NEWS 29-04-2026. News For 2nd-May (Saturday) National News 1. The Andhra Pradesh government has launched its first Mushroom Mission with an investment of ?13,000 crore to make the state India’s largest mushroom producer while creating employment for farmers and self-help groups. 2. India plans to establish seven space laboratories in universities and colleges to promote research and encourage students to pursue careers in space technology and satellite development. Defence News 1. India ranked as the world’s fifth-largest defence spender in 2025, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, with military expenditure reaching about 92.1 billion dollars, accounting for 3.2 percent of global defence spending. 2. The Indian Army has raised its 16th Bhairav Battalion at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre in Belagavi, Karnataka, to strengthen infantry capabilities and rapid-response operations. 3. General Electric Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have signed a technical agreement to co-produce F414 jet engines in India, with nearly 80 percent of the manufacturing technology being transferred to HAL. International News 1. India and New Zealand signed a Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi that will provide 100 percent duty-free access for Indian exports and includes an investment commitment of about 20 billion dollars from New Zealand. 2. NITI Aayog unveiled a two-phase roadmap called DPI@2047 aimed at transforming India into a 30 trillion dollar economy by expanding Digital Public Infrastructure for growth, innovation and financial inclusion. 3. Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, visited India on 28 April for her first official trip after assuming the role, highlighting India’s growing importance in global diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. Sports News 1. India won four gold medals on the second day of the Commonwealth Youth Weightlifting Championships in Samoa. Sunil Singh won gold in the men’s 65 kg category, Aisangfa Gogoi won gold in the women’s category, Abhinob Gogoi also secured gold, and Charu Pesi of Arunachal Pradesh won gold in the Universal Cup with a total lift of 289 kg. 2. India finished the Kabaddi competition at the Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China with the women’s team winning the gold medal and the men’s team securing the silver medal. 3. India topped the medal tally at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 in Cairo with a total of 16 medals, including 5 gold, 6 silver and 5 bronze. < < Back