Category Archives: News

Harivansh Re-Elected Unopposed as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, Apr 17 (BNP): Harivansh Narayan Singh was re-elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, marking a continuation of his tenure in the Upper House leadership.

His nomination to the Rajya Sabha came from President Droupadi Murmu after a vacancy arose following the retirement of former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as a nominated member.

The position of Deputy Chairman had fallen vacant after the completion of Harivansh’s earlier term as a Rajya Sabha member on April 9. Subsequently, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan scheduled the election for April 17, 2026, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Council of States.

With no other nominations filed, Harivansh was elected unopposed, ensuring continuity in the functioning of the Upper House.

Gautam Adani Leads Asia Wealth Rankings on Bloomberg Index

New Delhi, Apr 17 (BNP): Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani has emerged as Asia’s richest individual, surpassing Mukesh Ambani, according to the latest update of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The change in ranking reflects a fresh surge in Adani’s net worth driven by recent gains in the market value of his listed companies. The Bloomberg index tracks daily fluctuations in billionaire wealth based on movements in global financial markets and asset valuations.

As per the latest estimates, Adani’s wealth has seen a strong upward move in 2026, placing him ahead of Ambani in Asia’s billionaire rankings. The shift underscores the sharp volatility in global wealth standings, where changes in stock prices can quickly alter positions among the world’s richest individuals.

Both industrialists continue to remain among the top global billionaires, with their fortunes closely tied to the performance of their respective conglomerates—Adani Group and Reliance Industries.

Market analysts note that such rankings can change frequently as equity markets fluctuate, especially in sectors linked to infrastructure, energy, and technology.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index is updated daily based on closing market values in New York and provides a real-time snapshot of global wealth movements.

Punjab Kings Crush Mumbai Indians; Gujarat Titans Take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Key IPL Showdown

Mumbai, Apr 17: Punjab Kings delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in an IPL 2026 clash, extending Mumbai’s losing streak to four matches.

After being put in to bat, Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 195/6 in 20 overs, powered by a century from Quinton de Kock, who remained unbeaten and anchored the innings. Naman Dhir contributed with a valuable half-century, providing late momentum to the total.

However, Punjab Kings made light work of the chase, reaching 198/3 in just 16.3 overs. The innings was headlined by a blistering knock from Prabhsimran Singh, who set the tone early, and a commanding innings from skipper Shreyas Iyer. The duo stitched together a massive 139-run partnership, effectively sealing the match with 21 balls to spare.

With the ball, Arshdeep Singh stood out for Punjab Kings, picking up three crucial wickets and restricting Mumbai from crossing the 200-run mark. In contrast, Mumbai’s bowling attack struggled to contain the opposition, with even Jasprit Bumrah going wicketless.

Punjab Kings’ clinical chase and disciplined bowling effort propelled them higher up the points table, while Mumbai Indians continue to face challenges near the bottom.

Playing XIs:

Mumbai Indians: Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Mayank Rawat, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Cooper Connolly, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

The result strengthens Punjab Kings’ playoff push, while Mumbai Indians will look to regroup quickly as the tournament progresses.

Gujarat Titans Set to Face Kolkata Knight Riders in Crucial IPL Clash

Gujarat Titans will take on Kolkata Knight Riders in the 25th league match of IPL 2026 today, promising an exciting contest between two competitive sides at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Both teams enter the match with strong ambitions as the tournament gains momentum. Gujarat Titans will look to capitalize on their home advantage and deliver a solid all-round performance, while Kolkata Knight Riders aim to maintain consistency and strengthen their position in the points table.

The match is expected to witness key battles across departments, with Gujarat’s bowling attack likely to challenge Kolkata’s dynamic batting lineup. On the other hand, Kolkata’s bowlers will aim to restrict Gujarat’s top order and control the game in the middle overs.

Match Preview: What to Watch

• Home Advantage: Gujarat Titans have historically been strong at Ahmedabad and will look to leverage familiar conditions.
• Key Players: Both sides boast impactful match-winners capable of turning the game at any moment.
• Pitch Conditions: The surface at Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to favor batters initially, with some assistance for bowlers as the game progresses.
• Tournament Context: With the league stage heating up, every win is crucial for playoff positioning, making this encounter significant for both teams.

Fans can expect a high-intensity clash as Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders battle it out in what promises to be an engaging IPL fixture.

 

Over 3,000 Enumerators Deployed as Door-to-Door Census Begins in Odisha Capital

Bhubaneswar, Apr 17 (BNP): A door-to-door, digital-first census exercise has begun in Bhubaneswar and across Odisha, marking the next phase of preparations for Census 2027 after the completion of the self-enumeration process earlier this month.

The self-enumeration phase, conducted from April 1 to 15, saw participation from over two lakh residents who filled out detailed forms covering 33 questions. Authorities have now deployed more than 3,000 enumerators to carry out door-to-door verification and collect additional information from households that were not covered earlier.

Mayor Sulochana Das said the exercise is aimed at building a comprehensive and accurate database that reflects the city’s social and economic realities. The information gathered will play a crucial role in shaping future development plans and welfare initiatives.

She urged residents to cooperate fully with enumerators and ensure that the details they provide are accurate. According to her, the success of the census depends heavily on public participation, as the data collected will directly influence government policies and planning.

Officials noted that while the digital self-enumeration option received a strong response, a significant number of households are yet to be covered, making the door-to-door campaign essential.

Census 2027 will be India’s 16th national census and the eighth since Independence. It is also the first to introduce a digital self-enumeration feature, reflecting a broader shift towards technology-driven governance.

ETRI Develops Ultra-Lightweight Elastic Suit Weighing Under 1kg

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that it has developed an ultra-lightweight wearable assistive device based on a tensegrity structure to help the physical activities of the elderly, rehabilitation patients, and workers, and confirmed the effect of improving physical functions through clinical trials.

The elastic suit developed by the researchers this time was designed to solve the weight, price, and wearing burden problems of existing wearable robots. It is notable that the device is designed to deliver a sub-1kg lightweight wearing experience, affordability, and sufficient physical assistive functions.

The tensegrity structure applied to the elastic suit by the researchers helps the suit maintain a stable shape through a balance of tension and structural integrity, which is similar to how umbrellas or tents secure a stable structure through light strings and frames.

ETRI applied this principle to human assistive devices to naturally and smoothly support the spine and lower limbs, successfully reducing the user’s physical burden in basic daily movements such as sitting and standing, walking, and lifting objects.

In particular, this technology promotes efficient movement by naturally assisting balance at necessary moments without hindering the user’s movement, and assists the muscle strength and endurance of users with reduced physical functions.

Dr. Shin Hochul of the ETRI Human Enhancement & Assistive Technology Research Section, who is developing this technology, explained,

“This technology was inspired by the musculoskeletal structure of the human body, and it is a platform that can be expanded from passive products under 1kg to active systems equipped with motors and AI.”

ETRI conducted clinical trials on 20 elderly people aged 65 and older or people with physical disabilities in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Chungbuk National University Hospital to verify the effectiveness of the elastic suit. The joint research team analyzed major physical functions such as walking speed and balance, lower limb muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance before and after wearing.

The result showed that walking speed increased by approximately 14%, the time taken to carry objects was reduced by about 22%, and stair climbing and descending time by about 18%. The ability to perform sit-to-stand, which indicates lower limb muscle strength, improved by about 40%, and walking distance, an indicator of cardiorespiratory endurance, also increased by about 9%, confirming the overall physical function improvement effect. In addition, high satisfaction was shown in subjective survey results such as wearing effect, perceived weight, and structural safety.

Professor Kong Hyunho of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Chungbuk National University Hospital, who was in charge of the clinical trial, said,

“The elastic structure naturally supports movement and balance, so a significant improvement effect seems to have appeared especially for the elderly with reduced physical functions. Going forward, we plan to further optimize the auxiliary effect through customized designs tailored to the degree of disability and body type. The results of this study will be an important basis leading to the possibility of various clinical applications such as walking assistance for the elderly and rehabilitation training.”

Based on this elastic suit technology, ETRI is currently preparing for actual use tests of the elastic suit at various sites such as elderly rehabilitation centers, day care centers, and industrial sites. Furthermore, it plans to promote commercialization in the future to contribute to solving medical, care, and labor environment problems faced by an ultra-aging society.

ECI Starts EVM Commissioning Ahead of April 23 Assembly Polls

New Delhi, April 17 (BNP): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has commenced the commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units for constituencies going to polls in the first phase on April 23, officials said on Thursday.

The commissioning process began across various constituencies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I) in the presence of candidates, their authorised representatives, and General Observers, ensuring transparency in poll preparations.

According to the ECI, the commissioning will be followed by mock polls, where 1,000 votes will be cast in 5 per cent of randomly selected EVMs. Candidates or their representatives will also be allowed to conduct mock polls themselves.

Ahead of commissioning, EVMs and VVPATs were allocated to polling stations through a two-stage randomisation process using the EVM Management System (EMS). In the first stage, machines were distributed from district warehouses to assembly constituencies, and in the second stage, from constituencies to individual polling stations.

Officials said Tamil Nadu has a total of 75,064 polling stations, while 44,378 polling stations in West Bengal will go to polls in the first phase on April 23.

The first randomisation was carried out by District Election Officers (DEOs) in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties, while the second randomisation was conducted by Returning Officers (ROs) with candidates, their agents, and General Observers present.

Lists of allocated EVMs and VVPATs were shared with political parties and candidates at each stage. The machines have since been securely stored in designated strong rooms under the supervision of stakeholders, the Commission added.

The commissioning exercise is part of preparations for the ongoing General Elections to Legislative Assemblies in several states and accompanying bye-elections scheduled this year.

AMPP to Host Webcast Highlighting India’s Role in Advancing Maritime Safety, Sustainability, and Global Trade Resilience

Two-hour session features India-based experts addressing corrosion control, decarbonization, and evolving regulatory challenges in global shipping

Maharashtra, India – (April 17, 2026) — As global shipping faces increasing pressure from decarbonization mandates, aging fleets, and supply chain disruptions, maritime experts from India are playing a growing role in shaping how the industry responds to these challenges.

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the world’s leading authority on corrosion control and protective coatings, will host an upcoming webcast focused on strengthening safety, sustainability, and operational resilience across the global commercial maritime industry—featuring a strong lineup of India-based experts.

The event, “Corrosion, Safety, and Sustainability in Commercial Maritime,” will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EDT (6:30 p.m. IST). In this two-hour session, global industry experts, including leaders from India’s maritime, engineering, and training sectors, will examine how shipowners, operators, port authorities, and supply-chain partners can address evolving challenges and advance modern, sustainable practices. The session brings together perspectives from engineering, operations, and maritime training to provide practical, real-world approaches to today’s most pressing industry challenges.

With approximately 90% of international trade moving by sea, ship reliability and performance are critical to global commerce. As India continues to expand its maritime capabilities and global footprint, experts from across the country are contributing to key discussions on asset integrity, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability in commercial shipping.

Speakers include:

•         Dylan Goddard, Coating Performance Specialist, Seaspan
•         Venkatraman Sheshashayee, Executive Chairman, Shipworkz Marine Services LLC
•         Capt. RKP Sinha, Co-Founder & Director, Marine Solutionz Group
•         Rishabh Jangra, Senior Engineer, American Bureau of Shipping
•         Dr. (Captain) Suresh Bhardwaj, Director & Principal, MASSA Maritime Academy, Chennai

 Attendees will gain insights into:

•         Decarbonization strategies and port-led green transitions
•         Maritime security frameworks and risk mitigation
•         Seafarer wellbeing and workforce considerations
•         Practical implementation of evolving International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations
•        Ongoing modernization efforts across commercial maritime operations

“Commercial maritime operations are facing a convergence of pressures, from stricter environmental regulations to increasing demands on global supply chains,” said Jennifer Merck, Vice President of Maritime and Defense at AMPP. “Corrosion control is not a maintenance issue. It’s a reliability and risk issue that directly impacts safety, operational continuity, and long-term sustainability.”

As regulatory requirements evolve and global trade demands intensify, industry stakeholders must align technical practices with broader operational goals. Corrosion prevention plays a critical role in extending asset life, reducing unplanned downtime, and supporting compliance with environmental standards.

Register to gain practical insights from global maritime experts and stay ahead of evolving regulatory and operational demands.

To learn more and register, visit: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5274653/8E575277B915AA579A28F6F7E002F41B?partnerref=AMPPWeb

TAU Systems joins RADNEXT 2030 network to expand global access to radiation effects testing

Carlsbad, California. 17th April 2026: TAU Systems, the pioneer in compact laser-powered accelerator technology, today announced it has joined RADNEXT 2030, a European initiative coordinated by CERN that provides access to world-class radiation testing infrastructures for electronics. As a network member, TAU Systems will open its TAU Labs facility in California to European researchers and industry testers, supported by a dedicated allocation of European funding to subsidize test time for qualifying users.

RADNEXT 2030 is being developed in response to the Horizon Europe programme and unites a network of accelerator-based and complementary testing facilities across Europe and beyond. The initiative enables researchers, industry users, and early-stage innovators to test and better understand the effects of radiation on electronics for applications in space, automotive, communications, energy, and quantum technologies.

TAU Systems’ inclusion in the network, as its only US-based test facility, reflects the growing recognition of laser-powered accelerators as a credible and commercially accessible complement to traditional large-scale facilities. TAU Labs in Carlsbad, California, the world’s first commercial laser-powered accelerator center, is capable of generating high-energy particle beams to replicate real-world radiation environments with high precision, repeatability, and flexibility. The facility offers beamtime-as-a-service for Single Event Effects (SEE) testing for space, defense, semiconductor, and industrial electronics.

“Joining the RADNEXT 2030 network is a significant milestone for TAU Systems and for the future of radiation testing,” said Jerome Paye, CEO of TAU Systems. “There is a serious global bottleneck in access to radiation testing infrastructure, and Europe in particular is working hard to address that gap. Being part of this network means European researchers and companies can now access our unique laser-powered accelerator capabilities, backed by European funding, and without the long wait times that have traditionally held the industry back. We are proud to contribute to this important initiative and to work alongside some of the world’s leading testing facilities.”

Rubén García Alía, RADNEXT Project Coordinator, CERN, said:  “Given the overall scarcity of heavy-ion SEE testing beam time, as well as the physical anti-correlation between the energy of a heavy ion and its capability of generating failures in electronics, alternative testing approaches such as the one proposed by TAU Systems need to be explored and carefully validated. Space electronics testing requires very high levels of accuracy and reproducibility, and therefore a thorough benchmarking of the proposed technique – as planned within the framework of the RADNEXT 2030 activities on this topic – will be of great relevance and impact for the radiation effects community. We are therefore delighted to welcome TAU Systems as a key partner in the RADNEXT 2030 international facility network.”

TAU’s technology is particularly well-suited to Single Event Effects testing, providing electron beams that effectively simulate the cosmic radiation environment encountered by space-bound and safety-critical electronics.

The RADNEXT 2030 project is targeted to run from June 2026 through May 2030.

Odisha Signs MoU for Marine Spatial Plan to Boost Coastal Development

Chef Vikas Khanna Named in TIME 100 Most Influential People List