30, Apr 2026
FIA expands major road safety initiative into Middle East, Africa
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, hails decisive step towards making roads safer and delivering lasting change worldwide
Dubai, UAE, 30th April 2026: The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has announced the expansion of a major road safety initiative into the Middle East and Africa.
The FIA Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programme aims to support local authorities and organisations with training, mentorship, and evidence-based actions to develop concrete projects that improve road safety for everyone.
Road traffic crashes remain a leading cause of death worldwide, with the burden falling disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries.
According to the World Health Organization, the African region records the highest road traffic fatality rate globally, while countries across the MENA region continue to face significant and persistent road safety challenges.
The expansion of the FIA Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme into the Middle East and Africa, following its successful introduction in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions, further strengthens the Federation’s global effort to promote and protect safe mobility for road users worldwide.
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “Following the success of the first FIA Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programmes, I am delighted to announce we are expanding the initiative to Africa and the Middle East. This marks a decisive step towards making roads safer and delivering lasting change worldwide.
“Through our partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), we are working together with our Members to equip them with the essential tools and networks needed to drive global action and build a safer future for all road users.”
The FIA Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programme was developed by the FIA in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and with the support of the FIA Foundation.
FIA Region I MENA Mobility Council President Essa Hamza Alfailakawi said: “Across the Middle East and North Africa, improving road safety requires strong collaboration and a shared commitment to change.
“Through the Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme, we can strengthen regional cooperation and support our Member Clubs to play a leading role in shaping safer mobility systems.”
FIA Region I ACTA President Jinaro Kibet said: “Road safety is one of the most urgent public health challenges across Africa, and initiatives like FIA Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life are critical in helping us address it at scale.
“This programme empowers our Member Clubs with global expertise to deliver practical, life-saving solutions within their communities.”
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- By Neel Achary
30, Apr 2026
Thunderstorm Alert Issued for Six Odisha Districts by IMD
Bhubaneswar, Apr 30 (BNP): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar has issued a short-term weather alert forecasting thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and light to moderate rainfall in parts of Odisha within the next three hours.
As per the nowcast issued at 06:55 am, wind speeds may reach 30–40 kmph, with gusts up to 50 kmph, during the thunderstorm activity. The weather conditions are likely to affect one or two places in Cuttack (including Cuttack city), Khordha, Puri, Koraput, Keonjhar, and Balasore districts.
Authorities have advised residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions, especially in open and vulnerable areas, and to move to safer locations in case of worsening weather conditions.
30, Apr 2026
Epson partners with FLOURISH as NZ artist Emma Bass Redefines the Floral Still Life
SYDNEY, 30 April 2025 – This May, Potts Point’s premier design destination, Becker Minty, presents FLOURISH, by celebrated New Zealand artist Emma Bass. FLOURISH is supported by Epson with all of the artworks in the exhibit printed at SKAR Lab using the Epson SureColor P20560 (64”) fine art printer and the Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer with Auto Table.
Opening May 8, 2026, the collection offers a bold and contemporary twist on the still life, highlighting fragility, impermanence and cycles of life. Perfectly timed for Mother’s Day.
Transformative beauty
Bass’ works transform the traditional still life into something visceral and emotionally resonant, although they bring joy and uplift, they also contain narrative threads, and cycles of life, decay, death and rebirth. She elevates botanical subjects into commanding focal points that shape the emotional mood and tenor of public and personal spaces.
Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer with Auto Table
From Healthcare to Fine Art
A former nurse with 20 years of experience as a commercial photographer, Bass’ relationship with healthcare has sharpened her understanding of how the visual environment impacts wellbeing, “Flowers mark our most important moments- birth, love, grief, and celebration, says Bass, I photograph them not just as beautiful objects, but as portraits of strength.”
The Intersection of Art and Design
Presented within the curated interior spaces of Becker Minty, FLOURISH places fine art in direct dialogue with design, in their shared objective of uplifting and transforming the spaces in which we dwell. The exhibition reinforces Bass’s belief that art should be lived with, not simply admired. For Mother’s Day, the show invites collectors to invest in a “permanent bloom”- artwork that brings beauty and contemporary edge into everyday living spaces.
Aesthetics as a way of life
Bass’ subtropical mid-century Auckland house and garden is a carefully curated explosion of colour, botanical art and a vast collection of vases. As a products of her environment, both Bass and her works project her art and its philosophy of pleasure, joy and uplift as a way of living.
Epson SureColor P20560
The SureColor P20560 offers fast processing speeds and an expanded 12-colour ink set, providing a wider colour gamut and up to 99% Pantone coverage*. The SC-P20560 is fed by a bulk ink system and ships with 12 cost-effective 1.6L ink packs designed for high-volume print jobs. A 4.3-inch optical touch colour LCD, optional 1Tb SSD and Adobe PostScript 3 improve workflow and efficiency with the SC-P20560. Epson Edge Print PRO RIP software is also bundled with the machine, making it a comprehensive solution for professional printing workflows.
Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer with Auto Table
The SD-10 is an easy-to-use, full-featured colour measuring device that when seamlessly combined with the Auto Table and Epson Edge Color Lite colour management software (compatible with Epson’s RIP software, Epson Edge Print PRO) offers a genuine colour management solution that addresses most colour management requirements and maximises print output quality. Epson has made colour management for professional printers easier and more reliable than ever with its Auto Table for the SD-10 spectrophotometer. Epson’s Auto Table for the SD-10 Spectrophotometer addresses and rebuffs the common perception that colour management is time consuming and requires high technical knowledge and skills.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
• Title: FLOURISH by Emma Bass
• Dates: From 8 -26 May 2026 (Opening event 8 May from 5.30pm – 7.30pm)
• Location: Becker Minty, 7/81 Macleay Street, Potts Point, Sydney, NSW 2011
*99% coverage of PANTONE PLUS FORMULA GUIDE solid-coated palette based on Epson Proofing Paper White Semimatte printed with the Epson Driver at 2400 x 1200 dpi. PANTONE coverage may vary when printed under other conditions.
Epson, PrecisionCore, SureColor, TFP, UltraChrome, Epson Cloud Solution PORT and Epson Edge are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.
30, Apr 2026
Government Boosts Export Strategy, Focus on MSMEs and Agriculture
New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): The government has reviewed India’s export ecosystem with an aim to further strengthen the country’s global trade performance, with special emphasis on MSMEs, agriculture exports, and the promotion of “Brand India”.
During the review, officials discussed measures to enhance the competitiveness of Indian exporters in global markets. A key focus was placed on supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises, which play a crucial role in employment generation and export diversification.
The discussions also highlighted the need to boost agricultural and food product exports by improving quality standards, strengthening supply chains, and expanding access to new international markets. In addition, efforts to promote “Brand India” were emphasized to improve the country’s global trade identity and attract stronger demand for Indian goods.
The initiative reflects the government’s broader strategy to increase export volumes, reduce trade barriers for domestic producers, and ensure more inclusive participation in international trade growth.
30, Apr 2026
PM Highlights Citizens’ Hard Work as Key to National Strength
New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted that the hard work, dedication, and energy of citizens are the true foundation of a nation’s strength.
In a message shared publicly, he noted that people across the country contribute continuously to national progress through their efforts in different fields. He emphasized that this collective commitment plays an important role in driving development and strengthening the country’s growth journey.
The Prime Minister also underlined that discipline, perseverance, and unity among citizens help accelerate progress, making their contribution central to building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
30, Apr 2026
From Promise to Proof: Strengthening the Evidence Base for Digital Health Technologies
Lawrenceville, NJ, USA, Apr 30: Value in Health, the official journal of ISPOR, has announced the publication of a special themed section focused on advancing methods to evaluate the real-world value of digital health technologies.
The April 2026 issue features a curated series of research papers exploring how digital health solutions create value across clinical, behavioral, and healthcare system pathways, while addressing the challenges of measuring their impact effectively.
The themed section is led by guest editors Axel Mühlbacher (Hochschule Neubrandenburg, Germany), Volker Amelung (Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany), and Katarzyna Kolasa (Kozminski University, Poland).
In their editorial, the editors highlight that digital health technologies are becoming integral to modern healthcare delivery but remain complex to evaluate due to variations in definitions, applications, and outcomes. They emphasize that value is not inherent in the technology itself but emerges through its integration into healthcare systems.
Key Insights from the Research
The collection includes seven research papers covering topics such as health technology assessment frameworks, AI-driven clinical tools, predictive modeling, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in digital health.
The findings reveal that current evaluation frameworks are often inadequate for capturing the multi-dimensional value of digital health technologies, particularly when benefits are distributed across complex healthcare pathways and systems.
Key Recommendations for the Sector
- Multi-dimensional evaluation: Expanding beyond clinical outcomes to include system efficiency, implementation feasibility, and real-world monitoring
- Decision-relevant models: Incorporating real-world factors such as patient adherence, healthcare capacity, and population-level outcomes
- Behavioral and cost analysis: Measuring health outcomes driven by behavioral change and adopting comprehensive costing frameworks
- Sustainability focus: Integrating environmental impact into evaluation metrics, including lifecycle and energy usage considerations
- Equity considerations: Ensuring fair access and assessing how benefits and burdens are distributed across populations
The editors note that while digital health technologies hold immense promise, their adoption remains limited due to challenges in demonstrating scalable and credible value, as well as barriers in market access and system integration.
The themed section aims to guide policymakers, researchers, and healthcare stakeholders in developing robust, transparent, and actionable frameworks that support the adoption and scaling of digital health innovations.
30, Apr 2026
Vikram Doraiswami Presents Credentials as India’s Ambassador to China
New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Senior Indian diplomat Vikram Doraiswami has formally taken over as India’s Ambassador to China after presenting his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held in the national capital.
A seasoned officer of the Indian Foreign Service, Doraiswami brings extensive diplomatic experience to one of India’s most significant overseas postings. His appointment comes at a time when India–China relations remain closely watched, with ongoing efforts to maintain dialogue while addressing outstanding bilateral concerns.
As the new envoy in Beijing, he is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic communication, managing sensitive issues between the two countries, and supporting efforts to stabilize and advance ties through sustained engagement.
30, Apr 2026
After XChat, XMoney Next: Elon Musk Plans Payments Revolution on X
New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Elon Musk is taking another significant step toward transforming X into an “everything app,” with reports suggesting that its upcoming payments and banking service, X Money, is nearing launch. Following the rollout of XChat, the platform’s standalone messaging service, X is now focusing on digital transactions and financial services integrated directly into the app.
Musk, who played an early role in building PayPal, is now expected to bring a similar payments ecosystem into the social media space. The broader vision is to combine messaging, social networking, commerce, and financial tools within one seamless platform.
What X Money Could Offer
According to reports, X Money is likely to support peer-to-peer payments, allowing users to send and receive money directly through chats or user profiles without leaving the platform. The service has drawn comparisons with WeChat, which successfully combines messaging, payments, and social media features in one ecosystem.
The platform is also reportedly exploring a debit card linked to user accounts, potentially through a personalised Visa card connected to an X profile. This would enable users to make purchases both within and outside the platform.
In addition, an AI-powered assistant developed by xAI may help users track spending, organise transactions, and analyse financial activity in a user-friendly format.
Some early reports also indicate introductory benefits such as cashback offers of up to 3 percent and savings interest rates near 6 percent, though the long-term availability of these incentives remains uncertain.
Launch Timeline and Regulatory Hurdles
While X Money is said to be nearing limited public release, no official launch date has yet been announced. Reports suggest the rollout has been delayed due to regulatory approvals, as payment services in the United States require licences across multiple states. Key approvals, including those in New York, are still pending.
As a result, the service may initially be introduced in phases with restricted access before expanding more broadly.
Part of a Bigger Vision
Payments remain central to Musk’s long-term roadmap for X. The company aims to merge communication, content creation, commerce, and financial services into a single digital platform. Reports also suggest that creator payouts on X could eventually shift to X Money, reducing reliance on third-party payment processors.
Competition and Challenges
If launched successfully, X Money is expected to compete with established players such as PayPal, Cash App, and other fintech platforms, while also entering spaces served by messaging-based payment systems like WhatsApp Payments.
However, analysts note that trust, security, and reliability will be key factors in determining adoption. As banking and payments involve sensitive user data and financial confidence, seamless performance and robust safeguards will be essential once X Money officially launches.
30, Apr 2026
US Bets on Small Modular Reactors to Lower Nuclear Power Costs
Washington, Apr 30 (BNP): Several companies in the United States are increasingly focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs) as a next-generation option in nuclear energy, according to a report by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Pic Credit: Pexel
The report highlights that SMRs are being developed to address long-standing challenges in the nuclear sector, particularly high construction costs and lengthy approval timelines that have limited new capacity additions.
The United States currently has nearly 98 gigawatts of installed nuclear power capacity, but expansion has remained limited over recent decades due to financial and regulatory constraints.
Unlike conventional nuclear plants, which generate between 550 MW and 1,500 MW per unit, SMRs are compact systems typically producing up to around 300 MW. Their modular structure allows major components to be built in factories and transported to sites for assembly, potentially reducing both construction time and overall costs while offering greater deployment flexibility.
30, Apr 2026
Rupee Slips to Record Low Amid Surging Crude Oil and Strong Dollar
Mumbai, Apr 30 (BNP): The Indian rupee slipped to a fresh all-time low in early trade on Thursday, falling 32 paise to 95.20 against the U.S. dollar.
The currency came under pressure due to sustained strength in the U.S. dollar and a sharp rise in global crude oil prices. Brent crude, trading around $122 per barrel, added further strain on India’s import-heavy economy, increasing demand for the dollar from oil importers.
Forex traders said persistent foreign fund outflows and concerns over elevated energy prices also contributed to the weakening bias in the rupee. Market sentiment remained cautious as global economic uncertainties continued to influence currency movements
