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OXFORD, England and CHICAGO, May 12^th, 2026 — Brainomix, a global leader and pioneer of AI-powered imaging tools in lung fibrosis and stroke, today announced an expansion of its partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, the leading biopharmaceutical company providing therapeutic options for interstitial lung disease (ILD), to improve the care of patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF).

Patients with Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) may progress to PPF, a condition marked by irreversible lung damage and increased risk of early mortality. Without treatment, patients may have a lifespan as short as five years¹, yet many still endure long delays – often years – before receiving a diagnosis². Early diagnosis and intervention can play a major role in a patient’s prognosis, but determining which patients are eligible for treatment based on imaging remains challenging, even for experienced specialists.

Brainomix e-Lung is an FDA-cleared, AI-driven imaging software platform that automatically detects and quantifies abnormalities on thoracic CT scans, helping clinicians more easily identify changes, including subtle deterioration across multiple timepoints. Built on proprietary technology, e-Lung has been clinically validated to measure lung features associated with interstitial lung diseases (ILD).

Results from REVISE-PPF, a retrospective research study conducted with the University of Chicago, Weill Cornell Medical Center, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will be presented by Dr. Anna Podolanczuk (Weill-Cornell) at an ATS session on Sunday, May 17^th. The study demonstrated that e-Lung was able to stratify patients at risk of PPF from a baseline CT and identified patients with radiologic evidence of PPF up to 28 months earlier than local clinical diagnoses.

This next phase of the Brainomix–Boehringer Ingelheim partnership aims to advance the work further, centered around a prospective, mixed-methods study, PROGRESS-PPF. Conducted across multiple sites in the US, it will generate both quantitative and qualitative real-world evidence to evaluate whether the routine use of e-Lung can support earlier clinical diagnosis of PPF, enabling treatment to begin sooner in the disease course, and, ultimately, support improved patient outcomes.

Dr. Michalis Papadakis, CEO and Co-Founder of Brainomix said: “We are excited to expand our strategic partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, a recognized leader and innovator in this field, with whom we share a firm commitment to improving outcomes for people living with pulmonary fibrosis. The evidence generated to date for e-Lung is highly compelling, showing the technology has the potential to accelerate diagnosis by more than two years. This next phase will enable us to evaluate that potential at scale, providing robust real-world validation of what we expect could be a transformative advancement in the patient care pathway.”

“Boehringer Ingelheim is proud to expand our partnership with Brainomix as part of our continued commitment to improving care for people living with pulmonary fibrosis,” said Dr. Emmanuelle Clerisme-Beaty, Senior Vice President Medicine & Regulatory Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Progressive pulmonary fibrosis can be challenging to diagnose, and innovations that enhance our ability to detect disease have the potential to improve patient outcomes.”

An Innovation Hub session at ATS, entitled “Advancing ILD Care: Real-World Impact of Brainomix e-Lung,” will take place on Tuesday, May 19^th, during which Prof. Peter George (Consultant Pulmonologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, UK and Brainomix Senior Medical Director) will speak with Dr. Andy Limper (Mayo Clinic, Rochester) and Dr. Tathagat Narula (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville) about their institution’s experience with Brainomix e-Lung, where it has been incorporated into routine clinical practice. 

Brainomix will be exhibiting the e-Lung technology at the ATS International Conference (booth #2250) from Sunday, May 17^th to Tuesday, May 19^th.

New Delhi, May 12 (BNP): India’s retail inflation inched up to 3.48 percent in April from 3.40 percent recorded in March, mainly due to continued pressure on food prices, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation remained within the Reserve Bank of India’s comfort range, though rising food costs continued to impact household spending across the country. Food inflation increased to 4.20 percent in April compared to 3.87 percent in the previous month, reflecting sustained price pressure in essential commodities.

Data showed that inflation in rural India stood at 3.74 percent, higher than the 3.16 percent recorded in urban areas, indicating relatively stronger price pressure in the countryside.

Despite the rise in food inflation, a sharp decline in the prices of several vegetables helped prevent a steeper increase in overall inflation. Potato prices registered a major decline of 23.69 percent, while onion prices fell by 17.67 percent on a year-on-year basis. Certain non-food segments, including vehicles and household appliances, also witnessed negative inflation, contributing to moderation in headline numbers.

However, some food items continued to remain costly. Tomato prices surged by 35.28 percent, while cauliflower prices rose by 25.58 percent compared to the same period last year, keeping pressure on consumers.

Economists said the April inflation figures were softer than market expectations but cautioned that global geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and weather-related risks such as El Niño could create upward pressure on prices in the coming months.

Experts believe the Reserve Bank of India is likely to maintain a cautious “wait-and-watch” approach regarding future monetary policy decisions while closely monitoring inflation trends and global economic conditions.

Retail inflation remains a key economic indicator as it directly affects consumer purchasing power, interest rate decisions, and overall economic sentiment across the country.

New Delhi, May 12 (BNP): India’s retail inflation inched up to 3.48 percent in April from 3.40 percent recorded in March, mainly due to continued pressure on food prices, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation remained within the Reserve Bank of India’s comfort range, though rising food costs continued to impact household spending across the country. Food inflation increased to 4.20 percent in April compared to 3.87 percent in the previous month, reflecting sustained price pressure in essential commodities.

Data showed that inflation in rural India stood at 3.74 percent, higher than the 3.16 percent recorded in urban areas, indicating relatively stronger price pressure in the countryside.

Despite the rise in food inflation, a sharp decline in the prices of several vegetables helped prevent a steeper increase in overall inflation. Potato prices registered a major decline of 23.69 percent, while onion prices fell by 17.67 percent on a year-on-year basis. Certain non-food segments, including vehicles and household appliances, also witnessed negative inflation, contributing to moderation in headline numbers.

However, some food items continued to remain costly. Tomato prices surged by 35.28 percent, while cauliflower prices rose by 25.58 percent compared to the same period last year, keeping pressure on consumers.

Economists said the April inflation figures were softer than market expectations but cautioned that global geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and weather-related risks such as El Niño could create upward pressure on prices in the coming months.

Experts believe the Reserve Bank of India is likely to maintain a cautious “wait-and-watch” approach regarding future monetary policy decisions while closely monitoring inflation trends and global economic conditions.

Retail inflation remains a key economic indicator as it directly affects consumer purchasing power, interest rate decisions, and overall economic sentiment across the country.

Ahmedabad, May 12 (BNP): Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has intensified its global expansion strategy in the offshore and subsea engineering sector through a strategic partnership between its marine division, Astro Offshore, and US-based Oceaneering International.

 Representational Image

The collaboration marks APSEZ’s formal entry into specialised deepwater operations in the European market and signals the company’s growing ambitions beyond conventional port management and cargo handling businesses.

Officials familiar with the development said the partnership will focus on advanced offshore engineering, subsea services, deepwater infrastructure support, and marine logistics operations. The move is expected to strengthen APSEZ’s position in the rapidly expanding global maritime and offshore services industry.

As part of its long-term growth strategy, APSEZ is aggressively scaling its marine business and plans to expand its fleet strength to nearly 200 vessels over the coming years. The company is targeting marine business revenues of around ₹6,000 crore by the financial year 2030-31.

To support this expansion, APSEZ has earmarked nearly ₹13,000 crore in capital expenditure for the marine segment over the next five years. Industry experts believe the investment will help the company diversify its operations, strengthen technological capabilities, and establish a stronger international presence in offshore engineering and deep-sea operations.

The latest partnership also reflects the increasing globalisation of India’s maritime sector, with Indian infrastructure companies actively entering high-value international marine and subsea engineering markets.

The development is being viewed as a significant milestone in APSEZ’s transformation from a domestic port operator into a globally diversified maritime infrastructure and marine services company.

Kochi, May 12: On the occasion of International Nurses Day, Aster DM Healthcare announced the Top 10 finalists for the fifth edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026, selected from over 134,000 registrations across 214 countries and economies. The initiative continues to be one of the world’s most significant global recognitions for the nursing profession.

This year’s participation reflects a notable increase from the previous edition, which received over 100,000 entries from 199 countries, highlighting the growing global engagement and recognition of nurses’ contributions to healthcare systems worldwide.

Aster DM Healthcare has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent process advisor for the award. The selection process involved multi-stage evaluation, including eligibility screening, assessment by an independent panel of experts, and final review by a distinguished Grand Jury.

One Top 10 finalist will receive the grand title along with a prize of USD 250,000, while the remaining finalists will also be honoured with global recognition and awards for their contributions to healthcare.

The Top 10 finalists for 2026 include representatives from healthcare institutions across the United Kingdom, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong SAR (China), India, Colombia, Namibia, Nigeria, and Papua New Guinea, reflecting the truly global nature of the award and the nursing profession.

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, said nurses play a transformative role in healthcare systems globally through their compassion, dedication, and ability to drive innovation and identify systemic gaps. He noted that the overwhelming response of over 134,000 registrations from 214 countries reflects the scale of nursing impact worldwide.

Alisha Moopen, Managing Director & Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare GCC, highlighted that modern nursing leadership is increasingly focused on building long-term capacity, mentoring teams, and strengthening healthcare systems for sustainable impact.

The final round will include interviews with a Grand Jury comprising global healthcare leaders. The winner will be announced at a gala event in India in July 2026.

 A Korean research team has successfully developed a technology that converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) into liquid hydrocarbons such as gasoline and naphtha, achieving pilot-scale production of 50 kg per day.

Dr. Jeong-Rang Kim’s research team at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), in collaboration with GS Engineering & Construction and Hanwha TotalEnergies, developed catalyst and process technology that directly converts CO₂ and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons without intermediate steps. This work was conducted under the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Carbon Resource Platform Chemical Project.

Previously, Dr. Kim’s team completed a 5 kg per day mini-pilot plant and transferred the technology to GS Engineering & Construction and Hanwha TotalEnergies in 2022. Building on this achievement, the joint research team established Korea’s first direct CO₂ hydrogenation pilot plant capable of producing 50 kg of liquid hydrocarbons per day by late 2025. The next phase involves designing a commercial-scale process capable of producing more than 100,000 tons annually.

As geopolitical disruptions such as the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz threaten petroleum and naphtha supply chains, technologies that transform industrial CO₂ emissions from power plants and factories into valuable resources are gaining strategic importance. This technology offers the potential to replace petroleum feedstocks used for automotive fuels and petrochemical raw materials with carbon-derived alternatives.

Conventional CO₂ conversion technologies typically involve an indirect two-step process. First, CO₂ is converted into carbon monoxide (CO) via the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction, which requires temperatures exceeding 800°C due to the chemical stability of CO₂. Subsequently, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis converts CO and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons under lower temperatures but high pressures, requiring complex multi-stage facilities.

The KRICT-led team overcame these limitations by developing a catalyst system that enables direct conversion in a single process. This direct hydrogenation technology allows CO₂ and hydrogen to react directly into liquid hydrocarbons without the high-temperature RWGS step.

The technology operates under relatively mild conditions of approximately 270–330°C and 10–30 bar. By incorporating multi-stage reactions and recycling unreacted materials, the system currently achieves about 50% synthesis yield for liquid hydrocarbons. The pilot plant’s daily output of 50 kg is roughly equivalent to three 20-liter jerrycans of fuel.

This achievement is particularly significant as a commercialization-enabling platform technology. Improvements in catalyst manufacturing and operating conditions enhanced process stability while reducing energy consumption compared to conventional approaches. The simplified process structure is also advantageous for lowering production costs.

Moving forward, the research team plans to accumulate long-term operational data through pilot plant optimization and demonstration. Based on these results, they will pursue commercial-scale process design, economic feasibility analysis, and greenhouse gas reduction assessments for plants capable of producing over 100,000 tons annually. Successful commercialization could substantially reduce dependence on imported petroleum and strengthen national energy security by establishing alternative carbon feedstock systems.

The researchers anticipate that, when integrated with renewable energy, this technology could become a core enabling component of Power-to-Liquids (PtL) systems, which convert renewable electricity, captured CO₂, and green hydrogen into sustainable liquid fuels.

The study was published as a cover article in the March 2026 issue of ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (Impact Factor: 7.3), an international journal specializing in sustainable chemical technologies. Dr. Hyung-Ki Min of KRICT served as the corresponding author, and Dr. Chen Jingyu participated as the first author.

Guwahati, May 12 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Himanta Biswa Sarma after he took oath as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term, describing him as a “wonderful administrator” who has carried out pioneering work for the state.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returned to power in Assam for the third straight term following a decisive victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in amid a grand ceremony attended by senior BJP leaders, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states, religious figures, industrialists, and party supporters.

In a message shared on social media, Prime Minister Modi called the occasion “a great day for Assam” and praised Sarma’s leadership and administrative performance during his previous tenure. The Prime Minister also extended his best wishes for the new government’s upcoming term.

Along with Sarma, four ministers — former Union Minister Rameswar Teli, AGP president Atul Bora, UPPL leader Charan Boro, and senior BJP leader Ajanta Neog — also took oath as members of the new Council of Ministers.

Prime Minister Modi separately congratulated the newly inducted ministers and expressed confidence that the team would continue strengthening Assam’s growth and development trajectory.

The swearing-in ceremony witnessed the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with several senior BJP functionaries and leaders from across the Northeast. Prominent religious leaders, including Satradhikars from Assam’s Vaishnavite monasteries, also attended the event.

Dressed in traditional Assamese attire, Himanta Biswa Sarma took the oath amid loud cheers from party workers and supporters. Having first assumed office in 2021, Sarma has now secured a second consecutive term, further consolidating the BJP’s political dominance in Assam and the northeastern region.

Chennai, May 12 (BNP): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has appointed noted astrologer and spiritual advisor Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (Political), triggering widespread political discussion across the state.

The official appointment order was issued on May 12, just a day before the newly formed government is expected to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly. Radhan Pandit, who is considered a close confidant and personal astrologer of the Chief Minister, is known for his involvement in political consultations and spiritual guidance.

Describing himself as a “political and celebrity astrologer” on his professional profile, Radhan has previously claimed association with several prominent political leaders, including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and late BJP veteran L. K. Advani.

Earlier this year, Radhan had predicted a massive electoral victory for Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), initially forecasting 180 seats and later revising the estimate to over 150 seats. The party eventually secured 108 seats in the Assembly elections and has since moved to form the government with the support of alliance partners including Congress, Left parties, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

The appointment has come at a politically sensitive time, coinciding with heated debates inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly over ideological and social issues. The development has sparked mixed reactions in political circles, with supporters calling it a matter of personal trust while critics questioned the inclusion of an astrologer in a significant political advisory role.

The latest move by the Vijay-led government has once again brought discussions around spirituality, politics, and governance into the public spotlight in Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi, May 12 (BNP): The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) — NEET-UG 2026 — conducted on May 3, 2026, has been officially cancelled by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following serious allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities in the examination process.

In continuation of its press release dated 10 May 2026, the National Testing Agency wishes to inform candidates, parents, and members of the public of the following decisions taken in respect of NEET (UG) 2026. NTA had, on 8 May 2026, referred the matters then under consideration…

— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) May 12, 2026

The decision was announced by the NTA on Tuesday after investigative findings and inputs shared by central and state law enforcement agencies, including the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG), which is currently probing the alleged paper leak case.

In an official press release, the NTA stated that the examination has been cancelled with the approval of the Government of India in order to maintain transparency, fairness, and the integrity of the national-level medical entrance examination system.

“On the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately,” the agency said.

The NTA further informed that revised dates and detailed guidelines regarding the re-examination will be announced separately through official notifications. Candidates have been advised to stay updated through the official NTA and NEET websites.

The cancellation has sparked strong reactions across the country, with lakhs of medical aspirants facing renewed uncertainty over the admission process. However, many students and education experts have welcomed the move as a necessary step to uphold the credibility of one of India’s most competitive entrance examinations.

London — May 12, 2026 — Global Citizen Solutions (“GCS”), a leading residency and citizenship planning advisory firm, has published From Destination to Departure: America’s New Migration Story, a new briefing from its research arm, the Global Intelligence Unit (GIU), examining the long-term rise in American emigration. The shift has been decades in the making and is now measurable through citizenship renunciation records, overseas residency registrations, and survey data tracking Americans’ interest in moving abroad.

The scale of the outbound movement is visible across every continent. According to Pew Research Center, an estimated 2.2 million people left the US in 2025, of whom 180,000 were US citizens. The Association of Americans Resident Overseas estimates 5.5 million Americans were living abroad as of October 2024, up from 5.4 million the prior year. In nearly all 27 EU member states, the number of Americans arriving to live and work is at a record high. 

The GIU notes long-term economic, political, and lifestyle concerns are contributing to rising interest in emigration among Americans. Gallup’s longitudinal tracking shows the baseline has shifted dramatically: the desire to emigrate ran at 10% to 11% under Bush and Obama, rose to 16% to 20% during the first Trump presidency, and by November 2025 stood at one in five Americans overall, with women aged 15–44 reaching 40% — up from 10% in 2014.

Renunciation statistics — the most precisely documented indicator of emigration intent — tell a complementary story of acceleration. Before 2009, fewer than 400 Americans renounced their citizenship annually. By 2024, that figure had reached 4,820, a 48% increase from 2023 and the third-highest annual total ever recorded. In the first quarter of 2025, 1,285 Americans expatriated — a 102% jump on the prior quarter. The global queue for renunciation appointments now exceeds 30,000 people.

A significant further catalyst arrived on April 13, 2026, when the US State Department reduced the renunciation fee from $2,350 to $450, restoring it to pre-2015 levels following sustained legal pressure — a change widely expected to accelerate the trend.

The pool of Americans who could act on this interest is larger than is widely understood. An estimated 7 to 10 million Americans already hold dual citizenship, while up to 30 million may qualify for ancestry-based European passports through countries including Italy, Ireland, Poland, Germany, and Hungary — options that have existed for years but which many Americans are only now discovering.

The trend is also registering in passport demand. GCS’s Global Passport Index (GPI)— which tracks the travel freedom, lifestyle, and investment value of passports across more than 199 countries — shows the US falling from 1st place in 2021 to 14th in 2025, a decline that reflects both reduced immigration into the country and the growing appeal of alternative citizenships among Americans seeking broader global mobility.

“What the Global Passport Index captures that conventional economic data cannot is the gap between aggregate wealth and lived experience,” said Laura Madrid, Lead Researcher at the Global Citizen Solutions’ GIU. “The United States remains a high-income country by every traditional measure. But the structural pressures bearing down on ordinary Americans — rising poverty, persistent inflation in housing and healthcare, deepening political polarization, and a public safety crisis unlike anything seen in peer nations — are registering in people’s decisions about where to build their lives.”

GIU research identifies several compounding pressures. The US Supplemental Poverty Measure reached 12.9% in 2023, its second consecutive annual increase, while CPI-U inflation ran at 3.0% year-on-year into early 2025. In 2023 alone, the country recorded weather and climate disasters totaling at least $92.9 billion in damages. On public safety, gun violence continues to set the US apart from every comparable high-income nation.

“This is not the profile of people fleeing crisis,” Madrid added. “These are informed, often financially stable individuals and families making a deliberate calculation — that their money, their safety, and their quality of life will go further elsewhere.”

Where Americans Are Going

Europe remains the most sought-after destination, with more than 1.5 million Americans now living across the continent. As of December 2023, the top EU and EFTA destinations for US nationals on residence permits were Germany (81,509), Spain (44,804), France (38,181), Italy (36,549), the Netherlands (33,107), Switzerland (19,579), and Portugal (13,948) — the vast majority on permits of one year or more, indicating long-term relocation rather than short stays.

Portugal ranks first in GCS’s Global Retirement Index and Spain leads its Global Digital Nomad Index. Greece, Italy, and Malta are drawing significant numbers across income and lifestyle profiles. Italy’s ancestry citizenship route, historically one of the most sought-after by Americans, was restricted by Law 74/2025 to children and grandchildren of Italian citizens — a change upheld by Italy’s Constitutional Court in March 2026 that blocks an estimated 80 million people previously eligible through earlier generations. The restriction has prompted some Americans to apply before additional policy changes take effect. Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs continue to attract those seeking faster routes to a second passport and greater global mobility.

To read the full briefing, visit: From Destination to Departure: America’s New Migration Story

Amid a surge in demand for practical guidance, GCS has updated its guide for Americans, on the 23 Best Countries to move to in 2026, covering digital nomad and passive income visas, Golden Visa investment routes, moving costs and living expenses.