Category: News

May 26 :  Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water has once again partnered with JioStar to bring back the Kingfisher Good Times Hangout for the TATA Indian Premier League  Playoffs on JioHotstar, featuring cricket legends Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina, comedians Angad Singh Ranyal, Danish Sait and Gurleen Pannu, along with presenters Aanchal Agarwal and RJ Mantra, in a pioneering alternate live broadcast commentary feed returning bigger this season.

Building on the success of its debut during the TATA Women’s Premier League  earlier this year, this edition raises the stakes with an unmissable line-up that blends cricket insight with unfiltered humour, sharp pop-culture commentary and the kind of banter that turns every over into must-watch entertainment.

The dedicated feed will go live during the TATA IPL Playoffs starting 26 May through to the Final on 31 May, from 6:30 PM onwards, for viewers watching matches live on JioHotstar. To access the feed, select the Kingfisher Good Times Hangout option under the Audio & Subtitles tab while watching the live match.

Commenting on the initiative, Vikram Bahl, Chief Marketing Officer, United Breweries Limited, said,

“Cricket in India is never just about the sport. It’s about the moments you share while watching it. The Kingfisher Good Times Hangout was born from a simple belief that the best cricket memories happen when great sport meets great company. With the TATA IPL Playoffs, we wanted to give fans a viewing experience as dynamic as the tournament itself. Bringing together cricket’s biggest names and some of the country’s most loved comedians on a single platform is our way of saying this is what Good Times look like. We’re pleased to deepen our partnership with JioStar and continue reimagining what live sport can feel like, building on the success of TATA WPL.” 

Anup Govindan, Head of Sales, Sports, JioStar said,

“At JioStar, we are committed to building an ecosystem where brands go beyond visibility and create experiences that fans genuinely value. The Kingfisher Good Times Hangout is exactly that kind of innovation which becomes part of the fan experience and creates a brand environment that younger audiences actually want to spend time in. Playoffs are one of the most-watched, most-engaged moments of the entire TATA IPL season, and a dedicated commentary feed that blends cricket expertise with real entertainment is a genuinely differentiated way to show up in that window.”

Kingfisher Good Times Hangout enhances the live match-viewing experience by bringing together real-time cricket analysis, humour, cultural conversations and the spontaneous energy that makes watching cricket with friends so special, now available at the tap of a button.

By blending sport, entertainment and technology, it delivers a differentiated, genre-bending way to experience live cricket and reinforces Kingfisher Packaged Drinking Water’s long-standing association with moments that bring people together.

New Delhi, May 26 (BNP): Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices were increased by ₹2 per kilogram in the national capital on Tuesday, marking yet another rise in fuel costs amid continued volatility in global energy markets and mounting pressure on domestic fuel companies.

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With the latest revision by authorities, the price of CNG in Delhi has increased to ₹83.09 per kg from ₹81.09 per kg. The hike comes as part of a series of fuel price revisions witnessed over the past two weeks, during which CNG rates have gone up multiple times.

The revised rates have also impacted neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR). Consumers in Noida, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida will now pay ₹91.70 per kg, while the price in Gurugram has risen to ₹88.12 per kg. In other cities, CNG prices climbed to ₹92.44 per kg in Ajmer and ₹95 per kg in Chennai.

The latest increase follows a ₹1 per kg hike announced just days ago, making it the fourth upward revision in a short span. Alongside CNG, petrol and diesel prices have also seen repeated increases recently, adding to concerns over rising transportation and household expenses.

Industry experts attribute the continued fuel price surge to elevated global crude oil prices and supply uncertainties linked to tensions in West Asia. Concerns over disruptions around key oil transit routes have intensified market volatility, increasing import costs for countries heavily dependent on energy imports, including India.

The repeated hikes are expected to impact commuters, transport operators and businesses relying on fuel, potentially leading to higher transportation and logistics costs across sectors.

Chandigarh, May 26 : TVS Motor Company, part of TVS VENU, has been ranked no 1 globally in the ‘Durable Consumer Goods’ category in the annual ‘Best Stocks in the World’, ranking published exclusively by Germany’s leading business weekly WirtschaftsWoche, based on the Boston Consulting Group Value Creators analysis.

WirtschaftsWoche, founded in 1926 and celebrating its centenary this year, is Germany’s largest weekly business publication, widely read by senior executives, institutional investors and corporate decision-makers across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Its annual ‘Best Stocks in the World’ analysis is one of the most widely cited rankings of listed companies in the German-speaking region.

The independent study evaluated more than 2,000 listed companies across 35 industries worldwide. Over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025, TVS Motor Company delivered an average annual Total Shareholder Return of approximately 51 per cent   the highest in its global category, ahead of established peers from Japan, China, the United States, and India.

According to the analysis, TVS Motor’s performance was driven primarily by strong revenue growth (22 percentage points) and a premium market valuation (18 percentage points), complemented by improving profitability and continuous strengthening of the balance sheet. Notably, this profile aligns closely with the criteria the study identifies for resilient companies — profitable, growth-oriented, and financially disciplined, with reserves to withstand volatile market conditions.

Professor Sir Ralf Speth, Chief Mentor, TVS Motor Company, comments:

“This recognition by WirtschaftsWoche and BCG is the result of the consistent implementation of Chairman Sudarshan Venu’s clear strategic vision. His passion for the company, deep understanding of markets and customers, openness to new technology, and attentiveness to the workforce create a values-based environment in which creativity and performance can flourish. Equally exemplary is the strong commitment to social responsibility.

With this mindset – the ‘TVS Way’ – and under outstanding corporate leadership, the TVS team wins numerous international awards year after year, including accolades for environmental stewardship and exceptional product quality. TVS is synonymous with quality and a strong commitment to the environment, rooted in the skill of its people and built on manufacturing excellence. In symbiosis with this commitment, the company continues to advance energy‑efficient solutions and strengthen its leadership in electric mobility.

Under TVS Motor Company’s ownership, Norton’s global resurgence is now clear. This storied and deeply revered brand is once again delivering a compelling combination of technology, design integrity and dynamism. I am confident TVS Motor Company is strongly positioned for the future – delivering sustainable growth, strengthening global competitiveness and creating long-term shareholder value – recognition goes to the whole TVS team for their hard work and commitment.”

In its most recent financial year (2025–26), TVS Motor Company has built further on this momentum, recording its highest-ever annual sales of 5.89 million units, a 24 per cent increase year-on-year, with international business growing 33 per cent across more than 90 markets. Revenue grew 30 per cent year-on-year to Rs. 47,270 crore, with operating PBT up 40 per cent to Rs. 4,975 crore and operating EBITDA margin improving 60 basis points to 12.9 per cent.

Chandigarh, May 26 :As the rhythm of celebrations evolves into more intimate, expressive and style-conscious moments, Taneira, a TATA product, introduces Inaya, a contemporary saree collection designed for the modern Indian woman who seeks elegance that feels effortless, versatile and celebratory. Starting at INR 3,499, the collection offers an accessible entry into occasion-led fashion blending elevated design, contemporary charm and a confident sense of individuality. Crafted predominantly in new-age lightweight and flowy fabrics, Inaya balances ease with visual opulence, creating sarees that feel effortless and elevated. The collection is designed for a spectrum of celebrations, from intimate gatherings and milestone moments to pre-wedding festivities and elevated social occasions.

Inspired by the rhythms of nature and the infinite motion of the universe, where everything exists in constant, graceful transition, the collection comes alive through abstract floral impressions, evolving forms and celestial geometric influences. A palette influenced by transient natural landscapes from the softness of dawn to the richness of twilight and flourishing blooms brings depth and warmth to the collection.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Somprabh Kumar Singh, CSMO, Taneira, said,

“Occasion wear continues to be deeply integral to our brand, contributing nearly 60–70% of our overall sales. Today, women are approaching celebratory dressing with a far more expressive and individualistic lens. They want each celebration to reflect a different facet of who they are. Anchored in the thought, ‘Never Look the Same’, Inaya is designed to respond to this evolving mindset through contemporary sarees that feel versatile, expressive and effortlessly elegant. Through this accessible range, we wanted to create occasion wear that allows women to experiment with their celebration style and embrace every moment with a renewed sense of confidence and self-expression.”

Further strengthening Taneira’ s occasion wear portfolio this summer wedding season are The Valley of Flowers and Raas collections, each offering distinct interpretations of celebration dressing rooted in art, culture and contemporary design. The Valley of Flowers collection draws inspiration from blooming alpine landscapes and the intricate floral artistry, translating romance, colour and radiance into graceful sarees crafted for weddings and festive celebrations.

Chandigarh, May 26 : Ambuja Cements, the 9th largest building materials solutions provider globally and part of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is driving water security and sustainable rural livelihoods in SerJeri village of Kunihar block in Solan district through integrated watershed development and renewable energy–led irrigation solutions.

Located near an Ambuja Cements mining area, SerJeri faced acute water scarcity due to erratic rainfall and lack of irrigation, resulting in low productivity and vulnerable livelihoods. To address this, Ambuja Cements’ CSR arm implemented a NABARD-funded Watershed Development Project in 2019 in Patti Badog, covering 392 households and treating 991 hectares through soil conservation, water harvesting, and sustainable agriculture practices.

Key interventions included check dams, water storage structures, contour trenching, revival of traditional water systems, plantation drives, and promotion of drip irrigation. Strong community participation, led by the Village Watershed Committee, ensured ownership and long-term sustainability.

To strengthen irrigation, a solar-powered lift irrigation system was installed, enabling reliable, zero-cost water access through pipeline distribution. The intervention benefited 24 households across 8 hectares, increased cropping intensity from two to three cycles, and enabled a shift to cash crops such as garlic, onion, tomato, and horticulture. It also reduced irrigation costs, improved groundwater recharge, and lowered carbon emissions.

The initiative has been recognised by NABARD Himachal Pradesh. Its success has led to further government support, including additional solar lift schemes and the SHIVA Project for horticulture development. Village SerJeri now stands as a water-secure, climate-resilient, and economically strengthened community, offering a replicable model for sustainable rural development.

Through this integrated approach, Ambuja Cements has demonstrated how watershed management, renewable energy solutions, and strong community institutions can transform water-scarce regions into climate-resilient and economically vibrant ecosystems.

Puri, May 26 (BNP): The holy city of Puri is set to host the second technical meeting of BRICS member nations and partner countries from June 3, bringing together delegates, experts, and policymakers for discussions on strengthening global cooperation in disaster management.

According to official information, the high-level meeting will witness participation from representatives of several countries associated with the BRICS grouping, including Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and China.

The conference is expected to serve as a key platform for deliberations on disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and management, with a focus on enhancing international cooperation and sharing best practices to effectively address natural and man-made disasters.

Experts and policymakers attending the event are likely to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore innovative solutions aimed at improving disaster resilience amid rising climate-related risks and increasing disaster challenges across the globe.

The meeting assumes significance at a time when coordinated international efforts are becoming increasingly crucial to tackle emergencies and climate-induced disasters. Odisha’s hosting of the event is also expected to draw global attention to the state’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, an area in which it has earned recognition over the years.

Administrative authorities are making necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the international gathering in the pilgrim town.

May 26, 2026, VANCOUVER: A new report from environmental nonprofit Canopy shows that wheat straw has the potential to create high-quality, sustainable viscose and lyocell fibre for the fashion industry — reducing reliance on forest fibres, cutting air pollution, and creating new income opportunities for rural communities.

The report, called From Wheat Straw to Wardrobes: Fashioning a new fibre future, reveals the results of a pilot project that tested whether pulp made from Indian wheat straw could be used to create high-quality viscose and lyocell fibres instead of conventional wood-derived pulp.

The results show that wheat straw pulp can not only directly replace wood-based pulp in viscose and lyocell fibre production, but can also create a range of yarns and fabrics that successfully meet brand performance and technical standards across multiple product applications.

Wood-derived pulp is used to create many Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCFs) including viscose and lyocell. These materials are often positioned as more environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic fibres such as polyester, and to cotton, due to being derived from trees. However, analysis shows that more than 300 million trees are cut down annually to create these fibres, including from some of the world’s most climate-critical and biodiversity-rich forests. Leaving these forests standing is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions and support the global “30×30” biodiversity target, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and waters by 2030.

The pilot — named Project Latvus — brought together nonprofits Canopy and Fashion for Good, brands C&A, H&M Group, and Reformation, supply chain innovators and manufacturers Chempolis, TITK, Inovafil, Yee Chain, Shahi, Filpucci, and DBL traceability technology provider Textile Genesis and wheat straw supplier A2P (Agri to Power) Energy. The project was supported by Laudes Foundation and built on Spinning Future Threads, an earlier report commissioned by Laudes, which found that agricultural waste could be feasibly sourced as a raw material for textiles. By connecting stakeholders across the supply chain, Project Latvus aimed to integrate every stage of production — from farm to garment — to help identify and solve challenges that often slow the scale-up of new materials.

Representatives from brand Reformation and TITK noted that the fibre closely matched the look and feel of conventional lyocell while meeting performance expectations for commercial applications. Other supply chain partners also reported confidence in the fibre’s potential to scale.

Canopy, who led the project and authored the report, noted that alternative feedstocks play a critical role in diversifying the fashion industry’s fibre basket, reducing reliance on forests, and strengthening supply chain resilience. They also highlight the wider environmental and social benefits of scaling these materials, including reducing air pollution from crop burning and creating new income opportunities for rural farming communities.

In particular, the report highlights India’s potential to become a leader in the production of next-generation MMCFs, due to the country’s large supply of agricultural residue alongside circular textile to textile production systems. Estimates suggest that more than 90 million tonnes of crop residue are burned annually in India, representing a significant untapped resource that could instead be used to create low-impact fibre for textiles and other uses. Scaling this opportunity could help create new income streams for farming communities, strengthen local manufacturing capacity and support the growth of a more circular textile industry. Crop burning is also estimated to contribute to seasonal air pollution in Northern India, where levels of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 — tiny air pollution particles that can harm human health — have in recent years measured above WHO safety guidelines. 

Canopy is calling on fashion brands to support the scale-up of MMCFs that don’t rely on wood pulp, noting in the report that pooled demand will help these materials achieve price parity and scale quickly.

“Project Latvus shows that the future of fibre is already here. While continued scale-up is needed to optimize efficiency and close the price difference, the direction is clear — Next Gen MMCFs are ready for the next stage of commercial adoption,” said Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy. “By diversifying feedstocks beyond forests, we have a real opportunity to build a more resilient, circular, and low-impact textile industry.”

Read the full report.

New Delhi,  May 25 : NeuroRank, the patent-pending AI visibility intelligence platform from Pulp Strategy Communications, today opens to the public as a SaaS platform, making continuous, governed AI visibility available to brands of every size through its Model Preference Engineering subscription, from USD 225 a month

Search is no longer the only front door to a brand. AI search engines and AI summaries on results pages are taking a bite out of clickthrough traffic. Gartner predicts traditional search volume will drop 25% by 2026, and Bain’s research finds that 80% of consumers rely on these “zero-click” results at least 40% of the time. Brands will need to rethink their marketing strategies to avoid falling behind in this new era of search. Yet most brands cannot see how these models describe them, cannot tell why they are omitted or misrepresented, and have had no system to fix it. NeuroRank exists to close that gap.

Model Preference Engineering is a continuous, monthly practice that diagnoses how AI models perceive a brand, prescribes the specific fixes required, conditions the models across owned, earned, and third-party sources, and tracks month-on-month lift as the models recalibrate. NeuroRank is the first and only platform in the category built on a patent-pending five-step methodology, which covers the entire cycle of GEO practice and it defines the practice of Large Language Model Optimization , the discipline of diagnosing, prescribing, and conditioning how AI models perceive, cite, and recommend brands. Where other platforms monitor and report, NeuroRank deconstructs, diagnoses, prescribes, conditions, and tracks.

Faster Success, Stronger ROI

In one 90-day engagement, a leading Indian BFSI brand improved its AI visibility by 30 percent and its citation frequency by 12 percent across ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity. A leading Indian FMCG brand improved its AI visibility by 47 percent over the same period. NeuroRank diagnoses and prescribes; the client or its agency implements. Results are from specific client engagements and vary by brand, category, and starting baseline.

Quick adoption, Early success

Customers already include enterprise firms in banking, financial services, and insurance, and some of India’s largest fast-moving consumer goods brands. The platform is also seeing strong adoption among agencies, several of which are using NeuroRank to win new business and to improve GEO offerings.

NeuroRank is now available for companies and agencies globally to command how AI perceives, interprets, and recommends your brand.

Bhubaneswar, May 25 (BNP): The 17th edition of the KIIT International Chess Festival commenced at the KIIT campus in Bhubaneswar, bringing together thousands of players, officials and chess enthusiasts from across the globe for one of India’s largest international chess tournaments.

Organised by KIIT Deemed to be University in association with International Chess Federation, All India Chess Federation and the Odisha Chess Association, the tournament is being held from May 23 to 30 and features a record prize pool of ₹1.31 crore — the highest offered by any university-hosted chess event in India.

The festival has drawn participation from over 40 countries, with around 4,000 players, officials and accompanying delegates attending the event. The tournament features a strong international field, including 25 Grandmasters, 50 International Masters and more than 85 title holders, reflecting its growing stature in the global chess calendar.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Achyuta Samanta said KIIT has consistently promoted sports alongside academics and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting chess and nurturing young talent. He also acknowledged the support of FIDE, AICF and the Odisha Chess Association in helping the festival evolve into a globally recognised competition.

Tournament Director Sekhar Ranjan Sahoo said nearly 2,800 players are competing in this edition and described the event as one of the richest chess festivals globally. He expressed optimism that participation would continue to grow in future editions.

Organising committee president Ranjan Kumar Mohanty noted that the tournament, which started in 2011 with a prize pool of ₹16 lakh, has grown significantly over the years to become an internationally recognised event.

Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU Saranjit Singh highlighted the importance of sports infrastructure in producing world-class athletes and said institutions must create a supportive ecosystem for talent development.

The week-long championship is expected to further strengthen Odisha’s position as an emerging destination for international sporting and intellectual events while providing young players with valuable global exposure.

New Delhi, May 25 (BNP): In response to widespread technical glitches and payment-related issues faced by students during the CBSE post-result and re-evaluation process, the Centre has initiated a major overhaul of the payment and digital infrastructure of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

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Following discussions between Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, it has been decided that four public sector banks — State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and Indian Bank — will assist CBSE in strengthening its payment gateway system and integrating secure payment mechanisms with its post-examination services portal.

The move comes after students and parents raised concerns over failed transactions, portal instability and delays in accessing re-evaluation services following board examination results. Officials said the upgraded payment framework will introduce stronger digital payment protocols, help resolve transaction glitches and facilitate automatic refunds in cases of excess or failed payments.

In a parallel intervention, the Education Ministry has also directed CBSE to undertake a complete review of its digital systems to ensure a seamless and student-friendly experience. Expert teams comprising professors and technical specialists from Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur will be deployed to assist the board in improving portal stability, server performance, IT infrastructure and authentication systems.

The expert teams are expected to assess the overall robustness of CBSE’s online platform and recommend corrective measures to ensure a glitch-free re-evaluation process, smoother user access and improved payment efficiency.

Reiterating that student welfare remains the top priority, Pradhan directed CBSE to implement corrective measures on an urgent basis to ensure transparency, reliability and a hassle-free experience for students availing post-result services.