Category Archives: News

Teenage Star Vaibhav Suryavanshi Powers Rajasthan Royals to Thrilling Win, Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

Jaipur, May 20 (BNP): Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting to guide Rajasthan Royals to a remarkable seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in a high-scoring Indian Premier League encounter, keeping Rajasthan firmly in contention for a playoff berth.

Chasing a daunting target of 221 runs, Rajasthan Royals rode on Suryavanshi’s explosive 93 off just 38 deliveries, an innings studded with 10 towering sixes and seven boundaries. Displaying fearless intent and maturity beyond his years, the young batter dismantled the Lucknow bowling attack and laid the foundation for one of Rajasthan’s most crucial wins of the season.

Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants had posted a formidable 220/5 in 20 overs, powered by a blistering 96 from Mitchell Marsh, who narrowly missed a century, while Josh Inglis added quickfire momentum with a 29-ball 60.

In reply, Suryavanshi forged a strong opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who contributed a fluent 43 off 23 balls. The chase was later steadied and completed by Dhruv Jurel, who remained unbeaten on 53 off 38 deliveries, ensuring Rajasthan crossed the finish line comfortably in just 19.1 overs.

The victory lifted Rajasthan Royals to 14 points and significantly boosted their playoff aspirations ahead of a crucial final league clash against the Mumbai Indians. A win in the upcoming fixture would secure Rajasthan a place in the playoffs, intensifying excitement among fans as the IPL season nears its climax.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Return for Afghanistan ODIs; Ravindra Jadeja Misses Out on Test & ODI Squads

May 20 (BNP): The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday announced Team India’s squads for the upcoming Test and One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan, with the return of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the ODI format emerging as a major highlight.

The squad announcement signals the comeback of two of India’s most experienced campaigners, strengthening the batting line-up ahead of the bilateral contest. Their return is expected to boost both stability and experience in the ODI unit as India prepares for a busy international calendar.

In another significant development, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was excluded from both the Test and ODI squads, raising questions over team strategy, fitness considerations, or workload management. The selectors, however, have not officially elaborated on the reason behind his omission.

The selection panel also made notable changes in the wicketkeeping department, with KL Rahul replacing Rishabh Pant in the squad, adding another talking point ahead of the series.

The India-Afghanistan series is expected to provide crucial match exposure and help the team refine combinations across formats, while fans eagerly await the return of Rohit and Kohli in India colours.

Supreme Court Refuses to Relax Stray Dog Order; Aggressive Rabid Dogs May Face Euthanasia

New Delhi, May 20 (BNP): In a significant ruling on public safety and stray animal management, the Supreme Court of India refused to modify its earlier directive ordering States and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from high-footfall public spaces, including schools, hospitals, bus terminals, and railway stations.

A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N. V. Anjaria observed that public authorities must prioritize citizen safety, particularly in areas frequently accessed by children, elderly persons, patients, and travellers.

The apex court clarified that stray dogs removed from institutional or crowded public spaces cannot be reintroduced into the same areas even after sterilisation and vaccination. Interpreting the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, alongside the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the court noted that stray dogs do not have an unrestricted or absolute right to occupy all public places irrespective of their nature and usage.

In a stern observation, the court also indicated that aggressive or rabid dogs posing serious risks to human life may be subjected to euthanasia under legal provisions, while warning authorities of contempt action in case of non-compliance with its directions.

The ruling comes amid growing concerns over rising dog bite incidents across the country, with the court acknowledging the need to balance animal welfare with public safety.

NATO Considers Warship Deployment in Strait of Hormuz; Iran Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’

Brussels/Tehran, May 20 (BNP): Rising tensions in the Middle East have intensified amid discussions within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization over a possible maritime security mission in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to safeguard commercial shipping routes and regional stability. The move comes as disruptions in the oil transit corridor continue to trigger global concerns over energy security and maritime trade.

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However, NATO officials clarified that no formal decision has yet been taken regarding the deployment of warships, stressing that any mission would require political consensus among all 32 member nations. Senior alliance officials indicated that discussions remain at a preliminary stage, with several member states reportedly expressing reservations over direct military involvement in the volatile region.

Reacting sharply to reports of a possible foreign naval mission, Iran warned that any expanded military presence in and around the Strait of Hormuz could lead to “serious consequences,” reiterating its opposition to external intervention in regional waters. Tehran has maintained that foreign military deployments risk escalating tensions further in an already fragile geopolitical environment.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most crucial energy corridors, through which a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes daily, making any disruption a matter of global economic concern.

Vestian Launches Managed Workspace Platform, Targets 2 Mn Sq Ft Expansion

Bengaluru, May 20 : Vestian has expanded its service portfolio with the launch of Vestian Spaces, an integrated managed workspace platform that brings together workplace strategy, design, project execution, and facility management under a single offering.

The move marks a strategic service line extension for the company as occupiers increasingly shift toward flexible, scalable, and experience-led workplace solutions. Through Vestian Spaces, the firm aims to provide enterprises with end-to-end workplace services across the entire office lifecycle, moving beyond traditional real estate advisory and transaction services.

The company plans to scale the platform to over 2 million sq. ft. within the next three years, targeting major office markets including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, and the National Capital Region.

Unlike conventional coworking and managed office operators that rely heavily on outsourced vendors, Vestian said its platform will operate on a fully integrated in-house model, enabling the company to manage the entire workplace lifecycle internally  from advisory and design to execution and ongoing operations.

“Workplaces are no longer viewed as static real estate assets; they have become strategic tools for business performance, talent engagement, and organizational agility,” said Michael Silver, Chairman, Vestian. “With Vestian Spaces, we are bringing together the expertise required to help companies build and operate workplaces that can evolve with changing business needs.”

Shrinivas Rao, CEO, Vestian, said the company sees increasing demand from enterprises looking for integrated workplace solutions.

“Clients today want more than just office space  they seek scalable environments that enhance employee experience, support business expansion, and simplify workplace management,” Rao said. “Vestian Spaces delivers a seamless and future-ready workplace experience through a single accountable partner.”

Highlighting the company’s operating model, Ajai Kartik, Executive Vice President, Vestian Spaces said the platform differentiates itself by keeping all core workplace functions in-house rather than outsourcing them to third-party vendors.

“The managed workspace sector has largely evolved around outsourced delivery models. Vestian Spaces takes a fundamentally different approach by offering a fully integrated, in-house operating structure that ensures accountability, consistency, and quality across the workplace lifecycle,” he said.

Industry experts believe the managed workspace segment is entering a new phase of growth as large enterprises increasingly prefer flexible, capex-light office models amid changing workplace strategies and rapid expansion of GCCs in India.

With the launch of Vestian Spaces, Vestian enters the rapidly evolving managed workspace segment, addressing the growing preference among occupiers for flexible, fully managed, and experience-centric office solutions over traditional leasing models.

US Approves Apache Helicopter, M777 Support Deal for India Worth $428 Million

New Delhi/Washington, May 19 (BNP): In a significant boost to bilateral defence cooperation, the United States has approved a military support package worth over USD 428 million for India, covering sustainment support for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers, according to the US Department of State.

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The approved package includes an estimated USD 198.2 million for support services and related equipment for Apache helicopters, aimed at ensuring operational readiness through engineering, logistics, technical support, training, and maintenance assistance. Major US defence firms Boeing and Lockheed Martin are expected to serve as the principal contractors for the Apache support programme.

In addition, the US has cleared a USD 230 million long-term sustainment support package for India’s M777A2 ultra-light howitzers, which are already in service with the Indian Armed Forces. The package includes spare parts, repair support, technical assistance, training, and logistics services, with BAE Systems designated as the principal contractor.

The approvals were issued under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and notified to the US Congress. The US Department of State said the proposed support arrangements are intended to strengthen India’s defence preparedness and contribute to regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Officials noted that the proposed support packages would not alter the military balance in the region and would further reinforce growing strategic and defence ties between India and the United States.

HINDAMME and the Artisans at Madrasat Addeera Inspired by AlUla’s 7,000+ Years of Heritage in New Collection

Renowned Saudi Arabian fashion label HINDAMME and Arts AlUla’s Madrasat Addeera, a platform dedicated to creativity and traditional arts inspired by heritage, today revealed a limited-edition, slow fashion collection inspired by AlUla’s more than 7,000 years of continuous human heritage and iconic natural landscapes.
Designed by one of Saudi’s leading fashion names, Mohammed Khoja, and co-created with more than 26 local artisans from Madrasat Addeera, this exclusive launch champions Saudi craftsmanship and heritage with a distinctly modern take.

The collection features a refined selection of stylish abayas and shirts made from diverse materials capturing the essence of AlUla as the crossroads of ancient civilisations. Motifs reflect rock carvings – or petroglyphs – from AlUla’s millennia-old heritage sites, such as the open-air library of Jabal Ikmah known for its Dadanitic and Lihyanite inscriptions dating to the first millennium BCE. Intertwined with the petroglyphs are illustrations of indigenous flora and fauna, from the moringa plant to the Arabian oryx, translating AlUla’s natural and human heritage into contemporary wearable art.

Madrasat Addeera, located in the AlJadidah Arts District, was once home to the region’s first girls’ school. Today, its building has transformed into the first arts and design centre in AlUla where craft skills and practices are passed down and reimagined through immersive, hands-on training. A community-driven initiative, it provides vocational training in traditional arts to support AlUla and the region’s creative economy as well as a year-round public programme where visitors of all ages can attend traditional arts workshops.

The partnership underscores Madrasat Addeera’s role as a hub for heritage-driven creativity and artisan empowerment shaping AlUla’s cultural and creative landscape. Khoja worked directly with the school’s artisans to develop eight unique designs that authentically capture local identity and creative traditions, including block printing, hand embroidery, silk-screen printing and metalwork. Each piece took between one and two months to complete, demonstrating slow fashion principles and the meticulous labour of handmade products.

“AlUla has been a source of inspiration and creativity. This legacy, reflected across its heritage sites and natural landscapes, is brought to life through this collection by HINDAMME in collaboration with Madrasat Addeera’s skilled artisans,” said Hamad AlHomiedan, Director of Arts and Creative Industries, RCU.

“This collaboration embodies our commitment to transforming local heritage and craftsmanship into a vibrant creative economy that benefits AlUla and its people. Supporting local craftsmanship and handmade products, particularly as the world becomes more digitised and globalised, is key to preserving Saudi identity for generations to come. This collection celebrates this tangible heritage and how AlUla’s remarkable history continues to influence creative expression in the Kingdom and beyond.”

The HINDAMME and Madrasat Addeera collection builds upon a legacy of collaboration between Mohammed Khoja and AlUla. In 2019, the designer developed a bespoke collection inspired by the destination’s history as a crossroads of ancient civilisations, which was exhibited at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.

“AlUla has always been a profound source of inspiration for me,” commented designer Mohammed Khoja. “It is a place where history feels alive, layered and deeply present. This collection is about proving that heritage is not something we preserve behind glass, but something we evolve, wear and carry forward. The artisans were central to this collaboration. Their knowledge, intuition and approach to craft added depth and authenticity, and learning about Madrasat Addeera building as the first girls’ school in the region added an emotional depth. The memory held within that space, and its transformation into a place of creation, is a powerful narrative within the collection.” 

“It has been such an honour to be a part of this project,” said Mona Al Joud – Textiles Artisan at Madrasat Addeera. “There was so much to learn from someone as established as Mohammed Khoja, and it was exciting to share our knowledge and skills in exchange. This collection is a letter from the people of AlUla to Saudi and the world. A lot of love, precision and intention go into each stitch and cut. I hope that people can appreciate that every piece carries our story.”

TVS Racing Wraps Up National Training and Selection Program for OMC 2026

Chandigarh, May 19 : Building on over four decades of racing excellence, TVS Racing today announced the successful completion of the TVS India One Make Championship  2026 Training & Selection Program. Conducted across four cities in India, the initiative reaffirmed TVS Racing’s long-standing commitment to identifying, training and nurturing the next generation of racing talent in the country. The final selection round was held between May 15 and May 17, 2026 at the Madras International Circuit (MIC), Chennai. Over 120 participants took part in the program across multiple categories – Women, Media, Rookie, Electric and TVS Apache RR310 Expert categories.

TVS India One Make Championship continues to stand as one of the country’s leading rider development platforms, blending professional racing exposure with structured training to strengthen India’s grassroots motorsport ecosystem and make competitive racing more accessible to aspiring riders.

The 2026 season holds added significance as TVS Apache celebrates 20 years of racing-inspired performance engineering, driven by TVS Racing’s ‘Track to Road’ philosophy. Learnings from the racetrack continue to shape not only motorcycle development, but also the training and preparation of riders for professional motorsport competition.

Participants underwent a structured training and evaluation process conducted by TVS Racing experts, focused on riding technique, consistency, track awareness and overall performance with an uncompromising emphasis on rider safety and race discipline.

Commenting on the successful completion of the program, Vimal Sumbly, Head Business  Premium, TVS Motor Company, said,

 “The TVS India One Make Championship has always been focused on creating racers through a structured and professional racing ecosystem. We identify, train and develop our riders across multiple stages of their racing journey, from rookies and young talent to experienced racers competing at national and international levels. The successful completion of the 2026 Training & Selection Program reflects our continued commitment to making motorsport more accessible and building the next generation of Indian racers across categories. Through expert mentorship, race craft development and competitive track exposure, TVS Racing continues to provide a structured pathway for riders to progressively build racing skills, gain competitive exposure and transition into higher levels of motorsport. The program has also played a pivotal role in democratising motorsport in India and building a strong, inclusive racing culture in the country.”

Since the inception of the TVS India One Make Championship in 1994, TVS Racing has played a pioneering role in shaping India’s motorsport landscape by building a structured and inclusive racing platform for aspiring riders. Over the last 30 years, the championship has trained and mentored more than 4,000 racers, making it one of India’s most successful rider development programs with a strong focus on rider safety, race discipline and professional racing exposure.

TVS Racing, India’s first factory racing team, was founded in 1982 has won several titles in the road racing, rallying, and supercross formats, contributing significantly to the development of the nation’s motorsport culture. Through decades of racing experience since 1994, TVS India OMC has established one of the most organized rider development ecosystems in the nation, offering a structured rider development ecosystems, creating an easy path from beginner’s training to professional racing competition in the Rookie, Women, Media, Electric, and Expert categories. TVS Racing’s continued success at the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship  including multiple consecutive manufacturer and team championship victories, further highlights its leadership in developing world-class racing talent.

The initiative continues to focus on identifying emerging racing talent from across regions, encouraging wider participation from women and new-age riders, and strengthening India’s grassroots motorsport ecosystem through structured training and professional mentorship under TVS Racing experts. The platform also plays an important role in building deeper engagement with the performance riding community and fostering a stronger racing culture in the country, strengthening brand affinity among performance enthusiasts.

UPSC Introduces Historic Reform, Early Answer Keys for Civil Services Prelims 2026

New Delhi, May 19 (BNP): In a significant reform aimed at improving transparency and candidate engagement, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that it will release the provisional answer key for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 shortly after the examination scheduled on May 24, marking a major departure from its long-standing practice.

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Describing the move as “a new beginning,” Dr. Ajay Kumar said the initiative is intended to institutionalise greater transparency, responsiveness and structured participation within India’s premier civil services recruitment process.

Traditionally, UPSC released official answer keys only after completion of the entire examination cycle, including the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Personality Test, often leaving aspirants dependent on unofficial answer keys to assess performance and determine their preparation strategy for subsequent stages.

Under the newly introduced system, candidates will gain early access to a provisional answer key soon after the Preliminary Examination, enabling them to evaluate their performance with greater clarity and confidence. The Commission has also opened a formal mechanism for aspirants to raise objections through the Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) available on the UPSC online platform.

According to the revised process, candidates will be allowed to submit objections and representations until May 31, 2026, at 6:00 PM, if they identify discrepancies in the provisional answer key. To ensure credibility and academic rigour, objections must be supported with documentary evidence and reasoned explanations using recognised academic references, with candidates permitted to cite up to three authentic sources.

The Commission stated that all objections will undergo detailed scrutiny by expert panels comprising subject specialists before the final answer key is prepared. Only valid and evidence-backed representations will be considered for incorporation into the final version.

While the reform allows quicker clarity on answer accuracy, UPSC clarified that official Preliminary Examination marks will continue to be released only after the conclusion of the complete recruitment cycle, maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the examination process.

Education experts and aspirants have welcomed the development, noting that timely access to answer keys could significantly reduce uncertainty and help qualifying candidates transition more efficiently into preparation for the highly competitive Main Examination. The move is being seen as a landmark procedural reform that could redefine transparency standards in India’s competitive examination ecosystem.

Fire Breaks Out in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, May 19: A fire incident was reported in VSS Nagar, Bhubaneswar, today amid ongoing intense heatwave conditions in the region. The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown.

At this stage, no confirmed cause has been established, and authorities are examining all possible factors. The fire was brought under control after prompt response measures by emergency services.

Officials are continuing on-ground assessment to determine the extent of damage and other details related to the incident.

Residents have been advised to remain cautious due to the prevailing high temperatures and to follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities.