At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.

Amazon’s David Zapolsky highlights $40 billion India investment, AI partnership

Bhubaneswar: David A. Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer at Amazon US, highlighted India’s growing importance in Amazon’s global strategy, stating that the company has invested nearly USD 40 billion in the country.

Zapolsky was in Bhubaneswar to receive the KIIT University Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event was attended by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS, along with senior officials from Amazon India, the university said in a release.

In a wide-ranging and candid conversation with KIIT Vice Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh, Zapolsky said that Amazon operates data centres in Mumbai and Hyderabad. He added that last year alone, the company committed an additional USD 35 billion to strengthen its footprint in India.

He stated that India is a leader in shaping the global conversation around artificial intelligence and praised the clarity of the country’s vision. Zapolsky added that no nation had articulated as clearly as India what it wanted to achieve with AI. He noted that Amazon’s role would be to provide the infrastructure needed to support that ambition.

He also announced Amazon’s partnership with the government of India to expand AI and STEM education to reach 40 million public school children across the country. The initiative focuses on equipping the next generation with skills to become AI-capable workers.

T20 World Cup: South Africa end India’s 12-match unbeaten streak with 76-run victory

New Delhi: India’s 12-match unbeaten streak at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup came to an end as South Africa handed the defending champions a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

India struck early, capitalizing on key moments in the opening phase. Jasprit Bumrah ripped through the top order with a fiery spell of 2/7 in his first two overs, reducing South Africa to 20/3. He later finished with outstanding figures of 3/15 and became India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history with 33 scalps.

However, India allowed the momentum to slip as David Miller and Dewald Brevis counterattacked aggressively. The duo stitched together a 97-run stand off just 51 balls and shifted pressure back onto the hosts. Indian spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar conceded 50 runs in five overs as South Africa rebuilt strongly, according to icc-cricket.com.

Shivam Dube broke the partnership by forcing Brevis into a miscue at deep mid-wicket, where Abhishek Sharma completed the catch. Brevis scored 45 off 29 balls. Miller capitalised on a free hit to bring up his half-century and powered his way to 63 off 35 deliveries before Chakaravarthy dismissed him. A late unbeaten 44 off 24 balls from Tristan Stubbs pushed South Africa to a competitive 187/7 in 20 overs.

India’s chase never gathered momentum. The top order struggled during the power play and slipped to 31/3 inside six overs. South African Captain Aiden Markram struck in the first over to remove Ishan Kishan, putting India under immediate pressure.

Abhishek Sharma showed brief intent but fell for 15. Corbin Bosch completed a sharp running catch despite colliding with Keshav Maharaj. India’s middle order failed to build partnerships as South Africa’s bowlers maintained tight lines and controlled the tempo.

Shivam Dube fought back with a determined 42 and tried to anchor the innings, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Marco Jansen delivered a decisive spell, removing Sharma and Tilak Varma on his way to 4/22. Lungi Ngidi applied pressure with disciplined bowling, conceding just 15 runs in four overs, while Bosch claimed 2/12. Maharaj struck three times, including the key wickets of Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh in quick succession.

India eventually folded for 111 in 18.5 overs, suffering their first defeat of the tournament. The result also marked a reversal of fortunes from the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where India had triumphed.

Indian Embassy issues advisory after Mexico’s most-wanted cartel leader killed

New Delhi: The Embassy of India in Mexico has issued an urgent advisory for Indian nationals residing in or travelling across several states in Mexico, asking them to remain indoors due to ongoing security operations, road blockages, and reported criminal activity.

The advisory came following the death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and one of the world’s most-wanted traffickers, in a military operation.

In a post on X, the embassy stated that Indian nationals currently present in Jalisco State – including the areas of Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara – should immediately shelter in place until further notice. Similar precautions have been advised for those in Tamaulipas State, particularly in Reynosa and other municipalities, as well as in certain areas of Michoacán State, Guerrero State and Nuevo León State.

The embassy has urged Indian nationals to avoid areas where law enforcement activity is underway and to remain vigilant about their surroundings. Citizens have been advised to seek safe shelter and minimise unnecessary outdoor movement while closely monitoring local media for updates.

They have also been asked to strictly follow the directions issued by local authorities and to dial 911 in case of any emergency. The advisory further emphasises avoiding crowded places and keeping family members and friends informed about their location and well-being through phone calls, text messages or social media.

For any assistance, Indian nationals may contact the Embassy of India in Mexico at +52 55 4847 7539.

The Embassy said the advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing security situation, and further updates will be shared as necessary.

In a press release, Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense provided detailed information about the operation.

Mexico’s central military intelligence, in coordination with the Mexican National Intelligence Center and the Attorney General’s Office, carried out a planned security operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, aimed at arresting Ruben “N”, also known by the alias “Mencho”.

The operation was executed by Special Forces of the Mexican Army, with aerial support from the Mexican Air Force and personnel from the Special Immediate Reaction Force of the Mexican National Guard. Authorities stated that the coordinated deployment was designed to secure the arrest of the high-value target in the region.

During the operation, Mexican military personnel reportedly came under attack. In response, troops defended themselves and repelled the aggression. According to official information, four members of the criminal organisation Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación were killed at the scene.

Three additional suspects were severely wounded during the confrontation and later died while being airlifted to Mexico City for medical attention.