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New Delhi, May 20 (BNP): In a significant ruling on public safety and stray animal management, the Supreme Court of India refused to modify its earlier directive ordering States and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from high-footfall public spaces, including schools, hospitals, bus terminals, and railway stations.

A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N. V. Anjaria observed that public authorities must prioritize citizen safety, particularly in areas frequently accessed by children, elderly persons, patients, and travellers.

The apex court clarified that stray dogs removed from institutional or crowded public spaces cannot be reintroduced into the same areas even after sterilisation and vaccination. Interpreting the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, alongside the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the court noted that stray dogs do not have an unrestricted or absolute right to occupy all public places irrespective of their nature and usage.

In a stern observation, the court also indicated that aggressive or rabid dogs posing serious risks to human life may be subjected to euthanasia under legal provisions, while warning authorities of contempt action in case of non-compliance with its directions.

The ruling comes amid growing concerns over rising dog bite incidents across the country, with the court acknowledging the need to balance animal welfare with public safety.

Brussels/Tehran, May 20 (BNP): Rising tensions in the Middle East have intensified amid discussions within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization over a possible maritime security mission in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to safeguard commercial shipping routes and regional stability. The move comes as disruptions in the oil transit corridor continue to trigger global concerns over energy security and maritime trade.

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However, NATO officials clarified that no formal decision has yet been taken regarding the deployment of warships, stressing that any mission would require political consensus among all 32 member nations. Senior alliance officials indicated that discussions remain at a preliminary stage, with several member states reportedly expressing reservations over direct military involvement in the volatile region.

Reacting sharply to reports of a possible foreign naval mission, Iran warned that any expanded military presence in and around the Strait of Hormuz could lead to “serious consequences,” reiterating its opposition to external intervention in regional waters. Tehran has maintained that foreign military deployments risk escalating tensions further in an already fragile geopolitical environment.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most crucial energy corridors, through which a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes daily, making any disruption a matter of global economic concern.

New Delhi/Washington, May 19 (BNP): In a significant boost to bilateral defence cooperation, the United States has approved a military support package worth over USD 428 million for India, covering sustainment support for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers, according to the US Department of State.

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The approved package includes an estimated USD 198.2 million for support services and related equipment for Apache helicopters, aimed at ensuring operational readiness through engineering, logistics, technical support, training, and maintenance assistance. Major US defence firms Boeing and Lockheed Martin are expected to serve as the principal contractors for the Apache support programme.

In addition, the US has cleared a USD 230 million long-term sustainment support package for India’s M777A2 ultra-light howitzers, which are already in service with the Indian Armed Forces. The package includes spare parts, repair support, technical assistance, training, and logistics services, with BAE Systems designated as the principal contractor.

The approvals were issued under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and notified to the US Congress. The US Department of State said the proposed support arrangements are intended to strengthen India’s defence preparedness and contribute to regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Officials noted that the proposed support packages would not alter the military balance in the region and would further reinforce growing strategic and defence ties between India and the United States.

Renowned Saudi Arabian fashion label HINDAMME and Arts AlUla’s Madrasat Addeera, a platform dedicated to creativity and traditional arts inspired by heritage, today revealed a limited-edition, slow fashion collection inspired by AlUla’s more than 7,000 years of continuous human heritage and iconic natural landscapes.
Designed by one of Saudi’s leading fashion names, Mohammed Khoja, and co-created with more than 26 local artisans from Madrasat Addeera, this exclusive launch champions Saudi craftsmanship and heritage with a distinctly modern take.

The collection features a refined selection of stylish abayas and shirts made from diverse materials capturing the essence of AlUla as the crossroads of ancient civilisations. Motifs reflect rock carvings – or petroglyphs – from AlUla’s millennia-old heritage sites, such as the open-air library of Jabal Ikmah known for its Dadanitic and Lihyanite inscriptions dating to the first millennium BCE. Intertwined with the petroglyphs are illustrations of indigenous flora and fauna, from the moringa plant to the Arabian oryx, translating AlUla’s natural and human heritage into contemporary wearable art.

Madrasat Addeera, located in the AlJadidah Arts District, was once home to the region’s first girls’ school. Today, its building has transformed into the first arts and design centre in AlUla where craft skills and practices are passed down and reimagined through immersive, hands-on training. A community-driven initiative, it provides vocational training in traditional arts to support AlUla and the region’s creative economy as well as a year-round public programme where visitors of all ages can attend traditional arts workshops.

The partnership underscores Madrasat Addeera’s role as a hub for heritage-driven creativity and artisan empowerment shaping AlUla’s cultural and creative landscape. Khoja worked directly with the school’s artisans to develop eight unique designs that authentically capture local identity and creative traditions, including block printing, hand embroidery, silk-screen printing and metalwork. Each piece took between one and two months to complete, demonstrating slow fashion principles and the meticulous labour of handmade products.

“AlUla has been a source of inspiration and creativity. This legacy, reflected across its heritage sites and natural landscapes, is brought to life through this collection by HINDAMME in collaboration with Madrasat Addeera’s skilled artisans,” said Hamad AlHomiedan, Director of Arts and Creative Industries, RCU.

“This collaboration embodies our commitment to transforming local heritage and craftsmanship into a vibrant creative economy that benefits AlUla and its people. Supporting local craftsmanship and handmade products, particularly as the world becomes more digitised and globalised, is key to preserving Saudi identity for generations to come. This collection celebrates this tangible heritage and how AlUla’s remarkable history continues to influence creative expression in the Kingdom and beyond.”

The HINDAMME and Madrasat Addeera collection builds upon a legacy of collaboration between Mohammed Khoja and AlUla. In 2019, the designer developed a bespoke collection inspired by the destination’s history as a crossroads of ancient civilisations, which was exhibited at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.

“AlUla has always been a profound source of inspiration for me,” commented designer Mohammed Khoja. “It is a place where history feels alive, layered and deeply present. This collection is about proving that heritage is not something we preserve behind glass, but something we evolve, wear and carry forward. The artisans were central to this collaboration. Their knowledge, intuition and approach to craft added depth and authenticity, and learning about Madrasat Addeera building as the first girls’ school in the region added an emotional depth. The memory held within that space, and its transformation into a place of creation, is a powerful narrative within the collection.” 

“It has been such an honour to be a part of this project,” said Mona Al Joud – Textiles Artisan at Madrasat Addeera. “There was so much to learn from someone as established as Mohammed Khoja, and it was exciting to share our knowledge and skills in exchange. This collection is a letter from the people of AlUla to Saudi and the world. A lot of love, precision and intention go into each stitch and cut. I hope that people can appreciate that every piece carries our story.”

May 19 : The Zero Prize, India’s national challenge for measurable pollution reduction, has opened applications for startups, innovators, companies, research institutions, and implementation agencies developing scalable solutions across air, water, and land pollution.

Conceptualised by the School of Policy and Governance and chaired by Mr. Saket Burman, Vice Chairman of Dabur India, the ₹5 crore initiative aims to identify and support implementation-ready innovations capable of delivering independently verifiable environmental impact under real-world conditions.

Applications submitted on or before 31 May 2026 will receive structured expert feedback to strengthen impact measurement methodologies, scalability pathways, and verification frameworks before the final evaluation. The final submission deadline is 31 August 2026.

The challenge is open to applicants operating with advanced solutions, including deployed technologies, operational models, pilot-stage interventions, and scalable implementation frameworks.

The Zero Prize will evaluate applications across three core categories:

• Air Pollution: Solutions enabling measurable reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 emissions

• Water Pollution: Innovations improving wastewater treatment, reuse, improving oxygenation, biodiversity and reduction in total solid levels

• Land & Waste Management: Interventions supporting landfill diversion, recycling, waste recovery, and circular economy systems 

In addition, the initiative will feature special recognition categories, including the Youth Innovation Award, Civic Innovation Award, and Popular Vote Award, with each category carrying a prize of up to ₹10 lakh.

Applications will be assessed based on measurable environmental outcomes, scalability potential, and independently verifiable performance. The prize will also play the role of accelerator, helping the most promising ideas scale through partnerships with corporates, introductions to funders and customers.

“India does not lack innovation. What we urgently need are credible systems that can identify, validate, and scale solutions already demonstrating measurable environmental impact on the ground,” said Saket Burman, Vice Chairman of Dabur India Ltd and Chairperson of Zero Prize

“The Zero Prize has been designed to shift the conversation from environmental intent to verified outcomes. By introducing an early feedback process, we aim to strengthen the quality of applications while helping innovators build robust impact measurement systems capable of supporting larger-scale adoption.”

The challenge is expected to attract more than 500 applications from across India, spanning climate-tech startups, waste management companies, research institutions, urban innovators, civic organisations, and implementation agencies. It aims to build a national pipeline of scalable environmental interventions capable of supporting India’s broader sustainability, climate, and urban infrastructure priorities.

Applications will undergo technical assessment and independent evaluation supported by a Technical Braintrust and Board of Advisors comprising experts from the environmental, scientific, industrial, and policy ecosystems.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen collaboration between innovators, researchers, industry, investors, urban bodies, and implementation agencies while accelerating the adoption of data-backed environmental interventions across sectors.

The Zero Prize was formally launched earlier this year at the India Habitat Centre during Delhi Climate Innovation Week, alongside Dia Mirza, with participation from policymakers, climate experts, industry leaders, startups, and ecosystem stakeholders.

New Delhi, May 19 (BNP): In a significant reform aimed at improving transparency and candidate engagement, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that it will release the provisional answer key for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 shortly after the examination scheduled on May 24, marking a major departure from its long-standing practice.

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Describing the move as “a new beginning,” Dr. Ajay Kumar said the initiative is intended to institutionalise greater transparency, responsiveness and structured participation within India’s premier civil services recruitment process.

Traditionally, UPSC released official answer keys only after completion of the entire examination cycle, including the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Personality Test, often leaving aspirants dependent on unofficial answer keys to assess performance and determine their preparation strategy for subsequent stages.

Under the newly introduced system, candidates will gain early access to a provisional answer key soon after the Preliminary Examination, enabling them to evaluate their performance with greater clarity and confidence. The Commission has also opened a formal mechanism for aspirants to raise objections through the Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) available on the UPSC online platform.

According to the revised process, candidates will be allowed to submit objections and representations until May 31, 2026, at 6:00 PM, if they identify discrepancies in the provisional answer key. To ensure credibility and academic rigour, objections must be supported with documentary evidence and reasoned explanations using recognised academic references, with candidates permitted to cite up to three authentic sources.

The Commission stated that all objections will undergo detailed scrutiny by expert panels comprising subject specialists before the final answer key is prepared. Only valid and evidence-backed representations will be considered for incorporation into the final version.

While the reform allows quicker clarity on answer accuracy, UPSC clarified that official Preliminary Examination marks will continue to be released only after the conclusion of the complete recruitment cycle, maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the examination process.

Education experts and aspirants have welcomed the development, noting that timely access to answer keys could significantly reduce uncertainty and help qualifying candidates transition more efficiently into preparation for the highly competitive Main Examination. The move is being seen as a landmark procedural reform that could redefine transparency standards in India’s competitive examination ecosystem.

Bhubaneswar, May 19: A fire incident was reported in VSS Nagar, Bhubaneswar, today amid ongoing intense heatwave conditions in the region. The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown.

At this stage, no confirmed cause has been established, and authorities are examining all possible factors. The fire was brought under control after prompt response measures by emergency services.

Officials are continuing on-ground assessment to determine the extent of damage and other details related to the incident.

Residents have been advised to remain cautious due to the prevailing high temperatures and to follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities.

Bengaluru,  May 19 : As the Indian Premier League continues to capture nationwide attention, TechnoSport is strengthening its presence through a metro branding activation across Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. The initiative is part of the brand’s broader, integrated IPL approach aimed at building scale, consistency, and cultural relevance during one of India’s most high-impact engagement periods.

Rolled out across Bengaluru’s Purple Line, Chennai’s Blue Line, and Hyderabad’s Blue Line, the activation features fully branded metro trains, the campaign brings the brand into high-frequency urban corridors, including routes leading towards cricket stadiums. With one train branded in each city, the activation is estimated to reach over 16 lakh commuters daily, helping drive broad-based awareness and strong top-of-mind recall.

This activation builds on a core strategic lens: while IPL dominates national attention, a significant part of India’s daily movement happens outside stadiums, in routine, high-frequency environments like commuting. By embedding itself within these moments, TechnoSport extends its IPL presence beyond screens and into real-world consumer journeys, ensuring continuous visibility throughout the season.

The campaign will roll out as a 360-degree activation across platforms including CTV, digital and transit, along with activations across Spotify using progressive audio content with context, Influencer storytelling, branded content featuring cricketers like Ravichandran Ashwin, cinema integrations, and contextual commerce touchpoints.

The campaign also reinforces TechnoSport’s core brand idea of enabling everyday movement, bringing product relevance into real consumer contexts. By showcasing performance-driven apparel within high-temperature, high-mobility commute settings, the brand connects functional benefits with lived experiences, particularly during the summer season.

Speaking on the campaign, Patralika Agrawal, Head of Marketing, TechnoSport, said,

 “Our focus with this activation is to drive consistent, high-frequency brand visibility during one of the year’s biggest cultural moments. IPL delivers peak consumer attention, and metro networks give us the scale needed to convert that attention into strong recall. What makes this effective is that it also brings our product story closer to real consumer use cases, especially in a season where comfort and performance matter in everyday movement.”

With each market home to IPL teams and multiple match moments through the season, the activation builds on local cricket relevance, in routes leading to match locations. The activation complements TechnoSport’s ongoing brand-building efforts during IPL, including the recent launch of its ‘Real Movement’ brand film, reflecting a continued focus on contextual, culture-led consumer engagement.

New Delhi, May 19 (BNP): Major pharmacy chains, hospital-attached medical stores, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and AMRIT Pharmacy outlets across the country will continue operations on May 20, despite a nationwide shutdown call issued by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against the functioning of e-pharmacies and online medicine platforms.

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The decision comes following discussions between representatives of the AIOCD and national drug regulatory authorities, during which concerns regarding online medicine sales, regulatory oversight and market practices were raised. According to sources, the association was assured that the concerns are under active review and that the existing regulatory framework governing the sector is being examined to address issues affecting retail pharmacy stakeholders.

Several pharmacy associations and retail medicine networks have reportedly chosen not to participate in the proposed shutdown, citing the importance of uninterrupted healthcare services and the potential hardship that medicine shortages could create for patients dependent on essential and life-saving drugs.

Sources indicated that retail pharmacy associations from multiple states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Ladakh, have provided written assurances confirming that pharmacies under their jurisdiction will continue to function normally.

The AIOCD, which represents more than 1.24 million chemists and drug distributors nationwide, had earlier announced a one-day strike on May 20 to protest what it termed the unregulated expansion of e-pharmacy operations and alleged predatory pricing practices. The organisation has raised concerns over the sale of medicines without adequate prescription verification and warned against the misuse of digital systems that could potentially enable unauthorised access to antibiotics and habit-forming medicines.

The trade body has also expressed apprehension over deep discounting practices by large corporate-backed online medicine platforms, arguing that such pricing structures threaten the sustainability of small and independent pharmacies, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where access to physical chemist shops remains critical.

At the same time, stakeholders opposing the shutdown stressed that closure of pharmacy outlets could adversely affect patients requiring continuous medication and emergency healthcare support. Consumer welfare and uninterrupted access to medicines, they said, remain a priority while regulatory concerns are addressed through consultation and policy review.

The issue of e-pharmacy regulation continues to remain under scrutiny, with industry bodies seeking stricter safeguards, clearer compliance mechanisms and a balanced policy framework to ensure fair competition while protecting public health interests.