Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Iran’s football federation chief Mehdi Taj says the team has received no US visas for the 2026 World Cup so far. Players are expected to travel for fingerprinting, but Iran is waiting on FIFA guarantees about the visa process. The squad is scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt across US cities including Los Angeles, leaving their participation in limbo.
Karnataka plans to deepen ties with Chile by expanding cooperation in digital services, startups, and talent exchange. IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge said a high-level meeting with Chilean representatives—headed by foreign affairs minister Francisco Perez Mackenna—focused on innovation-led growth, market access, and mobility of skilled talent. The talks build on a letter of intent signed at the Bengaluru Tech Summit under the Global Innovation Alliance framework. Both sides also discussed renewable energy collaboration, including green hydrogen and sustainable industrial innovation.
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Verizon has begun another round of US layoffs, following the elimination of about 13,000 jobs last year. The company confirmed the latest cuts to a news outlet but declined to share the exact headcount affected. It said the impact is under 1% of its total workforce, with the heaviest reported effect at its Basking Ridge, New Jersey headquarters. Verizon executives say the restructuring and “leaner” operations will continue through 2026, even as the company hires for growth roles.
Gold and silver prices may trade in a tight range for a second week as investors digest progress and setbacks in US-Iran peace negotiations alongside upcoming global macroeconomic releases. Analysts expect gold’s momentum to remain consolidative, helped by lower Treasury yields, a softer dollar, and easing crude risk premiums. Silver, however, is seen with a more upbeat bias, supported by copper-linked buying, supply tightness, and central bank demand. Still, Friday’s gains were capped by renewed conflict signals and fresh UAE attack reports.
The Election Commission of India on Thursday rolled out Phase III of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise across 16 states and three Union Territories, aiming to clean and update electoral rolls ahead of future polls. The nationwide phase will not run in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh; their schedule will come later due to the completion of Census work and snowbound conditions. Door-to-door verification will involve 3.94 lakh booth-level officers and 3.42 lakh party agents.
In the 1960s, farmers digging Queensland wetlands unearthed unusual skull fossils at Kow Swamp that fueled claims early Australians looked “archaic.” But later research showed key features could result from cranial deformation. Leg-bone analysis and DNA evidence ultimately identified the remains as anatomically modern humans—an urgent reminder to challenge first impressions in science.
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A fragile month-old ceasefire in the Iran war was tested again as a drone sparked a small fire on a commercial ship off Qatar and separate drones were reported entering UAE and Kuwait airspaces. The UAE blamed Iran for the incidents, while Kuwait said it responded to hostile drones. No casualties were reported. The episode comes as the U.S. seeks Iran’s response to a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end shipping disruption, and curb Iran’s nuclear advances.
West Bengal’s former chief minister Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday for a hearing tied to a post-poll violence PIL filed after the May 4 election results. Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee alleged widespread hooliganism and targeting of Trinamool Congress workers, while petitioner Bikash Bhattacharya pointed to the demolition of Muslim shopkeepers’ makeshift stalls in Kolkata’s Hog Market area using a bulldozer. Banerjee also urged the court to direct police to register FIRs for all poll-related violence.
State-owned oil marketing companies are bleeding under massive losses to keep petrol, diesel and cooking gas rates far below cost after the Middle East conflict began. Estimates put under-recoveries at Rs 1,600–1,700 crore per day, pushing total losses to well over Rs 1 lakh crore in just 10 weeks. Even with input crude prices up by about 50%, petrol and diesel are still sold at two-year-old rates, forcing financial pressure, possible extra borrowing and potential future price hikes.
Bangkok-based SiamAI has denied allegations that it exported AI servers to China, saying it fully complies with U.S. export and re-export control laws. The denial comes as U.S. prosecutors allege that billions of dollars in U.S. AI technology—at least $2.5 billion—was shipped to China, including over $500 million between April and mid-May 2025. SiamAI also addressed claims tied to advanced chips from Super Micro Computer and Nvidia, insisting it did not engage in the exports in question.
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US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested 28 Disney cruise ship employees as part of a large child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) crackdown, targeting workers accused of possessing, distributing, or viewing illegal content. The operation spanned five cruise ships, including the Disney Magic, that were inspected between April 23 and April 25 after investigations using digital evidence and coordinated enforcement. CBP cancelled visas and removed the suspects from the country, while passengers reportedly watched multiple crew members being taken into custody in San Diego.
The United States and Iran are reportedly nearing a diplomatic breakthrough that could gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil chokepoint carrying nearly one fifth of global energy supplies. The plan hinges on phased easing of a US naval blockade in exchange for Iran loosening restrictions on maritime movement. Reports point to a preliminary one page memorandum that could halt hostilities and trigger a 30 day negotiation window, with talks also covering nuclear issues, sanctions relief, and the return of shipping. Iran is yet to confirm acceptance.
A rare hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship has triggered international health monitoring after eight linked infections and three reported deaths. WHO officials say the threat to the wider public remains limited and emphatically not the start of a COVID-style pandemic. While early symptoms look flu-like, cases can deteriorate within days into severe respiratory illness requiring intensive care. Experts also stress person-to-person spread, when it occurs, happens mainly through close, prolonged contact.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel May 15-20 to the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy in a tightly timed push for energy security amid West Asia tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has rattled global fuel markets. The tour starts in Abu Dhabi for energy-focused talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It then moves to the Netherlands for broader strategic cooperation, and to Sweden and Norway for the 3rd India-Nordic Summit on green hydrogen, the blue economy, and Arctic ties.
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As the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case nears the 100-day mark, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says investigators are making progress and are “closer” to solving the suspected abduction. Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Catalina Foothills home near Tucson in late January 2026, with authorities believing she was taken around 2:30 a.m. after she was reported missing. The FBI and local forces are involved, and a hair sample sent to the FBI via a Florida lab is now under advanced analysis.
Jannik Sinner is surging at the Italian Open, smashing a key Djokovic benchmark with his 32nd consecutive Masters 1000 win. He now sits two victories away from making history as the first Italian man to lift the trophy in fifty years. With momentum building, Sinner’s record streak signals a potential landmark title run at home.
Logistics firm Shadowfax plans to expand its dark store footprint from 15 to 100 stores by FY27, targeting a tight 7 km operating radius for ~30 minute delivery. It expects vertical quick commerce platforms to deliver higher value per engagement, while AI automation helps speed sorting breakeven and cut scaling overheads. The company also reported a sharp Q4 FY26 profit rebound.
An Australian local, David Handley, went viral after reportedly walking into a Fashion Week setting while believing it was just beach access. Instead of reacting to the attention, he continued his routine swim at Tamarama Beach. The clip struck a chord with viewers growing wary of overly curated online personas, fueling a broader push for authentic, everyday moments.
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Wirestock, a creator marketplace for training data, has raised $23M to expand how it supplies AI labs with multi-modal assets. With a platform powered by more than 700,000 creators, the company offers photos, videos, and 3D content, positioning itself as an end-to-end source for data used in modern generative AI systems.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called BRICS a crucial platform for cooperation among emerging economies, emphasizing its growing role for the Global South. Speaking after meetings with foreign ministers and heads of delegation, he positioned BRICS as a vehicle to push for a more inclusive world order. The remarks underline India’s focus on multilateral engagement through BRICS.
Two LPG carriers transporting cooking gas for India have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, despite recent tensions in the region. The move follows an attack on the dhow Haji Ali that sank, with 14 crew rescued by the Omani Coast Guard. Another carrier, SYMI, is set to arrive May 16, while NV SUNSHINE follows May 18.
Skara Brae, a Neolithic village in Orkney, was buried under shifting sand dunes for thousands of years—until a violent 1850 storm stripped away the dunes and revealed stone homes. Remarkably well preserved, the settlement offers a rare view of everyday life long before recorded history. Today, Skara Brae stands as one of Europe’s best-preserved prehistoric villages.
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft is making a high-speed practice swing past Mars to harness a gravity boost toward a rare metal asteroid. Named after the target, the robotic explorer will perform a slingshot at about 12,333 mph, snapping thousands of images along the way. The main rendezvous is planned for 2029, turning Mars flyby data into mission-critical prep.
Tamil Nadu politics is roiled again after TVK MLA VMS Mustafa faced backlash for remarks about abolishing Sanatana Dharma. Mustafa posted a clarification video on X, insisting he and Vijay’s party are not against any religion. The controversy is reigniting debates over what was said, who is affected, and how parties manage rapidly escalating public outrage.
The Andhra Pradesh cabinet has recommended a package of austerity steps meant to reduce the economic fallout of a war. Proposed measures include a No Vehicle Day, shifting classes online, cutting special flights, and deferring gold purchases. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asked citizens to adopt a “My Country, My Responsibility” approach to ease strain on energy demand and foreign exchange reserves.
Mouni Roy and Suraj Nambiar have confirmed their divorce, four years after their wedding. The couple reportedly addressed circulating speculation, saying attempts were made to sensationalise their private lives rather than report facts. Their statement brings an end to months of rumours and reframes the narrative around their relationship behind the headlines.
A Delhi court has sent five accused in the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case to seven days of CBI custody. The CBI argued custodial interrogation is crucial to crack the conspiracy, spot additional suspects, and track financial transactions tied to an alleged exam-leak network operating across multiple states through intermediaries.
Researchers using tiny zircon minerals from volcanic rocks near Mauritius and gravity data have mapped a submerged ancient crust block called Mauritia. It’s a microcontinent, not a lost continent, and its presence helps scientists track how landmasses break apart and reshape the Indian Ocean floor, unlocking Earth’s deeper past hidden beneath water.
More workers are seeing promotions come with upgraded job titles but no immediate salary increase. While companies say the title signals future growth, employees increasingly want compensation and recognition to match the added responsibilities. The result is sharper demands for transparency on how pay reviews work, what changes in the role, and when the financial rewards will actually arrive.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles expects industry-beating growth in FY27, betting on rising demand for SUVs, CNG and electric vehicles to push higher production. The outlook comes after a record FY26, when the company finished second in the passenger vehicle market. Management says it is tracking geopolitical shocks and commodity price moves that could affect performance.
Jasprit Bumrah will captain Mumbai Indians for the first time in IPL as they take on Punjab Kings at Dharamshala on Thursday. The Mumbai franchise confirmed the development in a pre-match Instagram post featuring Bumrah. The game also comes amid the absence of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, raising questions over MI’s batting and leadership balance.
Pinarayi Vijayan has been elected CPI(M) legislature party leader in Thiruvananthapuram, putting the former chief minister on track to become Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly. The decision follows the LDF’s major setback in the recent election, winning just 35 seats, while the UDF led by Congress secured 102, setting up a new government.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said Indian forces secured superior situational awareness and battlefield transparency during Operation Sindoor, dominating the escalation matrix across four days. The nearly 88-hour conflict followed precision strikes that avenged a terror attack. He also stressed that future warfare demands clear objectives and well-defined exit strategies to manage escalation risks.
Joel Weinshanker, the US businessman behind Graceland and Party City, has acquired a majority stake in the operations of Romania’s Bran Castle, famously dubbed Dracula’s castle. The site draws over a million visitors a year, and Weinshanker wants to scale tourism further by focusing on the US and Western Europe, turning it into a bigger magnet for fans of vampire lore and history.
Meta is ratcheting up its AI push in India, with WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart calling the country its “ground zero” for the effort. The newsletter also flags fresh layoffs in the tech sector, underscoring how AI expansion and cost cutting are moving in parallel across the industry. Here’s what to watch next from Meta and beyond.
Pakistan commissioned PNS Hangor on 30 April 2026 in Sanya, China, a first operational milestone for a submarine programme built with Chinese collaboration. Designed to extend underwater endurance and complicate India’s calculus in the Arabian Sea, the project still faces repeated delays and lingering doubts, raising questions about timelines and reliance on external support.
France says all 26 people placed under hantavirus observation have tested negative. Authorities will continue monitoring the group, and updates will only be shared if a positive case is confirmed. Hantavirus is usually spread through rodent exposure, while human-to-human transmission is rare and typically needs close contact, offering fresh reassurance.
OpenAI is facing a US class-action lawsuit accusing the company of secretly embedding tracking technology on ChatGPT. The complaint alleges users’ private conversations and personal details were automatically transmitted to Meta and Google without their knowledge. The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief and statutory damages of ₹5,000 per violation under California Penal Code Section 637.2.
Forza Horizon 6 leaked files reportedly showed up on SteamDB weeks before early access and the official release. While Steam preloads are typically encrypted until launch, the leak appears to have prompted account bans for some users who accessed or shared the material. The incident raises a key question for gamers: what counts as safe “early access” versus risky downloads?
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been named an official supporter of the 2026 World Cup across North America and Asia, signaling a bigger push to deepen its ties with global football. The move complements Saudi Arabia’s plan to host the 2034 World Cup and backs wider initiatives, including grassroots and youth development, supported by its ongoing international sports investments.
Archaeologists have solved the mystery of a 1,000-year-old Polish church known as the Rotunda of the Holy Virgin Mary, which baffled experts for lacking any visible door. New non-invasive radar and thermal imaging suggests it functioned as a private palace chapel, entered internally from a neighboring royal residence, reshaping how historians understand its role.
Scott-Vincent Borba, co-founder of e.l.f. Cosmetics, walked away from a fortune from the $3 billion beauty brand after saying wealth and success still left him feeling empty. He’s giving up major assets, including a beach house and an Aston Martin, to pursue a calling as a Catholic priest. His decision spotlights burnout and why many chase meaning beyond money.
Actress Mouni Roy and her husband Suraj Nambiar have confirmed their separation, responding directly to divorce rumours with a joint statement. They said they’ve decided to move forward on separate paths and will handle personal matters privately. Despite parting ways, they expressed a wish to cherish their friendship going ahead, steering clear of further specifics.
Delhi Metro is set to launch a hydrogen-powered shuttle bus service in Central Vista to encourage government employees to commute by public transport. The weekday service will connect Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth metro stations with major government offices, using just two hydrogen-fuelled buses during peak office hours. The move is part of wider energy-saving efforts in the area.
Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been named in the India A squad for a 50-over tri-nation series in Sri Lanka. The competition features hosts Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A, with India A seeking strong performances as a platform to test and develop young talent for the next phase of their careers.
As West Asia remains volatile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iran’s Abbas Araghchi and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov in New Delhi during the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting. Araghchi used unusually sharp language, accusing the US of “bullying” and urging member states to unite against what he called a US-imposed world order, even as no peace pathway is in view.
Indian companies and lenders cut foreign borrowing filings sharply in March, with ECB intentions falling to USD 5.43 billion. RBI data points to global financial market uncertainty behind the slowdown. While the figure is down from last year’s level, it is still higher than February’s filings, even as major firms moved ahead with new projects and loan refinancing.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss the Ukraine war and West Asia. Modi reiterated India’s long-standing focus on dialogue and diplomacy, while Lavrov briefed him on bilateral cooperation and conveyed greetings to President Putin. Lavrov is also set to attend the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in the same context.
Wall Street began higher on Thursday as Nvidia shares jumped, lifting overall sentiment. Investors also weighed fresh economic data and closely tracked developments tied to a high-stakes U.S.-China summit. With chip momentum in focus and geopolitics adding uncertainty, traders balanced near-term gains against potential volatility ahead.
UP RERA has issued a buyer advisory urging residents to verify key details before purchasing property. The regulator recommends checking land titles, sanctioned maps, inventory and bank account records, quarterly progress reports, and the builder’s complaint history. The goal is simple: ensure transparency, reduce fraud risk, and avoid buying into projects with unclear or inconsistent documentation.
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