India’s economy has maintained a steady growth trajectory, with real GDP expanding by 6.5 per cent in FY 2024-25, largely driven by healthy growth in private consumption and capital formation, industry leaders said on Friday.

In nominal terms, GDP grew by 9.8 per cent, highlighting India’s position as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally, said Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI.

The Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) increased by 7.2 per cent, while Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) rose by 7.1 per cent in Q4, reflecting investment-led momentum.

“GVA growth in Q4 was led by 10.8 per cent growth in construction sector followed by public administration and defence-related services at 8.7 per cent,” Jain noted.

Rohit Sharma crossed the 7000-run milestone in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during his knock of 81 runs, off 50 deliveries, in the Eliminator match against Gujarat Titans at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Friday.

The former Mumbai Indians skipper stood tall against GT’s bowling attack as he became the second player in IPL history to reach the mark after Virat Kohli.

His innings, which showcased his brute force and ability to cross the boundary at ease, was laced with nine boundaries and four sixes. However, it was not a perfect one as the former India T20 skipper was dropped twice on the day, in what can only be described as a poor outing for the 2022 winners in the field.

His first lifeline came when he was batting on 3 runs, Rohit pulled towards Gerald Coetzee in the deep, which the Proteas player fumbled through his hands. In the very next over, Mohammed Siraj induced an outside edge, but Kusal Mendis could not grab onto it behind the wicket.

 Senior spokesperson of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Neel Garg, strongly reacted to former Chief Minister and Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi's recent comments suggesting that the people of Punjab regret electing the AAP government. Garg dismissed the remarks as baseless and reaffirmed the widespread public support for Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the AAP government.

“Mr. Channi claims that Punjabis regret electing the AAP, but the truth is that the people of Punjab feel immense pride in their decision. Under CM Bhagwant Mann's leadership, the AAP government has fulfilled the aspirations of the public and delivered transformative governance in just a short span of time,” said Neel Garg.

Tripura Police on Friday arrested a 25-year-old woman with a pistol and drugs worth Rs 20 lakh, officials said.

North Tripura District's Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai said that acting on information, a police team led by Additional Superintendent of Police Jeremiah Darlong conducted a raid at the residence of one Helal Miah in the Bhagyapur area under Dharmanagar police station and arrested Mamoni Begum.

A pistol, a few live cartridges and 7,800 highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba tablets, valued at approximately Rs 20 lakh, were recovered from her possession.

The district police chief confirmed that a case has been registered under the Arms Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and that a detailed investigation is currently underway.

Officials suspect the involvement of a larger drug trafficking network and said efforts are on to uncover the full extent of the operation.

Wildfire smoke has triggered air quality alerts in six provinces and territories across Canada, according to Environment Canada's weather information published on Friday.

The agency issued air quality alerts in two neighbouring provinces, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where states of emergency were declared one day apart.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe declared a 30-day provincial state of emergency on Thursday, saying that at least 15 communities, mostly in the northern region, have been evacuated. Over 40 structures have been destroyed, he added.

His Manitoban counterpart, Wab Kinew, did the same on Wednesday, while issuing mandatory orders to evacuate about 17,000 people, news agency reported. "Smoke is causing very poor air quality and reduced visibility. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase," Environment Canada warned.

At the prestigious Ideas for India Conference 2025 held at the Royal Lancaster London, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha delivered a blistering address that tore through the global narrative of Pakistan as a victim, declaring it instead as a state sponsor of terror. Invited by the UK-based think tank Bridge India as a featured speaker alongside top Indian business leaders and policymakers, Raghav Chadha used the international stage to demand a decisive shift in global policy: “Diplomacy fails with duplicity, and terror nullifies tolerance,” he declared.

Raghav Chadha warned the global community that continued aid to Pakistan enables violence, not peace. “We offer a hand of friendship—but it can turn into a fist of retribution if provoked,” he said, making clear that India’s patience is not limitless in the face of cross-border aggression.

In a significant boost to India's medtech innovation landscape, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Union Department of Science and Technology (DST), on Friday announced financial support to the development of India’s first indigenous thrombectomy device for stroke care.

The board sanctioned assistance to Mysuru-based S3V Vascular Technologies’ pioneering neuro-intervention integrated manufacturing plant for the treatment of stroke, which sees nearly 1.5 million cases every year in the country.

The project envisions the establishment of a state-of-the-art upstream integrated manufacturing facility at the Medical Devices Park, Oragadam in Chennai’s Sriperumbudur.

The plant will develop and manufacture advanced mechanical thrombectomy kits -- a life-saving intervention for patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion

Five people died in separate incidents on Friday as rains came down heavily across all the 14 districts of Kerala, officials said.

In Kottayam, two youths who ventured out for fishing in a flooded paddy field at Kollad got drowned when the canoe in which they were capsized.

At Vizhinjam in the state capital city, two fishermen who had ventured out for fishing were drowned after the boat was tossed upside down in the sea.

A migrant worker from West Bengal, identified as Ramakrishnan, 38, working in a fishing boat in Ernakulam, fell overboard.

Meanwhile, two people from Malappuram have been reported missing.

Actor Varun Dhawan and the team have concluded the Scotland schedule of their much-discussed next, "Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai".

Sharing the professional update on social media, Varun penned, "It’s a schedule wrap for us here in Scotland on #haijawaanitohishqhonahai. So many days everyone pulling together to make this happen. Bringing u all the laughs soon. Now back home."

Varun's 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari 'co-star Janhvi Kapoor commented, "Sunny Sanskari is needed back in the bay asap pls."

Additionally, Arjun Kapoor penned in the comment section, "Ramesh ji !!! The hypebeast…"

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) conducted comprehensive social media training sessions for its volunteers in the Malwa (South) and Doaba zones to enhance the dissemination of the party’s initiatives and the Punjab Government’s achievements.

The Malwa (South) zone meeting was held in Ludhiana under the leadership of Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh. Volunteers and office bearers of district and constituency levels actively participated in the session. The focus was on equipping the team with effective strategies to communicate the government's development works and welfare policies to the people of Punjab through social media platforms. Minister Sondh lauded the dedication of the volunteers and emphasized the importance of leveraging digital platforms to connect with citizens.