Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said Indian vessels and crew currently in the Persian Gulf are under close monitoring. It also confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the region remain safe. Officials did not indicate any specific incident, but emphasized ongoing oversight to ensure crew welfare and operational continuity.
Punjab and Sind Bank is planning to mobilise up to Rs 3,000 crore through a private placement share sale, aiming to comply with SEBI’s minimum public shareholding (MPS) norms. The public sector lender’s move signals a balance between meeting regulatory requirements and strengthening capital plans as it navigates market rules for listed companies.
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Maruti Suzuki is doubling down on small cars to drive growth in India’s price-sensitive market, aiming for volume even as rising costs squeeze fourth-quarter profits. While demand stays resilient, the automaker is also expanding its SUV lineup and exploring new export markets, betting that scale and affordability will protect long-term momentum despite margin pressure.
Motherson Sumi Wiring India Ltd reported a modest 1.4% rise in Q4 net profit to Rs 167 crore, up from Rs 165 crore a year earlier. The bigger story is revenue, which jumped 32.9% to Rs 3,334.6 crore, signaling strong top-line momentum even as bottom-line gains remain muted.
Google broke ground in Visakhapatnam on a landmark $15 billion AI hub as part of its 2026–2030 India blueprint. Built with AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel, the gigawatt-scale ecosystem is designed to integrate large data centers, subsea cables, and clean energy—aiming to strengthen India’s digital backbone under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
The UAE has reportedly exited both OPEC and OPEC+, marking a sharp turn in its energy strategy. The move comes as geopolitical tensions around Iran and disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz strain supply and unsettle global markets. Analysts say it may reflect weakening coordination among Gulf producers amid a worsening global energy crunch.
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The IMD has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms across Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand. It also expects thunderstorm activity in Punjab and Haryana, with temperatures possibly dropping by 2-4°C. Over the next week, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in northeast India, raising concerns for disruptions and localized flooding.
Otter is rolling out a feature designed to let users search across their enterprise tools, aiming to make meeting insights easier to find and reuse. The company is also launching a new Windows app that captures meeting notes without requiring users to join the meeting—an upgrade that raises the stakes for how teams document conversations.
West Bengal’s Phase II Assembly polling ends on April 29, 2026, and vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly election is set for May 4, 2026. The Election Commission of India has also released the election schedule for multiple states, including Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu, alongside West Bengal’s timetable.
State-run REC reported Q4 consolidated profit of Rs 3,375 crore, down 22% year-on-year, while revenue declined 5%. The company’s sequential performance weakened as expenses rose. Despite the earnings pressure, REC said its loan assets remained strong and declared a final dividend, boosting its total FY26 payout.
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After Meta’s Manus acquisition fallout, MiroMind founder Chen Tianqiao is restructuring his AI startup around strict firewalls between China and the US. The changes are meant to limit cross-border data flows and personnel movement amid regulatory scrutiny, effectively forcing a compromise as geopolitics tightens around tech and AI operations.
Eternal founder Deepinder Goyal argues AI chat interfaces won’t displace food delivery and quick commerce. His case: habitual ordering and strong brand recall are resilient moats that AI can’t easily override. Instead, he believes chat-based experiences could expand Eternal’s reach by making its platforms more accessible for users across India, especially in tier-II and tier-III cities.
Ghaziabad is proposing a new 16-kilometre metro corridor, with the Ghaziabad Development Authority asking Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to prepare a project report. The line would connect Vaishali in Ghaziabad to Gokulpuri in northeast Delhi, passing through Hindon Civil Terminal—positioned as Delhi NCR’s second airport.
Hyundai has launched the updated IONIQ 5 electric SUV in India, upgrading it with a larger battery that boosts driving range to up to 690 km. The EV also gets fresh design and technology improvements aimed at better usability and safety, along with a refined cabin. Hyundai has added new connected features to make the daily drive more effortless.
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Indian drone maker ideaForge Technology has signed a partnership with Japan’s Digital Media Professionals Inc to develop next generation AI-powered drones. The deal also opens access to Japan’s market, with DMP serving as the go-to partner for ideaForge drone solutions. The collaboration is set to strengthen autonomous flight capabilities for defense and industrial applications.
Severe weather is forecast for Tuesday across parts of the U.S., with tornado risk and damaging thunderstorms expected in areas including Texas, Oklahoma, the Ozarks, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Forecasters warn that fast moving storms could bring strong winds, heavy rain, and heightened tornado conditions, prompting residents to check updates and prepare for warnings.
Google has rolled out support for Aadhaar-based digital identity in Google Wallet in India. Instead of carrying a physical card, users can add their Aadhaar as a verifiable credential stored on their Android phone, enabling faster, more digital identity verification. The move signals a push toward reducing document dependence and making verification workflows smoother.
In Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, hundreds of households are switching to biogas made from cattle dung and kitchen waste. The local, clean fuel helps families avoid LPG price spikes and supply shortages while keeping cooking steady. Government subsidies drove much of the adoption, but delays in funding have slowed newer installations in recent months.
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The IMD has forecast a 2 to 4°C temperature drop in North India, including the NCR, alongside light rainfall and wind speeds up to 50 km/h. Orange alerts have been issued for Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand as thunderstorm activity is expected to intensify across northern, eastern, and western regions, offering some relief from prevailing heat.
A new South Coastal Railway Zone is set to begin operations on June 1, 2026, a major milestone for Andhra Pradesh’s rail administration. The state has been allocated a record budget for railway projects, with more than one lakh crore rupees planned to strengthen connectivity and upgrade infrastructure across the region.
Ahead of West Bengal’s second phase of polling, the NIA has deployed multiple teams across several districts including Purba Bardhaman, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, Howrah and Kolkata. Officials say the exercise is precautionary to support a peaceful vote and ensure swift action if any incident occurs, with active probing tied to crude bomb recoveries and illegal arms and ammunition cases.
EON Space Labs, founded in 2022, is closing India’s optical payload gap by designing lightweight EO and IR imaging systems. Its MIRA telescope—just 502 grams—flew on PSLV-C62 in Jan 2026, reducing dependence on imported optics with long lead times. The company is now scaling manufacturing with a planned Rs 120 crore facility and aiming for larger contracts and recurring upgrades.
Leela Hotels reports FY 2026 gains powered by a sharp rise in luxury demand. Operating revenue climbed to Rs 1,527.3 crore, while profit after tax surged to Rs 403 crore, up 46%. EBITDA grew 19%, alongside expansion across key destinations. The results signal strong momentum heading into future quarters.
Mojro, a Bengaluru B2B logistics SaaS startup, has raised an additional $2.5 million as part of its Series A, bringing the total round to $5.5 million. Dallas Venture Capital joined the funding. The company plans to accelerate global expansion and product innovation, leveraging an AI platform it says can reduce logistics costs by up to 20% in 90 days.
Mistral AI has released Workflows in public preview, positioning it as the missing infrastructure layer that turns enterprise AI from pilots into reliable business operations. Built on Temporal for durable execution, it keeps sensitive data in customer environments, adds deep observability with OpenTelemetry, and is already in production processing millions of executions daily.
Iran has reportedly sent an offer to the United States aimed at ending the war, triggering renewed speculation about a possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The move came as Iran’s foreign minister visited Russia, raising questions about whether Moscow will support or influence any negotiations. With attention turning to Donald Trump, timing and details remain unclear.
EV battery-as-a-service startup Battery Smart raised $15 million in debt funding from Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers. The capital will expand its BaaS infrastructure and grow partner-operated swapping stations across major urban and semi-urban markets in India. The move comes as demand strengthens for faster, lower-cost EV battery swaps—especially for last-mile delivery and passenger transport.
Amid BJP’s broad sweep in Gujarat’s local body elections, Mehsana’s Municipal Corporation race has turned spotlight on Rameshbhai Bhil. A former BJP district office peon, Bhil’s rise to the corporator seat has struck a chord for its ordinary beginnings and public validation, making the election story stand out across the state.
Sahamati has raised Rs 50 crore from more than 30 financial institutions to scale India’s Account Aggregator ecosystem. The non-profit industry alliance says the coordinated funding will deepen ecosystem participation, strengthen technical and policy frameworks, and build institutional capacity. Backers include major banks and investors, while participating account aggregators like OneMoney and Finvu plan to accelerate consent-based financial data sharing.
India’s government has assured citizens there is no proposal to hike retail fuel prices, with officials saying there are currently no plans to revise petrol and diesel rates. It claims LPG, petroleum and diesel supplies are adequate and says steps are underway to reduce disruptions tied to the West Asia crisis, including 100% supply assurance for domestic LPG, PNG and CNG.
The European Parliament has endorsed a 2.3 trillion euro long-term EU budget for 2028 to 2034, backed by plans for new taxes on digital giants and online gambling. The proposal includes about a 10% increase in spending, but faces resistance from member states such as Germany, which wants cuts. EU leaders aim to strike a deal by year end amid geopolitical strain and election concerns.
Perfetti Van Melle has named Black White Orange as its India licensing partner for Chupa Chups, aiming to push the candy brand far beyond sweets. The partnership will oversee licensing that brings the playful, colorful Chupa Chups identity into apparel, accessories, and home goods—so fans may soon spot the brand across everyday categories.
Rajasthan’s Shekhawati, known as the world’s largest open-air art gallery, is witnessing the rapid collapse of its fresco-painted havelis. Once owned by merchant families like the Birlas and Dalmias, many structures are deteriorating through neglect and being demolished, threatening cultural heritage and tourism. Experts say immediate government funding and community-led conservation are crucial to stop the loss.
Kirloskar Pneumatic Company has announced a 1:2 stock split for eligible shareholders, effectively doubling share count while retaining ownership value proportions. The company also declared a final dividend of Rs 8.5 per share and shared its Q4 results. Investors are now watching how the move and earnings translate into near-term trading momentum after recent gains.
India’s free trade agreement with New Zealand is expected to boost exports of Indian liquor, with duty concessions making products like single malt whisky more price competitive. The pact is also seen as a boost for market entry and brand building. Current exports are relatively small, but the agreement could unlock meaningful growth if Indian producers scale up demand.
The Trump administration is pushing US immigration courts to accelerate hearings for migrant children in custody, aiming to clear cases faster. Legal representatives argue children need more time to prepare and access relief, saying the rushed timeline could weaken their chances and increase the likelihood of deportation for young migrants.
India’s industrial output in March 2026 increased to 4.1%, marking a modest improvement despite a soft patch in electricity generation. Manufacturing and mining recorded positive growth, cushioning the broader picture. Analysts say the steady momentum supports expectations for the coming fiscal year, with the Index of Industrial Production remaining a key read on economic health.
A Mali airline has temporarily suspended flights to two regions following large weekend attacks that have intensified instability across the West African nation. As authorities and the ruling junta face the fallout, the airline’s suspension highlights how quickly security breakdowns can disrupt travel. Mali has endured more than a decade of violence, and the latest attacks deepen concerns.
Lalit Bhasin of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce rejected US President’s social media insult calling India a “hellhole.” He argued India’s democratic institutions, rule of law, and economic momentum contradict the remark. Bhasin also urged the US government to stop comparing India with China, while pointing to Rajasthan’s growing appeal for investment and partnerships.
Institutional real estate investment in India fell 52% even as domestic capital surged, leading foreign inflows for three straight quarters. Activity hit its highest first-quarter level since 2021, with offices drawing the most capital, followed by hospitality and residential. Delhi NCR, Chennai, and Bengaluru emerged as major investment hotspots.
HyugaLife, a Mumbai-based protein and supplements marketplace, raised Rs 100 crore in Series A led by IvyCap Ventures with participation from First Bridge Fund. The startup plans to bolster its AI-led personalization, expand its dark store network for faster access, and launch offline retail presence. HyugaLife claims its H-Tested model eliminates third-party sellers and publishes lab reports on nutrition and heavy metals.
Southeast India is facing a sharp fuel crunch, leaving motorists and truckers waiting in long queues as petrol and diesel become increasingly difficult to find. Officials say the problem stems from logistical disruptions, but the fear of higher prices after upcoming regional elections is intensifying anxiety and driving panic buying.
Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan heaped praise on Virat Kohli, calling him the IPL’s most consistent batter. Kohli’s latest landmark—crossing 9000 IPL runs—drew special attention to his adaptability and relentless run hunger. McClenaghan even expects Kohli to reach 10,000 IPL runs soon, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Delhi Capitals.
Eternal CEO Deepinder Goyal says the company turned adjusted EBITDA profitable in FY24 after 16 years, and now aims for $1 billion by FY29. In his shareholder letter, he attributes progress to growth in NOV, resilient India-first operations, and a scalable ecosystem designed to serve millions of customers, partners, and workers across the country.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia has refused to appear before Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in the excise policy case, alleging impartiality concerns and echoing Arvind Kejriwal’s position. Sisodia claimed he does not expect justice in the current setup, calling Satyagraha the only way forward after pointing to alleged conflicts of interest.
Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications covering two audio clips and an image, aiming to protect her voice and likeness from AI-generated deepfakes. The move comes amid widespread misuse of her image and audio in scams, fake endorsements, and explicit content, raising fresh questions about how artists can legally defend their digital identity.
India’s ethanol blending push is moving beyond E20, but automakers warn older vehicles may lose mileage as ethanol content rises. Cars built for E10 fuel could see a 1–2% mileage drop under E20, affecting millions manufactured from 2012 to March 2023. Automakers want tax incentives to cushion costs as the government signals further intensification.
Jeet Adani joined top government leaders in Visakhapatnam to lay the foundation for an Adani-Google-Airtel data center hub. The initiative targets 1GW of capacity in a single location, positioning Vizag as an emerging global AI hub and a key digital gateway for India’s next phase of technology growth.
Ahead of West Bengal polls 2026, IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma has been deployed in Falta, South 24 Parganas, backed by a large CRPF team to identify and deter voter intimidators. The move follows complaints of threats, and Sharma’s campaign presence has triggered a public challenge from Trinamool candidate Jahangir Khan, who likened himself to the character Pushpa.
Fintech Credilio has raised ₹100 crore in Series A to expand its UPI-first fixed deposit credit card app, novio. Launched in 2024, it targets underserved “credit invisible” users via FD-backed cards linked to UPI, offering rewards with brands like Swiggy and Flipkart. Credilio plans to scale to 5 lakh users across Tier II to V cities and later launch unsecured cards with YES Bank.
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