News Headline
Murdoch puts retirement plans on hold ‘forever’
ADELAIDE: Rupert Murdoch said on Wednesday that his sons will have to face a long wait before taking over at the helm of his global media empire News Corp – because he had no intention of stepping down as its head.
The 72-year-old News Corp chief was speaking at the company’s annual general meeting in its hometown of Adelaide, Australia.
Murdoch told shareholders, his retirement plans had been put on hold “forever” and that he would have to be “carried out”.
According to media reports, Murdoch said his sons Lachlan (31) and James (30) still had to prove their worth.
Last month, Murdoch celebrated his 50th year as the head of News Corp. He is said to have built the company from a single newspaper into a group spanning satellite television, broadcast television, movie production and newspapers across America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
New lease of life
According to reports, Murdoch implied that the birth of his second daughter (to third wife Wendi Deng) in July has given him a new lease of life. He has appeared in a documentary last year, pumping iron and boasting of his low cholesterol count.
Although slightly hard of hearing at times, Murdoch appeared to be in good health and humour during the two-hour shareholder meeting, the reports said.
Speculation about his possible successor resurfaced this month after James Murdoch was pushed as the lead candidate to head Britain’s BSkyB, in which the company has a 35.4 per cent controlling stake.
The hype had worried shareholders that the company would lose its independence. Investors also wondered whether James – who heads the Hong-Kong based Star TV – had enough experience to lead the entire empire.
However, Murdoch said in the annual meeting that any decision on the job would not be based on his family’s shareholding in the company and the “best candidate” would get the job.
Praises for Lachlan, James
Accompanied by his older son, Lachlan, at the meeting, Murdoch heaped praise on both his sons, reports stated. Lachlan is widely seen as his most likely successor.
Murdoch is quoted to have said, “So far they are showing great promise. Lachlan is supervising companies which provided 60 per cent of last year’s huge operating profit. James has just turned around the single most difficult situation we had in the whole company (referring to James’ steered Star TV to its first operating profit last year). They are starting well. Let’s see.”
Lachlan currently heads News Corp’s US publishing operation, including the New York Post, while James oversees Star TV.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
