Nirmala Sitharaman has raised concerns over potential cybersecurity risks to India’s banking sector from advanced artificial intelligence systems, including models developed by Anthropic. The issue was discussed during a high-level meeting with bank heads and key stakeholders. Officials noted that such AI systems are capable of identifying deep vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure, raising fears that they could be misused for cyberattacks if accessed by malicious actors. The government described the emerging threat landscape as increasingly complex, calling for heightened vigilance and stronger preparedness across financial institutions. To address these risks, banks have been advised to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and adopt proactive measures to safeguard customer data and critical systems. The finance ministry has also recommended establishing robust mechanisms for real-time threat intelligence sharing among banks and relevant agencies. Authorities are working on a coordinated institutional response to ensure faster detection and mitigation of cyber threats. Banks have been urged to collaborate closely with cybersecurity experts and government bodies to enhance resilience against evolving risks. The development comes amid growing global scrutiny of advanced AI technologies and their cybersecurity implications, as financial systems become more digitised and interconnected.

The ongoing conflict involving the United States in Iran has exposed a growing strain on America’s military resources, with reports pointing to a rapid depletion of high-end munitions. The intensity of operations has forced the US to draw heavily from stockpiles originally reserved for potential conflicts with major global powers, raising concerns about long-term defence readiness. Estimates indicate that large quantities of advanced weapons—including long-range cruise missiles and missile defence systems—have been deployed during the conflict. Thousands of precision-guided munitions have reportedly been used, far exceeding typical annual production levels. This surge has created a widening gap between consumption and replenishment, highlighting pressure on the defence supply chain. The financial burden of the conflict has also been significant, with overall costs running into tens of billions of dollars. Analysts suggest that the pace of spending, combined with high weapon usage, could take years to stabilise, particularly given existing production constraints within the defence industry. Beyond munitions, the conflict has led to the loss and wear of key military equipment during operations, further adding to the strain. The diversion of resources from other strategic regions has also raised concerns about the US military’s global preparedness, especially in areas such as Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Experts warn that rebuilding stockpiles will require expanded manufacturing capacity and sustained funding commitments. The situation has also intensified discussions around the need for more cost-effective, scalable defence solutions to support prolonged military engagements. While US officials maintain that the military remains fully capable, the conflict has underscored the challenges of sustaining high-intensity warfare over extended periods. The pressure on critical resources and production systems could have broader strategic implications going forward.

The University of Mumbai has initiated an official inquiry into the alleged leak of three question papers from its third-year BCom examinations held between April 10 and 15. University authorities confirmed that the investigation is currently underway, with all details being kept confidential to maintain the integrity of the process. Officials have assured that strict disciplinary and legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty of involvement in the incident. The controve

Top film personalities, including Ajith Kumar, Vijay, Rajinikanth, and

After weeks of intense campaigning, voting began on Thursday in key assembly elections across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. In West Bengal, polling is underway in 152 constituencies in the first phase, while Tamil Nadu is voting fo

An Indian merchant vessel came under fire while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about a possible link to a cryptocurrency scam involving fake clearance messages. Reports suggest the ship may have believed it had official permission to transit the route before the incident occurred. During the episode, the vessel reportedly contacted authorities in Iran, claiming it had received clearance to proceed. The unexpected firing has sparked questions over whether the crew was misled by fraudulent communications posing as official instructions. Maritime security agencies have noted a rise in phishing scams targeting ships in the region. Fraudsters are said to be impersonating officials and demanding payments in cryptocurrency in exchange for safe passage through the strategically critical corridor. Multiple vessels were affected by security incidents in the Strait on the same day, with other commercial ships reporting threats or damage. This has heightened concerns over maritime safety in one of the world’s busiest energy routes. Authorities and international maritime organisations have issued alerts to shipping companies, urging them to verify all communications and remain cautious of such scams. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the firing incident was directly linked to the suspected fraud.

The Supreme Court of India, while hearing the Sabarimala Temple case, made key observations on religious access and unity within Hindu society.

As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approach, the ruling DMK-led alliance and the Opposition AIADMK-led alliance are preparing for a closely watched political contest. Both sides have largely relied on their existing leaders, with a significant number of sitting MLAs being renominated for the upcoming polls. Data from candidate selections shows that around two-thirds of sitting MLAs from both alliances have been given tickets again, while the remaining candidates have been replaced

With the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 approaching, first-time voters are preparing to cast their vote. One of the key steps before polling day is identifying the correct polling booth, as every voter is assigned a specific location where they must vote. Checking this information in advance helps avoid confusion and ensures a smooth voting experience.

Srinivas Narayanan, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Madras, has stepped down from OpenAI after more than three years, marking the end of a key chapter in the company’s rapid growth phase. He said he plans to spend time in India with his ageing parents before deciding on his next move. During his tenure, Narayanan played a crucial role in scaling ChatGPT and expanding OpenAI’s developer ecosystem. As CTO of B2B Applications and earlier Vice President of Engineering, he led teams responsible for core product development and infrastructure, helping bring advanced AI tools to a global user base. A Computer Science graduate from IIT Madras, Narayanan went on to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His academic background laid a strong foundation for a career that combined deep technical expertise with leadership in large-scale systems. Before joining OpenAI, he spent over a decade in Silicon Valley, working with major tech firms such as IBM and Meta Platforms. At Meta, he contributed to large-scale AI systems spanning language processing, computer vision, and recommendation engines. His departure comes as OpenAI continues to expand rapidly across both consumer and enterprise AI. Given his role in scaling ChatGPT into one of the fastest-growing platforms globally, Narayanan’s next move is expected to draw significant attention across the tech industry.

Earth Day is observed every year on April 22 to raise awareness about environmental protection and inspire action for a healthier planet. It serves as a global reminder of the need to preserve natural resources and reduce the impact of human activities on the environment. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 in the United States, led by

A major “digital arrest” scam has come to light, highlighting the growing threat of cyber fraud in India. In this case, a victim was cheated out of over ₹2 crore after being manipulated by fraudsters posing as officials. Authorities later cracked the case, arresting multiple accused and recovering a significant portion of the stolen money. The fraud began with a call from someone claiming to be linked to a courier service, alleging that a parcel in the victim’s name containe

Recent satellite data have revealed that Earth’s nights are becoming increasingly brighter due to a sharp rise in artificial lighting across the globe. Scientists have found that this change is not uniform, with different regions showing varied trends based on development, energy access, and socio-political factors. A global study has shown that artificial lighting increased by around 16% between 2014 and 2022. The findings highlight that nighttime brightness does not simply grow

Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has expressed strong confidence in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) retaining power in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. She stated that the party has effectively handled challenges and remains well-positioned to secure another term. Kanimozhi alleged that attempts were made to create confusion among voters ahead of polling, including concerns around electoral roll revisions and enforcement actions. However, she said the DMK had successfully counte

A year after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, fresh findings have identified the alleged mastermind and traced his links to Pakistan. The investigation has revealed that the key accused has been operating from across the border while continuously changing identities to evade capture. According to reports, the suspect—known by multiple aliases i