Cashfree Payments appoints Sameer Gandhi as CFO to strengthen operations

Cashfree Payments named Sameer Gandhi (ex-Visa India, Vodafone) as CFO to drive financial strategy, efficiency, and revenue planning. The RBI-licensed fintech processes $80B+ for 1M+ businesses, raised $53M (Krafton, Apis), and is doubling down on cross-border growth toward profitability.

India’s two-wheeler market is shifting to scooters, led by electrification. Equirus sees scooters growing 9% vs motorcycles 4%, overtaking after FY37. EVs to 19% penetration by FY30, 50% by FY40; e-scooters 38%/80%. Near term, a replacement-led rebound and cheaper EVs drive ~6% CAGR in FY25–30.

U.S. marriage-based green cards face tighter scrutiny. Spouses get IR-1 (10-year) if married 2+ years or CR-1 (2-year) with later I-751. Strong joint evidence is vital; red flags can trigger Stokes interviews. Fraud risks prison, fines, deportation. Delays persist; mandamus may force action.

Pi Data Centers will launch a 3MW AI-ready data center in central Mumbai (live Aug 2026) and, with JLL, plan a 23MW expansion across India. It complements Pi’s 60MW Amaravati campus and a 3MW Hyderabad site due Oct 2026, targeting hyperscalers and enterprises amid surging AI/cloud demand.

Goldman Sachs Q1 profit rose to $5.4B as dealmaking rebounded and equities trading hit a record ($5.33B), though FICC fell 10% to $4.01B. IB fees jumped 48% to $2.84B; M&A robust and big IPOs loom, incl. SpaceX. Asset/wealth mgmt up 10% to $4.08B; redemptions muted; bought Innovator Capital Mgmt.

Australia tightened student visas in 2026: Feb refusals hit 32.5%, with rates of 60% for Nepal, 47% Bangladesh and 40% India. India moved to Evidence Level 3, needing stronger finance/study proof. Graduate (485) fee doubled to AUD 4,600; applicants must document funds and intent.

Xiaomi launches Redmi A7 Pro 5G in India, first A-series Pro: 6.9" 120Hz (800 nits) display with Wet Touch 2.0, octa-core 5G, HyperOS 3.0 (Android 15), 6300mAh 15W + 7.5W reverse. 32MP dual + 8MP, IP52, 3.5mm, microSD to 2TB. 4/64 ₹12,499; 4/128 ₹13,499. Sale Apr 15; ₹1,000 off. 

A Nature Metabolism study finds metformin raises the exercise-linked metabolite Lac-Phe in prostate cancer patients on hormone therapy, potentially curbing appetite and aiding weight and metabolic health. It complements—not replaces—exercise; evidence is early and survival impact unknown.

UP secures ₹3,000+ cr for the Buddhist Circuit via a 2026 conclave, spanning hotels and bio-energy; ramps influencer promos (₹8 lakh), eyes tourism GVA 9.2%→16% by 2047, UNESCO sites, 2025 inflows.

Rising heat raises heat-exhaustion risk. Early signs: heavy sweating, dizziness, cramps, severe fatigue, nausea. Act fast—cool down, hydrate, rest. Urgent care for confusion, fainting, or hot, dry skin (heatstroke). High risk: older adults, kids, chronic illness, outdoor workers.

Google is testing Tap to Share on Android, letting users share contacts, photos, videos, links, and locations by tapping two unlocked phones together. A pop-up guides alignment. Revives Android Beam, akin to Apple NameDrop. May integrate with share sheet; Samsung VCard support; rollout pending.

BCCI’s ACSU issued a 48-hour show-cause to Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder after footage showed him using a phone near the dugout vs RCB in Guwahati, possibly outside permitted PMOA zones. With strict IPL device rules, his health and location ambiguity may influence the decision.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8 will mostly mirror the Flip 7 with minor slimming, same 6.9in/4.1in screens, a subtler crease, Exynos 2600, and a bigger battery. Launching July 22 with Z Fold 8 and new “Z Wide” featuring a wider 5.4in/7.6in design, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 5,000mAh, and 45W charging.

Macron said France and the UK will convene a conference to back a strictly defensive multinational mission to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, tied to wider West Asia diplomacy. It follows a new US curb on Iran-linked ships; Iran condemned the move and vowed to control passage.

Google Messages is adding a Trash folder that replaces Delete. Deleted chats move to Trash for 30 days (7 on Android Go) and can be restored or permanently removed. Access via profile > Trash. New messages to trashed threads create a new chat with only the latest message. Swipe/hold to move.

India’s premarital genetic screening spots carrier risks for thalassemia, sickle cell and more, enabling informed planning (IVF/testing/donor). Prioritise high‑risk groups. Tests have limits and raise privacy/stigma concerns. Awareness, counselling, affordability and protections are key.

Switch Mobility delivered 100 Switch EiV12 electric buses to Mauritius—the largest e-bus export from India—under a Government of India donation via a CESL tender. Operated by NTC and equipped with telematics and fast charging, the fleet boosts clean transit and India‑Mauritius ties.

OpenAI is forcing updates to its macOS apps after a supply-chain attack on the Axios library impacted a signing workflow. No user data or tampering found, but certificates are rotated. Update ChatGPT, Codex, Codex CLI, Atlas; old builds lose support after May 8, 2026. Only macOS affected.

Canada plans a major Express Entry overhaul: merge FSW, CEC, FST into one pathway with uniform rules (high school/ECA, CLB 6, 1 year TEER 0–3). CRS will stress language, education, Canadian experience and high-wage roles, trimming bonuses. Category-based draws stay. Consultations ongoing.

As West Asia tensions dominate, World Bank chief Ajay Banga warns of a looming jobs crisis: 1.2b new workers in developing nations vs 400 mn jobs, leaving an 800 mn gap. He urges balancing shocks with reforms and pvt investment in infra, water, energy, and resilient industries to curb instability.

YouTube says reports of 90‑second unskippable ads on its TV app were due to a bug that showed inaccurate timers for shorter ads. It isn’t testing a 90‑second format; current policy caps at 30 seconds. A fix is rolling out to users.

India’s data centre market will more than double to $22b by 2030, driven by cloud, AI and digital growth. With $13–15b invested since 2020 and $60–70b announced, capacity will rise from ~1.5 GW to 4–5 GW. Policy incentives, low build costs, and hubs led by Mumbai, Chennai and NCR.

WhatsApp is adding chat themes to its web app, with up to 49 color presets that change message bubbles and wallpapers. Users can set a default or per-chat theme for easier differentiation. Themes are visible only to the user. Rolling out to beta first, aligning Web with mobile options.

Explainer on blockades: definition, types (naval, land, siege, economic), and how they coerce by choking movement and trade. Surveys cases from Napoleon and the U.S. Civil War to WWI/WWII (Leningrad, Japan), Berlin, Cuba, Biafra, the Black Sea, and a proposed U.S. blockade of Iran’s Gulf ports.

India’s cement majors likely saw strong Q4 FY26 volume growth on robust construction/capex and modest price gains. However, margins were hit by higher fuel and packaging costs amid West Asia tensions. Large players outperformed; a bigger cost impact is expected from Q1 FY27, prompting price hikes.

OPPO teases the Find X9 Ultra ahead of its April 21 global debut, revealing black (dual‑tone, Hasselblad‑inspired) and orange variants, a circular module with 200MP main, 200MP 3x portrait, 50MP 10x tele, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP selfie, plus an Earth Explorer teleconverter lens kit.

X will launch XChat, a standalone iPhone/iPad messaging app, on April 17 (pre-order now). Separate from X DMs, it offers end-to-end encryption, edit/delete, screenshot blocking, 5‑minute disappearing chats, groups up to 481, and cross‑device calling. No ads/tracking; iOS/iPadOS 26+; not IRC-related.

A Boston grand jury indicted 10 Indian nationals for staging fake armed robberies at Massachusetts stores to falsely claim U visas. Organized by Rambhai Patel, participants paid to join and face up to 5 years, $250,000 fines, and likely deportation. The case is part of a broader visa-fraud crackdown

Apple is developing display-free smart glasses (codename N50) for everyday use—photos, calls, music, notifications—tightly integrated with iPhone, upgraded Siri, and computer vision. Premium multi-style frames and distinct cameras. Target: late 2026–early 2027; a pivot from earlier full-AR plans.

After US-Iran talks stalled, Trump announced a naval blockade near Hormuz, eyed limited strikes and tariffs; Iran vowed firm response. Israel signaled ongoing conflict; Saudi restored pipeline; Lebanon-Israel talks set amid rising toll. India tweaked crude basket, faced fuel losses, boosted LPG/PNG.

Indian markets turn cautious amid US-Iran tensions and oil at $103–107. Nifty pivot at 24,000; supports 23,650–23,600 and 23,000; resistance 23,950–24,500. Bank Nifty support 55,500–55,300; needs breakout above 56,000. Expect the rupee to remain under pressure.

After Pope Leo XIV condemned threats to Iran and questioned U.S. immigration policy, Donald Trump blasted him on Truth Social as “weak on crime,” poor on foreign policy, and soft on nukes. The first US-born pope urged de-escalation and humane migrant treatment, reviving Trump–Vatican tensions.

Trump’s planned Strait of Hormuz blockade threatens Asia’s energy supply, sending oil past $103 as CENTCOM enforces. Japan and South Korea scramble; China may leverage critical minerals. Bloomberg sees $105–$170 oil, weaker global growth, higher inflation, and potentially long-lasting disruptions.

The US‑Iran crisis has widened the transatlantic rift as Trump berates NATO, weighs base shifts, and prioritizes U.S. rearmament. Europe pivots to self‑reliance and broader coalitions to secure Hormuz. Risks include NATO splits; upside is momentum for EU defense/economic integration and reform.

India faces rising heat and humidity this week. Delhi may hit 41°C by Apr 17. Heatwave alert for Saurashtra-Kutch; temps climbing across NW, central, Gujarat & Maharashtra. Hot-humid in Odisha, Gujarat, coastal AP. NE rain/thunderstorms; East/South storms. Strong NW winds; squalls over N Arabian Sea

India plans ~₹5T in power transmission to unlock renewables and demand, building a smart, interoperable grid for 500 GW non‑fossil by 2030. CEA projects 900 GW by 2036 (1.4 lakh ckm, 8.3 lakh MVA; ₹7.9T). Hurdles: RoW, HVDC integration; push for domestic manufacturing, self‑reliance.

IPL 2026: The MI vs RCB clash saw injury scares for both teams’ stars. Mumbai’s Rohit Sharma left the field mid-innings, while RCB’s Virat Kohli skipped fielding and was seen in the dressing room, sparking concern over their fitness in the high-profile encounter.

Indian banks are tightening credit card underwriting amid macro uncertainty, market volatility, and RBI’s higher risk weights. Expect stricter income/repayment checks, higher score cutoffs, lower limits, and more secured cards.

High-stakes Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge: Chelsea seek consistency after FA Cup boost, while Man City chase vital title-race points with a game in hand. Blues miss Enzo, James, Colwill; Badiashile may return. City sweat on Stones; Dias, Gvardiol out. Kickoff Apr 12, 9 PM IST.

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle died in Mumbai at 92 from multi-organ failure. The iconic voice of Indian cinema recorded 12,000+ songs since the 1940s, worked with OP Nayyar and RD Burman, and won the Dadasaheb Phalke, Padma Vibhushan and two National Awards.

Sanju Samson smashed his maiden century for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, electrifying a buzzing Chepauk in Chennai as CSK faced Delhi Capitals on Saturday. He reached his 4th IPL ton in 52 balls with 14 fours and 3 sixes, powering CSK to a formidable total.

India raised export duties on fuels, lifting diesel to ₹55.5/L (from ₹21.5) and ATF to ₹42/L (from ₹29.5), while petrol stays at nil. The April 11 Finance Ministry notification takes immediate effect, aiming to secure domestic supply amid West Asia tensions and Brent above $100.

Delhi Capitals handed pacer Auqib Nabi his IPL debut against CSK in Chennai. Bought for ₹8.40 crore after outbidding SRH, Nabi topped the Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets and helped J&K win their maiden title over Karnataka. After missing DC’s first two games, he now gets his chance to impress.

US-Iran talks began in Islamabad on Saturday under Pakistan’s mediation, Iranian state media reported, though the format remains unclear. The White House declined to confirm direct US-Iran meetings, saying only that US officials held a bilateral engagement with Pakistani counterparts earlier.

PBKS opener Priyansh Arya blasted a 16-ball fifty vs SRH in IPL 2026 at Mullanpur—second-fastest for PBKS after KL Rahul (14, 2018), surpassing Nicholas Pooran’s 17-ball mark. He smashed 57 off 20 and shared a 99-run opening stand in a 220 chase. The knock is joint fourth-fastest in IPL history.

Delhi’s draft EV Policy 2026–30 offers 100% road tax and registration fee waiver on electric cars up to ₹30 lakh till Mar 31, 2030; pricier EVs excluded. Strong hybrids may get 50% waiver. Only electric three-wheelers allowed for new registrations Jan 1, 2027. Public feedback open 30 days.

LocalCircles survey (39k responses, 376 districts) finds 75% would stop using UPI if fees are introduced; only 25% would pay with no clear pricing preference. Despite massive FY26 usage (240B tx, ₹314T), banks cite zero returns and rising costs; merchant pushback grows, exposing sustainability risks

US and Iran open mediated, indirect talks in Islamabad with shuttling diplomats and low expectations. Disputes span sanctions relief, uranium enrichment, Strait of Hormuz access/fees, and including Lebanon in a ceasefire. Delegations are led by JD Vance and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

India’s draft NFI 2026 would bar cough syrups for under‑2s and discourage use under‑5s after DEG/EG contamination deaths. IPC tightens excipient standards, requires pharmacopoeial-grade solvents and batch testing. Experts favor non-drug care; industry is reviewing the proposal.

Odisha okays the Rs 3,400‑crore ‘Atal Bus Stand (ABS)’ scheme through FY32 to modernise and unify bus stands across districts, blocks, ULBs and key tourist/strategic sites. Implemented by OSRTC, it standardises A/B/C-class facilities, integrates all stands, allows govt/private use, boosts service