a fiscal worry. Economists say election results have accelerated costly welfare promises that could add about Rs 1.69 lakh crore to already strained state finances, raising concerns over budget stress, funding gaps, and long term sustainability.
Adobe and OpenAI have integrated Adobe’s GenStudio with ChatGPT, aiming to move marketing into conversational AI. The partnership lets brands create and launch ads directly within AI conversations, potentially changing how customers encounter promotions—less like traditional campaigns and more like interactive, context-aware messaging powered by generative tools.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
A close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead in Madhyamgram, West Bengal, triggering a sharp political backlash. The BJP accused the ruling TMC of enabling lawlessness, while the TMC rejected the allegations and called for a professional, transparent probe. Multiple parties condemned the violence, insisting on credible findings.
EU countries and European Parliament lawmakers have struck a provisional deal on a watered down AI Act. Implementation for high risk systems will be delayed until December 2027, citing lower administrative costs and fairer competition. The deal still bans AI generated explicit images and requires mandatory watermarking for AI output, reshaping compliance timelines across the bloc.
Pakistan’s armed forces say they will enhance military capabilities to meet emerging security challenges, citing future readiness as the goal. Observing an anniversary linked to a past India conflict, the military framed it as a pivotal chapter and announced moves to adopt advanced technologies while upgrading training methods, positioning the force to respond to any form of aggression.
Tamil Nadu’s political future looks uncertain after actor Vijay’s party emerged as the largest but fell short of a majority. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu called for President’s Rule and fresh elections, urging strict enforcement of a no cash for votes regime. He believes Vijay’s party could then secure a super majority, but social media questions the cost and disruption.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
On the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian armed forces for their courage and precision. He said the operation acted as a strong response to the Pahalgam terror attack, reflecting India’s firm stance against terrorism and its commitment to national security. The nation marked the day to honor the bravery and resolve of the forces.
Whirlpool’s stock sank nearly 17% after the company cut its 2026 outlook, suspended dividends, and warned it may need further price hikes. Management pointed to weak consumer demand, inflationary pressures, tariff uncertainty, and slowing housing activity as key drags. Analysts say a clear recovery timeline remains elusive, keeping sentiment cautious.
Polycab India shares jumped 6% to Rs 8,938.70 after it reported stronger-than-expected Q4 results. Brokerages raised target prices following a 27% YoY revenue jump and 13% EBITDA growth. Analysts pointed out the surprise strength despite geopolitical disruptions, weak March demand, and channel destocking, with Citi taking the Street-high view at Rs 10,500.
US Federal Reserve officials are growing concerned that the US backed war with Iran could trigger a prolonged inflation shock. They cite elevated oil prices and supply chain disruptions as persistent risks, raising fears that inflation may not cool quickly. Markets now watch for the possibility of additional interest rate hikes and a longer stretch of high prices as shocks compound.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
Spacetech startup Skyroot Aerospace has raised $60 million, doubling its pre-money valuation to $1.1 billion and putting it on track to become India’s first spacetech unicorn. The round was co-led by Sherpalo Ventures and Singapore’s GIC, with other major investors joining. Skyroot plans faster Vikram-1 launches and ramps up Vikram-2 development as it prepares for an orbital debut in coming weeks.
Shree Cement shares jumped about 4% even after Q4 FY26 net profit fell 8% to Rs 526 crore. Revenue rose 10% to Rs 6,1010 crore, supported by strong sales volume growth both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter. Brokerages like Nomura and Elara stayed optimistic, pointing to volume momentum and dividend payouts despite the profit dip.
Arm Holdings expects higher first-quarter revenue thanks to strong demand for its AI chip technology, driven by rapid growth in data centers. Yet analysts are concerned because Arm hasn’t secured enough supply for its upcoming chip. Even so, Arm’s architectures power most smartphones worldwide, and its data center segment could become a major engine for future growth.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is taking on the claim that AI will erase entry-level work by hiring 1,000 graduates and interns for its Futureforce program. The team will build AI systems behind products like Agentforce and Headless360. Benioff says the move, backed by hiring and unemployment data, shows AI can create early-career opportunities instead of replacing them.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
Anthropic says its compute partnership with xAI is already paying off for Claude subscribers, with higher rate limits rolling out immediately. The move follows related collaboration momentum, including Anthropic’s partnership with SpaceX, and signals faster scaling of Claude’s usage capacity. For users, it means fewer slowdowns and more reliable access as demand rises.
Indian markets surged for a second straight session as Sensex gained 380 points and Nifty inched toward 24,400. The rally was driven by growing optimism that the Iran US conflict could de escalate sooner than feared, pulling midcap and smallcap stocks higher too. PSU Banks led sectoral gains amid improving risk appetite.
Anthropic is reportedly teaming up with xAI to supply additional computing capacity for Claude Pro and Claude Max subscribers. The move comes as Anthropic has faced service strain and xAI has dealt with hiccups in its recent model releases. If the partnership scales smoothly, users could see improved responsiveness and reduced congestion during peak demand.
A judge has ordered the release of a previously sealed note linked to Jeffrey Epstein, found by his former cellmate Nicholas Tartaglione after Epstein’s first suspected suicide attempt. Tartaglione, serving a life sentence, says he discovered the note inside a book. The decision adds a new, closely scrutinized detail to the ongoing investigation and legal fallout around Epstein’s death.
The Centre has extended five state laws to the Union Territory of Chandigarh, aiming to modernise the legal framework, improve transparency, and make daily life and business smoother. The changes introduce updates around stamp duty, property records, tenancy, fire safety, and measures to prevent human smuggling, with the broader goal of closing legal gaps and boosting governance efficiency.
Snap reported weaker ad revenue in the first quarter, blaming ongoing Middle East tensions and slower growth in North America. The company also ended its partnership with AI provider Perplexity. Despite the financial pressure, Snap highlighted a bright spot: daily active users rose, suggesting engagement is holding even as advertisers tighten spending.
Amid Tamil Nadu’s post-election uncertainty, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin reportedly told DMK lawmakers he will not try to destabilise Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government for six months, if it is formed. The assurance comes as TVK, despite being the largest party, lacks a clear majority and is likely to rely on Congress support.
An investor group has urged the US SEC to scrutinize SpaceX’s IPO filing before a planned record-breaking listing. The group claims there are concerns over the accuracy and reliability of the company’s disclosures. It also points to Elon Musk’s prior role in the Trump administration, arguing regulators may face potential conflicts when reviewing the paperwork.
PB Fintech has reported a 54% year-on-year jump in March-quarter net profit to Rs 261 crore, helped by faster insurance premium growth and improved margins. Revenue rose 36% as lending disbursals and renewal income increased. The firm also expanded its agent network sharply, bolstering distribution across both insurance and credit products.
India marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack. The military action targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan, with officials calling it a symbol of national resolve. The anniversary was used to reaffirm India’s position against terrorism and those believed to support it, highlighting the operation’s precision and decisiveness.
The US Treasury says it will hold auction sizes for notes and bonds steady for the next several quarters, reflecting a cautious borrowing strategy amid ongoing market volatility. Announced as part of its quarterly refunding plan, the move is intended to reduce added pressure on the bond market, signaling an effort to stabilize demand and keep rates from reacting too strongly.
Google says its Gemma4 model can run up to three times faster thanks to Multi-Token Prediction Drafters, an algorithmic upgrade to how text is decoded. Instead of committing token by token, the system drafts multiple likely continuations, reducing costly re-computation during generation. The result is quicker responses without changing the model’s core capabilities.
Robotics startup Alphadroid has raised ₹36 crore (about $3.8 million) in a pre-Series A round led by Alkemi Growth Capital, with SVLL and undisclosed HNIs participating. Incubated at IIIT Lucknow, the Delhi NCR firm will expand its robot portfolio, team, and client base, targeting healthcare first before pushing into logistics and warehousing.
Corning is partnering with Nvidia to ramp up U.S. production of optical connectivity used in AI data centers. The plan is to tenfold Corning’s optical connectivity manufacturing capacity and expand domestic fiber production by more than 50%. The expansion is also expected to create thousands of jobs as AI infrastructure demand accelerates.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged to a fresh record above 62,000, fueled by global optimism after strong tech earnings and eased Middle East tensions. Technology stocks, especially AI-linked names, drove the momentum, while government bonds also strengthened. The yen held steady after earlier gains, underscoring a broad risk-on shift across markets.
Paytm parent One 97 Communications reported a Rs 184 crore Q4 profit, triggering a sharp rise in its shares. Revenue from operations increased as analysts pointed to stronger momentum and tightly controlled expenses. With performance improving year over year and sentiment staying upbeat, investors are now watching whether analysts can justify more upside from here.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commemorated Operation Sindoor, presenting it as a decisive response to a terror attack. Indian forces targeted terror launchpads across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists. Pakistan retaliated, sparking broader conflict, after which India’s strikes were followed by a ceasefire that ended hostilities.
Tension has gripped West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas after a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead. Police have boosted security and urged calm as BJP supporters protest, demanding the arrest of the attackers. The killing, termed a targeted assassination, has sharpened BJP and TMC accusations following recent assembly poll outcomes.
Iran is expected to submit its response to a US proposal to ease the West Asia crisis on May 7, with mediators guiding talks. Sources say Washington and Tehran are close to a preliminary deal: an immediate ceasefire and a 30-day window for broader negotiations that may include pausing nuclear enrichment and offering sanctions relief.
A year after Operation Sindoor, India has decided to keep the Indus Water Treaty suspended, maintaining its posture of keeping dam gates shut. The move signals a hardening stance toward Pakistan, with India arguing that meaningful cooperation cannot exist amid terror threats and that the treaty is “unjust.”
On May 6, six NSE F&O stocks logged a sharp jump in futures open interest, hinting at higher trader activity and new positioning. Larsen & Toubro, HDFC Life Insurance, Amber Enterprises, Nippon Life India Asset Management, Coforge, and Godfrey Phillips India all saw open interest rise by more than 10%, signaling renewed market attention.
A week after Abhishek Banerjee warned BJP workers at a rally, his “After May 4” remarks have resurfaced online after the murder of Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandra near Madhyamgram. The incident has intensified political tensions in West Bengal as allegations of a pre-planned assassination circulate, prompting a CID team to reach the scene.
The dollar weakened as hopes of de escalation between Iran and the US supported oil linked currencies, while Japan’s cautionary comments kept yen speculation restrained. Even with talk of a peace proposal, investors remain wary over unresolved nuclear demands and risks around the Strait of Hormuz, which are still swinging oil prices and US Treasury yields. The euro climbed as the dollar index eased.
Savannah Guthrie’s sudden mid-show exit from the Today show has sparked fresh speculation as investigators pursue new developments in the kidnapping case of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84. Nancy disappeared from her Arizona home in February, and authorities are examining a hair found at the scene. Experts say it could indicate the perpetrator may be someone Nancy knew, raising hopes for breakthroughs.
Neetu Kapoor shared a deeply emotional moment with Ranbir Kapoor during the India Pakistan conflict. She was shooting in Shimla when Ranbir panicked and asked her to come back. Neetu calmed him by reminding him of their close bond and the cast’s commitment to finishing the film, even as tensions ran high.
MI’s camp is buzzing ahead of the IPL 2026 match vs RCB in Raipur on May 10, with reports suggesting key leaders Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya could miss the game. Hardik is said to have been advised a week’s rest, while Suryakumar’s availability remains unclear, sparking speculation that Rohit Sharma could return to the captaincy if both are sidelined.
West Bengal Police investigating the murder of Chandra, Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant, have seized a vehicle near Madhyamgram. Officials said investigators recovered live rounds and fired cartridges and found evidence including a fake number plate, pointing to a planned assault. The police say further details are being verified as the probe expands and arrests are expected.
A son abroad in Canada was praised for monthly remittances, but the family never really asked how he was living day to day. Behind the financial success, he faced loneliness and hunger and quietly sent nearly all his earnings home. The revelation exposes how immigrant families can fixate on achievements while missing the most important question: his well-being.
False reports claiming rapper Key Glock was killed in Memphis spread rapidly on Facebook and X, stemming from an unverified YouTube video. Despite the alarm, there’s been no official confirmation from law enforcement or his family. The rapper also recently teased an upcoming release on Instagram, strongly suggesting the viral death claims are not true.
The US and China are reportedly weighing formal discussions on artificial intelligence, with the topic potentially added to the agenda for a Trump Xi summit in Beijing next week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is said to be leading the US side for these potential AI talks, signaling growing diplomatic focus on how AI is regulated and managed between rivals.
A passenger bus collided head-on with a fuel tanker truck on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, according to officials. The crash happened around midday on the Trans-Sumatra Highway in North Musi Rawas regency. At least 16 people were killed and four others were injured, with survivors taken to a nearby clinic for burn and other injuries.
The Trump administration’s shifting Iran-war messaging—starting with a ceasefire, escalating to bombing threats, then pausing operations to pursue a deal—has sparked uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz. While U.S. forces initially protected shipping lanes, the abrupt strategy change is now being linked to market jitters and rising fuel prices for consumers and businesses.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.