Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
The GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) has overhauled how GST appeals are processed, requiring pending and new cases to be reviewed by a division bench before assignment to a single bench. The rule targets disputes involving significant legal questions, aiming for consistent rulings and faster resolution. Cases under ₹50 lakh without legal issues may go straight to a single bench, but only with president or vice-president approval, and any later legal question forces referral back to the division bench. GSTAT also categorized disputes into three hearing tracks and set bench rosters with virtual, hybrid and circuit options across states and UTs.
The Allahabad High Court granted bail to men accused in the Varanasi Ganga iftar row, where they were alleged to have eaten non-vegetarian food on a boat and thrown leftover waste into the river. Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla passed the order while hearing bail applications, and set May 18 for the next round of pleas by other accused. During arguments, the defence said the men were falsely implicated and not named in the FIR filed on March 16.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Retail inflation in India may rise by 15–20 basis points in the coming months after a Friday fuel price hike of ₹3 per litre for petrol and diesel, analysts say. With petrol and diesel carrying 4.8% weight in the CPI, a 3–5% fuel increase could add 15–25 bps directly, plus 10–15 bps from transport, logistics and agricultural input costs. Effects will spread across May and June inflation, with broader impacts visible over 3–4 months.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UAE and signed a package of agreements aimed at strengthening defense, energy, and infrastructure cooperation. Modi met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reaffirming India’s condemnation of recent attacks and backing safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Deals include raising UAE participation in India’s strategic petroleum reserves to 30 million barrels, setting up strategic gas reserves, securing long-term LPG supplies, and launching a framework for deeper strategic defense ties.
An anonymous eBay bidder has paid USD 9,000,100 for a private lunch with Stephen Curry and Warren Buffett in Omaha next month, reviving Buffett’s long-running charity auction tradition. Buffett, a longtime auction host, pledged to match the winning amount so both top charities benefit, including San Francisco’s GLIDE Foundation and the Currys’ Eat.Learn.Play Foundation. The event began in 2000, exceeded USD 1 million annually from 2008, and was paused after a USD 19 million lunch bid in 2022.
The Centre has extended the deadline for a three-member Commission of Inquiry into Manipur’s ethnic violence, pushing the final report submission to November 20, 2026. Formed on June 4, 2023, the panel is led by former Supreme Court judge Balbir Singh Chauhan and investigates the sequence of events behind the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. The conflict has continued for over three years, with more than 260 deaths reported so far.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
A Russian cruise missile strike on a nine-story apartment block in Kyiv has killed at least 24 people, including three teenagers, with emergency crews finishing searches after more than a day of rubble clearing. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it part of Russia’s biggest barrage since the full-scale invasion began, saying the city saw 48 wounded. He also said the missile was built in the second quarter of this year, suggesting continued sanctions evasion, as airports and regional targets were hit.
India has revised its energy export policy by imposing a special additional excise duty (SAED) of ₹3 per litre on petrol exports for the first time since the West Asia crisis began. From May 16, the government also cuts levies on diesel exports to ₹16.5 per litre (from ₹23) and on ATF to ₹16 per litre (from ₹33). At the same time, the road and infrastructure cess on petrol and diesel exports will be zero, while domestic fuel duty rates and consumer prices remain unchanged.
State-run banks in India are edging closer to regulatory minimums as liquidity coverage ratios fall, driven by loan growth outpacing retail deposit growth. In the March quarter, major PSU banks saw LCR drop by 10–12 percentage points to around 114%–118%, nearer the 100% threshold. Union Bank, Canara Bank and SBI reported sharp year-on-year declines while loans grew faster than deposits. Analysts warn the “easy” strategy of funding credit using excess liquidity is running out, though new norms from Q1 FY27 may ease runoff rates.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has resigned from the Nandigram assembly seat, formally stepping away from the constituency he represented. Despite this move, he will continue to hold the Bhabanipur constituency, maintaining his legislative presence there. The resignation immediately raises questions over what happens next for Nandigram, including whether a by-election will be required and how the political contest in the area could reshape alliances and voter sentiment in the run-up to future elections.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
India has formally launched the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu attending the groundbreaking. The manufacturing unit for India’s next-generation stealth fighter jets will come up on 600 acres near the Karnataka border, backed by an ₹15,803 crore investment. Andhra’s bid reportedly gained momentum through land availability and proximity to the Aeronautical Development Agency in Bengaluru, critical for a dedicated flight-testing range.
NHPC is upgrading India’s dam safety with an AI early-warning platform called eAabhas, built to deliver real-time flood discharge forecasts and hydro project monitoring. Using IoT sensors and machine learning, the system is designed to forecast flooding at dam and barrage sites with advance lead time, feed a master control room for continuous monitoring, and strengthen existing warning accuracy. It also integrates external inputs from the IMD, NDMA and CWC to improve decisions, including during flash-flood events like Sikkim’s 2023 cloudburst.
President Donald Trump plans to unveil the National Garden of American Heroes, a statue garden at West Potomac Park near the National Mall, featuring sculptures honoring 250 prominent Americans. The project has sparked fears of a legal battle because major memorials and projects in the tightly regulated monumental core typically require sign-offs from multiple design and planning groups. Congress already allocated $40 million for procuring statues, but funding may not ensure compliance as the administration pushes fast-moving changes across Washington.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai has proposed converting underutilised police and CAPF camps in tribal areas into “Seva Kendras” that provide government services locally. The plan, presented to Union home minister Amit Shah, follows improved security after the region was declared Maoist-free, leaving many camps with limited use. A first phase will identify low-usage sites, then bring repairs, connectivity, electricity and water before integrating departments. Services include certificates, ration and Aadhaar updates, banking, ticket booking, health programs, and skilling.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
India’s southwest monsoon is expected to begin over Kerala on May 26, six days earlier than the normal June 1 date, according to IMD. The early onset matters because it kickstarts sowing of kharif crops such as rice, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and sugarcane. But the season comes with a warning: IMD forecasts 2026 rainfall at 92% of the long-period average, citing El Nino concerns. Meanwhile, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions persist over northwest and central India.
Power Finance Corporation and REC boards meet Saturday, but the proposed merger faces a major stumbling block: the Centre’s stake could fall below 51% in the combined entity. Analysts estimate that keeping majority control may require a capital infusion of about ₹25,000 crore, even as fiscal pressure rises with a weaker rupee, high inflation, and muted growth in these lenders. Bond covenants also demand government majority ownership, raising questions. The merger is still planned for April 1, 2027.
After West Bengal suspended three police officers over the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case, the victim’s mother—also BJP MLA Ratna Debnath—escalated her attack on former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling her the “head of criminals” and demanding her arrest. Debnath alleged a cover-up and a conspiracy involving the state and health department, pointing to then Health Secretary Narayanswaroop Nigam. The father alleged directives for early concealment came from Banerjee, while the current leadership says investigations include senior officers and possible attempted bribes.
Pole vault world-record holder Mondo Duplantis is experimenting with a longer 22-step run-up, moving away from his usual 20 steps in a bid to generate more power for the coming season. The Sweden star, who has broken the world record 15 times since 2020, cleared 6.31m in March. After trying the change for the first time in the indoor season, he plans to repeat it before the season opens in Shaoxing. Faith Kipyegon, meanwhile, runs 5000m to check her form.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
Congress launched a fresh attack on the Centre after petrol and diesel prices rose by ₹3 per litre, arguing the move will trigger inflation. Rahul Gandhi said the “₹3 shock has already arrived” and suggested more pain is coming in stages. Mallikarjun Kharge blamed not only global fuel factors but a “leadership crisis” under the Modi government, citing diesel’s cascading impact on costs. Congress also alleged the BJP has monetised fuel taxes at scale over 11 years.
India has extended bid submission deadlines for oil and gas exploration under two government licensing tracks, setting the new cut-off for both at June 19. The tenth licensing round, launched in February 2025, has now received its fifth extension since its debut, following a prior deadline of May 29. Separately, the eleventh round under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), introduced in March, was also extended to the same date. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons offered no reason.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India’s small fuel-price increase reflects how the government absorbed global oil shocks. He pointed out petrol and diesel rose by only Rs 3 because excise duty revenue was reduced by Rs 10. Fertiliser prices, he added, were kept unchanged even as costs increased, with farmers receiving heavily subsidised fertiliser. Goyal also backed Prime Minister Modi’s voluntary austerity appeal and said India is working to cut import dependence, improve efficiencies, and advance an India-US trade approach.
Jana Small Finance Bank is set for a major capital boost with a fundraise that could reach up to ₹700 crore through a mix of primary and secondary deals. TVS Venu Srinivasan-led TVS Venu Group plans to buy a 10% stake for around ₹450 crore, alongside three to four additional investors, including an overseas player. It will be Jana’s first equity raise since its February 2024 IPO, while TPG Capital with 8.11% could reduce to about 5%.
BJP leader Chandra Mohan Patowary was sworn in as Pro-tem Speaker of Assam’s newly formed 16th Legislative Assembly at Lok Bhavan in Guwahati. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath and praised Patowary’s experience to conduct proceedings with constitutional dignity. Patowary will oversee the oath-taking of newly elected MLAs starting May 21 and run House business until a full-time Speaker is elected. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed industrial and power progress and outlined preparations for the July Budget Session.
Dining out and food deliveries are expected to get 5–10% costlier from next week as state oil firms raised petrol and diesel prices. Restaurant executives say the fuel hit lands on top of months of pressures including a commercial LPG price jump, LPG shortage, and labor shortages since the West Asia war began. Some chains will revise menu prices as early as next week, while others target June or July 1, with logistics costs also likely lifting delivery charges and shrinking discounts.
Fidelity Investments has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit tied to a 2024 data breach, resolving claims without admitting wrongdoing. Customers who received notice that their account and routing numbers may have been compromised between August 17 and 19, 2024, could seek compensation for documented financial harm of up to $5,000. The settlement also offers identity theft protection and credit monitoring, plus possible smaller cash payments. A valid claim must be filed by July 27, 2026.
David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List. His and Victoria Beckham’s combined wealth is estimated at £1.185 billion, placing them second among the UK’s wealthiest sportspeople behind Bernie Ecclestone’s family. Beckham’s fortune is driven by his football career, co-ownership of Inter Miami, and high-profile brand deals with major firms. Victoria’s fashion label is a major contributor, while Lewis Hamilton and Rory McIlroy also feature prominently.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar has approached Hyderabad City Civil Court with a defamation suit, seeking removal of content across satellite TV channels, YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram that allegedly links him to a case involving his son Bandi Bhagirath. He filed two interlocutory applications—one to stop further broadcast or publication and another to immediately remove past week postings. His counsel warned that non-compliance could amount to contempt of court. The dispute follows his son’s anticipatory bail plea linked to a Telangana FIR and POCSO allegations.
US stocks pulled back from record highs as crude oil surged and Treasury yields climbed, reviving inflation worries. All three major indexes fell, with AI-driven tech stocks hit hardest as investors rotated toward bond yields and reassessed how aggressively the Federal Reserve might act. The move followed Middle East tensions after US-Iran-related uncertainty and raised concerns about global borrowing costs, with the 10-year yield reaching its highest level since May 2025.
Thirty-one Kuki and Naga civilians abducted earlier this week in Manipur’s Kangpokpi and Senapati districts were released on Friday, officials said. The kidnapping followed an armed ambush on May 13 at Zero Point between Kotlen and Kotzim Inter Village Road, which left three dead and four injured. Authorities said civilians from multiple communities were detained near Leilon Vaiphei and Saparmeina villages and in Senapati. Police say investigations continue, and efforts are ongoing to free those still held, with at least six Naga men untraceable.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Indore bench recognized the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, and directed the Centre and ASI to decide administration and management. It quashed an ASI order from April 7, 2003 that allowed Friday namaz inside the complex. The court relied on ASI’s 2024 scientific survey, saying the site predates the mosque and was built using repurposed temple components. Mosque representatives may seek separate land to build a mosque.
The Supreme Court on Friday sharply condemned the growing number of lawyers allegedly holding fake law degrees. During a hearing before CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, the bench said the Central Bureau of Investigation should probe the issue, describing fraudulent practitioners as a serious concern. The court also criticized a practicing lawyer over social media conduct and the aggressive language used while seeking contempt proceedings against the Delhi High Court’s delays. The petitioner later withdrew the plea.
Indian textile industry bodies have asked the government to scrap an 11% import duty on raw cotton after domestic prices jumped about 25% in two months. They say this crop year’s cotton output could fall roughly 10% short of initial expectations, with current production estimated at 29.2 million bales versus domestic demand of 328 lakh bales. Manufacturers also argue they’re losing ground to Vietnam and Bangladesh, where cotton imports enter duty-free, while a newly approved ₹5,659 crore cotton productivity mission is underway.
With Brent crude climbing to around $100 a barrel from $73 since the Middle East unrest began on February 28, India’s core sectors face fresh cost pressure. New Supply and Use Tables from the statistics ministry show petroleum products embedded in intermediate inputs across industries. Iron ore is the biggest standout, with petroleum accounting for 56.7% of intermediate consumption in 2023-24, followed by mining at 56% and land transport at 54.7%, putting multiple supply chains at risk.
BJP workers staged a protest in Srinagar on Friday demanding a liquor ban in Jammu and Kashmir. Scores marched toward Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence on the high-security Gupkar Road but were intercepted by police and temporarily detained at Ram Munshi Bagh police station. Protesters accused the ruling National Conference government of “hypocrisy,” alleging Abdullah reneged on a pre-October 2024 election promise to ban liquor. They also criticized the government for pointing blame to the BJP-led Centre while refusing to act once in power.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the suspension of two senior officials at Presidency Central Correctional Home after a surprise raid uncovered 23 mobile phones. The crackdown, led by the state police’s Correctional Services directorate with Kolkata Police, lasted about four hours and resulted in a CID probe to identify SIM-card users and examine call records. Adhikari warned that criminals are running networks from jail and hinted prior government involvement, adding similar operations will follow across the state.
Flags are flying at half-staff across the United States on May 15 in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day, honoring law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty. The federal order is tied to Police Week, a tradition Congress authorized in 1962. In Nebraska, the same day carries an added tribute for World War II Staff Sergeant Robert A. Keuchel of Omaha, whose remains were identified after decades and will be honored at Omaha National Cemetery until sunset.
A Special Audit Report by Delhi’s Directorate of Audit into the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) for 1 December 2019 to 10 February 2025 has flagged financial irregularities totalling over Rs 10.07 crore. The review cites unapproved spending and violations of DMC rules, the DMC Act, 1997, and General Financial Rules. It attributes responsibility to the former Registrar, including an alleged retirement-age extension from 60 to 65, reduced doctor renewal fees, irregular payments, and record-keeping lapses. Delhi’s Health Department is examining recovery actions.
NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced, days after the May 3 exam was cancelled amid a paper leak controversy. He said the next NEET-UG starting in 2027 will be conducted as a computer-based test, planned across 10 days in 20 sessions with normalisation for the test format. The decision followed talks between the education and health ministries, with health initially opposed citing digital divide and leak concerns.
India’s Finance Ministry has raised the Special Additional Excise Duty on exported petrol, diesel, and Aviation Turbine Fuel, effective May 16. The SAED rates will be Rs 3 per litre for petrol, Rs 16.50 per litre for diesel, and Rs 16 per litre for ATF. Crucially, domestic excise duties are left unchanged, and the Road and Infrastructure Cess on these products is reduced to nil. Officials say the targeted export-focused change aims to boost revenue without moving retail pump prices.
A high-profile group of U.S. corporate leaders, including Apple, Meta, Boeing, Cargill, and Goldman Sachs executives, traveled to Beijing with President Donald Trump for a China leadership summit. While officials offered red-carpet treatment and optimism, analysts said the visit’s goal was more about creating political “guardrails” than landing massive deals. Concrete progress appears limited: Boeing orders reportedly involve 200 jets, below past expectations, and permission for Nvidia’s H200 AI chip remains unresolved despite signs the trip could help.
Pep Guardiola said Manchester City would have preferred a full seven days to prepare for the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley, but the tight run-up is the “price of success” after winning the League Cup. City’s schedule has been compressed by Premier League and FA Cup matches as they chase a domestic treble, leaving Guardiola disappointed with the lack of ideal preparation. He added that the team trained “absolutely nothing” since beating Crystal Palace and will make a late fitness call on Rodri.
Kerala CM-designate V D Satheesan visited senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala at his residence, calling their relationship “brothers” and saying he sought Chennithala’s blessings for the top role. Although scheduled for 10 am, the meeting slipped as Chennithala stepped out with party leaders, and Satheesan arrived around 12:30 pm after meeting Pinarayi Vijayan earlier. The discussion reportedly lasted about 45 minutes, with later talks held without other leaders present.
SpaceX has accelerated its IPO plans, with pricing expected as early as June 11 and a potential Nasdaq debut by June 12, sources told Reuters. The company is moving to make its prospectus public as early as next Wednesday, launching a roadshow around June 4. This schedule pulls the process forward from a previously expected late-June timeframe. A faster-than-expected SEC review of its filing is cited as a key driver, while Nasdaq 100 index inclusion remains part of the strategy.
The Supreme Court has ordered that all hearings on Mondays and Fridays will be conducted exclusively through video conference. Starting Tuesday to Thursday, litigants and lawyers can choose between physical attendance and virtual appearance, creating a weekly hybrid model. The court says judges have unanimously agreed to encourage carpooling to optimise fuel use, aligning the change with the government’s fuel conservation push during the West Asia crisis. It also allows up to 50% of registry staff in each section to work from home two days weekly.
Bidhannagar North Cyber Crime Police Station has registered an FIR against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee over alleged derogatory remarks targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The complaint cites inflammatory election-related comments, including references linked to DJ music in the run-up to polls. Police said the content is being analyzed to determine if it meets thresholds for defamation and insult under the BNS, with attention to potential impact on public order during a sensitive electoral period. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
The Wellcome Collection in London says it will return more than 2,000 Jain manuscripts held for over a century to the Jain community. The “landmark” move follows talks with the Institute of Jainology and will initially transfer the collection to the Dharmanath Network in Jain Studies at the University of Birmingham, where researchers and faith communities can study, interpret and translate the works. The manuscripts span from 15th century illustrated texts to rare medical writings, and the museum cites unethical colonial-era acquisition from a temple in Punjab.
L&T has partnered with France’s Exail to provide an advanced Unmanned Mine Counter-Measure (MCM) Suite for the Indian Navy’s Mine Counter Measure Vessels programme. The system combines autonomous and remotely operated capabilities to detect, classify, identify and neutralise mines from a safe stand-off distance. L&T will act as prime contractor, offering the suite to all shipyards building 12 MCMVs, with Exail as technology partner. The effort aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, aiming to strengthen maritime security and build self-reliant defence manufacturing in India.
A major fire broke out at Tech Mahindra’s Chennai facility on Friday, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. The company said every employee was evacuated safely from the building and that there were no injuries or casualties reported. Tech Mahindra also confirmed the incident, adding that the blaze was brought under control quickly through close coordination with local authorities and emergency teams. Officials have not yet shared the cause of the fire in the available report.
Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets in an IPL match in Lucknow. CSK, sent in to bat, posted 187 for five, driven by Kartik Sharma’s 71 off 42. Shivam Dube added a rapid 16-ball unbeaten 32 to keep the total defendable. But LSG’s chase was anchored by Mitchell Marsh’s explosive 90 off 38 and an opening stand worth 135, before Nicholas Pooran and Mukul Choudhary finished the job with 188 for three.
The NIA has asked a special court to cancel the bail of activists Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. The agency alleges they violated bail conditions by attending a Mumbai Press Club event on January 19, despite restrictions including not speaking to the media and not leaving Mumbai without permission. The court has sought responses from both accused and will hear the matter on May 22. The case stems from speeches at a 2017 Pune conclave followed by violence near Koregaon Bhima.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.