Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Earth AI is responding to long delays in finding critical minerals by vertically integrating parts of its search process. The company says slow timelines forced it to take matters into its own hands, aiming to reduce dependency on external pathways and speed up discovery and access for materials crucial to technology and industry.
Exit polls indicating a BJP edge in West Bengal and Assam may shape tomorrow’s trading mood, but analysts expect a selective response rather than a broad rally. While state outcomes can influence regional policy and sector-specific business, the overall market direction will likely remain anchored to earnings, inflation trends, and global cues. Investors face a crucial, mixed setup.
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Insurance firms reduced holdings across 10 large-cap NSE stocks between December 2025 and March 2026, including major banks such as ICICI Bank and State Bank of India. The pattern may point to softer conviction in select blue chips or a deliberate reallocation of capital, as insurers adjust portfolios ahead of upcoming market cycles.
Assam’s 2026 Assembly election exit polls are out, pointing to a close contest between the ruling BJP and Congress. High voter turnout suggests heightened public engagement, but the signals raise questions about whether BJP can secure a third term or Congress can stage a comeback. The final verdict will emerge after counting on May 4.
The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady, but policymakers are wrestling with inflation worries sparked by rising oil prices. Traders are watching for guidance on whether rates will stay unchanged for longer or move upward again. The stakes are heightened by expectations that this could be Jerome Powell’s final meeting as Fed chair, with Kevin Warsh slated to succeed him.
Goa has unveiled a draft Artificial Intelligence policy aimed at transforming the state into a global technology hub. Alongside plans for AI skilling, innovation, and better governance and public services, one proposal stands out: restricting social media access for children under 16. The draft policy is now open for public feedback before finalization.
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Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath says allowing retail investors into stock exchange auction markets is changing the playing field for proprietary desks. With more retail participation, liquidity has improved and spreads have narrowed, cutting off the “easy profit” edge that specialized traders relied on. The result: auctions are becoming more efficient, leaving prop firms under pressure.
The U.S. State Department is preparing limited-edition America250 passports to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The summer releases will feature President Trump’s image on the cover, along with the Declaration of Independence, plus an altered cover design and a distinctive back marked “250” with historical stars.
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi wrapped up a high-stakes Pentagon visit where he met top US military officials. The talks focused on strengthening India-US defense cooperation, exploring new ways to enhance capabilities, and coordinating more effectively for future joint operations. The meetings signal efforts to deepen interoperability and align strategic planning between the two militaries.
LG Electronics and Nvidia are reportedly discussing a partnership spanning robotics, AI data centres, and mobility technologies, an emerging push toward what the industry calls “physical AI.” The talks suggest traditional electronics firms are moving beyond devices into the core infrastructure that powers intelligent machines, from computing to deployment-ready mobility solutions.
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Russia’s Rosatom has shipped its largest industrial 3D printer to India, using electron beam technology to produce large metal parts for the space sector. The system is designed to cut production timelines and reduce material waste compared with traditional manufacturing. The deal deepens Russia-India technical ties and is expected to back upcoming space missions.
Electronic gear maker Amphenol expects second-quarter revenue to beat market expectations, driven by rising enterprise spending on components used in AI data centres. The company’s solutions are seeing strong demand as firms expand infrastructure for generative AI workloads. Its shares jumped in premarket trading, reflecting investor optimism around the momentum.
Indian Overseas Bank’s Q4 net profit surged 43% to Rs 1,505 crore, helped by lower provisions and tax expenses. While pre-provision operating profit stayed flat due to treasury losses, asset quality improved, with the NPA ratio declining. The bank also recorded a 56% jump in annual net profit, signaling better overall performance beyond one quarter.
The Gem and Jewellery Council has proposed a revamped Gold Monetisation Scheme to the RBI, working with the Finance Ministry as well. The plan would involve jewellers and a digital gold system to help individuals earn returns on their idle gold more easily, potentially streamlining participation and improving how monetisation works.
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Russia says it will scale down its May 9 World War II victory parade on Moscow’s Red Square, pointing to risks tied to the ongoing conflict and the “Ukrainian threat.” The parade is a cornerstone event marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, remembered as a devastating war with immense losses across the region.
Pravesh Wahi, a BJP councillor from Rohini East, was elected Delhi MCD mayor with 156 votes in Wednesday’s mayoral election. The tally includes support from Indraprastha Vikas Party, highlighting the coalition math inside the electoral college. Monika Pant was named deputy mayor as the race was decided with a 137-vote cut-off from councillors, MLAs, and MPs.
Planning for May 2026 matters for alcohol buyers because India’s dry days will temporarily stop sales at liquor shops and licensed establishments. The list includes Buddha Purnima on May 1 and Id-ul-Zuha on May 27, when alcohol service will be closed. Private consumption at home is still allowed, but licensed outlets will remain shut.
Smaller UPI players are set to meet NPCI, arguing that the rapid rise of leaders like PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm needs a fairer framework. In the same tech update, WhatsApp reportedly tightens defenses against scams—raising pressure on platforms and payments ecosystems to improve safeguards while competition heats up.
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US markets opened mixed as investors took a cautious stance ahead of major Big Tech earnings and the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision. With Chair Jerome Powell’s meeting possibly his last, traders are watching every signal for direction. The Dow edged higher, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped slightly at the start of trading.
Indeed has integrated a job search app into ChatGPT across India and more than 50 countries, letting users browse roles through conversation. The AI system tailors recommendations to each user’s profile, aiming to turn career ideas into direct applications by streamlining discovery, matching, and next steps in one experience.
Sri Lanka says it has lost more than $3 million across two separate cybersecurity incidents, compounding its financial strain as it still works to recover from the 2022 debt crisis. The latest revelation comes days after hackers reportedly stole $2.5 million from the finance ministry, raising fresh concerns about weaknesses in government payment systems.
Adani’s aviation strategy aims to build influence across India’s air-travel ecosystem without running an airline itself. The plan focuses on acquiring and expanding airport-linked and other infrastructure assets, potentially shaping how passengers move while avoiding direct airline risks. The approach raises questions about competition and concentration as the group expands within regulated aviation sectors.
Defense startup Firestorm Labs has raised $82 million with a bold plan: move drone manufacturing to the front lines by packing production lines inside shipping containers. The approach aims to make hardware output faster, more local, and more resilient during operations—turning factories into deployable assets instead of fixed facilities.
China plans to grant zero-tariff treatment to every African country that has diplomatic ties, beginning May 1. The step builds on earlier zero-tariff benefits for least developed nations and is designed to deepen trade and economic cooperation. Implementation will roll out in phases, with additional agreements expected to improve trade facilitation and boost African agricultural exports.
In Jaipur, Prateek Tiwari is tackling summer heat by transforming unused rooftops into green spaces through his initiative Living Green Organics. The ready-to-use rooftop gardening system helps lower indoor temperatures and reduces dependence on air conditioning for thousands of homes, turning a once-empty rooftop into a natural cooling strategy.
Indian government bonds fell Wednesday as surging oil prices raised inflation worries and amplified supply-related concerns. Traders also turned cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision, which could shift global interest rate expectations. Meanwhile, the rupee weakened, adding pressure to market sentiment and further weighing on bond performance.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says AstraZeneca will invest 300 million pounds, about $405 million, in the country’s life sciences sector. The package is expected to safeguard or create around 1,000 jobs across Macclesfield and Cambridge. Starmer said the move follows a pharmaceutical arrangement involving the United States, signaling fresh confidence in UK biotech growth.
TMC MPs have alleged that central security forces baton-charged civilians, including women and a child, outside a polling booth in South 24 Parganas during the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. TMC leaders condemned the incident and demanded accountability. The Election Commission said action would be taken if security personnel were found involved, as a special observer monitored the situation.
The BJP is intensifying its Kerala push by concentrating on select constituencies and prominent local faces. Its strategy leans on a development oriented pitch, aiming to disrupt a state long defined by a bipolar contest. With exit polls expected later today, the party’s attempt to force a three corner race could determine whether it expands beyond its current footprint.
Shipping Corporation of India is reportedly considering starting services to West Asia to move stranded cargo amid Gulf tensions that have disrupted vessel movement. The plan comes as India deals with the situation of roughly 19,500 Indian seafarers in the Middle East, some reportedly unwilling to return. India is coordinating with Iran to help enable safe passage.
James Dyson’s bagless vacuum breakthrough began with a basic household annoyance: a vacuum that lost suction. Instead of accepting the failure, he pursued a 15-year cycle of experimentation and engineering, built on cyclonic separation principles. The result turned everyday frustration into a billion-dollar product and a powerful reminder that innovation often starts small.
Maharashtra has directed universities to upload students’ degree certificates to DigiLocker right after results are announced. The plan is meant to cut delays that often hold up admissions, jobs, and further paperwork. With certificates stored digitally in DigiLocker, students can access secure documents quickly for ongoing academic and career needs.
The FOMC meeting and Jerome Powell’s 2:30 PM speech are set to shape US Fed expectations, with markets already pricing a 100% likelihood of a rate hold. Inflation is still near 3.3%, oil remains elevated, and job data is uneven—keeping the stance cautious. Even without a cut, Powell’s tone and forward guidance could quickly shift rate expectations.
Larsen & Toubro has finalized the sale of its entire stake in L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited for Rs 1,461.47 crore. The deal was formalized through a Share Purchase Agreement with Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited, a Telangana government enterprise. As a result, the metro company will cease to be a subsidiary of L&T.
Iran’s rial has plunged to a record low, crossing 1.8 million per US dollar as the economy struggles to recover. The slide is unfolding alongside a fragile ceasefire involving Tehran, Washington, and Tel Aviv, which has so far failed to restore stability after recent conflict and a naval blockade. Traders and households face growing pressure as prices and confidence worsen.
BMW i Ventures has unveiled a new $300M fund aimed at backing startups building agentic AI and physical AI, along with industrial software, advanced materials, and manufacturing and supply-chain technologies. The strategy signals how automakers are shifting from traditional mobility bets to AI systems that can operate in the real world, not just in apps or simulations.
Researchers in Germany have uncovered a well-preserved ichthyosaur fossil from roughly 180 million years ago, belonging to the Temnodontosaurus genus. The specimen shows injury evidence alongside anatomical adaptations that hint it endured physical setbacks. By studying its anatomy and likely diet, scientists aim to better understand how Jurassic marine reptiles lived and survived in ancient seas.
A 13-year-old found a small bronze coin in a field near Berlin, and it turned out to be the first ancient Greek artifact discovered in the city. Dating back over two millennia, the coin is believed to have originated in Troy, offering clues about trade and cultural exchange far earlier than many expect. Its exact route to Germany still remains unclear.
A Ghaziabad couple’s destination wedding at a riverside cremation site in Almora, Uttarakhand, has triggered widespread outrage. Locals and social media users condemned the decorated celebrations—complete with music and guests—at the shamshan ghat as disrespectful. The episode has reignited calls for stronger tourism guidelines to safeguard Uttarakhand’s local traditions as destination weddings rise.
Tanmay Shekhar, an IITian and former data scientist in New York, walked away from a high-paying career to chase filmmaking. He bootstrapped his debut by funding the film with community support, then pushed it through a modest theatrical release. The story he built—about privilege and personal transformation—later found a much bigger audience when it landed on Netflix.
Dubai Land Department has eased rules for a two-year real estate investor residency visa by removing the prior minimum property purchase value for sole ownership. For joint owners, each investor must hold at least a Dirham 4 lakh share. The shift lowers entry hurdles for property-based residency applicants.
India and Kenya are exploring a shift toward settling bilateral trade in their own local currencies, cutting reliance on third currencies. The talks in Nairobi also covered digital payment rails such as UPI. During a joint trade committee meeting, both sides signed an agreement to exchange customs information and outlined steps to further grow fast rising bilateral trade.
Scientists are probing the origins of the mysterious “sun goddess” particle, Amaterasu, among the strongest ever detected. Early reports suggested it emerged from a seemingly empty patch of space, but new analysis points to a more active source. Researchers now flag Messier 82, a galaxy famous for intense star formation, as a leading candidate.
Since January 2023, India stopped using standard edible oil pack quantities, leaving consumers to navigate an uneven range of sizes. The result, according to SOPA, is confusion at the shelf and potential deception, as shoppers struggle to compare prices across brands with inconsistent labeling.
King Charles III’s state dinner moment with Donald Trump went viral after he presented a historic bell from HMS Trump, a World War II submarine. The striking gesture spotlighted the UK-US alliance and the “special relationship,” pairing high-level diplomacy with shared military heritage. Held in elegant white-tie form, the night underscored modern warmth between both nations.
Rajiv Bajaj is stepping down from the board of Bajaj Finance and will not seek re-election at the annual general meeting on July 30, 2026. The company says it recognizes his long contributions and service. After the AGM, Bajaj will no longer hold the position of non-executive director, marking a major leadership transition.
Labour and employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya said EPFO settled 6.103 million claims in April 2026, with 74% of PF advance requests handled in auto mode and 98.70% of claims settled within 20 days. The push is powered by EPFO 3.0, a digital overhaul for instant, paperless withdrawals. He also indicated the minimum pension under EPS-95 could be raised.
The 8th Pay Commission has pushed the deadline for employee and pensioner memorandum submissions to May 31, 2026, following a request from the NC-JCM. However, the window comes with strict rules: submissions will be accepted only through a specified online link, while physical copies, PDFs, and emails will be rejected.
Using artificial intelligence to interpret fossilized footprints, researchers analyzed 1,974 previously unclassified trackways. The AI’s pattern recognition points to bird-like relatives appearing millions of years earlier than established evolutionary timelines suggest. If confirmed, the findings could reshape how scientists date early avian ancestors and motivate new fossil track studies to test the revised history.
ARAI in Pune has partnered with the Data Security Council of India to upgrade cybersecurity across the auto ecosystem. The collaboration is designed to help car makers, suppliers, and policymakers prepare for upcoming data protection regulations by addressing cyber risks in connected vehicles and manufacturing. It will also enable knowledge sharing and innovation for safer, more secure systems.
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