A legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has moved to a US court, marking a new phase in their long dispute over OpenAI.   Musk claims Altman “swindled” him and moved the firm away from its non-profit goal. He is seeking damages and changes in the company’s structure.   OpenAI denies the claims. It says Musk left after failing to gain control and is now acting out of “jealousy”.   Both co-founded OpenAI in 2015. Musk exited in 2018. The case will include key witnesses and could impact the future direction of AI development. (PC: BBC)

The posting of IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma as police observer in South 24 Parganas has sparked a political row ahead of the next phase of West Bengal elections.   A 2011-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre officer, Sharma is now Additional Commissioner of Police in Prayagraj. He is known for his tough style and role in several operations, earning the tag “encounter specialist”.   The BJP and Election Commission said his role is to ensure “free and fair voting”. The Trinamool Congress and Akhilesh Yadav alleged he was deployed to “intimidate voters”.   Born in Ludhiana in 1985, Sharma worked as a dentist before joining the police. (PC: HT)

Salim Dola, a close aide of underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, was deported to India and brought to Delhi early Tuesday under heavy security.   He was recently arrested in Istanbul during a joint operation by Indian and international agencies. Officials said he played a key role in a large drug network linked to D-Company.   He arrived on a special aircraft and was taken into custody at the airport. He is now being questioned at an undisclosed location.   Authorities said he may soon be handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau or Mumbai Police for further action. (PC: X)

A 42-year-old tribal man reached a bank in Odisha’s Keonjhar district carrying his dead sister’s remains after failing to withdraw money from her account.   Jeetu Munda brought the body of his sister Kala Munda to the Odisha Gramya Bank branch in Mallipashi on Monday. Kala had died two months ago and was buried near their home.   Jeetu had earlier tried to withdraw money but was rejected. A bank staff member reportedly told him he needed to bring the account holder.   He then exhumed the body and carried it in a sack. Police were called. Officials later assured help with documents, after which he reburied the body. (PC: X)

Indian airlines have warned the sector is close to stopping operations due to rising fuel costs. The Federation of Indian Airlines, which includes Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, has written to the government seeking urgent help. It said high aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices could lead to “grounding of aircraft” and flight cancellations. ATF forms about 40% of airline costs. The group asked for uniform pricing and relief on 11% excise duty. It warned, “Any irrational increase… will result in insurmountable losses.” The issue is linked to rising oil prices amid tensions near the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: NDTV)

A luxury superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov sailed through the Strait of Hormuz despite an ongoing blockade. The vessel, Nord, travelled from Dubai to Muscat over the weekend. It is among the few private boats to pass through the route in recent months. The waterway is key for global oil and gas supply. Tensions remain high after the United States imposed restrictions and Iran limited shipping access. Maritime traffic has dropped sharply. It is not clear if Mordashov was on board during the journey. (PC: BBC)

With Phase 2 of the West Bengal polls a day away, more than 12 lakh voter appeals remain pending before tribunals set up on orders of the Supreme Court of India. Out of around 12.9 lakh cases, only 1,468 have been cleared and six rejected. Lakhs remain unsure of their voting status. Long queues were seen at the Joka tribunal centre in Kolkata as people rushed to file claims. Officials said the process is moving slowly. Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “Perhaps they can’t vote, but their right to remain on the rolls shall be preserved.” The court had allowed voting only if appeals were cleared before deadlines. (PC: India Today)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Mira Road knife attack appears to be a case of self-radicalisation. A 31-year-old man, Jaib Ansari, was arrested after injuring two security guards. Fadnavis said, “He was radicalised and had a desire to attack members of the Hindu community in the name of jihad.” The case is being probed by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency. Officials said the accused acted alone, but links to any wider network are being examined. Police arrested him within hours. The injured guards are under treatment. (PC: HT)

A jawan of the Central Industrial Security Force has been arrested in West Bengal’s Asansol for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a 10-year-old girl. Police said the accused, Ramakant Vishwakarma, lured two girls with mangoes and took them to a nearby quarter. The younger child was left outside while the older girl was taken inside. She raised an alarm, and the accused fled. Locals protested and blocked a road, demanding action. Police detained him within hours. A case has been filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Officials said he was not on election duty. (PC: India Today)

Forest fires are rising across hill states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Nilgiris. Officials said both the number and intensity of fires have increased this year. Long dry spells and unseasonal heat have made forests more flammable. Data shows fires rose over 80 per cent in early 2026 compared to past years. In many areas, steep terrain is making firefighting difficult. Helicopters are being used in southern regions. Authorities said tourism has also been affected, with fewer visitors in some hill areas. Experts link the rise in fires to climate change and human activity.