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  • India Women to Host Zimbabwe in White-Ball Series (Oct 2026)

    Mumbai, May 7 (BNP): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has announced a packed home season for 2026–27, featuring a wide range of international and developmental fixtures across senior and age-group levels.

    A key highlight of the schedule is the Indian women’s cricket team hosting Zimbabwe women for a maiden white-ball series in October 2026. The series will include three T20 Internationals in Raipur followed by three One-Day Internationals in Baroda, marking an important addition to India’s women’s international calendar.

    The BCCI said the season has been designed to provide extensive competitive exposure across formats, with India set to host “A” teams, U19 squads, and senior women’s sides from multiple countries, including Australia, England, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

    As part of the broader schedule, India A men’s team will face Australia A in a multi-format series in Puducherry, while the India U19 men’s team will play Australia U19 in both one-day and multi-day matches across Rajkot and Ahmedabad.

    On the women’s development front, Australia A women will tour India for a multi-format series across Mohali and Dharamshala, followed by matches against England A women in Pune and Navi Mumbai. The India U19 women’s team will also feature in a busy calendar, hosting England U19 in a T20 series and Sri Lanka U19 in a white-ball series across Chennai and Puducherry.

    Officials said the expanded calendar reflects a strong focus on building depth in Indian cricket, providing consistent international exposure and strengthening the pipeline across senior and junior levels in both men’s and women’s cricket.

  • Bay of Bengal Low Pressure Likely Around May 10; Odisha on Thunderstorm Alert

    Bhubaneswar, May 7 (BNP): A new weather system is likely to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal around May 10, according to multiple global forecast models, including European weather predictions. However, meteorologists say there remains uncertainty regarding its intensity and exact movement.

    Bay of Bengal Low Pressure Likely Around May 10; Odisha on Thunderstorm Alert

    Initial model indications suggest the system may originate near Sri Lanka and the Tamil Nadu coast. Experts caution that the trajectory and strength of the system will become clearer only after May 11, once the existing trough over central India weakens.

    In the meantime, Odisha continues to experience intermittent rainfall and thunderstorm activity under the influence of prevailing atmospheric conditions.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across most districts of Odisha between May 7 and May 13.

    For today, the IMD has issued a yellow warning for several districts including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Nabarangapur. These areas are likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph.

    Additionally, isolated thunderstorms with winds of 30–40 kmph are likely during the afternoon and evening hours in districts including Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, and Balangir.

    Officials have advised residents to remain alert and take necessary precautions, especially in areas prone to lightning and strong surface winds, as weather conditions remain active over the coming days.

  • RAKEZ signs two strategic agreements to reinforce Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a competitive industrial hub and attract investments

    RAKEZ signs two strategic agreements to reinforce Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a competitive industrial hub and attract ... خبر صحفي : راكز توقع اتفاقيتين استراتيجيتين لترسيخ مكانة رأس الخيمة كمركز صناعي تنافسي واستقطاب استثمارات نوعية

     

    Ras Al Khaimah, May 07: In the presence of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) signed two strategic agreements – with MAGRABi Retail Group and Mighty Industrial Park – during the 5th edition of Make it in the Emirates (MIITE), held at ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the emirate’s growing position as a competitive hub for industrial investment and advanced manufacturing.

    The agreements reflect increasing investor confidence in Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial ecosystem and its ability to support long-term, scalable manufacturing operations.

    The first agreement, represented by MAGRABi Retail Group CEO Yasser Taher, aims to establish a Store Manufacturing Centre – a purpose-built facility dedicated to the production of furniture, store fit-outs, refurbishments, and pop-up concepts across its retail network. Designed to service up to 140 stores annually, the facility will support MAGRABi Retail’s operations across all its markets in the GCC, while creating up to 100 jobs and strengthening the company’s regional expansion and operational capabilities.

    Taher said, “At MAGRABi Retail, everything we do is driven by a customer-first philosophy. This investment reinforces our long-term commitment to the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah while enabling us to further elevate the retail experience across our growing network. By centralising the production of our store environments, we ensure that every detail reflects our dedication to quality, innovation, and client care.”

    The second agreement was concluded with Mighty Industrial Park, represented by shareholder Guichun Guo, setting plans for the development of a comprehensive China-UAE industrial park. The project will focus on metal recycling, dismantling, smelting, precious metal refining, and advanced manufacturing, creating a fully-integrated ecosystem that supports sustainable industrial development and sector growth, while contributing to the advancement of circular economy practices within Ras Al Khaimah.

    Guo said, “Ras Al Khaimah was chosen by Mighty Industry Park because it offers the practical conditions required for a resource-circulation industrial project to scale: industrial land, utility access, logistics connectivity and a manufacturing environment that can support recycling, refining, production, and export activities. RAKEZ provides a platform where our secondary copper recycling, refining, and copper products manufacturing operations can be developed as an integrated industrial chain rather than as a single standalone facility. With support from the relevant authorities during the establishment process, we see Ras Al Khaimah as a long-term base for building a circular-economy value chain, attracting upstream and downstream partners, and contributing to the UAE’s green manufacturing and industrial diversification goals.”

    Commenting on the agreements, RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “These two agreements reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a leading hub for advanced manufacturing and industrial investment in the region. By partnering with prominent companies such as MAGRABi Retail and Mighty Industrial Park, we are committed to developing an integrated industrial ecosystem that supports innovation and keeps pace with global shifts in value chains and sustainable manufacturing. At RAKEZ, we continue to provide a flexible and enabling business environment that allows investors to expand with confidence, benefit from advanced infrastructure, and access integrated services that support their long-term growth.”

    In addition to these milestones, Jallad took part in a high-level panel discussion alongside leaders from the UAE’s free and economic zones. During the session, he highlighted the UAE’s strong industrial resilience, driven by alignment of efforts across federal entities and economic zones, and reinforced by practical, on-the-ground support for businesses. He noted that flexibility, close client engagement, and integrated ecosystem support have been key to maintaining continuity, while long-term investor confidence continues to be built on stability, scalability, and the ability to grow seamlessly within the same environment.

    When asked about long-term commitments from global manufacturers, he said, “Certainty remains the key — enabled by a stable environment, seamless scalability within one ecosystem, and integrated access to logistics, financing, and global markets, allowing businesses to grow with confidence over the long term.”

    This direction aligns closely with the UAE’s Operation 300bn strategy, with RAKEZ contributing by enabling industrial growth, attracting high-value manufacturing investments, and providing the infrastructure and ecosystem required for businesses to scale within the country.

    Through its continued participation in major platforms such as MIITE, RAKEZ reinforces this role by creating an environment where businesses can grow with confidence, expand seamlessly, and navigate evolving global conditions while contributing to the UAE’s long-term industrial and economic ambitions.

     

  • PMEGP Creates 36.33 Lakh Opportunities, Drives Women and Rural Entrepreneurship Growth: Govt Report

    New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has generated around 36.33 lakh employment opportunities across the country, reinforcing its role as a key driver of grassroots entrepreneurship and livelihood creation, according to an official statement.

    Implemented through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the scheme supports the setting up of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by providing credit-linked subsidies to aspiring entrepreneurs.

    During the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021–22 to 2025–26), the scheme utilised its entire approved allocation of ₹13,554.42 crore and facilitated the establishment of over 4.03 lakh micro-enterprises, slightly surpassing its target.

    Officials said this performance reflects both strong demand for entrepreneurship support and effective implementation on the ground.

    A major highlight of the programme is its focus on inclusion and social equity. Women account for nearly 40% of total beneficiaries, while around 45% of subsidy support has gone to women-led enterprises, encouraging greater participation in business creation.

    In addition, about 54% of beneficiaries belong to SC, ST, and OBC communities, underscoring the scheme’s wide social outreach. Nearly 80% of the supported enterprises are located in rural areas, helping boost local employment and promote balanced regional development.

    Overall, officials said PMEGP continues to play a crucial role in expanding self-employment opportunities, strengthening small businesses, and supporting India’s broader goal of entrepreneurship-led and inclusive economic growth.

  • Government School Enrollment Falls to 49.24 pc in 2024–25, Private Sector Expands

    New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): School enrollment in government institutions has declined to 49.24% in the 2024–25 academic year, while the private education sector continues to expand rapidly, according to concerns highlighted by NITI Aayog.

    Government School Enrollment Falls to 49.24 pc in 2024–25, Private Sector Expands

    The findings point to a steady shift in student preference toward private schools, reflecting changing perceptions around quality of education, infrastructure, and learning outcomes. The trend indicates that private institutions are gaining a larger share of new enrollments compared to government schools.

    According to the assessment, the decline in government school enrollment raises important concerns for the public education system, particularly in terms of equity and access. Since government schools play a crucial role in providing affordable education, especially in rural and lower-income segments, a continued drop in enrollment could widen educational disparities.

    The report notes that the rapid growth of private schooling is reshaping India’s education landscape, with increased household spending on education and rising demand for alternative learning environments.

    It further suggests that improving infrastructure, teacher availability, and learning outcomes in government schools will be critical to reversing the trend and restoring confidence in public education.

    Overall, the data highlights a structural shift in India’s schooling system, where the balance between public and private education is gradually evolving, raising policy-level concerns about long-term accessibility and inclusiveness in the education sector.

  • KIIT World School Hosts International Conference on global teaching practises and foundational learning

    Gurugram, May  07: KIIT World School hosted an international education conference, bringing together education experts and global learning organisations to discuss reforms in early childhood education and modern teaching practices. The conference also marked the launch of a new partnership between Vidya Vaibhav Samvardhanam, Orange Moon Training and UK-based Futura Learning Partnership to strengthen teaching standards in India through global collaboration.

    KIIT World School Hosts International Conference on global teaching practises and foundational learning

    The conference featured discussions on innovative teaching methods, experiential learning and the future of foundational education. Key speakers at the event included Shrutidhara Arya, President of Vidya Vaibhav Samvardhanam, Gary Schlick, CEO of Futura Learning Partnership, Education Director Tamara Dexter and education expert Renu Seth from Orange Moon Training.

    During the event, organisers introduced the i-PETL curriculum, a weekly certification-based programme developed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The curriculum focuses on strengthening early childhood care, foundational literacy and learning at the primary level.

    Experts at the conference highlighted the need for specialised teaching skills and creative learning approaches for young children. They stressed that quality intervention during the early years plays a major role in building students’ overall development and future learning abilities.

    Speaking on modern education practices, Gary Schlick said schools should move beyond traditional classroom learning and adopt experiential models that help students not only participate in activities but also confidently express the skills they learn.

    School Principal Neelima Kamrah said the school is exploring ways to implement such initiatives within the school system. She added that these programmes would help provide practical learning benefits to students while also meeting the changing expectations of parents.

  • AI and Data Modernisation Fuel India’s Tech Spending Boom, Transform Enterprise Digital Growth

    New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): India’s technology spending is witnessing a strong upswing, driven primarily by rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale data modernisation across industries, according to a recent industry report.

    The report notes that enterprises are increasingly prioritising investments in AI-powered tools, cloud infrastructure, and advanced data systems as they shift away from legacy IT setups toward more agile, scalable digital architectures.

    AI and Data Modernisation Fuel India’s Tech Spending Boom, Transform Enterprise Digital Growth

    A key driver of this trend is the growing need for real-time insights and automation. AI is helping businesses streamline operations, improve decision-making speed, and enhance customer experience through predictive analytics and intelligent process automation.

    At the same time, data modernisation is emerging as a foundational requirement for digital transformation. Companies are upgrading fragmented legacy systems into unified, cloud-based data platforms that allow faster processing, better data governance, and improved integration across business functions.

    According to the report, this dual shift is enabling organisations to build more resilient and efficient digital ecosystems. It is also helping enterprises across banking, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and public services adopt more data-driven and technology-led operating models.

    The transformation is expected to generate significant demand for cloud services, AI solutions, and cybersecurity frameworks, while also expanding opportunities for technology providers and startups in the digital infrastructure space.

    Industry experts say this trend is not just increasing IT budgets but fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate, compete, and innovate in India’s fast-evolving digital economy.

    Overall, the report suggests that AI and data modernisation are becoming central pillars of India’s technology growth story, laying the foundation for the next phase of enterprise digital transformation.

  • Data Centres and Green Hydrogen to Drive Next Phase of Solar Demand Growth from FY29, ValueQuest

    New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): India’s solar energy sector is poised for a strong structural expansion from FY29, supported by rising electricity demand from data centres and the emerging green hydrogen industry, according to an analysis by ValueQuest.

    Data Centres and Green Hydrogen to Drive Next Phase of Solar Demand Growth from FY29, ValueQuest

    The report estimates that these two high-growth sectors could together add around 15–20 gigawatts (GW) of incremental solar power demand over the medium term, signalling a meaningful shift in the country’s renewable energy consumption profile.

    It notes that the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure, particularly large-scale data centres, will significantly increase power requirements in the coming years. With global technology companies increasingly focusing on decarbonisation, solar energy is expected to become a preferred source for meeting long-term clean energy commitments.

    Alongside this, green hydrogen is expected to emerge as a key long-term driver of renewable electricity demand. Since hydrogen production is highly energy-intensive and closely linked to renewable power sources, it is likely to support sustained additions to solar capacity.

    The report further highlights that the combined demand from digitalisation and clean energy transition initiatives will provide stronger long-term visibility for India’s solar industry. This is expected to encourage investments across solar generation, storage solutions, and grid infrastructure.

    Analysts observe that this trend reflects a broader structural transformation in India’s energy landscape, where emerging industries and sustainability goals are increasingly shaping future power demand.

    Overall, the outlook points to a durable growth opportunity for India’s solar sector, driven by new-age industrial demand and the country’s accelerating shift toward a low-carbon energy system.

     
  • Nitish Kumar’s Son Nishant Among BJP-JD(U) Leaders Sworn In During Bihar Cabinet Expansion!

    Patna, May 7 (BNP): In a major political development in Bihar, several leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] and other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies took oath as ministers during the expansion of the Samrat Choudhary-led cabinet in Patna on Thursday.

    Nitish Kumar’s Son Nishant Among BJP-JD(U) Leaders Sworn In During Bihar Cabinet Expansion!

    The swearing-in ceremony, held at the historic Gandhi Maidan, witnessed the induction of several prominent leaders, including Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar, marking his formal entry into ministerial politics. The development has drawn significant attention in Bihar’s political circles, with many viewing it as the beginning of a new political chapter for the Kumar family.

    Among those who took oath were Vijay Kumar Sinha, Shrawon Kumar, Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, Leshi Singh, Ram Kripal Yadav, Nitish Mishra, Ashok Choudhary and several other NDA leaders. Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) administered the oath of office to the newly inducted ministers.

    The cabinet expansion comes amid significant political changes in Bihar following Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha and the formation of the new NDA government under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. According to reports, the BJP secured the highest number of ministerial berths, while JD(U) also received substantial representation in the expanded cabinet.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several senior NDA leaders attended the ceremony, underlining the political importance of the cabinet reshuffle.

    Political observers believe the inclusion of Nishant Kumar reflects the NDA’s strategy to blend experienced leadership with a younger generation ahead of future electoral battles in the state. The newly expanded cabinet is expected to focus on governance, development initiatives and strengthening coordination among alliance partners.

    The portfolios of the newly inducted ministers are likely to be announced soon.

     
  • Urban VPN Launches Urban LinkX & Protocol Control: New In-House WireGuard-Based Protocol with User-Selectable Switching

    Urban LinkX delivers up to 5x faster connections in lab tests, with 2x to 4x faster speeds in real-world testing. Protocol Control lets users select their VPN protocol directly from the app.

    DELAWARE, USA, May 7: Urban VPN, one of the largest free VPN services globally, today launches Urban LinkX & Protocol Control. Urban LinkX is an in-house developed VPN protocol built on a WireGuard foundation, delivering approximately 5x faster connections in lab tests compared with Urban VPN’s previous protocol stack. Real-world testing on Android in the United States shows 2x faster mean download speeds and 4x faster mean upload speeds. Protocol Control is a new in-app feature that lets users select which protocol to use, with Urban LinkX as the default and the previous protocol stack available as an option for specific use cases.

    Urban LinkX is now active on 394 of Urban VPN’s 692 servers globally, currently available to Urban VPN’s premium users on Android and iOS, with macOS and Windows scheduled for May 2026. Following the Windows rollout, Urban LinkX will be available to all Urban VPN users.

    Urban LinkX operates in three stages. When the user taps Connect, the client selects a server from the available pool based on weights, requests an Urban LinkX configuration from the backend, and establishes the connection, automatically falling back to the next available server if the connection fails. If a connection fails for some technical reason (switching from Wifi to 4/5G) the app seamlessly reconnects to the same or a different server as needed to maintain a smooth user experience. When the connection ends, the client unregisters its session, with the backend automatically cleaning up any session not closed by the client within a few minutes as a safety net.

    In internal testing comparing Urban LinkX with Urban VPN’s previous protocol stack, lab tests showed approximately 5x faster connections, while real-world testing on Android with U.S. servers showed 2x faster mean download speeds and 4x faster mean upload speeds. Urban LinkX is engineered to deliver improved connection stability through more resilient tunnels with faster reconnection and better handling of intermittent networks. Its lightweight protocol design reduces CPU and memory consumption on both servers and clients, while key-based authentication and a smaller codebase support simpler configuration, faster troubleshooting, and faster deployment as new server locations can be added quickly using simple key pairs. State-of-the-art cryptography by default reduces the risk of misconfiguration, and seamless roaming maintains connections across IP address changes, including transitions between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

    Urban LinkX delivers strong performance in scenarios such as streaming services in regions where single-protocol traffic is filtered, competitive online gaming with mid-session network changes, and travel scenarios switching between hotel Wi-Fi, mobile data, and home networks.

    Protocol Control is a new in-app feature that gives users direct choice over which protocol their VPN connection uses. Urban LinkX is the default for most use cases. Users can switch to Urban VPN’s previous protocol stack from the app interface when their specific connection conditions call for it. The selection is made in the app, with no manual reconfiguration required.

    Urban LinkX is currently active for 100 percent of premium users on Android by default, and 33 percent of premium users on iOS, with iOS ramping to 100 percent by Thursday, May 7, 2026. macOS is targeting mid-May 2026, and Windows is targeting late May 2026. Urban VPN operates 692 servers in 88 countries globally and has surpassed 100 million downloads since launch.

    “Urban LinkX is faster, simpler, and more efficient than the protocol stack it replaces,” Urban VPN said. “Protocol Control gives users direct choice over which protocol to use, since the right answer depends on the use case.”