Author: NNI Editor

India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow at a slower rate of 6.4% to 6.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 (FY25) as opposed to 8.6% in the same period last year on account of global uncertainties spilling over to the Indian economy. Bank of Baroda (BoB) projected a GDP growth rate of 6.6% in the reporting quarter while ICRA estimated the economy would expand at an even slower pace of 6.4%. While a slower growth is expected on a yearly basis, it is a recovery from the seven-quarter low of 5.4% clocked in Q2FY25.“Indian economy remains one of the…

South Korean Choi Soon-hwa, 81-year-old, poses after winning the best dress award for the 2024 Miss Universe Korea in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP An 81-year-old model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the South Korean pageant against much younger rivals.Dressed in a beaded white gown, the silver-haired Choi Soon-hwa strutted across the stage and performed in a singing contest at the Miss Universe Korea pageant held Monday at a hotel in South Korea’s capital, Seoul. She missed out on the crown but did take…

Representational image. | Photo Credit: REUTERS The Economic department of State Bank of India (SBI) has pegged India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for Q3 FY25 at 6.2% to 6.3%.“Impinging upon our in-house developed ‘Nowcasting Model’ that leverages 36 high frequency indicators, we estimate the GDP growth for Q3 FY25 should come around 6.2%-6.3% (data due on 28th February),” said SBI in a Special Research Report on Wednesday.The RBI had in December projected the Q3 FY25 GDP growth rate at 6.8%.“Presuming no major revisions announced in the erstwhile Q1 and Q2 figures by National Statistical Office (NSO), we estimate the FY25…

In the run up to Navratri and all the golu-hopping set to commence, Karpagam K is busy at work, fashioning potlis or drawstring bags out of silk saris and shawls. “I wanted to make and gift something that was not just different, but useful as well ,for guests visiting my home,” says the Chennai resident. Much like Karpagam’s handmade bags, return gifts during Navratri are no longer just about blouse pieces, with several people and brands taking to innovating and delving into customised creations for the festive season.  Potli bags by Karpagam K | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Karpagam says she has made…

Toyota Land Cruiser 300  | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Toyota Kirloskar Motor has announced the opening of bookings for Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) the Land Cruiser 300, known for power, luxury and off-roading capability.The Completely-built unit (CBU), will be an imported model from Japan and be available in two grades — ZX and GR-S.Powered by a Twin-Turbo V6 diesel Engine, the vehicle is available in “Precious White Pearl and Attitude Black” colours.The Land Cruiser 300 is priced ₹2.31 crore ex-showroom for ‘ZX Grade’ and ₹2.41 crore ex-showroom for ‘GR-S Grade’ (Prices will be same across the country, at ex-showroom level).Varinder…

The Barbie Signature Diwali doll | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT There is a new Barbie in town and she is all set for Deepavali. A collaboration between Mattel (a multinational toy and entertainment company) and Indian designer Anita Dongre, this is the first-ever Barbie Signature Diwali doll. The doll is garbed in a Moonlight-Bloom lehenga – a departure from the pink that Barbie is usually associated with – and has floral motifs like jasmine, lotus, and dahlia..This is the latest addition to Mattel’s diverse line of Barbie dolls. And this collaboration tries to “merge the Indian cultural heritage with Barbie’s global…

New policies from the top U.S. securities regulator hand corporate boards more power over investors in ways that could curtail investor-initiated reform efforts on everything from climate policy to director contests, experts say.Since last month when U.S. President Donald Trump named Mark Uyeda acting chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the agency has made it easier for boards to block shareholder resolutions, put stricter filing requirements on passive funds, and limit investors’ communication abilities.The changes give directors more scope to nix efforts to have companies limit emissions or report workforce diversity details, while traditional activists running their own director…

Ilkal sarees worn by women in North Karnataka | Photo Credit: Navaldeep Thareja “You are not a Bharwad if you wear a saree,” is how elderly Bharwad women chide young women from their community. Navaldeep Thareja, a textile engineer from Sangrur in Punjab, who often visits little-known places across India to meet craftspeople, artisans, weavers, and tribal people and photo documents their designs and stories, starts the conversation with Tangaliya weaves. The Bharwad women wear Tangaliya shawls, woven by the Vankar community in Surendernagar and Kutch, Gujarat. “Tangaliya is a 700-year-old traditional hand weaving technique where contrasting colour threads are twisted into groups of four or five warps to create unique beadwork. It is worn by married…

Karen BraunA discussion about global soybean exports cannot proceed without mention of Brazil or the United States, because together they fuel 85% of total shipments each year.Likewise, “China” and “imports” are often synonymous in global soybean trade because the country accounts for more than 60% of annual imports.But what about the other customers? Who takes in the other 40% of soy cargoes, and how have these trends changed in recent years, especially with respect to each supplier?This conversation has been pulled to the forefront of the market as the United States has threatened tariffs on many of its trade partners,…

A virtual reality headset that showcases Biskit, Adyar’s collection while also allowing shoppers to take a look at their simulated 1,500 sq feet online store. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement On the two days she was in Chennai, Meenakshi Singh, co-founder, Capsul, a multi-brand streetwear platform, spent time heading out to the newest cafes in the city. “I want to be where the young people are at,” she said. Considering her brand is mostly driven by this demographic, it was only normal that she people-watched between sips of coffee. Did she have any profound observations? “The Indian Gen Z and the millennial…