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.

April 27: Pre-owned luxury watch retailers across the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are increasingly facing the risk of unknowingly trading stolen timepieces, according to new research by The Watch Register, the world’s largest international database of lost and stolen luxury watches.

The study reveals that 20% of dealers encounter suspected stolen watches several times a week, while 71% report facing such situations multiple times a month. Only a small fraction—just 2%—say they have never encountered the issue.

These findings underscore the persistent and global nature of luxury watch-related crime, with stolen items continuing to circulate through legitimate resale channels. This trend is placing increased pressure on retailers to strengthen due diligence and verification processes.

While the use of specialist databases is widespread, the research highlights a gap in consistency. Only 32% of retailers check every transaction, with most relying on selective verification. Experts suggest that standardizing checks across all transactions could significantly reduce risk exposure.

Encouragingly, 78% of retailers actively communicate their verification processes to customers, reinforcing transparency and trust in the buying process.

However, the financial impact remains substantial. Over 53% of retailers reported losses due to acquiring stolen watches, with businesses unknowingly purchasing such items an average of four times over the past three years. In many cases, issues surface much later when stolen watches are identified by subsequent buyers, leading to refund claims and reputational risks.

Commenting on the findings, Katya Hills, Managing Director of The Watch Register, said:

“The issue of stolen watches is both persistent and global. The scale of financial losses highlights the sophistication of criminal networks and the challenges retailers face in identifying stolen goods in an increasingly international market. While the industry is taking steps through database usage, consistency is critical. Verification must become standard practice for every transaction.”

In 2025, The Watch Register surpassed a major milestone, identifying over 5,000 lost and stolen watches since its inception. In the past year alone, stolen watches tracked by the platform were traced across 34 countries, spanning multiple continents—highlighting both the scale of the issue and the global reach of the resale market.

As the pre-owned luxury watch sector continues to grow, industry stakeholders are expected to place greater emphasis on robust verification systems, transparency, and cross-border collaboration to mitigate risks and protect both businesses and consumers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jakarta/Bandung, Apr 27 (BNP): The India ITME Society has successfully concluded its first-ever Textile Engineering Industry Business Delegation to Indonesia, aimed at strengthening trade ties and fostering collaboration between Indian textile machinery manufacturers and the Indonesian textile industry.

The initiative was designed to create a structured platform for dialogue and partnership opportunities between stakeholders from both countries, focusing on technology exchange, trade expansion, and long-term industrial cooperation.

The delegation included representatives from key textile machinery segments such as spinning, weaving, processing, dyestuff and chemicals, as well as handling and packaging. In total, 18 companies and 23 delegates participated in the four-day visit, held from April 12 to 16, 2026.

During the visit, the team explored major industrial hubs in Bandung and Jakarta. The engagements focused on identifying business opportunities, understanding market requirements, and building stronger industry connections in Indonesia’s growing textile sector.

The initiative also provided a platform for interaction with industry leaders and stakeholders, paving the way for future collaborations between the two countries in textile engineering and manufacturing.