DPIIT and Apna Partner to Boost Startup Employment

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has partnered with Apna to provide ₹2,000 hiring credits to 700,000 startups on the Bhaskar platform, aiming to enhance job creation for India’s youth. This initiative, currently worth ₹140 crore, could grow to ₹300 crore. The collaboration will align job postings with industry needs, using Apna’s AI tools to connect startups with skilled workers, fostering growth and innovation.

Read more on LiveMint.

Truecaller Brings Real-Time Caller ID to iOS with iOS 18 Update


Truecaller has introduced real-time caller ID for iOS with an update following Apple’s iOS 18 release, which supports Live Caller ID Lookup. This feature was previously exclusive to Android users. The update comes after co-founders Alan Mamedi and Nami Zarringhalam stepped down in November 2024. Truecaller, with 2.6 million paying subscribers, sees significant revenue from iOS, where it has converted 750,000 users to its premium service. They’ve also addressed challenges in markets like India with new server architecture and encrypted databases.

Read more on TechCrunch.

OpenAI’s “Operator” AI Agent Tool Could Be Launching Soon

OpenAI may soon launch “Operator,” an AI tool capable of autonomously performing tasks like coding and booking travel. Leaks suggest the macOS ChatGPT app includes hidden options for Operator, and benchmarks show mixed performance. While surpassing rivals on some tasks, Operator struggles with others. Safety concerns and competition from Anthropic and Google highlight the challenges of AI agent development.

Read more on TechCrunch.

US President Trump Signs Executive Order to Formalize Musk-Led DOGE Commission

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) to the U.S. DOGE Service (USDS), an advisory body led by Elon Musk to cut federal waste and modernize IT systems. DOGE Teams will be formed in federal agencies to implement the 18-month agenda, set to conclude by July 4, 2026. Lawsuits allege the initiative violates transparency laws, while Musk’s proposals to cut $2 trillion in federal spending, including restructuring key financial agencies, face skepticism.

Read more on TechCrunch.

BHIM has teamed up with Fintech Yatra to boost financial inclusion across India

BHIM, which is backed by NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL), has teamed up with FinTech Yatra 2025 as a Principal Partner to boost digital payment adoption and promote financial inclusion all over India. This ambitious 10,000-kilometer road initiative is designed to connect financial innovators with various stakeholders, with the aim of enhancing digital literacy. As part of the plan, BHIM intends to train more than 200 representatives from NGOs through a “train-the-trainer” approach, helping them to educate their communities. This partnership is in line with NBSL’s mission to close the digital divide and empower individuals with secure digital payment solutions, ultimately nurturing a more inclusive digital economy.

Read more on YourStory.

Nithin Kamath Highlights Zerodha’s 1.6 Crore Users Achieved ‘Without Advertising,’ 30% via Referrals

Investing platform Zerodha has achieved a remarkable milestone of over 1.6 crore users managing assets worth ₹6 lakh crore, co-founder Nithin Kamath shared in a LinkedIn post. The platform’s success is attributed to its customer-centric philosophy, with nearly 30% of its user base joining through referrals.The platform’s growth stands out for its ad-free approach, focusing on customer value rather than flashy marketing. Kamath likened advertising to an addiction. While dominant among English-speaking users, Zerodha aims to expand in Hindi-speaking markets like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar by launching Hindi content channels to boost regional outreach.

Read more on FinancialExpress.

Bluesky and X introduce new video feeds as TikTok faces challenges

Bluesky launched customizable video feeds for targeted content, while X introduced a “Video Tab” offering personalized video recommendations. These updates, arriving amid TikTok’s US ban, position both platforms as potential alternatives for vertical video consumption. Bluesky also highlighted early-stage decentralized TikTok-like apps being developed on its AT Protocol framework.

Read more on The Verge.

TikTok is bringing its service back online in the US

TikTok resumed operations after briefly going dark due to a federal ban. President Trump issued an executive order delaying the ban, ensuring no penalties for service providers. TikTok is now working on a long-term solution to stay in the US, while concerns over liability for supporting the app persist among lawmakers.

Read more on TechCrunch.

Why Did Hindenburg, the Short-Seller Behind Adani’s $150 Billion Market Crash, Shut Down?

Hindenburg Research, known for its critical reports on Gautam Adani, is shutting down after achieving its goals. The firm’s 2023 report triggered a $150 billion selloff in Adani Group’s shares, though most losses were later recovered. Founder Nathan Anderson cited a planned conclusion after completing investigations as the reason for closure.

Founded with no traditional finance background, Hindenburg faced early lawsuits and financial struggles. Its 11-member team led investigations resulting in charges against nearly 100 individuals. Anderson highlighted their impact, saying, “We shook empires that needed shaking,” while acknowledging the toll the work took on personal lives.

Read more on Economic Times.

Microsoft Pauses Hiring in U.S. Consulting Division Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts

Microsoft is taking steps to tighten its budget by temporarily halting hiring in its U.S. consulting division, as shared in an internal memo. The decision, first reported by CNBC, is part of the company’s broader strategy to manage expenses while prioritizing significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI).

Derek Danois, a leader in Microsoft’s consulting arm, explained that the hiring freeze includes backfilling existing roles. The team has also been asked to cut back on travel for internal meetings, opting for remote sessions, and to reduce marketing and non-essential spending by 35%.

These adjustments come as Microsoft continues to pour resources into building data centers to support its ambitious AI projects, with plans to invest $80 billion in fiscal 2025. While these changes aim to keep costs in check, Microsoft remains focused on driving innovation and supporting its global teams.

The company hasn’t yet commented on the reports, but these measures align with its efforts to balance operational efficiency and future-focused investments.

Read more on Thehindu.