Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is facing mounting challenges, with new analyses suggesting its underlying momentum is weakening. A key factor cited is the shift in global trade posture during Donald Trump’s presidency, whose aggressive policies have complicated cooperation and reduced confidence in the framework’s direction.
Global airlines are responding to a jet fuel cost spike and worsening supply worries tied to the Iran conflict. Carriers are removing large numbers of seats from schedules and adjusting routes disrupted by pricing pressure. For travellers, that means fewer flight options and higher ticket costs as airlines scramble to manage the new cost reality.
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Assam’s latest assembly elections delivered a record landslide for the NDA. Analysts point to a delimitation exercise that reshaped constituencies, altering how votes translated into seats. By redrawing boundaries, the influence of minority vote banks in some areas reportedly weakened, paving the way for BJP and allies to win substantially more seats than before.
Congress hit out at the Modi government, saying private corporate investment remains sluggish as consumer demand weakens from stagnant real wages and concerns grow about a “raid raj” driven by ED, CBI and IT actions. Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran pointed out that while big firms’ profits have surged post COVID, private capital formation is still disappointing, urging deeper reflection on investment reluctance.
Craig Long, a MAGA influencer and fitness entrepreneur, was arrested in Polk County during a major human trafficking and prostitution sting. Authorities say he is among more than 200 people taken into custody. Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized Long’s large social media following, including a widely circulated photo taken with Donald Trump, and noted a prior criminal history.
Uttar Pradesh has scrapped the mandatory prepaid system for smart electricity meters after complaints of technical glitches and sudden, allegedly arbitrary disconnections. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a shift to postpaid billing for more than 83 lakh consumers, aiming to prevent outages and ensure uninterrupted power through the peak summer season.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the first electronic refunds tied to Trump-era tariffs ruled illegal by the Supreme Court could begin as soon as May 12, shifting from an earlier estimate. The agency is also sharing new reporting details so shippers can track ACH payment statuses, as billions wait to be returned.
CashKaro reported FY26 operating revenue jumping 72% to ₹600 crore, up from ₹348 crore in FY25. The company also cut its EBITDA loss 40% to ₹17.7 crore. It credits operating leverage, tighter expenses, better customer acquisition and conversion, and restrained promotional costs. Employee and infrastructure costs stayed stable as AI and automation boosted productivity.
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff is facing allegations that he ran over a student’s foot with his car on campus following a heated Israel Palestine debate. Kotlikoff claims he was harassed and intimidated by a group, while surveillance footage and cellphone videos have surfaced. The university has launched an investigation into what happened and the circumstances leading to the incident.
Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has reportedly named her niece, Claire Mazumdar, as the company’s successor. Claire, founder and CEO of Bicara Therapeutics, brings advanced qualifications and prior industry experience. The announcement also comes amid broader structural and leadership changes across Biocon group firms as it pushes biosimilars and deeper artificial intelligence integration.
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The UAE has ordered universities and schools to switch to online learning from May 5 to May 8, 2026, following missile interceptions reported by the Ministry of Defence. The temporary shift aims to protect students and staff while keeping education running. Practical training courses may be exempt, and authorities will reassess the situation later this week.
Nvidia is increasingly looking beyond China as CEO Jensen Huang warns that export restrictions are reshaping the global AI power balance. The company’s pivot signals how rapidly AI competition is being influenced not just by innovation, but by geopolitics and trade rules. Nvidia’s strategy suggests it expects demand and influence to move to markets that can access key technologies.
Larsen & Toubro has bagged a major order to build a coal-to-ammonium nitrate facility in Odisha with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day. The project aims to strengthen India’s coal gasification push while reducing reliance on imported ammonium nitrate. The development also supports the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat goal of boosting domestic capabilities in critical chemical production.
Moody’s Ratings notes that since the global shock wave that began in 2020, India has risen to the top among developing markets. The analysis says India’s growth path is stronger than peers such as Mexico and Brazil, driven by proactive policy reforms and a resilient financial safety net that helped protect market access and steady the currency.
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Kerala’s politics has turned sharply as the Congress-led UDF dethrones the incumbent LDF after a decade in power. Party leaders are now weighing who should become the next Chief Minister, with prominent Congress figures in the running. The LDF’s heavy defeat has triggered internal introspection, while the BJP’s entry with three seats signals a growing appetite for change among voters.
BJP’s sweeping victory in Assam is being read as both a consolidation of Hindutva politics and a blow to traditional Assamese regionalist forces. Analysts credit the party with positioning itself as a protector of Assamese identity while deepening Hindu consolidation after the 2023 delimitation exercise. Regional outfits like AGP, Raijor Dal, and Assam Jatiya Parishad have been sidelined, while Bengali-speaking Muslims face further marginalisation and AIUDF’s influence weakens.
A new claim by Chodankar has reignited debate over Congress’s alliance choices in Tamil Nadu. Local leaders allege that strong grassroots support for TVK was sidelined when the party backed DMK. They argue a joint campaign with Rahul Gandhi and Vijay could have delivered 180 to 190 seats, but Congress leadership reportedly preferred the DMK alliance’s strategic reliability.
Ather Energy stock jumped after its Q4 FY26 performance, with losses narrowing sharply and revenue surging. The company reported a 36.3% drop in FY26 loss, strong quarterly growth, and improved EBITDA margins, despite higher costs and pressures like lithium price volatility and production disruptions from rare-earth magnet export limits. Brokerages stayed bullish, citing long-term growth and network expansion.
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Axis Mutual Fund has temporarily suspended subscriptions to units in three international funds from May 5, citing overseas investment limits. While fresh inflows are halted, redemptions and existing SIPs will continue as usual. The decision follows strong past performance and leadership changes, including Ashish Gupta’s exit and R Sivakumar’s elevation as CIO.
Bitcoin surged past $80,000 as institutional buying, tightening supply, and fading oil-linked inflation hedges boosted demand. Geopolitical de-escalation also improved market mood, pushing a broad risk-on move. While major altcoins saw volatility, the rally was further accelerated by roughly $270 million in short liquidations.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said BJP’s strong show in West Bengal and Assam was driven by a professional campaign led by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He pointed to what he called a robust organisational network and heavy deployment of resources, adding that other parties could study BJP’s approach after its election wins in the two states.
Smallcap stocks outperformed Tuesday even as the broader market weakened. Wockhardt, Tata Tech and CAMS climbed as much as 11% after upbeat Q4 earnings. The Nifty 50 slipped below 24,000 amid global worries, but improving momentum and technical signals suggest smallcaps could keep building strength, according to Emkay.
Pakistan Navy reportedly provided humanitarian assistance to the crew of the Indian offshore tug and supply vessel MV Gautam after a Mumbai distress call. The ship was stranded in the Arabian Sea due to a technical fault, with support from the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. The seven-member crew including six Indians and one Indonesian received food, medical assistance, and technical support.
India’s currency in circulation hit a record ₹42.3 trillion in April after a sharp early-month jump of over ₹610 billion. Economists link the rise to strong rural cash demand, GST-related relief, and election spending, alongside inflation pressures. If the surge continues, it could tighten banking liquidity and push the RBI to recalibrate how it manages surplus funds.
The Andhra Pradesh POLYCET Results 2026 are out, released on May 5, 2026. Students can check their scores online at polycetap.ap.gov.in using their hall ticket number and date of birth to download the rank card. Qualifying candidates must use the rank card for the next step, online counselling for diploma admissions.
Dream Sports has rolled out DreamStreet, a stockbroking platform built to make investing simpler for Indian retail newcomers. It uses AI for insights and lets users tap into research analysts to build confidence for those hesitant to enter the market. The launch also reflects Dream Sports’ diversification plan after regulatory shifts that affected its gaming business.
BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill hit back at opposition allegations of electoral malpractice, pointing to their differing response to ECI claims. He noted that parties accepted election results in Kerala and Tamil Nadu but questioned the outcome in West Bengal. BJP won 206 of 294 seats while TMC secured 81, with other parties taking fewer.
SEMI’s CEO says Southeast Asia risks supply vulnerabilities as only six of Asia’s 64 planned semiconductor fabs by 2029 are expected in the region. Most new capacity is set to concentrate in China and Taiwan, leaving the supply chain more exposed to geopolitical shocks. SEMI calls for faster regional expansion of semiconductor production to balance capacity and reduce risk.
Uttar Pradesh has reversed course on smart electricity meters, scrapping prepaid mode and moving consumers back to postpaid billing. Under the new system, households will receive monthly bills with a 15 day payment window, aiming to address public complaints and protests. The change is expected to reduce sudden top-up pressure and improve consumer predictability on monthly power costs.
Maruti Suzuki shares are down nearly 25% from their January peak, wiping out about Rs 1.28 lakh crore as investors grapple with margin pressure and worries over market share. While brokerages are split on the outlook, near-term challenges remain. Still, steady sales momentum, a healthy order backlog, and expected margin improvement could help the stock recover in upcoming quarters.
Delhivery shares fell about 3.5% after Amazon launched global supply chain services in India. The offering spans freight, distribution, and parcel shipping, putting pressure on existing third-party logistics players. With a deep network and strong funding, Amazon’s entry is seen as a direct threat to Delhivery’s B2B and B2C business and could reshape pricing and market share.
With West Bengal Assembly election results sealed, the BJP has clinched a majority and confirmed it will form the next government. Party president Samik Bhattacharya says the new Chief Minister’s oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for May 9. The announcement follows a tense counting process where leads shifted across key districts before final tallies locked the outcome.
Sobha Ltd’s shares surged about 10% after its Q4 net profit more than doubled to Rs 92 crore, up 124% year-on-year. Revenue rose 29% to Rs 2,030 crore, supported by strong sales in Bengaluru and NCR. The firm pointed to resilient demand for premium housing and confidence from a strategic land bank to fuel future growth.
A massive explosion at a fireworks plant in Changsha, Hunan province, has killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, according to China’s state media. Xinhua reports nearly 500 rescuers were sent to the scene and residents in danger zones were evacuated, citing the heightened risk posed by two black powder warehouses near the blast site.
U.S. transportation stocks tumbled Monday after Amazon expanded its logistics services, ramping up competition across parcel delivery, air freight, and trucking. FedEx and UPS among the biggest losers, as investors worried Amazon’s push could disrupt the traditional transportation ecosystem. The drop came while the sector was near record highs, leaving it exposed to a fast correction.
Mumbai’s property market logged its strongest April in more than a decade, with record housing registrations that took many by surprise. The rebound is driven by pent-up demand and a noticeable tilt toward mid-income homes, even as ultra-luxury stays resilient. Still, experts warn this momentum may not last amid wider economic pressures and a possible shift in the cycle.
Actor Vijay’s TVK has emerged as a major force in Tamil Nadu’s assembly elections, delivering a hung assembly and putting him in a decisive kingmaker role. With the next government’s formation at stake, Congress, DMK and AIADMK are now turning their attention toward TVK, signaling a potential shift into a new political era.
Tata Technologies’ shares rallied after strong March quarter results, with net profit rising to Rs 204 crore and revenue up 22% year-on-year. While the numbers have lifted investor confidence, Motilal Oswal has flagged a potential 15% downside, urging traders to watch whether execution stays consistent and demand remains sustainable.
India’s currency in circulation has surged to 42.3 trillion rupees, rising by more than Rs 610 billion in just 15 days of April. Withdrawals are up 12% in early April, the highest since the post-demonetisation period, raising alarms that persistent cash demand could strain banks’ liquidity conditions and affect monetary operations.
Duolingo posted strong first-quarter earnings, but its forward outlook points to slower growth. The language-learning company says it’s prioritising user engagement and product quality, including new AI features, to expand the pool of paying subscribers. For the year, it expects bookings growth of about 10.5%, betting that better experiences will translate into long-term revenue momentum.
HFCL shares rose about 4% after the company, along with its subsidiary HTL Limited, bagged fresh orders worth Rs 84.23 crore from a domestic telecom provider. The contract covers customized optical fiber cable supplies, with execution expected by August 2026, reinforcing HFCL’s role in building telecom infrastructure.
Samsung Electronics board chairman Shin Je-yoon urged unionised workers to resolve pay disputes after a planned 18-day strike starting May 21. He warned the action could harm investors, employees and South Korea’s wider economy, including threats to Samsung’s market leadership and potential capital outflows.
France has introduced a one euro three-course meal program for all university students, cutting costs dramatically from the usual price. The move targets student hunger, after nearly half reported skipping meals due to cost. With government funding, officials say quality will be protected and staffing pressures kept manageable while the program scales.
Oil prices eased more than 1% after a prior surge of up to 6%, as traders reacted to signs the US Navy may be loosening Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz. The shift follows a US operation launched to counter Iranian pressure, raising hopes of improved Middle East supply and reducing near-term supply risk.
Pinterest expects strong second-quarter revenue that beat analyst forecasts, sending its shares higher. The company says advertisers are sticking around as AI investments and a sharper focus on small and mid-sized businesses boost spending. That momentum helps offset pressure from larger advertisers. Pinterest’s planned push also includes its tvScientific acquisition to expand advertising reach.
Ambuja Cements shares dropped more than 2 percent even after a strong Q4, with net profit up 78 percent year-on-year to Rs 1,830 crore and revenue rising 10 percent to Rs 10,892 crore. Sequential profit also climbed sharply, but the stock fell, pointing to a muted market reaction and likely concerns analysts highlighted.
A blast at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province has killed 21 people and injured 61 others, according to reports. The explosion struck the Huasheng fireworks manufacturing plant in Liuyang, causing extensive damage. Authorities have deployed more than 480 rescuers and rescue robots, while nearby residents were evacuated to reduce further risk.
Yotta Data Services is reportedly preparing for a Mumbai IPO that could raise as much as $900 million, with a possible $300 million pre-IPO funding round. The company is pitching its growth to investors as AI-driven demand boosts data centre capacity across India. With a targeted valuation of about $6 billion, it’s betting on the momentum in the country’s digital infrastructure build-out.
HSBC reported flat first-quarter profit as rising credit loss charges in the UK and provisions tied to the Middle East conflict weighed on results. The bank expects further credit losses this year, citing a worsening economic outlook and a major charge linked to a UK investment bank exposure. HSBC also revised its 2026 credit charge forecast upward.
JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has submitted draft documents to Sebi to launch a hybrid long-short fund through its Prism SIF platform. The interval strategy will combine equity, debt and derivatives with tightly limited short exposure. Its structured allocation and income approach aims to balance long-term capital growth with regular income for investors.
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