 "FirstUp: Nirmala Sitharaman in UK, News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025 begins... Big news today")
Several important events are scheduled for the day.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be in the United Kingdom today for ministerial-level bilateral meetings.
CNN-News18’s Rising Bharat Summit begins today with over 75 sessions and a lineup of notable speakers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Nato chief Mark Rutte will be in Tokyo today, marking his first visit to Japan since assuming office.
Legal proceedings in Prince Harry’s appeal over his security arrangements are set to begin today and will continue until tomorrow.
The shortlist of six titles for the International Booker Prize 2025 will be revealed today.
In the IPL 2025, KKR are set to play against LSG at 3:30 PM, while PBKS will go up against CSK in the evening match at 7:30 PM.
Here’s a look at the events in detail:
Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to the UK
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be in the United Kingdom today to attend ministerial-level bilateral meetings.
While in the UK, she will attend the 13th Ministerial round of the India–UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and is expected to meet with think tanks, investors, and senior business figures.
The 13th round of the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue is set to take place in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday. The meeting will be co-chaired by the finance minister and the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer.
For India, the main focus areas of this dialogue include collaboration in IFSC GIFT City, boosting investment, and developments in the insurance and pension sectors. Discussions will also cover FinTech, the digital economy, and ways to support affordable and sustainable climate finance.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsFollowing her meetings in the UK, she will travel to Austria for meetings with senior members of the Austrian government.
Rising Bharat Summit 2025 begins today
The fifth edition of CNN-News18’s flagship leadership event, the **Rising Bharat Summit 2025** , begins today in New Delhi.
Spread across two days, the summit will feature over 75 sessions and more than 100 influential voices, bringing together a wide spectrum of leaders to discuss India’s growing influence globally, with a strong emphasis on the role of the youth.
Key figures speaking at the event include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, American economist Jeffrey D Sachs, and Ashish Chauhan, MD & CEO of NSE.
As India gains increasing recognition on the global stage, the summit aims to unite major Indian leaders, international policymakers, industry experts, tech pioneers, and emerging start-up leaders to deliberate on key challenges shaping the future.
It also seeks to encourage meaningful exchange, inspire collaborative efforts, and spark ideas that will help propel India’s global aspirations during the “Amrit Kaal” era.
Nato chief to visit Japan
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) Secretary-General Mark Rutte will be in Tokyo today, marking his first visit to Japan since assuming office in October.
During his stay, Rutte is expected to meet Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, tour the Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Yokosuka City, and hold talks with members of Japan’s industrial sector.
In a conversation with The Japan Times, Rutte said Japan and Nato are looking to deepen their partnership through closer information sharing and enhanced defence-industry cooperation.
State broadcaster NHK reported that discussions may include potential areas of collaboration between Nato and Japan’s defence sector.
Prince Harry’s appeal hearing over UK security arrangements
A two-day hearing will begin today in Prince Harry’s appeal against a decision on his security arrangements in the UK.
The Duke of Sussex is challenging a decision made in February 2020 by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which comes under the Home Office.
That decision said Harry would not receive the “same degree” of personal protective security during visits to Britain as he had when he was a full-time working royal.
April 8 is also a key moment for Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, whose new podcast launches that day. This may lead to a clash in the couple’s separate schedules.
International Booker Prize 2025 shortlist to be revealed today
The shortlist of six books for the 2025 International Booker Prize will be announced today.
Earlier, the longlist was shared, with all 13 authors being included for the first time.
That list included 11 novels and two short story collections, selected by the 2025 judging panel led by Max Porter, a bestselling author who was once longlisted for the Booker Prize himself.
The winner will be revealed at an event at London’s Tate Modern on Tuesday, 20 May.
The award recognises the key role of translators, with the £50,000 prize split equally: £25,000 each for the author and the translator (or shared if there are multiple translators). Each of the shortlisted works will also receive £5,000 - £2,500 for the author and £2,500 for the translator (or shared if more than one).
IPL 2025: KKR take on LSG
The 21st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants will be held today.
The match was earlier scheduled for April 6 but was moved to April 8 because of Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal’s capital.
Both teams have had similar results so far. KKR are placed fifth, while LSG are sixth. Only the net run rate separates them.
Each side has been alternating between wins and losses, a pattern that will now break.
The match will be played at Eden Gardens and starts at 3:30 PM.
IPL 2025: PBKS face CSK in evening clash
Later in the day, Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur.
CSK have had one of their poorest starts to a season, with three losses in a row while chasing. Punjab Kings also lost their last match against Rajasthan Royals at home.
But based on current form and team balance, Shreyas Iyer’s side looks more settled than CSK, who are still struggling to find the right playing combination.
This match starts at 7:30 PM.
With inputs from agencies
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