Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
New court filings suggest Elon Musk tried to push for a settlement with OpenAI before the Oakland trial. The documents also record an alleged sharp warning after Brockman proposed dropping claims, with Musk reportedly saying Brockman and Sam Altman would be “the most hated men in America” if they continued. The dispute remains contentious as both sides prepare for legal proceedings.
Assam election trends suggest the BJP could buck the anti-incumbency wave that has hurt incumbents elsewhere. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s push combined infrastructure, welfare and a pledge to protect indigenous identity. Political strategists point to changes from delimitation and an aggressive “infiltrator” narrative as key factors behind the BJP’s momentum.
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West Bengal is on the cusp of a major political reset as BJP’s rise points to a decisive mandate, ending TMC’s long run and eclipsing the earlier “Poriborton” wave that ended Left rule. The shift appears powered by women voters and the Matua community’s support, marking a dramatic reordering of Bengal’s electoral map heading into 2026.
With May’s full moon fading, darker skies arrive just in time for the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, one of the season’s most eagerly awaited stargazing events. The celestial timing makes for sharper views and more visible streaks. Sky watchers are being urged to plan their viewing windows early to catch the shower’s best moments.
The Asian Development Bank is pushing Asia Pacific governments to accelerate structural reforms, warning that conflict, trade fragmentation, and climate risks are stacking together. It says deeper regional cooperation is essential, while boosting financing for big cross-border projects including a Pan-Asia Power Grid and a Digital Highway. Uzbekistan’s president also called for a Digital Customs Alliance and AI scaling.
Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister chairman S Mahendra Dev says India must proactively map and monitor economic vulnerabilities across energy, food and other key areas. In remarks to PTI, he cited the ongoing West Asia conflict as a real-world stress test, calling for a forward-looking risk management approach rather than reacting after disruptions hit supply and prices.
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RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J says banking supervision cannot rely solely on reported figures, warning that weak oversight can allow hidden risks to grow unnoticed. He argues regulators must understand actual business operations to better protect depositors and safeguard the wider economy. With digital banking expanding fast, he calls for stronger judgment and a public-purpose mindset.
Epigamia has appointed Ritesh Gauba as its new CEO after founder Rohan Mirchandani passed away. Gauba, known for FMCG experience, will lead the dairy and healthy snacks brand. The company also elevated COO Ankur Goel to co-founder and said it expects over 50% growth in FY26, signalling momentum despite the transition.
In recent assembly elections, voters largely ignored the NOTA or None of the Above option, with usage remaining below one percent in most states, including Assam. The pattern mirrors a long-term decline seen since 2014 Lok Sabha polls. NOTA was introduced by the Election Commission after a 2013 Supreme Court order aimed at protecting voter secrecy.
India has ruled out financial support for state-run fuel retailers that face losses from selling transport fuels below market prices. Even as prices rise for industrial customers and jet fuel for foreign carriers, retail rates for gasoline, gasoil, LPG, and jet fuel for Indian carriers remain unchanged. The government says the focus is protecting retail consumers.
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Security has been significantly increased around West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence and the state secretariat Nabanna following an Election Commission directive. The escalation follows a group raising “Jai Sree Ram” slogans near her home, as early election trends show the BJP leading in a majority of seats.
Jindal Stainless reported a 42.7 percent jump in fourth-quarter profit, driven by steady domestic demand for its stainless steel products. Net revenue also rose, supporting the upbeat quarter despite operational headwinds including fuel shortages and shipping delays. The company said it is pushing ahead with production capacity expansion even as it navigates supply chain constraints.
FIFA is reportedly facing a major World Cup broadcast rights crunch across India and China. In India, negotiations with Reliance over a $20 million offer have not been finalized. In China, authorities still haven’t announced their position. With the tournament start close, fans fear they may miss live matches or face limited coverage.
Actress Trisha Krishnan visited TVK chief Vijay’s Chennai residence on her 43rd birthday, drawing immediate attention as early trends suggested TVK leading in over 100 seats in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026. The timing has fueled fresh speculation around Vijay’s ongoing divorce proceedings, adding political buzz to the celebrity meeting as the results shape up.
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NASA’s Perseverance rover has found a buried river delta beneath Mars, with sediment layers showing water flowed long enough to deposit material repeatedly. Instead of a planet briefly wet in isolated bursts, Mars likely cycled through multiple sustained wet periods. The result rewrites its ancient climate story and strengthens the hunt for past life.
BJP supporters gathered across West Bengal after early election trends suggested a sharp political swing, triggering celebrations in Kolkata and other districts. Slogans filled the streets as some areas also saw confrontations. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged party workers via video to remain at counting centres, as initial leads put the BJP ahead in multiple constituencies.
Oil and gas prices jumped today after reports of a US warship incident near the Strait of Hormuz. Brent and US WTI crude futures rose around 5%, while Dutch natural gas prices also climbed as LNG supply stayed trapped. Analysts now focus on supply disruption risks, OPEC+ output decisions, storage levels, and ongoing geopolitics to gauge whether the rally can continue or reverses.
Union Minister George Kurian finished third in Kerala’s Kanjirappally constituency, winning 26,984 votes as Congress candidate Rony K Baby led the count. Kurian’s defeat didn’t stop BJP celebrations, with the party claiming wins in Nemom and Chathannoor. The results were finalized after 15 counting rounds, underscoring tight contest patterns across seats.
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AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal hailed Kerala’s Congress-led UDF sweeping victory as a public verdict against CPI(M)-led LDF “arrogance”, corruption and nepotism. He said voter anger over “10 years of misrule” powered the outcome, and alleged the LDF pursued “communal and opportunistic politics” through a “secret understanding” with the BJP.
BJP is poised for a historic West Bengal win, ending TMC’s 15-year rule. While the party’s defeat is a major blow, the spotlight shifts to Abhishek Banerjee, whose campaign role was prominent. Even if Mamata Banerjee’s era has ended politically, he is expected to steer TMC’s rebuild and shape its next strategy.
India’s fertiliser subsidy bill for FY 2026-27 is expected to exceed the Rs 1.71 lakh crore budget as the price of imported urea and other fertilisers rises amid the West Asia crisis. Even with global supply chain strain, officials say kharif 2026 supplies remain adequate through domestic production, imports, and proactive state-level stocking.
Four migrants were found dead near the Slovenia border in Croatia, while two others were rushed to hospital in serious condition, Croatian police said. The group was allegedly transported by truck in “inhumane conditions”. Police also discovered 13 more people near Donje Prilisce, southwest of Zagreb, and moved them to a detention centre.
Suryoday Small Finance Bank has revised its savings and fixed deposit rates, effective May 1, 2026. Savings accounts can now earn up to 7.60% interest, but only on higher balances under updated interest slabs. If you’re parking money in a savings account, the tier you fall into will determine your actual return from the new rates.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has set aside an earlier NCLT order that had pushed Embassy Developments into insolvency proceedings. With the appellate ruling, the corporate insolvency resolution process ends, while the firm’s projects and operations remain unaffected. The decision comes after the developer reported strong fiscal year performance and substantial pre-sales.
BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the NDA has won two MLA seats in Nemom and Chathannoor, challenging earlier Congress and CPI(M) predictions that BJP would not secure any seats. He argued the result signals public dissatisfaction with CPI(M)’s alleged corruption, turning the contest into a sharper political counter-attack ahead of the next round of claims and counterclaims.
The Indian rupee has closed at a fresh lifetime low of 95.08 per US dollar, driven by stronger dollar demand and firm crude prices. Pressure is rising as oil costs linked to the Iran conflict weigh on the currency, while capital outflows add to the strain. The RBI is reportedly exploring steps to attract dollar inflows to bolster reserves.
MahaRERA has cracked down on builders behind more than 8,000 housing projects after many missed mandatory quarterly progress-report deadlines. The action spans projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as the regulator issues show-cause notices. Developers get 60 days to respond and comply, failing which penalties could escalate up to project registration cancellation.
Elon Musk’s bid to reshape OpenAI into a non-profit heads into its second week, with OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman scheduled to testify. Musk argues he was sidelined after major early contributions, while OpenAI disputes his motives, pointing to Musk’s own fast-growing AI venture as the backdrop to the fight.
BLS International has begun Belarus visa processing in Mumbai through a partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus. The newly launched Visa Application Centre is designed to improve access and streamline applications for Indian travelers visiting Belarus for work, tourism, and other purposes, reflecting rising outbound travel demand from India.
IndiGo’s Head of Global Sales, Vinay Malhotra, has resigned and will step down on July 3. Malhotra plans to pursue new opportunities outside the airline. His exit comes after IndiGo’s recent leadership overhaul, including the appointment of William Walsh as CEO and Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer.
West Bengal election trends from the Election Commission suggest BJP is on track to form the government, potentially ending Trinamool Congress’s 15-year hold on power. The shift is being credited to a welfare-led campaign paired with strong local organisation, letting BJP translate ground momentum into expanding leads—if the trends hold through final results.
Pixxel and Sarvam have formed an alliance to build India’s first orbital data-centre satellite, launching a 200 kg-class Pathfinder by Q4 2026. The satellite will carry data-centre-grade GPUs and hyperspectral imaging to run full-stack language models in orbit for training and inference. The goal: cut data lag and reduce dependence on energy-hungry ground infrastructure.
France says it will raise tuition fees for most non EU students starting the 2026 27 academic year. Bachelor programs are set at €2,895 annually and master’s at €3,941, replacing broad exemptions with a system of differentiated fees. The change is designed to reshape international recruitment, steering demand toward areas like AI and biotechnology.
Kiara Advani has denied reports claiming she asked the makers of Yash’s upcoming film Toxic: The Fairytale Of Grown Ups to trim or tone down her intimate and “bold” scenes. Multiple reports also linked the alleged request to the film’s delay. After days of speculation, the actress pushed back on the claims, shifting the narrative back to her side of the story.
Gold is holding steady near the Rs 1.5 lakh support zone after a short pullback, prompting investors to consider a buy-on-dips approach. The next move is expected to hinge on upcoming US Nonfarm Payrolls, which could shift the dollar and interest-rate expectations—either pushing gold into a breakout or keeping it range-bound for longer.
Aman Gupta, via SailThru Ventures, has invested in Rosier Foods, a premium staples brand built on Vedic processes and farm-to-table sourcing. Founded by Gaurav Taneja and others, it sells A2 Gir cow ghee made using the bilona method, along with organic pantry items like raw honey and Chyawanprash. Rosier Foods is already at ₹100 crore ARR and aims for ₹150 crore by FY27, using the fresh capital to expand farmers, supply chain, and brand growth.
Apple’s WWDC is expected to spotlight practical AI upgrades for iOS 27, including a more capable Siri. Instead of flashy demos, the focus appears to be on everyday tools: smarter Photos editing, and a camera feature dubbed “Visual Intelligence” that can recognize objects and surface information as you point the lens.
West Bengal’s 2026 Assembly election results have sparked more than political debate—social media is roaring with memes. On X, users remix moments from popular shows like Panchayat, add playful “Dhurandhar” references, and react to early trends showing BJP gaining ground. The joke-flood quickly spread across conversations on other states’ poll updates too.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has requested an appointment with Governor R.N. Ravi as vote counting shows the BJP surging past the majority mark. The BJP looks poised for a historic win in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected at BJP headquarters. The election recently saw record voter turnout, adding weight to the dramatic results unfolding.
R Sabarinathan, the son of Vijay Thalapathy’s former driver, is positioned to unseat DMK in Tamil Nadu’s Virugambakkam constituency. Making his political debut this year as a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate, he is reportedly leading by a high margin, turning a long-shot entry into a potential political shock for the ruling party.
Three passengers have died after a hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina to Cape Verde. The World Health Organization is investigating the rare rodent-borne illness, which can trigger severe respiratory disease. Health officials say prevention centers on avoiding rodent exposure, keeping spaces clean, and reducing contact with potential droppings or nesting materials.
Nicolas Sauvage’s AI investments since 2019 focus less on flashy demos and more on the unglamorous building blocks. The bet is paying off as venture capital interest has broadened over the past year toward those practical technologies. The result is a portfolio that looks prescient: today’s “boring” AI components are becoming tomorrow’s must-haves.
GE Vernova has secured an order to supply nine pumped-storage units for Megha Engineering & Infrastructures’ Upper Sileru hydropower plant in Andhra Pradesh. The 1.35 GW project, due by 2030, is set to become one of India’s largest. Pumped storage will help stabilize the grid and balance renewable power, with GE handling design, manufacturing, commissioning, and control systems.
CARE Ratings and the National Stock Exchange have made PaRRVA operational, a Sebi-conceptualised framework meant to independently validate securities performance claims. The platform focuses on verifying risk-return data and standardising disclosures so investors get comparable, credible information as market participation grows. It’s designed to reduce reliance on unverified marketing figures.
InGovern Research Services has urged directors of seven listed Tata Group companies to back a public listing of Tata Sons. The firm cites upcoming RBI regulatory shifts in 2026 and argues directors have a fiduciary duty to protect public shareholders, calling for a clear listing roadmap, market-linked valuation, and governance reforms before any step is taken.
Mamata Banerjee’s political hold on West Bengal is showing visible strain as the BJP posts significant gains across the state. After years of dominance, the Trinamool Congress now faces a tougher electoral challenge, signaling a possible shift in Bengal’s political map. The report points to an erosion of Banerjee’s persona as voters appear to look past her legacy.
Early vote counting in the West Bengal assembly elections is giving BJP a significant lead, with reports of over 20 TMC ministers trailing in their constituencies. The pattern suggests a serious challenge to the ruling party, as multiple key leaders face tight contests. The Election Commission cautions that final results will take shape after further rounds of counting.
Assam’s Jorhat Assembly constituency saw Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi lose to BJP’s Hitendra Nath Goswami by 23,182 votes. Goswami garnered 69,439 votes compared with Gogoi’s 46,257 as counting concluded. The decisive margin marks a sharp setback for the Congress contender in the key constituency outcome.
Tamil actor Thalapathy Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is emerging as a force in Tamil Nadu’s 2026 election results, with early trends suggesting strong momentum. The party’s manifesto centres on welfare measures, job guarantees, and farmer relief, aiming to win over women, youth, and other key groups and potentially disrupt the long-standing DMK–AIADMK rivalry.
Spirit Airlines has ceased all operations after running out of funding, grounding its aircraft and leaving passengers stranded while refunds are processed. The shutdown puts about 17,000 jobs at risk and follows years of bankruptcies and financial setbacks. Executives blamed spiraling operational costs, with jet fuel rising sharply since the US-Iran tensions, hitting low-cost carriers hardest.
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