Archives May 2026

May 6 (BNP): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has announced the schedule for the IPL 2026 Playoffs, marking the final stage of a highly competitive season featuring 70 league matches filled with strong performances and close contests.

Qualifier 1 between the top two teams will be played on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with a direct spot in the final at stake.

The Eliminator match between the third and fourth-placed teams will take place on May 27 at the New Chandigarh International Cricket Stadium. The same venue will also host Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator to secure the second place in the final.

The season will conclude with the IPL 2026 Final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket stadium, setting the stage for a grand finish to the tournament.

Paris, May 06 – TotalEnergies, in collaboration with Dell Technologies and NVIDIA, announces the signing of a contract for the design and installation of Pangea 5, its next high-performance supercomputer. Hosted at the Jean Féger Scientific and Technical Center (CSTJF) in Pau, in the South of France, Pangea 5 will multiply the Company’s computing power by six. It represents an investment of over 100 million euros.

A significant increase in computing power to support TotalEnergies’ projects

With this increase in processing speed, Pangea 5 will:

expand the deployment of advanced seismic engineering to enhance the accuracy of subsurface imaging and accelerate exploration to support the Company’s strategy for low-cost and low-emission hydrocarbon production;
support R&D uses of AI and meet growing digital needs to optimize computing times and deepen the understanding of complex phenomena like integrated power models.

Controlled Energy Consumption and CO₂ Emissions

Pangea 5 will rely on specialized processors, capable of massively parallel computations, offering greater energy efficiency than previous versions. At equal performance, Pangea 5’s energy consumption will be reduced by approximately 40%, and its associated cooling system’s consumption will be cut by a factor of five. The residual heat generated by the supercomputer will be recovered and used to help heat the buildings of the CSTJF, which host more than 2.500 people.

Pangea 5 will be first commissioned in 2027.

“Artificial intelligence and digital technology are strategic drivers of our energy transition. By increasing our computing power sixfold, we are strengthening our leadership in high-performance computing ensuring that our experts teams continue to have the means to push the envelope to support the development of our activities and meet the growing global demand for energy,” said Namita Shah, President, OneTech at TotalEnergies.

“TotalEnergies is pushing the boundaries of high-performance computing, and we’re delighted to be part of that journey. Pangea 5 will give TotalEnergies the computing power to accelerate discovery, increase efficiency and drive the energy transition forward – that’s exactly the kind of outcome our collaboration is built for,” said Adrian McDonald, President, Dell Technologies EMEA

“NVIDIA Compute, network and software platforms will provide Pangea 5 with exceptional parallel computing power, accelerating scientific workloads and opening new opportunities in artificial intelligence. With this choice of NVIDIA GPUs, CPUs and InfiniBand TotalEnergies is adopting an architecture capable of meeting the most demanding industrial and energy challenges, both today and in the years to come,” said John Josephakis, Vice President HPC & AI at NVIDIA.

May 06: Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers dedicated to sustainable investing, announces a USD 15 million investment in Eversource-backed Ecofy, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-registered NBFC specializing in financing green products. 

Founded in 2022 by Rajashree Nambiar and Govind Sankaranarayanan, and backed by Eversource Capital, British International Investment, FMO and Finnfund, Ecofy is India’s leading retail-focused climate financing platform. In just three years, the company has scaled to serve over 130,000 customers, with a strong pan-India presence across 26 states and more than 500 cities.

Ecofy, India’s first green-only NBFC will deploy the loan proceeds to support onward lending, financing residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop solar installations, as well as electric mobility solutions across India. The transaction aims to accelerate the deployment of clean energy and low-carbon technologies while contributing to economic development.

The transaction marks Mirova’s fourth investment in India as part of its dedicated energy transition strategy in emerging markets, underscoring its long-term commitment to supporting the country’s low-carbon transition. 

This investment contributes to three of Mirova’s four key impact areas:

• Climate action (SDG 13), through the financing of solar photovoltaic generation and electric mobility;
• Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), by supporting the expansion of distributed renewable energy; and
• Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), by enabling access to finance for households and enterprises.

Vivek Khandelwal, Head Treasury, Ecofy said: 

“This partnership with Mirova marks another significant milestone in Ecofy’s journey to scale green financing. Access to long-term, mission-aligned capital strengthens our ability to reach households and small businesses for their rooftop solar and electric mobility solutions. We remain focused on building a robust, accessible financing ecosystem for India’s green transition.”

Priyanka Mehrotra, Investment Director, Mirova Division of Natixis Investment Managers Singapore Limited, added: 

“Financing the energy transition in emerging markets requires solutions that can combine scale, local reach and measurable impact. By supporting Ecofy, we are backing a platform that is already demonstrating its ability to deploy capital efficiently on the ground, accelerating access to clean energy and electric mobility while supporting inclusive economic growth in India.”

 

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): A free health check-up initiative for workers has been launched under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation), marking early implementation efforts linked to the new labour framework reforms.

The initiative aims to improve preventive healthcare access for insured workers by offering routine medical screening and early detection services. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen workplace welfare and enhance social security coverage for the workforce.

Officials stated that the programme will help identify health risks at an early stage, reduce long-term medical complications, and improve overall productivity by ensuring timely medical attention for workers.

The drive also reflects the government’s focus on expanding worker welfare benefits under evolving labour reforms, with an emphasis on accessible and preventive healthcare.

Authorities noted that the initiative is expected to benefit a large section of the organised workforce and reinforce India’s commitment to improving occupational health standards.

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Vietnamese President To Lam at Hyderabad House, focusing on strengthening the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The discussions covered key areas of cooperation including trade and investment, defence and security, digital technology, energy, and connectivity. Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

The meeting emphasized enhancing economic engagement, improving supply chain resilience, and exploring new opportunities in emerging sectors such as infrastructure, critical minerals, and innovation-led growth.

The visit comes at a significant milestone as both countries mark 10 years of their upgraded strategic partnership. The engagement is expected to further deepen bilateral ties and open new avenues for cooperation between India and Vietnam.

Mumbai, May 6: With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate the women who nurture, inspire, and uplift us every day. This year, move beyond the usual and gift something truly thoughtful—beauty essentials that combine care, indulgence, and a touch of everyday luxury. From skincare that restores her glow to haircare that pampers and protects, these curated picks are designed to make her feel as special as she truly is.

A Curated Selection of Thoughtful Beauty Gifts

Couture Mini Clutch Palette by YSL

A couture statement for the eyes, the YSL Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette delivers high-impact colour with effortless sophistication. Featuring a curated harmony of rich, velvety shades in matte, satin, and shimmer finishes, its finely milled pigments ensure smooth application, intense payoff, and seamless blendability. Encased in a sleek, travel-friendly compact inspired by YSL’s iconic accessories, it is perfect for both everyday elegance and elevated evening looks.

Radiance Serum by Sonrisa

The Sonrisa Radiance Serum is a glow-enhancing essential that celebrates natural beauty with every drop. This lightweight, fast-absorbing formula works to brighten, smooth, and deeply hydrate, restoring a soft, luminous complexion. Infused with skin-loving actives, it targets dullness and uneven tone, delivering a radiant, dewy finish—an everyday luxury that makes self-care effortless.

Mintree Hydrating DIY Home Facial Kit (Avocado)

Designed as a pampering, spa-like ritual, the Mintree DIY Home Facial Kit brings salon-quality care into the comfort of home. Enriched with nourishing avocado extracts and advanced skincare actives, it deeply hydrates, brightens, and revives tired skin. The multi-step routine transforms everyday skincare into a luxurious, feel-good indulgence.

Rebuild Mask by fHair

A restorative, salon-grade treatment, the fHair Rebuild Mask is crafted to revive tired, overworked hair. Its rich formula repairs damage, smooths frizz, and restores softness, elasticity, and shine. Infused with proteins, avocado oil, shea butter, and vitamin E, it delivers long-lasting hydration while turning haircare into a deeply nourishing self-care ritual.

Potatoes & Saffron Reviving Eye Mask by Old School Rituals

A soothing addition to any self-care routine, this gentle eye mask helps reduce puffiness, soften fine lines, and brighten dark circles. Infused with potato, saffron, vitamin C, and rose oil, it delivers hydration and calming care—restoring a refreshed, well-rested look while offering moments of relaxation.

Crème Vanilla by OSSA

Soft, warm, and effortlessly elegant, Crème Vanilla is a fragrance that blends jasmine, caramel, rose, and coconut with deeper notes of patchouli, amber, musk, tonka bean, and bourbon vanilla. Subtle yet memorable, it creates a comforting, refined scent trail—perfect for celebrating her warmth and quiet strength.

Mega Smooth Combo by Matrix

A complete at-home haircare routine, the Matrix Mega Smooth Combo includes shampoo, conditioner, and serum designed to tame frizz and restore smoothness. Together, they cleanse, nourish, and protect hair, leaving it soft, sleek, and manageable—ideal for effortless, everyday indulgence.

Celebrating Her with Care and Indulgence

This Mother’s Day, these thoughtfully curated beauty essentials go beyond gifting—they offer moments of care, relaxation, and everyday luxury. Each product is designed to help her pause, unwind, and feel celebrated, not just for what she does, but for who she is.

May 6 (BNP): Gold and silver prices showed mixed movement on Tuesday as investors closely tracked geopolitical tensions in the Middle East alongside uncertain progress in US–Iran discussions.

Market sentiment remained cautious amid renewed instability in the Gulf region. Reports of fresh hostilities and military activity in the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns over global energy and trade routes, keeping safe-haven demand for precious metals supported.

The situation intensified after both the United States and Iran engaged in actions in the region, further unsettling an already fragile security environment. These developments have added volatility to global markets, influencing investor positioning in gold and silver.

Despite ongoing geopolitical risks, prices remained largely stable as traders balanced safe-haven demand with broader economic considerations and expectations around diplomatic negotiations.

Overall, precious metal markets continue to react to evolving geopolitical headlines, with investors remaining alert to developments that could impact global stability and commodity flows.

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has launched the Swasth Bharat Portal, a unified digital platform designed to integrate fragmented health programme systems and advance India’s digital health transformation.

The portal was unveiled during the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity, marking a significant step toward building a more connected, efficient, and scalable public health infrastructure.

Developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the platform serves as a single-window system that connects multiple national health programme applications through API-based integration. It aims to eliminate data silos, reduce duplication, and improve the overall efficiency of health service delivery.

The system enables frontline health workers such as ASHAs, ANMs, Community Health Officers, and Medical Officers to access multiple programmes through one interface, reducing the need for multiple logins and repetitive data entry. It also includes data visualization tools to support real-time monitoring and informed decision-making at the local level.

Aligned with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the portal facilitates secure exchange of health records and is expected to integrate with national registries, including healthcare professionals and health facility databases, to improve interoperability across the ecosystem.

According to the Ministry, the platform is expected to reduce infrastructure load by 20–30% and cut data entry and duplication efforts by 20–40%, leading to improved efficiency and faster decision-making across health programmes.

Officials stated that the Swasth Bharat Portal represents a major step toward data-driven governance in the health sector, streamlining processes, improving coordination, and strengthening India’s digital public health infrastructure.

Paramaribo (Suriname), May 6 (BNP): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on his first official visit to Suriname, emphasized the strong historical and cultural bonds between the two countries, describing the relationship as one rooted in shared heritage and enduring people-to-people connections.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/DrSJaishankar

He noted that India’s engagement with Suriname goes beyond traditional diplomacy, reflecting deep civilisational linkages shaped by migration history and cultural affinity, particularly among the Indian-origin community in the Caribbean and South American region.

The Minister highlighted that these longstanding ties continue to serve as a foundation for expanding cooperation in key areas such as trade, development partnership, digital initiatives, capacity building, and cultural exchange.

Reaffirming India’s commitment, Jaishankar said both nations are working to further strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues of collaboration that benefit their people.

The visit is seen as part of India’s broader outreach to deepen engagement with partner countries through cultural and developmental diplomacy.