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  • LPG Booking Rules, Delivery System and Prices Set for Key Changes from May 1

    New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): Major changes in LPG booking rules, delivery verification, and pricing are expected to come into effect from May 1, along with a continued push towards cleaner fuel usage, according to recent policy updates.

    LPG Booking Rules, Delivery System and Prices Set for Key Changes from May 1

    Under the revised system, booking intervals for LPG cylinders will be extended. Urban consumers will need to wait 25 days between bookings, while rural consumers will have a 45-day gap, compared to the earlier shorter cycle. The move is aimed at improving supply management and ensuring smoother distribution.

    A key update is the introduction of a mandatory OTP-based delivery verification system. Consumers will now need to confirm LPG deliveries through a one-time password sent to their registered mobile numbers. This digital system is intended to improve transparency and reduce misuse, hoarding, and diversion of subsidised cylinders.

    On the pricing front, LPG rates have already seen an increase in recent months, with domestic cylinders rising by about ₹60 in April. Commercial cylinder prices have also increased more sharply, and further revisions may take place depending on global crude oil movements and market conditions.

    The government is also continuing its focus on promoting piped natural gas (PNG). In areas where PNG infrastructure is available, households may be encouraged to switch, with phased restrictions on LPG supply for eligible users expected over time.

    Despite global uncertainties, officials have said LPG, PNG, and CNG supplies remain stable, with priority being given to essential services. Consumers have been advised to avoid panic buying and complete necessary eKYC updates to ensure uninterrupted service.

    Overall, the changes are aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening supply management, and gradually shifting consumers towards cleaner and more sustainable energy options.

  • India to Receive Fourth S-400 Missile Shield by May, Boosting Air Defence!

    New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): India is set to receive its fourth Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence missile system by May 2026, significantly enhancing the country’s air defence preparedness and strengthening strategic coverage across key regions.

    News In Pics

    The advanced S-400 system, regarded as one of the world’s most sophisticated long-range air defence platforms, is capable of detecting and engaging multiple aerial threats including fighter aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles at ranges of up to 400 kilometres.

    The upcoming delivery coincides with the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, during which the S-400 reportedly played a crucial role in intercepting hostile aerial threats and safeguarding military installations across northern and western sectors.

    India had signed a defence agreement worth nearly ₹40,000 crore with Russia in 2018 for the procurement of five S-400 squadrons. So far, three squadrons have already been delivered and deployed in strategically important locations.

    The first unit was deployed near the western border in December 2021, followed by the second near the northern frontier in 2022, while the third was positioned in Rajasthan in January 2023.

    Officials said the fourth squadron will help eliminate critical radar blind spots, improve early warning systems, and further strengthen India’s multi-layered air defence shield alongside systems such as Barak-8, Akash, and NASAMS-II.

    The fifth and final S-400 unit is expected to be delivered by November 2026, completing India’s full order of five squadrons.

    The induction of the fourth S-400 system comes at a time when India continues to modernise its armed forces and bolster national security amid evolving regional security challenges.

     

  • NIT Rourkela Climbs to 186th Rank in THE Asia University Rankings 2026

    Rourkela, Apr 29 (BNP): The National Institute of Technology Rourkela has secured the 186th position in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2026, strengthening its position among leading higher education institutions in Asia.

    The latest rankings assessed 929 universities across 36 countries and territories, where NIT Rourkela continued to maintain a strong presence, reflecting its steady academic and research progress.

    The improved ranking highlights the institute’s growing focus on academic quality, research output, and institutional development. It also reflects its expanding reputation in engineering education and innovation at both national and regional levels.

    According to the ranking framework, universities are evaluated on parameters such as teaching standards, research performance, industry engagement, and international outlook. NIT Rourkela’s position indicates positive progress across these key areas.

    Overall, the result reinforces the institute’s standing as one of India’s leading technical education institutions, with ongoing efforts to further enhance academic excellence and global competitiveness.

  • Virat Kohli Becomes Face of Oakley Meta AI Smart Glasses in India

    New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): Cricket star Virat Kohli has been announced as the brand ambassador for the new Oakley Meta Performance AI glasses in India, a joint initiative by Meta Platforms and Oakley.

    The partnership aims to promote AI-powered smart glasses designed to support athletes in training and performance. The technology is expected to help users stay focused by offering real-time insights in a lightweight and easy-to-use format.

    As part of the collaboration, fans will also get a closer view of Virat Kohli’s daily routine, including training sessions, match preparation, and behind-the-scenes moments, captured using the smart glasses.

    Meta said the idea behind the product is to bring technology closer to sport, helping athletes access useful information without interrupting their flow during practice or competition.

    Company representatives added that the collaboration reflects how wearable technology is becoming more integrated into sports, offering practical support to improve focus and performance.

    Overall, the partnership highlights the growing link between sports and AI-based wearable devices, aiming to enhance both athlete experience and fan engagement.

  • Accor & InterGlobe Partner to Bring The Hoxton to India with Bengaluru Debut

    Bengaluru, Apr 29: Ennismore, in partnership with Accor India and InterGlobe Hotels, today announced the signing of The Hoxton, Bengaluru City, marking the brand’s much-anticipated debut in India. The hotel is slated to open in November 2026 on Richmond Road, bringing The Hoxton’s signature open-house spirit and neighbourhood-focused hospitality to one of India’s most dynamic cities.

    Accor & InterGlobe Partner to Bring The Hoxton to India with Bengaluru Debut

    Located in the heart of Bengaluru, the hotel will feature 149 guestrooms, including The Hoxton’s signature categories—Roomy, Biggy, and four HOMEY suites situated on the top floors, offering sweeping city views. Designed as a “home away from home,” the rooms will reflect a blend of craftsmanship, local influences, and practical residential-style design.

    Food and beverage will play a central role in the guest experience. The ground-floor lobby restaurant and bar will serve as a vibrant social hub throughout the day, embodying The Hoxton’s philosophy of creating spaces that feel like the neighbourhood’s living room. The rooftop will feature Fi’lia, making its second appearance in India as a poolside restaurant and bar, offering a lively setting for dining and socialising against the Bengaluru skyline.

    The property will also include “The Apartment”, The Hoxton’s signature meetings and events concept, featuring a central pantry and meeting rooms for intimate gatherings, alongside a larger event space accommodating up to 240 guests.

    Staying true to its community-first ethos, The Hoxton Bengaluru City will collaborate with local artists, designers, and creators through curated events, guest chef takeovers, the Hox Gallery, and retail offerings via the Hox Shop—celebrating the city’s rich creative culture across art, fashion, music, and food.

    Commenting on the launch, Gaurav Bhushan, Group CEO of Ennismore and Chairman of Accor India, said:

    “India is one of the most exciting hospitality markets globally. The market is ready for a true lifestyle experience, and our focus is on building brands that resonate with Indian guests while maintaining our global DNA. Bengaluru, with its vibrant cultural ecosystem, is the ideal city for The Hoxton’s India debut.”

    Aditya Pande, Group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises, added:

    “The entry of The Hoxton into India marks a defining moment in our journey to bring world-class, lifestyle-led hospitality to the country. Bengaluru’s creative energy and global outlook make it a natural fit for the brand. We are confident this property will set a new benchmark for urban hospitality in India.”

    Originally launched in London’s Shoreditch in 2006, The Hoxton has grown into a globally recognised lifestyle hospitality brand with 19 properties across the UK, Europe, and the US, and an expanding pipeline in cities such as Melbourne, Oslo, Nashville, and Mexico City.

    This announcement builds on the strategic alliance between Accor and InterGlobe, aimed at creating one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality platforms. The partnership targets a portfolio of 300 hotels under Accor and Ennismore brands by 2030, tapping into India’s rapidly expanding travel and hospitality market.

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  • SIP in Balanced Advantage Funds Promotes Discipline Amid Market Volatility

    Mumbai, Apr 29 (BNP): Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in Balanced Advantage Funds are emerging as a disciplined investment approach for retail investors navigating volatile market conditions, according to recent market commentary and investment trends.

    SIP in Balanced Advantage Funds Promotes Discipline Amid Market Volatility

    Balanced Advantage Funds, which dynamically adjust their equity and debt exposure based on market conditions, are increasingly being viewed as a stable option for long-term wealth creation. These funds aim to reduce downside risk during market downturns while capturing growth opportunities during upswings.

    Financial experts note that combining SIPs with Balanced Advantage Funds helps investors maintain consistency in their investment behaviour, especially during periods of market uncertainty. Regular monthly investments reduce the impact of short-term volatility and help avoid emotional decision-making.

    The approach is particularly relevant in the current environment, where equity markets are experiencing fluctuations driven by global cues, interest rate expectations, and geopolitical developments. SIPs ensure that investors continue investing at different market levels, which helps in averaging purchase costs over time.

    Investment advisors highlight that Balanced Advantage Funds are designed to automatically rebalance portfolios between equity and debt, making them suitable for investors seeking a relatively smoother investment experience compared to pure equity funds.

    Overall, the combination of SIP discipline and dynamic asset allocation is being positioned as a strategy that supports long-term financial goals while managing market uncertainty more effectively.

  • UAE Announces Strategic Exit from OPEC; Moves to Independent Full-Capacity Production to Reshape Global Energy Market!

    Dubai, Apr 29 (BNP): In a major development for the global energy sector, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that it will leave the OPEC and OPEC+ groups of oil-producing nations next month, ending nearly six decades of membership and raising fresh questions over the future of the cartel.

    News In Pics

    The UAE said the decision follows recent investments aimed at boosting its oil production capacity and would help the country meet growing global energy demand in the long term. Officials stated that leaving the group would provide greater flexibility in shaping its own production strategy without quota obligations.

    The move is being seen as a significant blow to OPEC, with analysts warning it could weaken the alliance’s ability to influence global oil prices. Energy researcher Saul Kavonic described the development as “the beginning of the end of OPEC,” noting that the UAE accounts for a substantial share of the group’s production capacity.

    The UAE joined OPEC in 1967 and its departure will reduce the cartel’s membership to 11 nations. OPEC was founded in 1960 by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to coordinate oil production and safeguard the interests of exporting nations.

    Market analysts believe the exit could trigger greater volatility in crude prices, as traders assess whether the UAE will ramp up independent production and whether other members may reconsider their positions.

    The decision is also being viewed through a geopolitical lens, as it may pave the way for closer energy ties between the UAE and the United States at a time of shifting global alliances.

  • Paytm’s Clear Separation from Payments Bank Strengthens Core Business and Investor Confidence

    New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): Digital payments firm One 97 Communications has strengthened its core operations after fully distancing itself from Paytm Payments Bank, a move that is now seen as improving business clarity and supporting long-term profitability.

    Following regulatory action by the Reserve Bank of India in early 2024, the company undertook a complete operational separation from its banking arm. This ensured that its payments and financial services businesses continued independently, without any reliance on the payments bank.

    The company has also clarified in stock exchange filings that it has no financial exposure or ongoing commercial relationship with Paytm Payments Bank, with all such arrangements discontinued in 2024.

    Market analysts and brokerages have viewed this structural “arm’s length” approach positively, noting that it has helped remove regulatory uncertainty and provided greater transparency around the company’s business model.

    With this separation in place, One 97 Communications is now focusing on strengthening its core digital payments ecosystem and expanding financial services in a more streamlined manner. The move is expected to support operational efficiency and reinforce investor confidence in the company’s future growth prospects.

    Overall, the restructuring is being seen as a key step toward simplifying operations and building a more stable and scalable business framework.

  • Chhattisgarh CM Launches ‘e-Shram Saathi’ App to Connect Workers with Jobs and Welfare Benefits

    Raipur, Apr 29 (BNP): Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has launched a new mobile application designed to strengthen access to employment opportunities and government welfare schemes for workers across the state.

    The app, named ‘e-Shram Saathi’, was launched during a review meeting of the Labour Department held at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. The initiative aims to create a simple digital platform where workers can connect with job opportunities and avail government services directly from their mobile phones.

    The primary objective of the app is to bridge the gap between workers and employment systems by providing real-time access to job listings, labour-related services, and welfare schemes. It is intended to support both organised and unorganised sector workers by making essential information and services more accessible in one place.

    Officials said the platform will also help improve transparency and efficiency in the delivery of labour welfare programs, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries can easily access government support without procedural delays.

    During the meeting, the Chief Minister also directed officials to conduct surprise inspections of industrial units using technology-based monitoring systems. This step is aimed at strengthening worker safety, ensuring compliance with labour laws, and protecting workers’ rights in industrial workplaces.

    The launch of the app reflects the state government’s broader effort to integrate technology into governance and improve last-mile delivery of employment and welfare services.

  • Fusion Signage achieves ISO 27001 certification and hits 20,000 user licence milestone

    BRISBANE, 29 April 2026 – In what is turning out to be a month of major achievements Fusion Signage, often referred to as Australia’s user-friendliest digital signage software, has officially achieved ISO 27001 certification and hit their 20,000 user licence milestone all in the same week.

    ISO 27001 is the leading international standard for information security management.

    Fusion-Signage-James

     

    Fusion Signage MD James Ingram explained, “It’s truly been a momentous few weeks. We’ve achieved both SOC 2 Type II attestation and ISO 27001 certification, alongside reaching 20,000 active licences.  For our customers, this instils confidence as, firstly, very few companies have both their SOC 2 Type II attestation and are ISO 27001 certified. Secondly, while it took a few years to get to 10,000 licences, it only took half that time to get another 10,000. For us, that’s a clear sign our platform is delivering real value and scaling with the businesses using it.”

    Fusion Signage’s ISO 27001 certification means their customers’ data and content are managed under a globally recognised security standard with clear processes, regular audits and controls in place.

    Ingram added, “As an Australian business supporting customers across a wide range of industries, we have always believed that protecting data isn’t a requirement it is a responsibility. With that in mind we are very proud that our commitment to security is now further enhanced and backed by an official ISO 27001 certification.”

      In truth the Fusion Signage team started the process of setting out, formalising and strengthening the security practices the company had already been living by over 12 months ago.

    Ingram said, “It wasn’t a quick project or a checkbox exercise. It was a deep, organisation‑wide effort to evaluate, refine and document how we handle information at every level. From internal processes to platform development, to how we support our customers on a day‑to‑day basis our team has been dedicated to building a secure foundation that scales with our customers and the digital signage industry.”

    Fusion Signage’s ISO 27001

    The results and benefits of having both SOC 2 Type II attestation and ISO 27001 certification are clear for Fusion Signage’s customers and users as their content and data are managed through clear, audited security processes. Risks are identified and handled early, not after something goes wrong and security is built into the Fusion Signage platform, not layered on later.

    Ingram said, “This all means that while you’re uploading content, scheduling campaigns or managing multiple locations, everything runs on a secure foundation without you needing to think twice. While the ISO 27001 certification is new, the mindset behind it isn’t. Fusion Signage has always been built on reliability, transparency and customer trust. This achievement simply reinforces what has guided our platform from the very beginning – a platform you can trust to just work. In the world of digital signage this is no mean feat. In short and as a very highly regarded member of our industry said last week, Fusion Signage is making an already trusted platform even more trustworthy.”

    Fusion Signage’s ISO 27001 certification audit was carried out by Sensiba, the internationally recognised certification body well-known for its thorough and transparent approach to information security reviews.

    Ingram explained, “Our certification covers the entire Fusion Signage platform end to end, from the operational systems that support the product to the way we build and maintain our software to how we handle and protect information internally. It’s a large scope that reflects our commitment to keeping security front and centre across all areas of the business, not just within the platform itself.”

    This ISO 27001 certification is one of the biggest undertakings in Fusion Signage’s history as committing to ISO 27001 also meant dedicating a significant amount of time, resources and focus. Entire roles were redirected, development priorities were reshaped and countless internal processes were rebuilt from the ground up. It was a major behind‑the‑scenes effort that customers rarely get to see.

    James Ingram concluded, “This was a serious investment and one we chose because as the technology evolves with the likes of AI and increasing data breaches, security has never been more important for our customers. Every process we refined and every control we implemented was done with our customers in mind. In truth that’s the whole point of Fusion Signage and our digital signage software solution – adding safe, secure and reliable value to our customers and their businesses no matter what their size.”