Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
LG Electronics says it is in talks with Nvidia to explore collaboration across robotics, AI data centres, and mobility solutions. The discussions follow a visit by Nvidia’s senior director for physical AI platforms, suggesting the partnership could accelerate real-world AI systems—moving beyond data centers into robots and transport-related innovations.
Dubai’s property market is rewarding buyers for location near metro and transit corridors. Areas linked to the metro have recorded price gains of over 26%, reflecting a broader shift where development follows transport lines. As integrated communities form around stations, demand patterns are changing and new localized economic clusters are emerging, accelerating construction and reshaping preferences.
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A Gurugram startup CEO, Jasveer Singh, sparked debate after posting about a backend hire who accepted an offer of 28 LPA with a 33% hike, then demanded 36 LPA just two days before joining after getting another offer. The CEO said the candidate’s sudden change led the company to pause other interviews, calling it “nonsense.”
India met a record peak power demand of over 256 GW on April 25, 2026, with renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydro contributing nearly one third. The milestone highlights India’s growing ability to handle peak load using cleaner generation. The government is also pushing grid modernization and expanding capacity to lift renewables further in the power mix.
West Bengal’s second phase assembly polling turned tense as BJP and TMC agents clashed in Khanakul and Nadia. In Khanakul, voting restarted peacefully after what authorities described as a minor incident, with CRPF stepping in. In Nadia, violence and intimidation were reported and arrests were made, while BJP alleged attacks on booth agents. Turnout stood at 18.39 percent by 9 am.
Scout AI just raised $100 million to train AI models aimed at battlefield use, and Tech company reporters visited its bootcamp-like training ground. The focus is on AI agents designed to give individual soldiers control over fleets of autonomous vehicles—turning coordination into software-driven autonomy. The effort signals how quickly agentic AI is moving from lab demos to military operations.
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UP’s longest Ganga Expressway is set to slash travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj to about 6 hours, down from roughly 12 hours. The six-lane greenfield project is designed for speeds up to 120 kmph, promising a faster, smoother corridor for travellers once operational.
The Board of Secondary Education Telangana is expected to announce SSC Result 2026 on April 29 at 2 PM. Students can download their Class 10 marks memo from bse.telangana.gov.in using their hall ticket number. The update will also be shared through a Hyderabad press conference, with additional access options including DigiLocker, SMS, and WhatsApp.
West Bengal’s second phase of assembly voting is underway with extensive security arrangements in place across the state. Chief Electoral Officer Agarwal said polling has been peaceful and expressed confidence that voter turnout may surpass the first phase. With logistics, staffing, and monitoring set for a smooth process, officials are urging continued participation as the day’s polling progresses.
As West Bengal Assembly elections end, exit polls are expected soon with early signals from voter surveys. But these projections have repeatedly missed the mark in recent national and state contests. Tight races, voters refusing to share true choices, and methodological limitations in survey sampling and timing can all distort what exit polls estimate.
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Elon Musk’s $150 billion lawsuit against OpenAI is no longer just a legal fight. In a sharp X attack, Musk called Sam Altman “Scam Altman,” while the trial in California centers on claims that OpenAI abandoned its non-profit mission after shifting to a capped-profit model and partnering with Microsoft. OpenAI says the structure was necessary—and rivalry with xAI drives the case.
A massive protest erupted in Patna after a 15-year-old boy died at Paras Hospital on April 27. The family claims medical negligence, extortion, and kidney removal, while the unrest escalated into vandalism inside the hospital and a road blockade. Authorities are now examining the allegations as anger grows over the circumstances surrounding the death.
Mahindra Lifespace Developers reported a 21% rise in sales bookings to Rs 3,405 crore last fiscal, driven by stronger demand for its residential projects. The company’s pre sales momentum suggests housing demand remains steady, supporting near term confidence as it moves into FY26 with a larger order book than before.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Bengal’s “great people” for turning out in large numbers to vote, calling it a crucial part of the “festival of democracy.” Speaking at a public gathering in Hardoi, he urged voters to sustain the same enthusiasm throughout the remaining phase of polling and to keep participating until voting ends.
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A new report says Sudan paramilitary leader Hemedti and associates own more than 20 luxury properties in Dubai, with wealth reportedly linked to smuggled gold from Sudan. The UAE is described as a safe haven for the assets, contrasting sharply with the country’s continuing humanitarian crisis. The family denies wrongdoing, claiming lawful acquisition.
ITC and Godfrey Phillips India shares jumped as much as 7% after a report suggested cigarette prices could rise by up to 17% in May. The expected increase comes on the back of higher excise duties announced earlier this year. Investors cheered signs that companies may keep passing cost hikes to consumers, lifting sentiment despite broader price-pressure risks.
In Florence, Alabama, a man who was not part of a drug investigation was bitten by a police K-9 after resisting arrest. The bodycam footage captured an unexpected moment: he bit the dog back before officers subdued him. He now faces charges, while police have reportedly reviewed how and when K-9 units were deployed.
Iran is racing against time as shrinking oil storage capacity meets a tightened US-led blockade affecting exports through the Strait of Hormuz. With unused storage dwindling, Iran may be forced to cut production, while neighboring exporters also trim output. The pressure is feeding into a global oil price rally, though Iran’s full revenue hit may arrive later.
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Pune authorities have issued a “Leave India Notice” to three American citizens, requiring them to exit by May 10, 2026. The men, on tourist visas, were stopped in Shukrawar Peth after police found large quantities of Christian conversion-related leaflets. Officials said their activity breached visa conditions, prompting the formal removal order.
Tension erupted during West Bengal Assembly elections Phase 2 in Bhangar and parts of South 24 Parganas, with ISF accusing TMC workers of intimidating polling agents and voters. Reports of vote rigging and agents being driven out surfaced from Bhangar and Canning Purba. Central forces and NIA teams were deployed, while the TMC denied the allegations.
Allen Career Institute, the competitive test preparation firm backed by James Murdoch and Uday Shankar’s Bodhi Tree Systems, is reportedly exploring an IPO in Mumbai. The company has held discussions with investment banks about a potential listing, but deliberations are ongoing and no final decision has been confirmed yet.
The Madras High Court has ruled that Tamil Nadu cannot discriminate when granting maternity benefits, including for third pregnancies. A division bench set aside a restrictive government order and instructed the Principal District Judge to approve maternity leave for a third pregnancy on par with the leave granted for the first and second pregnancies.
A Delhi High Court hearing was thrown into chaos after obscene pornographic content was streamed during the virtual session before the Chief Justice’s Bench. The disruption occurred more than once, prompting authorities to shut down the video conferencing system and restart proceedings. The incident reportedly triggered “you’ve been hacked” alerts, stoking concerns about a possible serious cyber breach targeting court proceedings.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, fresh off casting his vote in West Bengal, weighed in on IPL 2026. He says it’s difficult to pick a single clear favourite as multiple teams are showing strong form. With the competition staying tight, Ganguly believes the season remains wide open—no team can be comfortably ruled in or out yet.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says the world is heading toward a bond crisis, driven by rising government debt and geopolitical stress, including the Iran US standoff. He warns bond yields could surge sharply, potentially pulling money away from equities. The comments come as US Treasury yields stay elevated amid inflation concerns and ongoing Middle East tensions.
A new one-time amnesty scheme, FAST-DS, has been launched for Indian residents and NRIs to address past non-compliance in reporting foreign assets, including US stocks received via ESOPs. The move targets missed or inadvertent disclosures and seeks to reduce penalties and litigation under India’s Black Money Act, offering clearer resolution for taxpayers who previously got it wrong.
Gurugram’s private school community panicked after fresh bomb threats were received via email, prompting mass evacuations and a district-wide security response. At least 10 institutions, including Shri Ram and Amity, were reportedly alerted. Gurugram Police later declared the threats a hoax and launched an investigation to identify the sender and prevent repeat incidents.
US officials are probing multiple scientists’ deaths and disappearances as a potential national security risk, yet Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb says there’s no clear pattern linking them. His bigger warning: America is losing scientific leadership as science gets deprioritized. Loeb calls for stronger investment in federal science agencies, arguing they are essential to national security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 594 km Ganga Expressway, Uttar Pradesh’s longest highway, linking Meerut to Prayagraj. The expressway is designed to cut travel time from about 12 hours to just 6–7 hours, while improving connectivity across western and eastern UP. It also features smart tolling, modern passenger facilities, and an emergency airstrip.
Asian markets steadied on Wednesday as easing concerns over the Iran standoff and the AI sector helped investors refocus. Strong corporate earnings boosted risk appetite, while attention shifted to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision. Traders weighed improving sentiment against lingering macro uncertainty, finding enough momentum to push stocks higher despite earlier anxiety.
BJP candidate Rudranil Ghosh alleges that West Bengal officials failed to delete voter names dating back 25 years because Mamata Banerjee protested the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The claim comes as the second phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections sees turnout near 40% by 11 am, with BJP aiming to strengthen its presence beyond its traditional base.
Bhabanipur erupted into a high-tension showdown as BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari faced “Joy Bangla” chants attributed to alleged TMC supporters. Police intervened with a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Adhikari alleged outsiders were trying to influence the polls and demanded more central forces, while women voters accused his actions of triggering the crackdown, with counter-slogans escalating the confrontation.
Parallel Web Systems, co-founded by former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal, has reportedly raised $100 million in a Series B round led by Sequoia Capital. The funding lifts the company’s valuation to about $2 billion, marking a major milestone as the startup expands its push on next-generation web infrastructure.
In Bhabanipur, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari attacked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her polling-area visits, citing Section 163 and alleging voter intimidation. As Phase 2 voting heats up, Mamata hit back with rigging allegations, turning the constituency into a legal and political showdown. The “entourage” claim is now at the center of the campaign narrative.
Gold futures inched higher to about Rs 1.50 lakh per 10 grams as traders grew cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision. The move suggests investors are positioning themselves for potential changes in global interest rate expectations, which often influence demand for bullion and the strength of the dollar.
Popular YouTuber Lakhan Arjun Rawat and his wife Neetu Bisht allege their house cook has been spitting while preparing food. Neetu says she reviewed CCTV footage and found the cook spitting into the sink, and claims the issue has persisted for five months. They also link the alleged hygiene breach to recurring illnesses, sparking outrage online.
Chinese tech giants are scrambling to secure Huawei’s Ascend 950 AI chips after DeepSeek launched its V4 AI model, engineered to better exploit Huawei hardware. ByteDance, Tencent, and Alibaba are reportedly accelerating orders, suggesting a strategic shift toward homegrown compute and away from U.S.-linked semiconductor supply chains as AI competition intensifies.
Cognizant Technology plans to acquire Astreya for roughly $600 million, seeking to strengthen its artificial intelligence infrastructure and data center services. The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2026 and comes as companies accelerate AI spending. Cognizant’s buy signals a push to expand AI capabilities beyond software into core compute and data operations.
Apple Vision Pro has moved from hype to the operating room, with an ophthalmologist in New York performing cataract surgeries using the ScopeXR setup. Eric Rosenberg, reported to have carried out hundreds of procedures, says the mixed-reality workflow can support remote collaboration and guide surgeons in real time—hinting at practical uses for high-end AR beyond consumer entertainment.
Phase 2 polling in West Bengal, covering 142 seats, is marked by fresh allegations from BJP candidates. Basanti candidate Bikash Sardar claims his vehicle was attacked, while in Nadia a BJP booth worker was assaulted. The battle remains centered on Trinamool Congress versus BJP, with leaders including Abhishek Banerjee casting their votes as voting percentages are tracked across districts.
Pluto’s status changed in 2006 when it was reclassified as a dwarf planet, cutting the solar system from nine to eight planets. Now, new findings and renewed debate are sparking fresh arguments for restoring Pluto’s planet status. The discussion centers on what qualifies as a planet and how evidence about Pluto and similar objects keeps evolving.
Australian shares ended near a four-week low after selling pressure, but early losses narrowed when a softer-than-expected core inflation reading cooled expectations of a May rate hike. Traders still remain cautious because underlying inflation trends have not fully eased, keeping rate uncertainty in focus across global markets.
Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani To Ishq Hona Hai has shifted back to its original release date after Toxic was postponed multiple times. The film had been moved from May 22 to accommodate Toxic’s delay, but with Toxic now pushed further, the comedy-drama returns to its planned slot. Varun Dhawan also thanked Yash for resetting the schedule.
Deutsche Bank is forecasting a bullish path for gold, saying prices could reach $8,000 per ounce within five years. The call is tied to central banks steadily adding to their gold reserves while diversifying away from the US dollar. Economic and geopolitical uncertainty is accelerating the shift, with emerging markets taking the lead in reserve rebalancing.
Dubai is accelerating travel upgrades with a Dh34 billion Gold Line metro: a 42km underground network connecting 15 major destinations. Construction momentum is also building on the Blue Line, which is reportedly about 10% complete, alongside an Hessa Street road upgrade designed to sharply reduce journey times. The moves aim to keep pace with fast-growing residents and visitors.
Special police observer Ajay Pal Sharma toured South 24 Parganas during the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, focusing on sensitive Diamond Harbour. Despite protests from TMC and a High Court move, Sharma coordinated with central forces to prevent intimidation. CRPF Director General also visited to review security measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful, transparent poll.
Maruti Suzuki expects 10% volume growth in FY27, aided by new production lines and steady demand, notably from rural markets. Still, RC Bhargava cautions that margin recovery will be gradual as the firm manages input cost pressures. Exports are expected to remain stable, keeping the company broadly positioned for the year ahead.
Infosys has secured a deal worth over $500 million from US bank Truist Financial to establish and operate a global capabilities centre in Hyderabad. The centre will support roles from sales, HR and finance to IT, hiring up to 4,500 people. Built on a five-year built-operate-transfer model, Infosys plans to make it AI-first using its Topaz platform.
Star Health and Allied Insurance shares surged more than 13% after Q4 FY26 net profit climbed to Rs 111.34 crore, beating brokerage estimates. The company also reported 14% year-on-year growth in net earned premium, alongside narrowing underwriting losses, pointing to improving operating efficiency and stronger profitability going forward.
Foreign investors have withdrawn more than $20 billion from Indian equities in just the first four months of 2026, already surpassing the total record exit seen last year. The pullback is linked to worsening sentiment after Iran war-related disruptions pushed oil prices higher, adding pressure to India, a major crude importer, and dimming investor appetite for Asian risk.
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