News Broadcasting
AOL, Warner Bros, NBC team for ‘Friends’ promo
MUMBAI: To celebrate the final season of Friends , America Online, Warner Bros. Television and NBC have teamed up to offer fans an opportunity to choose six Friends episodes to air during NBC’s block Must See TV. The event kicks off in March in the US.
In India, Friends airs on Star World and Zee English. Broadband members can go to AOL Television to watch footage from 40 of the show’s best episodes. These were chosen by the shows producers Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. Fans can then cast votes for their favourite six episodes via AOL Keyword: Friends or at www.aim.com until 1 February, says a company release.
From 4 March 2004, NBC will air one of the top six vote-getters, each Thursday, counting down to the most popular episode, which will air on 8 April.
AOL Television vice president and general manager Patricia Karpas was quoted in an official release saying, “Through this unprecedented programme, we are able to leverage the reach of AOL and AOL Instant Messenger. We are allowing Friends fans to determine, which of the most popular episodes will air on NBC this March.
AOL Television claims to be the most comprehensive online resource for television fans who want to be informed, engaged and entertained about the hottest shows on television. Its newest feature TV’s Top 5 lets television viewers watch, rate and talk about the top TV moments from the previous day.
The release adds that other AOL Television offerings include extensive, personalised listings with an option to record programmes directly to TiVo. It also offers sneak peeks and exclusive video from today’s most popular shows.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
