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  • FSSAI Directs Food Business Operators to Stop Using Newspapers for Packing Food

    FSSAI Bans Use of Newspapers for Food Packaging, Cites Health Risks

    FSSAI Directs Food Business Operators to Stop Using Newspapers for Packing Food

    Representational image

    New Delhi, June 8: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all Food Business Operators (FBOs) across the country to immediately discontinue the use of newspapers for packing, wrapping, and serving food items, citing serious health and safety concerns.

    The food safety regulator has reiterated that newspapers are not suitable for direct contact with food as the printing ink used in newspapers may contain harmful chemicals, pigments, and contaminants that can migrate into food and pose health risks to consumers.

    According to FSSAI, the use of newspapers for packaging hot, oily, or moist food products increases the likelihood of contamination. Chemicals present in printing inks, including heavy metals and other hazardous substances, can adversely affect human health when ingested over time.

    FSSAI Directs Food Business Operators to Stop Using Newspapers for Packing Food

    The authority has advised food vendors, restaurants, street food operators, and other food businesses to use only food-grade packaging materials that comply with prescribed safety standards. FSSAI has also urged consumers to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing food items wrapped in newspapers.

    The directive forms part of the regulator’s ongoing efforts to strengthen food safety standards and promote hygienic food handling practices across the country. Food businesses found violating the guidelines may face regulatory action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

    The move is expected to improve consumer safety and encourage the adoption of safer and more hygienic food packaging practices nationwide.

     
  • TCS Receives Special Recognition as Largest Employer Among IT/ITeS Exporters at STPI Tech Summit 2026

    New Delhi: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s leading IT services and consulting company, has been conferred with the Special Recognition Award as the Largest Employer among IT/ITeS Exporters at the STPI Tech Summit 2026: India’s Next Leap.

    The recognition highlights TCS’s outstanding contribution to employment generation, talent development, and the sustained growth of India’s information technology and IT-enabled services (IT/ITeS) export sector.

    TCS Receives Special Recognition as Largest Employer Among IT/ITeS Exporters at STPI Tech Summit 2026

    As one of the country’s largest private-sector employers, TCS has played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for technology professionals across India while fostering innovation, digital transformation, and skill development. The company continues to invest significantly in workforce training, emerging technologies, and future-ready capabilities, strengthening India’s position as a global technology powerhouse.

    The award, presented during the STPI Tech Summit 2026, acknowledges TCS’s enduring commitment to nurturing technology talent and supporting the expansion of India’s digital economy. Industry leaders noted that the company’s large-scale employment initiatives have contributed substantially to enhancing the country’s competitiveness in global IT services and exports.

    The recognition also underscores the critical role played by the IT/ITeS industry in driving economic growth, generating high-value employment, and advancing India’s vision of becoming a leading global digital innovation hub.

    TCS’s achievement reflects the broader success of India’s technology ecosystem, which continues to attract global demand for digital services, innovation, and skilled talent. Through its sustained focus on workforce development and export excellence, TCS remains a key contributor to the continued growth and resilience of the Indian IT industry.

  • Odisha Approves Rs.833.74 Crore Tourism and Hospitality Investments, Creating 1,823 Jobs

    Bhubaneswar, June 8 (UDN): Odisha has taken another significant step toward strengthening its tourism and hospitality sector, with the approval of multiple investment proposals worth ₹833.74 crore during the 147th State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting. The approved projects are expected to generate 1,823 employment opportunities across the state.

    The investments span several districts, reflecting the state’s growing appeal as a destination for tourism-led development. The approved projects include hospitality, resort, and tourism infrastructure ventures that aim to enhance visitor experiences while boosting local economies.

    Odisha Approves Rs.833.74 Crore Tourism and Hospitality Investments, Creating 1,823 Jobs

     

    Among the key projects approved are those proposed by Swosti Premium Ltd. in Koraput, SNM Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd. in Koraput, Sri Eco Resorts in Keonjhar, Sailabala Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. in Puri, Suryo Udyog Ltd. in Jagatsinghpur, Pratyaksh Hotel & Resorts Pvt. Ltd. in Koraput, Leharsh Exports & Services Pvt. Ltd. in Sundargarh, and Prachi Enterprises in Mayurbhanj.

    The approvals underline the Odisha government’s continued focus on promoting tourism as a key economic growth driver. By encouraging investments in hotels, resorts, and tourism infrastructure, the state aims to attract more domestic and international visitors while creating sustainable employment opportunities in both urban and rural regions.

    Industry observers note that the fresh investments will strengthen Odisha’s hospitality ecosystem, particularly in emerging tourism destinations such as Koraput, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj, while further consolidating established hubs like Puri.

    The latest approvals under the SLSWCA framework are aligned with Odisha’s broader vision of accelerating industrial growth, enhancing ease of doing business, and positioning the state as a preferred investment destination across sectors.

  • MDEC Highlights AI Sovereignty Agenda at Energy Transition Conference 2026

    KUALA LUMPUR, 8 June 2026 – Malaysia’s commitment to building sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and strengthening digital infrastructure resilience took centre stage at the Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26), where the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) participated in a high-level panel discussion on the future of AI development in the region.

    Representing MDEC, Ir. Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Vice President and Head of the Digital Adoption Division, joined industry experts for the session titled “AI Sovereignty – Building Advantage Amid Global Dependencies.” The discussion examined how Malaysia and ASEAN can accelerate AI adoption while balancing the need for sovereign technological capabilities with the benefits of trusted global partnerships.

    Organised by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), ETCon26 was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technology experts, and ecosystem stakeholders to explore the intersection of energy, AI, and digital infrastructure in driving the nation’s future competitiveness. The event also featured participation from government agencies and ministerial leadership, underscoring the strategic importance of digital transformation and energy transition initiatives.

    During the panel session, Ir. Wan Murdani highlighted the importance of developing resilient digital ecosystems that support Malaysia’s ambitions to become a leading digital nation and AI-driven economy. The discussion aligned closely with MDEC’s ongoing efforts to accelerate digital adoption, strengthen technological capabilities, and create an environment that enables innovation while safeguarding national interests.

    Panelists explored several critical enablers required to support the growth of sovereign AI ecosystems, including policy frameworks, talent development, data governance, cloud infrastructure, computing capacity, and sustainable energy resources. The conversation also emphasised the increasing importance of integrating AI development strategies with energy infrastructure planning to ensure scalability and long-term sustainability.

    Joining Ir. Wan Murdani on the panel were Lyantoniette Chua of AI Safety Asia and Khalil Nooh, Chief Executive Officer of Mesolitica. The session was moderated by Christine Yong Wei Ling of TNB, who guided discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing countries seeking to establish competitive AI ecosystems amid evolving global technological dependencies.

    The panel highlighted the need for ASEAN nations to collaborate on AI advancement while maintaining strategic autonomy in critical areas such as data management, infrastructure development, and talent cultivation. Speakers also stressed that trusted international partnerships remain essential in accelerating innovation and enabling access to global expertise and technology.

    The session concluded with strong engagement from attendees, reflecting growing regional momentum toward developing secure, scalable, and energy-aligned AI ecosystems. Participants expressed optimism that continued collaboration between government, industry, and technology stakeholders will help position Malaysia as a key player in the regional AI landscape while supporting broader economic and digital transformation goals.

    ETCon26 continues to serve as an important platform for advancing dialogue on the convergence of energy, digital technologies, and innovation, as Malaysia seeks to strengthen its competitiveness in an increasingly AI-powered global economy.

  • Scientists Achieve the First Total Synthesis of Complex Alkaloids Isolated from Plants

    Chiba, Japan, June 8, 2026: Researchers at Chiba University have achieved a significant breakthrough in medicinal chemistry by developing an innovative strategy to synthesize complex plant-derived alkaloids that could pave the way for next-generation cancer treatments.

    The research team, led by Professor Hayato Ishikawa of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Chiba University, successfully developed a novel synthetic route for producing bisleuconothine A and bousigonine B—two highly complex monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) known for their promising pharmaceutical properties.

    The findings, published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, address a longstanding challenge in drug discovery. Although many plant-derived alkaloids possess potent biological activity, their intricate molecular structures have made laboratory synthesis extremely difficult, limiting further research and therapeutic development.

    Among these compounds, bisleuconothine A has attracted particular attention due to its demonstrated activity against breast and lung cancer cells. Scientists believe that its unique three-dimensional structure enables it to interact with biological targets that are often inaccessible to conventional small-molecule drugs.

    Scientists Achieve the First Total Synthesis of Complex Alkaloids Isolated from Plants

     

    To overcome the synthesis challenge, the Chiba University team designed a new organocatalytic cascade reaction capable of efficiently constructing a critical 3-ethylpiperidine scaffold found in numerous indole alkaloids. The process generated a highly pure intermediate that served as a versatile building block for assembling more complex molecular structures.

    Using this common intermediate, researchers created two distinct alkaloid fragments and subsequently linked them through a bioinspired coupling reaction that mirrors the natural processes used by plants to produce these compounds. The strategy enabled the synthesis of bisleuconothine A in 20 steps and resulted in the first-ever total synthesis of bousigonine B.

    “The present method for total chemical synthesis is expected to facilitate the development of new pharmaceutical agents,” said Professor Ishikawa. “In particular, bisleuconothine A has exhibited potent anticancer activity, highlighting its potential as a lead compound for anticancer drug development.”

    Beyond these two molecules, the researchers believe their methodology could provide a broader platform for synthesizing other structurally complex natural products. By enabling more efficient access to rare alkaloids, the approach may accelerate drug discovery efforts across oncology and other therapeutic areas.

    The team is now focused on expanding the technique to synthesize additional members of the MIA family and evaluating their biological activity for potential pharmaceutical applications.

    The study received support from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, and the JST SPRING program.

    The breakthrough marks an important step toward unlocking the therapeutic potential of nature’s most complex molecules and could open new avenues for the development of innovative anticancer medicines.

  • Vision statement: PPDS names ‘AV veteran’ Tom Keefe as new Director of Sales for Philips LED in North America

    Powering forward: Bringing more than two decades of AV expertise and industry experience, Tom will play a pivotal role in supporting PPDS’ accelerating growth ambitions as the company continues its drive to become the preferred brand for premium, energy efficient dvLED installations across North America. 

    Amsterdam, 09 June 2026: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of highly experienced sales professional and self proclaimed Pro AV ‘veteran’, Tom Keefe, as its new Director of Sales dvLED North America.  

    Vision statement: PPDS names ‘AV veteran’ Tom Keefe as new Director of Sales for Philips LED in North America

     

    Continuing to attract among the AV industry’s most accomplished and sought after talents, Tom’s appointment will play an integral role in PPDS’ continued growth trajectory and long term ambitions in North America, which includes establishing Philips Professional Displays as the preferred partner for premium indoor and outdoor dvLED projects. 

    Based in Buffalo, New York, and a father of two, Tom has built an impressive 23 year career in the AV industry, including the past seven years specialising exclusively in dvLED solutions. 

    An AVIXA CTS holder, he brings extensive market knowledge and a track record of success to the PPDS team, with proven expertise in sales, business development, category management, marketing strategy, brand building, distribution, partner relationship management, and market analysis, to name a few. 

    Primed for growth

    Reporting to Senior Director North America, Bruce Wyrwitzke, Tom’s core responsibilities as Director of Sales dvLED North America will include, among others, developing and defining PPDS’ organisational sales structure and executing its go to market strategy. 

    His experience will enable PPDS to further advance its tailored regional approach across North America, enhance engagement with sales and management teams, partners, and customers, while also increasing awareness of the Philips LED portfolio, delivering exceptional visual performance and stand out energy efficiency possibilities. 

    On Philips booth C9000 and available for meetings during InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas next week, Tom joins PPDS during a period of exceptional growth, both nationally and internationally, achieving exponential success for Philips dvLED installations in retail, corporate, public venues, sports stadiums, houses of worship, and more. 

    PPDS’ recent entry into outdoor LED has further extended project opportunities, as demand for the technology continues to grow. 

    A land of opportunity

    According to market forecasts, the global LED display market is expected to grow from US$2.41 billion in 2026 to approximately US$3.46 billion by 2035, with the United States continuing to lead in revenue generation. This growth is being driven by rising demand for LED solutions across key sectors, including retail, transportation, entertainment, and digital out of home (DooH) advertising – all of which remain key markets for PPDS. 

    Discussing his new role, Tom said: “My background in sales, business development, and product management and business development, along with my dvLED experience empowers me with the tools required to continue driving and improving the PPDS performance in North America. 

    “My goal as Director of Sales for DVLED is to leverage the premier reputation we have built and to expand our value to partners. I have always been impressed by Philips Professional Displays and the strong reputation the PPDS team has built in the AV industry. The company has a proud track record of continually offering innovative, leading edge products designed for professional grade applications. I’m excited that I get to be part of this fantastic team of professionals.” 

    Bruce, who will also be in attendance and available at InfoComm 2026, added: “The opportunities for dvLED are clear and, at PPDS, we have been working hard to ensure we deliver the solutions our partners and customers crave. Indoor or outdoor, small, large or highly creative by design, we have the portfolio to match any project need and requirement, no matter how ambitious it may be. 

    Angela Lin, Commercial Head NA at PPDS, added: “With Tom, we have someone with the knowledge and experience to take our dvLED business to the next stage, bringing our solutions to an even wider audience. I wish him every success in the role.” 

    To arrange a meeting with a member of the PPDS team at InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas, please contact Michael Garwood by email at Michael@BeesBuzzPR.com or message via WhatsApp on +44 7300 841 927.

  • Nasr Polo and Equestrian Academy Hosts Tour 2 of Hyderabad Horse Show 2026 Summer Championship

    Nasr Polo and Equestrian Academy Hosts Tour 2 of Hyderabad Horse Show 2026 Summer Championship

     June 08: Nasr Polo and Equestrian Academy is proud to announce the hosting of Tour 2 of the Hyderabad Horse Show 2026 Summer Championship, scheduled to take place from Friday, 5 June to Sunday, 7 June 2026 at the academy’s state-of-the-art equestrian facilities in Hyderabad. 

    The three-day championship will bring together some of the country’s most promising and accomplished riders, horses, and equestrian enthusiasts for a weekend of exciting competition and sportsmanship. Riders across multiple age groups and competition levels will compete in a series of dressage and showjumping events, showcasing their skill, precision, and dedication to the sport. 

    The Hyderabad Horse Show has established itself as one of India’s premier equestrian competitions, providing a platform for emerging talent while promoting excellence in horsemanship and equestrian sport. 

    Tour 2 of the Summer Championship is expected to attract participants from across the nation, further strengthening Hyderabad’s position as a leading hub for equestrian activities. 

    Nasr Polo and Equestrian Academy Hosts Tour 2 of Hyderabad Horse Show 2026 Summer Championship

     

    Speaking on the occasion, representatives of Nasr Polo and Equestrian Academy expressed their enthusiasm about hosting the event and welcomed riders, trainers, officials, sponsors, and spectators to be part of the championship. 

    “We are delighted to host Tour 2 of the Hyderabad Horse Show 2026 Summer Championship. The event reflects our commitment to developing equestrian sport and providing riders with a world-class competitive environment. We look forward to witnessing outstanding performances and celebrating the spirit of equestrian excellence.” 

    The championship will feature competitions ranging from beginner classes to advanced showjumping events, ensuring opportunities for riders of all experience levels. Spectators can expect three days of thrilling competition, sportsmanship, and family-friendly entertainment. 

    Nasr Polo and Equestrian Academy extends its gratitude to all participants, officials, sponsors, and supporters whose continued commitment contributes to the growth and success of equestrian sport in India. 

    Event Details: 

    * Event: Hyderabad Horse Show 2026 – Summer Championship (Tour 2) 
    * Dates: 5–7 June 2026 
    * Venue: Nasr Polo and Equestrian Academy, Hyderabad
     Mirzaguda, Janwada Village, Hyderabad, Telangana  
    * Disciplines: Dressage and Showjumping

  • RAH Infotech Partners with 1Kosmos to Strengthen Identity Security Across Indian Enterprises

    New Delhi, June 08: RAH Infotech, a value-added cybersecurity distributor, has entered into a strategic partnership with 1Kosmos, a specialist in digital identity verification and passwordless authentication, to extend the reach of its identity security platform across enterprises in India.

    Through this partnership, RAH Infotech will offer 1Kosmos’ full suite of capabilities spanning identity proofing, passwordless authentication, document verification, liveness detection, and adaptive access to organisations operating in sectors where the integrity of digital identity carries the highest operational and regulatory stakes. These include banking and financial services, government and public sector, healthcare, telecom, and IT/ITeS.

    Identity has quietly become the most exploited entry point in enterprise cybersecurity. Attackers are no longer simply stealing passwords they are bypassing authentication entirely through stolen credentials, AI-driven deepfake impersonation, social engineering, and account takeover. For organisations managing remote workforces, digital customer onboarding, and privileged system access, the exposure is significant and growing. Regulatory expectations around data protection and access governance are tightening in parallel, adding compliance pressure to an already stretched security function.

    The 1Kosmos platform addresses this directly by unifying identity proofing and authentication within a single framework removing the disconnect that has historically existed between verifying who someone is and granting them access. For Indian enterprises, practical deployment spans secure employee onboarding, remote workforce access, customer identity verification, privileged access protection, fraud prevention, and helpdesk-based account recovery. Organisations can also reduce operational drag from password reset volumes and strengthen accountability across privileged user activity.

    Ashok Kumar, Founder and Managing Director, RAH Infotech, commented: “Verification and authentication have been treated as separate problems for too long and that gap is exactly where attackers operate. The question organisations need to answer today is not just whether a credential is valid, but whether the person presenting it is genuinely who they claim to be. AI-driven impersonation has made that distinction urgent in a way it simply wasn’t three years ago. 1Kosmos brings identity proofing and passwordless authentication together in a way that closes that gap. Our role is to ensure Indian enterprises can deploy this with the local implementation depth, channel support, and sector-specific context that makes the difference between a technology purchase and a working solution.”

    “Organizations across the world are facing a sharp rise in identity-based attacks, including AI-driven impersonation, social engineering, and credential compromise,” said Siddharth Gandhi, Co-Founder and APAC COO of 1Kosmos. “Our partnership with RAH Infotech extends our reach across India and South Asia, expanding access to digital identity proofing and passwordless authentication technologies for workforces, customers, and citizens. Together, we are helping organizations deploy the 1Kosmos platform to verify the real person behind every digital interaction while reducing friction for users.”

    The 1Kosmos platform includes passwordless authentication built on biometrics and FIDO standards, AI-powered identity proofing, document validation, liveness detection, workforce and customer identity access management, privileged access protection, and risk-based adaptive authentication.

    The partnership reflects a broader shift underway in enterprise security thinking one where identity is no longer a supporting function but a primary control layer. As hybrid working, digital customer journeys, and remote onboarding become standard operating conditions, the ability to verify and authenticate users with confidence has moved from a compliance consideration to a core resilience requirement.

  • Guide the future of corporate transparency

     

    Applications open for key roles across four GRI governance bodies

    Amsterdam, June 8 –A recruitment call has commenced, seeking experienced professionals to help guide the strategy, priorities and standard-setting activities of GRI – the global leader in impact reporting.

    Candidates from diverse backgrounds and from all geographic regions are encouraged to apply to vacancies on the following governance bodies:

    • GRI Supervisory Board: Oversees GRI’s strategic direction, governance, and long-term priorities.
    • Global Sustainability Standards Board(GSSB): The independent standard-setting body responsible for developing and issuing the GRI Standards.
    • Due Process Oversight Committee: Oversees and safeguards the independence and due process of GSSB standard-setting activities.
    • Stakeholder Council: The forum that provides advice and recommendations on key strategic issues to the above three bodies.

    GRI’s governance reflects the multi-stakeholder approach – bringing together global knowledge and expertise from five defined groups: business, civil society, labor, mediating institutions, and investors.

    The recruitment runs from 8 June until Sunday 2 August, 23:59 CEST 2026, with successful candidates beginning their two-year terms effective January 2027.

    Guide the future of corporate transparency

     

    Jane Diplock, Chair of the GRI Supervisory Board, said:

    “GRI’s strength is reinforced by the people and perspectives that shape our governance. At a time when transparency and accountability matter more than ever, these roles offer a meaningful opportunity to help guide the future of sustainability reporting. We encourage professionals from around the world to bring their knowledge, insights and lived experiences to contribute and demonstrate a meaningful global impact.”

     

  • Development of the World’s First High-Performance Lewis Acid Secondary Silylium Organocatalyst

    A research team led by Professor Han-Yong Bae of the Department of Chemistry at Sungkyunkwan University(SKKU), in collaboration with Professor Junsuk Huh of the Departments of Chemistry and Institute of Quantum Information Technology at Yonsei University, announced the first development of a novel silylium Lewis acid organocatalysis. This technology employs an ion-pair catalyst combining a diethylsilylium — with a weakly coordinating anion, enabling the direct installation of sulfonamide groups into functionalized ketone compounds, including β-ketoesters, which had previously been difficult to react using conventional catalytic methods.

    The catalytic system developed in this study represents a major advance in the field of reductive sulfonamidation, which enables precise control over nitrogen–carbon bond formation in the synthesis of complex molecular structures. Instead of conventional transition-metal catalysts or high-pressure hydrogen gas, the researchers implemented new catalytic reaction conditions in which a powerful silylium ion pair is generated in situ by combining trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate with diethylsilane. Diethylsilane simultaneously serves dual roles as both a reductant and a silylium precursor, while the resulting novel catalyst operates with precise control over not only reaction rate but also substrate activation and selectivity.

    Notably, this study achieved in a single reaction vessel a series of steps — including the reduction of ketimine intermediates — for which conventional tertiary silylium catalysts had shown very low conversion rates. Through this reaction, alkyl β-amino ester derivatives were successfully synthesized in yields of up to 95%, realizing an sustainable process in which scale-up reactions proceed smoothly without solvent, metal, hydrogen gas, or other additives.

    In addition to experimental results, the research team elucidated in detail how this new catalytic system operates through density functional theory (DFT) calculations, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Beyond merely developing a new reaction, the team scientifically demonstrated that secondary silylium ions exhibit stronger Lewis acidity than tertiary silylium ions due to lower steric hindrance, and that they activate substrates more effectively in ion-pair formation with weakly coordinating anions.

    Professor Han-Yong Bae stated, “This study is highly significant in that it proposes a new approach of in situ catalytic system based on secondary silylium ions,” adding, “We expect it to find broad application in various carbon–heteroatom bond-forming reactions going forward.“

    Professor Junsuk Huh noted, “Validated through both experimental and theoretical approaches, this technology will serve as a fundamental platform applicable to the synthesis of high-value compounds including natural products, pharmaceuticals, and diverse organic materials — as exemplified by the antidiabetic drug sitagliptin.“

    This research was conducted with support from the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning, the Ministry of Education, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Sungkyunkwan University, and Yonsei University. It was published online on May 26, 2026, in the prestigious international journal Advanced Science.