New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday launched a nationwide initiative offering free annual health check-ups for workers aged 40 years and above.

Speaking at ESIC Medical College & Hospital in Delhi, the Minister said the initiative is aimed at strengthening preventive healthcare for workers and improving early detection of health issues through regular medical screening.

He added that the rollout of the four Labour Codes reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing dignity, welfare, and social security for workers across the country under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Describing the occasion as a tribute to “Shram Shakti,” Mandaviya said the government is focused on expanding social security coverage and ensuring better healthcare access for the workforce.

Officials said the initiative is expected to improve occupational health outcomes and promote a more structured approach to worker welfare through timely and preventive medical care.

New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): The Government has launched JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care), a QR-enabled digital health platform designed to improve monitoring and delivery of maternal and child healthcare services across the country.

The platform is an upgraded version of the existing Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) system and creates a continuous digital health record covering the full cycle of care—from pregnancy and delivery to postnatal and newborn services, as well as family planning.

Key features of JANANI

The system enables QR-enabled digital Mother and Child Health (MCH) cards, allowing easy access and portability of health records. It also supports real-time tracking of beneficiaries, automated alerts for high-risk pregnancies, and digital dashboards for health officials to monitor service delivery and identify gaps.

JANANI integrates with national health platforms such as U-WIN and POSHAN, ensuring seamless data sharing across programmes and improving coordination between healthcare services. It also allows registration through multiple identifiers, including ABHA, Aadhaar, and mobile numbers, helping reduce duplication and improve accuracy.

The platform further supports self-registration via web and mobile access, along with reminders for antenatal visits, immunisation schedules, and critical health milestones.

Progress so far

According to official data, JANANI has recorded over 1.34 crore beneficiary registrations, including more than 30 lakh pregnant women. It has also generated over 30 lakh MCH cards and completed more than 1 lakh biometric verifications.

Importance and benefits

Officials said the platform is expected to significantly strengthen maternal and child healthcare delivery by ensuring timely monitoring and early intervention in high-risk cases. It is also designed to improve continuity of care, particularly for migratory populations, by maintaining portable digital records accessible across the country.

By combining real-time tracking, automated alerts, and integrated health data systems, JANANI is expected to enhance efficiency in service delivery, reduce missed health check-ups, and support better health outcomes for mothers and children.

The government said the initiative reflects a broader push toward digital health transformation and more inclusive, technology-driven public healthcare services in India.

New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): Gold and silver prices rose by up to 1% on Thursday as global markets reacted to rising crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty linked to US–Iran negotiations, according to market data.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), June gold futures touched an intraday high of ₹1,52,887, gaining 0.49%, while silver futures for July climbed as much as 1.49% to ₹2,57,055 during the session.

Internationally, precious metals also traded in positive territory. COMEX gold rose to around $4,703 per ounce, while silver gained over 1% to trade near $78.17 per ounce.

Analysts attributed the upward movement to continued safe-haven demand amid global uncertainty, including tensions in West Asia and concerns surrounding the ongoing US–Iran discussions. Market sentiment has been influenced by reports of negotiations involving nuclear-related commitments and strategic maritime routes.

A weaker US dollar, with the index trading below the 98 mark, also supported the rally in precious metals by making them more attractive to global buyers.

At the same time, rising crude oil prices added to inflationary concerns, further boosting demand for gold and silver as defensive assets. Brent crude traded above $102 per barrel, while WTI also recorded gains.

Market experts say precious metals may continue to remain supported in the near term, driven by geopolitical risks, currency movements, and energy market volatility.

Mumbai, May 7 (BNP): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has announced a packed home season for 2026–27, featuring a wide range of international and developmental fixtures across senior and age-group levels.

A key highlight of the schedule is the Indian women’s cricket team hosting Zimbabwe women for a maiden white-ball series in October 2026. The series will include three T20 Internationals in Raipur followed by three One-Day Internationals in Baroda, marking an important addition to India’s women’s international calendar.

The BCCI said the season has been designed to provide extensive competitive exposure across formats, with India set to host “A” teams, U19 squads, and senior women’s sides from multiple countries, including Australia, England, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

As part of the broader schedule, India A men’s team will face Australia A in a multi-format series in Puducherry, while the India U19 men’s team will play Australia U19 in both one-day and multi-day matches across Rajkot and Ahmedabad.

On the women’s development front, Australia A women will tour India for a multi-format series across Mohali and Dharamshala, followed by matches against England A women in Pune and Navi Mumbai. The India U19 women’s team will also feature in a busy calendar, hosting England U19 in a T20 series and Sri Lanka U19 in a white-ball series across Chennai and Puducherry.

Officials said the expanded calendar reflects a strong focus on building depth in Indian cricket, providing consistent international exposure and strengthening the pipeline across senior and junior levels in both men’s and women’s cricket.

Bhubaneswar, May 7 (BNP): A new weather system is likely to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal around May 10, according to multiple global forecast models, including European weather predictions. However, meteorologists say there remains uncertainty regarding its intensity and exact movement.

Initial model indications suggest the system may originate near Sri Lanka and the Tamil Nadu coast. Experts caution that the trajectory and strength of the system will become clearer only after May 11, once the existing trough over central India weakens.

In the meantime, Odisha continues to experience intermittent rainfall and thunderstorm activity under the influence of prevailing atmospheric conditions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across most districts of Odisha between May 7 and May 13.

For today, the IMD has issued a yellow warning for several districts including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Nabarangapur. These areas are likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph.

Additionally, isolated thunderstorms with winds of 30–40 kmph are likely during the afternoon and evening hours in districts including Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, and Balangir.

Officials have advised residents to remain alert and take necessary precautions, especially in areas prone to lightning and strong surface winds, as weather conditions remain active over the coming days.

Ras Al Khaimah, May 07: In the presence of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) signed two strategic agreements – with MAGRABi Retail Group and Mighty Industrial Park – during the 5th edition of Make it in the Emirates (MIITE), held at ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the emirate’s growing position as a competitive hub for industrial investment and advanced manufacturing.

The agreements reflect increasing investor confidence in Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial ecosystem and its ability to support long-term, scalable manufacturing operations.

The first agreement, represented by MAGRABi Retail Group CEO Yasser Taher, aims to establish a Store Manufacturing Centre – a purpose-built facility dedicated to the production of furniture, store fit-outs, refurbishments, and pop-up concepts across its retail network. Designed to service up to 140 stores annually, the facility will support MAGRABi Retail’s operations across all its markets in the GCC, while creating up to 100 jobs and strengthening the company’s regional expansion and operational capabilities.

Taher said, “At MAGRABi Retail, everything we do is driven by a customer-first philosophy. This investment reinforces our long-term commitment to the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah while enabling us to further elevate the retail experience across our growing network. By centralising the production of our store environments, we ensure that every detail reflects our dedication to quality, innovation, and client care.”

The second agreement was concluded with Mighty Industrial Park, represented by shareholder Guichun Guo, setting plans for the development of a comprehensive China-UAE industrial park. The project will focus on metal recycling, dismantling, smelting, precious metal refining, and advanced manufacturing, creating a fully-integrated ecosystem that supports sustainable industrial development and sector growth, while contributing to the advancement of circular economy practices within Ras Al Khaimah.

Guo said, “Ras Al Khaimah was chosen by Mighty Industry Park because it offers the practical conditions required for a resource-circulation industrial project to scale: industrial land, utility access, logistics connectivity and a manufacturing environment that can support recycling, refining, production, and export activities. RAKEZ provides a platform where our secondary copper recycling, refining, and copper products manufacturing operations can be developed as an integrated industrial chain rather than as a single standalone facility. With support from the relevant authorities during the establishment process, we see Ras Al Khaimah as a long-term base for building a circular-economy value chain, attracting upstream and downstream partners, and contributing to the UAE’s green manufacturing and industrial diversification goals.”

Commenting on the agreements, RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “These two agreements reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a leading hub for advanced manufacturing and industrial investment in the region. By partnering with prominent companies such as MAGRABi Retail and Mighty Industrial Park, we are committed to developing an integrated industrial ecosystem that supports innovation and keeps pace with global shifts in value chains and sustainable manufacturing. At RAKEZ, we continue to provide a flexible and enabling business environment that allows investors to expand with confidence, benefit from advanced infrastructure, and access integrated services that support their long-term growth.”

In addition to these milestones, Jallad took part in a high-level panel discussion alongside leaders from the UAE’s free and economic zones. During the session, he highlighted the UAE’s strong industrial resilience, driven by alignment of efforts across federal entities and economic zones, and reinforced by practical, on-the-ground support for businesses. He noted that flexibility, close client engagement, and integrated ecosystem support have been key to maintaining continuity, while long-term investor confidence continues to be built on stability, scalability, and the ability to grow seamlessly within the same environment.

When asked about long-term commitments from global manufacturers, he said, “Certainty remains the key — enabled by a stable environment, seamless scalability within one ecosystem, and integrated access to logistics, financing, and global markets, allowing businesses to grow with confidence over the long term.”

This direction aligns closely with the UAE’s Operation 300bn strategy, with RAKEZ contributing by enabling industrial growth, attracting high-value manufacturing investments, and providing the infrastructure and ecosystem required for businesses to scale within the country.

Through its continued participation in major platforms such as MIITE, RAKEZ reinforces this role by creating an environment where businesses can grow with confidence, expand seamlessly, and navigate evolving global conditions while contributing to the UAE’s long-term industrial and economic ambitions.

New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has generated around 36.33 lakh employment opportunities across the country, reinforcing its role as a key driver of grassroots entrepreneurship and livelihood creation, according to an official statement.

Implemented through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the scheme supports the setting up of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by providing credit-linked subsidies to aspiring entrepreneurs.

During the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021–22 to 2025–26), the scheme utilised its entire approved allocation of ₹13,554.42 crore and facilitated the establishment of over 4.03 lakh micro-enterprises, slightly surpassing its target.

Officials said this performance reflects both strong demand for entrepreneurship support and effective implementation on the ground.

A major highlight of the programme is its focus on inclusion and social equity. Women account for nearly 40% of total beneficiaries, while around 45% of subsidy support has gone to women-led enterprises, encouraging greater participation in business creation.

In addition, about 54% of beneficiaries belong to SC, ST, and OBC communities, underscoring the scheme’s wide social outreach. Nearly 80% of the supported enterprises are located in rural areas, helping boost local employment and promote balanced regional development.

Overall, officials said PMEGP continues to play a crucial role in expanding self-employment opportunities, strengthening small businesses, and supporting India’s broader goal of entrepreneurship-led and inclusive economic growth.

New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): School enrollment in government institutions has declined to 49.24% in the 2024–25 academic year, while the private education sector continues to expand rapidly, according to concerns highlighted by NITI Aayog.

The findings point to a steady shift in student preference toward private schools, reflecting changing perceptions around quality of education, infrastructure, and learning outcomes. The trend indicates that private institutions are gaining a larger share of new enrollments compared to government schools.

According to the assessment, the decline in government school enrollment raises important concerns for the public education system, particularly in terms of equity and access. Since government schools play a crucial role in providing affordable education, especially in rural and lower-income segments, a continued drop in enrollment could widen educational disparities.

The report notes that the rapid growth of private schooling is reshaping India’s education landscape, with increased household spending on education and rising demand for alternative learning environments.

It further suggests that improving infrastructure, teacher availability, and learning outcomes in government schools will be critical to reversing the trend and restoring confidence in public education.

Overall, the data highlights a structural shift in India’s schooling system, where the balance between public and private education is gradually evolving, raising policy-level concerns about long-term accessibility and inclusiveness in the education sector.