Current Affairs - Business

Amazon has entered into a long-term nuclear energy agreement with Talen Energy to power its AWS data centres with electricity from the Susquehanna nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. The deal, which will last until 2042, aims to supply up to 1,920 megawatts of power. Additionally, Amazon and Talen plan to collaborate on future energy initiatives, including exploring the development of new Small Modular Reactors. This strategic move underscores Amazon's commitment to cleaner energy sources and highlights the growing role of nuclear power in supporting the infrastructure needs of major tech companies.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited has formed a strategic partnership with Muthoot Forex, a part of the Muthoot Group, to enhance the accessibility of its Borderless Travel Card and Study Buddy Card across India. Leveraging Muthoot’s vast network of over 7,000 branches, including 43 dedicated forex outlets, the collaboration ensures these products reach customers not only in major cities but also in Tier 2 to Tier 4 towns. This move strengthens Thomas Cook’s distribution network and simplifies the availability of pre-paid forex solutions for international travellers and students, making overseas travel and education more secure and convenient for Indian citizens.

On June 4, 2025, Microsoft announced a significant leadership change by expanding LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky’s responsibilities to include oversight of its Office productivity suite. This includes key products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and the AI-powered Microsoft 365 Copilot. The decision reflects Microsoft’s strategic vision to integrate artificial intelligence deeply into workplace tools while creating a unified ecosystem between its productivity offerings and professional networking platform, LinkedIn. Roslansky’s new role aims to enhance user experience and cross-platform functionality as Microsoft intensifies efforts to lead the future of work through seamless, AI-driven digital environments.

Flipkart has become the first major Indian e-commerce platform to receive a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence from the Reserve Bank of India. This licence allows Flipkart to lend directly to its customers and sellers, enabling it to operate independently in the credit space without intermediaries such as banks or third-party NBFCs. This move marks a significant fintech milestone for Flipkart, expanding its fintech ecosystem through its app, super.money, and transforming the online retail lending landscape in India.

The Suez Canal Authority announced a 15% discount on transit fees for large cargo vessels starting May 15, 2025, to revive maritime traffic affected by the Red Sea security crisis. This move follows a tentative ceasefire between the US and Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who had disrupted shipping by targeting commercial vessels. The Suez Canal is a vital global trade artery, and the discount aims to encourage shipping lines, especially container ships, to return after many rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope. The canal’s revenue dropped significantly from $10.3 billion in 2023 to $4 billion in 2024, making this incentive critical for economic recovery.