Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Weeks after buying algo-trading platform Stratzy, Raise Financial Services has acquired GreenLife Insurance Broking in a cash-and-stock deal without revealing terms. The unicorn plans to invest $15 million to build a direct-to-consumer insurance distribution platform, combining GIBL’s insurance expertise with Raise’s product and technology push across metro and tier II markets.
Bitcoin is holding above $80,000 even after hotter-than-expected US inflation data, pointing to stubborn buyer confidence. While Ethereum and some altcoins slipped, analysts cite improving on-chain activity, institutional inflows and active support from buyers. Still, macro uncertainty and rate concerns are keeping wider market sentiment cautious.
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Smallcap shares surged up to 7% on Wednesday, with names like IIFL Finance, Meesho, and GRSE outperforming benchmark indices. The move came even as investors stayed cautious elsewhere, yet the Nifty Smallcap 100 index posted strong gains. Market experts pointed to improving expectations for mid and smallcap earnings, treating recent pullbacks as entry opportunities.
With IPL 2026 under way, cyber criminals are moving fast to exploit fan excitement. Reports say more than 600 fake ticket sites and around 400 malware-linked streaming options are luring viewers with counterfeit passes and “free” broadcasts. The schemes aim to steal sensitive data such as login credentials and even digital currencies, turning match-day hype into real-world risk.
Rising airfares and high jet fuel costs are forcing airlines to trim schedules, threatening summer travel plans. Airports Council International says steep ticket prices are weakening passenger demand, and there’s little sign of near-term relief. Fuel pressure is also being worsened by disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, squeezing airline profitability and capacity.
Morgan Stanley has turned notably more bullish on Indian equities, forecasting the BSE Sensex could reach 89,000 by June 2027. The call suggests roughly 15% upside from current levels and is tied to a view that India is moving past a six-quarter earnings slowdown into a stronger growth phase after a “mid-cycle” pause.
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Gold imports via Dubai may rise after India hiked import duty from 6% to 15%. With the India UAE trade pact in play, gold can be imported at an effective 14% rate versus the higher general duty, creating a clear arbitrage window that could shift sourcing and volumes.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hyderabad appeal urging citizens to reduce fuel dependence and adopt sustainable practices, multiple BJP-led states moved quickly. Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath, Delhi’s Rekha Gupta, Madhya Pradesh’s Mohan Yadav and other CMs announced steps to cut convoy sizes and curb fuel use, with implementation reportedly beginning almost immediately after the speech.
The RBI is widely expected to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in its next policy review, delaying any meaningful fall in home-loan EMIs. With retail inflation projected to hover around the 4.9% range, the central bank appears focused on stability rather than quick rate cuts, even as borrowers wait for cheaper repayments.
The Supreme Court stayed a Madras High Court order that barred TVK MLA R Sreenivasa Sethupathi from participating in a floor test. The apex court said the High Court’s intervention was unusual. Sethupathi had narrowly won his seat over a DMK candidate, and after the legal setback, the Tamil Nadu government went on to secure its vote of confidence.
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The RBI has announced the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond SGB 2018-19 Series-III. Eligible investors can redeem starting May 13, 2026 at Rs 15,102 per unit. With this pricing, an investment of Rs 1 lakh could potentially grow to Rs 4.82 lakh, delivering a reported 382% return for those who redeem early at the fixed rate.
Cybersecurity startup Exaforce, based in California, raised $125 million in a Series B round led by HarbourVest, Peak XV, Mayfield, Khosla Ventures, Seligman Ventures and AICONIC. The company says it is building “platform defenders actually work in” using multi model AI and a real time knowledge graph to speed investigation, detection and response while scaling globally including Japan and Europe.
SoftBank Group reported a net profit of 1.9 trillion yen (about $12.05 billion) for January–March, up sharply from a year earlier. The company logged five straight profitable quarters, with rising value of its major OpenAI stake playing a key role in the jump, highlighting how AI investments continue to move the investor’s results.
The Granville Street Bridge in Vancouver stayed closed for hours Tuesday after reports of a woman seen hanging from the structure during a police operation. Traffic backed up across the area, while social media circulated unverified claims about a rescue. Authorities have not yet released an official update or confirmed what happened.
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Former Mohun Bagan President Swapan Sadhan Bose, popularly known as Tutu Babu, died at 79 after suffering a cardiac arrest. A major figure in Indian football administration for over three decades, Bose helped steer the club toward modern partnerships, including bringing in foreign players and strengthening corporate ties. Kolkata’s football community is mourning his passing.
Google DeepMind says it is using AI to rethink the mouse pointer, a feature that has barely changed for decades. The approach aims to make cursor behavior more adaptive and context-aware, potentially improving how interfaces respond to user intent and reducing friction in everyday computer use. The work signals a broader shift: AI redesigning core interaction tools.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) launched a large-scale operation at 8 AM with simultaneous raids across multiple cities. Officials say the crackdown targets alleged associates of Pakistan based gangster Shahzad Bhatti and the Dogar Gan network, with investigators pointing to cross border criminal influence and recruitment of urban and rural youth through digital platforms.
Pakistan confirmed Iranian military aircraft landed at Nur Khan airbase during the US Iran standoff, reigniting memories of the 1971 war era. Islamabad insists the planes arrived during a ceasefire for diplomatic support and denies any contingency or military use. The move has drawn sharper US scrutiny of Pakistan’s mediation role and sparked fresh calls to reassess its neutrality.
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Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) posted a 46% year-on-year jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,902 crore in Q4 of FY26. The company also announced a final dividend of Rs 19.25 per share. On a standalone basis, total income rose 4.5% year-on-year to Rs 1.24 lakh crore, underscoring stronger performance in the quarter.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said India may face retail petrol and diesel price hikes if the Middle East conflict persists. Higher energy import costs and inflation risks could force adjustments even as the government cuts duties and state refiners absorb losses. Prime Minister Modi has urged fuel conservation, while oil companies struggle to keep current prices.
Groww platform owner Billionbrains Garage Ventures rebounded on Wednesday, jumping about 6% after a large US investor-led stake sale the previous day. Peak XV Partners, Ribbit Capital and YC Holdings offloaded over 29.5 crore shares worth Rs 5,326 crore via bulk deals at Rs 180.43, roughly 1.5% below the prior close. Traders now watch what comes next for sentiment and liquidity.
Google Ads engineer Bhasker Goel is rethinking monitoring for distributed systems by using comparative, real time validation. Rather than relying on static thresholds and late alerts, his approach contrasts system segments to spot subtle divergences that can indicate regressions early. The goal is to prevent costly outages in complex modern software before problems escalate.
Black Box Limited has completed its acquisition of Brazil based 2S Inovações Tecnológicas effective May 1, 2026. The deal expands its digital infrastructure, data center networking, cloud, and cybersecurity capabilities across Latin America, reinforcing Brazil as a regional hub. Black Box expects the transaction to add around Rs 500 crore in annualised revenues and pushes toward US$2 billion yearly by 2030.
Australia have revealed their 15-member squad for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, with Sophie Molineux named to captain. The selection includes less experienced Lucy Hamilton, while pacer Darcie Brown is surprisingly left out despite 34 T20I wickets in 41 matches. The squad choice signals a bold push toward a new core for England 2026.
The UK Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces a mandatory official Information Sheet for tenants. Landlords must provide it by May 31, 2026, or face fines up to £7,000. The rules also shift all tenancies to be periodic, giving renters more flexibility. Existing written agreements don’t require immediate changes.
Punjab Kings head into IPL 2026’s crucial clash against Mumbai Indians on the back of four straight losses. With top four qualification slipping, the franchise must fix glaring bowling and fielding problems fast. Mumbai Indians may be underperforming, but they still have the power to derail Punjab’s revival. Key players will be central to who turns the tide.
Gold and silver surged on Wednesday after the government increased customs duty on precious metal imports, with MCX futures jumping close to 6% in a day. Gold rose roughly Rs 9,600 and silver nearly Rs 17,000, one of the biggest rallies recently. But traders see it as a largely one-off move amid ongoing Middle East tensions and tariff uncertainty.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari has ordered an immediate reduction of his convoy, keeping only essential security vehicles. The move mirrors Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to curb VVIP convoy excesses. Adhikari said his journey began with prayers after the oath-taking of BJP MLAs, and the new guideline took effect right away.
India’s bullion market is set for a reset as higher import duties on gold and jewellery threaten to cool demand and shrink imports. Analysts expect the supply shift to push up domestic gold prices, with knock-on effects for jewellery buyers and gold ETF investments. Silver, in contrast, may gain from global supply deficits and disruption risks.
Virat Kohli is looking to bounce back in IPL 2026 against Kolkata Knight Riders after registering two consecutive ducks this season. Despite his solid history versus KKR, Sunil Narine remains the key threat, having dismissed Kohli multiple times. With Kohli’s current form showing a high strike rate, the matchup could define his turnaround.
India’s vegetable oil imports rose 13% to 7.94 million tonnes in the first half of the 2025-26 oil year. Palm oil shipments nearly doubled, lifting overall imports even as cooking oil prices climbed and the rupee weakened. At the same time, vegetable oil stocks increased sharply, pointing to better supply availability despite cost pressures.
The Federation of All India Medical Association has moved the Supreme Court via a PIL over the NEET-UG 2026 controversy and cancellation. The medical body alleges the National Testing Agency has repeatedly failed in its duties and says the alleged paper leak raises serious questions of accountability. It has demanded the NTA director resign, citing moral responsibility.
The Delhi High Court has referred a commercial dispute between JioStar India and Absolute Legends Sports to arbitration over media and commercial rights for the Legends League Cricket Masters T20. Pending the arbitrator’s decision, the court has protected key revenue streams tied to franchise fees and ticket sales to prevent immediate financial fallout.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chile’s Foreign Minister to widen cooperation focused on diversifying markets and boosting exports. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also reviewed progress on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at expanding trade and investment between India and Chile. Both sides signaled momentum toward a stronger economic partnership.
Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has won a crucial floor test in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, securing a 121-seat majority. The party’s success follows a strong showing in recent elections and backing from allies. The development also intensifies political chatter around a possible split within the AIADMK, adding uncertainty to the state’s next phase of power dynamics.
Gujarat Titans delivered a ruthless bowling masterclass to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 82 runs in IPL 2026. SRH were bundled out for just 86, unable to build any real momentum against GT’s disciplined attack. SRH head coach Daniel Vettori praised the Titans’ bowling lineup after the lopsided finish.
As Iran war tensions push fuel prices higher across Asia, households are turning to rooftop solar to cut costs. Demand is rising sharply in the Philippines, where installations and inquiries have surged. China, the world’s biggest solar technology supplier, stands to benefit as global consumers accelerate the energy transition toward more accessible, affordable power.
A 5 month old baby girl was found unresponsive at a Best Western Plus Intercourse Village Inn & Suites in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, following reports of a drowning. Emergency responders rushed in but the infant could not be revived. Police are investigating the death and say the mother is cooperating. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause.
Jio Platforms has appointed Akash Ambani as managing director for five years from April 9, 2026, according to MCA filings. The move comes ahead of an anticipated IPO as the company reportedly revises its public offering structure, weighing options beyond an offer-for-sale amid disagreements on valuation and pricing. Jio Platforms’ latest results show rising profit and revenue.
A report by Elara Capital estimates India’s FY27E CPI inflation could average 4.8% to 4.9%, pointing to the RBI extending its current repo rate pause until inflation reaches the 6% mark. However, the outlook remains sensitive to crude oil, with prices above $100 flagged as a key upside risk for inflation and future rate decisions.
China is urging Pakistan to play a bigger role in mediating between Iran and the United States, as both sides weigh stability in the Strait of Hormuz. The push is gaining scrutiny after a US senator questioned Pakistan’s neutrality, citing reports that Iranian military aircraft were allowed to park on Pakistani airfields.
Maruti Suzuki is earmarking Rs 1,372 crore for green logistics infrastructure, aiming to raise rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35% by FY 2030-31. The company says the move will cut carbon footprint and fuel consumption. It also highlights that rail dispatches have already surged over the past decade, crossing 30 lakh units.
Indian benchmark indices showed resilience but ended nearly flat in a volatile session. The Nifty 50 hovered around 23,400 with a broader market tilt toward decliners. The Sensex struggled as banking dragged sentiment. A major driver was Titan, which saw heavy selling after import tariffs were raised, while select FMCG and pharma stocks offered limited support.
Neuland Laboratories shares surged about 7% after the company delivered a blockbuster Q4. Profit leapt seven-fold year-on-year while revenue doubled, pointing to strong momentum across its key segments. Management said the results reflect broad business strength and highlighted continued investments and strategic moves to support future growth. Investors reacted positively to the jump in earnings power.
A Mumbai employee resigned after being publicly berated for requesting overtime compensation, then shared the incident on Instagram. Her account highlighted a disrespectful response that she said turned the workplace toxic. The post quickly went viral, drawing broad support from social media users who backed her decision to walk away rather than stay quiet.
A rare Nilgiri marten has been spotted in the Western Ghats, drawing online buzz for its striking looks and reportedly playful behavior. The endemic mammal’s appearance is a reminder of the region’s high biodiversity—but also its fragility. Conservation experts say sightings like this should spur stronger habitat protection to safeguard vulnerable wildlife.
Ventine Hospitality Ltd reported a sharp turnaround for the year ending March 31, 2026. Q4 net profit rose 72% to Rs 259 crore, while full-year profit climbed to Rs 502 crore. Revenue grew strongly as both its hotel business and annuity portfolio performed well, supported by strategic acquisitions meant to fuel the next phase of expansion.
The Supreme Court said Hinduism is a “way of life” and that temple visits or rituals are not mandatory to remain Hindu. In hearings on discrimination at religious sites, including Sabarimala, a nine-judge bench observed that even lighting a lamp at home can demonstrate belief, shaping how religious freedom and faith protections are understood.
HDFC Defence Fund, the defence sector’s only actively managed scheme, increased its holdings in Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Bharat Electronics during April. The fund also raised stakes in six other companies, including Aequs, while trimming exposure to Rishabh Instruments. Despite the reshuffle, its portfolio stayed steady at 22 stocks across sectors.
A Redbird Flight Training Academy trainer aircraft crash-landed near Baramati airstrip after developing a technical snag while flying at low altitude on Wednesday morning. The trainee pilot was the only occupant and escaped safely. The incident comes after an earlier fatal Learjet 45 crash in the same district earlier this year, reigniting attention on aviation safety in the area.
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