Category: News

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in India have recorded a sharp rise in investments, with inflows reaching a record ₹1.8 lakh crore in FY26, driven largely by growing interest in gold and silver-backed funds, according to a report.

The surge reflects increased investor preference for safe-haven and commodity-linked assets amid global economic uncertainty and market volatility. Precious metal ETFs, in particular, have seen strong traction as investors look for stability and diversification.

The report highlights that the strong inflows mark a significant jump compared to previous years, indicating rising participation from both retail and institutional investors in ETF products.

Jammu, Apr 30 (BNP): Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the government is working on plans to extend railway connectivity to remote and border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, including Poonch, Rajouri, and Uri in Baramulla district.

He informed that detailed project reports for these proposed rail links have already been prepared. The next step, he said, will be to move ahead with implementation to improve connectivity in these strategically important regions.

Vaishnaw made the announcement after inaugurating the first direct Vande Bharat Express service between Srinagar and Jammu. He highlighted that expanding rail infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir is aimed at improving travel convenience, strengthening regional connectivity, and supporting overall economic development in the area.

Hyderabad, Apr 30 (BNP): A promotional campaign by a mobile retail store in Telangana has gone viral on social media after offering customers 1 litre of petrol free for porting their number through Mobile Number Portability (MNP) or purchasing a new SIM card.

The eye-catching advertisement, which reads “MNP or Buy New SIM, Get 1 Litre Petrol Free,” quickly attracted widespread attention online, with many users praising the innovative marketing strategy amid rising fuel prices. The unusual offer has sparked curiosity and generated heavy footfall at the store.

According to reports, the retailer launched the campaign to attract new telecom customers and boost SIM sales in a highly competitive market. With petrol prices remaining a major concern for consumers, the incentive resonated strongly with the public and gained rapid traction across digital platforms.

Marketing experts say the campaign highlights how small businesses are increasingly using creative local offers to capture consumer interest and build brand visibility.

The store’s identity and duration of the offer were not immediately confirmed, but the campaign has already become one of the most talked-about local promotional ideas in recent days.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Exit polls for the 2026 Assembly elections have projected a dramatic political contest across five key regions, indicating a close fight in West Bengal, a strong showing for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam, a possible return of the United Democratic Front in Kerala, and continued dominance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu.

According to multiple poll projections, West Bengal is headed for one of the most closely watched contests of the election cycle. Several surveys suggest the BJP may breach the long-standing bastion of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and challenge the ruling All India Trinamool Congress for power after 15 years. However, some polls have also predicted a strong comeback for the TMC, indicating a razor-edge battle in the 294-member Assembly.

In Assam, nearly all exit polls forecast a decisive return for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP-led alliance, with projections suggesting a comfortable majority and a possible third consecutive term for the NDA in the northeastern state.

In Kerala, exit polls have largely indicated a return of the Congress-led UDF after a decade in opposition. If the predictions hold, it would end the Left Democratic Front’s tenure under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had scripted back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2021.

Tamil Nadu is projected to remain with the ruling DMK-led alliance under Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, with most polls predicting the party could overcome anti-incumbency and secure another term. However, some projections also point to a strong debut performance by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, adding uncertainty to the contest.

In Puducherry, almost all surveys predict that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance will retain power.

Political analysts cautioned that exit polls are only indicative and have previously missed actual outcomes in several major elections, including West Bengal in 2021 and parts of the 2024 general elections. Final results will be declared on May 4.

The outcome of these elections is expected to have far-reaching implications for national politics, setting the tone for upcoming state polls and shaping the political momentum ahead of future parliamentary contests.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 30 (BNP): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar has issued a short-term weather alert forecasting thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and light to moderate rainfall in parts of Odisha within the next three hours.

As per the nowcast issued at 06:55 am, wind speeds may reach 30–40 kmph, with gusts up to 50 kmph, during the thunderstorm activity. The weather conditions are likely to affect one or two places in Cuttack (including Cuttack city), Khordha, Puri, Koraput, Keonjhar, and Balasore districts.

Authorities have advised residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions, especially in open and vulnerable areas, and to move to safer locations in case of worsening weather conditions.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted that the hard work, dedication, and energy of citizens are the true foundation of a nation’s strength.

In a message shared publicly, he noted that people across the country contribute continuously to national progress through their efforts in different fields. He emphasized that this collective commitment plays an important role in driving development and strengthening the country’s growth journey.

The Prime Minister also underlined that discipline, perseverance, and unity among citizens help accelerate progress, making their contribution central to building a stronger and more prosperous nation.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Senior Indian diplomat Vikram Doraiswami has formally taken over as India’s Ambassador to China after presenting his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held in the national capital.

A seasoned officer of the Indian Foreign Service, Doraiswami brings extensive diplomatic experience to one of India’s most significant overseas postings. His appointment comes at a time when India–China relations remain closely watched, with ongoing efforts to maintain dialogue while addressing outstanding bilateral concerns.

As the new envoy in Beijing, he is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic communication, managing sensitive issues between the two countries, and supporting efforts to stabilize and advance ties through sustained engagement.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Elon Musk is taking another significant step toward transforming X into an “everything app,” with reports suggesting that its upcoming payments and banking service, X Money, is nearing launch. Following the rollout of XChat, the platform’s standalone messaging service, X is now focusing on digital transactions and financial services integrated directly into the app.

Musk, who played an early role in building PayPal, is now expected to bring a similar payments ecosystem into the social media space. The broader vision is to combine messaging, social networking, commerce, and financial tools within one seamless platform.

What X Money Could Offer

According to reports, X Money is likely to support peer-to-peer payments, allowing users to send and receive money directly through chats or user profiles without leaving the platform. The service has drawn comparisons with WeChat, which successfully combines messaging, payments, and social media features in one ecosystem.

The platform is also reportedly exploring a debit card linked to user accounts, potentially through a personalised Visa card connected to an X profile. This would enable users to make purchases both within and outside the platform.

In addition, an AI-powered assistant developed by xAI may help users track spending, organise transactions, and analyse financial activity in a user-friendly format.

Some early reports also indicate introductory benefits such as cashback offers of up to 3 percent and savings interest rates near 6 percent, though the long-term availability of these incentives remains uncertain.

Launch Timeline and Regulatory Hurdles

While X Money is said to be nearing limited public release, no official launch date has yet been announced. Reports suggest the rollout has been delayed due to regulatory approvals, as payment services in the United States require licences across multiple states. Key approvals, including those in New York, are still pending.

As a result, the service may initially be introduced in phases with restricted access before expanding more broadly.

Part of a Bigger Vision

Payments remain central to Musk’s long-term roadmap for X. The company aims to merge communication, content creation, commerce, and financial services into a single digital platform. Reports also suggest that creator payouts on X could eventually shift to X Money, reducing reliance on third-party payment processors.

Competition and Challenges

If launched successfully, X Money is expected to compete with established players such as PayPal, Cash App, and other fintech platforms, while also entering spaces served by messaging-based payment systems like WhatsApp Payments.

However, analysts note that trust, security, and reliability will be key factors in determining adoption. As banking and payments involve sensitive user data and financial confidence, seamless performance and robust safeguards will be essential once X Money officially launches.

Chandigarh, Apr 29 (BNP): Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda will inaugurate the 10th National Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Systems in Chandigarh on April 30, with the two-day event scheduled to continue till May 1, 2026.

The summit is being organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, as a flagship platform to showcase innovative, impactful, and scalable public health practices adopted by various States and Union Territories.

The inaugural session will be attended by Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Haryana, and Arti Singh Rao, Haryana’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, along with senior officials from the Centre and state governments.

Participants will include Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries (Health), Mission Directors, nodal officers under the National Health Mission (NHM), and senior representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Delegates from the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) and Regional Resource Centre–North East (RRC-NE) are also expected to attend.

Officials said the summit aims to promote cross-learning among states by recognising successful initiatives and encouraging replication of proven healthcare models across the country.

The annual event provides a platform for states and UTs to present evidence-based, technology-driven, and outcome-oriented interventions that have led to measurable improvements in healthcare delivery and public health outcomes.

Since its launch in 2013, the summit has emerged as an important forum for sharing best practices and innovations in India’s healthcare system.

New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): The Indian bullion market is witnessing a major correction, with gold and silver prices falling sharply after touching record highs earlier this year, bringing relief to buyers and triggering fresh interest among investors.

According to market data, gold prices have fallen by around ₹26,000 per 10 grams, while silver has plunged by nearly ₹1.48 lakh per kilogram over the last 89 days since hitting all-time highs on January 29, 2026.

As per the latest figures, 24-carat gold is trading around ₹1.50 lakh per 10 grams, down from its peak of ₹1.76 lakh, while silver has declined to nearly ₹2.38 lakh per kg from a record high of ₹3.86 lakh per kg.

On April 28, gold prices reportedly dropped by ₹1,629 per 10 grams, while silver fell by ₹5,381 per kilogram, reflecting continued pressure in the precious metals market.

Market analysts attributed the steep decline to profit booking after a strong rally, a strengthening US dollar, easing geopolitical tensions, and reduced demand for safe-haven assets.

Experts said many investors who entered the market during the price surge are now cashing out gains, resulting in a broad-based correction across the bullion segment.

Despite the short-term bearish trend, analysts remain optimistic about the long-term outlook for gold and silver, citing inflation concerns, global economic uncertainty, and sustained physical demand.

Jewellery traders said the price drop has encouraged retail buyers, especially ahead of the upcoming wedding and festive season, with many consumers viewing the correction as a buying opportunity.

However, experts advised investors to remain cautious and closely track global central bank decisions, currency movements, and geopolitical developments before making fresh investments.