Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Amazon plans to scale its quick commerce service Amazon Now to 100 cities across India by expanding fulfilment infrastructure to more than 1,000 micro-fulfilment centres. The service will move beyond Mumbai, Delhi NCR and Bengaluru to metros and non-metros, supported by a ₹2,800 crore investment. Amazon expects the push to help 16,000 farmers connect with customers and sellers while ramping competition with Blinkit, Zepto and others.
India’s peak power demand eased to 238.15 GW on Sunday, down from a record 256 GW the day before as commercial and industrial activity paused. Even with the dip, demand is still climbing toward the government’s summer estimate of 270 GW, fueled by rising temperatures and heavier use of cooling appliances.
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Meta has inked its first contract tied to space-based solar power with Overview Energy, a move aimed at capturing solar energy in space and delivering it for use on Earth at night. While the deal is described as an early, limited step, it signals growing corporate interest in making continuous clean power a reality.
Cole Tomas Allen, a tutor and computer engineer from Torrance, California, was arrested after a shooting during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington. Reports say he opposed President Donald Trump’s policies and legally purchased firearms. A professor described him as a good student and polite individual, while Allen also worked developing video games and tutoring students.
Japan has lifted its special advisory issued after a 7.7-magnitude quake off the northern coast. Officials say the immediate threat has passed, but they continue to warn that the country’s intense seismic activity means a larger earthquake remains possible. Residents are advised to stay alert despite the downgrade.
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) says the India–New Zealand free trade agreement will expand market access for Indian goods and services, with MSMEs expected to benefit most. The pact is designed to diversify export destinations, improve competitiveness, and strengthen bilateral economic ties, with FIEO suggesting trade volumes could potentially double over time.
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The Calcutta High Court has ordered a 48-hour restriction on group motor biking in West Bengal, running until the end of the second phase of Assembly elections on April 29. The court acted amid concerns that large motorcycle rallies or processions could be misused to influence voters or disrupt polling across multiple districts in this sensitive phase.
Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said the NTPC-GE joint venture NGSL had full responsibility for operations and maintenance of the Chhattisgarh power plant where an explosion killed 25 workers on April 14. Agarwal compared the arrangement to vehicle owners trusting drivers with safety, implying accountability lay with the contractor rather than Vedanta directly.
Kailash Kher faced an awkward moment at a Delhi event when he refused to sing just two impromptu lines. Explaining his reaction, he said casual stage requests cheapen an artist’s dignity, comparing it to telling a cricketer to hit a six or a soldier to fire. For him, artists are “sadhaks,” not entertainers.
A shooting at the 2026 White House Correspondents’ dinner caps a decade of escalating threats against Donald Trump. Coming after years of alleged plots and close calls dating to his 2016 campaign, investigators believe the gunman was specifically targeting Trump and senior officials, underscoring how persistently he remains the focal point of security concerns in Washington.
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China’s National Development and Reform Commission has ordered Meta to withdraw its acquisition of AI startup Manus. The regulator cited a rule barring foreign investment in the project, and the decision follows earlier reports that two Manus cofounders faced travel restrictions. The move adds pressure on cross-border deals involving sensitive technology and political compliance.
President Donald Trump rejected a new peace proposal from Iran, saying it was not good enough. He claimed the proposal arrived about 10 minutes after he cancelled a US team’s trip. Trump said negotiations paused due to travel delays and no direct talks with Iran’s top leader, adding that the US will now communicate by telephone instead.
P. V. Sindhu has taken a full voting seat on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council after being elected Chair of the BWF Athletes’ Commission, a release said. The Olympic medallist and world champion’s new role puts her in direct decision-making for the sport’s global governance, marking a significant shift in athlete representation at the highest level.
Iran says it is ready to end any chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, but insists the move would not include talks or changes to its nuclear program. Iran also wants the US to lift its blockade. As tensions continue to pressure shipping and oil prices, Iran’s foreign minister is in Russia for discussions tied to the ongoing war.
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India’s office market is bucking global headwinds with its best-ever first quarter, clocking record leasing volumes. Occupier confidence is being boosted by major tech players, the rise of flexible office solutions, and steady demand from BFSI firms. Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad are leading the charge, signaling a strong, sustained revival in commercial real estate.
Varun Beverages is betting big on scale, expanding manufacturing and distribution while accelerating volume growth across India and international markets. With a stronger presence in Africa, including acquisitions in South Africa, the company is widening its footprint and strengthening routes to customers. Management expects continued gains backed by favorable market conditions and a diversified portfolio.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his West Bengal campaign with a rally in Jagatdal, saying he is confident of returning for the BJP government’s oath-taking ceremony after May 4. Modi framed the campaign as a spiritual journey, thanking people for their affection and support throughout the run-up to the polls.
Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants in a thrilling Super Over, with Sunil Narine’s strike-changing bowling proving decisive. The win keeps KKR’s IPL 2026 playoff hopes firmly alive. Earlier, Rinku Singh’s batting helped the team post a competitive total, setting up a nail-biting finish that swung on one over’s brilliance.
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Seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs have merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party, cutting AAP’s strength in the Upper House. Congress slammed AAP as a “party of billionaires,” while AAP has filed a petition seeking disqualification of the MPs. The political move is now set to trigger legal and parliamentary fallout.
European markets stayed largely flat as investors geared up for pivotal central bank meetings. Oil prices edged higher, mirroring frustration over stalled US-Iran diplomacy. Losses in technology and consumer staples weighed on the pan-European index, while Germany’s DAX and Spain’s IBEX 35 managed small gains ahead of rate decisions.
Sun Pharma, under Dilip Shanghvi, is preparing its biggest overseas acquisition: a $12.5 billion deal for Organon & Co. The move builds on Shanghvi’s buyout playbook—snapping up firms with strategic value and turnaround potential to drive global expansion. His prior deals, including Ranbaxy and Taro, show how targeted acquisitions can reshape growth across markets.
The Strait of Hormuz has all but shut to global shipping after the US, under Donald Trump, imposed a blockade on Iran-linked vessels. Tehran retaliated, and daily ship transits have plunged to near zero from a normal level of around 135. The move is intensifying a historic shipping crisis with broad implications for energy and trade routes.
A family from Egypt was released from US immigration detention after a judge ordered it, but ICE re-detained them less than 48 hours later. Federal authorities briefly held the family and moved them toward a deportation flight. After an emergency motion from the court, deportation was halted and the family was released again.
In North 24 Parganas, Bengal’s assembly battleground, voters are weighing industrial distress from jute mill closures against everyday law and order worries. Political attention is driven by the rivalry between Arjun Singh and Partha Bhowmick, with local conflicts adding to uncertainty. Parties are campaigning with promises of revival and welfare, seeking to win over a strained electorate.
Paytm shares dipped around 8% after the RBI cancelled Paytm Payments Bank’s licence, but the stock rebounded quickly as brokerages stayed upbeat. Analysts argue the financial impact is limited because Paytm Payments Bank is structurally separated from the broader Paytm platform and the core business remains strong. Still, sentiment risks linger, with technical levels pointing to near-term volatility.
DeepSeek has rolled out its V4 preview series, including the powerful V4-Pro and a lighter Flash variant, and is trying to drive adoption with aggressive pricing. The company is offering developers a 75% discount on DeepSeek-V4-Pro until May 5, alongside broader API cost cuts, signaling a direct push to challenge the current AI pricing power.
India and New Zealand have signed a Free Trade Agreement aimed at reducing India’s reliance on a limited set of markets. Analysts say the deal can push Indian textile and apparel exporters up the value chain. With duty free access for Indian textiles and New Zealand’s premium wool imports, the pact is expected to support growth in high end garment exports while diversifying trade.
Listed real estate developers are increasingly steering India’s land acquisition market, taking close to half of all deals. The shift is attributed to easier access to capital and greater operational transparency, which helps them outperform smaller, less-resourced players. Bengaluru is leading acquisition activity, while NCR buyers increasingly favor trusted institutional developers.
A new policy paper says farmer producer organisations (FPOs) can be a powerful bridge between smallholders and bigger markets in India. But it also highlights structural constraints that limit their impact, including weak scale, limited market access, financing shortfalls, and governance gaps. The study argues these issues need targeted reforms for FPOs to truly deliver on their promise.
Telugu Bigg Boss fame Ashu Reddy has been booked over allegations of a Rs 9.5 crore fraud tied to an NRI techie’s marriage promise. The complainant claims she received crores for a US education loan, along with a flat, car and gold, and that family members also took money. Reddy has denied the allegations.
A shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner forced President Trump to be evacuated after a shotgun-wielding attacker targeted security. The incident has revived chilling comparisons to 1981, when President Ronald Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt at the same Washington Hilton while leaving an event. The parallels are unsettling for a nation that remembers.
SBI Cards and Payment Services reported a 14% year-on-year jump in Q4 net profit to Rs 609 crore in FY26. Revenue from operations rose 6% to Rs 4,934 crore. Despite the strong earnings numbers, the company’s shares saw minor losses right after the results were announced.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was abruptly cleared after reports of loud bangs and gunshots, triggering an urgent security response. US President Donald Trump and high-ranking officials were evacuated from the White House as National Guard personnel were positioned inside. Guests were escorted out and reportedly barred from re-entering while heavy security cordons remained in place around the exterior.
The Supreme Court has urged Rani Kapur, 80, to pursue mediation to resolve her multi-crore estate dispute with daughter-in-law Priya Kapur. The court said continued litigation would be long and asked the parties to settle peacefully, citing Rani’s age and the benefits of an amicable process.
Sales support startup Otto, founded by Omkar Pandharkame, has secured $500,000 to build what it calls the world’s first AI chief of staff for sales. The system aims to automate traditional CRM tasks using an intelligence-driven approach, helping sales teams reduce manual work while improving follow ups and pipeline management.
UltraTech Cement reported a 20% year-on-year jump in Q4 net profit to Rs 2,983 crore, highlighting strong momentum from capacity expansion and past acquisitions. The company also recommended a special dividend of Rs 240 per share, rewarding shareholders alongside record profits. With a standout financial year, UltraTech signals continued execution of its long-term growth strategy.
Noida and Greater Noida schools have been ordered to revise timings as a severe heatwave pushes NCR temperatures above 42°C. Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration directed all government, private, CBSE, ICSE, IB and UP Board schools to run from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM until further notice, aiming to protect students from peak afternoon heat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the West Bengal assembly elections will shape eastern India’s future, urging voters to back a strong Bengal alongside Bihar and Odisha. In his pitch, Modi linked the region’s strength to India’s larger goal of becoming a developed nation, stressing the strategic role eastern states can play in national progress.
MobiKwik has received Reserve Bank of India approval for an NBFC licence, setting up the launch of its own lending business. The fintech plans to operate this through a wholly owned subsidiary and roll out new credit products for both consumers and merchants. The RBI nod marks a major step as MobiKwik moves beyond payments into direct credit offerings.
Amazon is rolling out its rapid delivery service, Amazon Now, across 100 cities in India, starting with Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. The expansion is supported by 1,000-plus specialised delivery hubs designed to bring daily essentials in minutes. The rollout is part of a broader investment to strengthen Amazon’s logistics and retail footprint in the country.
Antoine Fuqua, director of the biopic Michael, says translating Michael Jackson’s childhood and complicated relationship with Joe Jackson into film was “challenging.” He also shares how Jaafar Jackson was cast, describing a rare personal interaction that shaped the production. The movie also spotlights Michael’s emotional world, including his compassion for animals like his pet chimp Bubbles, adding depth beyond fame.
Raghav Chadha has left the Aam Aadmi Party, saying the party’s work environment became toxic. Chadha, along with six other MPs, has merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party. After spending 15 years building AAP, he claims he was the right person in the wrong party and says he will continue “positive politics” from his new platform.
A full-term pregnant woman from Ponnamma gave birth to a healthy baby boy on the Murudeshwar–SMVT Bengaluru Express near Bantwal. With no medical staff present, fellow co-passengers rushed to assist during the delivery, then railway personnel arranged emergency care once notified. The incident highlights how quick action by strangers can be lifesaving in transit.
India and New Zealand have signed a landmark “new generation” Free Trade Agreement after negotiations concluded in December 2025. The pact was executed at Bharat Mandapam and is framed as people-centric and jobs-driven, supporting India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Backers say the deal could unlock fresh investment flows and trade opportunities, with visa-related elements drawing particular attention.
Spain is urging travelers to lock in flights early as oil prices climb amid the Iran Israel conflict. Higher global fuel costs are expected to raise aviation expenses, with airlines likely passing those costs to passengers through higher airfares in the coming months. Advance bookings could help travelers avoid sudden price increases.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a Vijay Sankalp rally in Barrackpore, calling it his final public meeting in West Bengal before the next phase of polling. He emphasized his longstanding ties with the state and asserted confidence that BJP will win after the May 4 results, signaling a likely sweep and framing the rally as a step toward oath-taking.
India’s e-commerce market is projected to jump to $250 billion, powered largely by Gen Z shoppers and new formats like live and creator-led commerce. But a traders’ body fears rapid, unregulated expansion could squeeze traditional retail and jobs. It is pushing the government for a clear e-commerce policy to set fair competition rules.
Iran has told Pakistan it will not accept “maximalist demands” as Islamabad hosts a peace effort to end an ongoing conflict. While ceasefires are in place, movement through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited, with only few ships crossing. The U.S. continues pressing Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program in a verifiable way, even as international flights resume from Tehran.
BJP leader Smriti Irani launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, alleging pervasive corruption and misgovernance. She pointed to the RG Kar case and alleged financial irregularities, arguing these failures represent “Trinamool culture” rather than the state’s identity. Her remarks add fresh heat to the campaign ahead of the political contest.
Violence broke out near Bengal’s Jagatdal Police Station on Sunday night when supporters of Trinamool Congress and BJP clashed. Several people were injured, and a CRPF personnel suffered a bullet wound amid stone-pelting and crude bomb use. Four people were arrested after coordinated raids, while authorities continue efforts to track remaining accused ahead of the campaign end for crucial polls.
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