27, Apr 2026
GMR Sports and Rugby India Announce Introduction of Women’s Franchises in Season 2 of the HSBC Rugby Premier League
New Delhi, April 27: GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, has announced the introduction of women’s franchises in Season 2 of the HSBC Rugby Premier League, marking a significant milestone in the growth and inclusivity of rugby in India.
Building on the success of its inaugural 2025 edition, four of the six existing men’s teams—Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Mumbai Dreamers, and Kolkata Banga Tigers—will now also field women’s teams. The Kolkata franchise was previously known as Kalinga Black Tigers and has been relocated from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata.
The addition of women’s teams underscores the league’s commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable rugby ecosystem while offering female athletes a premier platform to compete at the highest level.
Season 2 of the league is scheduled to take place from June 16–28 at Gachibowli Stadium, further strengthening the league’s presence after a successful debut season in Mumbai.
Commenting on the development, Rahul Bose said,
“It has always been our dream at Rugby India to have an RPL Women edition. This year that dream comes to fruition. Women’s 7s rugby across the world is as exciting as Men’s 7s rugby, and our Indian women are superb.”
Sujoy Ganguly added,
“The inclusion of women’s teams is a natural progression for the league. It reflects our commitment to nurturing talent across genders while elevating the standard and appeal of rugby in India.”
The player draft and auction for both the women’s and men’s teams—including Hyderabad Heroes and Bengaluru Bravehearts—will be held in Hyderabad on April 30.
With this expansion, the HSBC Rugby Premier League is set to further accelerate the growth of rugby in India, inspiring broader participation and strengthening its position as a key platform for the sport’s development.
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- By Neel Achary
27, Apr 2026
Deepti Sharma Stars with Bat and Ball as India Register First Win of Series
Johannesburg, Apr 27 (BNP): India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma ended her lean run of form in emphatic style with a superb all-round performance in the fourth Women’s T20I against South Africa, guiding India to their first victory of the series.
The 28-year-old first played a vital unbeaten knock of 36 runs, anchoring the Indian innings under pressure and helping the team post a competitive total. She then produced a sensational spell with the ball, returning career-best figures of 5 for 19 to dismantle the South African batting line-up.
Deepti’s outstanding effort also marked her maiden five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals, making it a memorable all-round display. Her match-winning contribution earned her the Player of the Match award.
Expressing delight after the game, Deepti said she always backs herself in crucial situations and was grateful to her teammates for their constant support and belief.
India’s convincing win has revived momentum in the series, with Deepti’s return to top form coming as a major boost for the team ahead of the remaining matches.
27, Apr 2026
PM Modi Praises Massive Digitisation Drive, Encourages Public to Explore ‘Abhilekh Patal’
New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the large-scale digitisation of historical records by the National Archives of India, noting that over 200 million valuable documents have now been preserved in digital format.
In a recent message, the Prime Minister described the effort as a significant step towards safeguarding India’s rich historical legacy and making it more accessible to the public. He encouraged citizens, researchers, and history enthusiasts to explore the ‘Abhilekh Patal’ portal, which provides access to these digitised records.
The initiative aims to modernise archival systems and allow easier access to rare documents, manuscripts, and official records that were previously difficult to obtain.
The National Archives’ digitisation drive is seen as a major move in preserving cultural heritage while leveraging technology to connect people with India’s past.
27, Apr 2026
LPG Supply Remains Stable as Over 51.8 Lakh Cylinders Delivered in a Day
New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): Domestic LPG supply across the country remains stable, with over 51.8 lakh cylinders delivered in a single day, according to official sources.
Authorities have confirmed that there are no reports of shortages at distribution centres, indicating that the supply chain is functioning smoothly. Steps have been taken to ensure timely delivery and maintain adequate stock levels to meet household demand.
Officials also noted that improved booking systems and monitoring mechanisms have helped streamline distribution and prevent disruptions.
The government has reassured citizens that LPG availability is sufficient nationwide and has urged consumers to avoid panic booking, as supplies continue to remain normal.
27, Apr 2026
Visa appoints Suresh Sethi as Group Country Manager for India and South Asia
India, April 27, 2026: Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced that Suresh Sethi has been appointed Group Country Manager for India and South Asia. In this role, Suresh will lead Visa’s strategy and operations across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan.
Suresh succeeds Sandeep Ghosh, who is leaving Visa for other opportunities. Based in Mumbai, Suresh will report to Stephen Karpin, Regional President, Asia Pacific, Visa.
Stephen Karpin, Regional President, Asia Pacific, Visa, said, “India and South Asia region continues to be among Visa’s most dynamic and strategically important markets. Suresh brings expertise and knowledge that will accelerate Visa’s aspiration to be the best way to pay and be paid. I am confident he will build on Visa’s strong foundations in the region, alongside clients, partners and policymakers to advance digital payments.”
He added, “I thank Sandeep for his leadership over the last four years, and for facilitating the smooth transition of the business to Suresh.”
Suresh Sethi, Group Country Manager, India and South Asia, Visa, stated, “I am pleased to join Visa at a defining moment for digital payments in India and South Asia. The next phase of growth will be driven by scale, trust, and innovation across an increasingly diverse payments ecosystem. Visa’s global capabilities, strong partnerships, and technology leadership provide a powerful platform to accelerate adoption, deepen acceptance, and deliver secure, inclusive, and high-impact payment solutions. I look forward to working closely with our clients, partners, and policymakers to drive sustainable growth and long-term value across the region.”
Over the course of his career, Suresh has held senior leadership roles driving innovation and ecosystem-led growth across the financial sector. His career spans India and key international markets, including Africa, Latin America, the US, and the UK.
Most recently, Suresh served as Managing Director and CEO of Protean e-Gov Technologies Ltd., where he led its transformation into an agile, product-led Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) institution. Prior to this, Suresh was the Founder CEO of India Post Payments Bank, where he built one of the world’s largest financial inclusion models by leveraging the extensive network of India Post to deliver doorstep banking services across the country, significantly expanding access to formal banking, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
Earlier in his career, Suresh held senior leadership roles as Managing Director & CEO of Vodafone M‑Pesa India, Group President at YES Bank, and in multiple regional leadership positions at Citigroup, where he led transaction banking and payments businesses across several geographies.
27, Apr 2026
PM Modi Hails Indian Girls’ Strong Performance at European Mathematics Olympiad
New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian schoolgirls for their strong performance at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO), praising their achievement on the global stage.
In a message shared on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said he was proud of the students, noting that they had performed exceptionally well and made the country proud through their success in the prestigious competition.
The European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad is an international mathematics contest that brings together talented young female students from various countries to compete in problem-solving and analytical skills.
India’s participation and success in the event highlight the growing capabilities of young students in mathematics and STEM disciplines. The recognition from the Prime Minister further underscores the importance being given to nurturing academic talent and encouraging excellence among school students.
27, Apr 2026
Pixel Doors and Beyond The Pixels® Launch ‘Astro Burn’ into Early Access Following a Triumphant London Games Festival Showcase
Riding a massive surge in Steam wishlists, the hyper-vibrant retro cute-em-up brings its “awesomely bonkers” arcade chaos to PC and Mac today.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS & LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, April 27, 2026: Indie publisher Pixel Doors and London-based developer Beyond The Pixels® have officially launched Astro Burn into Early Access on Steam today. The fast-paced sidescroller invites players back to the golden era of arcade cute-em-ups, fueled by a delightfully bizarre, internet-era aesthetic.
The launch follows an incredibly successful week for Beyond The Pixels® at the London Games Festival 2026. Selected as an Official Selection for the New Game Plus showcase, Astro Burn drew massive in-person crowds and glowing feedback. The event triggered a glorious surge in Steam wishlists, driven heavily by players who don’t traditionally play the bullet-hell genre, proving the game’s unique blend of chaotic action and approachability.
In Astro Burn, players control Astro, a sassy space cat armed to the teeth. Aided by her robot companion, Astro blasts through waves of cute enemies across 10 diverse levels, from deep space and mechanical worlds to underwater realms and sprawling cities. By unleashing over-the-top, stackable anime-style power-ups, players must annihilate screen-filling waves of adorable enemies in a chaotic bid to find her way home.
Developed by film, tv and games industry veteran HaZ Dulull, the retro-inspired title features both solo and local couch co-op modes, designed to be deeply satisfying for hardcore shmup fans while remaining highly accessible for newcomers.
HaZ Dulull, Founder and Game Director at Beyond The Pixels®, said: “We are coming off an absolutely unreal high from the London Games Festival. Hearing players call the game ‘awesomely bonkers’ and ‘insanely original’ was amazing, but my absolute favorite moments were the hesitant players who said they were terrible at shmups, only to give it a try and realize how accessible and fun it actually is. Launching into Early Access today means taking that incredible in-person energy and expanding it globally. We want the community right here in the heart of the game with us, helping shape, tune, and push Astro Burn to its final, most meowtastic form.”
Jacek Pudlik, Co-Founder of Pixel Doors, said: “What HaZ and the team experienced at the London Games Festival is exactly why we do this. They proved that Astro Burn has that rare, universal appeal! It captures the addictive chaos of classic arcade shooters but welcomes everyone to the party. We are thrilled to see that momentum translate into a massive surge of wishlists, and even more excited to officially open the doors to Early Access today so players everywhere can finally get their hands on it.”
Astro Burn is available NOW in Early Access for PC and Mac via Steam.
27, Apr 2026
Sabarmati Bridge Construction for Bullet Train Project Progresses in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Apr 27 (BNP): Work on the Sabarmati bridge, part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, is moving ahead steadily, officials said.
The bridge is a crucial segment of the high-speed rail project and is being constructed to meet advanced technical and safety standards required for high-speed train operations.
According to project updates, construction activities are progressing as planned, with key structural works underway at the site. The development forms part of the larger effort to build India’s first high-speed rail corridor.
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project is one of the country’s flagship infrastructure initiatives aimed at significantly reducing travel time and enhancing rail connectivity between the two major cities.
27, Apr 2026
Johnson Controls launches Balanced Cooling to resolve low Delta T performance and cut energy waste in mission critical UAE campuses
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April,27, 2026– Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), a global technology leader energy efficiency, decarbonization, thermal management and mission-critical performance, today in announced the launch of Balanced Cooling, a purpose-built solution forbuildings connected to centralized cooling systems in the UAE, designed to resolve low Delta Tand improve cooling performance through a more integrated, solution driven approach.
Delta Tis the difference between the temperature of chilled water entering and leaving a building cooling system. When that temperature difference falls below intended levels, the system can’t transfer heat as efficiently as it should. This can happen because of over-pumping, poor hydronic balance or valve misalignment. As a result, more water must be circulated to deliver the same cooling, which can increase pumping energy, affect system balance and expose building owners to surcharges. Balanced Cooling helps identify and correct this through smart valve retrofits, real-time monitoring, AI diagnostics and intelligent control.
Balanced Cooling addresses low Delta T at scale. Based on initial customer testing Balanced Cooling delivers outcomes including eliminating related surcharges by up to 100%, reducing pumping energy by up to 40%, and significantly lowering comfort complaints in continuously operating facilities.
“Low Delta T remains one of the most persistent and costly inefficiencies affecting buildings connected to centralized cooling systems in the UAE,” said Tarek Hassan, associate director, Sustainability, MEA, Johnson Controls. “Balanced Cooling was developed to move beyond isolated fixes by combining system visibility, intelligent diagnostics and targeted corrective action in one integrated solution. The result is a more effective way to reduce pumping energy, manage surcharges and improve cooling performance using existing building infrastructure.”
A timely solution for UAE buildings connected to centralized cooling systems
Low Delta T can create avoidable cost exposure, system inefficiencies and occupant discomfort for buildings connected to centralized cooling systems in the UAE. This is particularly relevant as the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy identifies district cooling retrofits as a key part of its Efficient Cooling programme, and DEWA expects district cooling penetration in Dubaito reach 40% by 2030.
Balanced Cooling is purpose-built to help building owners and operators address low Delta T more effectively while improving system balance, thermal management and overall operating performance.Its retrofit-friendly, plug-and-play design supports integration with existing HVAC and BMS systems, making it particularly relevant for occupied residential, hospitality and office buildings where cooling performance must be improved efficiently, precisely and with minimal disruption.
From point fixes to measurable correction
Balanced Cooling helps building owners move beyond reactive adjustments by providing better visibility into system performance and a more targeted path to correction. This supports more stable cooling performance, improved system balance and more efficient operation over time.
Balanced Cooling adds to Johnson Controls’ broader cooling portfolio in the UAE, complementing its advanced chiller solutions, Cooling as a Service (CaaS) offering and digital building controls. Together, these capabilities reinforce Johnson Controls’ leadership in cooling across the region and its ability to help customers improve efficiency, optimize performance and build more resilient, future-ready environments.
27, Apr 2026
Akshay Kumar Joins Crystal Crop Protection as Brand Ambassador
New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): Crystal Crop Protection Limited, a research-led agri-input company, has appointed actor Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador. The company made the announcement on Sunday, highlighting its focus on strengthening engagement with India’s farming community.
Alongside the announcement, the company also launched its new national campaign titled “Desh Ka Kisan, Desh Ka Asli Hero”, aimed at recognising the contribution and resilience of Indian farmers.
The campaign seeks to highlight the role of farmers in nation-building while promoting awareness about modern agricultural solutions and improved farming practices.
Company representatives said the collaboration aligns with Crystal Crop Protection’s long-standing commitment of over three decades to supporting Indian agriculture and enhancing farm productivity.
The partnership is expected to further strengthen the company’s outreach among farmers and encourage the adoption of advanced agri-input solutions.
