Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Nitish Kumar has vacated Bihar’s CM residence at 1 Aney Marg after nearly two decades, following his move to the Rajya Sabha. The shift ends a long chapter for the residence and its staff and signals a new phase for the JD(U) leader. He is relocating to his former home at 7 Circular Road, positioned behind the CM House.
Indian markets rallied in April 2026, but the standout move came from microcaps, which outperformed Nifty along with small and midcaps. The twist: macro worries persisted, foreign flows stayed weak, and the rupee faced pressure. Yet fundamentals didn’t improve materially, pointing to trading momentum and sentiment driving gains more than earnings upgrades.
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PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pass a law barring cigarette sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009. He argues the measure will create a “smoke-free generation” by legally blocking future access to tobacco. Ramadoss points to India’s heavy toll of tobacco-related deaths and diseases as the reason for the proposal.
India’s online food delivery market is projected to grow at a double-digit pace, fueled by rising order frequency and deeper penetration into Tier-2 cities. Average order values are also expected to increase as consumers adopt delivery more regularly. Organised players are gaining market share, and the sector could nearly reach USD 27 billion by 2030, according to a new report.
A senior Iranian military officer says renewed conflict with the US is likely, citing President Trump’s rejection of Iran’s new peace proposal. Even with a ceasefire, fighting continues in Lebanon. The US meanwhile approves major arms sales to regional allies, while Iran’s economy strains under expanding sanctions and blockades.
A security audit by OX Security claims MCP’s default STDIO transport can execute arbitrary operating system commands received by an AI agent. Researchers found 7,000 publicly reachable servers and estimate 200,000 vulnerable instances, confirming impact across multiple production platforms. Anthropic says the behavior is expected by design and leaves input sanitization to developers. Security leaders warn this is a dangerous, scalable “distributed failure mode.”
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Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, has heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, calling him the best bowler in the world at the moment. Speaking to ANI, Green pointed to Bumrah’s distinctive action, blistering pace, and relentless accuracy, suggesting his form and skills stand apart on the global stage.
Bitcoin hovered near $78,000 as the global crypto market cap neared $2.6 trillion, buoyed by $1.9 billion in ETF inflows. Analysts say institutional demand looks solid, but overall sentiment remains neutral. They also warn that recent gains are being driven more by futures positioning than spot buying, leaving markets exposed to volatility.
LlamaIndex’s CEO Jerry Liu argues the “scaffolding” developers once needed for LLM apps—indexing layers, retrieval pipelines, and complex orchestration—is collapsing as models and tools improve. In this shift, he says the real differentiator is context: better parsing of file formats and agentic document understanding like OCR. He also warns builders to stay modular as models change and parts of stacks will be replaced.
Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 have been notified, tightening passport rules for minor children and overhauling OCI procedures. The updated framework bans minors from holding two passports, moves OCI registration to a fully digital process with e OCI cards, and details electronic renunciation or cancellation steps. It also enables biometric data use to speed immigration and improve digital record-keeping.
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xAI has released Grok 4.3, pairing a major pricing cut with a new “always-on” reasoning design and a 1 million-token context window. The model is aimed at agentic tasks, with built-in web search, code execution, and file retrieval tools. xAI also launched custom voice cloning from 120-second samples, priced for enterprise use—available with geographic limits and enterprise-gated API access.
ISRO held technical talks with Russia’s Roscosmos in Moscow focused on semi-cryogenic engines vital for India’s heavy-lift launch vehicles. A draft contract is currently under approval and could speed up ISRO’s indigenous engine development. The discussions also fit within ISRO’s wider cooperation roadmap, including efforts linked to the Venus Orbiter Mission.
Actor and TVK leader Vijay cancelled his scheduled early-morning visit to Velankanni Church on Saturday, leaving thousands of fans disappointed. TVK sources said the decision was due to personal reasons. The cancellation comes after Vijay visited other religious sites following the April 23 assembly election, sparking attention on his faith-led public appearances.
Fifteen years after 9/11, US Navy SEALs carried out a meticulously planned raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, killing al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The operation capped a long pursuit backed by intelligence built over years, followed by extensive preparation and precise execution. Materials recovered during the raid pointed to bin Laden’s continued strategic role for al-Qaida.
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Tether reduced its gold purchases sharply in the first quarter, with purchases falling from 27 tons to 6 tons, according to data. Despite the slowdown, Tether says it kept a diversified reserve mix anchored largely in U.S. Treasuries, alongside Bitcoin and a smaller—though still strategic—gold allocation supporting USDT.
Air India says it will slash around 100 daily flights until July, citing soaring ATF or jet fuel prices. In an internal note, CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline already reduced flights in April and May and will trim schedules further. The carrier also points to West Asia crisis-related airspace restrictions making longer international routes loss-making.
Three days after the Bargi Dam cruise tragedy in Jabalpur, the Narmada Queen captain has broken down, describing how a routine evening ride turned into Madhya Pradesh’s worst tourism disaster. At least nine people died and several remain missing after the vessel capsized in a sudden storm, with survivors pointing to safety failures including delayed life jacket use and lack of a rescue boat.
Punjab Police have registered the first case under a newly notified anti-sacrilege law after torn pages from a religious scripture were discovered in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. The law, issued last month, introduces stricter punishments for acts of sacrilege involving the Guru Granth Sahib, marking a more severe enforcement approach from authorities.
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American low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has shut down operations after filing for bankruptcy, becoming the first major airline hit by the Iran war. The airline cited soaring jet fuel costs, which doubled over a two-month period, and said it couldn’t secure creditor backing for a U.S. government bailout plan. The collapse is expected to impact thousands of jobs.
A viral video from Manali, Himachal Pradesh shows a newly installed public charging point meant for tourists quickly turning into a garbage dumping spot. Within days, the area reportedly drew misuse, triggering widespread outrage online and renewed debate about civic responsibility and public cleanliness as visitors and locals react.
Kerala exit polls 2026 point to a potential shift in power, with the Congress-led UDF challenging the ruling Left Democratic Front after a decade in opposition. Seat projections suggest a tight contest influenced by anti-incumbency, economic worries, and the Sabarimala dispute. Both fronts are pitching expansive welfare promises as counting approaches.
China’s rapidly expanding AI services, fueled by models trained on huge data sets, are boosting its role in exporting digital knowledge and challenging US dominance. At the same time, Europe is growing frustrated with the US approach to the Iran conflict, citing economic fallout and debating whether to question Washington’s military presence and pursue direct talks with Iran.
President Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly ignored federal court orders across issues including immigration and foreign aid, with judges finding widespread noncompliance that legal experts call unprecedented. While higher courts have sometimes ruled in favor of the administration, critics argue those decisions may encourage further disregard for judicial rulings. The Justice Department disputes claims of noncompliance.
Trinamool Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission over allegations of unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers at an EVM strongroom in Kolkata. TMC workers claim trunks containing ballots were moved to an unmonitored room. It also points to similar incidents in North 24 Parganas, while BJP shared a related video from Purba Bardhaman.
India tested its new indigenous cell broadcast system for disaster alerts nationwide on Saturday, triggering loud emergency notifications on many phones. Users saw a government message that it was a trial, but the headline alert read “Extremely Severe.” The system is designed to deliver real-time warnings during emergencies and improve disaster preparedness across the country.
Japan reportedly spent more than $30 billion to support the yen after it hit its weakest level versus the dollar in years. Officials had previously hinted at possible action, and the intervention appears to be Japan’s first since 2024. The goal is to stabilize the currency amid global economic pressures and volatile market conditions.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reconstituted four parliamentary committees for the 2026-27 financial year, extending them till 2027. Faggan Singh Kulaste was reappointed chair of the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, while KC Venugopal was put back as chair of the Public Accounts Committee. The panels will drive departmental scrutiny and policy recommendations.
The MSBSHSE released Maharashtra HSC Class 12 Result 2026 at 1 PM. Students can download their marksheets from the official websites, DigiLocker, or the UMANG app. With heavy traffic expected, applicants are urged to keep their login details ready to avoid delays and ensure a smoother download experience.
Delhi Capitals pulled off a commanding seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur, in IPL 2026. The standout was opener KL Rahul, who not only powered DC in the chase but also logged a notable, unique milestone during the game. The result kept DC’s momentum rolling against a strong RR unit.
The Iran war is rippling through global rice markets, unsettling both major exporters and key importers. Farmers and traders in Thailand and Vietnam report disruption alongside growing weather pressures from El Nino, while countries dependent on imports such as the Philippines and Indonesia brace for tighter supplies. The result could be renewed price pressure as shipments and demand realign.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi NCR, forecasting thunderstorms, short spells of rain, and gusty winds for the next 48 hours. The warning, driven by a western disturbance, suggests conditions could worsen from Sunday onwards, with winds reaching speeds up to 50 kmph in some areas. Residents are advised to stay prepared for sudden weather changes.
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has released the HSC Class 12 results for 2026. The overall pass percentage stands at 89.79%, down 2.09% from last year. Girls outperformed boys with a 93.15% pass rate, highlighting a widening gender gap in performance despite the decline in overall results.
Turkmenistan, long known for secrecy, is showing early signs of a cautious opening. E-commerce and social media are starting to take hold, while private businesses and digital platforms slowly expand. Political power remains tightly controlled by the state, but the tech shift suggests citizens may be gaining new ways to connect, trade, and communicate—on a carefully managed path.
Jane Street Group is projected to reward employees with a $2.68 million payout after a record revenue haul that vaulted it to the top of Wall Street. The firm reported $9.38 billion in compensation and cited its unconventional structure, sustained AI investments, and strong capital position as key drivers—outpacing major rivals like Goldman Sachs and Citadel Securities.
A chilling viral video from Jabalpur shows tourists apparently relaxed and smiling in strong winds seconds before a boat capsized, killing nine people. Survivors say there were limited safety measures, with life jackets allegedly handed out only after the overturn. They also claim crew ignored pleas to head back as storm conditions worsened, despite warnings.
Punjab Police has reportedly filed two non-bailable FIRs against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak after he left AAP and joined BJP. Pathak was among seven AAP MPs who resigned, alleging the party had drifted from its core principles. Their merger with BJP has also weakened AAP’s presence in the Upper House.
Spirit Airlines has shut down all flights effective immediately, canceling schedules and urging passengers to avoid airports. The company points to failed restructuring efforts compounded by a sharp rise in oil prices and mounting operational strain. With additional funding no longer obtainable, Spirit says it cannot continue operations, leaving travelers facing sudden disruptions.
India’s fintech sector managed $513 million in Q1 2026, but deal activity collapsed by 54 percent. Funding is shifting to fewer companies receiving larger checks, with Mumbai leading the charge through lending and housing finance. Late-stage investments are growing too, signaling investors are increasingly backing mature platforms with proven traction rather than early bets.
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are likely to face a heatwave through May 5, with temperatures running 2–3°C above normal alongside high humidity. Several districts may record markedly hotter conditions, including Vellore at 42.4°C. While isolated heavy rains and thunderstorms are also forecast in some areas, the intense heat is expected to continue overall.
Scientists report the discovery of Vasuki indicus in Gujarat, based on 27 fossilized vertebrae. The snake lived about 47 million years ago and may have reached roughly 50 feet, putting it among the largest known serpent species. The find could also reshape ideas about where giant snakes first evolved, suggesting India may hold key clues to their origins.
A groom was shot dead during a wedding procession in Uttar Pradesh’s Kheta Sarai area after his marriage was opposed. Police say the bride’s relative, Pradeep Bind, opened fire with an accomplice. The victim’s father, Ram Lakhan Bind, claims the accused had previously targeted them, citing an earlier assault that left him disabled before the latest killing.
President Trump’s Iran standoff is settling into an indefinite conflict, with major stated war goals still out of reach, including regime change and stopping a nuclear weapon. Analysts warn the longer it drags on, the more it can translate into persistent economic pain, especially higher gas prices—an outcome that could erode Trump’s approval and weaken Republicans ahead of midterms.
Iran has reportedly inflicted significant damage on US military bases across the Gulf, with Kuwait and Qatar drawing particular attention. Reports say key assets—including aircraft and radar systems—were hit, exposing a fresh vulnerability for American installations. Troops reportedly evacuated positions, while Iran’s improved satellite capabilities are cited as a factor in the strikes.
Hezbollah is deploying inexpensive fibre-optic drones in southern Lebanon, using a hard-to-detect approach against Israeli forces. Israel has acknowledged casualties linked to these attacks, signaling a strategic pivot by Hezbollah toward cheaper, more elusive technology. In response, Israel is bolstering defenses and reviewing drone-related lessons from the Ukraine war to counter the evolving threat.
Uber says it wants to repurpose data from its vast network of drivers to help train and test self-driving systems. CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga revealed the idea at TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC event, describing it as an extension of an early initiative announced in late January called AV Labs. The move aims to accelerate real-world sensing for autonomous companies.
Gold is trading flat in a tight $4,600 to $4,800 band for almost two months, even as geopolitical risks keep the market on edge. Analysts point to a tug of war: high interest rates and a strong US dollar are limiting upside, while bullion demand from risk sentiment supports prices. A real breakout may hinge on central bank cues, so investors are urged to take a staggered approach.
Retired military officials have defended the Great Nicobar Project, dismissing Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of land grabbing and corruption. They argue the plan is vital for India’s maritime security and economic growth, promising stronger surveillance and less dependence on foreign ports. The officials also claim environmental and tribal concerns are being handled through sustainability measures and government policy.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra says India’s financial markets are holding up strongly despite global headwinds, citing rapid growth, controlled inflation and a robust banking sector. He argues the next phase of growth requires deeper, more efficient markets—driven by higher liquidity and broader participation. The RBI is also rolling out steps to improve market efficiency and transparency.
Muted demand across Asia and a weak rupee are pushing India rice prices lower, adding strain to already sensitive regional food security concerns. Thailand’s rice market remains steady despite subdued buying, while rising production costs are expected to prevent prices from falling further, potentially holding or nudging rates higher.
A newly formed US virtual operator, Radiant Mobile, is set to launch nationwide on May 5 with mandatory network-level porn filtering across all plans. The service positions itself as different from standard parental controls because the filter can’t be disabled. It also plans optional gender-based content filtering, raising fresh questions about telecom control and user choice.
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