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New Delhi, Apr 9 (BNP): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) intensified its monitoring efforts in 2025-26, conducting nearly 3.97 lakh inspections across food businesses nationwide.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

In partnership with state authorities, the agency tested 1,65,747 food samples up to the third quarter, finding 17.16% of them non-compliant with safety standards. These violations triggered swift regulatory and legal action to protect consumers.

State governments are actively supporting the enforcement drive, stepping up inspections, awareness campaigns, and guidance for food producers and retailers. Officials said the combined efforts aim to ensure safer food practices, improve compliance, and build public trust in food quality.

FSSAI’s strengthened approach highlights the government’s commitment to public health, encouraging businesses to prioritize hygiene and quality while maintaining accountability across the food supply chain.

Tickets
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Dates: 22nd – 23rd May, 2026

Uganda joins as second focus country as ARMC 2026 draws delegations from the UK, US, Germany, Sweden and Australia ahead of its Johannesburg return this May

Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) returns to Johannesburg on 22nd & 23rd May 2026 for its sixth edition, now backed by the PRS Foundation for the third time and welcoming Australia and Uganda as official focus countries for the first time. Bringing together artists, executives and cultural leaders from across Africa, Europe, the Americas and beyond, ARMC has established itself as the continent’s leading platform for cross-continental music industry dialogue.

A major focus for 2026 is the introduction of Australia and Uganda as official focus countries and bringing curated delegations of artists, executives and cultural leaders into the programme. The Ugandan delegation, led by Amplify Ugandan Music Expo (AUMEX), builds on connections formed at previous editions, while Australia’s inclusion signals ARMC’s growing ties beyond the African continent. Additional delegates from the UK are supported by the PRS Foundation while more from Germany, the United States and Sweden further strengthen the conference’s global reach.

With a growing network of international partners, delegates and speakers, ARMC 2026 is a key platform for cross-continental collaboration that spotlights emerging scenes while connecting them to established global markets. This year sees new strategic partnerships including with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) alongside expanded international participation.

The speaker programme reflects this international outlook, with newly announced headline names including Grammy‑Recording Academy‑inducted producer and award‑winning artist TRESOR, alongside Janesh, Hitboss SA and Brenda Mtambo. Together, they represent a cross-section of artists and industry leaders shaping contemporary African music while engaging with global audiences through songwriting, production and cultural exchange.

Alongside its core programme, ARMC has introduced a Community Access Pledge in partnership with Bridges for Music, shesaid.so South Africa, The Cradle Crew and BTCH$ LUV – enabling brands and organisations to donate tickets distributed to aspiring artists and entrepreneurs who would otherwise be unable to attend.

As African music continues to gain global prominence, ARMC positions itself at the centre of that momentum by bridging scenes, industries and cultures through dialogue, collaboration and live experience. Further speaker and programme announcements are expected in the coming weeks. Phase 2 tickets are on sale now via Quicket.

Apr 9: The government is planning relief measures to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) facing financial stress due to the West Asia conflict.

Authorities may ask the Reserve Bank of India to extend timelines for classifying loans as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) and Special Mention Accounts (SMAs). This would give businesses more time before their loans are marked as stressed or bad.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a similar step was taken, extending the NPA period from 90 days to 180 days. The government is considering doing something similar now to support MSMEs.

MSMEs are an important part of India’s economy, contributing about 30% to the GDP, 35% of manufacturing output, and nearly 45% of merchandise exports. Many MSME borrowers have approached banks seeking relief, and officials say timely action is needed to prevent short-term problems from becoming long-term challenges.

The plan is part of a larger ₹2.5 trillion relief package, including credit guarantees, to help MSMEs stay strong during global uncertainties.

In a preclinical study published today inCancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center identified one waylung cancerbecomes resistant toradiation therapyand then developed a strategy to overcome this challenge.

Led by Boyi Gan, Ph.D., professor of Experimental Radiation Oncology, researchers discovered that the mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) can protect cancer cells from ferroptosis – an iron-dependent form of cell death triggered by radiation – thereby contributing to radiation therapy resistance in lung cancer. In preclinical models, the researchers were able to overcome this resistance by inhibiting DHODH with leflunomide, an arthritis medication already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

“This is an important finding because of the immediate translational opportunity,” Gan said. “By understanding how DHODH is preventing cell death in radioresistant cancer cells, we were able to develop a strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance in tumor models.”

Why is the discovery of how DHODH helps tumors evade radiation significant?

Radiation therapy is one of the standard treatments for lung cancer, but patients often develop resistance to it. How exactly that resistance forms is not completely understood.

Radiation therapy eliminates cancer cells in multiple ways. It can damage the DNA inside the cell so severely that the cell can no longer repair itself, triggering apoptosis – a programmed form of cell death that allows the body to safely eliminate damaged cells. Radiation also can injure cell membranes, leading to another type of cell death known as ferroptosis.

In this study, the researchers found one way that lung cancer cells fight back against ferroptosis is by increasing production of DHODH, an enzyme important for creating the building blocks of RNA and DNA. Increasing DHODH levels not only helped the cells assemble more of the building blocks needed to repair DNA, but it also produced a molecule known as ubiquinol that blocked the ferroptosis process.

This finding is significant because it led to the hypothesis that inhibiting DHODH could help overcome this resistance, and there is already an approved DHODH inhibitor available.

How does leflunomide help overcome radiation resistance?

In this study, the researchers developed a triple combination therapy.

Radiation is delivered, followed by immunotherapy (anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade). This combination alone failed to stop tumor growth in the preclinical models. However, immunotherapy led to an upregulation of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which also helps promote ferroptosis. When the DHODH inhibitor leflunomide was added to the combination, the cells were no longer able to resist ferroptosis, and the tumors once again responded to radiotherapy.

“DHODH inhibition alone had some effect on sensitization to radiation therapy, but it was really this triple combination that had a marked effect on the lung cancer models,” Gan said. “These findings provide a good rationale for testing this combination in clinical studies.”

London – UK, 09 April 2026

SLR today announced the launch of its enhanced Digital Services following the acquisition of Planetrics and ClimSystems – two of the market’s most advanced climate‑modelling and analytics platforms. The move significantly strengthens SLR’s digital climate-intelligence capabilities and responds to growing demand from investors, businesses and public sector organisations to understand and address climate risk and associated value at risk with greater accuracy.

As momentum behind long‑term climate commitments fluctuates globally, climate‑related risks continue to intensify. Decision‑makers across sectors are increasingly focused on understanding how physical impacts – such as flooding, shifting rainfall patterns, heat, and wildfire – create both risks and opportunities for how business and governments operate. With physical impacts accelerating alongside heightened regulatory expectations, the financial implications are increasingly material across almost every sector. Organisations face growing pressure to base decisions on robust, science-driven climate intelligence. Traditional risk models – built on historical data – are increasingly unable to capture fast-moving transition dynamics and asset level climate shocks, leaving many businesses exposed. As a result, companies across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, real estate, financial, consumer markets and the public sector are turning to science-based climate modelling for clearer foresight. These analytics – grounded in decades of validated research and high-resolution climate projections – equip organisations to make more confident investment and planning decisions, strengthen risk management, and build long term resilience into their operations and portfolios.

Strengthening SLR’s digital, technical and advisory capabilities

The acquisition of Planetrics and ClimSystems enhances SLR’s strategic advisory, climate and technical expertise, significantly advancing its digital climate analytics and modelling capabilities to create a powerful foundation for the next generation of climate intelligence. These acquisitions build on SLR’s long-standing investment in advanced digital tools and data driven‑intelligence that help organisations to understand, quantify and respond to climate-related risks and opportunities.

Planetrics, acquired from McKinsey & Company, delivers advanced climate scenario modelling through its PlanetView platform, widely trusted by leading banks, insurers, asset owners, managers and corporates. PlanetView converts complex physical and transition risks and opportunities into clear financial metrics – including changes in earnings, asset value shifts and portfolio-level impacts. It also enables organisations to assess how different transition pathways – such as an accelerated energy transition or policy developments could influence operational and financial performance, and impact long-term value. Planetrics data and analytics are used for risk management, stewardship and engagement activities, investment research, opportunity identification, regulatory climate stress testing exercises, such as those conducted by the Bank of England and the European Central Bank, and are commonly featured in climate disclosures, such as TCFD, ISSB, CSRD and CA SB 253 (forthcoming). Planetrics and SLR will continue to collaborate with McKinsey through an ongoing alliance, bringing a world class suite of capabilities to help organisations address critical sustainability challenges while ensuring continuity for clients. SLR is excited to deepen this relationship and to work alongside McKinsey’s board level networks and transformational business leadership.

Building on the strategic partnership established in 2022, and now formalised as a full acquisition, ClimSystems brings 20 years of market-leading physical climate intelligence to SLR, delivering detailed, science-driven modelling that quantifies how climate-related hazards could impact asset values, infrastructure resilience and supply chain exposure. ClimSystems supports a global client base, including market leaders in agriculture, mining, infrastructure and financial services. Its product suite include interactive, tailored dashboards that integrate with business, risk and financial oversight functions – enabling business owners to engage and interact access high-resolution physical hazard risk assessments at an individual asset or portfolio level, crop-specific yield modelling to identify risks, and opportunities of changing climate, residential and commercial real-estate climate risk assessments, and rapid-response due-diligence physical climate risk support.

Together, these technologies set a new standard for accuracy, transparency and usability. By translating complex climate signals into clear, actionable intelligence, SLR enables organisations to make future-proof decisions to price risk more accurately, anticipate regulatory shifts, protect asset value and uncover new opportunities.

Bradley Andrews, Chief Executive Officer at SLR, noted, “Our clients are navigating a new level of complexity – balancing transition opportunities, physical climate impacts, and the transformation required for long-term risk, resilience and reward. In this environment, confidence is only possible with robust scientific evidence. For more than 30 years, SLR has been Making Sustainability Happen by combining deep technical expertise, strategic advisory and cutting‑edge digital intelligence to give clients not only clarity and assurance, but science‑based foresight and insight they can act on.

Today marks a major milestone in SLR’s digital journey. With the integration of Planetrics and ClimSystems, we have two of the most advanced climate platforms enabling organisations to quantify climate risks, explore multiple futures, and understand how physical and transition impacts translate into operational outcomes and financial value-at-risk across assets and portfolios.”

Clients can now make investment, planning and risk decisions with far greater accuracy and confidence – with clear financial insight into climate risks and precise visibility into which assets, crops, facilities or supply‑chain links are exposed, and how that exposure will evolve. To understand what these enhanced capabilities mean for your organisation’s risk, value and long‑term performance, connect with SLR’s Digital Services team: www.slrconsulting.com/digital

Washington, Apr 9 (BNP): The World Bank has revised India’s economic outlook, projecting GDP growth of 7.6% for FY26 while raising its forecast for FY27 to 6.6%. The updated estimate marks an improvement from its earlier projection of 6.3% made in October.

Despite the upward revision, the global lender expects growth to moderate in FY27 compared to FY26. This anticipated slowdown is attributed in part to external uncertainties, including the ongoing tensions in West Asia, which could weigh on global economic conditions.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The report also highlights potential inflationary pressures. Strong domestic demand, along with stabilizing food prices and rising energy costs, may push inflation higher in the coming months.

India’s growth continues to be supported by resilient consumption and steady economic activity. However, the World Bank cautions that managing inflation and navigating global risks will be crucial to sustaining momentum.

Overall, while India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, the outlook suggests a balance between strong fundamentals and emerging challenges in the year ahead.

New Delhi, Apr 9 (BNP): Money sent home by Indians working abroad is expected to rise steadily, with remittances projected to reach nearly $137 billion by FY27, according to estimates by the World Bank.

India has long remained the world’s top recipient of remittances, reflecting the strong global presence of its workforce—from skilled professionals in advanced economies to workers in the Gulf region. These financial flows continue to play a vital role in supporting millions of families across the country.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

For many households, remittances are more than just income—they help cover everyday expenses, fund education, improve healthcare access, and even support small businesses. In rural and semi-urban areas especially, this inflow often acts as a financial lifeline.

The projected growth is being driven by stable employment conditions in key destination countries, rising wages in certain sectors, and the increasing migration of skilled Indian workers. Digital payment systems have also made it faster and easier to send money home, further supporting the upward trend.

At a broader level, these inflows strengthen India’s external position by boosting foreign exchange reserves and helping balance the current account.

Even as global economic uncertainties persist, the resilience of Indian migrants and their continued connection to families back home remain at the heart of this steady rise in remittances.

The latest Nebraska Snapshot from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Bureau of Sociological Research shows a decline in Nebraskans’ overall financial satisfaction since 2020, and for some, more difficulty paying bills.

The Nebraska Snapshot is developed from data gathered from the Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey, a survey of Nebraska adults.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing economic uncertainty, financial satisfaction among respondents was higher in 2020 and 2021 than the following years, possibly due to stimulus payments, enhanced business protections and child tax credits provided by Congressional relief efforts. 

In 2025 NASIS survey responses, less than half of adults (46%) said they were satisfied or very satisfied, down from 61% in 2021 and 54% in 2020, while the share who said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied rose from 21% in 2020 and 2021 to 26% in 2025. 

Similarly, more Nebraskans are reporting difficulty paying their bills in 2025, compared to 2020 and 2021. Half of Nebraskans surveyed in 2025 said they have no difficulty at all, but 29% reported a great deal, quite a bit or some difficulty, and 21% reported having a little difficulty paying bills. In 2021, only 18% responded they had a great deal, quite a bit or some difficulty paying their bills.

Nebraskans’ responses are in line with national trends. Analytics firms Gallup and Ipsos recently reported that 51% of Americans feel comfortable with their economic situation, but a majority — 62% — believe the economy is getting worse.

The largest disparities in financial comfort in 2025 among Nebraskans existed along age, educational and racial demographics. 

Only 33% of respondents ages 19 to 44 reported being satisfied with their financial situation, compared with 49% of those ages 45 to 64 and 59% of Nebraskans 65 and older. Younger adults were also more likely to struggle financially: Only 36% of respondents ages 19 to 44 reported no difficulty paying bills, while nearly two-thirds (64%) of those 65 and up reported no difficulty. 

Education showed a similar divide. A little more than a third of respondents with a high school diploma or less reported financial satisfaction, compared with 64% of those with a college degree or higher. Those without a four-year degree were also significantly more likely to report difficulty paying bills.

People of color reported lower financial satisfaction and greater difficulty paying bills than white respondents. About 27% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their financial situation, compared with 48% of white respondents. In addition, 69% of people of color reported at least a little difficulty paying bills, compared with 48% of white respondents.

Slight differences were found between men and women, too. Women had more difficulty than men paying their bills, with 33% of women reporting some to a great deal of difficulty and 23% of men reporting the same.

NASIS is used by researchers, state entities and policymakers, but also includes a core questionnaire that delves into demographics, quality of life measures, educational attainment and community satisfaction, among other variables. These core questions inform the Nebraska Snapshot series. Previous topics covered by Nebraska Snapshots included internet access, finances and how Nebraskans feel about their health. 

Apr 9: The U.S. dollar weakened sharply, with the US Dollar Index falling by more than 1 percent amid rising geopolitical tensions, erasing all the gains it had built up earlier in 2026.

The decline reflects increasing caution among investors, who are reacting to global uncertainties by shifting away from the dollar. This change in sentiment has put pressure on the currency, reversing its earlier upward trend.

The US Dollar Index tracks the dollar’s performance against a basket of six major currencies. Among these, the Euro carries the highest weight, followed by the Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona, and Swiss Franc.

A fall in the index typically indicates a broad-based weakening of the U.S. currency against its global peers. The latest drop highlights how sensitive currency markets are to geopolitical developments and shifting investor confidence.

Analysts note that if uncertainty persists, the dollar could remain under pressure in the near term, with investors likely to continue seeking safer or alternative assets.