The NXT Conclave 2025 convened global leaders, policymakers, scientists and business experts to discuss economic partnerships, technology, governance and sustainability. Former Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and Tony Abbott highlighted the significance of the U.S.-India partnership in global economic growth. Sri Lanka’s former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with Indian leaders Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Dr. Jitendra Singh and Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, shared insights on governance and economic policies. The event also explored space technology, with Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev and Digantara Co-Founder Tanveer Ahmed discussing India’s role in space exploration. Scientists Prof. Brian Cox, Dr. Brian Greene, and Dr. Mike Massimino addressed technology and sustainability in space. Business leaders Luke Coutinho, Yoshi Yokokawa, Awais Ahmed, and Habil F. Khorakiwala examined economic trends shaping the future. Kartikeya Sharma, Founder of NXT and R

Donald Trump is back with his tariff threats and this time, India is in the crosshairs. Declaring April 2 as D-day, Trump announced a sweeping round of reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, arguing that past trade deals have left the U.S. at a disadvantage. Hot off the Press The Times of India’s Chidanand Rajghatta detailed how Trump’s rhetoric echoes his earlier claims of India imposing "unfairly high tariffs" on American products, particularly in the automobile and agricultural sectors. In response, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hinted that India is actively working on a trade deal to counteract the fallout. Hindustan Times' Rajeev Jayaswal and Rezaul H Laskar reported that Jaishankar pointed to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent U.S. visit as a sign that both sides are exploring options before the deadline hits. Meanwhile, The Economic Times noted that India has “a lot to worry about”, especially with Trump’s unpredictability and past tendencies to

LiSTNR's Hamish & Andy have returned for their 22nd year with Southern Cross Austereo and LiSTNR,a press release from SCA revealed. After a brief hiatus, the duo are back with a new episode filled with their signature humour and quick wit.  The episode features stories from their recent trip to New York where they launched their new pub, 'Old Mates'. Listeners can expect hilarious anecdotes from the opening night and celebrity sightings in NY. Hamish Blake and Andy Lee expressed their excitement, stating, "We’re stoked to enter the eighth year of the Hamish & Andy podcast, and we promise plenty of gusto in 2025."  Sam Cavanagh, LiSTNR's Head of Entertainment and Culture, commented, "Hamish & Andy’s enduring success is a testament to their ability to connect and bring listeners along for the ride." New weekly episodes are available on LiSTNR starting today, Thursday 5 March 2025.  

DIGIPUB, an organisation representing digital news media, has condemned the Indian government’s decision to revoke the non-profit status of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. The Income Tax department stated that The Reporters’ Collective failed to justify its aim “to promote and carry out journalism that serves a public purpose.” In December, it also withdrew the non-profit status of Kannada news outlet The File, alleging commercial activities, a claim the publication has denied, asserting that it remains ad-free. The move subjects The Reporters’ Collective, which has operated as a publicly funded trust since 2021, to taxation and possible retrospective tax liabilities. Both organisations, known for publishing critical reports on the government, are now pursuing legal action. DIGIPUB has warned that such measures could be used to target other independent media and called on the government to stop “harassing them in myriad ways, legally and financially.”  

They say the story should never be about the journalist but it seems that's unavoidable this time around if a piece in the Sydney Morning Herald on one of Guardian Australia's missing-in-action senior journalists is anything to go by. And the story has also been picked up by other outlets including Media Week.  Calum Jaspan's story in the SMH centres around Karen Middleton, the news outlet's political editor who Jaspan says, hasn't been at work for almost three months. Middleton - a seasoned and experienced journo - joined the Australian outpost of the historic British newspaper less than a year ago, said Jaspan and, "is approaching three months without appearing at work, with staff stonewalled by editors and managers over the status of her return", he reports. The news of course is not just about Middleton's apparent absence - Jaspan reports  , the timing is the thing because a federal election coudl well be called this coming weekend and that will be a busy time for all jou

Last night, world-renowned tech journalist Kara Swisher held her X Files evening at the Sydney's City Recital Hall.  Swisher discussed a range of topics, including her thoughts on Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Mark Zuckerburg, while sharing her insight and experience in the tech-journalist industry, recalling the many interactions and stories she's had with those mentioned, and more along the way.  Swisher took audience questions, including her views on the influence of Donald Trump and Elon Musk on the wider political landscape. Swisher also teased her next book which outlines the future tech trends and what she thinks will be the most talked-about tech issues.  After the event, Influencing attended the book signing for Swisher's Burn Book, during which she said tech had gotten better yet tougher since she first entered the tech journalism space. She also said any young tech journalist entering the industry should focus on one specific topic, adding she doesn't write abo

News7 Tamil hosted the Thanga Tharagai Viruthugal 2025 at Radisson Blu in Chennai, recognising women achievers across politics, sports, business, cinema and entertainment. Justice Bhavani Subbarayan, DMK MPs Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and Kanimozhi NVN Somu, Congress MP Sudha and PMK’s Sowmiya Anbumani were among the key figures who participated in the event. Sugitha Sarangaraj, news editor at News7 Tamil, told Influencing India, “We organise the Thanga Tharagai awards every year. Last year, the theme focused on ‘Menstrual Period Policy’ and this year, we highlight the role of ‘Women in Economic Growth.’ Empowering women in various sectors and identifying their unrecognised work is the main motto of this award.” Veena Kumaravel, Founder of Naturals Beauty Salon, sponsored the event, with Latha Pandiarajan, Director of Ma Foi Strategic Consultants, as the knowledge partner. The event will be telecast on the channel on March 8.