Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Italian racing legend Alex Zanardi has died at 59. After a devastating 2001 crash left him with both legs amputated, the former Formula One and CART champion reinvented himself as a para-cyclist, winning four Paralympic gold medals. Despite a serious accident in 2020, he remained a powerful symbol of resilience and determination.
Commercial LPG cylinder prices have surged, squeezing Delhi’s restaurants and street vendors. Owners warn of higher menu rates that could deter customers, while job losses loom as operating costs climb. The steep increase is tied to global energy price moves, leaving businesses scrambling for relief. Some are considering alternatives like piped natural gas to stay afloat.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Bank employees’ take-home pay is set to rise slightly after the government increased Dearness Allowance effective May 1, 2026. DA has been revised to 25.70%, up 0.70 percentage points from 25% in the previous quarter. The change will impact salaries across different stages, scales, and basic pay, with adjustments applicable for the May–July period.
In 1976, Apple was still a young startup when it landed its first major order for the Apple-1 from the Byte Shop. The deal was fulfilled from Steve Jobs’ garage, shifting the company from building ideas to meeting real production demands. The order also proved the Apple-1 had market value—setting the stage for Apple’s next leap forward.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company plans a new Europe to Middle East service that steers clear of the Strait of Hormuz. Instead of relying on a single sea route, the carrier will combine sea legs with road movement and feeder ship connections to reach destinations, aiming to reduce exposure to risk around the chokepoint while keeping trade flowing.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least seven people on Saturday, even as a ceasefire has been in place since April 17. Villages including Kfar Dajal, Lwaizeh and Shoukin were reportedly hit. The Israeli military carried out about 50 airstrikes in 24 hours, while Hezbollah said drones attacked Israeli troops, as fighting persists along the border.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
American Airlines is stepping in after Spirit Airlines’ sudden shutdown, offering faster options to stranded passengers. The carrier is rolling out cheaper “rescue” fares and adding extra flights on covered routes to reduce disruption. American Airlines is also supporting stranded Spirit staff, including job offers, aiming to stabilize travel and help both passengers and employees get back on track.
KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, face SRH in IPL 2026’s 45th match in Hyderabad on May 3. Ahead of the game, the KKR bowling coach hinted at Matheesha Pathirana’s possible debut, suggesting the Sri Lankan pacer has been “around the group.” With KKR struggling, the prospect of a fresh option could reshape their bowling plans early in the season.
Avenue Supermarts, which runs DMart, reported a 19% jump in March-quarter FY26 net profit to Rs 656.6 crore. The company’s revenue also increased 19% year-on-year, signaling continued momentum in its retail performance. Profit is attributable to the equity holders of the company, according to the results released on Saturday.
Four DRG personnel were killed in an IED blast during a routine operation in Bastar division, Chhattisgarh, police said. Inspector General of Bastar Range Sundarraj P said the incident occurred near Adnar on the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts. The team had gone to recover a Maoist dump when the blast happened, authorities reported.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
A new study in Science suggests T rex and other theropod dinosaurs likely had lips that covered their teeth when their mouths were closed. Researchers point to tooth wear patterns and skull proportions that fit with soft tissues, challenging the familiar image of permanently exposed fangs. The study even finds similarities to how modern reptiles like Komodo dragons keep teeth covered.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the company’s next growth push will center on speeding up scientific research, improving economic productivity, and building “personal AGI.” He also emphasized robotics and automated manufacturing, arguing AI can support breakthroughs and even help create “automated startups,” pointing to a future where machines drive discovery and production.
India has named a 15-member squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, beginning June 12. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia returns as a key pick, while uncapped pacer Nandini Sharma earns a surprise berth. Pratika and Amanjot have missed out, as selectors balance experience with fresh bowling options for the tournament.
A video from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh has sparked outrage after teachers allegedly used plastic cards to mark attendance instead of completing mandatory biometric verification. In aided madrasas, biometric attendance is required and records are compiled at the district level before salaries are released. Authorities are now expected to examine the footage and the integrity of the monitoring process.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
Re-polling in West Bengal’s Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour saw strong voter participation on Saturday. Election Commission data shows Magrahat Paschim reached about 86.11% turnout by 5 pm, while Diamond Harbour recorded a slightly higher 87.60%. Polling remained brisk through the afternoon in both assembly constituencies.
The bodies of a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister, killed in a bomb attack in Bishnupur, Manipur on April 7, were taken for last rites after 25 days in the morgue. The attack triggered widespread protests and resulted in the case being handed over to the NIA for further investigation.
Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP of projecting “Nari Vandana” while secretly promoting an anti-woman ideology, after an allegation that the Gujarat BJP president made indecent remarks against Congress MP Geniben Thakor. Gandhi warned the party may face voter backlash for insulting women, escalating a fresh political flashpoint in Gujarat and heightening tensions between rivals.
Ahead of the high-voltage CSK vs MI clash at Chepauk, Suresh Raina hinted that MS Dhoni’s calf injury recovery could allow him to play his first match of the IPL 2026 season today. Raina, along with former CSK teammate Mike Hussey, shared that Dhoni’s fitness update looks promising, sparking excitement among fans who’ve been waiting for the ‘Maza’ to return.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
Japanese researchers have begun human trials for a drug designed to regrow teeth by activating dormant tooth buds. The approach could offer a more natural path to treating tooth loss, moving beyond today’s implants and dentures. Early findings look promising, and the team is targeting a potential release around 2030 if results hold up.
A Nashik court refused anticipatory bail to Nida Khan, a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee, amid allegations of sexual harassment and forcible religious conversion. The order, reported by PTI, means Khan will not be shielded from arrest at this stage. The case will now proceed through the legal process as accusations remain under investigation.
A Delhi judicial officer, Judge Aman Kumar Sharma, was found dead by suicide in the Safdarjung area on Saturday, police said. Initial reports indicate he was discovered hanging at the location. Delhi Police have confirmed the death and registered the case as suicide, with further investigation underway to understand the circumstances leading to the incident.
Paleolatitude.org has been upgraded with new capabilities to track continental drift and Earth’s pole shifts over the last 320 million years. Using the Utrecht Paleogeography Model and data from paleomagnetism and geology, the tool rebuilds past climates and helps researchers connect those shifts to long-term biodiversity patterns and ecosystem responses to change.
The BCCI has unveiled India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin soon. Harmanpreet Kaur has been named skipper, tasked with leading the Women in Blue. The announcement ends the suspense around team selection and sets the stage for India’s campaign as the tournament approaches.
South Gujarat’s Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference wrapped up with 2,792 MoUs totaling Rs 3,53,306 crore, expected to generate 2.82 lakh direct jobs. The plan is designed to open doors for small businesses and link them with global opportunities, while prioritizing employment for women in tribal areas through the garment sector.
The Competition Commission of India has rejected AGI Greenpac’s renewed challenge to the green channel approval granted for Independent Sugar Corporation’s acquisition of Hindusthan National Glass & Industries. AGI Greenpac alleged undisclosed equity participation and a control transfer, but the CCI found no significant market overlaps or material changes that would justify interfering with the earlier clearance.
The US says it will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany, prompting Berlin to urge stronger European defence. Germany plans to expand its military and accelerate procurement, with the pullout expected within a year. The shift also compounds existing US-Europe trade tensions, while Poland warns the alliance could be destabilized.
India faces an intense summer as persistent heat waves push power grids to the brink. With demand rising and energy shortages widening, warmer temperatures are degrading night-time electricity availability—triggering blackouts and disruptions. Authorities also warn that El Nino could intensify stress during the monsoon, raising outage risks even beyond summer.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi is reportedly in an unstable condition in an Iranian hospital after a severe health episode while in custody. Her family says she suffered a major deterioration, including loss of consciousness and a cardiac crisis, prompting doctors to transfer her from prison. She is receiving oxygen, but her condition remains unstable.
Spirit Airlines is shutting down and has grounded flights, with around $2 billion in debt cited as a key blow. But a restructuring plan hinged on jet fuel staying near $2.24 per gallon in 2026. The Iran conflict reportedly drove fuel to $4.51 overnight, adding roughly $360 million in costs and sealing the airline’s fate.
India faces a major setback at Thomas Cup 2026 after top men’s shuttler Lakshya Sen was ruled out of Saturday’s semifinal against France due to injury, Badminton Association of India general secretary Sanjay Mishra confirmed. With Sen missing a crucial fixture, India’s line-up and chances for advancement could face an immediate shake-up in the tie.
New research from Iwate University suggests cats don’t simply stop because they’re full. Instead, their feeding pauses may be tied to satisfaction triggered by specific smells detected by olfactory sensors. When a different scent appears, appetite can restart—challenging the idea that cats are always overstuffed when they walk away from food. Evolution and sensory responses shape the pattern.
NASA’s NISAR satellite has captured troubling new measurements of Mexico City’s ground collapse, with some areas dropping nearly half an inch every month. The long-running sinking trend, worsened by groundwater extraction and rapid urbanization, is now being tracked with dual-frequency radar for sharper, neighborhood-level data. The findings could guide mitigation and safer urban planning.
Meta says New Mexico plans to seek $3.7 billion in damages tied to a 15-year mental health plan, including new healthcare facilities. The case could pressure the company that runs Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp into new policies or operating shifts. If the trial’s outcomes influence regulators, everyday features and safety approaches may change sooner than users expect.
BJP has accused Arvind Kejriwal of misusing Punjab Police in a “political vendetta” after defected Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak was booked following his move to the BJP along with six other leaders. The BJP pointed to the filing of two FIRs and alleged AAP was using law enforcement to target leaders who quit the party.
In Pune’s Bhor Taluka, a 65-year-old man allegedly lured a 4-year-old girl with food, sexually assaulted her, and killed her by smashing her head with a rock. The Pune Rural Police arrested the accused, who remains in custody until May 7. Maharashtra’s CM Devendra Fadnavis has urged a fast-track death penalty process.
Japanese scientists say they’ve built a wearable that generates electricity from human sweat using special enzyme ink. The breakthrough could remove batteries and charging cables entirely, while still powering low-energy sensors. Once operating, the device can wirelessly transmit data—an approach that may reshape the design of future health monitoring gadgets by making them more sustainable and convenient.
In its FY26 annual report, the Enforcement Directorate said arrests declined, but enforcement intensity rose sharply. Asset attachments climbed to an unprecedented Rs 81,000 crore, while raids nearly doubled. The agency also restored over Rs 32,000 crore to fraud victims and credited more targeted investigations for faster case closures, alongside increased international cooperation.
India has notified 100% FDI in insurance companies under the automatic route, meaning foreign investors can invest fully without prior approvals. The move is aimed at easing entry into the sector, but the LIC investment cap is reported to remain at 20%, preserving a key restriction even as overall foreign participation expands.
A new study finds urban birds consistently fly faster when approached by women than by men, a pattern seen across multiple European countries and several bird species. Researchers say the birds may be picking up subtle human cues that are still unidentified. The findings point to unexpectedly sharp sensing abilities in city wildlife and could reshape how scientists think about human-animal interactions in urban spaces.
Odisha’s Board of Secondary Education (BSE) has announced the Class 10 Annual High School Certificate (AHSC) Madhyama results. Students can check their scores and download relevant marksheet details via the official BSE Odisha websites—bseodisha.nic.in and bseodisha.ac.in. The release also includes information on toppers and result access steps for examinees.
Discovered in Illinois in 1958, the Tully Monster has kept paleontologists guessing ever since. Its strange anatomy won’t fit neatly as a vertebrate or an invertebrate, and studies using different methods have produced conflicting evolutionary placements. With no single answer yet, the fossil remains a vivid example of how scientific conclusions can shift as evidence and techniques evolve.
Zayn Malik recently shared a hospital-bed photo after being hospitalized in April 2026, shortly around the release of his latest album. In a message to fans, he said he was “unexpectedly recovering” following a difficult week. With no clear timeline yet, questions are growing about when he’ll be well enough to return to live performances.
Iran has reportedly kept most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz halted for over two months, allowing only its own vessels to move. The U.S. then imposed its own blockade of ships from Iranian ports last month. Now Iran officials claim plans for reopening the corridor, raising questions over timing, conditions, and whether trade routes will normalize.
NATO says it is working with the United States to understand Washington’s decision to cut about 5,000 troops in Germany. The move comes after a disagreement among leaders, with NATO stressing Europe’s rising defense investment and greater responsibility for shared security. Despite the uncertainty, the alliance says it remains confident in its deterrence and defense as Europe strengthens.
Kerala saw heavy rains on Saturday, prompting the IMD to issue an orange alert for Ernakulam, Thrissur, Idukki and Malappuram. The warning cites very heavy rainfall alongside thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching up to 50 km per hour. Separately, unusually high UV radiation levels were reported in Pathanamthitta and Idukki.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has invited Elon Musk to a private GPT-5.5 event in San Francisco on May 5, even as a legal dispute continues between them. Musk alleges OpenAI has drifted from its original non-profit mission since he co-founded it. The invitation follows OpenAI’s recent GPT-5 launch and adds fresh heat to an ongoing courtroom battle.
The Hyderabad City Civil Court has restrained unverified telecasts accusing Euro Exim Bank of fraudulent guarantees and mega-scam involvement. The court said the respondents offered no documentary evidence or credible material to support such serious claims. The order comes amid a ₹100-crore defamation suit, highlighting the bar for public allegations in court-linked media coverage.
Frontier Airlines announced systemwide ticket discounts and plans to add new summer routes, betting on fresh demand as Spirit Airlines moves to shut down. The news helped lift Frontier’s stock performance, highlighting how one carrier’s exit can quickly reshape pricing and route plans across the airline market.
Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik admitted on live television that the country holds only a few days of crude supplies, with stock estimated at roughly five to seven days. He contrasted this with India’s reported reserve buffer of 60 to 70 days. Malik further acknowledged Pakistan has no strategic petrol reserves even for a single day, exposing acute energy vulnerability.
A terminally ill Indian national diagnosed with advanced cancer has been repatriated from Qatar to India. The coordinated effort involved the Singh Sewa Group and community support networks, working alongside the Indian Embassy in Doha to arrange the return and ensure safe transfer. The case highlights how local groups and diplomatic channels can move quickly for urgent medical circumstances.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.