United Nations Alliance of Civilisations and BMW Group has honoured India’s grassroots Initiative ‘Football and Beyond’ during the 10th UNAOC Global Forum. ‘Football and Beyond’ is the initiative of India-based organisation ‘Shreeja India’, which is one of the ten grassroots initiatives that were honoured recently under the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH), a joint initiative of the United Nations of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group. The joint initiative was implemented with the support of Accenture.

The ‘Football and Beyond’ initiative was honoured at a ceremony held in Cascais, Portugal, under the theme ‘United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future – Reflecting on Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity’.
The Forum convened prominent figures, political leaders, UN officials including the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, as well as representatives from civil society, academia, and the private sector, to share insights and reflect on the 20 years of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations’ impactful work.

The ’Football and Beyond’ initiative leverages the unifying power of football to bridge divides across diverse backgrounds while promoting inclusivity and empowerment. By using football as a development tool, the initiative integrates sports with education, mental wellness, social awareness, and skills development. This holistic approach empowers girls and uplifts communities that lack access to essential services such as basic education, nutrition, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities, paving the way for sustainable growth and social cohesion.

"Shreeja India’s inclusive tactic to empower underprivileged girls and children with a sports-based endeavour is producing powerful narratives in the grassroots of rural India. With the recognition of the Intercultural Innovation Hub, we feel more driven to connect, collaborate and contribute towards breaking barriers and building cohesive societies," said Somasree Basu, Program Manager at Shreeja India.

“With the Intercultural Innovation Hub, we celebrate outstanding initiatives implemented by extraordinary individuals working to bridge intercultural divisions in innovative and impactful ways,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director. “At the BMW Group, we believe that diversity not only enhances our company but is crucial for social unity and global progress. That is why we are deeply thankful for our strong partnership with the UNAOC. This collaboration allows us to support remarkable initiatives like Shreeja India’s work in empowering underprivileged children, making a tangible difference in their communities and contributing to a better and more inclusive Indian society,” she added.

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R C Bhargava the Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has been conferred ‘The ICSI Lifetime Achievement Award for Translating Excellence in Corporate Governance into Reality’ by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).

The commendation was presented by Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, and P T Usha, Member of Parliament and President of the Indian Olympic Association, during the ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance.

ICSI is a professional body established under an act of Parliament to regulate the profession of Company Secretaries. It functions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and contributes to government initiatives regarding socio-economic growth.

R C Bhargava, said, “This prestigious award has been awarded to me, but the reality is that this recognition would not have been possible without the participation of the Maruti Suzuki management and employees. Over four decades, they have maintained high standards of ethics and integrity, and by doing so, made the award possible. I am very grateful to all of them and dedicate the award to all members of the Maruti Suzuki family, past and present.”

“I believe good corporate governance requires the top management to clearly differentiate between right and wrong, implement this in all their own actions, act as trustees of the company assets, believe in team building, and look after the legitimate interests of all stakeholders,” added Bhargava.

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British energy major BP has announced that it’s Board has appointed Meg O’Neill as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 April 2026.

She will succeed Murray Auchincloss, who has stepped down from his position as CEO and director of the board, effective 18 December 2025. Carol Howle, currently Executive Vice-President for supply, trading and shipping, will serve as interim CEO until O’Neill joins the company. Auchincloss will remain in an advisory role until December 2026 to assist with the transition.

At present, O’Neill is the current CEO of Woodside Energy, a position she has held since 2021. During her tenure, she managed the acquisition of BHP Petroleum International. Prior to joining Woodside in 2018, she spent 23 years at ExxonMobil in technical and operational roles.

Albert Manifold, Chair of BP, said, “We are delighted to welcome Meg O’Neill to the BP team. Her proven track record of driving transformation, growth, and disciplined capital allocation makes her the right leader for bp. Her relentless focus on business improvement and financial discipline gives us high confidence in her ability to shape this great company for its next phase of growth and pursue significant strategic and financial opportunities.”

“Following a comprehensive succession planning process, the Board believes this transition creates an opportunity to accelerate our strategic vision to become a simpler, leaner, and more profitable company. Progress has been made in recent years, but increased rigor and diligence are required to make the necessary transformative changes to maximise value for our shareholders,” added Manifold.

Meg O’Neill, said, “BP plays a critical role in delivering energy to customers around the world. I am honoured to serve as the company’s next CEO. With an extraordinary portfolio of assets, BP has significant potential to reestablish market leadership and grow shareholder value. I look forward to working with the BP leadership team and colleagues worldwide to accelerate performance, advance safety, drive innovation and sustainability and do our part to meet the world’s energy needs.”

Murray Auchincloss, noted, “After more than three decades with BP, now is the right time to hand the reins to a new leader. When Albert became Chair, I expressed my openness to step down were an appropriate leader identified who could accelerate delivery of BP’S strategy. I am confident that BP is now well positioned for significant growth and I look forward to watching the company’s future progress and success under Meg’s leadership.”

The board confirmed that Howle’s appointment ensures continuity, citing her 25-year history with the firm.

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ContiTech, a Continental group sector, has officially introduced its new Reduced Dimension Spiral hydraulic hose series to the Asia-Pacific market. Designed specifically for construction, agricultural and mining machinery, this series aims to improve equipment efficiency through high-pressure capability, flexibility, a lightweight build and extended service life.

The hose incorporates a four- to six-layer spiral of high-tensile steel wire and an optimised synthetic rubber inner tube. This construction yields a more compact and lighter hose with a tighter bending radius, allowing for easier installation in space-constrained machinery like excavators and loaders. The reduction in weight and size contributes to lower system load and energy consumption while also simplifying logistics, installation and maintenance for improved efficiency across the value chain.

Engineered for extreme conditions, the series operates reliably in temperatures ranging from –40°C to +120°C. It maintains flexibility in deep cold and provides strong resistance to oil and swelling at high temperatures. A durable inner tube and weather-resistant cover ensure consistent performance in demanding settings, from arctic mines to high-temperature industrial plants, minimising environmental stress and the need for frequent maintenance.

The product line spans working pressures from 4,100 to 6,100 psi, complies with ISO 18752 CC class standards and carries MSHA flame-resistance certification, adhering to a 4:1 safety factor. This multi-pressure design allows equipment manufacturers to consolidate hose variants, simplifying inventory management, reducing storage costs and maintaining safety across diverse high-pressure uses. Standardisation further streamlines customer processes in assembly, procurement and upkeep.

Tailored for the Asia-Pacific region, the SRDS version features a reinforced synthetic rubber cover that excels in repeat bending applications. Its compound resists surface cracking in tough conditions, including low temperatures, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution. For more severe environments, the XRDS series includes an abrasion-resistant cover for enhanced protection against impacts, friction, and wear in mining, construction, and forestry, thereby extending service life and reducing downtime.

Aligning with its customer-focused approach, ContiTech applies its expertise in high-performance materials and manufacturing to provide safe, efficient and sustainable solutions. The company collaborates with industry partners to advance reliability, efficiency and sustainability across the construction sector.

Xin Song, Head of Mobile Industrial Solutions, Industrial Solutions APAC, ContiTech, said, “The construction, agriculture and mining industries are rapidly transforming towards greater reliability, lower emissions and smarter equipment systems. Leveraging over 150 years of materials expertise, ContiTech develops customer-centric solutions. The Reduced Dimension Spiral series was engineered with deep insights into industry challenges, delivering breakthroughs in lightweight design, space efficiency and extreme-environment adaptability while maintaining constant high-pressure performance. It helps customers reduce equipment load, improve energy efficiency and maximise value across the full equipment lifecycle.”

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Vietnam’s Vingroup has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana, outlining a comprehensive plan to develop a multi-sector ecosystem through a proposed phased investment of USD 3 billion. This expansive collaboration aims to drive socio-economic growth in the Indian state through major initiatives in smart urban development, electric mobility, healthcare, education, tourism and renewable energy.

The partnership’s most ambitious component is the planned creation of a large-scale smart city. This new urban area, designed to accommodate approximately 200,000 residents, will integrate sustainable planning principles with international-standard amenities and is expected to generate significant local employment. Supporting this community, Vingroup will develop essential social infrastructure, including international-grade multi-specialty hospitals and an integrated K-12 school system.

A key pillar of the initiative is establishing a sustainable electric mobility ecosystem. This involves launching India's first large-scale electric taxi service within Telangana, supported by a widespread network of charging stations. To ensure a green power supply for this fleet, urban areas and industrial zones, Vingroup further proposes to develop a substantial solar farm. The collaboration will also enhance Telangana’s tourism appeal through a dedicated complex featuring theme parks and wildlife attractions.

The Telangana government has committed to supporting these projects by facilitating land allocation, assisting with master planning and administrative procedures and mobilising the necessary connecting infrastructure. This foundational agreement not only marks a significant step in Vingroup’s international expansion but also strengthens economic and business ties between Vietnam and India, creating a framework for future cooperation and mutual growth.

A Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Telangana, said, “The USD 3 billion investment by Vingroup is a massive vote of confidence in the ‘Telangana Rising’ vision, particularly our focus on sustainable urban development and green infrastructure. This is more than capital; it’s a partnership to build a futuristic, net-zero city and introduce India’s first large-scale electric taxi fleet, directly improving the quality of life for our citizens. Our government guarantees accelerated execution to ensure this global vision becomes a local reality.”

D Sridhar Babu, Hon'ble Industries Minister, Government of Telangana, said, "Vingroup's multi-sectoral commitment, spanning smart cities, solar power and advanced social infrastructure like hospitals and schools, demonstrates the stability and breadth of Telangana’s industrial policy. We are committed to translating this significant capital inflow into local opportunity, positioning Telangana as the gateway for Vietnamese and South-East Asian investment into India's fastest-growing economy."

Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to the Government, Government of Telangana, said, “We welcome Vingroup’s presence in Telangana and recognise the achievements the Group has made in Vietnam, particularly in urban development, green infrastructure and electrified transportation. With the Group’s extensive expertise and capability to execute large-scale projects, we believe that this cooperation will mark an important step forward in shaping a modern and sustainable urban landscape and improving the quality of life for the people of Telangana.”

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of Vingroup Asia and VinFast Asia, said, “Vingroup sees tremendous potential in Telangana and we aspire to build a long-term partnership with the state government. With our proven track record in delivering mega urban developments, large-scale infrastructure and a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem, we believe that our collaboration with Telangana will generate tangible value, promote sustainable development and enhance the quality of life for local residents.”

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