India’s leading fintech companies are urging Anthropic PBC to grant them early access to Mythos, an advanced AI model that has raised global concerns over a potential surge in cyberattacks. Firms such as One97 Communications Ltd., Razorpay Software Ltd., and Pine Labs Ltd. have asked the San Francisco-based AI developer to allow them to test Mythos so they can identify and fix vulnerabilities in their own systems. This follows Anthropic’s decision to begin a restricted rollout of the model, which it believes is too risky for broad release.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and CEO of One97, said the company recently held an urgent discussion with Anthropic about when a second group of approved companies might gain access. According to him, Anthropic questioned how One97 intended to use Mythos and what value it would bring, highlighting the company’s cautious approach to distribution.
Sharma also expressed concern about the broader implications of such technology, suggesting it raises deep security fears for financial systems and national infrastructure. He warned that modern digital networks could be compromised from anywhere, making traditional forms of conflict less relevant.
The demand from Indian firms mirrors global anxiety, as regulators and financial leaders worry after reports that Mythos can uncover long-standing cybersecurity flaws. Anthropic initially tested the model internally before granting limited access to a small group of companies including Amazon Web Services, Apple, and JPMorgan Chase, and is now considering a controlled expansion under a program called Project Glasswing.
The development has unsettled global financial authorities, with US Treasury officials describing the model as a major leap in capability, while European leaders have cautioned about the risks of misuse. Experts are increasingly questioning whether such AI systems could enable large-scale financial fraud, disrupt payment infrastructure, or destabilize the global financial system. Indian regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India, have not yet commented on any formal risk assessment.
Meanwhile, companies like Razorpay are actively preparing for potential threats, with internal teams strengthening cybersecurity defenses. CEO Harshil Mathur said the company has formally requested access to Mythos to test and improve system security, describing it as a time-sensitive challenge for startups. He added that the model has become a major topic among startup communities recently, and suggested Anthropic may eventually expand access under strict usage rules focused only on security testing.
India, with its large pool of software engineers serving global financial institutions, has become a key market for Anthropic’s Claude system, widely used for coding, debugging, and IT modernization. Pine Labs CEO Amrish Rau emphasized that regulators will likely tighten cybersecurity standards in response to such threats, stressing that security must now be treated as a core priority rather than a formality.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.
A major liquor smuggling racket involving supplies meant for Army canteens has been busted in Assam’s Misamari area, with authorities seizing around 150 cases of liquor, officials said on Saturday. According to officials, the seizure was carried out on April 17 near Misamari railway station during a joint operation conducted by Assam Police, the Tezpur-based Gajraj Intelligence Unit, and local Army authorities.
The consignment was originally meant for distribution through Canteen Stores Department (CSD) outlets that cater exclusively to Army personnel. However, it was allegedly being illegally diverted into unauthorised markets and private channels. Officials stated that acting on specific intelligence inputs, the joint team intercepted the truck carrying the consignment while it was being moved out of the depot premises. The timely action prevented the suspected illegal diversion of restricted goods.
Authorities further noted that the operation has exposed a well-organised smuggling attempt involving sensitive military supply chains. They emphasized that such coordinated efforts between multiple agencies are crucial in ensuring transparency and preventing misuse of defence-related logistics.
The recovery of around 150 cases of liquor has raised concerns about internal loopholes and possible involvement of organized networks in diverting CSD supplies. Investigators are now examining how the consignment was rerouted and whether more individuals are involved in the racket.
An FIR has been registered at Misamari Police Station in connection with the case. Police have initiated a detailed investigation to trace the entire network behind the smuggling operation, including suppliers, transport handlers, and possible beneficiaries. Officials added that further inquiry is underway, and more arrests or disclosures may follow as the investigation progresses. The authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to tightening surveillance over military supply channels to prevent such incidents in the future.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Union Cabinet on Saturday approved the establishment of a ₹12,980 crore Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. He stated that the decision aims to provide continuous insurance support to India’s shipping sector, especially at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, which have increased premiums and affected insurance availability, particularly due to the situation in West Asia.
The proposed insurance pool will cover multiple maritime risks, including hull and machinery, cargo, protection and indemnity (P&I), and war-related risks. It will apply to Indian-flagged vessels, Indian-controlled ships, and vessels connected to India’s trade routes. The initiative will be run with participation from domestic insurers and is expected to reduce reliance on foreign insurance companies while ensuring smooth trade operations. Vaishnaw said the sovereign guarantee is a key feature that strengthens the scheme and helps lower costs.
He also clarified that the scheme is designed for shipping operators, while the VCGC scheme targets individual exporters, adding that the current geopolitical situation highlighted the need for such a mechanism. The Cabinet approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, raising it to 60% of basic pay or pension from January 1, 2026. The revision is expected to benefit over 50 lakh employees and around 68 lakh pensioners, with an annual cost of about ₹6,791 crore.
The Cabinet also extended the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III) until March 2028, increasing its total outlay to ₹83,977 crore. The programme will continue improving rural road connectivity to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities, with extended deadlines for completing works in both plain and hilly regions. Officials said the move will boost rural development and employment.
In the railway sector, two major expansion projects were approved. The first involves adding third and fourth rail lines on the 403 km Ghaziabad–Sitapur route at a cost of ₹14,926 crore, part of the Delhi–Guwahati high-density corridor, expected to be completed in four years. The project will add six stations in Uttar Pradesh and improve passenger and freight movement along the route.
The second project covers the Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)–Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) corridor, with a ₹9,889 crore investment to add additional rail lines. This is expected to ease congestion and improve efficiency along the eastern coastal railway network. Together, the five Cabinet decisions involve a total outlay of more than ₹1.28 lakh crore.
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Widespread protests broke out across more than 100 cities in Pakistan on Friday after the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee called for nationwide demonstrations to observe the International Day of Peasant Struggles, according to Dawn. Farmers gathered in large numbers to oppose what they termed anti-farmer policies and to demand urgent reforms aimed at safeguarding their livelihoods.
As reported by the media outlet, protesters demanded that the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat be set at PKR 4,000 per maund. They also rejected corporate farming initiatives and called for the cancellation of eviction notices issued to tenant farmers. In addition, they opposed the government’s plan to outsource wheat procurement to 11 private companies, warning that it could further disadvantage small-scale farmers.
Demonstrations were held across Punjab, including in Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, and Sargodha. Similar protests took place in Sindh cities such as Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Thatta, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among farming communities. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rallies were reported in Peshawar, Swat, Abbottabad, and Bannu, while in Balochistan, protests were seen in Quetta, Mastung, and Kalat, highlighting the nationwide scale of mobilisation.
Speaking at a rally in Lahore, PKRC General Secretary Riffat Maqsood criticised the government, calling its two-year tenure highly detrimental for farmers. She accused authorities of overlooking rural communities and favouring corporate interests over small farmers, as cited by Dawn. Farmer organisations warned that continued government inaction could worsen the agricultural crisis and lead to intensified protests in the future, amid rising costs, unstable crop prices, and climate-related pressures facing the farming sector.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Iran has said it will not charge conventional transit fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but is working on a new system linked to security arrangements, according to reports. Iranian officials stated that maritime traffic through the strait would be regulated under Iranian supervision, with vessels required to coordinate passage with Tehran. They also indicated that foreign military ships from countries seen as hostile, including the US and Israel, could be denied access, while other vessels may be allowed under prior approval. Iran has further emphasized that the US will have no role in managing security in the waterway. Some officials also suggested that commercial vessels might be charged fees under the new framework, depending on political and regional conditions. Iranian authorities have stressed that control over the Strait of Hormuz, including routes and regulations, will be decided on the ground rather than through external pressure or statements.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.
Donald Trump continues to provoke strong reactions from his critics, yet they rarely seem to affect him politically. The bigger question now is whether his own MAGA supporters are beginning to turn away. Amid controversies involving the Epstein files, his actions regarding Iran, and a recent post viewed by some as blasphemous—showing him portrayed as Jesus—there are growing signs of tension within his base. Jonathan Freedland discusses with Rolling Stone’s Nikki McCann Ramírez the series of scandals surrounding Trump, increasing criticism from prominent MAGA figures, and what it could mean when a personality-driven movement starts losing faith in its central figure.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian
In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing has been sworn in as president, marking a continuation of his authority from a civilian position five years after seizing power in a military coup. The ceremony, held in the capital Naypyidaw, was presented as a celebratory parliamentary event, where the 69-year-old took the presidential oath, pledging to uphold the enduring values of justice, liberty, and equality. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss potential policy shifts and international reactions to his reappointment with CNA’s ASEAN Senior Correspondent Leong Wai Kit.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Donald Trump has reportedly ordered a large-scale naval operation in the Strait of Hormuz following unsuccessful peace talks held in Pakistan. The operation is said to target ships moving through Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. In a related discussion, analysts including Stephen Zunes provided insights on the latest developments, as presenters Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examined the situation.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
