Amazon plans to invest USD 35 billion in India over the next five years to expand its businesses from quick commerce to cloud computing and artificial intelligence, as the global supermajor doubles down on its presence in the world's fastest-growing economy. The investment by the US e-commerce giant comes a day after Microsoft pledged USD 17.5 billion in India for data centres, AI and cloud infrastructure by 2030. Previously, Google had committed USD 15 billion over the next five years to building AI data centres. Amazon said its investments in areas such as artificial intelligence and logistics infrastructure through 2030 will help create an additional 1 million jobs in India. The e-commerce giant is ramping up investment to compete with Walmart-backed Flipkart as well as homegrown giants like those of billionaire Mukesh Ambani and near-instant delivery firms like Eternal Ltd's Blinkt, Swiggy Ltd's Instamart and Zepto. Amazon has invested USD 40 billion in India since 2010. In 2023, it announced a USD 26 billion investment. The fresh investment will help increase exports for sellers in India to USD 80 billion by 2030 from USD 20 billion. The investments, it said, are "strategically aligned with India's national priorities and will focus on expanding AI capabilities, enhancing logistics infrastructure, supporting small business growth and creating jobs." "We're excited to continue being a catalyst for India's growth, as we democratize access to AI for millions of Indians," said Amit Agarwal, head of emerging markets at Amazon. Making the announcement during the Amazon Smbhav Summit, Agarwal said the company has set a target to quadruple exports from India to USD 80 billion from about USD 20 billion it has facilitated as of now and create an additional one million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs by 2030. "Amazon to date has invested USD 40 billion in India since 2010. Now we will invest another USD 35 billion by 2030 across all our businesses in India," Agarwal said. Agarwal said the company has invested USD 40 billion in India to date and is the largest foreign investor in India, according to a Keystone report compiled from publicly available data. In May 2023, Amazon announced plans to invest USD 12.7 billion in India by 2030 into its local cloud and AI infrastructure across Telangana and Maharashtra. The company has already invested USD 3.7 billion in India between 2016 and 2022. Agarwal said that the company has invested at scale towards building physical and digital infrastructure, including fulfilment centres, transportation networks, data centres, digital payments infrastructure and technology development. According to the Keystone report, Amazon has digitized over 12 million small businesses and enabled USD 20 billion in cumulative ecommerce exports, while supporting approximately 2.8 million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs across industries in India in 2024. To push export growth from India, Amazon launched a manufacturing-focused initiative, "Accelerate Exports", designed to connect digital entrepreneurs with trusted manufacturers while enabling manufacturers to become successful global sellers. As part of the program, Amazon will host on-ground onboarding drives in over 10 manufacturing clusters across India, including Tirupur, Kanpur, and Surat. At the Smbhav summit, Amazon announced a key partnership with the Apparel Export Promotion Council of India to expand and scale the program nationwide. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
10 December,2025 01:33 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIThe chaos in the aviation sector across the country continues to cause disruptions on Wednesday. IndiGo Airlines on Wednesday cancelled over 60 flights from Bengaluru Airport, despite Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers claiming on December 9 that the airline's operations were back on track. As reported by news agency PTI, IndiGo has cancelled 61 flights on Wednesday, including 35 arrivals and 26 departures. Earlier on Tuesday, after the government slashed IndiGo's winter flight schedule by 10 per cent, or around 220 flights of the nearly 2,200 approved per day, IndiGo cancelled 460 flights from six metros alone. The IndiGo CEO, Elbers, claimed that the airline was "back on its feet" and its operations were "stable". The CEO further said that lakhs of customers have already received their full refunds, without giving any specific numbers, but remained tight-lipped on the issue of compensation to those whose flights were abruptly cancelled, hugely delayed or rescheduled without their consent. However, as per the Civil Aviation Ministry's passenger charter, airlines are liable to pay compensation to passengers for flight delays or cancellations under certain situations. Also, the airlines have to provide this compensation automatically without passengers having to request it. IndiGo has cancelled thousands of flights nationwide after failing to plan for tighter safety regulations, causing severe hardships for passengers, driving up airfares on other domestic carriers and creating chaos across airports pan-India. The chaotic situation, which disrupted the aviation sector across the country on December 1, continued till December 5 before the government stepped in with the DGCA issuing show-cause notices to Elbers and IndiGo Chief Operating Officer Isidro Proqueras, who is also the Accountable Manager for the Rahul Bhatia-controlled airline, and also ordered capping of airfares. However, on Tuesday, the government ordered a 10 per cent cut in the airline's winter schedule. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, during the Parliament Winter Sessions, said that "The Ministry considers it necessary to curtail the overall Indigo routes, which will help in stabilising the airline's operations and lead to reduced cancellations. A curtailment of 10 per cent has been ordered. While abiding by it, Indigo will continue to cover all its destinations as before," as cited by news agency PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
10 December,2025 01:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra Forest Department carried out the soft release of a two-year-old female tigress, T7-S2, from Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve into the Sonarli enclosure at Chandoli National Park, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, as part of Operation TARA (Tiger Augmentation and Range Expansion). Captured on 8 December from the Korala Core Range, Pandharpauni area of Tadoba, the tigress underwent a thorough health check by Dr Ravikant Khobragade, Veterinary Officer (Wildlife), and was found to be perfectly fit for translocation. The soft release allows her to gradually acclimatise to the new terrain, prey base, and environmental conditions before being released into the open forest, ensuring safer settlement and habitat fidelity. The operation is being conducted under the scientific guidance of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), with senior scientists Dr K. Ramesh and field biologist Akash Patil monitoring her acclimatisation and behaviour. At the national level, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is observing the operation through Dr Nandkishor Kale and Rohan Bhate. Field execution was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Tadoba Rapid Rescue Team (RRT) and frontline staff of the Korala Core Range, ensuring smooth capture, transport, and soft-release procedures. The operation is jointly conducted by teams from Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, under the guidance of Dr Jitendra Ramgaokar, CCF Wildlife, Mumbai. “Tigress T7-S2 is a young, healthy female dispersing from Tadoba. Her relocation strengthens tiger presence in the Sahyadri landscape,” said Dr Prabhunath Shukla, Field Director of Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve. “The soft release is a crucial step in Sahyadri’s tiger recovery mission. Chandoli provides a secure habitat with ample prey, and our teams are fully prepared to monitor and protect her,” added Tushar Chavan, Field Director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. M. Srinivas Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra, said, “Operation TARA reflects the dedication of our field teams and strengthens Maharashtra’s tiger conservation efforts.”
10 December,2025 01:16 PM IST | Kolhapur | Ranjeet JadhavMultiple schools in the national capital received a bomb threat via email on Wednesday. The schools immediately issued a notice to parents to collect their students as a precaution. The notice outlined the phased dispersal of students to closely monitor and manage the situation without causing panic among students and parents. The notice issued by The Indian School read, "Dear Parents, the school has received a bomb threat via email. As a precautionary measure, the school is dispersing the children. You are requested to kindly come and collect your child as per the schedule below: Nursery to Class 2: 9:30 AM, Class 3 to 5: 9:45 AM, Class 6 to 8: 9:55 AM, Class 9 and above: 10:15 AM." At the same time, Ahlcon International School in New Delhi also received a bomb threat. It issued a similar notice to parents, advising them to coordinate with van drivers for safe, timely student pickup. The notice stated, "Dear Parent, kindly note that due to an email threat received this morning, we are arranging an early dispersal for all students (on footers/bus users/van users) at 11:30 a.m., keeping the safety of our students as our utmost priority. Parents are requested to kindly coordinate with the van drivers for timely pickup. Your patience and cooperation in this regard are highly appreciated. The competent authorities are being contacted for further instructions and clearance. From Ahlcon International school." Meanwhile, officials said schools in Laxmi Nagar and Sadiq Nagar received bomb threats. According to the fire department, the information was received in the morning. The police say that more than one school received the calls. An investigation is currently underway, and further details are awaited. Earlier, the students at two Delhi University colleges were evacuated after Deshbandhu College and Ramjas College received bomb threat emails last Wednesday, officials said. Police and bomb squads reached both campuses and began checking the premises. Delhi Police confirmed that the threat emails were received by both institutions around the same time. Multiple police teams, along with the bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs, were deployed at the sites. However, no suspicious object has been found during the searches, officials said. The Security forces have been on high alert since the Delhi blast near the Red Fort, which has killed atleast 15 people. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
10 December,2025 01:07 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIItalian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Antonio Tajani, will pay an official visit to India from December 10 to 12, 2025, aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. Tajani will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday, December 10, at 0200 hrs, via the International Ceremonial Lounge at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. The visit reflects the growing momentum in India-Italy relations across political, economic and strategic domains. Later in the evening, at 1800 hrs, Tajani will hold a bilateral meeting with the External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House. The discussions are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, defence, clean energy manufacturing and more. Regional and global issues of mutual interest are also likely to be discussed. Tajani and Jaishankar had last met on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September. On November 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where both leaders discussed expanding collaboration across key sectors, including trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education. Following their meeting, PM Modi wrote on X, "Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations." On Thursday, December 11, the Italian Deputy Prime Minister will proceed to Mumbai, where he will participate in a series of engagements. The Mumbai programme is expected to include interactions with business leaders and stakeholders, highlighting Italy's interest in expanding economic partnerships and industrial collaboration with India, particularly in technology, design, infrastructure and sustainable development. Tajani will conclude his India visit with his departure from Mumbai at 0115 hrs on Friday, December 12. The visit underscores the importance both nations place on their strategic partnership and continued dialogue at the highest political levels to deepen cooperation in a rapidly evolving global landscape. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
10 December,2025 01:06 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | mid-day online correspondentDelhi’s air quality showed slight improvement on Thursday morning, with the city recording an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 267 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The city's AQI on Tuesday morning stood at 291, and on Monday morning it stood at 318, the CPCB data showed, reported PTI. According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as "good", 51 to 100 "satisfactory", 101 to 200 "moderate", 201 to 300 "poor", 301 to 400 "very poor" and 401 to 500 "severe". On the weather front, the minimum temperature settled at 10 degrees Celsius, 0.4 degrees above normal, while the morning relative humidity was 75 per cent, according to PTI. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast mainly clear skies for the day. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 24 degrees Celsius later in the day. Meanwhile, Mumbai is expected to see mainly clear skies on Thursday, both in the city and suburbs, according to the IMD. Temperatures are likely to range between a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 15 degrees Celsius. The city recorded minimum temperatures of 20.7 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 16.7 degrees Celsius at Santacruz today, according to the IMD. There was no rainfall reported at either station, indicating a dry start to the day. As per the SAMEER App, Mumbai’s AQI stands at 101, falling under the moderate category. While generally safe, the AQI may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, and heart conditions. AQI levels across the city vary, with Bandra Kurla Complex recording 150, Ghatkopar 131, Deonar 123, Byculla 129, Chembur 106, Kurla 87, Borivali 67, and Chakala (Andheri East) 62. Residents are advised to take precautions if sensitive to air pollution. Mumbai air pollution wreaking havoc on skin, vocal cords What was once dismissed as a seasonal cough or temporary breathlessness and dryness of skin, especially during the winter season, is now emerging as a much deeper health crisis for Mumbai. Medical experts warn that breathing difficulties are only the first visible symptom of a growing list of pollution-induced health problems affecting residents across age groups. With air quality frequently slipping into the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories, doctors are witnessing a surge in patients suffering from ailments that go far beyond respiratory distress. Medical experts say prolonged exposure to polluted air laden with fine particulate matter, construction dust and vehicular emissions is triggering inflammation across multiple systems of the body. Doctors have noticed a rise in cases related to the throat and skin. (With PTI inputs)
10 December,2025 01:00 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Luthra brothers, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, have filed an anticipatory bail application, with the Sessions Court expected to hear the case on Thursday, a lawyer from their team confirmed. Meanwhile, authorities plan to demolish a beach shack owned by the brothers, who also run the Arpora nightclub where a recent fire claimed 25 lives. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said bulldozers will raze Romeo Lane in Vagator, after the restaurant, reportedly built on government land, was sealed by officials, according to the news agency ANI. The investigation continues to focus on the tragic fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane'. Addressing allegations of police negligence, Goa DIG Varsha Sharma said, "We have coordinated with the CBI and Interpol. A Blue Corner Notice has also been issued." According to police sources, on December 7, within hours of the deadly blaze, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra boarded a flight from Delhi to Phuket, Thailand. Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice against both brothers to help locate and provisionally detain them pending extradition proceedings. Goa Police on Wednesday brought Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, to the Sunlight Colony Crime Branch office in connection with the recent North Goa fire tragedy that claimed 25 lives at the restaurant-cum-bar. Gupta is expected to be presented in court later today as part of the ongoing investigation, as per the ANI. The development comes days after the massive blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday at a nightclub in Arpora, triggering a high-casualty incident and killing at least 25 people, most of whom were staff of the restaurant. The Government of Goa formed a committee to investigate the incident. A Lookout Circular (LOC) had earlier been issued against Gupta. When the police team visited his residence in Delhi, he was found to be absconding; a non-bailable arrest warrant was subsequently issued against him. The district administration demolished part of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, Goa. The restaurant is owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who also own Birch by Romeo Lane. The brothers fled to Thailand after the fire, which claimed 25 lives, and are now being tracked by international authorities. (With ANI inputs)
10 December,2025 11:35 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Karnataka High Court stayed the state government’s notification mandating one-day menstrual leave a month for working women. The November 9 notification made provision for one day paid menstrual leave per month to women employees aged between 18 and 52 years working in permanent, contractual and outsourced jobs. The petitioners contended that the Karnataka government did not consult them before making such provisions. The menstrual leave was meant for women working in all industries and establishments registered under the Factories Act, 1948, Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, Plantation Workers Act, 1951, Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966, and Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 December,2025 09:55 AM IST | Bengaluru | AgenciesA Delhi court on Tuesday sought response from senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and the police on a plea challenging a magistrate’s order refusing a probe on the allegation that she was included in the electoral rolls three years before acquiring Indian citizenship in 1983. Special Judge Vishal Gogne was hearing a revision plea against the magisterial court’s order of September 11, which had dismissed the plea, saying the complaint was “fashioned with the object of clothing the court with jurisdiction through allegations which are legally untenable, deficient in substance, and beyond the scope of this forum’s authority”. Issuing notice to Gandhi and Delhi Police, Judge Gogne posted the matter on January 6 for further proceedings. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 December,2025 09:51 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Supreme Court on Tuesday took serious note of BLOs and other officials engaged in SIR 2.0 being “threatened” in West Bengal and other states, and asked the Election Commission to bring such instances to its notice or “it will cause anarchy”. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi asked the poll panel to take serious notice of the lack of cooperation by different state governments in the work for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. “Bring to our notice instances of lack of cooperation, hindrances to work of BLOs and we will pass appropriate orders,” the bench told senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the Election Commission (EC). Dwivedi said that if the situation aggravates, then the EC would have no option but to take police, which is under the jurisdiction of the state government, under its deputation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 December,2025 09:43 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made the eighth arrest in connection with last month's car blast near the Red Fort, officials said on Tuesday. An NIA spokesperson said a team from Delhi has arrested key accused Dr Bilal Naseer Malla of Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir. He was arrested from the national capital. The NIA has found Bilal's involvement in the conspiracy behind the terrorist attack that killed 11 people and injured several others in the Red Fort area on November 10, a statement said. "As per NIA investigations, Bilal had knowingly harboured the deceased accused Umar Un Nabi by providing him logistical support. He is also accused of destruction of evidence related to the terrorist attack," it added. The NIA is continuing with its investigation into the conspiracy behind the deadly blast. The anti-terror agency is working closely with various central and state agencies to unravel all the threads of the conspiracy. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 December,2025 11:03 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIADVERTISEMENT
-1765353518256_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "Amazon plans to invest USD 35 billion in India over the next five years to expand its businesses. File Pic")
