Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
The new Resident Evil trailer introduces Austin Abrams as Brian, a courier suddenly thrown into a game-like nightmare. Zach Cregger says the reboot aims to show the horror through the eyes of an ordinary person in chaos, not a trained hero. But some fans are upset, arguing the darker approach shifts the franchise’s familiar tone and expectations.
Anthropic has released Claude Security in public beta for enterprise teams, using AI to scan codebases for vulnerabilities and generate fixes. Built on Claude Opus 4.7, the system can reason through code by tracing data flows and mapping component interactions, aiming to catch issues that traditional security tools may miss.
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A new study in ACS Omega finds moringa oleifera seeds can remove over 98% of harmful microplastics from water, including PVC particles. Researchers say the plant-based method matches or even outperforms conventional chemical treatment like alum. Because microplastics are linked to serious health risks, the work points to a non-toxic, sustainable option—but more trials are needed before cities adopt it.
Hindustan Unilever’s sales surged as hyperlocal delivery platforms drove a major leap, with quick commerce sales doubling in FY26. E-commerce turnover grew by more than 25% as the company scales a dedicated quick commerce team and a strong omni-channel strategy across formats and platforms to sustain growth.
The government has imposed export duties for a fortnight beginning May 1, charging ₹23 per litre on diesel and ₹33 per litre on aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Petrol remains export duty-free. The move signals a targeted approach to regulating outbound fuel flows while keeping petrol exports unrestricted.
Residents in Kargil say the proposed creation of five new districts in Ladakh may deepen existing political and social faultlines. They fear the move could divide the region’s unified push for statehood and alter the demographic balance, raising concerns about representation and long-term governance. The announcement has triggered fresh debate over how district boundaries are drawn and whose interests they serve.
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Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju urged banks to adopt the RBI’s MuleHunter AI tool to tackle financial cyber fraud and mule accounts. The meeting reviewed rising digital fraud trends and stressed tighter coordination between law enforcement and banks, including real-time intelligence sharing, to detect suspicious activity faster and better protect customers.
JPMorgan Chase is facing a lawsuit alleging that a senior executive, Lorna Hajdini, abused a junior married employee by drugging him, intimidating him, and forcing sexual acts described as non-consensual. The complaint also claims racial slurs and degrading language, including referring to him as a “brown boy Indian.” The dispute could expose how workplace power was allegedly weaponized.
India’s telecom regulator TRAI has started exploring how spectrum should be allocated and priced for wireless communication between vehicles and roadside units. The Department of Telecom is seeking industry suggestions on spectrum assignment and pricing, a step expected to support real-time vehicle information exchange. The framework targets better road safety and smarter traffic management, with stakeholder comments due by May 28, 2026.
Runpod has launched Runpod Flash, an MIT-licensed Python tool aiming to eliminate Docker and container bottlenecks in serverless GPU development. By building Linux artifacts from local Macs and mounting dependencies at runtime, it targets faster iteration and fewer cold starts. Flash also supports production patterns, persistent storage, and agent skills for tools like Claude Code and Cursor.
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Myanmar has shifted Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest, according to state media and a military information office confirmation. Officials say her 33-year sentence was reduced to 18 years under a Buddha Day amnesty. The 80-year-old appeared in a new state-issued photo as the UN renewed calls for the release of all political prisoners.
OpenAI is rolling out additional opt in protections for ChatGPT accounts, aiming to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. The update includes a partnership with security key provider Yubico, bringing stronger login security options to users who choose to enable them. The company is positioning the move as a practical upgrade to account safety for everyday ChatGPT users.
India’s demographic dividend is facing fresh strain as job creation lags behind a young population. With over 65% under 35, unemployment is rising—youth make up 83% of the jobless. Even as the economy recovers, skills gaps and low employability are pushing many into gig work that often lacks long-term stability and growth, locking in short-term financial stress.
Infosys has dropped out of India’s top 10 most valuable firms in April 2026 after losing nearly ₹2 lakh crore in market value since January. Even with stronger Q4 FY26 revenue and profit, disappointing FY27 guidance and AI-driven concerns over legacy IT demand pressured the stock. LIC and Bajaj Finance replaced Infosys, underscoring a shift toward banks and non-IT leaders.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Leh for a high-profile visit that pairs spiritual outreach with governance. He is set to attend the inaugural international expo of Lord Buddha’s sacred relics, while also holding key review meetings and launching development initiatives aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods, with a specific focus on boosting the dairy sector.
G7 ministers urged an “ambitious review” of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee rules, aiming to better incorporate private capital and non-traditional financing. The push is meant to simplify development architecture, lower administrative costs, and improve efficiency. A key shift could recognize vulnerability beyond per capita income, potentially widening support for countries including India.
Google says it will start rolling out Gemini to vehicles that already include Google built in, replacing the older Google Assistant experience with a more conversational AI. The company positions the upgrade as a leap toward advanced, natural driving interactions, arriving right after General Motors shared similar Gemini plans.
An Akasa Air pilot died of a heart attack while undergoing training in Bengaluru, the airline confirmed. The captain was around 44 years old. Akasa said it is providing support to the family as condolences come in. The death is the second pilot incident at an Indian carrier in two days, following an Air India pilot’s death in Bali.
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BLS International has lost its UAE consular services contract. From July 1, Alhind Tours and Travels will take over passport, visa and related services for the roughly 4.3 million-strong Indian community in the UAE. The shift marks a major change in how consular applications are processed, with potential implications for applicants’ timelines and service channels.
Mumbai’s property market hit a record-breaking April, with over 14,160 registrations and more than Rs 1,143 crore in stamp duty revenue. Registrations rose 8.2% year-on-year, while stamp duty collections grew 3.3%. Analysts say the numbers point to resilient end-user demand and a subtle shift in the transaction mix toward mid-ticket housing.
The US dollar index slipped 0.70% to 98.17, putting it on track to break a streak of gains. Against that backdrop, the Japanese yen has climbed sharply, posting historic rise levels that have surprised traders. The move is reshaping expectations for near-term currency direction as investors reassess global rate and risk bets.
Elon Musk testified that xAI trained Grok using OpenAI models, drawing attention to “distillation,” the method used to transfer capabilities into smaller systems. The claim intensifies scrutiny of how frontier AI labs protect their models while challengers argue they can learn from outputs. Legal and technical debates over copying, licensing, and competitive fairness are likely to intensify.
The Election Commission of India has dismissed Trinamool Congress claims of ballot tampering in West Bengal, issuing a detailed nine-point clarification after allegations of “gross electoral fraud.” The Calcutta High Court backed the poll body, rejecting a plea related to counting staff. The dispute escalates amid continued political tension between TMC and BJP.
Indian banks are bolstering their balance sheets by creating dedicated buffers for credit risks tied to the West Asia crisis. Banks including Axis Bank, Union Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, and Indian Bank are setting aside significant amounts to guard against potential loan stress. The move signals cautious, proactive risk management as global uncertainties persist.
McDonald's, KFC, Taco Bell, Wendy's, and Burger King are rolling out crafted beverages featuring boba and cold foam as they chase the Starbucks customer base. The move signals a coordinated push to tap into the booming specialty drink trend, positioning their menus to compete in taste-forward, Instagram-friendly drinks that can drive repeat visits.
Amazon and Future Coupons Pvt Ltd have ended a long-running dispute after a March 13 agreement. As part of the settlement, FCPL will pay more than ₹11 crore—over 10% of a ₹105 crore arbitration award—and both sides will withdraw legal proceedings across forums. FCPL will also drop its appeal against the Singapore arbitration ruling.
The National Investigation Agency has arrested a key accused in the killing of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Manipur. The SDPO was killed in an attack in October 2023 attributed to suspected Kuki militants. The NIA alleges the arrested person played a role in conspiring behind the incident, following a prior detention in the case.
The Calcutta High Court dismissed the TMC’s petition challenging the appointment of central government employees as vote-counting supervisors for West Bengal polls. Justice Rao rejected allegations of bias, saying the claims were “impossible to believe,” and reaffirmed that choosing counting personnel falls under the Election Commission of India’s prerogative, not the party’s.
Meta Platforms reported a Q1 2026 decline of about 20 million daily active users across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, snapping a recent growth streak. The company pointed to external factors, but the slowdown raises questions about user saturation and potential dissatisfaction as Meta pours resources into AI and infrastructure. Markets will watch whether this is a one-off dip or a trend.
A new round of disclosures shows AI coding agents are failing at one core security principle: broken access control via credentials. Exploits across Codex, Claude Code, Copilot, and Vertex AI repeatedly steal OAuth or service-account tokens, then act in production without a human session binding the request. Researchers warn defenders focused on CVEs while attackers target runtime identities.
At least 20 people died in Nepal’s Rolpa district after a jeep carrying Baisakh Purnima pilgrims skidded on a rain-soaked mountain road and fell nearly 700 metres into a deep gorge. The accident happened in the Jaljala area, and rescue operations were delayed as continuous rainfall hampered access to the crash site.
Fino Payments Bank is advancing its move to become a small finance bank with an asset light, technology led approach. Instead of expanding through a traditional branch network, it plans to grow via secured lending and digital capabilities. The transition remains on track even as leadership reviews continue, with home loans, gold loans and business loans in focus.
Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy twice in recent years and now faces potential liquidation, a dramatic fall for a carrier that marketed itself as low-cost and nimble. The latest trouble comes as Spirit struggles against major airlines with stronger networks, deeper financing, and pricing power—leaving it unable to reliably recover or stabilize operations.
In Gujarat’s Chandanki village, residents don’t cook at home. Instead, everyone’s meals are prepared in a central kitchen and served in a community hall. Started to tackle loneliness among the elderly, the system offers nutritious food in exchange for a monthly fee—turning everyday dining into a lively social ritual.
Electric vehicle startups are calling for a major rethink of India’s production-linked incentive scheme for automobiles, saying PLI Auto’s eligibility rules favor established automakers. Despite EV-first firms leading on technology and localization, they’re excluded and forced to compete at a cost disadvantage. Founders want reforms that better match India’s rapidly evolving EV ecosystem.
After reuniting for the first time in 14 years, Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla hit theatres on April 14 and quickly started meeting expectations. The film is now reported as the third-highest grossing Hindi movie of the year, trailing only Dhurandhar 2 and Border 2—prompting the biggest question: was the audience ready for this comeback?
Uber has partnered to let users book hotels directly inside the app, adding about 700000 properties. Uber One members receive 20% off and can earn booking credits, turning trips into a rewards loop. The CEO frames the move as a step toward Uber becoming the single app for everything—beyond rides and into travel planning.
TikTok has rolled out a new “Campus Hub” aimed at helping students stay connected to their college communities, even when they’re away for the summer. The hub brings dedicated college group chats alongside personalized feeds, designed to surface campus-focused content and conversations in one place.
Bank lending against jewellery has jumped nearly fivefold to ₹4.6 lakh crore by end-March, up from ₹93,301 crore two years ago. The RBI data also shows 123% year-on-year growth, the fastest among all sectors, highlighting a sharp shift toward using gold as quick credit when cash needs rise.
Trinamool Congress leaders held a sit-in at a counting centre in Kolkata, claiming an EVM strongroom was reopened after the second phase of polling without proper notice. Party candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja alleged workers were asked to leave and were not informed, raising transparency concerns as scrutiny grows around election process controls.
Stripe has introduced Link, a digital wallet designed for everyday payments and for the next wave of AI agents. Users can connect cards, banks, and subscriptions, then grant AI agents permission to spend through secure approval flows—aiming to automate shopping without handing over full control.
Michael, the biopic of music legend Michael Jackson starring Jaafar Jackson and directed by Antoine Fuqua, opened strongly at the global box office after its April 24, 2026 release. The film covers his rise to fame through his peak years up to 1988. An official OTT release date hasn’t been announced, but reports indicate it could land on premium video-on-demand platforms soon.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders reported strong March quarter performance, with net profit rising nearly 42% year-on-year to Rs 464 crore. The surge was powered by better execution across shipbuilding and submarine projects, while revenue from operations increased 16%. The board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 4.62 per share for FY ended March 2026.
The US has renamed its Iran operation to Operation Economic Fury, shifting the fight to Iran-linked cryptocurrency networks. The stated goal is to prevent Iran from moving money globally using digital channels. Reports say hundreds of millions of dollars tied to Iranian crypto activity have already been frozen, reinforcing America’s sanctions strategy in a new “digital battleground.”
Chinese automakers are moving fast by selling low cost, high tech cars in Mexico near the US border. As a result, Americans are reportedly crossing just to buy these vehicles, drawn by features and prices they cannot find at home. The trend raises questions about supply chains, eligibility, and whether the US market will respond.
Pakistan has commissioned its first Hangor-class submarine in Sanya, China, in a ceremony attended by President Asif Ali Zardari. The state-of-the-art vessel is fitted with updated armament and sensing technology, aiming to strengthen Pakistan’s defensive capabilities in regional waters. The launch marks a significant step in Pakistan’s ongoing naval modernization drive.
The commerce ministry has notified revised RoDTEP (export duty remission) schedules to align with the amended customs tariff structure, aiming to make the benefit process simpler for exporters. Alongside the policy update, a Basmati and Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm is being set up in Pilibhit, with land transfer already finalized.
Trinamool Congress leaders staged an overnight dharna outside Netaji Indoor Stadium’s EVM strong room in Kolkata, with Mamata Banerjee joining later. Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh alleged collusion between the BJP and ECI, and claimed postal ballot tampering after exit polls predicted a BJP win in West Bengal. The protest escalates tensions ahead of the next phase of polling and counting.
Writer, backed by Salesforce Ventures, Adobe Ventures, and Insight Partners, has added event-based triggers that let its AI agents detect signals across tools like Gmail, Slack, SharePoint, and Google Drive, then run multi-step playbooks automatically. The push toward proactive autonomy comes with new governance, observability, and encryption controls, as Writer takes aim at AWS, Microsoft, and Salesforce’s agent platforms.
A lawsuit in the US has brought fresh attention to workplace harassment claims at JPMorgan, accusing a senior executive identified as Lorna Hajdini of misconduct, threats, and career pressure. A junior Indian employee alleges abuse and coercion linked to professional outcomes. JPMorgan says it reviewed the matter internally and denies the claims, intensifying debate over employee rights and workplace safety.
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