Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
As telecom networks evolve, the energy needed to run them—and the emissions linked to that power—can shift dramatically. While much of the telecom industry’s carbon footprint still comes from connected sectors, telcos cannot sit back. They’ll need to redesign operations and push for efficiency to limit how deep those mobile emissions go as demand grows.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has warned against any social media discussion, analysis, or circulation of its recruitment exam question papers, citing the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The commission says violations can invite severe penalties including jail terms up to 10 years, fines up to ₹1 crore, and disqualification from future exams.
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Bitcoin liquidation losses surged to about $2.56 billion as market volatility spooked investors. Heavy selling spilled beyond crypto into other riskier assets like stocks and precious metals. The broader selloff was intensified by rising anxiety about the evolving AI landscape, alongside additional external market pressures that dented confidence and triggered rapid position closures.
For many Indian students, the US remains a shortcut to a “better life” and big opportunities, even as tuition costs rise sharply. The plan often starts with studying, then aims for a job at multinationals and staying in the country long-term. But for most, the reality is different: it becomes a ticket back home after the degree.
A new Repealing and Amending Act, 2025 removes Section 213 and tweaks Section 370(1) of the Indian Succession Act. The change puts wills of deceased Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Parsi, or Buddhist individuals in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai on par with other parts of India—ending the earlier probate mandate in these cities.
RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta said the central bank is in a “wait and watch” mode on inflation, emphasizing that there is currently no clear evidence of second-round effects. With global headwinds and geopolitical tensions ongoing, the RBI remains optimistic about India’s growth, balancing price stability with support for economic expansion through careful monitoring of external risks.
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RBI’s Master Directions on Frauds were designed to curb rising frauds and safeguard depositors and banks. But the move raises legal and operational questions around the principle of natural justice—how banks can proceed swiftly while ensuring fair notice and opportunity before actions are taken. The result is a complex compliance conundrum for financial institutions.
Indian Railways has rolled out RailParcel, a pilot program to upgrade parcel movement in seven cities. Powered by ROQIT, the platform digitizes logistics workflows, boosts shipment visibility, and plugs into existing railway systems. The initiative is designed to improve efficiency while supporting sustainability goals across the rail network, with the pilot expected to guide wider adoption.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sparked a political firestorm after claiming at a rally that Mahatma Gandhi returned his knighthood in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Critics say the assertion is historically incorrect, prompting backlash ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections and raising questions about the veracity of the remarks.
Indian engineering exports fell sharply in March, with shipments to the UAE down 66.8% and to Saudi Arabia dropping 45%. The downturn is linked to a West Asia crisis that disrupted cargo ship movements. Even with these regional shocks, engineering exports rose overall in March and across the 2025-26 fiscal year, while the US remains the top destination.
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Meta Platforms plans to lay off about 8,000 employees—roughly 10% of its workforce—on May 20. The move comes alongside a freeze on 6,000 open positions as the company seeks greater efficiency while funding major artificial intelligence investments. Employees impacted are expected to receive severance packages and support services to ease the transition.
The CBI has challenged a Delhi High Court order granting bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, convicted in the Unnao rape case. The agency has now moved the Supreme Court to contest the bail decision, escalating legal pressure in a case that already drew national attention. The development could affect Sengar’s interim release as the top court reviews the arguments.
Mumbai Indians were routed by 103 runs by Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2026. Hardik Pandya’s side endured a humiliating defeat, prompting an ex-cricketer to point to the Rohit Sharma factor. The commentary suggests MI have struggled to match the impact he brings, even as CSK controlled the contest.
The Reserve Bank of India has approved Vivek Tripathi’s elevation as Executive Director at AU Small Finance Bank for a three-year term. The bank says he is transitioning from his prior role as Chief Credit Officer and will officially take charge this Friday. The move signals a leadership shift as the lender prepares for the new tenure under RBI approval.
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Belgium is digitizing parts of its immigration work permit process. From May 1, 2026, short-work and commuter permits must be filed online via the “Working in Belgium” portal. The government says the shift will speed up processing and cut errors. Employers will need digital access to complete applications as Belgium expands broader immigration service upgrades.
International flights from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport are scheduled to resume on Saturday, with early services to Istanbul and Muscat. The move signals Iran’s phased reopening of its airspace after weeks of travel disruption, as the country gradually restores global air links by reopening major airports across the country.
Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan has resigned after six seasons, the team announced Tuesday. Donovan chose to step aside rather than continue under a new front office following a turbulent leadership change that included the dismissal of Arturas Karnišovas. Bulls CEO Michael Reinsdorf signaled the direction of the franchise going forward as Donovan exits the bench.
A U.S. move in Caracas and plans to take control of Venezuela’s oil assets are reviving heavy crude exports. Because many U.S. refineries are already configured for Venezuelan grades, Canada could struggle to defend its market share. That pressure may hit Canadian oil revenues and in turn weigh on the Canadian dollar.
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The US move to wind down the Public Health Emergency won’t make Covid disappear overnight. Instead, key containment supports such as free vaccines, free treatment, and free testing are set to end, leaving gaps in coverage. With no “calendar” for the coronavirus, reducing access to core public health tools could weaken protection as infections persist.
Markets paused after a four-day rally on Thursday, and six stocks grabbed attention for big, uneven moves. Hindustan Copper, IndiGo and Ola were among the standout names as gains were supported by rupee-led strength in IT, while other moves were driven by fresh corporate updates and stock-specific pressures.
Tesla says it will add more than 1,000 jobs in Germany, a rare bright spot for an auto industry facing layoffs. While German automakers struggle with high costs and fierce competition from China, Tesla’s move signals potential momentum and a different bet on future demand and production capacity in Europe’s biggest auto market.
Anthropic says reports of “nerfed” Claude Code performance were caused by bugs that degraded the tool’s output. The company has released an update to address the issue and reset users’ rate limits, aiming to restore expected behavior and normalize usage after the malfunction. The fix comes amid growing scrutiny of model performance changes.
The Home Ministry’s Cyber Dost has warned Indians about a fraudulent viral letter falsely claiming recipients accessed child pornography and demanding legal action within 24 hours. The note impersonates the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, including threats of prosecution. Similar messages have been received by The Times of India. Citizens are urged to stay calm and report the cybercrime instead of engaging.
Telangana minister D. S. Reddy said the Warangal airport’s foundation stone will be laid soon after the state handed over 953 acres of land to the Centre for the project. He added that meetings with Airports Authority of India officials covered the wider plan for three new airports proposed in Telangana, signalling early momentum toward construction.
MeitY has announced new rules for online games, exempting games without real money stakes from mandatory registration. Real money games will face stricter evaluation, while banks and payment firms will be responsible for enforcing bans. Competitive e-sports will be classified separately, and required user safety features are set to apply across platforms.
Competitive sport is facing a jolt as a US envoy reportedly urged FIFA to replace Iran with Italy for the upcoming World Cup. The controversial suggestion, framed around Italy’s football pedigree and heritage, shifts attention from on-field performance to subjective criteria. FIFA and fans are left questioning whether such replacements undermine fair competition.
A new Kerala study is investigating whether ethanol-blended fuels are attracting an invasive beetle that could bore into vehicle fuel pipes, potentially triggering fire incidents. The insect is nicknamed “boozy” for its suspected link to ethanol. Ethanol producers in India have dismissed any claims of global scientific evidence, even as the research continues amid a broader climate context.
HCL Tech shares tumbled as much as 8.42% to Rs 1,319.80 after the company announced an interim dividend alongside its Q4FY26 results. The sharp fall suggests investors were not satisfied with the guidance, payout or market expectations, even as the IT services firm shared its latest financial performance.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the foundation laying of a semiconductor plant in Odisha as a historic turning point. The project is expected to strengthen the state’s semiconductor ecosystem and accelerate advanced electronics manufacturing. Investors include global firms such as Intel and Lockheed Martin. Odisha is also widening its industrial base beyond metals and minerals to build an IT and tech-driven future.
Prime residential property prices in India kept rising, reducing how much space $1 million can buy in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Despite all three cities moving up in global property affordability and market rankings, the purchasing power in real square footage tightened—highlighting how faster price growth is outpacing buyers’ expectations.
India has issued fresh guidelines aimed at curbing “dark patterns” used by brands and advertisers—tactics that nudge customers into unintended purchases or hide extra charges until it’s too late. The big question now is whether the rules will effectively change how firms design checkout flows and marketing prompts, or if smarter workarounds will follow.
Real estate transactions in Dubai dropped 14% in early April as West Asia conflict dented buyer sentiment and sharply cooled rental demand. Some smaller developers countered with discounts and more flexible payment plans, while prices largely held steady. After a ceasefire, enquiries reportedly improved, but experts warn deals may take time and prolonged tensions could trigger additional price corrections and slower activity.
The India US trade deal is set to lower tariffs to 18%, reducing uncertainty and boosting exports, the rupee, and overall sentiment—at a scale that could rival the EU pact. But the tariff level is still far above pre Trump rates, and key hurdles remain, including FDI, capital flow pressure, and higher energy costs.
Bharat Pensioners Samaj (BPS) and NCCPA have urged the 8th Pay Commission to fix issues with the memorandum submission portal. BPS cited technical glitches and demanded alternative submission options plus a deadline extension, while NCCPA asked for more sub-questions to ensure pensions-related concerns are covered in detail. The push comes ahead of the memorandum submissions window.
ETS has opened its first dedicated TOEFL and GRE test centre in Kashmir, marking the first such facility by a global assessment organization in the region. The move is expected to reduce travel and access barriers for local students aiming for international higher education, and provides a dedicated venue for major exam preparation and testing.
Twelve students scored a perfect 100 in JEE Main 2026, with Rajasthan producing the most toppers at three. Andhra Pradesh followed with two, while Delhi, Bihar, Odisha, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana each contributed one. Notably, all 12 perfect scorers were male. The National Testing Agency also used OTP-based Aadhaar E-KYC for candidate authentication during registration.
Fashinza, a global fashion supply-chain platform, has reported EBITDA profitability in its first profitable quarter, a milestone it previously aimed for but could not sustain yet. The startup is now shifting focus from a single strong quarter to achieving full-year profitability in the upcoming financial year, signaling stronger cost control and execution.
A new Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha removes tax demands linked to indirect transfer of Indian assets for transactions before 28 May 2012. Instead, the rule will operate prospectively, taxing gains from selling foreign company shares only when those shares draw value from Indian assets. The move aims to end uncertainty over retro claims while preserving the policy’s core intent.
Bitcoin surged to an eight-week high near $97,000 as easing inflation fears and upbeat regulatory signals boosted investor confidence. Heavy inflows into Bitcoin ETFs added momentum, while major altcoins largely pulled back. Overall crypto market value neared $3.25 trillion, and Bitcoin and Ethereum held steady despite lingering economic uncertainty, suggesting renewed institutional interest.
DPIIT held a stakeholder meeting on the proposed e-commerce policy, bringing together domestic and foreign companies, according to an official. The discussion aimed to gather inputs from industry players as the government considers key rules for how online commerce should operate in India, including participation and compliance expectations for businesses involved in the sector.
Rajasthan’s education department has started the process to fill 6,146 lecturer vacancies, including 773 science-specific positions. The move is aimed at aligning senior secondary science streams with NITI Aayog guidelines. Vacancies are being handled as per recruitment norms, with approvals for additional streams and further hiring proceeding after commission and promotion-related steps.
The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning Americans about mobile apps developed by China-based companies. It says China’s national security laws could allow authorities to request access to user data. The agency cautions that popular apps may collect details like names, emails, phone numbers and contact lists, then store that information on servers in China for an indefinite time.
The UN says countries’ current carbon-cutting pledges would only deliver about a 10% emissions reduction by 2035—well below what climate goals require. The report also notes it couldn’t build a full global picture because many nations failed to submit plans on time. China’s first absolute target to cut emissions by 7–10% is included in the estimate.
As conflict-related volatility rattles investor sentiment in the Middle East, many are looking beyond Dubai for capital and wealth management. The search is turning toward GIFT City, where investors see regulatory stability and proximity to fast-growing markets like India. The shift highlights how geopolitical risk is reshaping cross-border portfolio planning and where funds may park next.
For AY 2026-27, NRIs choosing the presumptive income scheme will need to make an extra disclosure in the new ITR forms: separate reporting of gross receipts and presumptive income. The update targets presumptive taxation provisions under Sections 44B, 44BB, 44BBA, 44BBC, and 44BBD, aiming to improve transparency and enable better matching with tax data.
Tesla is set to use Intel’s advanced 14A chip manufacturing technology for its Terafab project, marking Intel’s first key customer for the 14A process. Intel expects the win to strengthen confidence in its next-generation manufacturing roadmap as it looks for more chipmaking clients. For Elon Musk, the partnership supports ambitions in robotics and data centers.
A new report says UAE listed real estate firms start 2026 from a position of strength, citing strong sales momentum and record project backlogs at Emaar and Aldar. Demand for residential investment in the region and steady commercial activity have bolstered pipelines. But investors may face uneven risks, especially concerns over Dubai’s supply pipeline that could cap further stock gains.
The SSC has declared the final results for CPO recruitment 2024-25, recommending 5,296 candidates for Sub-Inspector roles in Delhi Police and CAPFs. The merit list followed a full cycle of written exams, medical tests, and document verification. However, results for certain candidates were withheld due to court cases or administrative issues, and detailed marks are expected soon.
Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited the Andaman and Nicobar Command, urging stronger operational synergy among the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. He stressed jointmanship, preparedness and the islands’ strategic value for maritime surveillance and security across the Indo-Pacific. Personnel were praised for professionalism and readiness as emerging challenges are expected to rise.
U.S. chipmaker Marvell plans a major ramp-up in India hiring and research to power rising global AI infrastructure demand. Its India workforce of about 1,700 people is set to grow around 15% annually for the next three years, as the company expands collaborations with hyperscalers and local firms while India’s data centre footprint accelerates.
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