Daily Morning Brief-(6 May)- Top News from INDIA, WORLD, Economy and Odisha

World

1. Iran attacks UAE using missiles and drones

Tensions in West Asia escalated after the UAE reportedly faced attacks involving ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles allegedly launched by Iran. Several global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the strikes. The incident raised fears of wider regional instability and disruptions to international trade and energy security.

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2. USA launches “Project Freedom” in Strait of Hormuz for safe ship passage

The United States launched “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping routes amid rising regional tensions. The operation aims to ensure safe passage for oil tankers and cargo vessels after repeated attacks on maritime trade routes crucial for global energy supply and international commerce.

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3. Apple to pay $250 million to iPhone buyers over AI feature lawsuit

Apple agreed to a $250 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over alleged misleading advertising related to “Apple Intelligence” AI features and Siri upgrades. Plaintiffs claimed promised features for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models were delayed or unavailable, leading to consumer dissatisfaction and legal action.

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India

4. Supreme Court of India bans houses within 45 meters of NH to avoid road accidents

Authorities clarified that there is no blanket nationwide ban on houses within 45 meters of National Highways. Construction near highways is governed by zoning rules, safety norms, and land acquisition policies issued by local authorities and NHAI. Citizens and developers were advised to verify regional regulations before starting construction near highways.

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5. Number of Supreme Court judges to increase to 38

The Union Cabinet approved a proposal to increase the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India to 38 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The current strength is 33 judges. The decision aims to reduce the large backlog of pending cases and improve the speed of judicial proceedings nationwide.

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6. Indian journalists Anand R.K. and Suparna Sharma receive Pulitzer Award

Indian journalists Anand R.K. and Suparna Sharma received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for excellence in journalism. Their recognition highlighted impactful reporting and reinforced the growing global recognition of Indian journalism in investigative and public-interest reporting across international media platforms.

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Economy

7. Cognizant to lay off 15,000 employees

Cognizant is implementing workforce reductions under its “Project Leap” restructuring initiative. Reports estimate that 12,000 to 15,000 jobs may be affected globally, with many positions based in India. The company allocated up to $320 million for severance packages as part of broader cost-cutting and operational restructuring efforts.

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8. State Bank of India employees to strike on May 25–26

Employees in the workmen category of State Bank of India announced a two-day nationwide strike on May 25–26, 2026. The AISBISF raised 16 demands, including staff recruitment, HRMS issue resolution, and pension management reforms for NPS employees working in India’s largest public sector bank.

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9. India tops in recipient of remittances

India continues to remain the world’s leading recipient of remittances, supported by its large overseas diaspora. Funds sent by Indians working abroad contribute significantly to household incomes, foreign exchange reserves, and economic stability. Remittance inflows continue to support consumption, savings, and development activities across the country.

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10. Sugarcane price set at ₹365 per quintal

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a Fair and Remunerative Price of ₹365 per quintal for sugarcane for the 2026–27 season. The revised price aims to support farmers amid rising cultivation costs and strengthen rural incomes. The decision is expected to benefit millions of sugarcane growers across India.

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11. Cabinet approves Mission for Cotton Productivity - Kapas Kranti with an outlay of around Rs 5,659 Crore:

The Kapas Kranti mission (₹5,659 crore) aims to boost cotton productivity to 755 kg/ha by 2031. It focuses on high-density planting, climate-resilient seeds, and modernizing 2,000 ginning units to enhance global competitiveness and benefit 32 lakh farmers across 14 states.

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Odisha

12. 16th Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival 2026: Abhipsa Sahu’s film Maila Chadara receives an “Honourable Jury Mention” award

Filmmaker Abhipsa Sahu received an Honourable Jury Mention at the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival for the Odia film Maila Chadara(ମଇଳା ଚାଦର). Held in New Delhi on April 30, 2026, the festival recognized the film for portraying the socio-cultural realities of rural Odisha during the 1980s through a compelling cinematic narrative.

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