All posts by Neel Achary

Tehran, May 11 (BNP): Iran has expressed its willingness to continue diplomatic engagement and negotiations, provided the talks are conducted with “dignity,” mutual respect, and without pressure or threats, according to Iranian media reports.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran remains open to dialogue and peaceful solutions but will firmly safeguard the country’s national interests and sovereignty. He emphasised that negotiations must be based on fairness, respect, and international principles rather than coercion or unilateral demands.

The remarks come at a time of heightened tensions in the West Asia region and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the United States and regional mediators to reduce conflict and restore stability. Reports indicate that discussions are continuing through indirect diplomatic channels, with Iran recently responding to a US-backed proposal aimed at easing tensions in the region.

Iranian officials have maintained that while the country prefers diplomacy over confrontation, it will not compromise on its rights, security, or strategic interests during any future negotiations.

Bengaluru, May 11: Singapore-origin preschool brand Red SchoolHouse (RSH) has officially entered the Indian market with the launch of its first centre in Bengaluru. The brand has partnered with Franchise India as its master franchise partner to drive its expansion across the country. As part of its India growth strategy, Red SchoolHouse is targeting the launch of 150+ schools across India over the next 2–5 years through a franchise-led expansion model.

Founded in 2004, Red SchoolHouse is a multi-award-winning preschool brand from Singapore, known for its globally inspired early childhood education approach and proprietary SPICE™ curriculum focused on Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative, and Emotional development.

India marks a key strategic market for the brand as demand continues to grow for premium and internationally aligned preschool education among urban families.

“India is an extremely important market for us, given the strong demand for quality early childhood education and globally aligned learning models. Through our partnership with Franchise India, we look forward to building a strong and scalable presence across the country over the coming years,” said Rachel Goh, CEO & Founder, Red SchoolHouse.

The Bengaluru launch marks the beginning of the brand’s larger India expansion plans, with the company actively exploring partnerships and franchise opportunities across major metro and high-growth cities.

“India’s preschool and early learning segment continues to see significant growth, particularly among parents seeking international education standards and holistic learning environments. Red SchoolHouse brings a globally established education model with strong long-term expansion potential for the Indian market,” said Gaurav Marya, Chairperson, Franchise India.

With its India entry, Red SchoolHouse aims to build a premium preschool network focused on globally inspired learning and scalable education-led growth across the country.

Chennai, May 11: Athulya Senior Care, India’s largest assisted living provider, with 1,500+ beds across 12+ locations and over 45,000 seniors served, has announced a strategic partnership with Senior Lifestyle Home Ltd., Mauritius, to introduce a pioneering “Golden Framework Partnership” for assisted living. This collaboration aims to establish a comprehensive and future-ready model for the development and management of world-class senior care facilities.

The Golden Framework has been conceptualized as a holistic approach to assisted living, integrating best practices across governance, clinical care, infrastructure, innovation, and community engagement. It is designed to respond to the growing demand for high-quality and compassionate senior care while ensuring long-term operational sustainability. By combining structured planning with global insights, the framework seeks to elevate standards and create consistent, high-quality care environments.

Through this partnership, the framework will enable the establishment of strong strategic alliances and knowledge-sharing platforms for assisted living. It will support the development and execution of comprehensive business, growth, and operational strategies, while strengthening clinical governance, quality assurance, and accreditation compliance. 

Additionally, the partnership also emphasizes the integration of data-driven decision-making and advanced technologies, ensuring efficient operations and improved care outcomes. The model also focuses on structured commissioning, process optimization, and building a skilled, compassionate workforce through continuous training, while promoting stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and innovation in care delivery.

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. Srinivasan G, Founder & CEO, Athulya Senior Care, said, “We are committed to partnering with stakeholders to transform assisted living facilities into centers of excellence that embody compassion, innovation, and sustainability in senior care. Through this collaboration, we aim to set new benchmarks in senior living and foster environments that prioritize dignity, quality of life, and holistic well-being for every senior.”

Mr. Adnan Pushkar Rambaccussing, Director, Senior Lifestyle Home Ltd., Mauritius, added, “Recognizing the growing demand for exceptional senior care, this Golden Framework adopts a holistic approach by integrating excellence across governance, clinical care, infrastructure, innovation, and community engagement. The model has been specifically developed to address the need for high-quality, compassionate senior care while ensuring operational sustainability.”

This partnership marks a significant step toward redefining assisted living standards by combining Athulya’s deep operational expertise in India with international perspectives from Mauritius. Together, the two organizations aim to create scalable and replicable senior care ecosystems that deliver consistent quality, enhance resident experience, and set new benchmarks for the industry.

“As AI moves from digital interfaces into the physical world, responsible innovation is no longer optional; it becomes foundational. This year’s National Technology Day marks a decisive inflection point for India, where the conversation is rapidly shifting from capability to control. The emergence of advanced systems, including vulnerability-discovery models, has underscored the real risks of AI operating on legacy and mission-critical infrastructure, accelerating the need for stronger guardrails, regulatory oversight, and industry-wide governance frameworks.

As physical and agentic AI begin to interact with real-world systems, the convergence of software, data, and machines introduces new dimensions of risk, ranging from systemic failures to amplified vulnerabilities at scale. This demands that governance is not layered on after deployment, but engineered into the core through secure architectures, real-time observability, and accountable AI frameworks.

At GlobalLogic, we have been building and scaling AI long before it became mainstream, embedding intelligence deep into engineering, platforms, and real-world systems. Today, with over 75 AI-powered solutions, 200+ AI-enabled client engagements, and nearly half of our business augmented by AI, our focus is on engineering differentiation that translates into real-world impact. Equally, we are investing in transforming talent at scale through platforms like GLX, driving over a million learning hours and delivering measurable gains of 10–30% across efficiency, cost, and retention through AI-led skilling. For us, the future of innovation will not just be defined by how intelligent systems become, but by how responsibly they are engineered, ensuring AI moves from insight to action in a way that is safe, resilient, and trusted by design.”

11 May 2026, Hong Kong: PARKSIDE@NINA CWB opens today as the latest chapter in Hong Kong’s nature–inspired dining scene. Designed by award-winning Atelier E – the creative studio behind PARKSIDE@NINA, featured among the 50 Most Beautiful Cafés in the World – the new retreat blends sculptural interiors and botanical elegance with a menu of international favourites and Asian inspirations. A partnership with Nina Hospitality, the restaurant is nestled within Nina Hotel Causeway Bay beside the lush greenery of Victoria Park. PARKSIDE@NINA CWB introduces a fresh expression of PARKSIDE@NINA’s philosophy while expanding its vision of dining rooted in nature across the city.

 Spanning more than 3,000 square feet and accommodating over 100 guests, the interiors are defined by dramatic oversized calla‑lily‑inspired lighting installations and inverted flower forms that hover overhead, creating a surreal, dreamlike canopy. A curtain wall floods the space with natural sunlight, while curvilinear seating and planter‑integrated banquettes soften the geometry and encourage intimacy. The interiors reflect the creative pedigree established at PARKSIDE@NINA, while unveiling a bold new statement in Causeway Bay.

 PARKSIDE@NINA CWB’s menu highlights a vibrant and indulgent range of dishes that balance beloved Asian classics with refined Western favourites. Appetisers include the delicate Smoked Salmon in Mini Cone (HK$138), crispy golden Korean Fried Chicken (HK$98), robust Garlic Flat Bread (HK$138) and silky Beef Carpaccio (HK$158).

 Regional signatures such as the fragrant Hainanese Chicken Rice (HK$228) and aromatic Nasi Goreng (HK$168) are joined by Hong Kong’s beloved specialty – comforting Wonton Noodle Soup (HK$158). These are presented alongside gourmet mains including the succulent PARKSIDE Wagyu Beef Burger (HK$168), tender Grilled Beef Tenderloin (HK$378), juicy Roasted Australian Lamb Rack (HK$348), and buttery King Prawn with Miso Butter (HK$288).

 For those dining in groups, the menu features highlighted dishes perfect for sharing, such as Baby Suckling Pig (HK$288) served with cherry tomato, roasted potato and honey mustard, and Black Pepper Braised Beef Short Ribs (HK$238) accompanied by sweet potato fries.

Guests can also savour artisan wood‑fired sourdough pizzas and hand‑crafted pasta dishes, including the umami‑rich Japanese Smoked Tuna with Free Range Egg Pizza (HK$178), aromatic Tiger Prawn Casarecce (HK$188), earthy Morel Mushroom Risotto (HK$178), and crispy Soft Shell Crab Linguine Aglio e Olio (HK$198).

Desserts complete the experience with a selection that is both playful and luscious. Highlights include the airy, delicate Lychee & Hibiscus Pavlova (HK$98), sinful Caramelized Banana (HK$98), and the decadent Wood Fossil Chocolate Cake (HK$88), a signature creation that pays homage to the restaurant’s design inspiration.

From 18 May 2026, PARKSIDE@NINA CWB will open daily from 7 a.m. with breakfast offerings that span wholesome à la carte favourites – such as Avocado Toast, freshly made pancakes, and Greek yogurt bowls – alongside global breakfast set menus from HK$138, featuring comforting Chinese dim sum and wonton noodle soup, hearty American classics, and Japanese breakfast staples.

PARKSIDE@NINA CWB also serves delightful set lunch options: three courses starting from HK$178 per person and four courses from HK$198 per person. These lunch menus feature a variety of starters like Tuna Niçoise Salad, Greek Salad or Caesar Salad with Smoked Salmon, followed by mains such as Cajun Rubbed Roasted Half Chicken, Pan-Fried Sea Bass, or Grilled Prime Beef Sirloin (add HK$65). In the evening, a four-course set dinner is available from HK$428 per person, featuring Salmon Tartare, Cream of Mushroom Soup and main course options such as Grilled Beef Prime Rib Eye (add HK$65) or Saikyo Miso Halibut Fillet. Both lunch and dinner sets include a choice of coffee or tea.

An intimate private dining room for up to 10 people is designed with warm wood finishes and subtle botanical accents that mirror the restaurant’s sculptural interiors. This refined, secluded enclave provides a stylish setting for family gatherings, business dinners, or special occasions.

Anchored by a sleek, sculptural bar framed with warm lighting and botanical accents, the space transforms into a contemporary social hub each evening. Stocked with an extensive international wine selection of more than 20 labels, alongside creative cocktails and refreshing mocktails, the bar adds a convivial dimension to the restaurant.

Signature cocktails blend international spirits with Asian inspirations, from the distinctive Thyme Zone (HK$98), combining smooth whisky and a peach afterglow, and Hong Kong Sling (HK$98) to the aromatic Yuzu Espresso Martini (HK$98) and indulgent Whisky Sour Crème Brûlée (HK$118). Guests seeking lighter options can enjoy inventive mocktails such as Ruby Groove (HK$78) with yuzu and cranberry, or the whimsical Magic Potion (HK$78) with butterfly pea tea and tropical fruit.

A dedicated highball series highlights Baijiu, Soju and Japanese whisky, while a large wine list spans Old and New World labels, encompassing red, white, rosé and sparkling selections. Draught beers, aperitifs, artisan teas and specialty coffees are also offered.

From sunrise breakfasts to late‑night cocktails, PARKSIDE@NINA CWB moves with the rhythm of the city. Each part of the day carries its own energy – mornings begin with fresh starts, afternoons invite power luncheons, relaxed teas and catch‑ups, evenings bring the buzz of happy hour and dinner, and vibrant nights unfold over socialising at the bar.

With its striking interiors, natural sunlight streaming through floor‑to‑ceiling glass, and distinctive wood fossils integrated into the design, PARKSIDE@NINA CWB is poised to become one of the city’s most distinctive lifestyle hotspots. It embodies the spirit of contemporary urban dining, presenting a curated menu of Asian classics and Western favourites in a welcoming setting, complemented by inventive cocktails and an extensive wine list.

PARKSIDE@NINA CWB is located on the first floor of Nina Hotel Causeway Bay at 18 King’s Road, Tin Hau, Hong Kong. It is currently open from 12 noon to 11 p.m. daily, and will extend its operating hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m beginning on 18 May 2026, offering an all-day dining experience.

Guwahati, May 11 (BNP): Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Assam on Sunday, paving the way for him to continue as the Chief Minister for a second consecutive term.

Following his election, Sarma met Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and formally staked claim to form the new government in the state.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Council of Ministers is scheduled to be held on May 12 in Guwahati and is expected to witness the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders, NDA allies, and several dignitaries.

Sarma’s re-election as NDA leader comes after the alliance secured a strong mandate in the 126-member Assam Assembly. Party leaders and supporters celebrated the announcement, expressing confidence in the continuation of the government’s development agenda in the state.

The BJP leader is expected to continue focusing on infrastructure growth, welfare initiatives, law and order, and economic development during his second term as Chief Minister.

May 11: F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV), the global leader in delivering and securing every app and API, today released its annual State of Application Strategy (SOAS) Report, revealing that artificial intelligence has crossed a critical threshold: it is no longer an experimental initiative but a production workload demanding the same operational rigor as any mission-critical system. The research, based on responses from hundreds of enterprise IT and security leaders worldwide, shows that 78% of organizations are now running AI inference themselves a clear signal that enterprises are choosing control over convenience as AI becomes central to business operations.

The findings arrive at a pivotal moment. With 93% of organizations operating across multiple clouds and 86% distributing applications across hybrid multicloud environments, the complexity of delivering and securing AI workloads has reached a new inflection point.

“AI has moved from experimentation to operations. The question now is not whether companies will use AI, but whether they can run it reliably, securely, and at scale,” said Kunal Anand, Chief Product Officer at F5. “This year’s data shows a clear shift: AI inference is becoming core to the business, which means AI delivery is now a traffic management challenge, and AI security is now a governance and control challenge. The companies that understand this shift early will be the ones that move faster and more safely.”

Key findings from the 2026 report

AI is an operational reality, not an experiment

AI is no longer a flashy experiment or future concern; it has become an operational reality deeply embedded in daily business outcomes. Organizations now coordinate an average of seven AI models in production, with 77% reporting that inference running trained models to generate outputs has become their dominant AI activity, surpassing model building and training. This shift emphasizes the operational governance of AI systems, treating inference as a managed, policy-driven workload integrated into the application stack and subject to the same architectural, security, and scalability demands as other production systems.

AI-as-a-Service strategies are already considered risky

AI-as-a-Service strategies are widely acknowledged as risky and misaligned with modern enterprise realities. Only 8% of organizations rely exclusively on public AI services. The overwhelming majority are building diversified model portfolios, requiring sophisticated routing, fallback, and policy controls to manage cost, accuracy, and availability.

Hybrid multicloud is the new delivery standard

This reflects the broader trend of multicloud, multi-environment operations, with 93% of enterprises leveraging multicloud setups and 86% running apps across on-prem, public cloud, and colocation environments. Similarly, AI workloads require advanced routing, fallback, and policy controls to optimize cost, accuracy, and availability. A unified delivery, security, and governance strategy across environments is now essential to manage the complexities of modern AI and application deployments.

While managing the complexities of such diverse infrastructures is essential, it must be paired with precise control across environment boundaries to ensure seamless integration, consistent policy enforcement, and unified security strategies. This balance reduces silos, minimizes operational disruptions, and maintains governance at scale, enabling enterprises to optimize cost, accuracy, and availability while unlocking the full potential of hybrid multicloud systems for AI and application deployments.

AI security and governance are now systemic requirements

As AI systems enter full-scale production, security has become an enterprise-wide priority. The report shows 88% of organizations have faced AI-related security challenges, while 98% are preparing for agentic AI autonomous systems needing identities, permissions, and guardrails like human users. This shifts the security perimeter to prompt, token, and identity layers, rendering traditional models insufficient and making governance across every layer essential.

Prompt and token layers: The control points driving AI delivery

The report reveals a significant shift in AI workload management, with control moving to prompts, tokens, and APIs. Nearly 29% of organizations identify prompt layers as the top delivery mechanism, while 23% prioritize token layers for delivery and security. Governing these layers is key to optimizing cost, performance, and safety, giving enterprises a competitive edge over those focused solely on infrastructure.

Why it matters

The 2026 State of Application Strategy Report offers a data-driven view of the forces reshaping enterprise technology: the rapid operationalization of AI, the permanence of hybrid multicloud, and an evolving threat landscape that demands new thinking about security and control.

AI maturity is quickly becoming a measurable indicator of operational resilience and competitive positioning. Organizations that invest in observability, authentication, and unified control across every environment where AI runs will be the ones that turn AI’s promise into lasting business value.

Download the full 2026 State of Application Strategy Report to access complete findings, industry benchmarks, and strategic recommendations.

Additional resources

• Blog: Three forces reshaping security leadership: Distributed AI inference, threat evolution, and hybrid multicloud
• Blog: AI inferencing has arrived, complicating an already complex IT landscape
• Blog: Three moves CISOs can’t afford to delay

New Delhi, May 11 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to place “nation first” and adopt responsible practices to minimise the impact of the ongoing West Asia crisis on India’s economy and energy security.

Emphasising that the Centre is making all possible efforts to protect people from the adverse effects of the conflict, the Prime Minister appealed to citizens to use fuel and essential resources judiciously during the challenging period.

Among the key appeals, PM Modi called on people to reduce unnecessary consumption of petrol and diesel, avoid wastage of electricity and fuel, and support measures aimed at maintaining economic stability. He also urged citizens to prioritise national interest over personal comfort and cooperate with the government in managing the situation responsibly.

The Prime Minister highlighted that global tensions in the West Asia region could affect fuel prices, supply chains, and economic conditions worldwide, including India. He assured that the government is continuously monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to ensure adequate availability of essential commodities and energy supplies.

The appeal comes amid rising international concerns over escalating tensions in the Gulf region and their possible impact on global markets and oil trade.

Noida, May 11: Following the introduction of the new Kushaq, Škoda Auto India continues its strong product momentum with a series of updates to its second-generation Kodiaq. With these enhancements, the brand comprehensively refreshes its luxury 4×4 flagship while reinforcing its philosophy of “Luxury, As It Should Be.”

Launched in India in April 2025 in Sportline and Selection L&K trims, and later complemented by the Lounge variant, the Kodiaq now enters 2026 with sharper differentiation across three distinct offerings. Each caters to a specific customer aspiration greater accessibility, heightened sportiness and uncompromised premium luxury while preserving the Kodiaq’s signature strengths of refinement, versatility, offroad capability and engaging on-road dynamics.

Speaking on the introduction, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said,

“After our biggest year in 2025 and a record-breaking first quarter in 2026, we are updating our flagship Kodiaq to further elevate its appeal. With the 2026 enhancements, our aim is simple – there is now a Kodiaq for every luxury 4×4 aspiration, whether it is accessibility, sportiness or premium sophistication. These additions strengthen an already compelling nameplate and reflect our focus on meaningful, timely product actions. The Kodiaq has emerged as a key pillar for Škoda in India and globally, and today it truly stands for ‘Luxury, As It Should Be’.” 

Kodiaq Lounge

The Lounge variant enhances accessibility to the Kodiaq range with an exceptional blend of value, space and versatility, offering a generous 786-litre boot as standard. Configured as a five-seater, the Kodiaq Lounge is tailored for customers seeking outstanding value while retaining all the core strengths of the Kodiaq, including the 2.0 TSI engine, seven-speed DSG transmission and 4×4 capability.

The cabin features Grey Suedia fabric upholstery and is equipped with signature Kodiaq comforts, including a sliding panoramic sunroof, twospoke leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, additional acoustic insulation, threezone Climatronic climate control, and an ergonomically positioned gear selector on the steering column, among others.

Kodiaq Sportline

Delivering a distinctly dynamic character, the Kodiaq Sportline draws inspiration from Škoda Auto’s motorsport heritage. For 2026, the Sportline is enhanced with a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These include LED Matrix Headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with warning and braking reaction, Lane Assist, Side Assist (blind spot detection and lane change assist), Rear Traffic Alert, and Exit Warning System.

Further strengthening its positioning, features previously exclusive to the Selection L&K, such as the 360-degree Area View Camera, Intelligent Park Assist, and the front grille with a horizontal light strip, are now available on the Sportline trim as well.

True to its sporty ethos, the Kodiaq Sportline is distinguished by Glossy Black exterior styling elements, Black Suedia interiors, a sport threespoke leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, aluminium pedals, and other performanceinspired details.

Kodiaq Selection L&K

The Selection L&K continues to represent the pinnacle of luxury within the Kodiaq range and across Škoda Auto India’s portfolio. For 2026, it too is enhanced with the ADAS suite, further elevating its safety and technology offering.

The cabin is adorned with Cognac leather upholstery, complemented by front Ergo seats featuring pneumatic massage, ventilation, heating and power adjustment. The steering wheel proudly carries the signature Laurin & Klement insignia, while the cabin seamlessly blends indulgent craftsmanship with the Kodiaq’s formidable 4×4 capability, delivering refined luxury in any terrain.

Proven and unique

The 2026 Kodiaq continues with the proven 2.0 TSI engine, delivering 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque, with power channelled to all four wheels through a sevenspeed DSG automatic transmission. Based on the MQB37 platform, the Kodiaq is assembled at Škoda Auto India’s facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.

The update retains the innovative multifunction Smart Dials, featuring tactile rotary controllers and integrated displays that allow intuitive control of HVAC, seat ventilation, audio settings and drive modes.

The Kodiaq legacy

First introduced in India in 2017 as a luxury sevenseat 4×4, the Kodiaq established a benchmark that continues today. It also marked the beginning of Škoda Auto’s SUV naming convention – starting with ‘K’ and ending with ‘Q’ – a philosophy that has since extended to Indiaspecific models such as the Kushaq and Kylaq.

The Kodiaq derives its name from the Kodiak archipelago in Alaska, USA, and the Kodiak bear that inhabits the region, symbolising ruggedness, strength and the raw beauty of its natural environment.

Škoda’s racing DNA

Motorsport has been integral to Škoda Auto’s DNA for over a century. This heritage is reflected across its Indian portfolio, where turbocharged engines, true automatic transmissions, sharp handling and engaging dynamics define the driving experience.

From the Kylaq sub4m SUV to the Slavia sedan, the Kushaq midsize SUV, the Kodiaq luxury 4×4 and the limitedvolume Octavia RS, Škoda Auto India delivers performancedriven engineering across segments. With trims such as Sportline and Monte Carlo, the brand continues to showcase its motorsport legacy, engineering prowess and unmistakable sporty character, embodied vividly in the Kodiaq Sportline.