Diplomatic ties between Indian and Canada soured further this week with Indian Prime Minister condemning violence by pro-Khalistan separatists at a Hindu temple, and their efforts to disrupt Indian consular activities, in Brampton, Canada. PM Modi took to X to assert that the country’s resolve would not be weakened by such acts and sought action against the perpetrators. “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian govt to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” Modi said hours after the foreign ministry condemned the incident that took place on Sunday, reported The Times of India bureau. The incident took place on Sunday when a pro-Khalistan crowd came to the Hindu Sabha Temple which was hosting a consular camp that Indian diplomats had organised for the Canadian and Indian life certifica

The New Zealand Herald is launching a new personal finance podcast, The Prosperity Project, hosted by experienced broadcaster, business journalist, and financial advisor Nadine Higgins. The podcast aims to make personal finance accessible, offering practical insights to help Kiwis navigate their financial journey with confidence, according to a press release, Higgins, who brings expertise in both journalism and financial advisory, is passionate about breaking down complex financial concepts into relatable, actionable advice. She emphasizes that prosperity means different things to different people, whether it's property investment, mortgage freedom, or simply reducing financial stress. Each episode will provide valuable takeaways to help listeners improve their financial lives. NZ Herald editor-in-chief Murray Kirkness highlights that Higgins' unique background makes her the ideal guide for Kiwis seeking to make informed financial decisions. Each episode of the podcast will be r

Adrian Brine has left ARN and his role as content director for Melbourne’s KIIS 101.1 to become group content manager for MediaWorks NZ, according to his LinkedIn post. He will oversee the company’s radio stations, The Edge, Mai FM, and George FM and continue as director of growth for the broadcast promotion platform Audata. In his post sharing the news, Brine also mentioned his wife, Ash London, who hosts the Hopeless Romantics podcast. Before his two-year stint at KIIS and ARN, Brine held leadership roles for 13 years with SCA. He took a break from the industry in 2020 to focus on fatherhood.  

The European Union has approved the creation of Star India (SIPL), a collaboration between Reliance Industries, Walt Disney Company, and BTS Investment 1, according to BestMediaInfo.   This approval is a crucial step towards finalising the deal that will merge the assets of Viacom18, StarPlus and JioCinema to create a robust entity of the two media giants, to compete against major players in the streaming sector.   The merged entity will possess over 100 television channels and two streaming platforms with over 750 million viewers across India.  Under the merger, Reliance Industries will hold a 63.16 per cent stake, and Disney will own 36.84 per cent.  Nita Ambani, chairperson of Reliance Foundation, will lead SIPL as its chairperson, while Uday Shankar, a former Disney executive, will serve as vice chairperson.   The merger has also received nods from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the National Company Law Tribunal. 

Seasoned journalist Debasmita Ghosh has been promoted to deputy news editor at The Times of India Chennai, where she will anchor the business pages, overseeing the editing and packaging of stories from her team.  Formerly an assistant news editor, Ghosh will also lend her expertise to other sections by editing and occasionally writing human interest stories. She took to social media to announce the news of her promotion, stating she was excited to "take up challenging work, more ideation and more storytelling" for TOI in Chennai. Reflecting on her promotion, Ghosh shared with Influencing India that it “feels great to be promoted and recognized” by the organisation. She emphasised the role’s importance, noting, "The Times of India, being the largest circulated daily in the world, has a huge responsibility in news dissemination, and I feel glad that the management deems it fit enough for me to hold such a position of responsibility." With 20 years in journalism, Ghosh’s e

In a strategic move ahead of the high-stakes Jharkhand elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pledged to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, exempting tribal communities from its ambit. This promise is stirring political waters in Jharkhand, a state with a significant tribal population and complex socio-political dynamics. UCC, as explained by Indian Express’ Abhishek Angad, is a proposed legal framework that aims to replace personal laws based on religion with a unified set of civil laws for all citizens covering issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. Proponents argue it promotes equality and national integration, while critics see it as a threat to cultural and religious diversity. Home Minister Amit Shah, in a recent rally, emphasised that the UCC would not interfere with the traditional practices and customs of Jharkhand’s tribal communities, attempting to balance the party’s reformist image with cultural sensitivity. He un

News Corp Australia has appointed Dean La Rosa as general manager of commercial data, a role created to advance its audience intelligence platform, Intent Connect.  According to a press release from the organisation, La Rosa, who previously led commercial data and programmatic at the Seven Network, also brings experience from Nine Entertainment and Acxiom. He will report to Pippa Leary, managing director of News Corp's free news and lifestyle division. In the release, Leary described La Rosa as a “pioneer in the data space,” noting his deep expertise in data analytics and digital media strategies.  La Rosa expressed enthusiasm for the role, stating that he looks forward to enhancing audience connections and enabling outcome-based marketing through advanced data science.  His role begins immediately, with plans to build a commercial data team through key hires.