India's central bank has moved 100 tonnes of gold from the UK to its vaults in India. This is the first such transfer since 1991. The RBI made this move for logistical reasons and to diversify storage. The gold is stored in Mumbai and Nagpur. In March, RBI held 822.1 tonnes of gold, with 413.8 tonnes overseas. The bank has recently increased its gold purchases, buying 1.5 times more gold from January to April 2024 than in the whole of 2023. This shift highlights India's economic strength and confidence compared to the 1991 crisis.

Eleven poll workers in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, died of suspected heatstroke on Friday as temperatures soared to 47°C. Six home guards and three polling personnel in Mirzapur, and two polling personnel in Sonbhadra, were among the victims. Several others are being treated in government hospitals. Officials confirmed the deaths, with post-mortem exams underway. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded ₹5 crore compensation for each victim's family. The extreme heat in the region has caused numerous health issues and deaths, with Kanpur also reporting 11 suspected heatstroke fatalities recently.

OpenAI reported that an Israeli firm, STOIC, used AI to influence Indian elections. The firm generated content criticizing BJP and praising Congress. The activities were flagged in May. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar called it a threat to democracy and urged a thorough investigation. Meta also found a China-based network promoting a pro-Khalistan agenda, targeting Sikhs globally. They used fake accounts and manipulated images. Both reports highlight the use of AI for covert operations to manipulate public opinion.

India's Q4 GDP for FY24 exceeded expectations, expanding by 7.8%, surpassing the 6.2% growth from a year ago. The full fiscal year 2023-24 saw GDP rise to 8.2% compared to 7% in FY23. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hailed the growth, highlighting a robust 9.9% expansion in the manufacturing sector. However, the agriculture sector slowed to 0.6% growth, and the services sector to 5.1%. Investment activities, reflected in gross fixed capital formation, grew by 6.46%, while private and government consumption expenditures also saw increases. India's economic resilience continues despite global challenges, indicating sustained growth momentum.

Air India has been issued a notice by the Aviation Ministry after a 20-hour delay on a Delhi-San Francisco flight. Passengers were seen lying in an aerobridge corridor and reported fainting due to lack of air-conditioning. The flight was initially delayed due to operational reasons, and subsequent flight duty time limitations extended the delay. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) criticized Air India for not providing adequate care for passengers and demanded an explanation within three days. About 200 passengers were affected, with many feeling unwell in the intense heat.

Prajwal Revanna, accused of rape, has been sent to six days in SIT custody. The suspended JD(S) MP was arrested at Bengaluru airport upon his return from Germany. He had been missing for a month amidst the allegations, leading to a political storm. His father was also arrested and released on bail. Revanna’s diplomatic passport was revoked. An all-woman police team arrested him and took him to the CID office. The Karnataka home minister urged more victims to come forward. Prajwal's lawyers say he is cooperating with the investigation.

As Delhi faces a severe heatwave, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has taken steps to ensure the well-being of animals and birds living in the Supreme Court premises. Food and water vessels have been placed across the campus for small animals like squirrels and birds. The Chief Justice personally identified locations for these arrangements during a recent walk-through. Workers have been instructed to maintain a constant supply of food and water. This initiative highlights the Supreme Court's commitment to caring for all living beings, not just humans, during this challenging time.

An Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco was delayed over 20 hours, leaving passengers stranded in sweltering heat. Flight AI 183 was scheduled to depart at 3:20 AM Thursday but will now take off at 3:00 PM Friday. Passengers were forced to wait on the aircraft without proper air-conditioning, causing several to faint. After some collapsed, others were allowed to exit the plane. The incident has sparked outrage, with one passenger calling it "inhuman" on social media. The severe heatwave in Delhi has added to the passengers' misery.

In a shocking incident, an air hostess was arrested at Kannur International Airport for allegedly smuggling nearly 1 kg of gold from Muscat. The gold was concealed in her rectum, according to a DRI source. The cabin crew member, Surabhi Khatun, was intercepted based on specific intelligence and produced before a magistrate, who remanded her to 14 days in prison. This is the first such case in India where an airline crew member has been caught smuggling gold in this manner. The incident highlights the creative methods used by smugglers and the vigilance of DRI officials.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has deemed marriages between Muslim men and Hindu women under the Special Marriage Act "irregular" under Muslim personal law. The court dismissed a plea for police protection for registration, emphasizing that such marriages are not valid according to Muslim law, even if registered under the Special Marriage Act. The ruling came during a case where a Hindu-Muslim couple sought protection to marry without converting religions. The court upheld the legality of marriages under the Special Marriage Act while highlighting their lack of validity under personal religious laws.