Officials on Wednesday said that India&nbsp;is now considering importing&nbsp;cheetahs from northern Africa instead of Namibia and South Africa.&nbsp;This is because, even though the cheetahs imported from the two countries were under constant monitoring, nine of them died due to several reasons, including developing winter coats.&nbsp;

News agency PTI cited officials saying that&nbsp;one of the biggest challenges they faced in the first year of managing cheetahs from the two countries was the "unexpected" development of winter coats by some big cats during the Indian summer and monsoon, which is the time of African winter (June to September). The senior official added that even the African experts did not expect it.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Project Cheetah completes 1 year: Events &amp; activities planned to mark milestone

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The Winter coats caused problems when combined with high humidity and temperatures. It caused itching, prompting the big cats to scratch their necks on tree trunks or the ground. This led to bruises and exposed skin where flies laid eggs, resulting in maggot infections, septicemia and other bacterial infections that led to the deaths.

Countries including the UK and the US, have imported cheetahs from northern Africa and recommended the same to India, the official said.

Primarily, cheetahs were found in parts of northern Africa but the population declined in the region and they are now considered extinct or nearly extinct in many northern African countries.

However, the upcoming batch will be imported from South Africa. SP Yadav, the head of Project Cheetah and Additional Director General (Forests) said, "The idea that we may have cheetahs from northern Africa in the future has been discussed but the next batch will come from South Africa. " He added that India now plans to import big cats that do not develop thicker winter coats.

A total of 20 cheetahs were imported from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno in two batches - one in September 2022 and the second in February 2023. Six of these adult big cats died due to various reasons while three cubs of the female Namibian cheetah died due to extreme heat.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Officials on Wednesday said that India is now considering importing cheetahs from northern Africa instead of Namibia and South Africa. This is because, even though the cheetahs imported from the two countries were under constant monitoring, nine of them died due to several reasons, including developing winter coats.

Officials on Wednesday said that India is now considering importing cheetahs from northern Africa instead of Namibia and South Africa. This is because, even though the cheetahs imported from the two countries were under constant monitoring, nine of them died due to several reasons, including developing winter coats. News agency PTI cited officials saying that one of the biggest challenges they faced in the first year of managing cheetahs from the two countries was the "unexpected" development of winter coats by some big cats during the Indian summer and monsoon, which is the time of African winter (June to September). The senior official added that even the African experts did not expect it. Watch | Project Cheetah completes 1 year: Events & activities planned to mark milestone The Winter coats caused problems when combined with high humidity and temperatures. It caused itching, prompting the big cats to scratch their necks on tree trunks or the ground. This led to bruises and exposed skin where flies laid eggs, resulting in maggot infections, septicemia and other bacterial infections that led to the deaths. Countries including the UK and the US, have imported cheetahs from northern Africa and recommended the same to India, the official said. Primarily, cheetahs were found in parts of northern Africa but the population declined in the region and they are now considered extinct or nearly extinct in many northern African countries. However, the upcoming batch will be imported from South Africa. SP Yadav, the head of Project Cheetah and Additional Director General (Forests) said, "The idea that we may have cheetahs from northern Africa in the future has been discussed but the next batch will come from South Africa. " He added that India now plans to import big cats that do not develop thicker winter coats. A total of 20 cheetahs were imported from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno in two batches - one in September 2022 and the second in February 2023. Six of these adult big cats died due to various reasons while three cubs of the female Namibian cheetah died due to extreme heat. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Project Cheetah: India may import more big cats from Northern Africa, says official

While Canada provides a safe haven to extremist elements, India has launched a massive crackdown on the Khalistan-Gangster nexus. India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted multiple raids across at least six Indian states. Watch this video for more details.

Gravitas: India's anti-terror crackdown, Khalistan-Gangster nexus with links to Canada raided

The Indian Navy’s latest indigenisation push, which will be showcased at a mega conclave next week, involves underwater swarm drones, autonomous weaponised boat swarms, and blue-green lasers.

India: Underwater swarm drones part of Navy's indigenisation push

After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put out what he called 'credible allegations' OF the Indian government being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorists in Canada, India has lashed out. There's been a strong crackdown on Khalistani terrorists operating against India from overseas - from confiscation of their properties to withdrawal of the OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards. India's neighbours have come out in India's support, even terming Canada a safe haven for terror.

India-Canada ties in a tailspin

Comedian Trevor Noah's Indian fans were in for disappointment after he cancelled his show in Bengaluru minutes before it was about to begin. Noah informed the fans that he would have to cancel the show because of bad acoustics and that it would have been impossible to go ahead.

Trevor Noah cancels Bengaluru's 'Off the record' show minutes before it began | WION Newspoint

India has shared its concerns with Sri Lanka multiple times on the issue of maritime security. But, still, a new Chinese marine research vessel, Shi Yan 6, is expected to dock at Colombo and Hambantota port in Sri Lanka by October this year AND is likely to stay till November 2023.

Is Sri Lanka veering towards China?

Wood from the willow trees of Kashmir is used to manufacture cricket bats used by top cricketers in India. But rampant felling of trees and cultivation of cheaper poplar wood has meant big challenges for this industry. Some 400 willow bat-manufacturing workshops across the valley face closure. Close to 150,000 workers could lose their jobs. A prided industry could disappear if urgent corrective measures are not taken.

Kashmir’s prized willow tree in crisis

Comedian Trevor Noah's Bengaluru show ended up being a 'comedy of errors'. The event was plagued by traffic snarls & technical glitches. This forced the comedian to cancel the show last minute. Priyanka Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Trevor Noah's Bengaluru show turns into comedy of errors

Driven by increased government spending ahead of the upcoming general election in May, India is set to claim the title of the fastest-growing major economy in the current fiscal year. However, economists, in a Reuters poll, have expressed concerns about downside risks to this optimistic forecast.

Over the past few years, Narendra Modi's government has ramped up spending on infrastructure projects, including roads and railways, contributing to India's resilience against the global economic slowdown. Despite these efforts, the government has struggled to generate sufficient employment opportunities.

According to the median forecasts from a poll of 65 economists conducted between September 20 and 26, India's economy is expected to grow by 6.2 per cent in the fiscal year ending in March 2024, followed by a 6.3 per cent growth rate in the subsequent fiscal year. These projections align with last month's predictions but reveal a wide range of estimates for the current fiscal year, spanning from 4.6 per cent to 7.1 per cent.

However, economists emphasise that the expected growth remains below India's full potential. Furthermore, concerns have arisen regarding the impact of a drier-than-normal monsoon season, which could hinder economic performance in a country where agriculture employs roughly half of the workforce.

After an 7.8 per cent expansion in the last quarter, the growth rate is anticipated to moderate to 6.4 per cent in the current quarter and then decrease to 6.0 per cent in the October-December period, ultimately slowing to 5.5 per cent in early 2024.

Reuters quoted Miguel Chanco, chief emerging Asia economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, as saying&nbsp;that India is currently experiencing a cyclical slowdown, with various factors, including a weak external environment, sluggish private consumption, and subdued investment, impacting economic growth.

A majority of economists, 22 out of 36, believe that the risks to their GDP growth forecasts for FY 2023-2024 are tilted towards the downside.

Regarding inflation, the poll indicates that India's retail inflation is expected to average 5.5 per cent this fiscal year and 4.8 per cent next, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) medium-term target of 4 per cent. Alarmingly, more than two-thirds of the surveyed economists, 23 out of 34, believe that the risks are skewed towards even higher inflation figures.

Despite the anticipation of inflation remaining above the target, economists foresee the next move by the RBI to be a rate cut. Nearly 60 per cent of the economists, 28 out of 48, predict that the RBI will cut rates by at least 25 basis points before July, with the median estimate placing the rate at 6.25 per cent in the second quarter of the following year. This potential rate cut aligns with expectations for similar moves by central banks globally.

In the upcoming Oct. 4-6 meeting, all but one of the 71 economists surveyed anticipate that the RBI will maintain its key repo rate at 6.50 per cent, with one economist expecting a 25 basis point increase. Median forecasts suggest that the rate will remain unchanged throughout the rest of the current fiscal year.

Reuters quoted Alexandra Hermann, lead economist at Oxford Economics as saying, "The RBI will likely tolerate supply-driven inflationary pressures as long as core prices continue to ease but will monitor the development of inflation expectations closely."

She also added that they still expected a rate cut early in 2024 and that the recent inflationary trends were making it increasingly likely that a policy tilt would be delayed. She also pointed out that government measures should have a cooling effect on food prices in the coming months, but rising oil prices would probably exert upward pressure on headline inflation.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Driven by increased government spending ahead of the upcoming general election in May, India is set to claim the title of the fastest-growing major economy in the current fiscal year.

Driven by increased government spending ahead of the upcoming general election in May, India is set to claim the title of the fastest-growing major economy in the current fiscal year. However, economists, in a Reuters poll, have expressed concerns about downside risks to this optimistic forecast. Over the past few years, Narendra Modi's government has ramped up spending on infrastructure projects, including roads and railways, contributing to India's resilience against the global economic slowdown. Despite these efforts, the government has struggled to generate sufficient employment opportunities. According to the median forecasts from a poll of 65 economists conducted between September 20 and 26, India's economy is expected to grow by 6.2 per cent in the fiscal year ending in March 2024, followed by a 6.3 per cent growth rate in the subsequent fiscal year. These projections align with last month's predictions but reveal a wide range of estimates for the current fiscal year, spanning from 4.6 per cent to 7.1 per cent. However, economists emphasise that the expected growth remains below India's full potential. Furthermore, concerns have arisen regarding the impact of a drier-than-normal monsoon season, which could hinder economic performance in a country where agriculture employs roughly half of the workforce. After an 7.8 per cent expansion in the last quarter, the growth rate is anticipated to moderate to 6.4 per cent in the current quarter and then decrease to 6.0 per cent in the October-December period, ultimately slowing to 5.5 per cent in early 2024. Reuters quoted Miguel Chanco, chief emerging Asia economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, as saying that India is currently experiencing a cyclical slowdown, with various factors, including a weak external environment, sluggish private consumption, and subdued investment, impacting economic growth. A majority of economists, 22 out of 36, believe that the risks to their GDP growth forecasts for FY 2023-2024 are tilted towards the downside. Regarding inflation, the poll indicates that India's retail inflation is expected to average 5.5 per cent this fiscal year and 4.8 per cent next, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) medium-term target of 4 per cent. Alarmingly, more than two-thirds of the surveyed economists, 23 out of 34, believe that the risks are skewed towards even higher inflation figures. Despite the anticipation of inflation remaining above the target, economists foresee the next move by the RBI to be a rate cut. Nearly 60 per cent of the economists, 28 out of 48, predict that the RBI will cut rates by at least 25 basis points before July, with the median estimate placing the rate at 6.25 per cent in the second quarter of the following year. This potential rate cut aligns with expectations for similar moves by central banks globally. In the upcoming Oct. 4-6 meeting, all but one of the 71 economists surveyed anticipate that the RBI will maintain its key repo rate at 6.50 per cent, with one economist expecting a 25 basis point increase. Median forecasts suggest that the rate will remain unchanged throughout the rest of the current fiscal year. Reuters quoted Alexandra Hermann, lead economist at Oxford Economics as saying, "The RBI will likely tolerate supply-driven inflationary pressures as long as core prices continue to ease but will monitor the development of inflation expectations closely." She also added that they still expected a rate cut early in 2024 and that the recent inflationary trends were making it increasingly likely that a policy tilt would be delayed. She also pointed out that government measures should have a cooling effect on food prices in the coming months, but rising oil prices would probably exert upward pressure on headline inflation. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India fastest-growing major economy but risks persist, says Reuters poll

India's diamond trade bodies are seeking an import ban for two months to manage supplies and bolster prices amid sluggish demand. In a letter, leading diamond trade bodies, including the gems and jewellery export promotion council, are urging their members to halt imports of rough diamonds for a two-month period, from October 15th to December 15th.

India's diamond sector seeks import ban | World Business Watch

Renowned Indian agriculturalist agriculturalist doctor MS Swaminathan widely called the father of India's Green Revolution passed away on Thursday

M S Swaminathan led India's Green Revolution

S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, arrived in Washington, DC, from New York on Wednesday (local time). During his visit, he has a series of meetings planned, including discussions with his US counterpart Antony Blinken, White House officials, members of the US administration, business leaders, and representatives from think tanks.

India's Foreign Minister Jaishankar lands in Washington, set to meet Blinken

Days after the resurgence of violence in Manipur, India's Home Ministry repatriated a top police officer to the northeastern state. Rakesh Balwal is a 2012 batch officer of the Indian Police Service. Widespread protests erupted in Manipur after it was confirmed that two Meitei students from the state capital Imphal had been brutally killed.

Manipur: Fresh tensions over death of two students

Devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha as the 10-day festival came to an end. Watch video.

Devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha: Mumbai

Long before Canada accused India for its involvement in killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, Indian agencies shared multiple set of documents with the Canadian side over Khalistani movement in their country.

India's dossier exposes Khalistani's extensive links to Pakistan

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar is in Washington DC. As part of a nine-day US visit, he is set to hold several meetings, including with his US counterpart Antony Blinken. The Jaishankar-Blinken meeting comes amid the ongoing diplomatic crisis between India and Canada.

Jaishankar-Blinken to meet as foreign minister visits the US; Canada row to figure in talks

Manipur: Families of students killed want remains back, Srinagar cop repatriated

An absolutely gut-wrenching video of a 12-year-old girl in toned clothes and bleeding from door to door in a Ujjain City in Madhya Pradesh.

India: 12-year-old girl raped in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain city

ISRO has set its new target. After the Moon and sun, Venus is the next stop for ISRO. ISRO Chief S Somanath announced that India has configured its mission to Venus. This marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration endeavours.

Shukrayaan-1: Know all about ISRO's next big mission to Venus

S&nbsp;Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, arrived in Washington, DC, from New York on Wednesday (local time). During his visit, he has a series of meetings planned, including discussions with his US&nbsp;counterpart Antony Blinken, White House officials, members of the US&nbsp;administration, business leaders, and representatives from think tanks.

Additionally, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold a closed press meeting with US&nbsp;Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai in Washington, DC.

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The day before, on Tuesday (Sept 26), Jaishankar addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In his speech, he underlined the importance of not letting "political convenience" dictate responses to terrorism and extremism, which was seen as a reference to a diplomatic dispute involving Canada.

(More information to follow)

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S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, arrived in Washington, DC, from New York on Wednesday (local time). During his visit, he has a series of meetings planned, including discussions with his US counterpart Antony Blinken, White House officials, members of the US administration, business leaders, and representatives from think tanks. Additionally, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold a closed press meeting with US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai in Washington, DC. #WATCH | EAM Dr S Jaishankar arrives in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/YqWvo88MVo — ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2023 × The day before, on Tuesday (Sept 26), Jaishankar addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In his speech, he underlined the importance of not letting "political convenience" dictate responses to terrorism and extremism, which was seen as a reference to a diplomatic dispute involving Canada. (More information to follow) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India's Foreign Minister Jaishankar lands in Washington DC, set to meet Blinken

JP Morgan is placing its bets on India as it emerges as one of the three fastest-growing markets in the Asia Pacific region for the upcoming year. As of the financial year ending march 31, 2024, India is projected to achieve a 6.5% growth rate, outpacing other major economies. This robust growth is driving global corporations like apple and tesla to ramp up their production and manufacturing efforts within the country.

India emerges as a top growth market for JP Morgan in Asia Pacific | World Business Watch

India will set carbon emission reduction targets for four fossil fuel-dependent sectors. The latest development comes at a time when the Asian country looks to align its industry with the country's greenhouse emissions reduction target. According to a Reuters report, India will fix carbon emission intensity benchmarks and reduction targets for three years for companies in petrochemicals, iron & steel, cement, and pulp & paper. The companies in the four sectors are also likely to be the first ones to trade on the country's carbon trading market from April 2025, which will enable them to buy and sell carbon credits to meet their goals.

Decoding India's climate action plan

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is going after Hindus in Canada, asking them to go back to India. Hindu groups have raised the issue with Justin Trudeau. Will the Canadian govt put Pannun behind bars? Here's what Priyanka Sharma has to say.

Gravitas: Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun targets Hindus in Canada | 'Go to India' says Pannun

In this episode, we expose Canada's decades-long sheltering of the Ukrainian Waffen-SS Galicia Division, a World War II Nazi German military unit formed predominantly of volunteers from Ukraine. We delve into the shocking revelation of how the country has become a safe haven for Nazi war soldiers living under official cover.

Gravitas: Canada's troubling history with Nazi Soldiers, from WWII to today

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