National / The Times of India
Three Indian nationals from Punjab, who had been missing in Iran since May 1 while en route to Australia with promises of lucrative jobs, have been rescued by Tehran police. The men were freed following a police operation in south Tehran's Varamin against their hostage-takers.
D Gukesh, the youngest World Chess Champion, defeated Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess tournament, earning praise from Anand Mahindra. Gukesh's composed victory contrasted with Carlsen's frustration, marking a milestone in his career with his first classical win against the world champion. He now stands third in the tournament, closely trailing Carlsen and Caruana.
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis advises students to prioritize STEM subjects and embrace AI tools for future job market success. Speaking at SXSW London, he emphasized the importance of understanding mathematical and scientific fundamentals. Hassabis predicts AI will create valuable jobs for technically skilled individuals, urging students to gain hands-on experience with AI systems.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma refuted Pakistani concerns about China cutting off Brahmaputra's water supply, emphasizing the river's rain-fed nature within India. He stated that only a small percentage of the river's flow originates in China, with the majority coming from Indian monsoon rainfall.
Pakistan alleges India struck seven additional locations beyond those officially acknowledged during Operation Sindoor in May, claiming civilian casualties in areas like Attock and Peshawar. India dismisses these claims as propaganda, asserting strikes targeted terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam attack.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha dismissed three Jammu and Kashmir government employees for aiding terrorist activities. The dismissed employees, including a constable, a teacher, and a junior assistant, were found to be involved in transporting arms, explosives, and narcotics for LeT and Hizb operatives.
General Anil Chauhan revealed that Pakistan's Operation to cripple India in 48 hours on May 10th, dubbed 'Operation Sindoor,' collapsed within eight. India's networked air defense, AI-driven analysis, and non-contact warfare capabilities, including cyber and electromagnetic domains, forced Pakistan to seek de-escalation talks after realizing their multi-pronged attacks had failed. India connected terror to water and redrew military operation lines.
India's current Covid-19 wave has resulted in 37 deaths, with five new fatalities reported on Tuesday from Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Bengal. The total number of cases has reached 4,026, with Kerala leading at 1,416. Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of deaths at 10, followed by Kerala at 9.
The Election Commission of India is set to introduce a technology-driven system to expedite voter turnout updates, addressing concerns raised about delays in the past. Replacing manual reporting, presiding officers will now use the ECINET app to directly enter voter turnout figures every two hours and immediately after polls close.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, part of Axiom-4's multinational crew, is set to launch to the International Space Station on June 10. He will conduct seven Indian research experiments, ranging from stem cells to crop seeds. Shukla carries the hopes of a billion hearts, honoring India's space legacy and artistic spirit, with planned interactions with Indian leaders and students.
The Supreme Court overturned a rape case filed by a married woman against a man, stating that a married woman cannot accuse a man of rape on the promise of marriage while her own marriage is still valid. The court found inconsistencies in the woman's claims, noting she maintained the relationship and visited the man while still married.
The Supreme Court has dismissed rape charges against a man, citing the woman's 'aggressive sexual behaviour' and 'manipulative tendencies' as reasons. The court highlighted social media chats where the woman admitted to manipulative intentions and targeting victims for personal gain, including seeking a green card.
The Union finance ministry, RBI, and NPCI have implemented measures to protect digital financial transactions and combat fraud. I4C was established in 2020 to coordinate responses to cybercrimes. Between 2014-15 and Dec 2024, 63,315 digital payment frauds involving amounts above Rs 1 lakh were reported, resulting in a financial loss of Rs 733.26 crore.
The CBI informed a Delhi court that Lalu Prasad, during his tenure as railway minister, allegedly pressured officials to approve Group-D job applications from individuals who transferred land to him and his family at significantly undervalued rates.
The Supreme Court has established a three-member committee to tackle increasing encroachments, pilgrim activity, and mining concerns within Rajasthan's Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Responding to environmental activist Sanjay Kumar's plea, the SC has also suspended all mining operations in the reserve's core area and any illegal mining within the park.
Aakash Educational Services has petitioned the NCLT in Bengaluru to dismiss Byju's petition, requesting that EY and Ajay Shah be included. AESL alleges a conflict of interest, pointing to EY's prior advisory positions in transactions now being challenged by Think & Learn's resolution professional. AESL claims EY played a key role in financial and legal matters.
WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged disruptions to the multilateral trading system and urged India to support China-backed investment facilitation, despite India's opposition. She emphasized India's leadership role for the upcoming MC14, particularly in agriculture, while highlighting the need to address India's concerns in that sector. Reform discussions are anticipated at the mini-ministerial meeting.
Airbus reports IndiGo and Air India are among its top three global customers with substantial aircraft backlogs. While facing delivery delays, Airbus sees supply chain stability returning, aiming to increase A320 production.
The OECD projects India's economy to expand by 6.3% in 2025-26 and 6.4% in 2026-27, remaining the fastest-growing G20 economy despite global uncertainties. While private consumption and investment are expected to remain strong, export growth may moderate due to weaker global demand and trade policy uncertainty.
Indian manufacturers, Dixon Technologies and Florence Shoe Company, are rapidly expanding to capitalize on opportunities arising from global companies seeking alternatives to China, especially after Trump's tariffs. Dixon anticipates a $100 billion export potential in the US and EU, while Florence is increasing shoe production for major brands.
Suresh Narayanan, retiring CMD of Nestle India, reflected on the 2015 Maggi crisis as a major career challenge. He successfully revitalized Maggi after a nationwide ban due to safety concerns. Under his leadership, Nestle India saw significant growth, expanding its product portfolio and increasing capital expenditure, demonstrating a commitment to manufacturing in India.
After a period of inactivity, companies are preparing to raise funds through IPOs. SEBI has approved six IPOs aiming to raise over Rs 20,000 crore, including a significant Rs 12,500 crore offer from HDB Financial. Several offers include both fresh issues and offer-for-sale components, with HDB Financial and Dorf-Ketal Chemicals leading the way.
Starlink is on the verge of receiving the green light to launch its satellite services in India, as the government is set to grant the GMPCS license after the company agreed to the telecom department's conditions and paid the required fees.
Quad foreign ministers are expected to convene in Washington soon, setting the stage for a summit in India later this year. The meeting aims to reinforce the group's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region amid ongoing trade discussions with China.
Thousands, including political figures Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and LG Manoj Sinha, congregated at the Mela Kheer Bhawani in Ganderbal, marking the largest gathering since the recent terror attack. Sinha emphasized safety for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, while Mufti advocated for political solutions to facilitate the return of Kashmiri Pandits.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, leading a delegation in Europe, highlighted India's concerns about Pakistan's terror infrastructure. He asserted India's right to protect its citizens and criticized Pakistan's use of terrorism as a state policy. Prasad also addressed China's role in supplying weapons to Pakistan, emphasizing the impact on regional stability and investments.
AAP has declared its departure from the INDIA bloc, asserting that the alliance served its purpose during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party alleged a covert, corrupt agreement between the BJP and Congress, accusing them of prioritizing mutual political survival over public welfare.
The Axiom mission, featuring Indian astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's visit to the ISS, has been rescheduled to June 10. Shukla will conduct experiments, interact with students, and carry Indian delicacies. This mission marks a milestone for India, with PM Modi expected to engage with the crew during their 14-day stay, furthering India's space ambitions.
WestBridge Capital divested a 12.4% stake in Aptus Value Housing Finance for Rs 1,906 crore through an open market transaction via WestBridge Crossover Fund LLC. The sale reduced WestBridge Capitals holding to 16.19%. SBI Mutual Fund, Axis Mutual Fund, Morgan Stanley Asia Singapore, and Eastbridge Group collectively acquired a 3.35% stake for Rs 514.64 crore. Aptus Value Housing Finance shares closed 9.
Severe rains caused a 50-metre section of NH-2 to collapse at Phesama village, disrupting transport between Nagaland and Manipur. Hundreds of trucks are stranded, prompting Deputy CM Zeliang to seek immediate restoration and an alternate route. He highlighted this as the third collapse since 2013, urging a permanent solution.
In Jind, the district administration, aided by an NGO, successfully prevented a third child marriage this month. The latest case involved a couple where the groom was 18 and the bride only 16. Earlier interventions stopped marriages of a 20-year-old groom with a 17-year-old bride and an 18-year-old groom with a 13-year-old bride.
In Tiruppattur, authorities sealed 'Arivu Hospital,' formerly V D S Clinic, after a dentist was linked to eight patient deaths in 2023. Investigations revealed the reuse of single-use equipment and unsterile practices. Despite changing the clinic's name, the dentist continued operating. Officials, led by Dr. Gnanameenakshi, acted after receiving a tip-off and deemed the dentist's explanation unsatisfactory.
In a tragic incident near Pernampet, Vellore district, a middle-aged man, Hari Krishnan, died after being struck by a ricocheting bullet from his own country-made gun while hunting in a forest. Police and forest officials responded to the scene, recovering the body and sending it for post-mortem.
Hyundai Motor Company fully exited Ola Electric Mobility, selling its 2.47% stake for Rs 552 crore. Kia Corporation also divested a 0.62% stake for Rs 137.35 crore. Citigroup Global Markets Mauritius acquired a 1.95% stake for Rs 435.47 crore, leading to a fall in Ola Electric's stock price amidst reported net losses.
Evergent, a California-based AI-powered SaaS provider, has launched its global value center in Hyderabad, already employing 600 professionals and planning to expand to 1,000 by 2025. The company leverages Hyderabad's deep tech talent to develop AI-driven solutions for global media giants, managing over 920 million subscribers through its India-built platform.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann criticized BJP's 'Operation Sindoor' campaign for the Ludhiana West byelection, questioning if it implied a 'one nation, one husband' concept. The BJP strongly condemned Mann's remarks, accusing him of mocking the operation's significance, which aimed to protect Hindu women from terrorists who used 'sindoor' as a marker for identification during a period of violence.
OpenAI has broadened its AI for Impact Accelerator in India, granting $150,000 in technical assistance to 11 nonprofits. These organizations are developing AI tools for healthcare, education, and agriculture. The program, aligned with IndiaAI Mission, aims to democratize AI access and address socio-economic challenges, with plans for further expansion and initiatives in the region.
UBS has revised India's FY26 GDP growth forecast upwards to 6.4% from 6%, citing resilient domestic demand and potential trade benefits. This adjustment considers factors like eased tariffs on Chinese imports and a possible US-India trade deal. While anticipating robust household consumption, UBS foresees a slight slowdown in capital expenditure due to global uncertainties.
Victoria's Secret has postponed its quarterly earnings release following a security breach that disrupted operations and forced its US website offline. The company detected the incident on May 24, initiating response protocols and engaging experts. Preliminary results show $1.35 billion in net sales, exceeding forecasts. The breach, potentially a ransomware attack, impacted in-store services and corporate systems, hindering financial reporting.
NeoLiv, a Mumbai-based realty developer, has successfully sold all 263 residential plots in its inaugural project, 'NeoLiv Grand Park' in Kundli-Sonipat, Haryana, generating over Rs 300 crore in sales. The project, spanning 19.46 acres, experienced demand nearly four times the available inventory, highlighting strong buyer confidence.
Sebi has approved IPOs for six companies, including HDB Financial Services and Vikram Solar. HDB Financial Services plans to raise funds through a fresh issue and offer-for-sale, while Vikram Solar's IPO includes a fresh issue and an offer-for-sale by promoters. The funds raised will support business growth and capital requirements, with shares to be listed on BSE and NSE.
US equity markets showed mixed performance amid global economic concerns and anticipation of interest rate and inflation cues. The Dow and S&P 500 dipped slightly, while the Nasdaq gained, boosted by tech stocks. Trade tensions between the US and China, along with European political uncertainty, weighed on market sentiment. The OECD downgraded its global growth forecast, adding to economic worries.