14, May 2026
India Hosts Key BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meet in New Delhi Under 2026 Chairship
New Delhi, May 14 (BNP): India on Thursday formally commenced the first major ministerial engagement under its BRICS 2026 Chairship as foreign ministers and senior diplomats from member and partner nations gathered at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar personally received the visiting delegates and welcomed them to the high-level summit venue ahead of the two-day deliberations.
Among the prominent leaders attending the meeting are Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and senior representatives from several BRICS member and partner countries.
Following their arrival, the dignitaries participated in an official group photograph with EAM Jaishankar before the commencement of formal discussions.
The External Affairs Minister is scheduled to chair the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where participating nations are expected to deliberate on a wide range of regional and global issues, including multilateral cooperation, geopolitical developments, economic partnerships and reforms in international governance institutions.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the ministers and heads of delegations will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visit to New Delhi.
The meeting assumes significance as it marks the first major diplomatic engagement under India’s BRICS Chairship following the expansion of the grouping. Discussions held during the summit are expected to help shape the agenda for the upcoming BRICS Leaders’ Summit later this year.
Addressing a weekly media briefing earlier, the MEA said the deliberations over May 14 and 15 would focus on strengthening cooperation among Global South nations, enhancing resilience in emerging economies and promoting a more inclusive international order amid rapidly evolving geopolitical challenges.
India recently unveiled the official logo and dedicated website for its BRICS 2026 Chairship under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflecting New Delhi’s people-centric and “Humanity First” approach championed by Prime Minister Modi during the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
This is the fourth time India is hosting a BRICS summit-level engagement, underlining the country’s growing influence within the bloc and its expanding leadership role among developing nations.
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- By Neel Achary
13, May 2026
A Setting for Every Story: Novotel Mumbai International Airport Presents Its Wedding Fair with All For Love by Accor
Mumbai, May 13: Weddings today are increasingly shaped by intention where every detail is considered, and every element contributes to a cohesive, personal experience. Reflecting this evolving approach, Novotel Mumbai International Airport presents its Wedding Fair on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, in collaboration with All For Love by Accor, a platform that brings a refined, experience-led perspective to contemporary celebrations.
Titled “All For Love – A Celebration to a Journey of Infinity,” the showcase is conceived as an immersive exploration of modern wedding possibilities. The experience is anchored within two of the hotel’s signature venues – The Summit and Charmichael each offering a distinct interpretation of space and scale.
The Summit, with its expansive layout, lends itself to larger, fluid celebrations, allowing for layered design and a sense of understated grandeur. In contrast, Charmichael offers a more intimate setting, where detail and atmosphere take precedence, creating a closer and more personal environment.
Together, the two venues present a balanced perspective, moving seamlessly between scale and subtlety.
Across these spaces, the showcase unfolds through evolving environments rather than static displays. Décor transitions and spatial transformations provide a clear sense of how each venue can be adapted, offering guests a more intuitive understanding of how their own celebrations may take shape.
A curated selection of leading wedding collaborators—spanning planning, décor, and styling—further enhances the experience, enabling direct engagement and informed decision-making within a single setting. Complementing this is the hotel’s portfolio of bespoke wedding offerings, designed as flexible frameworks that can be tailored to individual preferences and visions.
The culinary programme remains integral to the experience, with a multi-cuisine presentation that reflects the hotel’s approach to food as a defining element of celebration—balancing variety, authenticity, and presentation.
Commenting on the showcase, Rachita Sood, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai International Airport, said:
“Weddings today are defined by cohesion—how seamlessly every element comes together. This showcase allows that philosophy to be experienced in a tangible way, bringing together spaces, design, and service within a single, considered environment. The collaboration with ‘All For Love by Accor’ further strengthens this approach, enabling a more contemporary and personalised perspective on celebrations.”
The Wedding Fair at Novotel Mumbai International Airport presents an opportunity to move beyond inspiration—towards clarity, confidence, and a well-defined vision of celebration.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, 23rd May 2026
Time: 11:00 AM onwards
Venue:
Novotel Mumbai International Airport
CTS 1359 Marol, Next to Airport Metro Station, Entrance No. 3
Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri East
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400059, India
13, May 2026
F1® Authentics Hosts Charity Auction in Unique Sporting Crossover
May 13: F1® Authentics, operated by Mement
Brought together by Atlas Air Worldwide, the signed helmets of both Aston Martin Aramco F1® Team driver Lance Stroll and Miami Dolphins NFL player Jordan Phillips, will be available for collectors to purchase as a unique set. This activation was created to help raise money and awareness for Movember and its work supporting men’s health.
A sporting exchange took place ahead of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, celebrating the power of using high-profile platforms to raise money for an important cause. The helmets then went on display over the race-weekend at the track before now being made available for one lucky collector to own.
Moments like this are incredibly rare and made extra special for the way they unite sports such as Formula One® and the NFL, as well as charitable purposes in one distinctive collectible. This exciting set is expected to attract significant interest as it offers collectors the chance to acquire a unique multi-
Previews of this listing and exchange are live now, with bidding set to begin on 11th May.
Collectors wishing to find out more and register their interest can do so by visiting F1® Authentics now.
12, May 2026
Recast Names Intune and Configuration Manager Expert Shanmugam Senthil as Senior Director of Engineering
MINNEAPOLIS—May 12, 2026—Recast, a leader in modern application and endpoint management, today announced that Shanmugam Senthil has joined the company as Senior Director of Engineering and India Site Leader. Based in Bangalore, Senthil will help establish Recast’s India presence and strengthen the company’s engineering organization to support continued growth. His combination of Microsoft platform expertise and technology leadership experience gives Recast added depth as it evolves its capabilities to help customers manage and secure complex IT environments.
A 30-year technology industry veteran, Senthil has built and led engineering teams at Microsoft, Yahoo!, Samsung, and Sun Microsystems. During his decade at Microsoft, he led engineering teams responsible for evolving core endpoint management capabilities within Intune and ConfigMgr. That experience aligns closely with Recast’s mission and product direction as organizations look for more effective ways to manage, secure, and optimize endpoints across hybrid and cloud environments.
In his new role, Senthil will help shape the structure, culture, and daily operations in India. He will also collaborate closely with Recast’s global engineering and product teams to expand the company’s capabilities in support of its long-term product strategy.
“Senthil brings a strong leadership philosophy and tremendous experience with Microsoft Intune and ConfigMgr,” said Will Teevan, CEO, Recast. “This is exactly the kind of expertise Recast needs to accelerate innovation and deliver greater value to our customers.”
“I’m excited to join Recast at such an important stage in the company’s growth,” said Senthil. “Recast has a clear mission, notable product alignment with the needs of modern IT teams, and a meaningful opportunity to expand its engineering presence in India. I look forward to working with teams across the company to help build a solid foundation for growth, execution, and new advances.”
12, May 2026
Brainomix and Boehringer Ingelheim Advance Strategic Partnership in Pulmonary Fibrosis
OXFORD, England and CHICAGO, May 12th, 2026 — Brainomix, a global leader and pioneer of AI-powered imaging tools in lung fibrosis and stroke, today announced an expansion of its partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, the leading biopharmaceutical company providing therapeutic options for interstitial lung disease (ILD), to improve the care of patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF).
Patients with Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) may progress to PPF, a condition marked by irreversible lung damage and increased risk of early mortality. Without treatment, patients may have a lifespan as short as five years1, yet many still endure long delays – often years – before receiving a diagnosis2. Early diagnosis and intervention can play a major role in a patient’s prognosis, but determining which patients are eligible for treatment based on imaging remains challenging, even for experienced specialists.
Brainomix e-Lung is an FDA-cleared, AI-driven imaging software platform that automatically detects and quantifies abnormalities on thoracic CT scans, helping clinicians more easily identify changes, including subtle deterioration across multiple timepoints. Built on proprietary technology, e-Lung has been clinically validated to measure lung features associated with interstitial lung diseases (ILD).
Results from REVISE-PPF, a retrospective research study conducted with the University of Chicago, Weill Cornell Medical Center, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will be presented by Dr. Anna Podolanczuk (Weill-Cornell) at an ATS session on Sunday, May 17th. The study demonstrated that e-Lung was able to stratify patients at risk of PPF from a baseline CT and identified patients with radiologic evidence of PPF up to 28 months earlier than local clinical diagnoses.
This next phase of the Brainomix–Boehringer Ingelheim partnership aims to advance the work further, centered around a prospective, mixed-methods study, PROGRESS-PPF. Conducted across multiple sites in the US, it will generate both quantitative and qualitative real-world evidence to evaluate whether the routine use of e-Lung can support earlier clinical diagnosis of PPF, enabling treatment to begin sooner in the disease course, and, ultimately, support improved patient outcomes.
Dr. Michalis Papadakis, CEO and Co-Founder of Brainomix said: “We are excited to expand our strategic partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, a recognized leader and innovator in this field, with whom we share a firm commitment to improving outcomes for people living with pulmonary fibrosis. The evidence generated to date for e-Lung is highly compelling, showing the technology has the potential to accelerate diagnosis by more than two years. This next phase will enable us to evaluate that potential at scale, providing robust real-world validation of what we expect could be a transformative advancement in the patient care pathway.”
“Boehringer Ingelheim is proud to expand our partnership with Brainomix as part of our continued commitment to improving care for people living with pulmonary fibrosis,” said Dr. Emmanuelle Clerisme-Beaty, Senior Vice President Medicine & Regulatory Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Progressive pulmonary fibrosis can be challenging to diagnose, and innovations that enhance our ability to detect disease have the potential to improve patient outcomes.”
An Innovation Hub session at ATS, entitled “Advancing ILD Care: Real-World Impact of Brainomix e-Lung,” will take place on Tuesday, May 19th, during which Prof. Peter George (Consultant Pulmonologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, UK and Brainomix Senior Medical Director) will speak with Dr. Andy Limper (Mayo Clinic, Rochester) and Dr. Tathagat Narula (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville) about their institution’s experience with Brainomix e-Lung, where it has been incorporated into routine clinical practice.
Brainomix will be exhibiting the e-Lung technology at the ATS International Conference (booth #2250) from Sunday, May 17th to Tuesday, May 19th.
12, May 2026
Retail Inflation Rises Marginally to 3.48% in April as Food Prices Stay Elevated !
New Delhi, May 12 (BNP): India’s retail inflation inched up to 3.48 percent in April from 3.40 percent recorded in March, mainly due to continued pressure on food prices, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation remained within the Reserve Bank of India’s comfort range, though rising food costs continued to impact household spending across the country. Food inflation increased to 4.20 percent in April compared to 3.87 percent in the previous month, reflecting sustained price pressure in essential commodities.
Data showed that inflation in rural India stood at 3.74 percent, higher than the 3.16 percent recorded in urban areas, indicating relatively stronger price pressure in the countryside.
Despite the rise in food inflation, a sharp decline in the prices of several vegetables helped prevent a steeper increase in overall inflation. Potato prices registered a major decline of 23.69 percent, while onion prices fell by 17.67 percent on a year-on-year basis. Certain non-food segments, including vehicles and household appliances, also witnessed negative inflation, contributing to moderation in headline numbers.
However, some food items continued to remain costly. Tomato prices surged by 35.28 percent, while cauliflower prices rose by 25.58 percent compared to the same period last year, keeping pressure on consumers.
Economists said the April inflation figures were softer than market expectations but cautioned that global geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and weather-related risks such as El Niño could create upward pressure on prices in the coming months.
Experts believe the Reserve Bank of India is likely to maintain a cautious “wait-and-watch” approach regarding future monetary policy decisions while closely monitoring inflation trends and global economic conditions.
Retail inflation remains a key economic indicator as it directly affects consumer purchasing power, interest rate decisions, and overall economic sentiment across the country.
New Delhi, May 12 (BNP): India’s retail inflation inched up to 3.48 percent in April from 3.40 percent recorded in March, mainly due to continued pressure on food prices, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation remained within the Reserve Bank of India’s comfort range, though rising food costs continued to impact household spending across the country. Food inflation increased to 4.20 percent in April compared to 3.87 percent in the previous month, reflecting sustained price pressure in essential commodities.
Data showed that inflation in rural India stood at 3.74 percent, higher than the 3.16 percent recorded in urban areas, indicating relatively stronger price pressure in the countryside.
Despite the rise in food inflation, a sharp decline in the prices of several vegetables helped prevent a steeper increase in overall inflation. Potato prices registered a major decline of 23.69 percent, while onion prices fell by 17.67 percent on a year-on-year basis. Certain non-food segments, including vehicles and household appliances, also witnessed negative inflation, contributing to moderation in headline numbers.
However, some food items continued to remain costly. Tomato prices surged by 35.28 percent, while cauliflower prices rose by 25.58 percent compared to the same period last year, keeping pressure on consumers.
Economists said the April inflation figures were softer than market expectations but cautioned that global geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and weather-related risks such as El Niño could create upward pressure on prices in the coming months.
Experts believe the Reserve Bank of India is likely to maintain a cautious “wait-and-watch” approach regarding future monetary policy decisions while closely monitoring inflation trends and global economic conditions.
Retail inflation remains a key economic indicator as it directly affects consumer purchasing power, interest rate decisions, and overall economic sentiment across the country.
12, May 2026
Asian Institute of Medical Sciences Celebrates Nurses Day with Nightingale Awards Honouring Compassion, Commitment, and Care
Faridabad, May, 12: On the occasion of International Nurses Day, the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences proudly celebrated its nursing fraternity with a heartfelt felicitation ceremony held at its super speciality hospital & cancer centre. The event, marked by gratitude and emotional resonance, recognized outstanding nursing professionals through the prestigious Nightingale Awards (Male & Female categories), acknowledging their unwavering dedication to patient care, service excellence, and clinical compassion.
The celebration was organised on May 12 at the hospital premises in the presence of senior leadership, doctors, nursing heads, department heads, unit directors, and staff members. Distinguished dignitaries present included Mr. Anupam Pandey, Director – Purchase & Administration; Dr. Prashant Pandey, Director – Medical Services; Ms. Neha Pandey, Director – International Business Development; Ms. Smriti Pandey; Director – Patient Care Services & HOD, Dental; Dr. Ramesh Chandna, Chairman – Safety, Quality, Laboratory Services & Blood Bank; Dr. (Brig.) Arvind Gupta, Chairman – Paediatrics & Neonatology; Dr. Anita Kant, Chairman – OBG Services & Robotic Surgery; Dr. Hilal Ahmad, Medical Superintendent & Regional Director; Dr. P.S. Ahuja, Senior Consultant, Dr. Kavita Vurity- Group Chief Human Resource Officer along with other department heads and unit directors, who were also present during the celebration. ,
The Nightingale Award – Male category honoured Mr. Akshay (BMTU), Mr. Dinesh (5th G.W.), Mr. Apu (G.W.-2), and Mr. Rohit (Neuro ICU) for their clinical excellence and empathetic patient handling. In the Female category, Ms. Shivani (ICU-1), Ms. Kanupriya (6th PVT.), Ms. Moushmi (NICU), and Ms. Aparna (PICU) were recognized for their grace under pressure, resilience, and unwavering commitment to healing.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. N K Pandey, Chairman and Managing Director, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, said,
“Nursing is a lifelong commitment to humanity and not just a profession. Nurses remain the backbone of healthcare, especially in high-dependency units where every moment is critical and every decision can alter outcomes. Nurses are the quiet strength of every hospital. They are the first to comfort pain and the last to leave a bedside. They stand as a bridge between hope and healing, and their contribution is measured not in hours, but in lives touched and families comforted.”
Sharing her thoughts during the celebration, Ms. Deepa, Chief Nursing Officer, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, said,
“Nursing goes beyond clinical care; it is about compassion, patience, and being emotionally present for patients and families during their most vulnerable moments. Every nurse carries immense responsibility with courage and humanity, and this recognition truly honours that spirit of selfless service.”
Adding warmth and vibrancy to the occasion, the nursing teams also participated in cultural performances and interactive activities, celebrating the spirit of togetherness, teamwork, and dedication that defines the nursing community. The performances reflected the emotional bond shared among healthcare professionals beyond hospital duties.
The event concluded with a standing ovation for all nursing staff, reinforcing the hospital’s belief that healthcare is a collective effort built on trust, teamwork, and tireless service. The management reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and empowering nurses through continuous training, recognition, and a compassionate work environment.
12, May 2026
Adani Ports Expands Global Marine Business With US Deepwater Partnership
Ahmedabad, May 12 (BNP): Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has intensified its global expansion strategy in the offshore and subsea engineering sector through a strategic partnership between its marine division, Astro Offshore, and US-based Oceaneering International.
Representational Image
The collaboration marks APSEZ’s formal entry into specialised deepwater operations in the European market and signals the company’s growing ambitions beyond conventional port management and cargo handling businesses.
Officials familiar with the development said the partnership will focus on advanced offshore engineering, subsea services, deepwater infrastructure support, and marine logistics operations. The move is expected to strengthen APSEZ’s position in the rapidly expanding global maritime and offshore services industry.
As part of its long-term growth strategy, APSEZ is aggressively scaling its marine business and plans to expand its fleet strength to nearly 200 vessels over the coming years. The company is targeting marine business revenues of around ₹6,000 crore by the financial year 2030-31.
To support this expansion, APSEZ has earmarked nearly ₹13,000 crore in capital expenditure for the marine segment over the next five years. Industry experts believe the investment will help the company diversify its operations, strengthen technological capabilities, and establish a stronger international presence in offshore engineering and deep-sea operations.
The latest partnership also reflects the increasing globalisation of India’s maritime sector, with Indian infrastructure companies actively entering high-value international marine and subsea engineering markets.
The development is being viewed as a significant milestone in APSEZ’s transformation from a domestic port operator into a globally diversified maritime infrastructure and marine services company.
12, May 2026
Great Day for Assam – PM Modi Praises Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Leadership
Guwahati, May 12 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Himanta Biswa Sarma after he took oath as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term, describing him as a “wonderful administrator” who has carried out pioneering work for the state.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returned to power in Assam for the third straight term following a decisive victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in amid a grand ceremony attended by senior BJP leaders, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states, religious figures, industrialists, and party supporters.
In a message shared on social media, Prime Minister Modi called the occasion “a great day for Assam” and praised Sarma’s leadership and administrative performance during his previous tenure. The Prime Minister also extended his best wishes for the new government’s upcoming term.
Along with Sarma, four ministers — former Union Minister Rameswar Teli, AGP president Atul Bora, UPPL leader Charan Boro, and senior BJP leader Ajanta Neog — also took oath as members of the new Council of Ministers.
Prime Minister Modi separately congratulated the newly inducted ministers and expressed confidence that the team would continue strengthening Assam’s growth and development trajectory.
The swearing-in ceremony witnessed the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with several senior BJP functionaries and leaders from across the Northeast. Prominent religious leaders, including Satradhikars from Assam’s Vaishnavite monasteries, also attended the event.
Dressed in traditional Assamese attire, Himanta Biswa Sarma took the oath amid loud cheers from party workers and supporters. Having first assumed office in 2021, Sarma has now secured a second consecutive term, further consolidating the BJP’s political dominance in Assam and the northeastern region.
12, May 2026
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Appoints Astrologer Radhan Pandit as Political OSD
Chennai, May 12 (BNP): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has appointed noted astrologer and spiritual advisor Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (Political), triggering widespread political discussion across the state.
The official appointment order was issued on May 12, just a day before the newly formed government is expected to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly. Radhan Pandit, who is considered a close confidant and personal astrologer of the Chief Minister, is known for his involvement in political consultations and spiritual guidance.
Describing himself as a “political and celebrity astrologer” on his professional profile, Radhan has previously claimed association with several prominent political leaders, including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and late BJP veteran L. K. Advani.
Earlier this year, Radhan had predicted a massive electoral victory for Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), initially forecasting 180 seats and later revising the estimate to over 150 seats. The party eventually secured 108 seats in the Assembly elections and has since moved to form the government with the support of alliance partners including Congress, Left parties, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
The appointment has come at a politically sensitive time, coinciding with heated debates inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly over ideological and social issues. The development has sparked mixed reactions in political circles, with supporters calling it a matter of personal trust while critics questioned the inclusion of an astrologer in a significant political advisory role.
The latest move by the Vijay-led government has once again brought discussions around spirituality, politics, and governance into the public spotlight in Tamil Nadu.
