Blue Owl (OWL.N) has confirmed that it has sold around half of its investment in SpaceX at an estimated valuation of $1.25 trillion, according to co-CEO Marc Lipschultz. He shared the update during a recent analyst call, highlighting the strong returns the firm has generated from the investment. Lipschultz said the SpaceX stake has been extremely profitable, noting that Blue Owl has earned roughly 10 times its original investment. Despite selling a significant portion, the firm still holds about 50% of its position in the aerospace company, showing continued confidence in its long-term growth.
He also explained that gains from successful investments like SpaceX help offset potential losses in other parts of the portfolio, especially in credit markets. According to him, these exits play an important role in maintaining overall fund stability and performance. SpaceX is reportedly preparing for a possible public listing later this year. The company could be valued at around $1.75 trillion in the IPO and may raise nearly $75 billion, which would make it the largest public offering in history. If achieved, this valuation could also place CEO Elon Musk on track to become the world’s first trillionaire.
Blue Owl Technology Finance Corp originally invested $27 million in SpaceX equity in 2021. Since then, the stake has been marked up several times and was valued at $195 million by the end of 2025. This increase of $105 million over the year made SpaceX the fund’s biggest contributor to unrealized gains.
Another Blue Owl fund, Blue Owl Capital Corp, also held SpaceX shares valued at $21.7 million at the end of 2025, compared to $10 million a year earlier. Lipschultz added that Blue Owl was among SpaceX’s early lenders and later deepened its involvement through equity participation, built on long-term financing relationships with the company.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday inaugurated India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat, describing it as a major advancement in the country’s highway infrastructure and toll collection system. Gadkari said the new system allows vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping, ensuring completely seamless movement. The technology integrates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with FASTag-based electronic toll collection to automatically identify vehicles and deduct toll charges.
He said the introduction of MLFF represents a significant milestone in the digital transformation of India’s tolling ecosystem and aligns with global best practices in road infrastructure management. The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to modernise national highways using advanced, technology-driven solutions.
According to the minister, the system is expected to bring multiple benefits for commuters and transport operators. These include reduced travel time, smoother traffic flow, lower fuel consumption, decreased vehicular emissions, and reduced reliance on manual toll booth operations. By eliminating physical barriers at toll plazas, the system aims to make highway travel faster and more efficient.
Gadkari further stated that barrier-less tolling will improve “ease of living” for citizens by reducing delays and congestion on busy routes. It will also strengthen “ease of doing business” by enabling quicker and more reliable movement of goods and logistics across the country, which is crucial for economic growth and supply chain efficiency.
He also emphasised that this initiative reflects the government’s continued commitment to building modern, transparent, and globally competitive highway infrastructure. Earlier announcements from the ministry indicated that similar MLFF-based tolling systems would be gradually introduced across several national highways starting from December. The new framework combines ANPR technology powered by artificial intelligence with RFID-based FASTag systems, ensuring accurate and automatic toll collection without stopping vehicles. This marks a major shift from traditional toll plazas towards a fully automated and barrier-free highway network in India.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday questioned the reliability of exit polls, which have suggested a possible BJP-led victory in West Bengal. He pointed out that similar predictions in previous elections had proven incorrect. Abdullah said that past experience shows exit polls are often unreliable and the actual results tend to differ significantly from their projections.
“Can you tell me even one exit poll that has turned out accurate so far? Even in the West Bengal elections five years ago, almost all exit polls predicted a BJP victory, but the final outcome was completely different,” he said. “So we do not need to wait too long this time either. By Monday, when results begin to come in, these predictions will likely prove wrong once again. In fact, one agency even chose not to release its exit poll, possibly because the numbers did not align with expectations,” he added.
Abdullah also commented on the ongoing controversy related to strong rooms in West Bengal, stating that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had every right to deploy her representatives outside EVM storage facilities to ensure their safety. He said this practice was similar to earlier times when parties used to guard ballot boxes.
He further clarified that he does not believe in allegations of pre-poll rigging through electronic voting machines. However, he suggested that concerns today are more about post-poll processes and issues linked to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which he claimed has raised questions among some political groups.
“The issue is not manipulation of EVMs. Safeguarding them after voting is important, and parties have always done that. But now, concerns are being raised about irregularities through the SIR process under the Election Commission,” he said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently visited a strong room in Bhabanipur where EVMs are stored, stating that her party would strongly oppose any attempt to tamper with voting machines. The Bharatiya Janata Party had fielded Suvendu Adhikari against her in the constituency.
Banerjee alleged that her party had received reports of possible EVM interference in several areas. She said she decided to inspect the strong room after noticing CCTV footage related to the site. According to her, initial attempts were made to prevent her entry, but election rules allow candidates and their agents access up to secured areas.
She also accused the Election Commission of biased conduct and said that her party’s polling agent had been detained, calling the situation one-sided. On social media, the Trinamool Congress claimed that any wrongdoing would be strongly resisted and warned of political consequences after the results. Most exit polls have projected a BJP win in West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress has been in power for 15 years. One survey by Chanakya Strategies even suggested a possible majority for the BJP with 150–160 seats in the 294-member assembly, while projecting significantly lower numbers for TMC.
The Election Commission reported exceptionally high voter turnout in the state. Phase II recorded 91.66 percent polling, while Phase I had 93.19 percent, bringing the overall turnout to 92.47 percent—one of the highest since independence. Women voters slightly outnumbered male participation in turnout figures.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
A concerning report released ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3 by Freedom Network has raised serious alarms about the state of media independence in Pakistan, warning that increasing reliance on cybercrime laws is putting press freedom at risk. The report, titled “Regulatory Repression of Freedom of Expression — Legal Controls and PECA Undermine Media and Journalism in Pakistan,” examines how recent amendments and broader application of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) are placing mounting pressure on journalists. As reported by Dawn, many media professionals are now resorting to self-censorship to avoid potential legal action.
According to the findings, the expanded use of PECA has created an environment where fear of legal consequences, defamation cases, regulatory pressure, and even internet disruptions are restricting independent journalism. While authorities justify these measures as efforts to combat misinformation and online hate speech, the report argues that they often come with increased surveillance and selective enforcement, raising serious concerns about misuse of power.
A key concern highlighted in the report is the unclear and loosely defined terminology used for phrases such as “fake” or “fabricated” news. This lack of clarity, it says, allows for broad interpretation, making it easier to blur the line between legitimate reporting and criticism of state institutions. As a result, journalists who challenge official narratives are more vulnerable to legal action.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, at least 129 violations against media workers were documented, according to Dawn. These included two killings, several threats to life, 58 legal cases—many filed under PECA—as well as incidents of harassment, physical assaults, and abductions. The report notes that provinces like Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain particularly dangerous for journalists, while fatal cases in Sindh and Balochistan further underline the widespread risks across the country.
The findings also reference legal actions taken against rights defenders such as Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, suggesting that imprisonment and prosecution are increasingly being used as tools to discourage dissent and critical expression. The report paints a troubling picture of shrinking media space in Pakistan, where legal frameworks meant to regulate cyberspace are, according to critics, increasingly being used to limit free expression and silence opposing voices.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The NIA Special Court in Mohali has sentenced two men for hoisting a Khalistan flag at the Moga Deputy Commissioner’s office in 2020, allegedly on the directions of SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Inderjeet Singh and Jaspal Singh, both from Moga, were given five years and six months in jail along with a ₹16,000 fine each under multiple laws, including the IPC and UA(P) Act. The NIA said the act was part of a larger conspiracy involving SFJ members, including Pannun and his associate Harpreet Singh, who allegedly funded and encouraged the incident.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
A 31-year-old man has been accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump following a foiled plot linked to Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Soon after the incident, false claims began circulating online suggesting the attempt was staged. This week, Jonathan Freedland discusses the rise of such conspiracy theories surrounding the US president with journalist Rachel Leingang.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In Destination Anywhere Melanie Oliveiro talks with Kimberly Lynn a travel content creator known as wholistictraveler on Instagram and TikTok. Lynn shares her experiences traveling through Egypt including visits to its oases sand dunes and salt lakes.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Justin McCurry reports on Japan’s prime minister known for her interest in heavy metal music and her proposal to revise the nation’s pacifist constitution. His coverage highlights political and cultural dimensions of her leadership and the broader debate over Japan’s defense policies and constitutional reform efforts in modern times and its implications for regional security and international relations today globally.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.
Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.
