Archives April 2026

Ion Exchange Enters Strategic Technology and Manufacturing Collaboration with MANN+HUMMEL for Advanced Membrane and System Solutions

Business Wire India

Ion Exchange (India) Ltd, a leading provider of total water and environment management solutions globally, and MANN+HUMMEL, a world leader in filtration technology and intelligent separation solutions, have announced a strategic technology transfer and manufacturing collaboration for the production of advanced PVDF Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with integrated UltraSKID systems, and subsequently a strategic technology transfer of Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) solutions to India.

The collaboration brings together MANN+HUMMEL Water & Membrane Solutions’ global expertise in membrane technology with Ion Exchange’s strong manufacturing capabilities, engineering strength and established presence in India’s water and wastewater treatment sector.

Under the agreement, Ion Exchange will manufacture, undertake system integration and commercialize PVDF hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes along with integrated UltraSKID systems based on MANN+HUMMEL’s advanced technology. Production will take place at Ion Exchange’s expanded state-of-the-art HYDRAMEM® membrane manufacturing facility in Goa.

The collaboration further strengthens Ion Exchange’s HYDRAMEM® solutions to offer an integrated portfolio of membrane-based technologies, including Ultrafiltration (UF), Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) systems. It will enable the company to deliver globally benchmarked membrane technology manufactured locally, reduce import dependence and ensure improved supply reliability and faster delivery timelines for customers.

Sridhar Padmanaban, Senior Vice President, Ion Exchange (India) Limited, said: “This collaboration is a significant milestone in delivering world-class solutions through our advanced membrane manufacturing capabilities. It reflects our commitment to the Government’s Make in India vision and supports the larger aspiration of Viksit Bharat 2047 by advancing self-reliance in critical water treatment technologies.”

Rohit Sathe, Senior Vice President and General Manager, MANN+HUMMEL Water & Membrane Solutions, added, “This partnership with Ion Exchange reflects a strong global collaboration focused on technology transfer and localized manufacturing of advanced membrane solutions. It brings together complementary strengths to enhance the availability of high-performance filtration solutions, supporting evolving customer needs across markets.”

Recast Expands Right Click Tools to Help IT Teams Operate the Hybrid Reality of ConfigMgr and Intune

MINNEAPOLIS—April 29, 2026—Recast, a leader in modern application and endpoint management, today announced Right Click Tools includes new enhancements to simplify complex hybrid and Intune-only environments. The shift from ConfigMgr to Intune is the defining operational challenge facing enterprise IT today, and most organizations are running both. Recast helps IT teams see what they have, keep it current and secure, and operate it across ConfigMgr, Intune, and everything in between.

“Not all enterprises are migrating fully to Intune. Most are operating in a hybrid reality that will last for years,” said Jake Mosey, Chief Product Officer, Recast. “Microsoft built the foundation. As the operational layer for enterprises running Microsoft endpoint management at scale, our job is to make it work in a way that supports how IT actually runs.”

Right Click Tools is the gold standard for helping IT teams get more value out of their Microsoft ecosystem. Moving to Intune and Entra presents organizations with a new set of challenges, and Right Click Tools continues to add capabilities that pinpoint these needs. With modules for Patching, Insights, and Privileged Access, the Right Click Tools product line addresses all aspects of endpoint management for IT organizations regardless of size.

Recast has a long history of using direct customer feedback to inform its product roadmap, building incremental improvements into the product line each month to get enhancements into users’ hands faster. Many of the capabilities already delivered this year were developed based on input from customers and the Recast Community of users.

Operating across ConfigMgr and Intune without navigating between consoles 

Recast has bolstered Right Click Tools with new options for managing devices in Intune, Entra ID, and Autopilot. These updates empower users to: 

  • Launch Intune Remote Help directly from the browser, without leaving the admin workflow
  • Register devices in Autopilot without manual scripting, CSV uploads, or console hopping
  • Retrieve LAPS passwords across hybrid-identity environments from a single interface
  • Open Right Click Tools menus from six additional Intune pages, bringing the total to more than 20 pages  

Closing the third-party patching gap across 6,000+ applications

Running the latest versions of hundreds or thousands of applications is a key challenge for IT organizations as they strive to balance user productivity and infrastructure security. Drawing from a catalog of more than 6,000 applications, Right Click Tools Patching now enables users to: 

  • Configure settings for individual applications, so admins no longer have to create a separate deployment process if an app requires a custom setting
  • Set up ConfigMgr or Intune deployment processes to allow the installation of 32-bit applications on 64-bit machines
  • Restart all paused deployment processes with one click
  • Display all deployment process events on a single page, for easier deployment process event scheduling  

Gaining visibility across extensive device fleets 

The Warranty Dashboard in Right Click Tools Insights helps IT leaders understand hardware coverage at a glance so they can anticipate refresh needs, minimize surprise costs, and extend the value of their device investments. Users can now: 

  • Determine device age and remaining coverage
  • Filter remaining coverage by status  
  • Drill into device by status and warranty expiration timeline  

AD Ports Group and AZCON Holding Sign MoU to Explore Collaboration in Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Azerbaijan

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29 April 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, industry and logistics solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Azerbaijan Transport and Communications Holding (AZCON Holding) to explore strategic collaboration across ports, shipping, logistics, and digital trade solutions in Azerbaijan.

The MoU establishes a strategic framework for cooperation between the parties to explore investment opportunities and advance collaboration in integrated transport and logistics infrastructure, including maritime and digital solutions in Azerbaijan. 

AD Ports Group and AZCON Holding Sign MoU to Explore Collaboration in Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Azerbaijan

The MoU signing was witnessed by His Excellency Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State at the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; in the presence of His Excellency Mohammed Al Blooshi, the UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan; His Excellency Elchin Baghirov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to the UAE; and Shahin Babayev, Executive Director of AZCON Holding. The MoU was signed by Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group; and Vugar Mirzazada, Deputy Executive Director of AZCON Holding. 

Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, Regional CEO – AD Ports Group, said: “Our MoU with AZCON Holding marks a further step in advancing AD Ports Group’s corridor-focused strategy, strengthening trade links between Central Asia and Europe. Azerbaijan’s pivotal position bridging East and West offers strong opportunities, we look forward to leveraging our integrated capabilities across ports, maritime, logistics, and digital solutions to enable more efficient, connected, and commercially attractive trade routes.” 

Vugar Mirzazada, Deputy Executive Director of AZCON Holding, said: “This MoU with AD Ports Group marks an important step in exploring opportunities that can further strengthen Azerbaijan’s transport, trade and maritime ecosystem. As Azerbaijan continues to enhance its role as a strategic link between East and West, cooperation across port development, shipbuilding, logistics, digital integration and multimodal connectivity can contribute to the long-term growth and competitiveness of the national economy. We see strong potential in this collaboration to support trade facilitation, improve supply chain efficiency and reinforce Azerbaijan’s position as a key logistics hub.”

This collaboration comes as the UAE-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) officially entered into force on 15 April 2026. The agreement will accelerate bilateral trade flows, create new opportunities for investments and joint-ventures, and enhance market access and global reach for exporters in both countries by eliminating or reducing tariffs on the majority of goods and services, in addition to enhancing private-sector collaboration and empowering entrepreneurs and SMEs.

The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade with Azerbaijan has already demonstrated robust growth, underscoring the strength and resilience of this bilateral relationship. Non-oil trade grew by 31.4% over the past two years to exceed $2.2 billion in 2025.

This collaboration also aligns with Azerbaijan’s improving economic outlook. According to Fitch Solutions’ BMI, real GDP growth is forecast to reach 2.5% in 2026, up from an estimated 1.4% in 2025, with improved domestic demand, investment activity and trade expected to support the recovery, reinforcing the importance of initiatives that enhance connectivity, trade facilitation and logistics efficiency.

The MoU complements AD Ports Group’s broader focus on Central Asia, where the Group is investing in logistics, port terminals, and shipping assets to strengthen connectivity along the Middle Corridor and support the movement of trade between Asia and Europe.

Tribeny Rai’s ‘Shape of Momo’ Creates History with Triple International Honours!

Los Angeles[US], Apr 29 (BNP): Filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s acclaimed film “Shape of Momo” has earned international recognition by securing triple honours at film festivals in Los Angeles and the Indie Meme Film Festival.

Tribeny Rai’s ‘Shape of Momo’ Creates History with Triple International Honours!

At the prestigious Indie Meme Film Festival, the film created history by winning both the Jury Award and the Audience Choice Award, becoming the first film in the festival’s history to receive both top honours simultaneously.

The remarkable achievement highlights the film’s strong critical acclaim as well as its popularity among audiences.

In addition to its success at Indie Meme, the film also received recognition at a film event in Los Angeles, completing a memorable hat-trick of honours on the global stage.

“Shape of Momo” has been praised for its compelling storytelling, unique cultural narrative, and emotional depth, helping it connect with viewers across different backgrounds.

The triple win is being seen as a proud moment for Indian independent cinema, especially for emerging voices bringing regional stories to international platforms.

Film enthusiasts and critics have lauded Tribeny Rai’s achievement, noting that such global recognition will inspire more diverse and original storytelling from India.

 

Nutrivita Foods Bags SME of the Year Award From Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Business Wire India

Nutrivita Foods Pvt. Ltd., part of Groupe Nutriset of France and a leading manufacturer and exporter of therapeutic and nutritional foods was honoured with the SME of the Year 2026 award at the Indo-French Business Awards (IFBA) 2026, organized by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI) and Team France Export. The award was presented by H.E. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India. Now in its 8th edition, the IFBA celebrates excellence in innovation, sustainability, leadership, and business performance among French and Indian companies operating in India.
 

Ms. Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI said, “On behalf of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry, I extend my warm congratulations to Nutrivita India on being recognized as SME of the Year. This achievement reflects the strength of Indo-French collaboration, where innovative solutions originating from France are successfully produced in India and contribute to global supply chains. We particularly commend the company’s continued focus on advancing formulations using locally sourced raw materials, as well as the seamless technical collaboration between French and Indian teams. This recognition is a testament to their commitment to innovation, quality, and cross-border partnership.”

Mr. Shailesh Purohit, CEO, Nutrivita Foods said, “This award reflects our continued commitment to manufacturing and delivering high-quality, innovative, and sustainable food solutions globally. This recognition underlines our partnership with Groupe Nutriset of France, whose products alone have contributed to transforming the lives of over 76 million people across the world since 2005.  Importantly, we are contributing towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal that aims to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030 (UN-SDG 2.0: Zero Hunger). It also reinforces our dedication to contributing meaningfully to the growing collaboration between India and France.”

Nutrivita Foods blends French expertise and R&D with local sourcing in India supporting and sustaining agriculture and livelihoods in India and contributing to the Vocal for Local initiative of the Government of India.

 

J.P. Nadda to Inaugurate 10th National Public Health Innovation Summit in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Apr 29 (BNP): Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda will inaugurate the 10th National Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Systems in Chandigarh on April 30, with the two-day event scheduled to continue till May 1, 2026.

News In Pics

The summit is being organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, as a flagship platform to showcase innovative, impactful, and scalable public health practices adopted by various States and Union Territories.

The inaugural session will be attended by Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Haryana, and Arti Singh Rao, Haryana’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, along with senior officials from the Centre and state governments.

Participants will include Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries (Health), Mission Directors, nodal officers under the National Health Mission (NHM), and senior representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Delegates from the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) and Regional Resource Centre–North East (RRC-NE) are also expected to attend.

Officials said the summit aims to promote cross-learning among states by recognising successful initiatives and encouraging replication of proven healthcare models across the country.

The annual event provides a platform for states and UTs to present evidence-based, technology-driven, and outcome-oriented interventions that have led to measurable improvements in healthcare delivery and public health outcomes.

Since its launch in 2013, the summit has emerged as an important forum for sharing best practices and innovations in India’s healthcare system.

 

India Strengthens Position as Global Centre for Affordable CAR-T Cancer Therapy

Apr 29 (BNP): India is rapidly positioning itself as one of the world’s most accessible destinations for CAR-T cell therapy, driven by advances in biotechnology and more affordable treatment options, according to ImmunoACT.

The company highlighted that India’s growing capabilities in cell and gene therapy are helping make advanced cancer treatments more accessible to patients, both domestically and internationally. CAR-T therapy, which involves modifying a patient’s immune cells to target cancer, is considered a breakthrough in oncology but remains highly expensive in many parts of the world.

Industry experts note that India’s cost advantage, expanding clinical infrastructure, and skilled scientific talent pool are contributing to its emergence as a competitive global centre for advanced therapies. This is also supported by increasing investment in biotech research and stronger collaboration between academia and industry.

ImmunoACT said that India’s progress in this field reflects a broader shift toward innovation-led healthcare solutions that are both effective and affordable. The country is also focusing on scaling up production capabilities and improving regulatory pathways to support faster access to such therapies.

With growing global interest in cost-effective cancer treatment solutions, India is expected to play a more significant role in the future of cell and gene therapy worldwide.

The development marks a key milestone in the country’s journey toward becoming a global hub for advanced medical innovation and accessible healthcare technologies.

Project Tantavyaa by RSB Foundation; Recreates the Baithak Era through Fashion and Music

Project Tantavyaa by RSB Foundation; Recreates the Baithak Era through Fashion and Music

New Delhi, Apr 29: The second evening of Project Tantavyaa: Shwet Shyam by RSB Foundation featured an immersive fashion theatre titled Recreating the Baithak Era, curated by revivalist designer Pankaj S. Chadha.

The showcase presented a narrative of India’s eastern textile traditions, where garments were experienced as expressions of heritage. Jamdani drapes, handwoven Muslin, and Muga silk from Assam took centre stage, each reflecting months of detailed craftsmanship. These were complemented by hand embroidery, surface ornamentation, and revival techniques that drew from archival designs while remaining relevant today.

Silhouettes were inspired by the intimate baithak setting, graceful and fluid, featuring angarkhas, layered veils, and handwoven saris. The colour palette stayed true to the philosophy of Shwet Shyam with ivory, off-white, deep indigo, and muted earth tones reflecting devotion, duality, and balance.

Accompanied by live vocals from noted classical vocalist Vidya Shah, the presentation moved beyond a conventional runway, bringing together music, movement, and textile. The textiles echoed the devotional traditions of Krishna Bhakti across regions from the spiritual resonance of Jagannath Puri in Odisha, to the devotional movements of Bengal, and the Vaishnavite and Sattriya traditions of Assam, where craft, music, and faith have long existed in harmony.

Speaking about the showcase, Revivalist Pankaj of brand Pankaj. S. Heritage said, “These textiles carry stories of people, places, and traditions that have been passed down over generations. Through Tantavyaa, we are trying to bring them back into everyday conversation and give them the space they deserve today.”

At its core, the evening recognised the women artisans whose skill and dedication shape each textile. Their craftsmanship, carried across generations, remains central to preserving these traditions and sustaining livelihoods.

Commenting on the musical and fashion presentation, Ms. Priyanka Behera, Director – CSR, RSB Group, adds, “For RSB FoundationProject Tantavyaa is far more than a cultural event, it is our commitment to ensuring that India’s intangible heritage is not lost to time. The Baithak tradition shaped generations of artists, patrons, and thinkers. By recreating that era and pairing it with a fashion showcase that draws from the same aesthetic roots, we hope to inspire a new generation to look inward to find elegance, identity, and pride in what is uniquely and beautifully ours.”
Brought to life by the RSB Foundation under the leadership of Priyanka Behera, the evening stood as a powerful testament to how thoughtful revival, when rooted in purpose, can transform heritage into a living, breathing cultural experience, bridging past and present with elegance, integrity, and meaning aligning with the core values of Swabhiman (dignity), Shaktikaran (empowerment), and Sankirtan (devotion).

Visa Accelerates Stablecoin Momentum: Adding Five Blockchains for Settlement

Business Wire India

Today, Visa (NYSE: V) announced that it is adding five blockchains to its global stablecoin settlement pilot, expanding how issuers and acquirers can settle with the network. As stablecoins move into mainstream payment flows, Visa’s stablecoin settlement pilot now supports nine blockchains and has reached a $7 billion annualized stablecoin settlement run rate, up 50% since last quarter.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260429143049/en/

 

 

Visa is adding support for five additional blockchains, further expanding its multi-chain settlement capabilities.

Visa is adding support for five additional blockchains, further expanding its multi-chain settlement capabilities.

 

“Our partners are building in a multi-chain world, and they expect their options to reflect that reality,” said Rubail Birwadker, Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships, Visa. “Expanding our stablecoin settlement pilot program to more blockchains means our partners can choose the networks that best fit their needs, while relying on Visa to provide a common settlement layer across all of them.”

 

Newly supported blockchains

 

 

Visa is adding support for five additional blockchains, further expanding its multi-chain settlement capabilities:

 

 

  • Arc: An open Layer-1 blockchain created by Circle, purpose-built to unite programmable money and onchain innovation with real-world economic activity.
  • Base: A high-performance blockchain enabling fast, low-cost settlement for stablecoins, onchain assets and agentic commerce. Powered by Coinbase.
  • Canton: Built with configurable privacy for regulated capital markets, enabling compliant settlement for institutional use cases.
  • Polygon: A leading blockchain payments solution that enables fast, low-cost transactions, delivering seamless, high-throughput infrastructure for global payments and digital commerce.
  • Tempo: Focused on faster, private, and more efficient movement of stablecoin liquidity and settlement flows.

 

With these additions, Visa now supports nine blockchains across its global stablecoin settlement pilot program, giving partners more choice while building on existing support for Avalanche, Ethereum, Solana, and Stellar.

 

From experimentation to multi-chain reality

 

 

Over the past year, stablecoins have evolved from a promising innovation to a practical way to move money globally, and Visa’s settlement pilots are helping partners streamline operations.

 

 

This builds on years of live pilots and regional rollouts across LAC, Europe, AP and CEMEA, as well as the recent expansion of USDC settlement to U.S. banks and 130+ stablecoin-linked card programs in more than 50 countries. The move to nine supported blockchains mirrors a broader trend: liquidity and activity now span a diverse, multi-chain ecosystem, and settlement infrastructure is evolving to match to provide more choice.

 

 

Visa is building toward a future where interoperability is essential. Supporting multiple blockchains gives partners more choice in how they access liquidity across ecosystems and adapt as the landscape changes, while Visa eases some of the underlying complexity so institutions can use stablecoins through a trusted, global network.

 

 

Continued momentum

 

 

The growth to a $7B run rate underscores increasing confidence in blockchain infrastructure from financial institutions, fintechs, and payment providers. Stablecoin settlement over blockchain infrastructure is becoming a viable complement to traditional settlement rails.

 

 

As adoption continues, Visa remains focused on bridging traditional finance and blockchain-based systems – bringing the same standards of reliability, security, and scale to both.

 

 

Partner perspectives

 

 

“Arc is designed to provide the performance, predictability, and reliable access to liquidity needed to support real-time settlement at a global scale. Our work with Visa reflects growing demand for stablecoins like USDC and blockchain infrastructure that can settle today’s payment flows instantly while enabling the next era of programmable commerce and agent-driven economic activity.” Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Circle.

 

 

“Our goal with Base has always been to make onchain the new standard. Visa’s expansion is a pivotal step in making stablecoin payments a daily reality for billions of people, enabling a faster, cheaper, and more useful financial system for everyone,” said Jesse Pollak, Founder of Base.

 

 

“Canton was designed to meet demanding requirements of regulated institutions, and Visa’s stablecoin settlement platform provides a bridge that lets them explore onchain settlement while staying aligned with their compliance requirements,” said Eric Saraniecki, Head of Network Strategy at Digital Asset, co-founder of the Canton Network.

 

 

“Visa adding Polygon signals that stablecoins are moving into real world payments at scale. By combining Visa’s global reach with Polygon’s fast, low-cost infrastructure, we are making stablecoin settlement more practical, reliable, and accessible for partners around the world,” said Marc Boiron, CEO, Polygon Labs.

 

 

“Tempo is focused on real-time stablecoin settlement, and Visa’s participation as both a validator and settlement partner helps bring always-on, programmable payments closer to the mainstream,” said Ani Narayan, GTM, Tempo.

 

 

About Visa

 

 

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Nvidia and Doosan Robotics Expand Partnership on Humanoid Robotics Development

Seoul, Apr 29 (BNP): Nvidia and South Korea’s Doosan Robotics have expanded their collaboration to accelerate development in humanoid and advanced industrial robotics powered by artificial intelligence.

A senior Nvidia representative recently visited Doosan Robotics to review ongoing joint work focused on integrating AI computing with robotic systems. The collaboration aims to build smarter and more adaptive robots capable of operating efficiently in real-world industrial settings.

The partnership brings together Doosan Robotics’ expertise in robotic systems with Nvidia’s strength in AI platforms and simulation technologies. The goal is to improve robot intelligence, precision, and decision-making capabilities in areas such as manufacturing, logistics, and automation.

Both companies are also exploring future applications of humanoid robotics, as industries globally move toward greater automation supported by advanced AI systems.

The development reflects a broader industry trend where artificial intelligence and robotics are increasingly merging to create next-generation smart machines designed for industrial use.

The collaboration is expected to support innovation in intelligent automation and strengthen the future of AI-driven robotics solutions worldwide.