Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Wombats stand out in the animal kingdom for producing cube shaped feces. Researchers attribute the unusual form to biomechanics inside their digestive tracts, where alternating contractions and muscle elasticity differences, along with extended digestion and dehydration, help the waste keep its blocky shape. The cube matters for marking territory by preventing rolling and preserving scent longer.
India’s peak power demand surged to an all-time high of 252.07 GW on Friday as an intensifying heat wave drives households and businesses to lean harder on cooling devices. With air conditioners and coolers running more, experts expect electricity demand to keep climbing over the weekend and into May and June.
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Bhangar and Canning Purba are bracing for a high-stakes Bengal election battle as Trinamool Congress faces a tougher-than-usual challenge from the Indian Secular Front. With both sides campaigning aggressively, locals fear clashes may intensify before voting on April 29. The result could be pivotal for ISF’s bid to expand its footprint in the state.
The Supreme Court has asked all states and Union Territories to create realistic action plans to implement minimum ICU standards. An expert guideline will outline what to prioritize—five essential manpower and equipment requirements—along with a compliance and monitoring mechanism. Authorities must submit a final report within three weeks, setting a tight timeline for readiness.
A fragile lull is taking hold across the Middle East as conditional ceasefires follow recent fighting. Yet millions remain displaced and fear renewed strikes. Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas may be weakened but still active, while Israel faces growing pressure to prove military gains. The US is pushing for a nuclear deal and broader regional peace, but tension around the Strait of Hormuz keeps risk high.
Scientists say ant colonies can be hijacked: parasitic queens release chemical signals that change the host colony’s scent. Workers then misidentify their own queen as an intruder and help kill her. The finding upends assumptions that ant societies rely on simple cooperation, showing how finely tuned parasite strategies can destabilize entire insect communities.
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L&T Finance reported a 27 percent rise in March-quarter profit after tax, climbing to Rs 807 crore. The company attributes the jump to higher interest income alongside strong retail loan disbursements. Core net interest also increased, signaling improving earnings momentum driven by consumer credit growth during the quarter.
Indian markets saw a broad sell-off, with Nifty and Sensex closing sharply lower. IT stocks led the decline, while pharma, healthcare, and energy also came under pressure. Analysts expect Nifty to trade within a range, citing support around 23,700–23,650 and resistance near 24,200–24,250 after the move below key EMAs.
Nvidia has crossed a $5 trillion market cap as investors rush toward its AI chips amid a surge in demand. The broader rally is spilling into AMD and Intel as AI infrastructure projects accelerate faster than chip supply can keep up. The result is a sharp valuation jump driven less by replacement cycles and more by the race to build computing capacity now.
AAP fired back after BJP shared alleged “Sheesh Mahal” images linked to Arvind Kejriwal, calling them fake and saying they were sourced from Pinterest. The party escalated the dispute by challenging Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and the LG to open their own homes for public comparison. The back-and-forth is set to deepen the political optics around housing allegations.
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Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has enabled Bengaluru residents to download e-Khata online. The process uses the user’s SAS Property Tax ID, cutting out office visits and reducing delays. With the digital option, citizens can access and retrieve their e-Khata anytime, streamlining property-related work such as transactions and tax payments across the city.
Siddharth Vora says the market looks more attractive after a recent correction, prompting a shift toward smallcaps. His portfolio stays overweight in metals, power, and materials, while he continues to avoid IT. In a contrarian move, he points to oil marketing companies following his exit from ONGC.
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is preparing a major international ramp-up. Starting in early May, Terminal 3’s Pier C will begin handling international passengers, expanding the airport’s annual international capacity by nearly 50%. The move is expected to reduce bottlenecks and strengthen Delhi’s position as a global aviation hub as more routes move through T3.
A woman in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, died by suicide and left behind a 12-page note reportedly blaming her Bengaluru-based techie fiancé. Allegations say he told her he had no feelings, cited past relationships with multiple women, and pressured her to call off the wedding. Police have taken note of the claims as the case deepens.
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The Dutch government is considering a €49 summer ticket offering unlimited off-peak travel on public transport, backed by the PRO party. The idea is to reduce reliance on cars amid rising fuel costs and an ongoing energy crisis. If approved, the pass could make leisure trips about 60% cheaper and is being lined up for parliamentary backing.
The Election Commission of India has ordered the suspension of five police officials in West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour, including an IPS officer. The ECI acted after allegations of serious misconduct and a failure to maintain impartiality ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Disciplinary proceedings are expected against the suspended officials as the polling process gears up.
A speeding car hit an autorickshaw near Asita Park in East Delhi on Saturday, police said. The auto, carrying passengers from ITO to Anand Vihar Railway Station, left the auto driver and two children injured. Officers reached quickly, took custody of the damaged vehicle, and launched an investigation to identify and trace the absconding occupants of the car.
Belgium’s Ageas Group is ramping up its India strategy, targeting a place among the top 10 insurers in both life and non-life. The firm is actively scouting acquisition opportunities while deepening its local footprint, building on earlier strategic steps to strengthen its market presence and speed up expansion.
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Militants carried out a coordinated assault in Bamako and other parts of Mali on Saturday morning, the army said. Witnesses reported two loud explosions and sustained gunfire near the Kati military base before 6 a.m. Soldiers were deployed to block roads, suggesting a planned, multi-location operation rather than isolated attacks.
Since 2011, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has anchored her political strategy on tightly targeted welfare schemes, increasingly challenged by the BJP. Central to this is Lakshmir Bhandar, which now pays women ₹1,500 for general category and ₹1,700 for SC and ST beneficiaries after a revision. The programme has become a major voter outreach tool.
Gurbax Singh Grewal, the former Indian men’s hockey player and a bronze medal winner with the 1968 Mexico City squad, has died at 84. He passed away on Friday evening in Zirakpur near Chandigarh, reportedly after a heart attack. Grewal’s Olympic achievement remains a defining chapter in India’s hockey history.
The RBI has cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank due to ongoing compliance issues. The bank can no longer accept deposits, but the Paytm app and core services are reported to remain unaffected. For users, this means you may still be able to use UPI and other payment features, even as the payments bank’s banking operations end.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sought urgent President’s intervention after seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha, joined the BJP. The sudden shift has sparked a major political crisis and renewed questions over how India’s anti-defection law applies in cases of party switching. The move signals escalation at the highest constitutional level.
As a Trump deadline for answers approaches, the FBI continues investigating missing and dead US scientists and defense personnel. While the cases may total up to a dozen, families of some individuals reject claims that the deaths are connected. Authorities have not officially linked the incidents, and the investigation remains ongoing as questions—and conspiracy theories—build.
SEBI plans to expedite simplification of market regulations, with Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey saying the focus will be ease of doing business for all market participants. The regulator will also invest in technology to strengthen supervision. The effort aims to remove friction, support market development, and contribute to faster economic growth.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir in Islamabad as tensions deepen in talks involving the US and Iran. The visit comes after the White House announced envoys would travel to the region for possible engagement, but Tehran has reiterated it will not meet Washington. The high-level diplomacy underscores rising regional pressure and a stalled track.
BJP launched fresh attacks on AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal over his new bungalow at Lodhi Estate in Delhi, branding it “Sheesh Mahal 2” and alleging he used private money for high-end upgrades. AAP dismissed the allegations as fake, countering the party’s claims. The dispute reignites the bitter political war over housing and funding between BJP and AAP.
Aam Aadmi Party leaders hit back after several Rajya Sabha MPs switched to the BJP. Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP of fearing questions and opposition, arguing that the ruling party can be pressured while ordinary AAP workers face different consequences. The defectors’ formal announcement was welcomed by BJP leadership as a chance to counter the AAP politically.
Singur’s fields and abandoned factory remnants still reflect the 2008 Tata Motors Nano project exit that helped reshape West Bengal’s political fortunes. Mamata Banerjee’s rise followed the controversy, but 18 years later much of the land remains unproductive. Even some former opponents now say they regret lost industrial jobs and opportunities.
Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has officially joined the BJP, following Raghav Chadha’s similar switch. Maliwal alleged that Arvind Kejriwal had her beaten and later pressured her to withdraw an FIR. She also blamed AAP leadership for misgovernance and corruption in Punjab, while praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his “historic” decisions.
The RBI has revoked Paytm Payments Bank’s licence, citing governance and management practices harmful to depositors and the public. The decision, under the Banking Regulation Act, takes effect from April 24, 2026 and will bar Paytm Payments Bank from operating as a bank. RBI will seek winding up through the High Court, while Paytm says it is not financially affected.
Iran has restarted commercial flights from Tehran to Istanbul, Muscat and Medina, signaling a partial shift amid an indefinite ceasefire that has paused most fighting. U.S. envoys are traveling to Pakistan for talks with Iran, as Pakistan seeks to reassemble negotiations. Despite calmer battle lines, global energy shipments remain disrupted and casualties have been significant.
A 23-year-old lawyer in Kanpur, who allegedly jumped from the fifth floor of a court, left a WhatsApp suicide note accusing his father of atrocities and childhood trauma. In the message, he wrote that he “lost” and his father “won,” adding that he hoped no one would “get a father like him” and that his father “should not even touch” his body.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma told Republic that BJP is on track for a “comfortable win” in West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, forecasting over 200 seats. He attributed strong support to peaceful first-phase polling, saying earlier violence had deterred voters in prior contests, but calm conditions this time should increase turnout.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh has threatened a defamation lawsuit against Delhi minister Parvesh Verma and media outlets, alleging that viral photos of Arvind Kejriwal’s new residence are fake. Verma had claimed the bungalow is a “Sheesh Mahal 2” built using private funds. Singh also challenged the BJP and LG to open their homes for public inspection.
A young entrepreneur says bank officials persuaded him to buy three non-market linked insurance policies claiming the proceeds were 100% tax-free. He paid around ₹22 lakh in premiums, but later learned that under new tax rules, plans with aggregate premiums above ₹5 lakh can make maturity proceeds taxable. The result: a feared loss of up to ₹15 lakh on surrender.
A row erupted in Karnataka’s Common Entrance Test over allegations that students were asked to remove their sacred janeu threads before writing. The BJP accused the Congress government of religious discrimination and appeasement, while the college suspended an invigilator and ordered a government probe. Police have also detained staff for questioning as the dispute escalates.
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh slammed seven Rajya Sabha MPs who joined the BJP, calling the move unconstitutional and contrary to parliamentary rules. He argued the defectors’ switch was invalid and demanded strict action from the Rajya Sabha Chairman. Singh said the way the MPs moved to the BJP violated constitutional provisions, setting the stage for a formal political and procedural showdown.
Microsoft has launched a voluntary retirement scheme for thousands of US employees, targeting about 7% of its workforce as it reshapes staffing and trims expenses while investing heavily in AI. A company memo says participants may be treated as retired if their combined age and years of service reach 70. Eligibility varies, and some roles are excluded.
Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Salim Ahmed, alias Salim Vastavik, a YouTuber and martial arts instructor who had evaded authorities for 31 years in a 1995 kidnapping and murder case. The 13-year-old victim was killed after the abduction, and Vastavik’s arrest ends years of disappearance and brings the long pending life sentence closer to execution.
India is preparing for Census 2027, its 16th national count, set to become the world’s largest digital enumeration exercise. The plan includes digital integration and mobile-based data collection to capture detailed demographic, social, and economic information. Authorities also intend to conduct comprehensive caste enumeration, with government funding approved to support accurate policymaking.
The RBI cancelled Paytm Payments Bank’s license for regulatory non-compliance, pointing to harmful operations and issues with management. Bernstein calls the move incrementally negative for One 97 Communications but keeps an “Outperform” rating, estimating up to 30% upside. Paytm says its core services are unaffected and expects continuity while the business navigates the fallout.
Just a day after seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, reportedly moved to the BJP, fresh reports claim trouble is spreading in Punjab. Sources suggest as many as 43 Punjab MLAs are in touch with Chadha, signaling a potential internal split that could further weaken the party’s state leadership and strategy.
Copper prices are hovering near record highs, powered by AI-driven data centre demand, accelerating electrification, tight mine supply and geopolitical disruptions. After a pullback from recent peaks, prices are consolidating at elevated levels. Market analysts say structural demand from EVs, renewables and infrastructure should keep the long-term outlook bullish even as short-term volatility continues.
Derrick Callella has been arrested in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance after allegedly sending bitcoin ransom texts to the Guthrie family. Police believe most ransom notes they received were fake, and Callella is accused of impersonating someone connected to the case. A trial date has been set as investigators continue to pursue what happened to the 84-year-old.
Lodha Developers is aiming for sales bookings of Rs 24,000 crore in the current fiscal, targeting roughly 17% growth on steady housing demand. In the previous year, bookings rose 16% to Rs 20,530 crore and net profit climbed to Rs 3,430.7 crore from Rs 2,766.6 crore, while total income reached Rs 17,119.5 crore.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has apologised after the company did not alert law enforcement about a user account banned in June. OpenAI later linked the account to a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, saying it identified the account’s “furtherance of violent activities” but judged it below its referral threshold.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that India’s secular character doesn’t bar dharmic and cultural activities. While overturning a Bengaluru civic body order that rejected permission for Malleshwaram Brahmana Sabha to hold Shankaracharya Jayanti at Sankey Tank Park auditorium, the court stressed the events can be allowed. The decision challenges how authorities interpret secularism in practice.
A new look at the Late Cretaceous giant octopus Nanaimoteuthis, nicknamed the Cretaceous Kraken, suggests it hunted like an apex predator. Fossil beaks indicate it could crush hard-shelled prey with extreme force, rivaling other top marine hunters. Even more intriguing, uneven jaw wear hints at repeated, intelligent feeding strategies rather than simple brute strength.
Three men travelling in a BMW and Toyota Fortuner allegedly assaulted toll staff near north Bengaluru after refusing to pay the toll. The accused reportedly claimed links to a local MLA, forced their way through the barrier, and briefly kidnapped the toll worker before assaulting him and a colleague. Police have registered an FIR and are searching for them using CCTV footage.
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