Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Kerala-based natural latex mattress brand Morning Owl is winning in a crowded Indian market by prioritizing verification over marketing. Customers can unzip the mattress to see certified Dunlop latex sourced from Kerala’s rubber belt, with clear certifications and transparent construction. The brand also offers hybrid entry options and grows via D2C and experience-led showrooms across major cities.
Ather Energy CEO Tarun Mehta has criticised the Centre’s auto PLI stance for excluding startups, calling it a policy mismatch that could weaken India’s EV ambitions. After a government official suggested PLI is only for “global champions,” Mehta argued eligibility thresholds favour legacy makers, leaving startups at a 13-16% cost disadvantage and deterring investment in innovation areas like batteries and software.
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Bangladesh’s last-minute withdrawal from traveling to India for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup triggered major backlash. While many viewed the potential boycott as a wrong move, the controversy deepened further after Shakib-Al-Hasan weighed in with a striking comment, re-igniting arguments about whether the decision was justified or a costly blunder.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Rep. Ro Khanna ignited a heated exchange during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. The dispute centered on the claimed $631 billion economic impact of a US-Iran conflict, with sharp back-and-forth over nuclear security spending and accountability. The moment underscored how quickly fiscal arguments are fueling major policy fights in Washington.
Wipro plans a share buyback at Rs 250 per share, pricing above the current market level. The bigger surprise is the timing: from April 1, 2026, buyback proceeds will be treated as capital gains under new tax rules. That shift can make tendering shares more tax-efficient than selling in the open market for both promoters and non-promoters.
Exfinity Venture Partners announced a partial exit from its early investment in AI-driven cybersecurity platform CloudSEK, generating over 40% IRR and 13x MOIC. The liquidity came via a secondary sale to existing investors while Exfinity retained a meaningful stake. CloudSEK has scaled rapidly, crossing $15 million ARR, with 60%+ net-new revenue from international markets, and partnerships like Commvault boosting its U.S. push.
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Devastating rains and hailstorms hit Bengaluru on Wednesday evening, killing 10 people as uprooted trees, flooded roads, and collapsed structures wreaked havoc. The storm triggered major traffic chaos and widespread disruption across the city. Officials have issued a rain alert for the next three days, urging residents to stay cautious as conditions may worsen.
Indian equities may look calm, but experts including Kunal Vora warn that macro stress is building behind the scenes. Rising crude oil and a weakening rupee could pressure costs and sentiment, while signs of complacency raise the risk of earnings cuts. Analysts also expect downward revisions to Nifty earnings estimates for FY27 as economic softness shows through.
Lending tech company Kissht’s parent OnEMI Technology Solutions saw its IPO subscribed about 20% by 14:00 IST on day one. QIBs drove demand, filling 58% of their quota, while retail subscribed only 4% so far. The issue includes a fresh share sale up to ₹850 crore plus an offer for sale, with a ₹162–₹171 price band.
Power Grid Corporation of India says its board has approved raising up to Rs 4,000 crore through a bank facility with State Bank of India. As the country’s largest electricity transmission utility under the Ministry of Power, the funding is aimed at improving liquidity and strengthening its financial position for ongoing and future operations.
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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has inaugurated a new 33,000 sq. ft. R&D wing at its Technology Centre Pune. The expansion is designed to position the facility as a global R&D hub, while improving localization for Indian needs and strengthening support for export markets. The group also expects the added capacity to accelerate automotive innovation.
Adani Ports posted a 10% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,329 crore for the March-ended quarter, while revenue jumped 26% to Rs 10,737 crore. The company said it surpassed its FY26 guidance after handling over 500 MMT of port cargo and recommended a dividend of Rs 7.50 per equity share.
The Supreme Court refused to reconsider its April 24 order allowing termination of a 30-week pregnancy of a 15-year-old rape survivor. The court did not entertain a fresh plea to reverse the decision, stressing the victim’s rights and leaving the choice to the parents. The ruling keeps the termination framework intact for the case.
Indian smartphone shoppers are increasingly guided by personal style and AI-enabled features rather than raw specifications. Colourful designs strongly influence decisions for women, Gen Z, and Tier-II buyers, while value for money and brand trust still matter. Consumers are also upgrading more deliberately, prioritising integrated experiences and dependable performance across devices.
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The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a Public Interest Litigation that asks the Centre and states to create a separate Revenue Judicial Service for adjudicating land disputes. The plea also seeks minimum legal qualifications for officers handling these cases, aiming to improve consistency and reduce delays in land-related litigation.
Bangladesh is set to sign a $3.7 billion Boeing deal to bring 14 aircraft to national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines over the next decade. The state-run BSS says it will be the airline’s biggest fleet modernisation, negotiated as part of a broader agreement last year connected to US tariff terms, underscoring how trade deals can reshape aviation plans.
The Maharashtra government has issued a corrigendum to its earlier courtesy circular, clarifying that officials are not required to stand or greet MPs and MLAs in certain circumstances. The update applies to situations linked to court proceedings, legal matters, or election-related activities, reshaping how protocol is followed in public interactions.
Omaxe Group plans to invest Rs 250 crore in a new housing project in Lucknow, marking another step in its expansion strategy. The realty firm says the development is part of its broader growth plans, aiming to add fresh residential inventory in the city and strengthen its footprint in the market.
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Exit polls for 2026 suggest major momentum shifts in several states. West Bengal may see a sharper fight for Trinamool as BJP tightens pressure, while Assam continues to lean BJP. Tamil Nadu looks unpredictable with the DMK alliance ahead but Vijay’s new party disrupting trends. Kerala hints at a UDF comeback, and Puducherry leans NDA.
The UAE has announced higher fuel prices for May 2026, with Super 98, Special 95, and E-Plus 91 all increasing. The new rates take effect May 1 and are linked to higher global oil prices along with distribution costs. As a result, motorists can expect to pay more when refuelling across vehicle types.
Vedanta’s demerger is complete, but the stock moved sharply as four business units were excluded from the new structure. After a strong Q4, brokers see upside and cite valuation support from the zinc business and a cleaner corporate setup. Still, analysts are split—some advise waiting for price discovery before buying.
Tata Power Trading Company, Keppel Limited, and Tata Realty have launched a large-scale cooling-as-a-service at Chennai’s Intellion Park. Designed for the IT corridor, the system is expected to reduce energy consumption by more than 20%. It leverages AI and machine learning to optimize cooling performance, potentially making large commercial cooling smarter and far more efficient.
Starting May 1, India’s LPG distribution will tighten with mandatory OTP-based verification for cylinder delivery and longer booking intervals—25 days in urban areas and 45 in rural. The rollout aims to curb hoarding and streamline sales. In PNG-enabled areas, some households may lose LPG connections, while PMUY subsidy support will require completing Aadhaar eKYC.
Pakistan’s high court will hear former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi’s plea challenging their convictions in the Al Qadir Trust corruption case. They were sentenced over allegations linked to land received by a welfare organization. Khan has denied receiving any financial benefit from the trust or related transactions. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
India’s marine fish catch increased by 3 percent in 2025, according to CMFRI, with mackerel emerging as the top landing species. The report also points to a jump in the sector’s economic value, driven by strong market demand and better marketing efficiency across the country, suggesting improved returns for the fisheries ecosystem.
Federal Bank plans to acquire about 4.5 lakh credit cards from Standard Chartered Bank in India, strengthening its card base in major top cities. The acquisition is designed to deepen its reach among urban, financially active customers. The bank expects the transaction to be completed by the end of 2026, expanding its footprint in the credit card market.
A viral video from Bhairab Railway Station in Bangladesh shows a father making an instinctive, life-threatening decision to protect his young son from a high-speed oncoming train. In the footage, the father shields the child right on the tracks as the train barrels through, turning a potential disaster into a global story of parental sacrifice and courage.
Cars24 is seeing another high-level exit as cofounder and COO Mehul Agarwal steps back from his operating role after 11 years, while continuing on the board. The move follows other senior departures and comes as the IPO process reportedly accelerates. Cars24 says it has already notched its first globally profitable quarter and is positioning itself for a full-stack vehicle ownership platform.
TNEA 2026 will begin in the third week of May, soon after Class 12 board results are declared on May 8. Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions will fill over two lakh engineering seats through a single-window online counselling process based on Class 12 marks. The official notification from DoTE is expected shortly after election results are out.
Sony Pictures Networks India announced that CHRO Manu Wadhwa will step down from the Chief Human Resources Officer role to become a Strategy Advisor starting July 1, 2026. She will work with the leadership team on key strategic priorities as the company begins a search for a new CHRO. Wadhwa has led the people and organisational agenda for seven years.
The Nifty 50 is torn between a bullish technical setup and a fast-worsening energy shock. Record earnings from firms like Bajaj Finance and Maruti Suzuki are supporting sentiment, but a Strait of Hormuz blockade and crude near $121 are pressuring the market. Brokerages warn that geopolitics is the near-term hurdle holding back a breakout above 24,340.
Cars24 cofounder Mehul Agrawal is stepping down from his operating role after more than a decade, while continuing as a board member. The leadership shift comes shortly after cofounder Gajendra Jangid exited as CMO. The changes are unfolding as Cars24 scales its business and moves toward preparations for an IPO.
Hezbollah has introduced small fiber-optic, wire-controlled drones in the latest clashes with Israel, focusing on northern areas. Unlike conventional drones vulnerable to electronic jamming, these “dental floss” cables keep control linked to the operator, making interception far harder. The technology has reportedly been used in the war in Ukraine, raising concerns about a new escalation.
Brent crude climbing and a weakening rupee are putting India’s inflation and growth outlook under pressure. For now, policymakers are cushioning the blow through controlled fuel pricing and tax tweaks that limit immediate retail impacts. But if oil prices stay elevated, those buffers may fail—pushing retail fuel and broader inflation higher with a stronger macro effect.
BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill has asked India’s Ministry of External Affairs to intervene after elderly Iranian Sikh couples were left stranded at a Gurudwara in Tehran. Shergill says a Mahaan Air flight planned for May 5 reportedly won’t allow them to board without clearance from the Government of India, prompting the request for urgent action.
Bengaluru’s iconic bookstore BookWorm was devastated by heavy rains and thunderstorms that flooded its premises, destroying an estimated 5,000 books worth about Rs 14 lakh. Rainwater gushed in, worsened by clogged drainage, leaving shelves soaked and many books beyond repair. The heartbreaking incident sparked an outpouring of support online as readers rally to help the literary hub recover.
Times Music has acquired Catrack Entertainment to expand and consolidate its regional music collection, bringing a coveted Punjabi music catalogue from the 1990s under its ownership. The company plans to monetize the legacy content across multiple channels, signalling a broader push to strengthen regional catalogues in India and leverage existing hits for long-term value.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged India to treat AI as a dual-use technology—useful for defence projects yet dangerous when misused. He warned that deepfakes, cyber warfare, and autonomous weapon systems can escalate threats, comparing unchecked AI misuse to the mythological Bhasmasur. At the same time, he pointed to successful AI integration like Operation Sindoor.
Hindustan Unilever reported solid March-quarter profit, but warned that rising geopolitical risk could lift costs. The conflict in Iran is expected to pressure commodity prices and also affect currency stability. To cope, the company is tightening spending and recalibrating pricing strategies, signaling more uncertainty ahead for FMCG margins.
Press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years, with more than half of the world’s countries now in difficult or very serious situations. The proportion of people living under good press freedom has dropped sharply. The United States and Russia are singled out for major declines, while Niger recorded the steepest fall in 2026.
The Supreme Court criticized AIIMS for contesting an order that lets a 15-year-old rape survivor terminate a 30-week pregnancy. The court said the government should amend abortion laws to remove strict time limits for rape victims, emphasizing the survivor’s trauma and autonomy. It also noted adoption as an option for unwanted pregnancies.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India voluntarily stopped Operation Sindoor and was prepared for a prolonged conflict with Pakistan. Calling Pakistan the epicentre of international terrorism, he argued that tackling terrorism requires uprooting its ideological and political foundations. Singh also pointed to India’s growing military capabilities, signaling a broader push for readiness and deterrence in the region.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the legitimacy of the National Company Law Tribunal’s acting president. The court said the issue has become moot after the Centre appointed Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal as the tribunal’s president. The ruling clears the way for the new leadership, ending the legal contest over the acting arrangement.
India’s Finance Ministry says the FY2026-27 GDP growth forecast of 7–7.4% is clouded by uncertainty in the broader macroeconomic environment, driven by the ongoing West Asia conflict and the outlook for monsoon conditions. The ministry warns risks could affect growth momentum as India begins the new fiscal year, with outcomes dependent on evolving external and weather-linked factors.
EPFO is set to introduce the E-PRAAPTI portal to help members locate, track, and link old or inactive EPF accounts. The service will rely on Aadhaar-based authentication for secure access and is designed to support employees who worked before the UAN system. The move is intended to simplify how people manage past EPF holdings.
Gold and silver rose as bargain dip-buying met fresh inflation pressure from oil, while the Fed held rates steady. Traders also scaled back expectations of near-term rate cuts, shifting interest-rate bets that typically move precious metals. Analysts warn the outlook stays two-sided, with inflation and rate expectations likely to keep prices swinging in both directions.
Hindustan Unilever posted an 18% jump in profit, crediting a dual strategy of price hikes and cost cuts to offset volatility tied to Middle East tensions. With raw material costs rising across consumer goods, the company held its mid-term earnings outlook and flagged stronger fiscal 2027 prospects by leaning into premium products and focus brands.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal reviewed measures to strengthen India’s exports, stressing better implementation, coordination, and monitoring. The plan prioritises MSMEs and agricultural exports while upgrading the Government e-Marketplace to enable transparent public procurement. The effort targets wider participation from MSMEs, startups, and women entrepreneurs to support broader growth and competitiveness.
Syngene shares rallied about 17% even though Q4FY26 net profit fell 19% year-on-year to Rs 148 crore. The key was a sharp quarter-on-quarter turnaround after a weak prior quarter, aided by a Rs 20 crore gratuity credit and an Rs 25 crore exceptional loss related to employee termination benefits. Management changes also accompanied the results.
Nvidia’s B300 AI server has reportedly jumped to about $1 million each in China, driven by ravenous demand for AI compute and tighter chip import restrictions. With major Chinese firms scrambling for scarce hardware, a fast-growing rental market is emerging at unprecedented volumes. The result highlights how competition over advanced chips is becoming increasingly fierce and opportunistic.
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