News18 Evening Digest: Exclusive interview with Nirmala Sitharaman after Budget and other headlines

In today’s evening digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s stance on India’s economy, fiscal growth and AI; Latest Allahabad High Court order in Gyanvapi case; Actor Poonam Pandey (Poonam Pandey) passed away from cervical cancer and other popular news.

Nirmala Sitharaman: 7% growth possible; global institutions like IMF step up assessments Exclusive interview

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said in an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi that the Narendra Modi government has Confidence controls inflation and keeps economic growth strong. Parliament before the Lok Sabha elections. She also talked about India’s growth expectations and how international organizations are now more hopeful. read more

‘Kolhan Tiger’ Champai Soren’s rise to Jharkhand chief minister: It’s all about ‘Shibu’s yes’

In the dramatic incident against Hemant Soren, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren was called ‘Kolhan’ or ‘ The Tiger of Jharkhand,” even the “yes man of Shibu Soren,” became the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand, he was sworn in on Friday. Despite being the 12th CM, Champai became the seventh person to be sworn in as the previous CMs had served for multiple terms. read more

Actor Vijay forms political party, says he will not contest 2024 Lok Sabha polls

Tamil film actor ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay on Friday launched his political party and called it ‘Thamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam’ after formally applying to the Election Commission for registration of the political party. He said his party will not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but is focusing on the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. read more

Uttarakhand UCC draft recommends ban on Halala and Iddat; legalize live-in relationships | Key Points

The panel appointed by the state government to prepare the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) submitted the document to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday. The draft was handed over to the chief minister by a five-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. A national cabinet meeting was held on Saturday to discuss the draft, days after the government convened a special session of parliament. The Uttarakhand Assembly has convened a four-day special session from February 5 to 8 to pass a legislation on UCC. read more

Poonam Pandey dies of cervical cancer at 32, manager confirms she passed away on Thursday night

Poonam Pandey passed away. Her team confirmed the news to News18. “She passed away last night,” her team said. News of her death was first revealed in a post shared on her official Instagram account. “This morning has been a difficult day for us. It is with deep sadness that we inform you that we lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Every living thing she came into contact with was treated with pure love and kindness. In We ask for privacy during this sad time while we fondly remember everything she shared,” the post read. read more

‘Won’t tolerate’: Congress distances itself from DK Suresh’s ‘separate state’ remarks amid Paler riots

The chaos over Congress MP DK Suresh’s ‘independence for southern states’ remarks continued to dominate the proceedings of the Lok Sabha on Friday, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge saying Congress would not tolerate such remarks and BJP leaders seeking strict action against Suresh . “If anyone talks about destroying the country, no matter which political party they belong to, we will not tolerate it. Malikajun Haq himself will say that from Konyakumari to Kashmir, we are one and we will be one ,” the Congress president said in Parliament. read more

Muslim side says evidence in court should take precedence over faith after HC refuses to stop Gyanvapi’s ‘puja’

The Allahabad High Court on Friday refused to grant an interim stay to a Varanasi court order allowing Hindu prayers in front of idols at ‘Vyas Ji ka Tahkhana’, a cellar in the basement of the Gyanvapi mosque. The court said nothing could be done unless the January 17 order was challenged. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agrawal passed the order while hearing an appeal filed by the commission. read more