Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Rajinikanth recalled his visit to the Art of Living ashram in Bengaluru, where he says not a single person recognised him. Speaking at the Art of Living Foundation’s 45th anniversary and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s 70th celebrations, the superstar described the moment as unexpectedly painful, saying it crushed his ego. The story highlights humility at a spiritual gathering.
In 1974, workers building in Hot Springs, South Dakota uncovered a rare Ice Age fossil site: a natural pit packed with mammoth remains. What they exposed offered scientists a vivid snapshot of prehistoric North America—along with evidence of how these animals could become trapped. Decades later, the discovery remains one of the continent’s richest mammoth fossil localities.
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Apple has criticized proposed EU antitrust measures aimed at helping AI rivals access Google services. The company warns that forcing such interoperability could threaten user privacy, security, and safety, while also risking device integrity and performance. Apple further disputes the regulator’s technical competence, arguing that redesigning operating systems could have unintended consequences.
Anthropic has reached a milestone: for the first time, it has more verified business customers than OpenAI, according to Ramp’s latest AI Index. The fintech data suggests enterprise adoption may be shifting faster toward Anthropic than OpenAI, offering a new signal of momentum in the competitive race for corporate AI usage.
Road expansion works in Nottinghamshire’s Newark bypass have triggered major archaeological discoveries, revealing evidence of human life spanning nearly 8,000 years. Excavators found ancient burials, Roman well and structures, and a rare Anglo-Saxon home, offering a rare, layered view of the region’s past. Artifacts are set to be displayed in Newark.
Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for his China visit, with Vice President greeting him on the tarmac as “WelcomeTrumpToChina” surged on Chinese social media. Speaking before the long flight, Trump framed the relationship as a contest between two superpowers, claiming the US is strongest in military terms and positioning China as second—setting a tense tone for talks ahead.
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European robins and North American cousins often begin singing before sunrise. Scientists say it’s driven by a mix of biology and behavior, including the need to claim territory, attract mates, and communicate in low light. Robins also respond to light cues, including artificial sources, which can change their singing schedule and make dawn feel earlier than it is.
Chaos erupted inside the Philippine Senate as gunfire broke out during an attempted arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a Duterte aide linked to an ICC fugitive situation. Witnesses reported the shots occurred while dela Rosa remained in the building under protective custody by allied lawmakers, escalating tensions and sparking an emergency response.
Stealth-mode AI lab Recursive has raised $650 million at a $4.65 billion valuation, aiming to build self-improving AI systems. The funding highlights how fast new AI startups are attracting capital for ambitious approaches beyond today’s mainstream models, as investors bet on labs that can accelerate progress through tighter feedback loops and rapid iteration.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux says her maiden stint leading the side at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 feels exciting rather than nerve-wracking. The bowling all-rounder, once under fitness scrutiny, is leaning into the pressure as six-time champions chase yet another global title. For Molineux, the focus is on turning doubt into performance.
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Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has reduced his official convoy size by 50%, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to cut official cavalcades and save fuel. Police sources say Nalin Prabhat and IG Security Sujit Kumar have also scaled down their convoys recently, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reportedly continues with the same security setup in the Kashmir Valley.
Haldia Petrochemicals (HPL) is sourcing naphtha from Oman after a supply shortfall from Kuwait and Qatar tied to the Middle East conflict. Shipping data and an industry source indicate HPL is rerouting imports to keep production steady, with Oman loading ports positioned just outside the conflict zone and better suited to current logistics disruptions.
RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale says leaders moving to the BJP from other parties are treated as part of the RSS ideological family without needing to sign for formal membership. He likened the move to a daughter-in-law joining a household. Hosabale also credited swayamsevaks for supporting BJP efforts, including during West Bengal’s victory.
Amul has announced an increase of ₹2 per litre in milk prices, with new rates coming into effect from May 14. The hike will apply to several popular milk variants, meaning consumers across markets will feel the change immediately. For households already stretched by rising costs, the latest adjustment adds another burden to monthly budgets.
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Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and REC Ltd plan to merge by April 1, 2027, aiming to create a unified platform for financing India’s power sector. The deal has received in-principle approval, with legal and financial advisors appointed. Still, details are being worked out and will need regulatory clearance—while PFC flags potential concerns around RBI norms.
Melania Trump will not accompany Donald Trump on his upcoming China trip, prompting fresh online speculation. Her office confirmed the non attendance with only a brief statement, despite her prominent presence during his 2017 visit. Trump’s agenda is expected to focus on trade and regional security, leaving the real reason for her absence unclear.
Five BSE 150 midcap stocks notched fresh 52 week highs, lifting investor optimism even as benchmark indices ended only slightly higher. Vodafone Idea led with standout momentum, alongside SAIL, MCX, Laurus Labs and Ajanta Pharma. Their monthly gains point to continued selective buying despite a subdued overall market mood.
Paleontologists say Brachytrachelopan mesai was a sauropod with a neck about 40 percent shorter than its giant relatives, challenging the assumption that long necks were essential. Researchers believe it fed on low-lying plants, carving out a niche others avoided. The find underscores that evolution often takes opportunistic routes, not fixed playbooks.
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The CBI has arrested five people linked to the NEET UG paper leak, while carrying out searches across India. The agency has seized digital devices for forensic analysis and is coordinating with Rajasthan Police. CBI officials also visited NTA headquarters to collect documents. The NEET UG exam was cancelled after malpractice allegations surfaced.
SEBI has proposed new flexibility for mutual funds to use intraday borrowings for purposes beyond routine investor redemptions and payouts. However, it has deferred the implementation of the related guidelines to July 15, giving fund houses and stakeholders time to adjust to the updated framework as markets and compliance plans catch up.
Jio Financial Services and Germany’s Allianz have formally launched their 50:50 insurance joint venture, incorporating Jio Allianz General Insurance. The new firm plans to offer general insurance products, including health insurance, in India. The move also follows Allianz’s earlier exit from a previous JV with Bajaj Finserv, signaling a new push into the country’s insurance market.
Cristiano Ronaldo begins what could be his final FIFA World Cup, set to be his first since leaving European football for the Saudi Pro League. The 2022 transfer stunned fans and fueled doubts about whether his level would drop. Now, as Portugal prepare for the tournament, the question is whether his form and influence can outlast the switch and time.
Indian equity markets snapped a four-session losing streak with modest gains on Wednesday. Several stocks led the rebound, including Hindustan Zinc, Vodafone Idea, Dixon Technologies, and Texmaco Rail, which rallied sharply. Traders will be watching whether the turnaround holds beyond the day’s “big movers” as sentiment shifts back to buyers.
A Panipat couple died by suicide after months of alleged harassment by their daughter-in-law and her family, police say. Authorities are investigating how the couple’s love marriage deteriorated amid reported lifestyle clashes and the daughter-in-law’s social media behavior. The family claims bullying and assault pushed them to extreme distress, and cases have been registered against four people for abetment to suicide.
Wildlife officers in Ireland have uncovered fossilized shark teeth estimated at 330 million years old in the Burren limestone. The teeth, from Psephodus magnus, belong to an ancient group built for crushing prey rather than hunting like modern predators. The find underscores how citizen eyes can surface clues to Earth’s distant past—and the surprising diversity of Carboniferous sharks.
Senior church leaders from the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) were ambushed in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district between Kotzim and Kotlen villages, leaving three people dead and at least five others injured by bullets. A video reportedly shows details from the attack scene, including the killing of a former General Secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC).
EPFO is set to automate two major processes for workers: final provident fund withdrawals and account transfers when members switch employers. The move aims to speed up money credit to applicants and eliminate form-based account migration. With automation handling the workflow, claims and employer changes could become faster, simpler, and more seamless for EPFO members.
South Korean researchers say they’ve built a wearable neckband that converts silent mouth movements into intelligible speech using the user’s own voice. Because it doesn’t rely on audible input, it could help communication in extremely noisy settings and support medical use cases. The technology is early-stage, but the approach could redefine how we “speak” without speaking.
Prateek Yadav, son of former Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, died in Lucknow at 38. A postmortem report says the cause was cardiorespiratory collapse due to massive pulmonary thromboembolism, and it also notes antemortem injuries. Samples have been sent for further analysis as family members and authorities seek clarity.
Australia is projecting nearly one million new migrants by July 2029, a figure now driving fierce political debate over immigration levels and worsening housing shortages. With government estimates pointing to continued high migration, opposition parties are demanding tighter controls. The issue is becoming a major electoral flashpoint as public pressure grows.
The IMD has issued alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rain across multiple states as pre monsoon activity intensifies. Jharkhand, Bihar, and Maharashtra are among the regions likely to see severe weather. Delhi is also under a heatwave warning, while Rajasthan expects extreme heat and Kerala and West Bengal may receive significant rainfall.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami launched a sharp attack on party MLAs who supported TVK during a floor test, accusing them of violating party directives. He alleged the ruling side promised ministerial positions in exchange for support, drawing comparisons between AIADMK and TVK and fueling speculation about internal divisions.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the logo for the Nashik Kumbh Mela, calling it a “grand and divine” event. He said the state is working closely with akharas and religious leaders to ensure smooth arrangements for the spiritual congregation, which returns every 12 years.
Chennai Super Kings have named Macneil Hadley Noronha as the replacement for the injured Ramakrishna Ghosh for the rest of the 2026 IPL season. Noronha, an all-rounder, arrives after finishing as the highest run-scorer in the 2024-25 Colonel C.K. Nayudu Trophy, giving CSK added batting depth as they chase a playoff spot.
A Mumbai court ordered NEET paper leak accused Shubham Khairnar, arrested in Nashik, to be placed on a two day transit remand with the CBI. The central agency took him into custody late Tuesday night and produced him before a magistrate’s court, seeking the remand to carry out further investigation in Delhi.
Fintech SaaS company Zaggle reported a 30.4 percent YoY jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 40.6 crore for Q4 FY26. Revenue from operations surged 49.9 percent YoY to Rs 617.9 crore, with total income at Rs 626.3 crore. Costs also climbed sharply, up 49.6 percent YoY, even as profit grew sequentially by 9.4 percent.
India is set to use artificial intelligence to combat money mule banking and cyber fraud. Home Minister Amit Shah announced a partnership between the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and the Reserve Bank of India’s Innovation Hub, aimed at detecting and blocking suspicious accounts more quickly. The move is expected to strengthen consumer safety across UPI, online banking, and fintech platforms.
Zydus Lifesciences is reportedly close to buying a US oncology drug maker in a deal valued at $100 to $150 million. The acquisition is expected to help the Indian company build its own distribution network for anti-cancer drugs in the US, while also bringing along the target’s biologic drug pipeline. A deal is expected soon.
Russia has reiterated that any ceasefire or comprehensive peace talks depend on Ukraine withdrawing its forces from the Donbas region. The push follows President Putin’s claim that the war is nearing its end. Ukraine’s President Zelensky has dismissed the demand as surrender, rejecting Moscow’s conditions for negotiations to begin.
A 25-year software developer says he’s been shut out of jobs despite applying to 2,000 roles, and suspects Applicant Tracking Systems are the culprit. He claims his entrepreneurial history—using the title “founder”—is triggering automated filters that interpret it as “unemployed,” prolonging his job search and straining the people who rely on him.
India has unveiled two AI-enabled weather services: an advance monsoon forecast for 16 states and 3,000+ sub-districts, and a 1 km resolution rainfall model piloted in Uttar Pradesh. Built with IMD, IITM Pune and NCMRWF, the systems deliver hyper-local, probabilistic guidance up to four weeks and ten days ahead—supporting farmers, disaster response and infrastructure planning.
SEBI is considering easing borrowing norms for mutual funds, potentially allowing intraday borrowing for a broader range of purposes. The regulator is weighing uses such as meeting trade settlement obligations, handling forex transactions, funding derivative margin requirements, and addressing other short-term liquidity needs—aiming to reduce operational stress without compromising oversight.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated N Rangaswamy on taking charge as Puducherry chief minister, saying he looked forward to working together for welfare and development. The 30 member Assembly result shows a fragmented mandate, with NR Congress leading on 12 seats, BJP at four, and newer political players like TVK entering the tally with two.
SEBI has clarified that Indian banks and brokers will not be held liable for taxes owed by offshore funds, as two sources familiar with the development said. The move removes a key compliance hurdle that had slowed fund launches after earlier fears that local representatives could face penalties for clients tax demands. The clarification is expected to unblock new foreign investments.
Adaption is launching AutoScientist, a tool meant to help AI models adapt to specific capabilities quickly. Instead of manually running conventional fine-tuning workflows, AutoScientist automates much of that process, aiming to reduce time and effort while still getting targeted performance. The push signals a broader shift toward self-directed training pipelines and faster iteration in model development.
Anand Mahindra praised Jodhpur’s net-zero cooling shelter, built under the Heat Action Plan by Mahila Housing Trust and Jodhpur Nagar Nigam. Using passive features like reflective roofs, insulation, khus curtains, solar panels and wind towers, it can cut temperatures by up to 8°C even during 50°C heat—offering shade, water, ORS and basic first aid for outdoor workers and vulnerable residents.
The Delhi High Court has directed Google and Apple to take strict action against obscene pornographic content found on mobile applications. The court highlighted the responsibility of social media intermediaries in stopping dissemination and asked CERT-In to monitor and curb the spread of such material across digital platforms.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has written to the state cyber crime department asking for an immediate shutdown of app-based bike taxi services by Ola, Uber and Rapido. He alleges they operate without permissions and warn of action under the IT Act and Motor Vehicles Act, citing safety gaps like weak driver verification, insurance and emergency systems, plus a fatal incident last February.
Knowledge Realty Trust leased 3.5 million sq ft of office space in FY25-26, fueled by strong demand from global and domestic occupiers. Revenue grew 16% and net operating income rose 18%, while portfolio occupancy reached 92%. The REIT also declared Rs 716.6 crore in Q4 distributions, signaling confidence in sustainable growth.
The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 37,500 crore scheme to expand surface coal and lignite gasification projects. The plan targets gasifying about 75 million tonnes of coal and is expected to pull in investments of up to Rs 3 lakh crore, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighting reduced import dependence as a key goal.
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