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WhatsApp has launched “Business AI” in India, introducing AI-powered customer support capabilities for small and medium businesses through the WhatsApp Business app. The feature, available in all native Indian languages, is designed to help businesses respond to customer queries 24/7, capture leads, recommend products, book appointments and drive sales without requiring additional software platforms. The company said Business AI can be customised using a business’s own information, enabling automated replies to queries related to products, pricing, discounts, shipping and services. WhatsApp also plans to introduce UPI-based payment support directly within chats in the coming months. Businesses will continue to have…

The Royal Government of Bhutan and the World Bank have signed financing agreements totaling $515 million for the 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project, marking a major milestone in Bhutan’s clean energy and infrastructure expansion strategy. The project, to be developed on the Kurichhu River in eastern Bhutan, is expected to generate over 4,500 GWh of electricity annually and contribute nearly one-third of the Kingdom’s total energy generation. The financing package includes $300 million from the International Development Association (IDA), including a $150 million grant, and $215 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The estimated $1.7…

In a major regulatory development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted Kotak Mahindra Bank to acquire a strategic stake of up to 9.99 per cent in Tamil Nadu-based City Union Bank (CUB). The announcement in a regulatory filing on May 7, 2026, confirms the central bank issued its “no-objection” letter earlier this week. The approval will enable Kotak Mahindra Bank and its subsidiaries and managed funds to raise their combined stake in the century-old private sector lender based in Kumbakonam. The acquisition is subject to compliance with the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and the RBI’s 2025 Master Directions…

The Indian equity market staged a resilient recovery this week as the Nifty 50 bounced back from its critical support zone near 24,000, closing at 24,326 on Thursday after a volatile session. Investor sentiment has been dramatically reshaped by mounting optimism over a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran, which could bring an end to the "Strait of Hormuz" blockade that has choked global energy supplies since February. Reports of a one-page memorandum of understanding currently under review in Tehran triggered a sharp correction in Brent crude prices—which tumbled from recent highs above $115 toward the $95…