Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Hours after Donald Trump shared a transcript attacking US birthright citizenship, Iran posted that India and China are “cradles of civilisation.” The move is widely read as a diplomatic snub at Trump, coming amid his pressure on Iran over peace-deal talks and negotiations. The contrast spotlights how US domestic immigration rhetoric is spilling into wider international messaging.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex gratia compensation for victims of a tragic road accident in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district. The next of kin of those who died will receive Rs 2 lakh, while injured people will get Rs 50,000. The crash reportedly claimed eight lives, prompting the immediate announcement for support.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
JSW Group sustainability chief Prabodha Acharya says the world lacks a common definition of “green” steel, making claims hard to compare. If “green” is taken to mean carbon free, he argues it isn’t feasible. With different economic growth paths and production methods, he says standards must be set regionally by governments rather than relying on a single global yardstick.
Google and Meta are reportedly building large data centres in Vizag, but questions are rising over whether the local power grid can handle the load. As hyperscale demand approaches, planners and utilities must align upgrades, timelines, and capacity—before growth turns into grid strain and costly delays for everyone involved.
Aston Villa, set for Champions League football, has accelerated its long-planned stadium renovations. Next season, the club will close one end of Villa Park to carry out construction aimed at pushing capacity beyond 50,000. The upgrade is timed to prepare the venue to host UEFA European Championship matches in 2028.
FSSAI has launched a probe into a mass food poisoning incident at a wedding in Gujarat, where large numbers were hospitalised during peak summer. The central regulator says it will investigate how unsafe food was served and has ordered inspections across the state. Officials fear the scale of illness points to serious lapses in food handling and compliance.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
India’s GDP growth outperformed expectations, rising to 8.2% for FY24. For the January to April quarter, growth accelerated to 7.8% compared with 6.2% in the same period last year. Economists say the surprise in the print could signal stronger momentum across sectors heading into the next fiscal stretch.
US agencies are preparing to deploy Anthropic’s frontier AI model Mythos across federal departments even after a Trump-era decision to cut ties. The move is raising alarms among cybersecurity experts and adding fuel to political tensions between administrations, as Mythos is expected to power sensitive government workflows and information handling. The rollout’s scope and safeguards remain unclear.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a video conference with NATO and EU leaders as he prepared for talks with US President Donald Trump in Florida. Zelenskyy urged stronger military and diplomatic stances, warning that Russia’s manipulation must be countered to secure progress toward ending the war.
Apple has officially appointed John Ternus, its long-time hardware chief, as CEO starting September 1, 2026, replacing Tim Cook, who will become Executive Chairman of the board. The change marks Apple’s biggest leadership shift in 15 years. Ternus is expected to drive an AI-first, hardware-heavy strategy, while Cook will focus on global policy engagement and board leadership.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
In a fresh nod to India’s sporting surge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the women’s cricket team for winning their maiden World Cup on home soil. Speaking on his Mann Ki Baat programme, he also recalled moments of pride tied to earlier achievements, highlighting both the women’s historic triumph and the men’s Champions Trophy success.
Rahm Emanuel, seen by some as a potential 2028 US presidential contender, launched a harsh attack on Donald Trump, accusing his administration of sabotaging efforts by previous presidents to strengthen US-India ties. Emanuel’s remarks frame Trump’s approach as undermining long-running relationship-building, sparking fresh debate over the direction of Washington’s India policy.
Andrew Hugg, a senior US military official linked to nuclear and chemical safety, has been placed on administrative leave after a video circulated online that allegedly shows him sharing sensitive information. The US Army has launched an investigation and confirmed he was removed from duty pending a fuller review of what was revealed and how.
LightFury Games, a AAA-focused studio building a mobile-first cricket game called eCricket, has raised $11 million in a Pre-Series A. The round includes investors MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, plus Shreyas Iyer and others. The funding targets core development and live-ops pipelines ahead of a 2026 release.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police says two key suspects in the murder of Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi fled to India via the Meghalaya border after the killing. Police made the claim during a press briefing, alleging the route was used to escape authorities. Investigations are ongoing as Dhaka seeks cooperation to track and apprehend the accused.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology claims that regular use of Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash may increase cancer risk. Researchers say it is associated with higher levels of oral bacteria linked to periodontal disease and cancers of the esophagus and colon. The authors urge consistent oral hygiene practices to lower risk and keep mouths healthy.
US Vice President JD Vance’s planned trip to Islamabad for negotiations with Iran has been indefinitely cancelled, The Wall Street Journal reports. The move comes after President Donald Trump announced a “ceasefire extension” and urged a unified Iranian proposal. Analysts say the decision signals a shift toward coordinating a single diplomatic approach rather than running separate outreach tracks.
A multi-vehicle collision near Barkha Ghuman Baisod Balay Hill in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, killed 11 people and left others injured. The crash occurred around 8:30 pm under the jurisdiction of Drumandganj Police Station, according to Mirzapur police. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced ex gratia compensation for the families of the deceased and for the injured.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
Porsche says it will begin selling the Cayenne Coupe Electric in late summer, expanding its lineup with an all electric version of the popular coupe-style SUV. The company hasn’t detailed pricing or specifications in the provided update, but the timing signals an imminent step toward a more electrified range.
India’s gross FDI inflows rose 13% to $90.8 billion in January 2026, but net FDI remains near all-time lows. Morgan Stanley points to surging profit repatriations and increased outward investment as key drivers, leaving net inflows around $0.5 billion even as gross equity flows hit a three-year high.
Uttarakhand’s crackdown under Operation Kalnemi has resulted in 511 arrests across three districts, targeting people accused of running scams and imposters using religious authority. The drive also detained 19 Bangladeshi nationals, as officials say the action aims to protect Uttarakhand’s cultural identity and maintain law and order amid concerns about illegal residency.
Riteish Deshmukh, starring as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Raja Shivaji, has broken his silence after the trailer sparked controversy over alleged historical inaccuracies. With the film set to release on May 1, the actor is addressing questions raised by viewers and critics, framing his response around the movie’s creative choices and context.
The first phase of West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 has been marred by violence in Murshidabad district. On April 23, a crude bomb explosion in Nowda and reported clashes between CPI(M) and TMC in Domkal reportedly left multiple people injured. The incidents have intensified concerns over election-day security as the campaign enters its early phase.
US President Donald Trump said he would not use a nuclear weapon in the conflict with Iran, stressing such arms should never be used. He linked the message to wider efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, adding that the US has a strong economy and sufficient oil supplies as ships reroute amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
With India’s steel sector responsible for around 35% of industrial CO2 emissions, Tata Steel and JSW Energy are pursuing green hydrogen to produce low-carbon steel. The move could reshape one of the hardest industries to abate, but it comes with massive infrastructure and financing requirements. The question: can their roadmap scale across the sector?
The Delhi High Court has ordered the immediate removal of social media posts and videos showing or referencing recent court proceedings involving Arvind Kejriwal and other senior AAP leaders. In its direction, the court asked major platforms including X, Google, and Meta to take down the viral content related to the April 13 hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.
US President Donald Trump suggested a possible diplomatic breakthrough with Iran within 36 to 72 hours, sharing the optimism via a text message reported by The New York Post. The remarks come after Trump extended a two-week ceasefire, saying Pakistan requested the delay to help Iran’s fractured leadership craft a unified proposal, even as Strait of Hormuz tensions rise.
President Donald Trump read 2 Chronicles during a livestreamed Bible marathon from the Oval Office, reviving a verse many associate with America as a Christian nation. Supporters see spiritual unity, while critics argue it turns scripture into a political signal—intensifying religious and cultural divides across the country.
As India’s healthcare race heats up, preventive tech startup CENT has opened a 7,000 sq ft clinical screening centre in Bengaluru. Built to standardise AI-driven early detection, it aims to find life-threatening conditions in people without symptoms using a CCNM Protocol covering cardiac, cancer, neurological and metabolic tests, including whole-body MRI and ultra-low-dose cardiac CT.
Global hardware companies are pushing to extend timelines for setting up local manufacturing in India for laptops, desktops, and tablets. While they aim to capture a fast-growing market, they’re concerned that India’s licensing rules and quota requirements may disrupt or delay investment and operations, forcing companies to rethink rollout schedules.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is confident the BJP will win a landslide in West Bengal, pointing to Phase 1 polling as proof that the “temple of democracy” has been restored. Speaking at a Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Dumdum, he warned that the TMC’s “Maha Jungle Raj” will soon end, adding that “goons” won’t find space to hide after May 4.
At the 60th UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi accused Pakistan of atrocities, saying Islamabad is responsible for widespread harm. Speaking as Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission, he presented the allegations before the international body, framing them as failures that demand accountability and scrutiny. The remarks intensify diplomatic pressure at the UN over human-rights concerns.
Meta has secured a major deal for Amazon’s homegrown CPUs to power AI agentic workloads, rather than relying on GPUs. The move suggests companies are shifting the chip battlefield beyond accelerators toward general-purpose processing engineered for AI tasks. As demand for agentic systems grows, this CPU-driven sprint could redraw how the next generation of AI infrastructure is built.
The Indian Coast Guard on Friday executed a swift medical evacuation of a 24-year-old Indian sailor from a UK-flagged merchant vessel off the Goa coast. Coast Guard Ship C-427 reached the mariner quickly and helped transfer him for urgent care. The operation was highlighted as a prompt response by the agency, showing its readiness even on foreign flagged ships.
Farooq Abdullah said the Pahalgam terror attack is a “major setback,” adding that peace can only come through dialogue and democratic processes. He also paid tribute to those killed, as authorities tighten security in Pahalgam. New tourist safety measures were introduced alongside the heightened crackdown, aiming to restore confidence for visitors.
Apple CEO Tim Cook told employees in a heartfelt internal memo that “now is the right time” to step away after 15 years leading the company. Cook announced he will transition to the role of Executive Chairman this summer, explaining the timing and rationale behind the change as he prepares to hand over day-to-day leadership.
India’s Online Gaming Act 2025 is set to overhaul the sector from May 1, with MeitY notifying the framework that creates the Online Gaming Authority of India. OGAI will classify games, enforce compliance, and can penalize or shut down platforms. Payments will face added scrutiny as banks and payment gateways must verify gaming registration certificates, while new user protections include age checks and responsible gaming safeguards.
Eight people were killed in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district after a vehicle reportedly lost control and plunged about 300 metres into a deep gorge near Nail. Injured passengers were taken to District Hospital Baurari, where doctors said they are receiving treatment and are out of danger. Police and local officials are investigating the crash.
At the Congress Working Committee meeting, Mallikarjun Kharge raised allegations of “voter deletion” tied to the SIR revision of electoral rolls in nine states and three UTs. He said SIR is part of a wider “conspiracy” to restrict democratic rights. Kharge also condemned violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and recent Christmas-time vandalism in India.
Chennai Metro has introduced stricter noise-control guidelines for 2026, effectively making headphones mandatory. Passengers who play music or videos without headphones, or who take calls on speaker mode, can face a Rs 500 fine. The move aims to cut down on in-train disturbance and improve ride comfort. Commuters are urged to follow the updated conduct rules to avoid penalties.
Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his lawsuit against Sri Lanka Cricket after reportedly being denied a no-objection certificate to play in IPL 2026. The player filed the case only weeks earlier, setting off a legal dispute that put his IPL participation in doubt. The withdrawal suggests the standoff has eased, though details remain unclear.
In Mumbai’s Byculla, Yusuf Pathan’s father-in-law, his son and another relative were arrested for allegedly assaulting a man and his family. The incident followed a dispute reportedly sparked when a car splashed water. Police booked the accused under multiple IPC sections, and said one suspect remains absconding.
Tamil Nadu went to polls on Thursday as Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Senthamizan Seeman, a filmmaker-politician, cast his vote on camera. The video was uploaded immediately and widely circulated on social media, revealing his electoral choice. Netizens questioned whether recording and sharing voting on camera violates electoral protocols, igniting debate online.
IPL 2026’s most anticipated MI vs CSK clash at Wankhede turned into a disappointment for many fans as both MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma missed the game. The match on April 23 saw Mumbai Indians win the toss, setting the early tone for what promised to be a high-voltage showdown—without two of the biggest names in franchise cricket.
India’s government is reportedly considering a limited exemption for early-stage startups from some compliance requirements under the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) bill. The rationale: easing pressure from data-handling obligations that could stifle startups while they develop data models and solutions. The DPDP draft also details strong penalties for breaches and proposes removing compensation provisions from the IT Act.
President Donald Trump reposted a Michael Savage radio rant on Truth Social attacking birthright citizenship, calling it a loophole that allows “anchor babies” to sponsor relatives and weaken U.S. immigration control. The move comes as the Supreme Court weighs arguments over a Trump administration order that challenges how the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to people born in America.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his day on the Hooghly River in Kolkata, meeting boatmen and underscoring the significance of the holy river. During the election season, he reiterated a commitment to accelerate West Bengal’s development. Modi also shared glimpses from the riverside, including moments featuring Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge, and posted his photography from the visit.
When Mariam Naficy poured $2.5 million raised from friends and family into Minted, sales never took off. Instead of quitting, she rethought the company’s approach and leaned into a single “hunch” about what customers would actually buy. The result: a turnaround that fueled rapid growth and now drives about $300 million in annual revenue.
India is considering higher ethanol blending in both petrol and diesel, aiming to cut the country’s 87% crude import dependency. During an inter-ministerial briefing, Petroleum Ministry Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma said talks with stakeholders are underway, reflecting Nitin Gadkari’s vision of moving toward 100% blending. The move targets greater energy self-reliance amid Middle East volatility.
Apple has appointed Johny Srouji as its new Chief Hardware Officer, replacing John Ternus, who is set to become CEO as Apple’s leadership reshuffles. The move underscores how central hardware and Apple’s in-house silicon have become, with Srouji positioned to guide product and chip strategy during a pivotal period for the company.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.