Mumbai, May 6 (BNP): The government has appointed Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former CEO of Prasar Bharati, as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (Central Board of Film Certification).

He takes over from Prasoon Joshi, who has recently been assigned the role of Chairperson of Prasar Bharati.

An alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Vempati is also an author and co-founder of AI4India Org, an initiative working to expand access to artificial intelligence technology in India.

His appointment is expected to guide the CBFC’s role in film certification and regulatory oversight with renewed focus and leadership.

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): The Unique Identification Authority of India (Unique Identification Authority of India) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the National Forensic Sciences University (National Forensic Sciences University) to strengthen India’s cybersecurity framework and advance digital forensics capabilities.

The agreement was formalized between UIDAI CEO Vivek Chandra Verma and Prof. (Dr.) S.O. Junare, Director of the Gujarat Campus of NFSU, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.

The partnership focuses on enhancing cyber resilience, improving the security of digital systems, and promoting research and training in emerging areas of cybersecurity and forensic science.

Key areas of collaboration include academic and professional skill development in cybersecurity, strengthening information security systems, improving forensic laboratory infrastructure, and providing technical support for cyber protection initiatives.

Officials said the collaboration will help build stronger expertise in digital security, improve system integrity, and support India’s growing digital ecosystem through advanced forensic and cybersecurity solutions.

May 6 (BNP): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has announced the schedule for the IPL 2026 Playoffs, marking the final stage of a highly competitive season featuring 70 league matches filled with strong performances and close contests.

Qualifier 1 between the top two teams will be played on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with a direct spot in the final at stake.

The Eliminator match between the third and fourth-placed teams will take place on May 27 at the New Chandigarh International Cricket Stadium. The same venue will also host Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator to secure the second place in the final.

The season will conclude with the IPL 2026 Final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket stadium, setting the stage for a grand finish to the tournament.

Paris, May 06 – TotalEnergies, in collaboration with Dell Technologies and NVIDIA, announces the signing of a contract for the design and installation of Pangea 5, its next high-performance supercomputer. Hosted at the Jean Féger Scientific and Technical Center (CSTJF) in Pau, in the South of France, Pangea 5 will multiply the Company’s computing power by six. It represents an investment of over 100 million euros.

A significant increase in computing power to support TotalEnergies’ projects

With this increase in processing speed, Pangea 5 will:

expand the deployment of advanced seismic engineering to enhance the accuracy of subsurface imaging and accelerate exploration to support the Company’s strategy for low-cost and low-emission hydrocarbon production;
support R&D uses of AI and meet growing digital needs to optimize computing times and deepen the understanding of complex phenomena like integrated power models.

Controlled Energy Consumption and CO₂ Emissions

Pangea 5 will rely on specialized processors, capable of massively parallel computations, offering greater energy efficiency than previous versions. At equal performance, Pangea 5’s energy consumption will be reduced by approximately 40%, and its associated cooling system’s consumption will be cut by a factor of five. The residual heat generated by the supercomputer will be recovered and used to help heat the buildings of the CSTJF, which host more than 2.500 people.

Pangea 5 will be first commissioned in 2027.

“Artificial intelligence and digital technology are strategic drivers of our energy transition. By increasing our computing power sixfold, we are strengthening our leadership in high-performance computing ensuring that our experts teams continue to have the means to push the envelope to support the development of our activities and meet the growing global demand for energy,” said Namita Shah, President, OneTech at TotalEnergies.

“TotalEnergies is pushing the boundaries of high-performance computing, and we’re delighted to be part of that journey. Pangea 5 will give TotalEnergies the computing power to accelerate discovery, increase efficiency and drive the energy transition forward – that’s exactly the kind of outcome our collaboration is built for,” said Adrian McDonald, President, Dell Technologies EMEA

“NVIDIA Compute, network and software platforms will provide Pangea 5 with exceptional parallel computing power, accelerating scientific workloads and opening new opportunities in artificial intelligence. With this choice of NVIDIA GPUs, CPUs and InfiniBand TotalEnergies is adopting an architecture capable of meeting the most demanding industrial and energy challenges, both today and in the years to come,” said John Josephakis, Vice President HPC & AI at NVIDIA.

May 06: Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers dedicated to sustainable investing, announces a USD 15 million investment in Eversource-backed Ecofy, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-registered NBFC specializing in financing green products. 

Founded in 2022 by Rajashree Nambiar and Govind Sankaranarayanan, and backed by Eversource Capital, British International Investment, FMO and Finnfund, Ecofy is India’s leading retail-focused climate financing platform. In just three years, the company has scaled to serve over 130,000 customers, with a strong pan-India presence across 26 states and more than 500 cities.

Ecofy, India’s first green-only NBFC will deploy the loan proceeds to support onward lending, financing residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop solar installations, as well as electric mobility solutions across India. The transaction aims to accelerate the deployment of clean energy and low-carbon technologies while contributing to economic development.

The transaction marks Mirova’s fourth investment in India as part of its dedicated energy transition strategy in emerging markets, underscoring its long-term commitment to supporting the country’s low-carbon transition. 

This investment contributes to three of Mirova’s four key impact areas:

• Climate action (SDG 13), through the financing of solar photovoltaic generation and electric mobility;
• Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), by supporting the expansion of distributed renewable energy; and
• Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), by enabling access to finance for households and enterprises.

Vivek Khandelwal, Head Treasury, Ecofy said: 

“This partnership with Mirova marks another significant milestone in Ecofy’s journey to scale green financing. Access to long-term, mission-aligned capital strengthens our ability to reach households and small businesses for their rooftop solar and electric mobility solutions. We remain focused on building a robust, accessible financing ecosystem for India’s green transition.”

Priyanka Mehrotra, Investment Director, Mirova Division of Natixis Investment Managers Singapore Limited, added: 

“Financing the energy transition in emerging markets requires solutions that can combine scale, local reach and measurable impact. By supporting Ecofy, we are backing a platform that is already demonstrating its ability to deploy capital efficiently on the ground, accelerating access to clean energy and electric mobility while supporting inclusive economic growth in India.”

 

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): A free health check-up initiative for workers has been launched under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation), marking early implementation efforts linked to the new labour framework reforms.

The initiative aims to improve preventive healthcare access for insured workers by offering routine medical screening and early detection services. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen workplace welfare and enhance social security coverage for the workforce.

Officials stated that the programme will help identify health risks at an early stage, reduce long-term medical complications, and improve overall productivity by ensuring timely medical attention for workers.

The drive also reflects the government’s focus on expanding worker welfare benefits under evolving labour reforms, with an emphasis on accessible and preventive healthcare.

Authorities noted that the initiative is expected to benefit a large section of the organised workforce and reinforce India’s commitment to improving occupational health standards.

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Vietnamese President To Lam at Hyderabad House, focusing on strengthening the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The discussions covered key areas of cooperation including trade and investment, defence and security, digital technology, energy, and connectivity. Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

The meeting emphasized enhancing economic engagement, improving supply chain resilience, and exploring new opportunities in emerging sectors such as infrastructure, critical minerals, and innovation-led growth.

The visit comes at a significant milestone as both countries mark 10 years of their upgraded strategic partnership. The engagement is expected to further deepen bilateral ties and open new avenues for cooperation between India and Vietnam.

Mumbai, May 6: With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate the women who nurture, inspire, and uplift us every day. This year, move beyond the usual and gift something truly thoughtful—beauty essentials that combine care, indulgence, and a touch of everyday luxury. From skincare that restores her glow to haircare that pampers and protects, these curated picks are designed to make her feel as special as she truly is.

A Curated Selection of Thoughtful Beauty Gifts

Couture Mini Clutch Palette by YSL

A couture statement for the eyes, the YSL Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette delivers high-impact colour with effortless sophistication. Featuring a curated harmony of rich, velvety shades in matte, satin, and shimmer finishes, its finely milled pigments ensure smooth application, intense payoff, and seamless blendability. Encased in a sleek, travel-friendly compact inspired by YSL’s iconic accessories, it is perfect for both everyday elegance and elevated evening looks.

Radiance Serum by Sonrisa

The Sonrisa Radiance Serum is a glow-enhancing essential that celebrates natural beauty with every drop. This lightweight, fast-absorbing formula works to brighten, smooth, and deeply hydrate, restoring a soft, luminous complexion. Infused with skin-loving actives, it targets dullness and uneven tone, delivering a radiant, dewy finish—an everyday luxury that makes self-care effortless.

Mintree Hydrating DIY Home Facial Kit (Avocado)

Designed as a pampering, spa-like ritual, the Mintree DIY Home Facial Kit brings salon-quality care into the comfort of home. Enriched with nourishing avocado extracts and advanced skincare actives, it deeply hydrates, brightens, and revives tired skin. The multi-step routine transforms everyday skincare into a luxurious, feel-good indulgence.

Rebuild Mask by fHair

A restorative, salon-grade treatment, the fHair Rebuild Mask is crafted to revive tired, overworked hair. Its rich formula repairs damage, smooths frizz, and restores softness, elasticity, and shine. Infused with proteins, avocado oil, shea butter, and vitamin E, it delivers long-lasting hydration while turning haircare into a deeply nourishing self-care ritual.

Potatoes & Saffron Reviving Eye Mask by Old School Rituals

A soothing addition to any self-care routine, this gentle eye mask helps reduce puffiness, soften fine lines, and brighten dark circles. Infused with potato, saffron, vitamin C, and rose oil, it delivers hydration and calming care—restoring a refreshed, well-rested look while offering moments of relaxation.

Crème Vanilla by OSSA

Soft, warm, and effortlessly elegant, Crème Vanilla is a fragrance that blends jasmine, caramel, rose, and coconut with deeper notes of patchouli, amber, musk, tonka bean, and bourbon vanilla. Subtle yet memorable, it creates a comforting, refined scent trail—perfect for celebrating her warmth and quiet strength.

Mega Smooth Combo by Matrix

A complete at-home haircare routine, the Matrix Mega Smooth Combo includes shampoo, conditioner, and serum designed to tame frizz and restore smoothness. Together, they cleanse, nourish, and protect hair, leaving it soft, sleek, and manageable—ideal for effortless, everyday indulgence.

Celebrating Her with Care and Indulgence

This Mother’s Day, these thoughtfully curated beauty essentials go beyond gifting—they offer moments of care, relaxation, and everyday luxury. Each product is designed to help her pause, unwind, and feel celebrated, not just for what she does, but for who she is.