Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Spotify is rolling out a new “Verified by Spotify” badge aimed at making it easier for listeners to identify authentic human artists as AI-generated music proliferates. Artists must meet specific eligibility criteria, including consistent, identifiable presence both on the platform and in the real world, such as concerts, merchandise, and other linked activity.
Indian government bonds closed April near end-of-March levels after a drop on Thursday. The slide followed a rise in crude oil prices and a jump in US Treasury yields, which pressured Asian rates. Even as central bank policy stayed relatively dovish and eased some anxiety, the broader signals left downside risks for bond prices.
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The government is now screening households that hold both LPG and PNG connections to prevent dual ownership and potential subsidy misuse. Under the new enforcement, families with piped natural gas connections are required to surrender their domestic LPG cylinders so supply can be prioritized for households without piped gas. So far, more than 43,000 LPG connections have been surrendered.
West Delhi’s Janakpuri residents say black, foul-smelling water has been flowing from taps for five months. They report increasing health problems including stomach infections and skin ailments, alongside higher spending on bottled water and disrupted daily routines. Authorities have acknowledged the contamination, linking it to a sewer issue, and have started repair work.
Thomas Cook India has boosted its prepaid Forex Card range to 28 global currencies, aiming to match rising travel demand for emerging destinations. With more local-currency options, travelers can make smoother transactions abroad. The firm is also leveraging its partnership with Blinkit to speed up forex loading, adding convenience ahead of international trips.
IBM has rolled out Bob, an AI software development platform aimed at making agent-driven coding safer in real enterprise workflows. It routes work across multiple model providers, but inserts continual human-led approval checkpoints to prevent pilot-stage failures and improve auditability. IBM says teams saved up to 70% time on selected tasks, with average gains of 10 hours weekly.
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A national study by the Media Insight Project shows a major generational divide in news habits. While 36% of US adults say they get news from social media at least once a day, 57% of teens aged 13–17 do the same. Even as they rely more on influencers, many remain cautious about what they believe.
Despite a decade-old alcohol ban, Bihar’s drinking hasn’t disappeared—it has gone underground. Traders use coded terms like “pure milk” and “sonapapdi” to mask liquor deals, with young couriers making discreet deliveries. The illegal trade is estimated in the thousands of crores, and enforcement struggles as smuggling tactics grow more inventive.
India is poised for a $800 billion surge in capital expenditure over the next five years, driven by shifting geopolitics. As conflict risks reshape global supply chains, India plans to deepen manufacturing in key areas including defense, data centres, and renewable energy—turning uncertainty abroad into expansion at home.
Nvidia vice president Bryan Catanzaro says the real expense of AI is climbing fast, with costs for using AI now outpacing what companies pay for human employees. His remark highlights how compute, infrastructure, and scaling demands can outweigh traditional headcount spending, pushing businesses to rethink how they budget and deploy AI in daily operations.
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A 1908 storm near Folsom, New Mexico, exposed ancient bones, and local cowboy George McJunkin recognized their significance. Later, archaeologists uncovered a spear point lodged in the ribs of an extinct bison, confirming Ice Age hunters were present. The evidence forced researchers to push back estimates of when humans migrated into North America.
Eli Lilly raised its annual profit and revenue outlook after a stronger-than-expected first quarter, powered by steady demand for its GLP-1 therapies. Results followed the company’s initial reporting since launching its oral GLP-1 pill, Foundayo, with continued momentum for weight-loss and diabetes brands Zepbound and Mounjaro.
In 1956, inventor Wilson Greatbatch was tinkering at his workbench when an unexpected wiring mistake produced a steady electrical pulse that mimicked a heartbeat. That accidental signal became the spark for pacemaker design, driving years of engineering before the first implantable devices. The result: far better survival and quality of life for heart patients worldwide.
Domino’s reported weaker-than-expected sales, sending its stock down about 10%. CEO Russell Weiner says the slowdown isn’t unique to Domino’s and expects other fast-food chains to face similar pressure. He points to bad weather and softer consumer sentiment tied to heightened tensions related to the Iran war, suggesting the industry headwinds could persist.
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The US is reportedly assembling an international coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route now closed amid heightened Iran tensions. With the waterway shut, global crude prices are surging and fuel supplies face pressure. Diplomatic efforts have stalled, while President Trump considers further military strikes; Pakistan is mediating talks for a potential deal.
AWS Quick has expanded into a desktop-native agent that maintains a persistent personal knowledge graph built from local files and connected SaaS apps. Instead of waiting for prompts, it can proactively suggest and execute actions using learned context—potentially creating “shadow orchestration” beyond what enterprise control planes can fully observe.
The Election Commission of India is rolling out a QR based identification system for every person entering counting centres for the 2026 assembly results. The move aims to curb unauthorised access, tighten security during the most sensitive counting window, and streamline who can move where. ECI says the approach will enable tighter digital fencing and controlled entry for authorised staff.
Prediction markets market themselves as a smarter alternative to sportsbooks, but reports from people with gambling addiction suggest the experience can feel indistinguishable. One example: a soccer coach had blocked himself from betting platforms before turning to prediction markets, only to find the same pull and risks. The distinction, critics say, may be branding more than substance.
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India’s remittance inflows, pegged at about $138 billion, are becoming more shock-resistant as sending networks diversify. Advanced economies are increasing their contribution and moving ahead of Gulf-linked remittances, strengthening India’s economic cushion even as regional conflicts pose near-term risks. The result: a more fortified external financing base than before.
Air India Express is expanding its West Asia network starting April 30, 2026, restoring services to Qatar and Bahrain while increasing flights to the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The carrier will operate over 40 daily services, reopening convenient links for travelers across multiple Indian cities to major Gulf destinations.
India has grounded USD 6.1 billion in investments across 14 states for FY26, covering about 60 projects expected to create over 31,000 jobs, according to Invest India. The data highlights strong international momentum, with 42% of the total investment traced to European countries, alongside major contributions from the US, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Delhi Police Special Cell says it dismantled an international arms trafficking syndicate operating across North India. Investigators allege fugitive Shahbaz Ansari and his uncle Rehan Ansari ran the network with links to foreign sources. The crackdown led to 9 arrests and seizure of 23 weapons including semi automatic pistols and shotguns, plus cartridges, magazines, repair tools and digital devices containing incriminating data.
Bacchu Kadu, leader of Prahar Janshakti Paksh, has joined Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance with Shiv Sena. While the BJP welcomed him, it highlighted Kadu’s record of switching sides across elections. Kadu is set to contest the Legislative Council elections, as his long political journey has repeatedly re-aligned with different parties for electoral gains.
Instagram has introduced changes aimed at content aggregators that primarily re-upload posts rather than creating original content. The update is designed to limit the reach of accounts that recycle others’ work, reducing visibility for repost-driven pages and encouraging more original posting across the platform.
Iranian communities in North America are sharply divided on the next move after a U.S.-linked ceasefire. Some back continued military strikes aimed at regime change, arguing pressure could force political change. Others warn that renewed intervention could worsen suffering, urging internal, grassroots reform instead. For people abroad and inside Iran, the pause has brought uncertainty rather than clarity.
The Executive Centre is expanding its Mumbai and Pune footprint with roughly 90,000 sq ft of Grade A managed workspace across three new locations. The move targets growing corporate demand for flexible office setups that can adapt as businesses evolve—offering serviced, high-quality environments without long-term rigidity.
The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize has received 287 nominations, with Donald Trump reportedly among the candidates. The committee is also said to be closely watching the situation around jailed laureate Narges Mohammadi. US Senator Lisa Murkowski and Danish lawmaker Aaja Chemnitz are among others considered, with the winner set to be announced on October 9.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell says the war in West Asia is triggering an oil price shock that is squeezing the global economy and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. Speaking at an IEA energy transition meeting in Paris, Stiell described a “fossil fuel cost crisis” that has effectively tightened its grip, giving renewables an unexpected boost.
Indian markets ended sharply lower, with FMCG, banking and auto stocks weighing on sentiment. Still, several individual shares saw dramatic moves following earnings reports. While some companies slipped on results, others climbed, including Syngene and Newgen, highlighting how quickly corporate updates can override broader market weakness.
Pakistan’s Navy is set to acquire advanced submarines from China, strengthening maritime security and deepening defense cooperation. The first boat, named Hangor, was commissioned in China, and the program aims for a fleet of eight submarines with some construction planned in Pakistan. The announcement comes amid recent missile testing, raising regional strategic stakes.
The Indian rupee slid to a record low of 95.33 per US dollar as surging crude oil prices and escalating foreign outflows intensified economic stress. Inflation concerns, widening deficits, and weak capital flows continued to weigh on the currency, while central bank interventions struggled to counter depreciation driven by energy disruptions.
The Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged and laid out multiple scenarios for how the Iran war could affect the UK economy. While baseline conditions remain manageable, the central bank warned that in a more severe path, inflation pressure could intensify—potentially requiring a forceful rise in borrowing costs to restore stability.
A new report says many enterprises are running GPU fleets at only about 5% utilization, not due to poor software alone, but because procurement fear traps them. Shortages push companies onto costly reserved allocations, then makes releasing idle GPUs feel impossible. At the same time, AI workloads stay GPU-idle inside containers, compounding waste as frontier chip pricing rises.
With Delhi bracing for summer heat and possible heatwave conditions, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has issued an advisory to all departments. MCD will arrange cool drinking water, cooling facilities, and ORS kits, while rationalising sanitation staff working hours. Ward-level heatwave warnings will also be shared to protect residents and civic workers.
An African student’s high-energy Hindi speech at a cultural programme at Aligarh Muslim University has gone viral, winning laughs for its bold “Bohot garmi hai, mai sabko AC dunga” style punchlines. Inspired by Chatur Ramalingam’s famous 3 Idiots monologue, the student’s confident mimicry and comic timing turned a campus moment into a trending clip online.
Two separate domestic disputes turned tragic for children in India. In Firozabad, a father is accused of drowning his four-year-old son in the Yamuna and then attempting suicide. In another incident, a couple allegedly left their two daughters at a police station while attending marital counseling. Authorities are investigating both cases and the fallout from family conflict.
A week after OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT Images 2 0, India has become its largest testing user base worldwide. OpenAI says Indians are experimenting more than any other country, but less like the professional demo videos and more like internet-native creators. Instead of work-focused outputs, many users are leaning into playful, chaotic, and highly creative image transformations.
Meta says its business-focused generative AI tools are now facilitating 10 million conversations each week. The company also claims that more than 8 billion advertisers have used at least one of its gen AI offerings. The update signals Meta’s push to make AI an ongoing customer engagement layer for businesses, not just a campaign add-on.
The Irish Supreme Court has ruled that TikTok may continue transferring EU user data to China while it appeals a regulator’s order to halt the practice. The regulator previously fined TikTok over privacy concerns, but the court’s temporary decision gives the platform time to challenge the ruling during the appeal process.
Gujarat Cotex will raise about Rs 43 crore through a rights issue to back expansion plans, including a new premium hotel. The offer is structured as six shares for every one held, opening April 10 and closing May 8. The funding is also expected to strengthen the company as it moves into real estate, hospitality, and agri-commodity trading.
Amazon’s recent pattern of nearly 30,000 job cuts followed by hiring roughly 11,000 staff marks more than a recovery cycle. The company says it’s building a smaller, more capable workforce focused on AI, cloud infrastructure, and automation. Executives frame the move as a structural shift: roles are being swapped and work reorganized around AI-aligned talent.
The UAE has introduced updated rules for worker housing, aiming to improve daily living conditions nationwide. Employers must meet new hygiene and safety requirements, either by providing compliant housing or offering allowances. The changes include free internet access for all workers and expanded medical support for larger housing communities, alongside stronger oversight of welfare standards.
Polling agency Axis My India has decided not to release its West Bengal exit poll for the 2026 assembly elections, citing an unrepresentative sample and widespread voter silence. The move raises questions about how reliable projections are likely to be, even as other agencies have published exit polls suggesting a tight contest. The official outcome will be out on May 4.
Edelweiss Financial’s shares sank about 10% after the company reported a 17% year-on-year drop in Q4 net profit to Rs 87.60 crore. Revenue and performance were weaker sequentially, even as asset management and insurance segments held up with steady growth. The firm still announced a dividend, but management warned global uncertainties could weigh on the outlook.
Swiggy is equipping delivery partners with special cooling vests designed to help them cope with extreme summer heat while working long hours. The initiative relies on evaporative cooling technology to bring down perceived temperature and provide practical relief. With heatwaves intensifying and projected to last longer, the company says it’s prioritising riders’ safety and well-being.
Delhi-NCR is bracing for worsening weather, with the NDMA warning of a very high chance of moderate thunderstorms in parts of Uttar Pradesh. The alert flags lightning, light to moderate rainfall and hailstorms, with wind speeds potentially reaching 40–60 km/h. Commuters in Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad are urged to stay alert over the next three hours.
Nigerian airlines kept operating on Thursday after averting a shutdown sparked by soaring jet fuel prices. The spike, intensified by the Middle East war, is hitting an industry across Africa’s biggest crude producer. Even with increased jet fuel output from Nigeria’s Dangote refinery, data reviewed by AFP suggests fuel costs remain stubbornly high—raising questions about how much room there is to lower prices.
AI customer service startup Netomi has raised $110 million in a Series C round led by Accenture Ventures. The company builds customer support solutions powered by recent large language model advances, aiming to improve responses and reduce workload for major businesses. Netomi plans to pour the funding into expanding customer deployments and accelerating research and development.
Iran’s Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei delivered a rare televised public statement, warning the United States that the “only place” it belongs in the Persian Gulf is at the bottom of its waters. The written message was read on state TV, with remarks signaling US losses and framing the warning as a response to a perceived humiliating defeat.
Reliance Retail has acquired Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ global haircare brand Anomaly, aiming to expand its beauty and personal care footprint. Known for clean, vegan, and affordable products, Anomaly is set to be scaled in India and internationally, with Priyanka continuing as Creative Director. The deal strengthens Reliance’s push into the beauty market.
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