Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated on Friday that India faces structural transformation amid global volatility, but the nation's growth remains anchored in domestic strength. She addressed the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, emphasizing that achieving developed nation status by 2047 requires 8 percent GDP growth while maintaining self-reliance without economic isolation. Sitharaman warned against passive observation in an era where tariffs, sanctions, and decoupling strategies reshape supply chains.
The minister described current challenges as permanent shifts rather than temporary disruptions. She noted that multilateral institutions undermine international confidence, prompting G20 discussions on institutional...
Actor Randeep Hooda and his wife Lin Laishram co-own the Prithviraj Yodhas in the Archery Premier League, which runs from Oct. 2 through Oct. 12 at Yamuna Sports Complex. Hooda emphasized archery teaches focus, patience and resilience, values he connects to Haryana's sporting culture. Laishram competed as a national-level archer, winning the Junior National Championship in 1998 before an injury ended her competitive career.
The 10-day inaugural league represents Delhi's franchise in a competition organized by the Archery Association of India. Dr. Vikas Garg, owner of Prithviraj Yodhas and chairman at Ebix Group, described the league as a transformative milestone for Indian archery. The event has gained support from World Archery, World...
Travancore Devaswom Board President P.S. Prasanth announced plans to inform the Kerala High Court about developments in the Sabarimala gold plating scandal and request an investigation covering events from 1999 forward. Intelligence officials have launched an inquiry into Unnikrishnan Potti's land transactions worth multiple crores after he raised funds under the guise of gold plating temple structures. Investigators discovered that gold sheets removed on July 20, 2019, reached Chennai-based Smart Creations 40 days later with four kilograms missing from inventory records.
Devaswom Vigilance will question Potti on Saturday about irregularities involving guardian deity idol plating and a missing pedestal. Officials suspect Potti...
Gitanjali J. Angmo filed a habeas corpus petition with the Supreme Court on Friday to contest the detention of her husband, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Angmo stated she has received no information about Wangchuk's health or the reasons for his detention, one week after his arrest. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs accused Wangchuk of inciting violence in Leh.
Authorities detained Wangchuk under the National Safety Act and transferred him to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance demanded his immediate release and accountability for a shooting that killed four civilians on Sept. 24. Local groups continue pressing for Wangchuk's freedom and resolution of Ladakh's demands for statehood and...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday greetings to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday, praising his work in promoting tourism and Indian culture. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, and several state leaders also conveyed their wishes through social media. Shekhawat currently serves as Union Minister of Culture and Tourism.
The BJP leader has held various ministerial positions, focusing on agriculture, water conservation, and farmers' welfare. His work has been particularly significant in addressing water concerns in Rajasthan. Shekhawat began his political career in 1992 as Student Union President at JNVU University. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Jodhpur in 2014 with a...
Harare councillors rejected a government plan requiring the city to provide 30 low-density residential plots to national legislators after Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe issued the directive on Sept. 12. Ward 16 councillor Denford Ngadziore criticized the allocation as inappropriate for representatives from rural constituencies and high-density areas. The minister requested properties in the northern suburbs by Sept. 19 and promised to transfer equivalent urban land to the municipality later.
Mayor Jacob Mafume announced the activation of an Enterprise Resource Planning system after he accused administrators of blocking the technology to conceal financial misconduct. Auditor-General reports documented accounting irregularities...
Zimbabwe's High Court ruled that a fast-food chain violated copyright laws by playing music from artists such as Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Winky D, Nutty O, and Killer T without compensating the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association. The association represents over 4,500 domestic musicians and collaborates with international performers through the CISAC network. Justice Mafusire determined that ZIMURA holds exclusive licensing authority over works by its registered members rather than the Zimbabwe Council of Copyright Owners. The court rejected ZIMURA's $86,719 damages claim because the organization failed to demonstrate actual financial losses, but the decision established that businesses must obtain proper licenses before using...
Two men received three-year prison sentences after abducting a motorist at knifepoint on the Shamva-Chakonda road. The Bindura Magistrates Court convicted Tafadzwa Sindura and Lloyd Musimwa for holding Simbarashe Zhanda hostage on April 25. Sindura and three accomplices blocked Zhanda's vehicle with a Toyota Sienta before forcing him inside at knifepoint, and Musimwa directed the group to detain their victim at Tipperary Shopping Centre.
Police freed Zhanda after receiving an anonymous tip, while three suspects escaped. The magistrate imposed four-year sentences with one year suspended for five years. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe commended rapid community reporting for preventing further violence.
Authorities...
Zimbabwe's Senate canceled its question session on Thursday after Cabinet ministers failed to attend. Deputy Senate President Mike Nyambuya expressed frustration over the absence, noting that only Deputy Minister of Mines Caleb Makwiranzou appeared in the chamber. Senators described the ministerial no-show as disrespectful, and the body has repeatedly complained about executives failing to fulfill their parliamentary oversight duties.
The Senate proceeded to debate other agenda items after scrapping the scheduled question period. Nyambuya directed the parliamentary clerk to inform executive authorities about the incident. Senators Jerry Gotora and Irene Zindi criticized ministers for missing the session without obtaining leave of...
