Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
For centuries, the Oracle of Delphi captivated the ancient world, with accounts describing mysterious vapors rising from beneath the temple. Now, modern geological thinking points to nearby fault lines that could have released gases and liquids, reframing the supernatural as a natural phenomenon. The findings don’t erase the legend, but they add a measurable engine to Delphi’s enduring mystery.
Scientists are turning to lunar lava tubes as promising shelter sites for future astronauts. These underground tunnels can offer strong protection from harmful radiation and extreme temperature swings. Researchers also suspect the tubes may hold valuable resources such as water ice, which could support long-term missions. With underground habitats potentially more practical than surface bases, study efforts are accelerating.
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The Bombay High Court refused an urgent hearing request to stay Tata Trusts board meetings set for May 8. The petition claimed the Sir Ratan Tata Trust breached 2025 state rules tied to “perpetual trustees.” With the court declining interim relief, the Trusts can proceed with deliberations on key governance issues for the scheduled meeting.
India’s defence industry is hitting a milestone, with exports rising beyond 38,000 crore rupees. The jump is credited to the success of Operation Sindoor, a tightly timed 96-hour engagement that showcased the performance of homegrown systems. With global buyers taking notice, flagship technologies such as the BrahMos missile and Akash-NG air defence are emerging as key drivers of the export boom.
Indian markets closed marginally lower as weakness hit FMCG, IT and PSU banking shares. Amid the softer broader tone, Paytm surged after reporting a quarterly profit. Godrej Industries, Hero MotoCorp, Tejas Networks and Vedanta also climbed, highlighting wide dispersion as investors reacted to company-specific results and momentum trading.
NEET UG 2026 logged a massive turnout with 22.7 lakh registered candidates and 96.9% appearing for the exam. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Bihar together contributed about 41.4% of all aspirants, underscoring their dominance in medical demand. Gujarat topped attendance at 98.1%, highlighting strong participation even as the exam scaled up nationwide.
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Election officials seized inducements worth Rs 1,445 crore during recent assembly polls, marking a 40.14% jump from 2021. Tamil Nadu led the figures for cash confiscations, while West Bengal stood out for the biggest hauls of liquor and drugs. The figures underscore intensified enforcement as campaigns drew scrutiny over illegal inducements.
While the Nifty 50 lingers in a tight trading band, India’s midcap and smallcap segments are pushing to fresh highs. Vinay Rajani attributes the mismatch to foreign institutional investors staying away from large-cap trades, leaving Nifty trailing global peers. Analysts still expect a credible Nifty breakout, with 24,000 flagged as key support.
Former DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai marked the first anniversary of India’s Operation Sindoor by claiming Pakistan asked India to stop the operation. He described the strikes as a “gold-standard” in strategic warfare, arguing that India’s precision actions pressured Pakistan into seeking an end to hostilities. The remarks add fresh detail to the narrative around the operation’s impact.
New research finds enormous cosmic filaments in the universe’s web are slowly rotating. These faint structures stretch hundreds of millions of light-years and link galaxy clusters across vast distances. The observation challenges older ideas that matter’s large-scale evolution was mostly static, instead suggesting these colossal “bridges” are dynamic and have been changing for billions of years.
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During President To Lam’s state visit to India, PM Narendra Modi presented Vietnam with a Namoh 108 lotus, a brass Buddha with a Bodhi tree, and Varanasi silk. The gifts are being framed as more than ceremonial, blending Indian cultural heritage with modern biotech, according to sources cited by ANI. The move highlights deepening India Vietnam ties through symbolic diplomacy.
Delhi Police Special Cell has carried out Operation Gang Bust–2 over the past 48 hours, deploying about 1,000 teams across five states to target criminals linked to an ISI network. Authorities say the operation was intelligence-led, aimed at suspects who had previously avoided action in January after extensive reconnaissance and surveillance, leading to a coordinated crackdown now.
In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, sparking an organized 381-day boycott led by the Black community. The protest directly challenged segregation laws, pressured the bus company, and captured national attention. Its success highlighted the power of peaceful collective action and became a catalyst for the wider U.S. Civil Rights Movement.
Realty Income lifted its 2026 annual adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) forecast, pointing to strong market demand and higher investment activity. The company’s update signals growing confidence in cash flow performance amid continued interest in its real estate portfolio and acquisition pipeline. Investors are watching for whether this momentum sustains into the new forecast period.
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Polling opened in the UK for local elections that could intensify pressure on Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The vote is expected to highlight gains by both hard-right and left-wing populists, adding to growing voter backlash. Starmer and his wife cast ballots near Parliament in Westminster as the results loom over the government.
Canada is strengthening oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants starting July 15, introducing new regulations focused on transparency and fraud prevention. The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants will be granted greater authority to enforce standards and penalize unethical conduct. The move aims to ensure applicants receive more reliable guidance when planning their move and future in Canada.
Orkla India is facing rising headwinds as its spice business, a core pillar, starts to weaken. What began in the spice portfolio then spread into broader fault lines, leaving investors concerned. Since its late last year listing, the stock has fallen about 30%, with added uncertainty coming from Gulf-linked risks.
Global Energy Alliance has appointed Tanya Singhal to lead its India operations, with a mandate to scale the alliance’s work across the country’s energy systems. Her focus includes advancing clean power through battery storage, grid digitalization, and distributed energy—key pillars aimed at improving reliability and accelerating the transition to cleaner electricity.
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Post mortem details in the killing of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, indicate he was shot with a semi automatic firearm. Investigators say the weapon was an improvised automatic pistol and early indications suggest a low calibre round, but the precise calibre will be confirmed only after detailed ballistic examination.
Maharashtra has revised its NPS scheme for state employees, with assured retirement benefits for those joining by December 2026. Employees with 20 years of service can receive 50% of their last drawn salary as pension, while a minimum Rs 7,500 monthly pension is guaranteed for 10 years. The update also details conditions around family pension, gratuity, and corpus access.
Kerala’s next chief minister is expected to be decided by Sunday after Congress leaders and elected MLAs share their views with AICC observers. With the United Democratic Front winning the Assembly elections, party high command will make the final call, weighing feedback from representatives and senior leaders before announcing the next leadership.
Indian cricket paid tribute to former Punjab cricketer Amanpreet Singh Gill, who died in Chandigarh at 36. Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh shared emotional condolences for their U-19 teammate. Gill represented India in Youth ODIs and a Youth Test, and built a domestic career with multiple first-class appearances for Punjab, earning respect for his dedication.
Tata Group and JSW Group are set to invest nearly $1 billion in electric vehicle and battery technology, focusing on homegrown research capabilities. The push, led by Tata’s Agratas and JSW Motors, is designed to reduce reliance on Chinese EV and battery supply chains by building local know-how. Tata plans over $400 million for battery research, while JSW targets at least $500 million for a research hub.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the first phase of Census-2027, the Houselisting and Housing Census that will map homes and assets across the state. Residents can self-enumerate digitally from May 7 to May 21, 2026, before census teams conduct door-to-door surveys. For the first time, caste enumeration is included and forest villages are counted.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh has served a defamation notice on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after Mann blamed the BJP for twin blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar. Chugh says the accusations were baseless, demands Mann either provide proof or step down, and asks for withdrawal of the statements and a public apology within seven days.
Digital banking startup Freo has acquired a 100% stake in credit marketplace IndiaLends, pending regulatory approvals. The move will combine Freo’s licences and product stack with IndiaLends’ marketplace distribution, targeting profitable growth at scale. Freo says the combined platform can serve over 5 crore users, with AI embedded across the stack, while both brands will operate independently.
Expelled Congress leader K V Thomas has thrown his weight behind V D Satheesan as Kerala’s next chief minister, citing Satheesan’s performance leading the UDF as opposition leader. Thomas claimed public opinion favors Satheesan and said the Congress Legislative Party has authorised the party’s high command to make the final CM decision.
Hundreds of TVK supporters gathered at Chennai’s Nehru Indoor Stadium expecting a swearing-in announcement from Vijay. After travelling from across Tamil Nadu and waiting for hours, they found the venue closed with no official communication. The sudden cancellation left supporters disappointed and shaken, turning an anticipated political moment into a confusing, unanswered wait.
Former India cricketer Salil Ankola has admitted himself to a mental health care centre near Pune, family confirmed. He is receiving treatment for severe depression after his mother died last year, as his emotional health deteriorated. The cricket fraternity has rallied in support. Ankola also previously completed rehabilitation for alcohol addiction nearly two decades ago.
Global brokerages including Bernstein, Goldman Sachs, Citi and Jefferies retained bullish ratings on One 97 Communications, Paytm’s parent company. The upbeat stance follows March quarter results coming in ahead of street estimates, with analysts highlighting a beat and pointing to Paytm’s scalable business model as a key driver for continued optimism.
Newly revealed texts paint a picture of turmoil inside OpenAI right after Sam Altman was fired. Mira Murati warned Altman that the board was immovable even if employees walked out. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stepped in, while Altman discussed an acquisition. In the end, the board’s position collapsed and Altman returned quickly.
Flexible workspace firm Awfis has expanded in Chennai, leasing more than 1.1 lakh sq ft to open two new centres. The new leases take its total city footprint to 8.75 lakh sq ft spread across 28 locations. The company points to strong demand as enterprises increasingly adopt flexible office models in Chennai’s growing commercial landscape.
Uttar Pradesh has moved from prepaid billing to postpaid for smart electricity meters, but the shift is limited to individual domestic consumers. The UP department helpline clarified that apartment and society residents will not switch and will continue with the existing prepaid system. The update may ease billing for standalone households while multi-unit complexes retain current prepaid operations.
RBI is expected to keep interest rates unchanged in June, according to HSBC’s chief India economist. With energy costs rising and weather turning unpredictable, inflation pressures remain. At the same time, growth needs support, leaving the central bank balancing conflicting objectives. Any potential hikes are seen as delayed until global supply chains stabilize and oil prices cool.
Alcohol beverage makers are asking state governments to raise liquor prices, warning that production is getting squeezed by surging packaging costs. They cite sharp increases in the prices of glass, paper, cans and bottles, driven by supply chain disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis. With margins shrinking and costs still climbing, manufacturers warn some units may have to shut down.
BCCI has moved the IPL finals from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad, with Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara pointing to commercial viability as the main reason. He dismissed claims that ticket distributions to MLAs drove the decision. Bengaluru officials reported no security or arrangement complaints, while Ahmedabad’s larger stadium capacity is being cited as a key factor.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the NDA government inherited Rs 10 lakh crore in debts from the previous YSRCP regime. He further claimed Rs 10,000 crore from 94 central schemes was diverted. Naidu said his administration is focused on improving living standards and accelerating development across the state.
New CCTV footage has surfaced showing two bikers following Chandranath Rath’s white Scorpio SUV moments before he was shot dead in Madhyamgram, Bengal. Police investigating the murder suspect a pre planned political killing, pointing to evidence involving a fake number plate and a car allegedly purchased via OLX, raising questions about how closely the attackers tracked Rath’s movements.
A viral post on X reignited debate after a manager fired a pregnant employee for missing two consecutive shifts, only for HR to reverse the decision and initiate disciplinary action. The case has fueled discussion on workplace policies, training for managers, and how employers should handle maternity or medical emergencies instead of treating them like standard absences.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has kicked off its smart parking project with an initial Rs 3 crore allocation, aiming to tackle daily parking hassles for commuters. The civic body is also set to appoint a consultant as the plan moves into the next phase, with details on implementation still emerging.
Samsung has opened a new Business Experience Studio in Gurugram to showcase AI-powered solutions for industries including retail, banking, and healthcare. The initiative is aimed at accelerating India’s digital transformation and moving intelligent, connected business environments to more cities. The studio will also act as a partner hub for building customized enterprise solutions.
Italian former model Elisabetta Tai Ferretto, who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has been found safe in the US after her family said they lost contact in April. After visiting Italy earlier, she was located in a Florida detention facility. Ferretto was among the first to publicly describe an alleged encounter with Epstein in 2004.
Former Australian cricketer David Warner will accept a mid-range drink-driving charge, his lawyer confirmed. Warner was charged last month after a random breath test in Sydney on April 5 returned positive results. The admission follows public attention on the case, with Warner’s next steps now focused on formally responding to the charge.
Brigade Enterprises has approved a 1:3 bonus share issue with its Q4 FY26 results and final dividend. The move targets around 1.5 lakh retail shareholders, but the stock slid nearly 5% after weaker quarterly earnings and lower profit and revenue. Still, the company highlighted steady long-term shareholder returns and broad investor participation.
Google DeepMind has partnered with the creators of EVE Online to use the game’s sprawling simulation as a training ground for advanced AI tools. Researchers will run models inside a safe offline version of the game, reducing real-world risk while stress-testing performance. The deal also marks a shift for CCP Games, now operating as Fenris Creations.
West Bengal political fault lines widened on Republic’s The Debate as advocate Touseef Khan, previously seen as a Trinamool Congress loyalist, distanced himself from TMC during the live discussion with Arnab Goswami. The moment comes as BJP is set to win the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Election, ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure and reshaping the state’s power map.
Skyroot Aerospace has become India’s first space-tech startup valued at $1 billion, following a fresh $60 million funding round. The company is now preparing for its first orbital rocket launch, a move investors see as validation of momentum in India’s space sector. Skyroot plans to boost launch cadence and scale up manufacturing to meet rising demand.
Moonshot AI, maker of the Kimi chatbot, has raised roughly $2 billion in a fresh funding round that lifts its valuation to more than $20 billion. The round is led by Meituan’s venture arm, signaling growing investor confidence in Chinese AI firms aiming to challenge Silicon Valley incumbents.
Muthoot Microfin outperformed a shrinking lending market, expanding assets by more than 13% while industry growth fell about 20%. The CEO attributed the turnaround to improved repayment performance and lower bad loans. New individual loan products are gaining traction, and further margin expansion and profitability gains are expected in the coming years.
Nora Fatehi appeared before the National Commission for Women to address the growing controversy around the song Sarke Chunar, after critics raised concerns about its lyrics and visuals. Speaking to the media, she issued an apology and said she had no intention to offend anyone. The row intensified as multiple people and groups accused the track of objectifying women.
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