Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Puducherry’s 15th Legislative Assembly has been dissolved by Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan effective May 5, following May 4 election results. N Rangasamy’s AINRC-led NDA alliance won a decisive 18 seats in the 30-member House, setting the stage for fresh elections and a new government formation process in the Union Territory.
Donald Trump predicts any potential conflict with Iran would end quickly, arguing U.S. actions are driven by a single overriding purpose: stopping Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Speaking at a tele-rally, he expressed confidence that the situation will be resolved fast, framing the current posture as aimed at preventing a critical security outcome.
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Dry bulk shipping rates have climbed to a two year high, driven by stronger demand for Capesize vessels and a tightening supply of ships. Disruptions in iron ore exports are adding further strain, while the conflict in the Middle East is also lifting freight costs. The combined effect is worsening the cost pressure for exporters and shipping buyers.
Fairfax India plans to raise its stake in IIFL Capital to 51 percent, investing about 20 billion rupees. The capital infusion is expected to strengthen the firm’s financial base and fuel expansion across financial services. The move comes as brokerage and wealth management markets intensify competition, pushing players to scale and consolidate faster.
Meesho shares surged up to 8% after the company reported an 88% year-on-year decline in Q4 net loss to ₹166.3 crore, alongside 47% growth in operating revenue to ₹3,531.2 crore. Although expenses rose, margins improved with rising NMV and order volumes. The firm also announced up to ₹100 crore investment in Meesho Payments, while brokerages cited improving profitability and platform reliability from AI-driven experiments.
After Spirit Airlines shut down, a viral campaign called “Let’s Buy Spirit” emerged to use public crowdfunding to revive the carrier. Created by Hunter Peterson, it attracted more than 247,000 pledges totaling $214 million, reflecting frustrations over costly, unreliable air travel. The plan is to build a community-owned airline, borrowing inspiration from the Green Bay Packers model.
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The US fired on an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman as President Trump presses Tehran for a deal aimed at ending the conflict. Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs, while the fighting continues to disrupt oil and gas shipments. Iran is reviewing American proposals, but with strikes and pressure mounting, tensions remain high and outcomes uncertain.
ECLGS 5.0 is designed to cushion MSMEs from fallout tied to the US Iran war, offering relief intended to ease immediate stress. But industry voices are questioning whether the scheme truly helps businesses in practice, warning that moratorium terms could delay payments without reducing long term pressure. The real test: how workable these conditions are for small firms.
Iran says its maritime authority is fully ready to provide maritime services and technical support to commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The move follows Donald Trump’s announcement of a temporary halt to “Project Freedom,” a safety initiative for vessels and their crews. Iran claims the step reinforces its commitment to secure maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
Security outside TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata residence has been scaled down, with locals saying the atmosphere has turned calmer and residents feel more free to move. The change follows the BJP’s major assembly election victory that ended the TMC’s long rule in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has issued strict warnings against any post-poll violence.
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Iran has condemned a United States backed draft UN Security Council resolution focused on the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting claims that it protects freedom of navigation. Tehran says Washington is advancing a political agenda to legitimize unlawful actions, and links the move to US President Donald Trump alongside Gulf partners including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.
The Allahabad High Court upheld the termination of a UPSRTC bus conductor after he allegedly ferried 59 passengers without issuing tickets. Despite filling paybills, the conductor failed to distribute tickets, causing financial loss to the government. The court found the disciplinary action justified and said there was no ground to interfere, calling the conduct dishonest.
Bell Canada, a unit of BCE, dismissed several employees for violating its code of conduct after they were caught faking office attendance through a swipe-and-go system. In the scheme, staff scanned their access cards and left immediately, while one employee reportedly used the office gym before departing. BCE says the firings are disciplinary actions, not part of broader job cuts.
Argentina is investigating whether it is the origin of a deadly hantavirus outbreak after cases emerged on a cruise ship, alongside a sharp rise in infections in the country. Experts say climate change may be expanding rodent habitats, boosting transmission. The Andes virus strain, linked to recent deaths and potentially capable of human-to-human spread, is now under scrutiny.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit India this month, with US envoy Sergio Gor praising the relationship as strong and rapidly growing. Gor said Rubio’s trip will include a ministerial-level Quad meeting, and hinted that the visit is likely to feature major announcements aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation between the US and India.
Embassy Developments shares surged about 51% over three days after the NCLAT overturned an earlier order that had admitted the company into insolvency proceedings. The sharp rebound lifted its market value by more than Rs 3,293 crore, pushing market capitalisation close to Rs 9,730 crore. Investors reacted to the legal relief behind the momentum.
NSE’s Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) let investors buy and trade physical gold through a fully digital, regulated route. Backed by SEBI-regulated vaults, EGRs are designed to standardize purity and remove concerns around storage. By bringing gold into capital markets, EGRs aim to improve transparency, accessibility, and ease of investing compared with traditional buying.
Vedanta’s mega demerger has created four new listed entities, changing how income will be distributed among its 21 lakh shareholders. The parent company is still expected to pay dividends, but the absolute dividend per share is likely to fall. Investors will now need to evaluate each demerged company’s cash flow and growth prospects to judge future returns.
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Hours after BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandranath Rath was shot dead, a bomb blast in Panihati injured five BJP supporters. The BJP alleged the ruling Trinamool Congress carried out retaliatory violence, while TMC denied the charge. Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage to trace the attackers and motive.
A deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has renewed fears about how the virus spreads. Hantavirus primarily moves from infected rodents to humans, and health agencies are tracking returning travelers. The big question for pet owners is whether dogs, cats, or small animals can pass it on. CDC guidance focuses on avoiding rodent contact and using safe cleaning and rodent control.
Mahindra and Mahindra shares surged more than 2% to an intra-day high of Rs 3,380.70 after the company reported a strong Q4 FY26 consolidated profit growth of 42% year-on-year. The rally reflects investor optimism around the auto major’s earnings momentum, following a sharp jump in profitability for the quarter.
Skyroot has become India’s first space unicorn after securing a new fundraising round that values the company at $1.1 billion. The milestone arrives as India’s broader unicorn growth has cooled since the post-Covid boom, hinting that a renewed wave could come from space and deep-tech startups. The raise signals investor appetite for early space capabilities.
Fitch Ratings says Indian banks are well placed to shift to the expected credit loss provisioning framework that begins April 1, 2027. Fitch expects sufficient capitalisation, though common equity tier 1 may dip slightly. Banks can use a four-year transition period as initial provisions run higher than forecast, which Fitch links to a positive outlook.
Indian forces launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, and military leaders framed the strategy through striking analogies like “chess” and “innings defeat.” Over nearly 88 hours, precision strikes targeted terror infrastructure, described as focused and proportionate. The operation is being presented as a clear deterrent message while underscoring intent to end threats surgically.
Space analytics firm HawkEye 360 raised $416 million in its U.S. IPO by pricing shares at $26 each, the top of its target range. That valuation places the company at roughly $2.42 billion, signaling growing investor appetite for defense-linked and space-tech businesses as IPO activity gains momentum.
Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company has received PFRDA approval to operate as a Pension Fund Sponsor under the National Pension System. It plans to set up a separate pension fund entity to manage NPS assets and retirement investments, expanding its footprint in India’s long-term retirement and pension management ecosystem.
HFCL shares kept surging for a fifth straight session, rising after upbeat Q4FY26 earnings and additional telecom orders revived investor confidence. Over the past month, the stock has nearly doubled, supported by improving profitability, faster revenue growth and momentum buying. Still, technical signals warn the rally may be getting overbought.
New CCTV footage accessed near the murder spot reportedly shows the final moments before BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandranath Rath was gunned down in Madhyamgram, West Bengal. The nearly 100-second clip shows a white Scorpio SUV moving through a narrow lane shortly before the shooting, raising fresh questions about the vehicle’s role in the attack.
Urvashi Rautela addressed backlash around her 2025 song Dabidi Dibidi after working with Nandamuri Balakrishna. She called the experience “amazing,” describing him as energetic and recalling a personal Valentine’s Day gesture. The song’s viral spread has also pulled fresh attention to Daaku Maharaaj, turning online chatter into spotlight for the film.
HSBC economist suggests India can cushion global energy shocks using a three-part approach. The plan supports small businesses through credit guarantees, strengthens rural employment via programs such as NREGA, and urges higher public infrastructure investment. Together, these steps aim to shield growth and household incomes from rising energy prices and possible supply disruptions.
LPG cylinder prices held steady for domestic users on May 7, 2026 even as global oil markets swung amid geopolitical tensions. The big change came in commercial LPG (19 kg) rates, which rose sharply, with Delhi priced at Rs 3,071.50. The government said supplies will remain uninterrupted and that 70% of commercial demand is already met.
India and the European Union have launched a €15.2 million call for proposals to develop EV battery recycling technologies under the Trade and Technology Council. With funding shared through Horizon Europe and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries, teams will work to recover lithium, cobalt and graphite, cut import dependence, and build an India-based pilot line using safer, digital and inclusive logistics. Submissions run until 15 September 2026.
Freshly surfaced text messages add new detail to the chaotic days when Sam Altman was ousted from OpenAI. The messages reportedly capture urgent, high-pressure discussions involving Mira Murati, offering a more intimate view of how quickly events unfolded and decisions were debated as leadership and control were contested.
Cars24’s FY26 numbers show a strong turnaround: revenue rose 27% to Rs 1,411 crore and operating losses narrowed by 36%. The company reported EBITDA positivity in January, attributing the shift to AI adoption that reduced marketing and tech costs. Loan disbursals also climbed 57%, adding momentum to its growth story.
NCRB data for 2024 points to a worrying shift: cases involving juveniles in conflict with the law rose 11.2% to 34,878. At the same time, crimes against senior citizens increased. While kidnapping and abduction cases declined 15.4% to 96,079, overall patterns suggest more youth-linked offenses and heightened targeting of the elderly.
The US Justice Department says it will target immigration judges accused of slow rulings and failing to follow the law, warning replacements for those creating “unacceptable” backlogs. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche framed the move as part of a broader plan to streamline immigration courts and accelerate deportations, aligning the judiciary process with the administration’s push for faster removals.
Hero MotoCorp shares rose about 4% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to a Hold rating, citing strong Q4FY26 performance. The bike maker posted around a 30% jump in net profit and announced a total FY26 dividend of Rs 185 per share. Still, brokerages are split as demand improves but margins remain a key concern.
Bajaj Auto shares surged more than 3% to an intraday high of Rs 10,656 on May 7 after the company reported a 34% year-on-year jump in Q4 net profit to Rs 2,746 crore. The rally also followed news of a large buyback worth Rs 5,633 crore, boosting investor confidence in the two-wheeler maker’s outlook.
The New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 to seize a commanding 2-0 series lead, but the night turned concerning when OG Anunoby left Game 2 with an apparent leg injury late in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns powered the offense as New York held off a tight contest to go up in the matchup.
At the Milken Global Conference in Beverly Hills, five leaders spanning the AI supply chain described how today’s infrastructure is straining under demand. Their discussion ranged from persistent chip shortages to the push for orbital data centers, and even raised the possibility that the foundational architecture enabling AI may be fundamentally flawed.
Tamil Nadu’s post-poll drama escalated as the AIADMK faced turbulence over internal dissent tied to support for TVK. With Vijay moving fast to assert a claim to government formation, AIADMK MLAs were reportedly rushed to Puducherry, while Vijay sought another meeting with the Governor as the numbers game tightened and a potential floor test loomed.
Indian benchmarks opened higher on Thursday, May 7, with Sensex up 0.49% to 78,339.24 and Nifty 50 rising 0.28% to 24,398.50. The gains extend the momentum seen in the previous session, signaling continued buying interest at the start of trade as investors react to ongoing market cues.
Milky Mist Dairy Food Ltd, headquartered in Erode, has raised about Rs 482 crore in a structured pre-IPO round anchored by Jongsong Investments, an indirect Temasek unit. The deal sets a valuation floor near Rs 9,300 crore, far below the earlier Rs 20,000 crore target. With SEBI IPO approval already secured, funds will support debt repayment and manufacturing and new product expansion.
Thalapathy Vijay’s TVK has emerged as Tamil Nadu’s single largest party with 108 seats, but it still lacks the numbers to form a government. Congress’s support is in play, yet TVK needs about 10 more MLAs. AIADMK’s offer of unconditional support was withdrawn after TVK did not respond, adding uncertainty to the outcome.
A viral clip shows Pakistani politician Shaheer Sialvi, chairman of the Pakistan Nazriyati Party, admitting that the Pakistani Army provided uniformed military funerals and honours for operatives killed in India’s “Operation Sindoor.” He made the remarks at a Lashkar-e-Taiba event in Rawalpindi, naming figures tied to Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar’s networks and framing the killings in India’s retaliatory strikes against terror hubs.
Barasat police have detained three suspects linked to the Chandranath assassination and are interrogating them at Madhyamgram police station. A Special Investigation Team has been formed, headed by the IG CID, with officers from the IB and the Bengal STF involved. Authorities say the SIT will probe the Madhya area link and expand the investigation further.
One97 Communications, Paytm’s parent company, saw its shares jump up to 6.2% after blockbuster Q4 results. The firm posted consolidated net profit of ₹183 crore in the quarter and, more importantly, reported its first full-year profitability with net profit of ₹552 crore for FY26. Investors are betting on a sustained operational turnaround and renewed growth momentum.
Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 campaign took another hit against SRH after they dropped nearly half a dozen catches, turning key moments into Hyderabad advantages. They ultimately lost by 33 runs and fell behind in the standings. After the defeat, captain Shreyas Iyer pointed to the catching as the main problem, while R. Ashwin added a surprising detail about the ball’s odd bounce.
Matt Mahan, a moderate Democrat and former tech executive, is positioning himself as a technology backed alternative in California’s governor race. Viewed as a tech industry favorite, he’s drawing substantial funding from investors and employers, while contrasting his approach with career politicians. His campaign emphasizes pragmatic solutions to homelessness and crime, aiming to translate business-style execution into public policy.
Godrej Consumer Products shares slid nearly 6% even as Q4 net profit rose 9.7% year on year and revenue grew in double digits. Analysts still stayed positive, pointing to stronger domestic volumes, improving Indonesia performance and FY27 margin guidance. The drop reflects concern over near-term input cost pressure and possible demand slowdown, outweighing the headline earnings beat.
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