Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Jammu and Kashmir authorities suspended the principal and an assistant professor of Amar Singh College after protests erupted on campus over a harassment allegation. Education Minister Sakina Itoo ordered a week-long, time-bound inquiry, directing investigators to examine not only the incident but also the role of outsiders in the demonstrations. Reports say the probe will conclude with findings and next steps.
Anthropic’s Claude Managed Agents adds Dreaming, Outcomes, and Multi-Agent Orchestration, collapsing memory, evaluation, and orchestration into one runtime. While it simplifies deployment, the move threatens the modular stacks many enterprises rely on—standalone orchestrators, vector databases, and external eval loops—raising concerns about lock-in and compliance when memory runs on vendor infrastructure.
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AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran has extended support to AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami to form government in Tamil Nadu after meeting the Governor. The move is being seen as a major political setback for actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy, as coalition dynamics shift ahead of government formation and negotiations.
Cornell University research adds a new twist to healthy aging: low vitamin B12 may damage skeletal muscle mitochondria, reducing energy production and cellular resilience. The study found suboptimal B12 levels are common among older adults, and B12 supplementation improved mitochondrial function in aged mice. Human trials are now needed to confirm whether correcting deficiency can slow aspects of age-related decline.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accused the BJP of obstructing governance in the Union Territory, saying the party is using the statehood issue to pressure the elected government. Abdullah also claimed delays around cabinet expansion reflect political tactics rather than administrative reasons, escalating tensions over J&K statehood restoration.
Kapil Sharma’s Daadi Ki Shaadi opened modestly on May 8, earning about ₹60 lakh in India on Day 1. Worldwide figures are closer to ₹72 lakh, but the overseas market is subdued and theatrical response in India remains lukewarm, following early reactions that failed to build momentum.
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Biocon says it is moving from an expansion phase to a focus on capacity utilization, margin expansion, and stronger returns. After major investments to build global capabilities, the company reported 13% revenue growth for FY26, but net profit fell significantly. Biocon is also aiming for sustainable profitable growth while exploring in-licensing for its biosimilars portfolio.
Tamil producer RB Choudary, father of actor Jiiva, died in a road accident on May 5 near Udaipur in Rajasthan. Reports say his car lost balance and struck a divider on the Beawar–Pali–Pindwara Road while he was reportedly heading to a family event. A final video shared online has left netizens deeply shaken.
Upwork CEO Hayden Brown announced the company will lay off 25% of its workforce, citing that AI will drive how work is matched and delivered. The move signals accelerating cost-cutting across the tech and freelancing sector, with leadership warning that teams could get smaller as automation reshapes operations, roles, and demand for human-led services.
A Chartered Accountant has sparked fresh debate by arguing that buying homes in urban India can be a poor financial deal compared to renting. Citing cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, he notes rental yields stay low while home loan interest rates remain high, widening the gap for buyers. He adds that stamp duty and registration can take 5–7% upfront, worsening the upfront cost.
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Zaggle has reduced its planned acquisition of Dice after reassessing the transaction structure. The company’s executive chairman said the Rs 123 crore figure was only indicative of acquiring the full entity, but a “thorough evaluation” led to an asset purchase instead. The revised deal size is Rs 68 crore, focused on assets and IP rather than the whole business.
Britannia has moved its North American export operations from Oman to Mundra in Gujarat to manage disruptions linked to West Asian crises. The company is also exploring higher prices, including tweaks like reducing product grammage and adjusting larger packs, after a reported 20% jump in fuel and packaging costs driven by geopolitics and supply-chain strain.
Since launching in 2015, India’s Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana has enrolled over 27 crore people and disbursed Rs 17,600 crore in claims, supporting the government’s “Insurance for All by 2047” push. The scheme provides Rs 2 lakh life cover for an annual premium of Rs 436, positioning low-cost coverage at scale.
Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of creating a mechanism to manipulate elections in several key regions, citing states including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, and West Bengal. He warned the BJP will face public anger, arguing voters are increasingly frustrated and their reaction is approaching.
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India and Singapore have agreed to step up joint action against terrorism, including cross-border movement, radicalisation and financing. The pledge was made during a Joint Working Group meeting in New Delhi, where officials discussed stronger anti-terror cooperation, information sharing and capacity building to tackle both traditional and emerging threats under a zero-tolerance approach.
Cloudflare has laid off 1,100 employees, saying the company’s AI usage has surged 600% over the last three months. The move adds to mounting pressure on tech firms as automation expands and workforce costs come under scrutiny. Cloudflare framed AI adoption as part of shifting operations and productivity expectations, despite the human impact.
Finn Allen struck an unbeaten century as Kolkata Knight Riders kept rolling, beating Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in IPL 2026. Chasing 143, Allen powered the run chase with 100 off just 47 balls, delivering KKR a smooth finish. The knock was his maiden IPL century and extended the momentum behind Kolkata’s strong campaign.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy addressed backlash after he questioned why Team India’s Thomas Cup 2026 bronze medal win did not receive proper celebration or coverage. The doubles star clarified that his remarks were driven by concern, not by a desire for personal fame. He urged viewers to focus on the team’s achievement as trolls tried to twist his intent.
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Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders clashed on May 8 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, and KL Rahul delivered a steady 23-run knock. The innings mattered beyond the scoreboard: Rahul became the first player in IPL history to register a rare, elusive milestone. The moment underlined his consistency as DC pushed their case in IPL 2026’s tight race.
India U17 women’s team made AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup history by thrashing Lebanon 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. The emphatic win also ended a long wait for goals and a victory since 2005, with the team’s maiden knockout run now set to take on hosts China.
A US court has ordered former cybersecurity executive Peter Williams to pay $10 million to his former employers after he stole surveillance and hacking tools. Williams allegedly sold the tools for $1.3 million to a Russian broker linked to Putin’s government. The ruling underscores how internal theft can directly fuel foreign cyber operations and raises questions about tool accountability and oversight.
Speculation claimed Anthropic held back broad access to Claude Mythos due to insufficient compute. But CEO Dario Amodei disputes that explanation, saying restrictions were not driven by resource limits. The remarks shed new light on how Anthropic is planning release strategies and managing demand for its next-generation model—without the compute bottleneck many expected.
Walmart CEO John Furner met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss India’s growth and investment opportunities. The retailer said it has sourced $40 billion worth of goods from India and is expanding digital commerce and payments. The broader push includes plans tied to Flipkart and PhonePe’s potential public listings, signaling Walmart’s intent to deepen its footprint in the market.
Former Congress MLA TD Raje Gowda has taken his Sringeri election dispute to the Supreme Court, challenging a High Court order that ordered a recount of postal ballots. The recount shifted results in favour of his BJP rival DN Jeevaraj. The apex court is set to hear the case on Monday, and Congress says it will pursue the matter further.
Vodafone Group Plc is reportedly considering transferring part of its stake in Vodafone Idea Ltd to the Indian company. The capital move is meant to strengthen Vodafone Idea’s finances and support its push for large loans to clear government dues and fund growth. The proposal signals Vodafone’s effort to shore up its Indian unit amid debt pressure.
Petrol and diesel prices may rise by ₹5 to ₹7 per litre nationwide by May 15, sources say. The expected increase follows a global crude oil price uptick and mounting pressure on domestic oil marketing companies to bring retail rates in line with international benchmarks. An LPG price revision could also be considered, adding to household cost concerns.
N Rangasamy, founder of AINRC, has staked his claim to form the government in Puducherry after meeting the Lieutenant Governor. He submitted a letter of support from assembly members and was re-elected leader of the NDA legislature party. Following the recent assembly polls, the NDA retained power in the Union Territory, setting up the next steps for government formation.
India is rapidly expanding its military capabilities in the wake of Operation Sindoor, with major deals moving toward finalisation. Planned acquisitions include additional Rafale fighter jets and indigenous submarines, while new air defence initiatives such as Mission Sudarshan Chakra target emerging threats. The push also leans heavily on drones, electronic warfare, satellite surveillance, and improving long-range missile strike options.
Fi Money cofounder Sumit Gwalani has stepped down after six years, following the shutdown of the startup’s banking service in March. The company says it is pivoting from consumer finance toward AI and enterprise technology, a shift that consumer-facing products and roles. The earlier restructuring announcement by Sujith Narayanan adds to the turmoil in India’s struggling neobanking partnerships.
The US Treasury is projected to borrow over $2 trillion in fiscal year 2026, with deficits staying above 6% of GDP. That implies $166–$181 billion of new debt each month, while interest payments alone hit $530 billion in just six months. With national debt around $38.91 trillion, reaching a 3% deficit target would require about $10 trillion in cuts over a decade.
The RBI has issued the Commercial Banks Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy Fifth Amendment Directions 2026, allowing banks to reckon profits from the current financial year for CRAR calculations on a quarterly basis. The move applies subject to specific conditions and a prescribed formula, potentially giving banks greater flexibility in meeting capital adequacy requirements.
A sharp US jobs report beat expectations, jolting Wall Street and lifting the S&P 500 toward record territory. The Dow and Nasdaq surged as investors piled into AI-linked leaders, with NVIDIA topping $214 and Apple breaking above $294. Falling Treasury yields toward 4.35% eased pressure on growth stocks despite geopolitical worries and $100 oil.
Mumbai auto driver Satyawan Gite has turned a regular commute into a sing-along experience. His auto-rickshaw is equipped with a built-in karaoke system, letting passengers take part while he also offers free fruits, water, and Wi-Fi. He marks birthdays and gives free rides to elderly people and pregnant women—drawing praise from celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq praised the administration’s drug abuse crackdown but warned it may be trapped in a “law and order prism.” He argued arrests alone won’t solve addiction, urging broader action amid youth stress from conflict and limited opportunities. He also questioned expanding alcohol sales during the fight against drugs, calling for an alcohol ban and reopening educational institutions.
Assam’s NDA government is set to take oath on May 12, with the council of ministers scheduled to be sworn in around 11 am. Ahead of that, the legislature party leader will be elected on May 10, followed by the NDA leader’s selection. The process will then move to seeking the Governor’s permission to form the new government.
Texmaco Rail and Engineering Limited has landed new orders worth Rs 187.37 crore. Kochi Metro Rail has awarded the company Rs 130.22 crore for ballastless track works for Phase 2. Texmaco also secured a Rs 57.15 crore capex purchase order from Vedanta Aluminium, adding a second large contract to its order book.
The US says its forces opened fire to disable four Iranian ships attempting to breach a blockade of Iran’s ports. The US Navy claims it used precision munitions and cannon fire to stop the vessels. The escalation comes after Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz, and the blockade was reportedly set following failed peace talks in Pakistan, underscoring rising maritime tensions.
The Defense Department has released a new collection of UFO-related materials on war.gov/ufo, including images, videos, and documents. The move puts a curated archive directly in public view, offering new details and context around previously classified or little-seen sightings. Officials say the content has been made available as part of the government’s transparency push.
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank reported a 238% jump in Q4 net profit to Rs 282 crore, driven by stronger business momentum, improved asset quality, and better collections. Deposits and assets under management continued to rise steadily. The bank also cleared a Rs 2,000 crore fundraising plan for FY27, signaling renewed growth ambitions despite tighter credit discipline.
Urban Company’s InstaHelp segment drove a dramatic 57-fold jump in net loss to Rs 161 crore in the March quarter of FY26. The company says the increase stems from higher spending as it pushes for market share in the fast-growing, cutthroat on-demand domestic help space, even if short-term profitability suffers.
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla says the board will introduce new access control rules for IPL players, targeting repeated protocol breaches by individuals and franchises. The move is aimed at enforcing stricter discipline and tightening match-day compliance. Details are expected as the league progresses, with players and teams likely facing tougher monitoring and restrictions.
SBI Chairman C S Setty has urged a review of the definition of “affordable home,” pointing to a rapid rise in loan sizes within the segment. The bank says average affordable housing loan amounts have increased to about Rs 51 lakh from roughly Rs 35–40 lakh just two years ago, despite the segment remaining highly competitive.
Zaggle has revised its DICE acquisition, cutting the deal size to around ₹68 crore from the previously planned ₹123 crore. Instead of purchasing the entire entity, Zaggle’s board approved a strategic acquisition of DICE’s AI-enabled spend management platform, contracts, IP, and about 100 technology professionals, aiming for capital efficiency and tighter integration.
Actor turned politician Vijay Thalapathy has failed to prove majority in Tamil Nadu for the third consecutive time, according to sources. He reportedly missed the 118 MLA mark and remains short by two MLAs. IUML’s withdrawal of support has further deepened the stalemate, and the oath taking ceremony has been postponed again, prolonging the political thriller.
Boston Scientific has leased more than 1.3 lakh sq ft of office space in Pune’s Wakad for a global capability centre, locking in a nearly 9.5-year term. The arrangement also offers an option for additional expansion, signaling growing investor confidence in Pune’s ability to attract multinationals seeking large campuses and skilled talent.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy is scheduled to take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister tomorrow at 11 am. The move follows his third meeting with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in three days, where Vijay staked a claim to form the government with support from 120 MLAs, ending the political stalemate.
Tata Starbucks says it is bullish on India’s long-term coffee growth, unveiling its first Starbucks Reserve store in east India at Kolkata. The company points to rising coffee penetration and sees expansion that is both sustainable and profitable. With more outlets planned, Starbucks is using the Reserve format to deepen its presence as India’s coffee market continues to grow.
LTM Limited’s new CEO Venugopal Lambu reportedly received Rs 27.26 crore in remuneration for FY26, combining fixed salary, variable compensation and stock options. His predecessor, Debashis Chatterjee, earned Rs 15.75 crore for a shorter tenure. The company also pointed to strong profit and revenue growth during the same fiscal year.
Cloudflare is cutting more than 1,100 jobs as it restructures to become an AI-first organization. The internet security firm says rapid AI adoption has fundamentally changed how work gets done, prompting a major overhaul of teams and operations. The move highlights how quickly generative AI is reshaping labor needs, even in fast-growing tech security companies.
Northern Arc Capital reported a sharp jump in Q4 performance, with net profit rising nearly threefold to Rs 139 crore. In the same quarter last year, profit was Rs 47 crore. The company also said total income increased to Rs 735 crore in January to March 2025-26, up from Rs 593 crore a year earlier, according to a regulatory filing.
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