Hawala to crypto, Pak’s underground economy thrives sans any scrutiny

IANS | December 13, 2025 2:39 PM

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Pakistan is at a dangerous crossroads where the documented economy is suffocating, while the underground economy is thriving -- in the form of hawala counters in Dubai, the Telegram crypto groups operating from Karachi and Peshawar, the fake IT invoices flowing from single-room “export houses,” and the billions finding refuge in real estate, gold, offshore wallets, and double-invoiced trade routes, a new report has revealed.

Messi-ed up in Kolkata: A case of poor management!

Chetan Sharma | December 13, 2025 2:05 PM

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Kolkata knows how to worship footballing gods. On Saturday afternoon, that devotion turned into disillusionment as Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance ended not in applause, but in anger and chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Big process costs money: Priyanka Gandhi questions 'unnecessary' renaming of MGNREGA

IANS | December 13, 2025 2:00 PM

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday questioned the Centre's reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), arguing that such an exercise would lead to avoidable expenditure of public resources without delivering any tangible benefit to the people.

India remains a bright spot amid global uncertainty: CEA Nageswaran

IANS | December 13, 2025 1:57 PM

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) India remains a bright spot amid global uncertainty, with a robust 6.5 per cent growth rate, improved fiscal health, strong domestic demand, and structural reforms fostering resilience, Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran said on Saturday.