Mumbai, May 21 (IANS) The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Wednesday amid mixed global cues as buying was seen in the pharma, auto, PSU bank and financial service sectors in the early trade.At around 9.35 am, Sensex was trading 296.53 points or 0.37 per cent up at 81,482.97 while the Nifty added 88.90 point or 0.36 per cent at 24,772.80Nifty Bank was up 98.55 points or 0.18 per cent at 54,975.90. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 56,028.55 after declining 154.10 points or 0.27 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 17,419.35 after dropping 63.65 points or 0.36 per cent.According to analysts, Indian equity benchmarks declined sharply on Tuesday amid reports of increasing COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asian countries, like Singapore and Hong Kong.”Technically, Nifty closed below its 5-day EMA for the first time since May 8, 2025, suggesting a shift to profit-booking. Support levels lie at 24,494 and 24,378, while resistance is expected in the 24,800-24,900 range,” said Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research at HDFC Securities.In the absence of strong global cues, Indian markets are likely to pick up from where they left off yesterday, he added.Meanwhile, in the Sensex pack, Sun Pharma, HDFC Bank, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Nestle India, Maruti Suzuki, ICICI Bank, UltraTech Cement and Hindustan Unilever were the top gainers. Whereas, Eternal, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank and NTPC were the top losers.In the Asian markets, China, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul and Jakarta were trading in green. whereas Only Japan was trading in red.In the last trading session, Dow Jones in the US closed at 42,677.24, down 114.83 points, or 0.27 per cent. The S&P 500 ended with a loss of 23.14 points, or 0.39 per cent, at 5,940.46 and the Nasdaq closed at 19,142.71, down 72.75 points, or 0.38 per cent.The spike in uncertainty and risk is impacting the market rather unexpectedly. Yesterday’s FII sell figure of Rs 10,016 crore is a major reversal of their big buying in May and if this persists, it has the potential to impact the market, said experts.”Credit rating downgrade of US sovereign debt and the consequent spike in US bond yields, spike in Japanese Govt Bond yields, rising COVID cases in some parts of India and reports of a possible Israel attack on Iran are doing the rounds, and combination of these all factors may be responsible for this sudden reversal in FII activity,” they mentioned.According to provisional data from the NSE, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold Indian equities worth Rs 10,016.10 crore on May 20, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 6,738.39 crore.–IANSskt/na

Seoul, May 21 (IANS) Kia, BMW Korea and Hyundai Motor will voluntarily recall over 16,000 vehicles due to manufacturing defects, the transport ministry here said on Wednesday.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a total of 16,577 units across 14 models will be subject to recalls, reports Yonhap news agency.Kia will recall 12,949 units of two models, including the Seltos, due to a defect in the high-pressure fuel pipe that may lead to fuel leakage and increase the risk of fire.BMW will recall 2,213 units of 11 models, including the 520i, as improperly installed components in the 48V starter-generator may cause battery charging failure. Hyundai will take corrective measures on 1,390 units of its Elec City hydrogen fuel cell buses due to inadequate design of the hydrogen discharge port cap.Last month, Volvo Car Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, Man Truck & Bus Korea and two other foreign car brands voluntarily recalled over 117,000 vehicles due to manufacturing defects.The five companies, including Jaguar Land Rover Korea and Nissan Korea, recalled a combined 117,925 units across 49 models sold in South Korea.Volvo recalled 95,573 units of eight models, including the XC60, due to a software error in the event data recorder that may result in driving information not being properly recorded.Mercedes-Benz recalled 17,285 units of nine models, including the S580 4MATIC, due to insufficient durability in the brake hoses. Man Truck & Bus will recall 1,515 units across 24 models due to a defect in the central vehicle control system.Jaguar Land Rover took corrective measures on 1,401 units of four models, including the New Range Rover P530 LWB, due to possible moisture entry in the rear camera that may obstruct driving.Nissan recalled 591 units of the Pathfinder due to a defective hood part, which could allow the hood to open while driving.—IANSna/

Hyderabad, May 20 (IANS) Telangana Police ranked first in the country in recovering stolen/missing mobile phones by using the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal.The state police have recovered 78,114 stolen/missing phones using CEIR, developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to combat mobile theft and counterfeit devices.Telangana Director General of Police, Dr Jitender, congratulated DG, CID, Shikha Goel, and team on the achievement.CID Telangana is the nodal agency to implement CEIR in the state and the system is now operational across all 780 police stations in the state.The CEIR portal was initially launched on a pilot basis in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, and the northeast on September 5, 2022. This portal was launched in Telangana on April 19, 2023, that is 227 days after its launch in pilot states.Despite this delayed initiation, Telangana has emerged as the ‘Top-Performing’ state in the country in recovery of stolen or lost mobile devices, Goel said.According to the CEIR dashboard, Telangana has recovered 78,114 mobile devices up to May 19, 2025 and stands first in the country. The IPS official said that state’s remarkable achievement has set a national benchmark in mobile device recovery.In Telangana, the highest recovery of 11,879 devices was made in the Hyderabad Commissionerate. The data shows that 10,385 devices were recovered in the Cyberabad Commissionerate and 8,681 in the Rachakonda Commissionerate.According to Goel, the milestone was achieved through dedicated efforts by the field-level officers. Every unit has been diligently working to ensure prompt action on reported cases through the CEIR portal. This includes consistently registering cases, daily monitoring of tractability reports, contacting individuals in possession of lost or stolen mobile phones, retrieving the devices, and returning them to their rightful owners.Telangana Police, in coordination with DoT, has integrated the CEIR portal with the TG Police Citizen Portal. Citizens can report lost or stolen devices through the TG Police Citizen Portal at www.tspolice.gov.in or directly at www.ceir.gov.in.The CEIR portal has proven invaluable to citizens who have lost mobile devices, with positive testimonials attesting to its effectiveness in recovery, she said.–IANSms/vd

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) The government on Tuesday extended the implementation timeline for the safety of household, commercial and similar electrical appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2025.To enable ease of doing business, the QCO will now come into force from March 19, 2026, for domestic large and medium enterprises as well as for foreign manufacturers.The decision by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) follows stakeholder consultations chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.”In line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish a strong quality framework across industries, DPIIT has been actively notifying Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to enhance manufacturing standards and bolster the global reputation of ‘Made in India’ products,” the ministry said.These efforts are complemented by the development of testing infrastructure, product manuals, and accreditation of testing laboratories.Taking cognisance of industry concerns regarding implementation challenges and legacy stock, the DPIIT notified the revised Quality Control Order on May 19.The QCO applies to all electrical appliances intended for household, commercial, or similar applications with rated voltage not exceeding 250V for single-phase appliances and 480V for others, including DC-supplied and battery-operated appliances.Appliances already covered under separate QCOs or existing mandatory BIS certification requirements are excluded from its ambit.Further, the QCO incorporates several key relaxations and exemptions, like additional time for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), which is a six-month extension for micro enterprises and a three-month extension for small enterprises.It also offers exemption for imports by domestic manufacturers for producing export-oriented products; exemption for import of up to 200 units for research and development purposes; and provision for clearance of legacy stock (manufactured or imported before implementation) within six months from the effective date.The QCO is a critical step in restricting the import of sub-standard products and ensuring consumer safety, while also enhancing the competitiveness of Indian industry.Through initiatives like these, the government is striving to create a world-class, self-reliant manufacturing ecosystem under the vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”“QCOs reflect a strategic push to raise product standards in India, enabling Indian manufacturers to thrive in both domestic and international markets,” said the ministry.–IANSna/vd

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) The combined index of eight core industries increased by 0.5 per cent in April 2025 as compared to the same month of the previous year, according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday.The production of steel, cement, coal, electricity, and natural gas recorded positive growth in April this year, according to the official statement.The eight core industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and are an indicator of the overall industrial growth.Steel production, which has close to 18 per cent weight in the index increased by 3.0 per cent in April, 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year. Its cumulative index increased by 6.9 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over the corresponding period of the previous year.Cement production increased by 6.7 per cent during the month while its cumulative index increased by 6.3 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over the corresponding period of the previous year.Both the steel and cement sector have shown strong growth as the government’s massive investments in big ticket infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, seaports and airports have spurred demand for these products. Besides, there has also been a pick-up in the construction industry.Electricity generation, which has a weight of close to 20 per cent in the index, increased by 1 per cent in April, 2025 over the same month of the previous year. Its cumulative index increased by 5.2 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over the corresponding period of the previous year.Coal production increased by 3.5 per cent in April 2025 over the same month last year, with its cumulative growth at 5.1 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.Natural gas production increased by 0.4 per cent in April this year compard to the same month last year. However, crude oil production declined by 2.8 per cent during the month compared to April 2024 year due to the ageing oilfields of ONGC.Petroleum refinery production declined by 4.5 per cent in April, 2025 over the same month last year. Its cumulative index increased by 2.8 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over the corresponding period of the previous year.Fertiliser production declined by 4.2 per cent in April 2025, over the same month last year while its cumulative index increased by 2.9 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.The final growth rate of the eight core industries for January 2025 was observed at 5.1 per cent. The cumulative growth rate of the core sector during April to March, 2024-25 now works out to 4.5 per cent as compared to the corresponding period of last year, the official statement said.–IANSsps/vd

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, on Tuesday announced the launch of BIG Live, a one-stop digital platform which offers curated, credible and culturally-relevant content.BIG Live brings together the power of storytelling, intuitive user experience and targeted advertising, the company said in a statement.It delivers content across a wide range of verticals such as real estate, automobile, health and wellness, entertainment, travel, food, fashion, finance, technology and jewellery.“BIG Live is a natural extension of BIG FM’s content leadership and deep audience understanding. With this platform, we are moving beyond audio to offer diversified, high-quality digital content that informs and engages,” said Abe Thomas, CEO, BIG FM.Today’s audience craves more than just information and seek fuel for their ambitions.“BIG Live is designed to deliver just that. For advertisers, it opens a powerful new channel to reach focused audiences through contextual, high-impact campaigns, backed by our proven sales strength and market trust,” he added.With this platform, BIG FM opens a new revenue stream while building a digital property that complements its core audio business.With a sharper, more targeted and hyper-local approach, the radio network aims to help people connect better and build stronger communities, making it easier for users and service providers to engage and communicate meaningfully.“We are thrilled to introduce BIG Live, a vibrant digital platform designed for users who aspire to stay smart, sharp and ahead of the curve,” said Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM.“With this platform, we are presenting a content ecosystem where radio and digital come together to create a media brand that inspires and influences. It connects users with high-value content, serving as a hub where knowledge is blended with lively tone, encouraging meaningful action,” he mentioned.–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) Discussions on Cybersecurity audits and emerging technologies dominated the agenda at an ongoing brainstorming conference organised by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), said an official on Tuesday.

The three-day national conference, ‘CERT-In SAMVAAD 2025,’ began on Monday, aiming to unite information security auditing organisations, regulators, and stakeholders to enhance cybersecurity practices across the nation, the official said.In his inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), highlighted the importance of collaboration to address evolving cyber threats and strengthen India’s audit ecosystem.He also mentioned that CERT-In’s initiative offers a valuable opportunity for auditing organisations to upgrade practices and share knowledge, contributing to a more cyber-resilient India, said a statement.Dr. Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director, IIT-Madras, delivered a brief presentation emphasising the importance of cyber resilience — ensuring the continuity of essential services and safeguards even during adverse situations, particularly in light of the evolving cyber threat landscape targeting Indian organisations across various sectors.He underscored the need for comprehensive architectures, frameworks and models to support cyber resilience programs among diverse stakeholders.Dr Veezhinathan appreciated CERT-In’s efforts in organising the conference and expressed hope that the event would significantly contribute to strengthening the capabilities of participating information security auditing organisations and improving overall auditing practices.The conference organised by CERT-In, in collaboration with SkillsDA, was also attended by Brajendra Navnit, Principal Secretary, Information Technology and Digital Services Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Dr. N. Subramanian, Executive Director, Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) and Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In.The event included a panel discussion on ‘Cybersecurity Audits & Regulatory Expectations: Bridging the Gap’ moderated by S.S. Sarma, Director Operations, CERT-In, with panellists from various regulators.The discussion provided auditing organisations with valuable and actionable insights into regulatory expectations.The three-day event also promises parallel management and technical tracks, with over 70 presentations that would set the standard for cutting-edge cybersecurity audit practices.The management track would explore key topics such as human factors in auditing, C-suite risk management, governance frameworks and strategies for stakeholder communication.The technical track would focus on emerging tools for automated audits, securing next-generation technologies (IoT, AI/ML, blockchain, quantum computing), SBOM implementation and innovative approaches to complex and continuous audit environments, including cloud systems, APIs and operational technology.–IANSrch/dan

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) India has made remarkable strides in green hydrogen development, allocating 862,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) production capacity annually to 19 companies, and awarded 3,000 MW annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity to 15 firms, it was announced on Tuesday.The country has also launched pilot projects in steel, mobility, and shipping sectors, informed Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.Speaking at the ‘World Hydrogen Summit 2025’ in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, he highlighted India’s strategic vision and capabilities in the domain of renewable energy and green hydrogen production.The Secretary highlighted that India has already installed over 223 GW of renewable energy — that includes 108 GW from solar and 51 GW from wind — placing India among the fastest-growing renewable energy markets globally. He reiterated India’s vision to achieve energy independence by 2047 and reach Net Zero emissions by 2070.His address showcased that India’s vision to not only meet its domestic demand but also become a major global exporter of green hydrogen by 2030 — contributing meaningfully to decarbonization action.To drive this transition, the National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched by the Government in 2023, with an initial allocation of $2.4 billion. It lays out a comprehensive roadmap to identify and create demand in potential sectors, provide production incentives for setting up domestic capacity, achieve 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030, avert nearly 50 MMT of CO2 emissions annually, attract investments of about $100 billion and generate over 600,000 jobs.The country recently launched the ‘Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme’. Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia plants have been exempted from environmental clearance by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. To push this forward, three major ports — Kandla, Paradip and Tuticorin ports — have been identified by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) to be developed as Green Hydrogen hubs. Furthermore, 15 states have announced policies to support green hydrogen. –IANSna/

Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) Consumer electronics manufacturer Dixon Technologies on Tuesday reported a decline of…

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan has affirmed India’s commitment to academic collaboration with the UK’s Imperial College London.Pradhan met with Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, and his academic delegation to discuss enhanced collaboration in education, research, and innovation. The meeting centred on Imperial’s culture of research and innovation, its existing collaborations with India and the world, and its future strategic plans.“It was a pleasure to learn more about Imperial’s culture of research and innovation, collaborations with India and the world, and future plans, among others,” the Minister said, in a post on social media platform X.The Union Minister highlighted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasising its focus areas, India’s educational priorities, and the nation’s inherent strengths, including its market capacity, talent pool, and aspirations.”I expect that Imperial, London, and Indian higher-educational institutions (HEIs) can collaborate to offer joint/dual degrees and also work together for driving innovation and entrepreneurship, co-developing futuristic technologies, nurturing, developing and facilitating a two-way flow of STEMB talent and undertaking joint initiatives to build a robust AI, quantum computing, deep-tech, semiconductors ecosystem,” Pradhan said.The meeting between the delegations comes ahead of the official launch of Imperial College London’s Imperial Global India hub in Bengaluru this week.The hub is designed to provide strategic vision and leadership, significantly strengthening Imperial’s engagement and collaborative efforts in India.The launch event will bring together leaders from academia, industry, and government to celebrate this milestone and explore future avenues for partnership in research, education, and innovation, further solidifying the deep ties between Imperial and India.”We are incredibly excited about the potential for collaboration, particularly in co-developing cutting-edge science and technologies in areas such as AI, quantum, biotechnology, bioengineering, advanced materials, and telecoms and fostering a vibrant two-way flow of talent through expanded educational programmes,” said Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London.“The launch of our Imperial Global India hub in Bengaluru is a testament to our commitment, and we look forward to working closely with Indian Higher Education Institutions to provide world-class opportunities for students and researchers, and to drive impactful innovation together,” he added.The discussions underlined a shared commitment to leveraging academic excellence and innovation to address global challenges and create new opportunities for students and researchers in both India and the UK.–IANSrvt/