28, Apr 2026
Bullet Train Plan for South India to Boost Speed, Connectivity: Railway Minister
New Delhi, Apr 28 (BNP): Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the proposed bullet train project in South India will be a major step in transforming regional rail connectivity and modernising India’s transport network.
He said the high-speed rail corridor reflects the government’s vision to extend next-generation railway infrastructure beyond western India and strengthen connectivity across key southern cities and economic centres.
The Minister noted that the project is expected to significantly cut travel time, improve passenger experience, and support faster movement between major urban and industrial hubs, thereby boosting economic activity in the region.
Officials indicated that planning and technical assessments are in progress, with focus on advanced rail technology, safety systems, and globally benchmarked infrastructure standards.
The initiative is part of India’s broader push to develop high-speed rail corridors aimed at improving mobility, enhancing regional integration, and supporting long-term economic growth.
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- By Neel Achary
28, Apr 2026
India Sees Sharp Rise in Women’s Employment to 39 pc in 2025
New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): India has witnessed a strong rise in women’s participation in the workforce, with the women’s employment rate increasing to 39% in 2025 from 22% in 2017, Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an event in the capital, the Minister said the improvement reflects expanding job opportunities for women across sectors and growing inclusion in both formal and informal employment.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several enabling reforms and initiatives have helped improve women’s access to employment and economic participation.
Steady Rise in Workforce Participation
Mandaviya also highlighted that the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) has increased from 23.3% in 2017–18 to 40% in 2025, indicating a steady improvement in women’s engagement in the labour market.
He said the trend reflects a broader structural shift in India’s economy, with more women entering diverse sectors, including services, digital platforms, and emerging industries.
Focus on Digital and Platform Economy
The Minister was speaking at the SwigStree event in New Delhi, which focused on women’s participation in the platform and gig economy.
Officials noted that increasing involvement of women in such sectors is contributing to financial independence and broader economic empowerment.
The government said continued focus on skill development, digital access, and employment-linked initiatives will further strengthen women’s participation in India’s workforce in the coming years.
28, Apr 2026
AVer Unveils Next-Generation Matrix Tracking Box, Redefining Simplicity in Multi-Camera Production for High-Impact Venues
Taipei, Taiwan – Apr 28: AVer Information Inc., an award-winning provider of AI audio-video solutions, announces the MT500 Matrix Tracking Box, designed as the successor to the industry-favorite MT300 to empower venues like large lecture halls, government chambers, and corporate boardrooms to manage multi-camera setups effortlessly. With native Dante AV-H1 and NDI® support2, the MT500 removes the “cable mess” of traditional Pro AV, allowing high-quality video and audio to travel over a single standard network cable. Besides, the MT500 delivers dual 4K video outputs for simultaneous lecture capture and in-room display alongside hassle-free AI features. This new addition to AVer’s line of Matrix Tracking Boxes is a remarkable all-in-one device that delivers seamless, high-impact communication.
Multi-Camera Tracking and Switching for Higher Engagement
With built-in PTZ Link Premium, the MT500 connects AVer cameras to 8 world-leading microphone brands together to create synchronized Voice Tracking while intelligently switching between diverse camera angles based on voice location, always providing the best angle of the active speaker. It employs AI algorithms to understand the “flow” of a conversation, switching angles naturally to maintain visual interest.
AI-Driven Automation for Minimized Manual Effort
The MT500 incorporates a suite of AI features to ensure a clear and professional visual experience for every participant. By automating focus, switching, and configuration, FaceFocus, IntelliSwitch, and InstaConfig3 provide zero-touch multi-camera adjustments. Together, these innovations strengthen operational efficiency by eliminating manual technical setups and reducing the configuration time required for complex hybrid environments.
Key Benefits at a Glance
The MT500 Matrix Tracking Box redefines how organizations approach multi-camera environments by prioritizing ease of use and professional results. Key benefits include:
- Operational Efficiency: Eliminates the need for a dedicated human operator through fully automated AI tracking and switching.
- Versatile Distribution: Serves two audiences at once with dual-output streams for simultaneous in-room and remote viewing.
- Seamless Integration: Reduces technical overhead by unifying NDI®, Dante®, and local audio mixing into a single, compact hub.
- Optimal Visual Engagement: Ensures remote participants feel included with broadcast-quality, and the most professional angle of every speaker.
- Long-Term Peace of Mind: Drives higher student retention and stronger corporate alignment backed by AVer’s industry-leading 5-year warranty.
28, Apr 2026
Odisha to Set Up Heatwave Relief Centres as State Battles Intense Summer Conditions
Bhubaneswar, Apr 28 (BNP): The Government of Odisha has announced plans to establish Heatwave Relief Centres across the state to support citizens amid continuing severe heatwave conditions.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government is closely monitoring the situation and has intensified preparedness measures in coordination with district administrations.
He added that detailed discussions have been held with collectors of all 30 districts to strengthen heatwave response systems and ensure timely implementation of safety measures.
Public Advisory in Place
The state government has urged people to avoid outdoor activities between 11 am and 3 pm, when heat intensity is at its peak. Citizens have also been advised to minimise non-essential travel during these hours.
Workers and labourers have been instructed to avoid outdoor work during peak heat periods to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Healthcare and Public Support Measures
The government has directed departments concerned to set up drinking water kiosks in public areas to ensure easy access to safe drinking water.
Special arrangements for heatstroke treatment and emergency care have been made available at all Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) across Odisha.
Phased Rollout of Relief Centres
Officials said Heatwave Relief Centres will first be established in the most heat-affected districts and later expanded across the state based on requirement.
These centres will provide temporary shelter, drinking water, and basic medical assistance to citizens affected by extreme temperatures.
The initiative aims to strengthen Odisha’s heatwave response framework and reduce health risks during the peak summer season.
28, Apr 2026
Bhumika Group’s Urban Square Mall Hands Over Jawa Bobber to Shopping Festival Winner
Udaipur, Apr 28: Bhumika Group’s Urban Square Mall, Udaipur marked a celebratory moment as it successfully handed over the grand prize of its much-anticipated shopping festival- a Jawa Bobber motorcycle to the lucky winner, Mr. Bheru Lal Salvi.
The shopping festival, held in January, invited shoppers who spent ₹5,000 and above to participate in an exclusive lucky draw. Mr. Bheru Lal Salvi, who shopped at Vishal Mega Mart, emerged as the fortunate winner of the grand prize.
The handover ceremony took place at the mall premises, where Mr. Bheru Lal was presented with the Jawa Bobber in the presence of his family. The occasion turned into a joyful celebration, with the winner’s family joining in to mark the memorable milestone. The shopping festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from shoppers across Udaipur, further strengthening Urban Square Mall’s position as a vibrant retail and lifestyle destination.
Nandini Taneja, CEO, Bhumika Enterprises, said,
“Our vision is to go beyond conventional retail by creating destinations that deliver memorable and rewarding experiences. The success of our shopping festival reflects the strong bond we share with our customers. We are delighted to see the joy this initiative has brought to Mr. Bheru Lal and his family, and remain committed to curating such engaging experiences for our patrons.”
With such initiatives, Bhumika Group continues to redefine customer engagement by blending shopping with excitement, rewards, and community experiences.
28, Apr 2026
India and Africa Ties Enter New Phase of Cooperation
New Delhi, Apr 28 (BNP): India–Africa relations are entering a new and more dynamic phase, with both sides focusing on expanding cooperation across key development areas, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an event held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, he said India and Africa share long-standing civilisational ties built over centuries through trade, cultural exchange, and people-to-people relations.
He noted that the partnership is now moving beyond traditional engagement to include wider collaboration in areas such as education, trade, capacity building, youth development, and innovation.
Focus on Youth and Development Cooperation
The remarks were made at the Yuva Bharat Global Forum, which was attended by diplomats from several African countries and representatives of organisations working on strengthening India–Africa ties.
Officials said the forum reflects India’s growing emphasis on youth-led global engagement and deeper cooperation with African nations in emerging sectors of development.
Building a Future-Oriented Partnership
Participants highlighted that India and Africa, as two fast-growing regions, are moving towards a more structured and future-focused partnership based on shared development priorities.
Discussions at the event focused on strengthening cooperation in skills development, innovation, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the expanding engagement reflects India’s commitment to Global South cooperation and building long-term, mutually beneficial international partnerships.
28, Apr 2026
Dubai luxury real estate market strengthens across key price brackets
Keturah founder says year-on-year gains reflect resilience amid regional uncertainty
Dubai, UAE, 29th April; 2026: Dubai’s standing as one of the world’s leading luxury real estate markets is being underlined by sustained demand across key price segments.
A new market analysis from the Keturah luxury brand highlights a clear acceleration in developer sales in recent weeks, with strong year-on-year growth in both value and volume despite regional uncertainty.
Data from DXBinteract shows that developer sales above AED5 million reached AED25.04 billion between March 1 and April 15, a 21.4% increase on the same period last year, while transaction volumes rose 59.7% to 1,813 deals.
The AED5–10 million segment recorded the strongest growth, with value rising from AED3.43 billion to AED7.91 billion year-on-year and volume increasing from 503 to 1,153 transactions across the full March to April 15 period.
In the AED20–50 million range, value grew from AED5.38 billion to AED7.20 billion, with volume up from 211 to 236 transactions. The AED50–100 million bracket saw value climb from AED1.55 billion to AED2.63 billion, with transaction volumes rising from 24 to 42 deals across the period.
“In the current environment, the consistency of activity across these key segments is a strong indicator of underlying stability,” says Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand.
“The scale of growth across three distinct price bands tells you a great deal about the buyers driving it. These are committed, purposeful people taking a long-term view, and that level of sustained, broad-based confidence is a very encouraging sign.”
He adds: “Dubai’s luxury market has durability because developers are thinking differently about what they build. There is more focus on how homes are actually lived in, and less reliance on short-term demand cycles. You can see that in the quality and consistency of what is coming to market.”
Keturah’s two major luxury projects currently under development in Dubai sit directly within this market environment. Keturah Resort, a wellness-certified community along Dubai Creek adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, is designed around long-term living in a natural waterfront setting, while Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion bio-living community in Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7, is structured around controlled supply, residential privacy and end-user demand rather than short-term turnover.
Together, they reflect where the market is heading, with greater emphasis on how people live at home day to day, and how developments are structured to support that.
“Dubai continues to attract long-term capital because the fundamentals are stable and predictable,” says Talal. “The infrastructure is in place, the regulatory environment is transparent, and there is a long-term approach to how the city is planned and delivered. That combination gives investors and end-users a level of certainty they can rely on.”
28, Apr 2026
Askey to Launch World’s First “All-in-One” Through-Window Bridging System in a Strategic Partnership with pureLiFi
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, April 28th 2026. pureLiFi, the global leader in LiFi technology, today announced a landmark partnership with Askey, a leading manufacturer of advanced network communications equipment, to revolutionise the Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) market. Askey will pioneer the demonstration of a fully integrated “all-in-one” solution that combines a high-performance 5G modem and pureLiFi’s proprietary through-window bridging technology in a streamlined self-installable solution.
Moving at an accelerated pace, Askey and pureLiFi are working to solve the industry’s “last-metre” challenge: delivering gigabit broadband indoors without the need for drilling holes, cabling, or professional installations. This addresses the broadband providers’ need for easy install solutions to slash their waitlists. This system utilises LiFi technology and wireless power to transmit data through windows, effectively bridging the 5G gap for users globally. Broadband subscribers may significantly enhance their service by relocating their Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) outdoors, which can deliver substantial benefits.
Disrupting the FWA Business Model
Unlike existing solutions that require separate accessories, such as pureLiFi’s Bridge XC Flex, this new collaboration integrates the bridging capabilities directly into Askey CPE. This “all-in-one” approach allows Telcos to provide self-installable units that increase network capacity by up to 6x. By eliminating the need for technician “truck rolls,” the solution allows operators to onboard users faster and more affordably while also lowering CO2 emissions.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in wireless infrastructure, combining Askey’s leading Netcom expertise and global reach with pureLiFi’s pioneering innovation. Leadership from both organisations emphasised that this partnership is designed to fundamentally change how high-speed 5G internet is delivered and consumed.
Robert Lin, CEO of Askey, said that “Askey is committed to staying at the cutting edge of connectivity by working with global innovators like pureLiFi. We’ve been working for 5 years to solve the problem of bringing outdoor FWA signals indoors. pureLiFi’s LiFi bridge is the answer. Our combined system will enable carriers to get users connected cost-effectively and quickly while improving the overall 5G experience. By being the first to demonstrate ‘all-in-one’ FWA CPE with an integrated LiFi bridge, we will disrupt the FWA business model.
Ron Schaeffer, CEO of pureLiFi, added: “This partnership builds on pureLiFi’s pioneering position as innovators in the LiFi space and Askey’s excellence in 5G consumer premises equipment. Our proprietary wireless bridging technology is the key to unlocking the full potential of 5G FWA indoors. Together, we are providing a solution that is secure, unjammable, reliable, and incredibly simple for the end-user to install. We are proud to work with Askey to make better broadband connectivity a reality through the 5G spectrum with help from LiFi.”
Improved Access and User Experience
The Askey system is designed to provide reliable, gigabit-class data throughput, ensuring that users in urban, suburban and rural environments can access high-speed broadband regardless of modern building materials that block 5G signals. By integrating the modem and bridge into one unit, Askey is simplifying the user journey and ensuring that high-speed 5G is more accessible than ever before.
Availability
Units will be available for demonstration and testing with telecommunications carriers around the world within the first half of 2026. Both organisations are ready to revolutionise FWA, helping more users get online without requiring additional infrastructure investment.
28, Apr 2026
Chandan Yatra Begins in Puri, Marking Sacred Summer Rituals of Lord Jagannath
Puri, Apr 28 (BNP): The centuries-old Chandan Yatra has commenced in Puri, ushering in one of the most spiritually significant summer festivals associated with Lord Jagannath. The celebration blends devotion, tradition, and seasonal symbolism, offering a unique expression of Odisha’s temple culture.
A Ritual of Divine Cooling and Devotion
As temperatures rise, the festival centres on the cooling ritual of sandalwood (chandan) application, symbolising relief and divine care for the deities. Idols from the Shree Jagannatha Temple are ceremonially taken out in processions and placed on decorated boats for a sacred water voyage at the Narendra Pushkarini lake.
The atmosphere during the festival is marked by devotional chants, traditional music, and large gatherings of devotees who witness the rituals with deep reverence.
Two Sacred Phases of the Yatra
Chandan Yatra unfolds in two structured phases, each carrying distinct ritual significance:
- Bahara Chandan Yatra (First 21 Days):
In this outer phase, deities are brought out of the temple for ceremonial boat rides at Narendra Pushkarini. The lake transforms into a vibrant spiritual space where rituals and devotion merge in a festive setting. - Bhitara Chandan Yatra (Next 21 Days):
The inner phase continues within the temple premises, where priests conduct elaborate rituals with precision and devotion, maintaining the sanctity and continuity of tradition.
Deep Cultural and Spiritual Significance
Chandan Yatra is more than a seasonal observance—it reflects the intimate bond between devotees and Lord Jagannath. The use of sandalwood paste, symbolic water journeys, and structured temple rituals together represent purity, cooling comfort, and spiritual balance during the harsh summer months.
Closely linked with the broader Jagannath tradition, the festival is considered an important part of the annual temple calendar and a spiritual precursor to major celebrations like Rath Yatra. It draws pilgrims, devotees, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country.
A Living Expression of Heritage
With its rare combination of ritual, nature, and devotion, Chandan Yatra continues to preserve Odisha’s living temple heritage. The festival stands as a reminder of how ancient traditions adapt seamlessly into contemporary devotion, keeping cultural identity alive through generations.
28, Apr 2026
AI to Power Fintech Boom as Industry Heads Toward Dollar 2 Trillion Valuation by 2030
New Delhi, Apr 28 (BNP): The global fintech industry is on track for strong expansion, with projections suggesting it could reach USD 2 trillion by 2030, nearly tripling from current levels, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid digital transformation, according to McKinsey.
AI is becoming a central force in reshaping financial services, enabling automation in lending, real-time fraud detection, personalized banking, and seamless digital payments.
The financial ecosystem is undergoing a structural shift as banks and fintech firms integrate advanced technologies to improve efficiency and customer engagement while lowering costs.
Emerging economies are expected to contribute significantly to this growth, driven by rising internet penetration, mobile-first banking, and increasing financial inclusion.
Industry analysts also highlight that supportive regulations, digital infrastructure expansion, and innovation in embedded finance and real-time payments will define the next phase of growth.
