Author: Staff Writer

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Beyond

Musk–Altman OpenAI trial intensifies in court

The legal fight between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has escalated as Musk appeared in court and gave testimony in a closely watched trial over the future of the AI company.

Musk, who helped found OpenAI in 2015, told the court that the organisation was originally created to develop artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. He claims that over time, it moved away from that goal and became more focused on profit and commercial growth.

He also argued that OpenAI’s shift, especially after receiving major investment from Microsoft, went against its founding principles. Musk is now asking the court to remove Sam Altman and other top executives, reverse the company’s current structure, and award damages.

OpenAI has strongly denied these allegations. The company says its transition to a more commercial model was necessary to fund large-scale AI development. It also points out that Musk himself had considered similar directions before leaving the organisation.

The case has attracted global attention because it involves some of the biggest names in artificial intelligence. It also raises important questions about how AI companies should be structured and who should control advanced technologies.

During his testimony, Musk said his main concern was ensuring that AI remains safe and accessible, rather than being controlled by a few powerful companies or driven mainly by profit.

OpenAI, on the other hand, maintains that its current model allows it to raise the resources needed to compete in a rapidly evolving industry. The company says it remains committed to responsible AI development.

The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with both sides presenting evidence, including emails and internal discussions.

Also Read: EPFO rolls out E-PRAAPTI as PF account tracker

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1 Minute-Read

EPFO rolls out E-PRAAPTI as PF account tracker

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is introducing a new online system called E-PRAAPTI to help people trace and manage old or inactive PF accounts.

Many workers change jobs over time and end up with multiple or forgotten provident fund accounts. This new portal will help them link and merge those accounts using Aadhaar and their Universal Account Number (UAN).

Officials say the system will also make it easier for subscribers to recover unclaimed money. Overall, the move is aimed at making PF account management simpler, faster, and more transparent for millions of employees.

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1 Minute-Read

Bajaj Finserv Q4 profit up 5% to ₹2,540 cr

Bajaj Finserv reported a 5% rise in net profit to ₹2,539 crore for the fourth quarter. The company’s revenue also increased by around 6% during the January–March period, reflecting stable business performance.

Growth was supported by its key segments, including lending, insurance, and investments, which continued to see steady demand. Despite a mixed economic environment, the company managed to maintain consistent momentum.

Bajaj Finserv also announced a dividend of ₹1.5 per share. Overall, the results show balanced growth across its financial services portfolio.

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1 Minute-Read

Cognizant to cut 4,000 jobs amid AI shift

Cognizant is set to lay off around 4,000 employees, nearly 1% of its workforce, as it adjusts to changes in the tech industry. The company is facing slower demand for traditional IT services, while businesses are rapidly moving towards AI-based solutions.

The job cuts are part of a larger plan to restructure operations and focus more on artificial intelligence and automation. Cognizant is also increasing investments in new technologies to stay competitive.

The move highlights how companies are reshaping their workforce to keep pace with fast-changing technology trends.

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Corporate

Sensex falls 1,100 points, Nifty below 24,000

Indian stock markets had a weak day on April 30, with heavy selling dragging both key indices lower. The Sensex fell over 1,100 points at one stage, while the Nifty slipped below the 24,000 mark, reflecting nervousness among investors.

Markets opened on a negative note and remained under pressure through most of the session. Although there was a slight recovery later in the day, it wasn’t enough to erase the earlier losses.

One of the main reasons behind the fall was rising global uncertainty. Concerns around tensions involving the United States and Iran pushed crude oil prices higher. This worried investors, as higher oil prices can increase inflation and impact economic growth.

Most sectors saw declines, including banking, metals, and real estate. The broad-based fall showed that investors were cautious across the board rather than focusing on specific stocks.

Despite the overall weakness, a few stocks managed to hold their ground. Bajaj Finance and ONGC were among the gainers, attracting buying interest during the session. Some defensive stocks also showed resilience.

Foreign investors also continued to pull money out of Indian markets, adding to the selling pressure. At the same time, the rupee weakened against the US dollar, which further affected sentiment.

Also Read: Cognizant to buy Astreya for $600 mn

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Corporate

Cognizant to buy Astreya for $600 mn

Cognizant has announced plans to acquire Astreya in a deal worth around $600 million, as it looks to expand its capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and data infrastructure.

Astreya is known for managing large-scale IT systems, including data centres, cloud operations, and AI infrastructure. By bringing Astreya into its network, Cognizant aims to better support companies that are increasingly relying on AI and digital technologies for their operations.

The acquisition comes at a time when businesses across the world are investing heavily in AI tools and cloud-based systems. As demand grows, companies need strong backend infrastructure to run these technologies smoothly, and this is where Astreya’s expertise fits in.

Cognizant said the deal will help it deliver more advanced AI-driven solutions to its clients. Astreya’s experience in handling complex IT environments, including enterprise networks and AI platforms, is expected to strengthen Cognizant’s overall service offering.

The deal is likely to be completed in the coming months, subject to necessary approvals. Once finalised, Astreya’s team and technology will become part of Cognizant’s global operations.

This move is part of a larger strategy for Cognizant to stay competitive in a rapidly changing tech industry. The company has been focusing more on AI, automation, and cloud services, which are becoming key areas of growth.

Astreya, founded over two decades ago, has built a strong reputation for managing IT operations for major global clients. Its addition is expected to give Cognizant an edge in handling large and complex digital projects.

Also Read: Nitin Gadkari pushes shift from petrol, diesel vehicles

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Leaders

Nitin Gadkari pushes shift from petrol, diesel vehicles

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that petrol and diesel vehicles are unlikely to remain viable in the future, and India must move towards cleaner fuel options.

Speaking at a recent industry event, he highlighted two major concerns—rising pollution and the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel. India spends a large amount on importing petrol and diesel, which affects the economy. At the same time, these fuels contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in urban areas.

To tackle these issues, Gadkari stressed the need to adopt alternative fuels at a faster pace. He encouraged automobile manufacturers to focus on electric vehicles, biofuels, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen. These options are cleaner and can help reduce both pollution and fuel costs over time.

He also said that India should aim to use fuels that can be produced within the country. This would not only reduce imports but also support local industries and make the country more self-reliant in energy.

Among the alternatives, Gadkari pointed to hydrogen as a promising option for the future. He said more efforts should be made in research and development to make hydrogen-based transport more practical and widely available.

The minister also emphasised the importance of improving public transport systems. Cleaner buses and better urban transport can reduce traffic congestion and pollution while making travel more efficient for people.

India has already taken steps in this direction by promoting electric vehicles and increasing ethanol blending in petrol. The government is also exploring new technologies to support green mobility.

Also Read: Etihad Airways teams up with Air Cambodia to expand routes

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Beyond

Etihad Airways teams up with Air Cambodia to expand routes

Travelling between the Middle East and Southeast Asia is set to become simpler, thanks to a new partnership between Etihad Airways and Air Cambodia.

The two airlines have signed a codeshare agreement that allows passengers to book connecting flights under a single ticket. This means travellers can fly across multiple destinations without the hassle of separate bookings or rechecking baggage at every stop.

For instance, passengers flying with Etihad can now easily reach Cambodian cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap by connecting through the airline’s network. Siem Reap, in particular, is a popular destination as it serves as the gateway to the famous Angkor Wat temple complex, attracting tourists from around the world.

The agreement also benefits passengers flying from Cambodia. Those travelling with Air Cambodia will now have smoother access to Etihad’s wide global network through Abu Dhabi, opening up routes to Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of Asia.

This partnership is part of Etihad’s broader effort to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia, a region where travel demand continues to grow. Instead of launching new direct flights to every destination, airlines often use codeshare deals like this to expand their reach quickly and efficiently.

The collaboration also improves access to nearby countries. Travellers can now connect more easily to cities in Vietnam, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, adding more options to their travel plans.

Etihad had already introduced direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Phnom Penh last year. This new agreement builds on that step, making Abu Dhabi an even more important hub for travellers heading to Southeast Asia.

Airline officials say the move will not only make travel more convenient but also help boost tourism and business links between the regions.

Also Read: Vedanta Ltd demerger nears completion, shares to list by June

Categories
Technology

Apple Inc. may launch ‘Ultra’ iPhone, MacBook soon

Apple Inc. may soon take its premium lineup a step further by introducing a new “Ultra” category for its devices, including the iPhone and MacBook.

According to recent reports, the company is exploring the idea of launching an “iPhone Ultra,” which could become its most advanced smartphone yet. This model is expected to stand above the current Pro versions, offering cutting-edge features and a fresh design.

One of the biggest highlights could be Apple’s first foldable iPhone. Unlike its traditional designs, this device may feature a screen that folds like a book, giving users a larger display in a compact form. If launched, it would mark a major shift for Apple, which has so far stayed away from foldable phones.

Alongside the iPhone, Apple is also said to be working on a “MacBook Ultra.” This could be a high-end laptop designed for users who want top performance and advanced features. Reports suggest it may come with an OLED display, offering brighter colors and better picture quality than current models.

There are also talks of possible touchscreen support in future MacBooks—something Apple has not offered so far. If this happens, it would be a significant change in how users interact with Mac devices.

The “Ultra” branding is not new for Apple. The company has already used it for products like the Apple Watch Ultra and its most powerful chips. Extending this label to iPhones and MacBooks would clearly position these devices as the most premium options in Apple’s lineup.

Also Read: Waaree Energies shares sink 11% despite 71% profit jump

Categories
Corporate

Waaree Energies shares sink 11% despite 71% profit jump

Waaree Energies saw its shares fall sharply after announcing its latest quarterly results, even though the company reported strong growth in profit and revenue.

For the fourth quarter, the company posted a 71% jump in net profit, showing that its business is expanding quickly. Revenue also rose significantly, nearly doubling compared to last year, driven by strong demand for solar panels and related products.

However, despite these positive numbers, the stock market reacted negatively. Shares of Waaree Energies dropped around 10% as investors focused on a key concern, falling profit margins.

The company’s operating margin declined compared to last year, which means its costs have increased faster than its earnings. In simple terms, while the company is selling more, it is not keeping as much profit from those sales as before. This raised concerns about how sustainable its growth will be in the long run.

Experts say such margin pressure is common in the solar industry. Companies often face rising costs for raw materials, changes in global pricing, and competition in export markets. These factors can impact profitability even when demand remains strong.

Adding to investor caution, the company has also announced plans to raise up to ₹10,000 crore to support its future expansion. While this shows confidence in growth, it may also lead to concerns about higher debt or dilution of existing shareholders.

Despite the market reaction, the overall outlook for the company remains positive. The demand for renewable energy, especially solar power, continues to grow rapidly in India and across the world. Government policies and climate goals are also supporting this sector.

Also Read: Vedanta Ltd demerger nears completion, shares to list by June