Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
NPCI, the body behind India’s UPI payments system, has tightened rules by capping daily transactions per account at 10. This is a drop from the earlier limit of 20, introduced via a circular dated October 21. The move targets artificial, incentive-driven transactions that can distort usage patterns on the platform.
As Tim Cook prepares to step down as Apple CEO in September, he has shared a deeply personal farewell letter to the global Apple community. Cook reflects on his 15-year journey, the trust he says users placed in Apple, and his human connection to millions worldwide. He also signals confidence in successor John Ternus to guide the next chapter.
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Astronomers say Comet 3I/Atlas is an interstellar visitor likely among the oldest ever confirmed, possibly dating back about 11 billion years. Traced to a cold, isolated part of the Milky Way that hadn’t yet formed a solar system, it arrived harmlessly after being discovered last summer. Multiple telescopes tracked it as it passed Mars and approached Earth in late 2024.
A newly surfaced video shows an American police officer allegedly shooting and killing an unarmed suspect during a confrontation. Reports say the officer repeatedly warned the suspect to back away, but the suspect continued to advance. The incident, which took place in New York on Saturday, has triggered widespread anger and calls for accountability as authorities review what happened.
After Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, senior pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj shared a fun post-match banter. A clip from MI’s official handle shows Bumrah roasting Siraj in a light, friendly way, turning the high-pressure win into something heartwarming for fans.
Mumbai Indians’ head coach Mahela Jayawardene clarified why Mitchell Santner was removed for a concussion substitute during the IPL 2026 match against CSK at Wankhede Stadium. Addressing the controversy around Shardul Thakur replacing Santner, Jayawardene said Santner’s condition prompted the decision, aiming to reassure fans that concussion protocols were followed.
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Alvarez and Marsal (A&M) India has appointed Aditya Jain as Managing Director for Business Transformation Services, based in Gurugram. He will scale the firm’s Global Capability Center and deepen sector capabilities using analytics and technology. With over 25 years’ experience—including building BCG’s Global Capability Center in India—Jain is set to strengthen A&M’s transformation execution at speed and scale.
For years, authorities cited falling violence and a tourism boom in Kashmir as signs militancy was fading. But the April 22 Pahalgam attack points to a shift: investigators say the assault involved planned entry through forests, with AK-47s and M4 carbines, and targeting a meadow reachable only by foot or horseback. The threat appears to be adapting, not disappearing.
India’s government dismissed circulating claims of a ₹25 per litre petrol and diesel price hike, with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas calling the reports “mischievous” and intended to trigger panic. The clarification followed attention to a Kotak Institutional Equities research note that projected a possible jump after state elections conclude on April 29.
A software engineer in Hyderabad, accused of drug addiction and job loss, was arrested after police raided his home and reportedly found cannabis cultivation on his terrace. Authorities said they recovered 17 cannabis plants, including some already flowering, with several reportedly reaching up to three metres in height, prompting the arrest.
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The Allahabad High Court dismissed a husband’s appeal against interim maintenance, ruling that financial hardship cannot be used to dodge the legal duty to support a wife. The court also observed that if a person cannot maintain a family, they should reconsider marriage altogether, reinforcing maintenance rights during matrimonial disputes.
Two-time Paralympic medallist Sumit Antil has accused javelin coach Naval Singh of mental harassment and repeated verbal abuse. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has reportedly backed Antil’s complaint submitted to the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The allegations raise fresh concerns about athlete treatment and coaching practices, as authorities review the matter.
Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki died of cardiac arrest on the verge of the Bangladesh Premier League match against Rajshahi Royals. He collapsed at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and was taken to hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. The timing shocked teams as preparations for the fixture were underway.
A family holiday at “Heaven Resort” in Rajkot, Gujarat turned tragic after a 33-year-old man drowned in the swimming pool. CCTV footage reportedly shows Ajay Rathod falling into the water while a child nearby looks on helplessly. The clip has sparked shock and questions over pool safety and on-site supervision, as authorities respond to the incident.
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US officials say Navy Secretary John C Phelan has left the Trump administration immediately, with Undersecretary Hung Cao stepping in as acting Secretary of the Navy. The change was confirmed by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell as Washington continues responding to escalating Iran-related tensions.
Larsen & Toubro has incorporated wholly owned subsidiary Vyoma.AI to launch data centres and AI infrastructure, positioning it as a next-gen sovereign AI cloud. The company plans jurisdiction-first architecture so enterprise data, workloads and systems stay within approved Indian regulatory boundaries. Vyoma follows L&T’s NVIDIA partnership and its AI-first sovereign cloud platform launched earlier this year.
Bengaluru startup Sarvam AI is reportedly in advanced talks to raise $300–$350 million, valuing it around $1.5–$1.55 billion, with Bessemer likely leading and major global investors expected to join. The funding push aligns with IndiaAI Mission efforts toward sovereign, localized AI, where Sarvam has showcased India-trained language models and voice-first systems supporting 22 languages, plus agentic tools for enterprise tasks.
Bluesky has raised its photo upload limits, allowing users to post higher-quality images than before. The new cap increases maximum file size to 2MB and expands the maximum resolution to 4000 x 4000, making it easier to share detailed photos without heavy compression or cropping.
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The Delhi and new Noida airport plans are pitted against each other not just on flights, but on the time cost of reaching them. While one side improves connectivity, the other forces passengers to navigate delays, access gaps, and longer commutes. The result: your total travel time may decide the winner more than routes do.
The NIA has attached multiple immovable properties linked to a Jaish-e-Mohammad operative connected to the 2017 fidayeen attack on the CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir. The action follows fresh directions from the NIA Special Court in Jammu under Section 33(1) of the UAPA. Officials say it targets terror financing and aims to dismantle JeM’s financial network.
Vedanta Limited shares jumped more than 3% to hit a record high near ₹795 after the board set May 1, 2026 as the record date for its massive five-way 1:1 demerger. Investors are betting the corporate split will unlock value by turning the conglomerate into multiple pure-play listed firms, boosting optimism around future growth.
The Embassy of India in Italy has rejected a viral video by an Indian national, calling the claims “false and fabricated.” The controversy follows allegations that the individual received little assistance and poor treatment at the diplomatic mission, amid a dispute over security protocol. The embassy’s rebuttal seeks to put the record straight as the story spreads online.
Kailash Kher abruptly halted his concert in Gwalior during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary celebrations after the crowd turned unruly. Witnesses reported fans jumping the barricades, creating chaos and disrupting the performance. The singer left the stage mid-way, with the event throwing the spotlight on crowd control and venue security as festivities spiraled.
Banaras Hindu University has released the mop-up round seat allotment schedule for BHU’s undergraduate admissions. Candidates must not withdraw or cancel their seats after 11:59 pm on October 1, as the university will calculate final vacancies based on this deadline. The mop-up round will then proceed for eligible applicants based on the updated seats.
Lucknow Super Giants extended their slide in IPL 2026 with a fourth straight loss, going down to Rajasthan Royals by 40 runs. Speaking after the match, RR all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja detailed his batting approach, insisting the chase conditions and bowling pressure made it far from straightforward, and that small adjustments made the difference when it mattered most.
Tension flared in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district when a state-wide shutdown called by the United Naga Council to protest killings of two Naga individuals turned violent. Tangkhul Naga youth enforcing the shutdown confronted Kuki community members trying to clear the road, escalating into chaos, physical altercations, and reports of gunfire.
BJP leader Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore accused Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge of “verbal violence” toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying Kharge’s remark insults voters who elected him. Rathore demanded an apology and linked the controversy to broader political dynamics, including comments on Bengal politics and discussions around statehood in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a meeting with US President Donald Trump is likely to happen “in the near future,” adding that talks to end the war with Russia are moving without delays. The update follows Zelenskyy’s “good conversation” with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, suggesting momentum in US-led engagement.
VV Rajesh, the BJP state secretary and Kodunganoor ward councillor, was elected Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, becoming the first BJP mayor in the city. He secured 51 votes with support from 50 BJP councillors and one independent councillor, while LDF’s RP Shivaji received 29 and UDF’s KS Sabarinathan 17.
India’s Consulate General in Toronto expressed deep anguish after a 20-year-old Indian doctoral student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough on Tuesday, local time. Toronto Police said officers responded to reports of a shooting in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area, where the student was pronounced dead at the scene.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump after he used an “hellhole” remark about India. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the comment was “obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste,” adding that India noted both the initial remark and the later US statement.
Infosys says it has completed its acquisition of Stratus, a U.S. technology solutions provider focused on property and casualty insurance. With more than 450 professionals and deep Guidewire expertise, Stratus will combine with Infosys’ Topaz AI and Cobalt cloud offerings to accelerate modernization, cloud adoption, and AI-driven improvements in underwriting, claims, fraud detection, and customer experience.
Salmon has raised $100M in equity and debt to expand digital credit for underbanked Filipinos, including people with little or no credit history. The startup is also aiming at borrowers frustrated by the reliability gaps of incumbent lenders. With the funding, Salmon plans to widen access to credit while navigating a market where traditional underwriting can leave many behind.
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has renewed her plea for Kashmiri undertrials lodged in far-off jails after the High Court dismissed her PIL as politically motivated. She alleges years-long trial delays, long separations, and growing hardships for families, urging faster proceedings and relief for detainees who remain stuck despite pending cases.
TV actor Parth Samthaan has announced a temporary break from social media, saying online negativity has left him disturbed. In an Instagram Story, he claimed he and his family have been targeted through alleged personal attacks via fake accounts. Samthaan added it feels pointless to name names, signaling he wants distance from the harassment rather than a public back-and-forth.
US President Donald Trump claims Iran is privately eager to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to recover from staggering daily economic losses, contradicting Tehran’s public rhetoric of resisting any deal. The continued shipping paralysis through the choke point is tightening global energy markets, raising prices and uncertainty for traders worldwide.
A video circulating online claims a Chinese-made MLRS rocket launcher exploded during a live rocket launch amid an intense Cambodia–Thailand border clash. Reports say eight Cambodian soldiers were killed in the incident. The footage has reignited scrutiny over the weapon’s reliability while raising fears that the blasts could further inflame already volatile cross-border tensions.
The Philippines will debut India’s newly acquired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in Balikatan 2026 war games, using a simulation firing mode rather than live launches. Delivered from a $375 million 2022 deal, the land-based system is already integrated with the Marine Corps’ Coastal Defense Regiment. The exercise, featuring 17,000 troops, underscores rising deterrence near the South China Sea.
Indian public-sector banks are highly exposed to climate risk because their lending is concentrated in energy, metals, and mining. While a few banks have started taking small steps, many still under-assess how climate change affects their portfolios and fail to manage the environmental impact of their operations—leaving deposits indirectly linked to rising emissions.
West Bengal’s Phase 1 recorded a striking 92.86% voter turnout across 16 districts, covering North Bengal, parts of South Bengal, and Jangalmahal areas. The Election Commission “saluted” voters for participating in large numbers. Amid the high turnout, Congress alleged an attack on its party agent by TMC workers in Berhampore, escalating political claims around the voting day.
Tensions spike as Prime Minister Modi grants India’s armed forces broad operational freedom to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. Pakistani officials, alarmed by India’s escalation, rushed to frame accusations against New Delhi as “Judge, Jury, Executioner,” yet broadcast signs of panic and losing ground to the fast-moving diplomatic and security posture.
Redwood Materials has suffered leadership shakeups after a recent restructuring and layoffs, according to TechCrunch. The company’s COO, former Tesla executive Chris Lister, is retiring, and at least three other VPs have also left. The departures point to a broader reset in how the recycling and battery materials firm is organizing its leadership and operations.
A fresh lunar race is accelerating as the US Artemis push for crewed Moon landings collides with China’s 2030 goal. Beyond who plants flags, both sides are racing to shape the governance framework for future lunar activity. India is also ramping up, targeting a Moon landing by 2040 as the “new space order” takes shape.
India’s delivery workers have called a New Year’s Eve strike to protest long working hours, low earnings, lack of social security, and safety risks tied to ultra-fast delivery expectations. Gig work may be keeping cities moving, but workers say the “10-minute” model pushes them into unsafe conditions with little protection, prompting fresh pressure on platforms and regulators.
A viral video has sparked outrage in West Bengal as Trinamool Congress leader Dalim Sheikh allegedly threatened locals, telling them he would cut them to pieces if they voted for any party other than TMC in the upcoming assembly elections. The clip has spread rapidly on social media, intensifying political backlash as the election campaign heats up.
Pune police carried out a prohibition raid in Kondhwa on Thursday at Kakade Vasti, leading to the seizure of Rs 1,00,85,950 in cash and a large stock of illicit liquor. The operation was led by crime branch unit officials, and three people have been booked as investigations continue into the suspected illegal liquor trade.
Mumbai Indians delivered a dominant 99-run win over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 at Ahmedabad. Tilak Varma starred with an unbeaten 101 off just 45 balls, earning Player of the Match and registering a rare milestone in IPL history. MI’s control in the chase and Varma’s rapid finishing set the tone as Gujarat struggled to keep up throughout the contest.
NTPC is drawing up an ambitious green hydrogen roadmap to diversify into clean energy, but early movers face sharp headwinds. Technology uncertainty, high pricing, limited local electrolyser manufacturing and still-maturing regulations could slow scale-up and raise costs. The bet hinges on how quickly costs fall and standards solidify enough for projects to move beyond pilots.
Protests erupted at Jammu’s Lok Bhawan as Hindu groups, led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, burned an effigy of LG Manoj Sinha. The anger stems from allegations over the composition of the first MBBS batch at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, with protesters demanding cancellation of admissions after many selected candidates, they claim, were drawn disproportionately from a particular group.
India is reportedly shifting from a “light-touch” approach to AI regulation by forming a Technology and Policy Expert Committee and an interministerial AI Governance and Economic Group. The new framework targets deepfakes, cybersecurity threats, and platform accountability across vital sectors. India is also revising intermediary rules to require clearer labeling of AI-generated content by 2026.
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