21, Apr 2026
India GDP Growth Projected at 6.4 pc: UN Report
New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027, according to a United Nations report, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies despite global uncertainties.
The ESCAP Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026 said India continues to drive regional growth, supported by strong domestic demand, services expansion, and steady investment inflows.
The report noted that while global trade tensions and slower exports pose challenges, India’s resilient consumption and policy support continue to sustain growth momentum.
It also highlighted India’s strong foreign investment inflows and its role as a leading destination for greenfield FDI in Asia-Pacific, alongside growth in green jobs and renewable energy sectors.
The UN said India’s outlook reflects broader stability in an otherwise uneven global economy, reinforcing its position as a key engine of global growth.
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- By Neel Achary
21, Apr 2026
Meta, CBRE Launch ‘LevelUp’ Training Program
Apr 21 (BNP): Meta Platforms and global real estate and infrastructure services firm CBRE Group have jointly introduced a new workforce initiative titled “LevelUp”, aimed at building a skilled pipeline of fibre technicians to support the rapid expansion of advanced data centre infrastructure in the United States.
The multi-year programme is designed to address a growing shortage of trained professionals in the field of digital and AI-driven infrastructure, particularly as demand for large-scale data centres continues to accelerate worldwide.
Under the initiative, CBRE will establish and operate dedicated training centres across the United States starting this summer. These centres will provide hands-on technical training in fibre installation, maintenance, and data centre operations. Participants who successfully complete the programme will be considered for deployment at Meta’s data centre construction sites through its network of contractors.
The companies say the initiative is focused on creating job-ready skills that align with the evolving needs of the artificial intelligence and cloud computing ecosystem.
Speaking on the launch, Meta executive Dina Powell McCormick highlighted the importance of workforce development in supporting next-generation infrastructure. She noted that the growth of AI technologies depends heavily on skilled technicians capable of building and maintaining complex digital systems.
The “LevelUp” programme reflects a broader industry trend where technology companies are increasingly investing in training and upskilling initiatives to bridge talent gaps in critical infrastructure sectors.
As global demand for data processing and AI capabilities continues to surge, such initiatives are expected to play a key role in strengthening the workforce backbone of the digital economy.
21, Apr 2026
Chicco Strengthens Its Retail Presence with New Store Launch at Phoenix Palladium Mall, Ahmedabad
Apr 21(BNP): Chicco, the global baby care brand trusted by parents for over 65 years across more than 120 countries, continues to expand its retail footprint in Western India with the launch of a new Exclusive Brand Store at Phoenix Palladium Mall, Ahmedabad. The store opening marks an important step in Chicco’s ongoing effort to bring its complete baby and parenting ecosystem closer to families in key urban markets.
The store has been thoughtfully designed as a welcoming and convenient space where parents can explore Chicco’s full range of solutions across every stage of early childhood. From newborn essentials to products supporting toddlers and kids, the store brings together categories including baby clothing, baby gear, feeding and nursing solutions, baby cosmetics, oral care, toys as well as cots and cribs.
Chicco’s baby clothing range focuses on comfort-led design along with skin-friendly fabrics that are also OEKO-Tex® certified, and practical fabrics that allow children to move freely while staying comfortable through changing seasons. The baby cosmetics range is developed with gentle formulations, free from phenoxyethanol, dermatologically tested, and thoughtfully created for baby’s gentle skin. Feeding and nursing solutions, including breast pumps, sterilizers, and accessories, are designed to support smoother feeding routines for both mothers and babies. The oral care range features age-appropriate toothpastes & toothbrushes that encourage healthy habits from an early age. Moreover, a range of soothers & teethers add to the complete care when it comes to the mother & baby. Completing the offering is a range of toys that brings a great blend of fun & learning bysupporting cognitive, sensory, and motor development, along with cots, cribs, bouncers & highchairscrafted with a strong emphasis on safety, comfort, and restful sleep.
Speaking about the upcoming launch, Mr. Rajesh Vohra, CEO of Artsana India, said,
“Ahmedabad is a wonderful city and an important market for us, with many young parents who thoughtfully seek quality, trust, and long-term reliability in the products they choose for their babies. With this new store at Phoenix Palladium Mall, we want to offer parents a space where they can take their time, understand what works best for their child, and feel confident in every choice they make. For decades, parents around the world have placed their trust in Chicco, and we look forward to building the same relationship with families in Ahmedabad as we continue to grow across India.”
The Chicco store at Phoenix Palladium Mall, Ahmedabad offers parents a dedicated destination to experience Chicco’s entire range under one roof along with its approach to thoughtful, dependable baby care.
21, Apr 2026
ENTECH 2026 national Australian roadshows completely sold out
SYDNEY, Apr 21 – Continuing its amazing run of success and growth ENTECH, the only event for AV and entertainment technology professionals that visits every major population centre in Australia and New Zealand, has officially sold out its 2026 national Australian roadshows.
ENTECH Roadshow to Experience event
Following a complete sell-out of its previous events which have historically been capped by a three-truck touring format, this year due to increased industry demand ENTECH expanded its national roadshow capacity for 2026 with the addition of an additional B-double trailer to its fleet.
ENTECH CEO Kate McKenzie
ENTECH CEO Kate McKenzie explained, “This logistics upgrade increased freight capability and unlocked exhibitor demand across all cities. As a direct result, ENTECH has confirmed major new exhibitors including Barco, Panasonic, and Jands further strengthening the show’s position as Australia’s leading AV industry showcase.”
The expanded format also allows for more equipment on the tradeshow floor – now over 66 tonnes – and more live demonstrations.
McKenzie added, “The benefits don’t end there as with our expanded capacity and sold-out shows we have an even deeper cross-section of the professional audio, lighting and visual technology sectors without compromising the speed and efficiency that define the proven ENTECH roadshow model.
ENTECH trucks on tour
ENTECH have built and grown their roadshows on trust, reliability and delivery and each year moves national exhibitor freight over thousands of kilometres across Australia and New Zealand on time and on budget.
The roadshows deliver meaningful demos, tech talks and interactions between suppliers, manufacturers, practitioners and distributors of professional audio visual and entertainment technology creating significant value for exhibitors and attendees alike.
Kate McKenzie concluded, “ENTECH now has five attractions within the show: the traditional Chameleon ENTECH cafe (and Happy Hour), the NW Group ENTECH theatre zone for silent disco headphone presentations on the floor, the new Interactive Audio Demo Zone and the Interactive Vision Demo Zone. Finally, we have added dedicated meeting rooms for curated meetings using our new proprietary ENTECH-CONNECT registration and meetings system. The outcome is that ENTECH 2026 is unlike any previous, making our 33rd year our biggest ever.”
ENTECH will visit Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth in May 2026, Auckland and Wellington in July 2026 and Christchurch in August 2026.
Whilst the national Australian roadshows are sold out limited single city spots (excluding Melbourne which is also sold out) are still available.
Registration for the 2026 Australian and New Zealand ENTECH Roadshows is free and open now.
21, Apr 2026
India, South Korea Boost Economic Ties
New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal engaged in strategic discussions with senior leadership from South Korea, reinforcing the shared commitment to deepen economic and technological cooperation.
The dialogue centred on expanding bilateral trade, accelerating investment flows, and strengthening collaboration in high-growth sectors such as digital innovation, green energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. Both sides also explored ways to enhance supply chain resilience and promote industry partnerships in emerging technologies, including semiconductors.
Highlighting India’s reform-driven growth trajectory, the ministers underscored the country’s focus on ease of doing business and its attractiveness as a global investment destination. They invited greater participation from Korean enterprises in India’s expanding industrial and innovation ecosystem.
The discussions reflected a forward-looking approach, with both nations expressing confidence in scaling up their strategic partnership through targeted initiatives and deeper institutional engagement. The meetings are expected to catalyse new opportunities for cooperation and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
This engagement marks another step in strengthening the long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship between India and South Korea, anchored in shared economic priorities and global outlook.
21, Apr 2026
Finding the best dietary supplements for cycling performance – and recovery
21, Apr 2026
Sunrisers Hyderabad Set for Crucial Home Clash Against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 Showdown
Hyderabad, April 21(BNP): Sunrisers Hyderabad are set to face Delhi Capitals in the 31st match of the Indian Premier League 2026 season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium this evening.
Scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST, with the toss at 7:00 PM, the match will be broadcast on the JioStar Network and streamed live on JioHotstar, while international viewers can tune in via Willow TV.
With both teams currently placed mid-table with six points each, the encounter carries significant importance in the race to the playoffs. Sunrisers Hyderabad, positioned fourth, will aim to leverage home advantage and crowd support, while Delhi Capitals, just behind in fifth place, will be keen to secure a crucial away victory.
The Hyderabad pitch is expected to favor batters, offering a flat surface with short boundaries, while dew could influence the second innings, making the toss a key factor. Weather conditions are forecast to remain clear during match time despite high daytime temperatures.
The contest is set to showcase Hyderabad’s aggressive batting unit against Delhi’s well-rounded lineup. Players such as Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Ishan Kishan are expected to play pivotal roles for SRH, while DC will rely on the experience of KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Predicted Playing XI:
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Reddy, Aniket Verma, Salil Arora, Liam Livingstone, Shivang Kumar, Praful Hinge, Sakib Hussain.
Delhi Capitals: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Auqib Nabi Dar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan.
As the league stage intensifies, both teams will be eager to build momentum and strengthen their position on the points table, promising fans an electrifying contest under lights in Hyderabad.
21, Apr 2026
Compass Group India Invests in Cage-Free Egg Production with Global Food Partners
SINGAPORE – 21 April, 2026 – Global Food Partners (GFP), a global consultancy helping food businesses achieve higher animal welfare standards in their supply chains, today announced it has supported Compass Group India, a leader in food services, to drive cage-free egg production and support local farmers in India.
Due to limited cage-free supplies and regional market gaps, Compass Group India is using cage-free credits to offset a portion of its caged egg purchases. GFP administers the Impact Incentives programme; cage-free credits enable food businesses to directly support egg farmers making a sustainable transition to cage-free production—while helping to build and secure future supply.
Compass Group has initially purchased around 4,000 cage-free credits in India, with each credit offsetting the purchase of 1,000 caged eggs—a total of four million eggs. The funds for this credit purchase go directly to three farms in India to expand their cage-free capacities and invest in their logistics networks.
Via Compass Group Foundation, Compass Group India and other partners have also launched a new cage-free and free-range training centre with GFP as technical partner. The training centre, located outside of Bangalore, will support local farmers in their transitions to cage-free systems, teach best practices in egg production and management, and help farmers achieve long-term sustainability and profitability in their industry.
“Compass Group India has shown enormous leadership and innovation in not only their own cage-free commitments, but also in driving substantial, foundational change in how eggs are produced and supplied throughout India,” said GFP CEO Elissa Lane. “Their commitment to responsible sourcing extends to the new training centre that meaningfully supports farmers and strengthens the nation’s food system.”
Compass Group has published a complete Animal Welfare Progress Report for 2026 with more details.
Other industry giants that have adopted Impact Incentives as part of their cage-free strategy include Kellanova, Best Western Hotels, Lagardère Travel Retail (PDF) Pizza Express (PDF). By sourcing cage-free eggs whenever possible, and using cage-free credits to address any supply-chain shortfalls, companies can report 100 percent compliance with cage-free mandates. GFP currently focuses on egg production throughout Asia, and has capabilities in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Latin America.
21, Apr 2026
Rupee Dips Early as Strong Dollar and RBI Policy Shift Pressure Sentiment
Apr 21 (BNP): The Indian rupee weakened in early Tuesday trading, slipping by 16 paise to 93.32 against the US dollar, as the greenback held firm in global markets and recent regulatory changes influenced currency sentiment.
Traders pointed to the Reserve Bank of India’s move to ease earlier curbs on speculative positions as a key factor behind the rupee’s decline. The central bank had initially introduced restrictions earlier this month to limit excessive volatility in the currency market, including a cap on banks’ exposure to non-deliverable forward (NDF) positions. The partial rollback of those measures appears to have reopened room for increased market activity.
Despite the dip, the rupee found some support from positive momentum in domestic equity markets and continued foreign fund inflows. However, lingering geopolitical concerns—particularly around developments in West Asia—kept investors cautious.
Overall, the currency’s movement reflects a mix of global dollar strength, policy adjustments at home, and an underlying sense of uncertainty in international markets.
21, Apr 2026
LIV Process Recognizes University Health San Antonio’s Denine Temple with First-ever Invisible Hero Award for Outstanding Work in Fight Against C. Diff
PHILADELPHIA, April 21, 2026 – LIV Process, Philadelphia-based biotech, announces Denine Temple, System Director of Environmental Services (
“We’re proud to recognize Temple and the EVS teams at University Health San Antonio for their exceptional commitment to stopping the spread of C. diff,” said Michael McIntyre, Founder and CEO of LIV Process. “Our first awardees are working in hospitals and healthcare settings to directly address gaps in infection prevention and cleaning effectiveness.”
For leadership in advancing infection-prevention protocol in her health system and nationwide, Temple is being recognized along with four University Health San Antonio Environmental Services (EVS) teams, led by:
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Bryan Blecha, Director, Ambulatory Sites Team
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David Harris, Director, Sky Team
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Jaime Rymers, Director, Rio and Horizon Team
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A’Neita Sammons, Director,
Women’s and Children’s Team
“I’m honored to accept this award alongside my hardworking colleagues doing the often-invisible work of infection prevention,” said Denine Temple, System Director of Environmental Services, University Hospital San Antonio.
In addition to University Health San Antonio, LIV Process plans to award other outstanding advocates reducing infections across the United States. LIV Process technology is being applied by EVS personnel across leading US healthcare systems, including Veterans Health Administration hospitals, University of Virginia Health, University of Texas Southwestern, University of Massachusetts, Duke University Medical Center, Cleveland VA, Houston Methodist and Baptist Health.
