Category Archives: News

Andhra CM Reduces Official Convoy Following PM Modi’s Fuel-Saving Appeal

Move aimed at promoting fuel conservation amid rising global energy concerns and West Asia tensions.

Amaravati, May 14 (BNP): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has reduced the number of vehicles in his official convoy from 12 to four in a move aimed at promoting fuel conservation amid the ongoing West Asia crisis and rising global fuel prices.

On Thursday, the Chief Minister travelled from his residence in Undavalli to the Secretariat with a significantly smaller convoy, drawing attention to the state government’s efforts towards responsible energy consumption.

The decision comes following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to adopt fuel-saving measures, including greater use of public transport, carpooling and electric vehicles. Addressing a gathering in Secunderabad earlier this week, Modi had described responsible energy use as a form of patriotism during challenging global circumstances.

Officials said the Andhra Pradesh government intends to encourage efficient fuel usage and minimise unnecessary expenditure through such symbolic initiatives.

PM Modi’s UAE Visit Gains Significance Amid West Asia Crisis

New Delhi, May 14 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday is being viewed as a major diplomatic engagement amid the ongoing crisis and rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold high-level talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to further strengthen the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.

According to reports, discussions are expected to focus on defence cooperation, energy security, maritime stability, trade resilience and regional security concerns amid fears of disruption to global supply chains and shipping routes in the Gulf region.

Energy cooperation is likely to remain a key agenda item, with both nations expected to discuss long-term crude oil and LNG supply arrangements, strategic petroleum reserves and alternative logistics mechanisms to minimise the impact of regional instability.

India and the UAE are also expected to deepen defence collaboration under a proposed Strategic Defence Partnership framework, covering areas such as cybersecurity, maritime security, intelligence-sharing, counter-terrorism and defence manufacturing.

Officials and analysts believe the visit highlights the rapidly expanding India-UAE relationship, which has evolved beyond traditional energy ties into a comprehensive strategic partnership involving trade, infrastructure, fintech, renewable energy, digital technology and investment cooperation.

The welfare of the large Indian diaspora in the UAE is also expected to figure prominently in the discussions. The UAE hosts more than 4.5 million Indians and remains one of India’s most important economic and strategic partners in the Gulf region.

Jammu Border Village Families Switch to Traditional Stoves to Save Fuel !

Jammu, May 14 (BNP): Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel amid rising global crude oil prices and the ongoing West Asia conflict, nearly 40 families in Gajansu village near the International Border in Jammu have switched to traditional stoves for cooking.

Women in the village were seen preparing chapattis and vegetables on mud stoves using firewood and cow dung cakes, reviving an age-old cooking practice to reduce dependence on LPG and other fuels.

Residents said the initiative was aimed at supporting the country during challenging times and promoting fuel conservation. Villagers also urged people across the nation to adopt similar practices and use resources responsibly.

Many women in the village said food cooked on traditional stoves is healthier and more natural compared to gas-cooked food. They also pointed out that the ash produced from the stoves can be reused for household purposes such as cleaning utensils.

Locals recalled how the village had collectively followed government guidelines during the Covid-19 lockdown and said they were once again united in responding to the Prime Minister’s appeal.

Some residents also encouraged people to adopt carpooling and other fuel-saving measures, stressing the importance of public cooperation during periods of economic and global uncertainty.

Trump Holds Summit Talks With Xi Jinping During China Visit

Beijing, May 14 (BNP): US President Donald Trump held high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday as both leaders began a series of meetings and diplomatic engagements scheduled over two days.

Trump received a grand ceremonial welcome in the Chinese capital, including a gun salute, performances by cheering schoolchildren and a visit to the historic 15th-century Temple of Heaven.

The US President is accompanied by several prominent business leaders and officials during the visit, including Elon Musk, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and Trump’s son Eric Trump.

The summit discussions are expected to focus on trade relations, technology cooperation, global security issues and economic partnerships amid evolving geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

Tamil Nadu Govt Hikes DA by 2 pc for Employees and Teachers

Chennai, May 14 (BNP): The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday announced a 2 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees and teachers with retrospective effect from January 1, 2026.

According to an official statement, the DA has been revised from 58 per cent to 60 per cent, benefiting nearly 16 lakh government employees, teachers, pensioners and family pensioners across the state.

The government said the decision would place an additional financial burden of around ₹1,230 crore on the state exchequer. The administration stated that government employees and teachers play a crucial role in implementing welfare-oriented programmes and ensuring effective public service delivery.

The move is expected to provide financial relief to employees and pensioners amid rising living costs and inflation.

Amul Hikes Milk Prices by INR 2 Per Litre, Consumers Feel Inflation Heat !

Vadodara,May 14 (BNP): Dairy major Amul has increased the prices of its packaged milk variants by ₹2 per litre, with the revised rates coming into effect from May 14 across the country.

The price hike applies to popular variants including Amul Gold, Amul Shakti, Taaza, Cow Milk and Slim & Trim. Following the increase, a 500 ml pouch of Amul Gold will now cost ₹35, while Amul Shakti and Slim & Trim are priced at ₹32 and ₹26 respectively in Gujarat.

The move has triggered concern among consumers in Vadodara, where residents said the rising prices of essential commodities are putting additional pressure on household budgets. Many homemakers and middle-class families expressed worry over managing daily expenses, stating that milk is an essential item consumed in almost every household.

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets Amul products, said the increase amounts to nearly 2.5 to 3.5 per cent and marks the first hike in milk prices since May 2025.

The Climate Pledge and C40 Cities Launch Blueprint to Electrify India’s Freight Highways

Bengaluru, May 14 : The Climate Pledge  co-founded by Amazon, today published India’s first evidence-based roadmap for shifting freight transport from diesel to zero-exhaust-emission battery electric trucks  in collaboration with C40 Cities .

The National EV Highway Guidance Framework recommends a phased plan to electrify India’s busiest freight routes by 2027, beginning with 20 priority highways identified by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, expanding to industrial centres and ports and ultimately creating a seamless, EV-ready national freight network by 2035 

Why this Framework Matters India’s freight demand is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, increasing the need for cleaner transport solutions. Road transport already accounts for nearly 70% of goods movement in the country, while medium and heavy-duty trucks, despite making up just 3% of vehicles on the road, contribute around 53% of particulate emissions. With demand projected to grow over four-fold by 2050, scaling electric freight will be key to reducing emissions and improving efficiency. This Framework outlines practical pathways, aligned with the Government’s focus on electrification and sustainable mobility, and India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

“India’s transition to cleaner freight will require strong collaboration across government and industry. The EV Highway Guidance Framework launched under the Laneshift program today is an important step in this direction and will help create a scalable pathway for electric trucking in the country. Through the e-FAST India platform, NITI Aayog has been bringing together logistics operators, OEMs, energy providers, and financial institutions to build an enabling ecosystem for freight electrification. Building on these efforts, partnerships led by C40 Cities, The Climate Pledge, and private sector stakeholders such as Amazon and Ashok Leyland demonstrate how collaborative action can help move electric freight from pilots to large-scale deployment.” said Dr. O.P. Agarwal, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog.

“We continue to invest in making our operations more sustainable, and electrifying our logistics is a key part of that effort. Through The Climate Pledge, we are also working with stakeholders to help scale electric freight solutions more broadly in India. The project findings and framework are encouraging, and reinforce the importance of continued collaboration between government and industry to accelerate adoption,” Abhinav Singh, VP, Operations, India and Australia, Amazon.

From Pilot Project to Policy The Framework draws insights from Laneshift pilot project, led by C40 Cities and The Climate Pledge, by bringing together truck manufacturers, fleet operators, logistics providers, and financiers to test electric freight. As part of the project, electric trucks completed 600 trips on the Bengaluru-Chennai corridor, covering over 200,000 km across sectors, generating insights on performance, reliability and cost, and supporting early adoption through long-term contracts. To assess scalability, the project also undertook a 6,500-km pilot along the Golden Quadrilateral, connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Laneshift project demonstrated operational viability of electric freight across all use cases, and commercial viability for operations exceeding 400 km per day. The project saw 4.2-times increase in electric truck orders and the securing of long-term commercial contracts , signaling growing market confidence.

“Decarbonizing freight is not a future ambition; it is an immediate economic and public health imperative for the country. Laneshift has shown that zero-exhaust-emission trucks can operate commercially on long-haul corridors, that costs are coming down, and that when the right stakeholders align their efforts, barriers give way. India has the scale, the policy momentum, and the industry appetite to be the next frontier,” said Naim Keruwala, Regional Director for South and West Asia at C40 Cities.

Compass Group India Backs Cage-Free Egg Production with Global Food Partners

New Delhi, May 14 : Global Food Partners  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.

According to the Release of Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2025 (2024–25) published by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, the country is the world’s second-largest producer of eggs, with total production estimated at 149.11 billion eggs in 2024–25, reflecting steady year-on-year growth. However, an Ernst & Young report titled Transitioning to Cage-Free: A Roadmap for Corporates in the Egg Supply Chain highlights that a significant share of this production still relies on conventional battery cage systems, underscoring both the urgency and the opportunity to transition towards higher-welfare egg production practices.

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—U and V Agro, Hensway India, and Happy Hens Farm—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, and PizzaExpress. 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.  

Air India Announces Major Summer Flight Cuts Due to Fuel Prices and Airspace Restrictions !

New Delhi, May 14 (BNP): Facing mounting financial pressure amid the ongoing fuel crisis and geopolitical tensions, Air India has announced a major reduction in its international summer flight operations, suspending and scaling down services on several key routes till August 2026.

According to the revised schedule, the airline will operate nearly 37 per cent fewer international flights between June and August compared to April operations. Monthly international departures are expected to drop significantly as rising aviation turbine fuel prices, restricted airspace due to the West Asia conflict and declining route profitability continue to impact operations.

Several major routes connecting India with North America, Europe, Australia and Asia have been affected. Services on routes such as Delhi-Chicago, Delhi-Shanghai and Chennai-Singapore have been temporarily suspended, while flight frequencies on destinations including Paris, Melbourne, Singapore and Kathmandu have been reduced.

Air India, however, said it will continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month during the affected period. The airline has offered affected passengers options including alternative flights, free rescheduling and full refunds if the revised schedules are not suitable.

The operational changes come at a time when the Tata Group-owned airline is battling heavy financial losses, rising fuel costs and global travel disruptions. Industry experts believe the airline is prioritising cost control and operational stability as part of its ongoing turnaround strategy.

Air India has also reportedly initiated several internal cost-cutting measures, including curbing discretionary spending and reviewing operational expenses, as it attempts to navigate one of the toughest phases for the aviation sector in recent years.

Feil Organization Partners with Layer to Bring Digital Artworks to Historic Buildings in Union Square and Gramercy Park

NEW YORK, May 14, 2026 – The Feil Organization, a leading national real estate investment firm, has partnered with Layer, the art and technology company shaping the future of digital art, to bring the work of top digital artists to its historic Manhattan buildings at 853 Broadway in Union Square and 257 Park Avenue South in Gramercy Park.

Layer presents digital art as it’s meant to be experienced: dynamic, evolving, and deeply connected to the spaces it inhabits. Layer and its proprietary display model, Layer Canvas, feature works from a highly curated selection of digital artists, including Zach Lieberman, Casey Reas, and Leander Herzog, displayed on Layer Canvas, the company’s museum-grade digital art display system designed to present generative artworks with exceptional fidelity and depth.

Each piece on Layer is rendered in real time on Layer Canvas, evolving continuously and creating a living, responsive visual experience.

Founded by entrepreneur Angelo Sotiracopoulos, Layer collaborates with world-class digital artists to present generative artworks that transform the spaces they inhabit. The company’s proprietary Art Intelligence™ engine dynamically curates artworks based on time of day and environmental conditions, creating a constantly shifting art experience.

853 Broadway is a commercial loft building with a mix of retail, corporate and creative offices and commanding views of Union Square Park. 257 Park Avenue South is an Art Deco treasure in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood with magnificent views of Midtown-South.

Sotira said:

“The Feil Organization’s Union Square and Gramercy Buildings capture New York City’s unique and constantly evolving mix of commercial and cultural life. We’re thrilled to introduce some of the world’s most acclaimed digital artists to these vibrant spaces in a format where their work can live and breathe in harmony with people’s daily lives.”

Andrew Wiener, Head of Commercial Leasing at The Feil Organization, said:

“We’re always looking for innovative ways to create engaging environments within our office buildings. Layer will enhance how our tenants experience 853 Broadway and 257 Park Avenue South by integrating museum-worthy digital art with classic New York architecture.”