News Broadcasting
CNN goes on a ‘Quest’ for magic
MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN has announced that its show Quest seeks out magic. The show’s host Richard Quest seeks to discover the truth behind the dark arts of illusion. The Las Vegas glitz and glamour of David Copperfield contrasts with the cauldrons of English witches as Quest prepares to emulate the magicians with a trick all of his own. The show airs on 23 December at 12:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 24 December at 12:30 pm.
Topping the bill is American magician and illusionist, David Copperfield. During the past decade, his shows have grossed over one billion dollars, and his television performances have won him 21 Emmy Awards. He has vanished the Statue of Liberty, walked through the Great Wall of China and levitated over the Grand Canyon. Constantly redefining the realms of possibility, he has become the best-known illusionist of our time. The program reveals that he also covets a more secret passion – preserving the history of magic for future generations. With a few surprises along the way, Quest gets a guided tour of the Copperfield private collection, containing 80,000 objects of magic memorabilia, some dating back to the 16th century.
From the grandest of stages, the program moves to the intimate surroundings of the dinner table, with Fay Presto. This British magician plies her trade on the London restaurant scene, entertaining customers between courses, and she shares her passion for close up magic with Quest, and gives him an insight into the trials and tribulations of the nomadic ‘magician-for-hire’.
Aside from entertainment, it’s worth pausing to remember that there is perhaps a darker, mythical origin to the modern art of magic. In the quaint Cornish village of St. Buryan in the UK, lives certified witch Cassandra Latham, who could be described as a throwback to the village ‘wise woman’. Working from her cottage, she receives all manner of visitors, who request everything from a love spell to an old school cure for warts. With Cassandra providing Quest with a glimpse at ancient rituals, who has to question whether real magic exists!
Next, the show’s host visits ‘Sin City’, Las Vegas, where there’s ample scope to uncover what motivates the master magician. On stage at the Monte Carlo Hotel, Lance Burton creates a world in which gloves turn to doves and girls levitate across the stage. From sleight-of-hand tricks to grand illusions, Burton does it all and has been the hottest act in Vegas for over ten years. He describes his deep connection to magicians of the past, his philosophy of performance and why some tricks are timeless.
In addition to meeting some of the biggest names in the business, Quest faces his own ordeal as he seeks out the ‘magic touch’. Not content just to stare in wonder, he takes to the stage at London’s Magic Circle, alongside some of Britain’s top magicians.
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.
