Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
The International Testing Agency says it has serious concerns about doping in India, alleging athletes receive advance notice of tests and avoid doping controls. The ITA warns that India must undertake major governance and structural reforms before being considered to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Officials now say they are working with Indian anti-doping bodies to address the gaps.
Rohit Jain has been appointed deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a three-year term starting May 3. Jain, currently an executive director at the central bank, will succeed T Rabi Sankar, who has recently retired. The change reshuffles key RBI leadership as monetary policy and banking oversight enter a new phase.
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India’s Ministry of Power has updated its Make in India localisation rules for the power sector, outlining a phased approach for HVDC substations. The plan is designed to raise local content gradually, aiming for 60% Indian-made components by 2035. Officials say the shift creates a transition period to help domestic manufacturers expand capacity and compete in supply chains.
Union Minister JP Nadda urged India to use global uncertainty as a growth lever by expanding manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and building resilience and self-reliance as the country targets developed-nation status by 2047. He pointed to a change in government-industry relations since Vibrant Gujarat, arguing it has deepened collaboration to cut vulnerabilities and accelerate economic growth, with special focus on South Gujarat’s role.
Meta’s chief people officer says additional layoffs may be on the table, even as the company prepares for planned job cuts affecting 10% of its global workforce on May 20. Meta argues the core business is strong, but shifts in priorities and relentless competition mean costs must keep tightening, even while major resources flow into AI development and infrastructure.
Hundreds of villagers in Falta, West Bengal, blocked roads after vote counting, alleging life threats linked to TMC workers. BJP supporters said a local TMC leader threatened bloodshed and urged CRPF deployment. The TMC candidate rejected the accusations as a BJP tactic, escalating tensions on the ground even as both sides trade claims.
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Clashes broke out in South 24 Parganas as repolling got underway at 15 booths in West Bengal. Reports say TMC and BJP workers confronted each other while some residents claimed they were being stopped from voting. Protests in Falta, backed by video visuals, include allegations that TMC leaders threatened voters during the repolling process.
Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL) posted a mixed Q4 FY26: revenue rose 17.1% to Rs 262.85 crore, but net profit fell 20% to Rs 80.22 crore. Despite the profitability pressure, the company crossed 18 crore demat accounts. CDSL also declared a Rs 12.75 per share dividend, even as full-year net profit dropped 14%.
DRDO has successfully completed a Phase-II flight test of its Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) from off the Odisha coast, reporting a perfect score. The missile targets long-range maritime threats with hypersonic capabilities, reaching Mach 10 speed and using glide vehicle technology, aimed at strengthening India’s anti-ship deterrence and fleet protection.
Extreme heat in Rajasthan has triggered an acute water crisis at IIT Jodhpur, where a viral video shows students chasing a water tanker for drinking water. The incident has sparked sharp questions about the institute’s water management and emergency preparedness, as concerns grow over how such shortages are handled during peak summer conditions.
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West Bengal Assembly election contender Kapil Sibal says the state government should have an employee at every counting table to ensure a level playing field. He made the demand after the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission circular permitting a mix of Central and state personnel. Sibal now wants the circular implemented strictly and the state role guaranteed at each table.
India and Ecuador are exploring a preferential trade agreement as they broaden cooperation beyond traditional diplomacy. Talks also cover expanding collaboration in healthcare, agriculture, and digital technology, alongside Ecuador’s planned participation in global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance. India will offer grant support for development projects, while discussions extend to pharmaceuticals and critical mineral supply chains.
Ahead of West Bengal’s Assembly vote counting on Monday, the Election Commission has deployed an additional 165 counting observers and 77 police observers. They will strengthen existing teams and help manage law and order around counting centres. The two-phase voting for 294 seats ended April 29, and results are expected on May 4.
Air India’s CEO says the airline will cut further flights as jet fuel prices soar and airspace constraints make several routes unviable, with international operations hit hardest. More schedule trimming is planned for June and July, alongside higher fares and fuel surcharges. Domestic services will also feel the pressure, while Air India pursues longer-term transformation.
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Congress leaders in Assam say they’re confident of winning the Assembly elections, arguing public trust is shifting due to corruption concerns. Ahead of May 4 vote counting, they’ve stepped up candidate discussions and claim the Election Commission is not impartial. Party leaders also say they’re focusing on the safety of their MLAs as tensions rise.
The Justice V K Mohanan Commission of Inquiry has wrapped up its probe into the 2023 Tanur boat accident and submitted its final report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The report lists 141 recommendations focused on strengthening water transport safety and reducing the odds of similar tragedies in the future.
The Musk vs Altman legal fight over OpenAI has expanded beyond governance and profit motives, pulling Shivon Zilis into the spotlight. Court documents indicate Zilis, a Neuralink leader and mother of Elon Musk’s children, may have helped connect Musk with OpenAI leadership after his 2018 departure—placing her in a rare position of visibility across both camps.
Delhi NCR’s office market saw a subdued start to the year as net leasing fell 60% in January to March to about 1.5 million sq ft, according to JLL. The decline was mainly driven by reduced new supply. Still, JLL says the long-term outlook remains solid, with leasing expected to pick up in the next quarters.
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Global tech giants are pouring money into AI, pushing capital expenditure to near record levels compared with operating cash flow. But monetisation is still unclear, leaving investors worried about profitability as competition heats up. Jefferies’ Chris Wood says the AI race could become capital intensive, similar to industries where heavy spending doesn’t guarantee early returns.
Ahead of West Bengal Assembly election vote counting, residents in Falta, South 24 Parganas protested alleged threats by Trinamool Congress cadre. CRPF and RAF were deployed amid heightened security across sensitive areas. Repolling is underway in some constituencies due to irregularities, while concerns have surfaced about EVM strongrooms, prompting tighter checks.
The Delhi High Court has raised doubts over a contested will tied to late industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s estate, after freezing assets in a dispute involving Karisma Kapoor’s children. The court warned about signature discrepancies and an unsettling digital trail, and told Priya Kapur to prove the will’s authenticity, hinting at a possible collusion angle.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam general secretary for campaign management Aadhav Arjuna has slammed alliance speculation with AIADMK and left parties as baseless. He claimed that no party has approached TVK and insisted that TVK candidates will not switch sides, directly challenging rumours circulating amid election season maneuvering.
Tata Electronics has taken the top spot as Apple’s largest contract manufacturer in India, scaling its workforce to about 75,000 from roughly 15,000 in two years. The leap is powered by acquisitions of Wistron and Pegatron’s local operations and fast expansion at its Hosur plant. Foxconn remains a key assembler and is poised to challenge Tata with new capacity in Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru later in 2026.
The Supreme Court upheld a Calcutta High Court ruling allowing the deployment of Central government employees for vote counting in West Bengal. TMC’s plea against an Election Commission circular was dismissed. BJP said the verdict cuts through TMC’s attempt to gain power unfairly ahead of the West Bengal Assembly poll results scheduled to be declared on Monday.
BNP Paribas analyst Kumar Rakesh warns that the IT sector’s “value” narrative may be overstated. He points to weak FY27 guidance, AI-driven disruption, and stalled client spending as key headwinds. Buybacks and dividends can cushion sentiment, but elevated earnings risks mean investors may need to be far more selective when picking largecap IT stocks.
Kotak Mahindra Bank reported a 13.3% year-on-year jump in Q4 net profit to Rs 4,026.55 crore for the March quarter of FY26, up from Rs 3,552 crore a year earlier. The result also highlights improving income trends, with NII rising 8% alongside the stronger bottom-line performance.
Mohammad Kaif lavished praise on Delhi Capitals opener Pathum Nissanka after his explosive 62 off just 33 balls helped DC chase and seal a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur. In his reaction, Kaif highlighted how the knock could give Nissanka immense confidence going forward, framing it as a breakthrough impact at the top of the order.
Accenture has leased more than 600,000 sq ft at Phoenix Millennium Towers in Baner, Pune, for a new Global Capability Centre on a 15-year deal valued at about ₹325 crore. Operations are expected by June 2026, in two phases. The move signals intensifying GCC competition in India as multinationals scale AI, cloud, and digital transformation hubs across cities.
Shyam Nath Goswami once captured attention as a dancer on Dance India Dance, but life didn’t follow the big-stage script. After a brief televised audition and tough struggles, family responsibilities pushed him back to the basics: running a samosa stall. He still dances at local events, refusing to give up on a possible return to the spotlight.
Investigators probing the Mumbai family deaths have shifted gears after FDA testing found no additives or contaminants in watermelon, biryani, and other samples. With food adulteration ruled out, forensic teams are now conducting deeper tests for microbial toxins or other poisonous substances that could explain the rapid deterioration and deaths. The new focus may redefine what triggered the tragedy.
Pakistan’s oil import bill has surged to $800 million from $300 million amid rising crude prices and ongoing global supply chain disruption. The energy shock threatens costs and stability as import spending spikes faster than relief measures can offset. With volatility in global markets continuing, Pakistan faces mounting pressure on its energy budget and broader economic balance.
A viral photo from the Jabalpur boat tragedy claiming to show a mother and her four-year-old son has been found fake. In the actual recovered bodies, the woman is reported to have been holding her child tightly, shielding him as the cabin flooded. Officials say the mother likely tried to create an air pocket and protect him in her last moments.
Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has stopped operations immediately, canceling all flights. The airline points to years of financial trouble alongside rising jet fuel costs. Travelers are told not to go to the airport. Refunds will be handled through credit or debit card payments, while any additional compensation will likely be decided later in bankruptcy court.
Swiggy has appointed Swapnil Bajpai as CEO of its Dineout and Scenes businesses, betting on higher-margin dining-out and experience revenues as competition heats up beyond core food delivery. Bajpai, a long-time Swiggy leader, will take full P&L ownership of a vertical formed from Swiggy’s Dineout acquisition and now expanded with Scenes’ events and nightlife focus.
India is increasingly hosting campuses of foreign universities, a shift meant to keep students at home and curb foreign-exchange outflows. UK universities have already set up branches, and more are expected. Supporters frame it as easier access to global degrees, but the fine print on who benefits, how courses run, and what gets priced in is raising questions.
Axis Bank has opened its first digital locker-focused branch in New Delhi, using automated locker services to improve security and the customer experience. The move targets rising demand for safe deposit lockers in urban areas, where concerns about access and safety are growing. Industry estimates suggest locker requirements could surge significantly by 2030.
President Donald Trump sparked headlines with a joke suggesting the U.S. Navy could take on Cuba on the way home from Iran. He claimed the USS Abraham Lincoln might approach Cuba’s coast and demand surrender, in a context of renewed U.S. pressure for Cuban reforms. The remark follows Trump’s earlier threats of possible military action.
Ahead of Tamil Nadu election results, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has met Chief Election Officer Archana Patnaik, urging the Election Commission to deploy armed police and set up 1-km sterile zones around counting centres. TVK cited alleged arson at its party office and warned of potential crowding by DMK workers, pushing for stronger security to maintain law and order.
Ukrainian drones have targeted Russian oil facilities far inside Russia, aiming to disrupt supplies and reduce funds for the war. Officials say the strikes bring the conflict closer to civilians, while analysts are split on how much they will hurt Russia economically. Concerns are growing over environmental fallout, including reports of oil spills and toxic rain.
Bajaj Finance has raised fixed deposit interest rates for 31 to 60 months, offering 7.40% for general customers while senior citizens can earn up to 7.75%. The revised rates take effect from May 1, 2026. Separately, the 8th Pay Commission has scheduled stakeholder meetings across Hyderabad, Srinagar and Ladakh in May and June 2026.
An India-linked supertanker, Sarv Shakti, is attempting a rare transit through the Strait of Hormuz while carrying vital LPG supplies. If it succeeds, it would be the first observed India-linked tanker passage since a US blockade started. The move underscores India’s push to ease a severe energy crunch and address worsening LPG shortages.
A 37-year-old man in Calgary has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after confessing to killing his five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter. Police say he brought their bodies to a police station before being taken into custody. He had no prior criminal record, but officers had previously responded to domestic calls at the couple’s address.
Germany’s defense minister said the withdrawal of US troops was anticipated, urging Europe to strengthen its own security. The Pentagon has outlined plans to leave about 5,000 soldiers over the next year amid worsening transatlantic tensions. The shift comes as President Trump signals possible tariff increases on European vehicles, adding pressure to already strained relations.
Bengaluru techie Pradeep Kannan walked away from a secure corporate job to start a small ice cream and falooda shop in Karur. Early skeptics questioned the move, but he kept refining recipes and doubling down on quality. What began as a modest outlet grew into a brand with 18-plus stores across India and Dubai, valued at around ₹9 crore today.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state will seek capital punishment for a 65-year-old accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a three-year-old girl in Pune. He added the case will be heard in a fast-track court, underscoring the government’s demand for the harshest penalty as the investigation and legal proceedings move forward.
Salesforce says enterprise AI is failing because workflows weren’t designed for agents—so tasks break, handoffs fail, and costs rise. Its new Agentforce Operations adds a workflow execution “control plane” that turns uploaded processes into explicit, deterministic tasks for specialized agents. The shift also demands clearer governance, ownership, and goal accountability to keep automation reliable.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has begun a four-day visit to Myanmar to strengthen operational cooperation and explore new maritime security collaborations. The discussions will highlight the long-standing India Myanmar friendship based on mutual respect and a shared focus on regional stability, with talks centered on improving linkages and building capacity for sustained cooperation.
A Hangzhou court has ruled that companies can’t use AI automation as a blanket excuse to fire workers. The court said firings must align with contract law and genuine impossibility of performing the role, plus fair reassignment where possible. The decision shifts the debate from whether AI will eliminate jobs to whether employers can be held accountable for displacement costs.
Germany’s economy could take a major hit if Donald Trump follows through on higher US tariffs on European cars and trucks. The Kiel Institute estimates the auto sector may lose about 15 billion euros in output, underscoring how exposed German manufacturers are to US trade swings. Analysts also note Trump has previously backed away from tariff threats.
Delhi Capitals pacer Kyle Jamieson opened up about his Jaipur contest with Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Despite thorough preparation, Jamieson said Sooryavanshi’s rising reputation and recent form created a different kind of pressure on the field. The DC quick noted it wasn’t just the matchup—it was the youngster’s momentum that unsettled him, even after years of experience.
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