There’s a clarity to Hunter McVey’s rise that feels engineered rather than accidental—an online persona transformed into a serious actor in under a week’s notice. When he landed his role on 9-1-1: Nashville, he recalled “I had gotten the role less than a week before we started filming. I was learning so much, remembering 200 pages of scripts the first week and trying to get technical details down.” That urgency kept him from overthinking, forced him into the fire, and ultimately revealed a grit many don’t see when they scroll through his Instagram.
At 26, McVey is already performing at a high level: The actor’s been navigating 12-to-15-hour days on set, executing adrenaline-fueled stunts, and filling out the body of a firefighter cadet with muscular realism. What makes him feel different isn’t just his physical readiness—it’s his discipline. Years of training, dieting, and self-work have carved a foundation strong enough to carry him through long shooting schedules and rigorous scenes.
The young actor’s journey hasn’t been just about strength and physical appearance—it’s become mental blueprint. He’s re-engineered his life around enduring habits over instant validation. For McVey, the goal isn’t just landing the next role; it’s building a legacy rooted in consistency, resilience, and the kind of relentless ambition that runs deeper than a six-pack.
M&F recently spoke with Franklin, TN, native to discuss his breakout acting role for 9-1-1: Nashville—which is available for streaming on Hulu before new episodes return on Thursday, January 8th at 9 pm ET/PT on ABC—the physical demands of playing “Blue,” and how he’s built sustainable strength on and off the camera.
Hunter McVey
Thrown Into the Fire: From Online Persona to Breakout Actor
Stepping onto the set of 9-1-1: Nashville for the first time, McVey learned quickly that television doesn’t wait for comfort. He had barely a week between landing the role and shooting his first scenes, a window too tight for doubt. “I didn’t have much time to overanalyze, and the really option was to move forward and try my best,” he says. What could have been overwhelming instead became clarifying—forcing him to adapt in real time, memorize pages of dialogue at a sprint, and navigate a professional world he’d only viewed from a distance.
The shift required more than just developing new skills; it demanded a reshaping of his identity. After years spent running businesses and curating a digital presence on his own schedule, McVey made the decision to strip things down. “I decided to take a break from social media, take a break from some of the businesses, and put all of my attention on being the best actor I could be,” he explained. That choice meant trading the autonomy of entrepreneurship for the vulnerability of collaboration—entering an environment where he wasn’t the one calling the shots, and where growth meant being coached, critiqued and pushed.
Through long days and high-stakes scenes, McVey found himself relying on something deeper than physical strength; the patience, humility, and discipline he’d been quietly building for years. “Even if we have a day where I slept five hours the night before, the enjoyable part is being there and doing something as cool as standing up on a 50-foot tower facing somebody’s life with individuals that are incredibly genuine and skillful at their craft,” he says. That perspective—embracing discomfort rather than resisting it—became the through line that carried him into the physical demands of the role.
Training for the Demands of 9‑1‑1
The intensity of portraying a firefighter didn’t surprise McVey—but the precision it required did. His long history with strength training and nutrition became the scaffolding he leaned on while adapting to unpredictable 15-hour shooting days. “If I can knock off one thing that I don’t have to worry about as much—my physical strength, endurance, and conditioning—then it makes that process that much easier,” he says. His body wasn’t just for aesthetics; it was functional machinery meant to withstand heavy gear, rapid takes, and stunt-driven sequences.
On set, McVey traded his rigid five-day splits for a more utilitarian approach. Workouts became full-body circuits, stair climbs, and movement sessions that complemented rather than competed with his filming demands. “Before this, I may have had a five-day-a-week split that I didn’t venture off of, I may have to take two or three days off the gym because I’m pounding my body on set,” he explains. Learning when to push and when to recover became just as important as building strength.
And as the physical side evolved, the mental side sharpened. The discipline he’d built through fitness expanded into a philosophy he applied everywhere. “When you give yourself the social proof that you can do hard thing—even without seeing instant rewards—you can really translate that to every other aspect, whether it be acting or business,” he says. That connection between muscle and mindset forms the bridge into the deeper, more personal part of his story—one that began long before Hollywood.
Building Strength, Inside and Out
Long before the roles, the followers, or the training philosophy, McVey’s first battle was with his own reflection. Growing up “husky,” he was aware early of how others saw him. “My grandpa always said, ‘You know, this kid can eat,’” McVey recalls, reflecting on his early awareness of his size. By the age of 12, the moment that changed everything came unexpectedly—pulling on a pair of athletic shorts that belonged to his dad. The realization that they were tight in the waist was a jolt, one that pushed him toward calorie counting, macro tracking, and strength training before most kids his age cared about any of it.
Those early years weren’t glamorous. They were a grind of self-doubt, discipline, and experimentation. “It’s been a battle and a journey with my self-image, self-confidence, and how I look at myself,” he says. What started as purely aesthetic motivation slowly transformed as he matured. Instead of training to “look good,” he began training to feel good—to be functional, strong, mobile, and resilient enough for the life he wanted. The shift was profound: Yes, I love to look good naked—but longevity, mobility, flexibility, endurance, cardiovascular health, that’s what the 12-through-22-year-old Hunter didn’t give a crap about.”
This evolution laid the groundwork for his philosophy today. His growth wasn’t just physical—it was an internal recalibration, one that now informs the way he teaches, mentors, and leads. Which is exactly why he built something designed to give others the roadmap he never had.
Turning Experience into Guidance
McVey’s nonlinear journey—through insecurity, fitness, entrepreneurship, and now acting—became the blueprint for his next mission: helping others avoid the same missteps.
He emphasizes sustainability over spectacle. “When you have this zero or 100 mindset … then you’re setting yourself up for failure. You’re setting yourself up for building unsustainable habits that end up putting you in a worse place than where you started,” he says. His program teaches members how to build balance and discipline that lasts—habits that stack, grow, and multiply into long-term transformation rather than fleeting progress.
Ultimately, The Blueprint Society mirrors the ethos that guides McVey on screen and off: that success is built slowly, honestly, and with an unromantic consistency most people never see. For the influencer turned actor, mentorship isn’t about proving perfection—it’s about sharing the messy, human parts of achievement so others can build their own path forward. His story isn’t just one of physical transformation or career acceleration; it’s proof that resilience, clarity, and steady work can rewrite a life from the inside out.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday formally appointed Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a period of five years.The move follows the recent passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment on November 12, which created the post of CDF to unify command across the armed forces and streamline decision-making during critical situations.
Pakistan Army General Warns Of Hybrid-To-Full War As Pakistan Reshapes Military Power Under Munir
The newly created CDF replaces the abolished office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which formally ended on November 27 following the retirement of General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.President Zardari approved the recommendation submitted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Munir’s appointment. A press release from the President’s office extended best wishes to Munir in his new role. The same release also announced a two-year extension in the service of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, effective from the completion of his current tenure in March 2026. Law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the reforms “bring constitutional oversight to defence appointments while maintaining military honour and tradition” and confirmed there were no legal or political obstacles to Munir’s appointment. He also stated that the Defence Ministry was preparing a new organogram for the CDF to reflect the changes.Field Marshal Munir, who was initially appointed as COAS in November 2022 for three years, had his tenure extended to five years in 2024. With this appointment, he assumes a historic dual role, serving simultaneously as Chief of Army Staff and the first Chief of Defence Forces, marking a significant shift in Pakistan’s military hierarchy and institutional structure.The 27th Constitutional Amendment elevates the army chief to the role of CDF with constitutional authority over all three branches of the military: army, navy and air force. It also introduces judicial reforms, including the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to handle constitutional matters, allowing the Supreme Court to focus on civil and criminal cases.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the amendment as a demonstration of national unity, highlighting the role of law enforcement in recent counterterrorism efforts. While the ruling coalition including PPP, PML-N, and MQM-P, supported the amendment, opposition parties criticized it as unconstitutional, warning it could concentrate excessive power in the military.PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan described it as the “Baku Amendments,” accusing the government of undermining democracy. PPP Senator Raza Rabbani warned the changes could damage provincial autonomy and roll back powers devolved under the 18th Amendment, according to Dawn. Following Munir’s appointment, the next key step will be appointing the commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC), a four-star position previously under the CJCSC. The NSC commander will be appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the CDF.
The assassination attempt on a former Russian spy was authorised by Vladimir Putin, who is “morally responsible” for the death of a woman poisoned by the nerve agent used in the attack, a public inquiry has found.
The chairman, Lord Hughes, found there were “failings” in the management of Sergei Skripal, 74, who was a member of Russian military intelligence, the GRU, before coming to the UK in 2010 on a prisoner exchange after being convicted of spying for Britain.
But he found the assessment that he wasn’t at “significant risk” of assassination was not “unreasonable” at the time of the attack in Salisbury on 4 March 2018, which could only have been avoided by hiding him with a completely new identity.
Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia, 41, who was also poisoned, were left seriously ill, along with then police officer Nick Bailey, who was sent to search their home, but they all survived.
Image: Sergei Skripal and Yulia Skripal.
Pic: Shutterstock
Dawn Sturgess, 44, died on 8 July, just over a week after unwittingly spraying herself with novichok given to her by her partner, Charlie Rowley, 52, in a perfume bottle in nearby Amesbury on 30 June 2018. Mr Rowley was left seriously ill but survived.
In his 174-page report, following last year’s seven-week inquiry, costing more than £8m, former Supreme Court judge Lord Hughes said she received “entirely appropriate” medical care but her condition was “unsurvivable” from a very early stage.
The inquiry found GRU officers using the aliases Alexander Petrov, 46, and Ruslan Boshirov, 47, had brought the Nina Ricci bottle containing the novichok to Salisbury after arriving in London from Moscow with a third agent known as Sergey Fedotov to kill Mr Skripal on 2 March.
Image: L-R Suspects who used the names of Sergey Fedotov, Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov. Pics: UK Counter Terrorism Policing
The report said it was likely the same bottle Petrov and Boshirov used to apply the military-grade nerve agent to the handle of Mr Skripal’s front door before it was “recklessly discarded”.
“They can have had no regard to the hazard thus created, of the death of, or serious injury to, an uncountable number of innocent people,” it said.
It is “impossible to say” where Mr Rowley found the bottle, but was likely within a few days of it being abandoned on 4 March, meaning there is “clear causative link” with the death of mother-of-three Ms Sturgess.
Image: Novichok was in perfume bottle. Pic: Reuters
Lord Hughes said he was sure the three GRU agents “were acting on instructions”, adding: “I have concluded that the operation to assassinate Sergei Skripal must have been authorised at the highest level, by President Putin.
“I therefore conclude that those involved in the assassination attempt (not only Petrov, Boshirov and Fedotov, but also those who sent them, and anyone else giving authorisation or knowing assistance in Russia or elsewhere) were morally responsible for Dawn Sturgess’s death,” he said.
Russian ambassador summonsed
After the publication of the report, the government announced the GRU has been sanctioned in its entirety, and the Russian Ambassador has been summonsed to the Foreign Office to answer for Russia’s ongoing campaign of alleged hostile activity against the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer said the findings “are a grave reminder of the Kremlin’s disregard for innocent lives” and that Ms Sturgess’s “needless” death was a tragedy that “will forever be a reminder of Russia’s reckless aggression”.
“The UK will always stand up to Putin’s brutal regime and call out his murderous machine for what it is,” the prime minister said.
He said deploying the “highly toxic nerve agent in a busy city centre was an astonishingly reckless act” with an “entirely foreseeable” risk that others beyond the intended target would be killed or injured.
The inquiry heard a total of 87 people presented at A&E.
Image: Pic AP
Lord Hughes said there was a decision taken not to issue advice to the public not to pick anything up which they hadn’t dropped, which was a “reasonable conclusion” at the time, so as not to cause “widespread panic”.
He also said there had been no need for training beyond specialist medics before the “completely unexpected use of a nerve agent in an English city”.
After the initial attack, wider training was “appropriate” and was given but should have been more widely circulated.
In a statement following the publication of his report, Lord Hughes said Ms Sturgess’s death was “needless and arbitrary”, while the circumstances are “clear but quite extraordinary”.
“She was the entirely innocent victim of the cruel and cynical acts of others,” he said.
Image: ‘We can finally put her to peace’ . Pic: Met Police/PA
‘We can have Dawn back now’
Speaking after the report was published, Ms Sturgess’s father, Stanley Sturgess, said: “We can have Dawn back now. She’s been public for seven years. We can finally put her to peace.”
In a statement, her family said they felt “vindicated” by the report, which recognised how Wiltshire police wrongly characterised Ms Sturgess as a drug user.
But they said: “Today’s report has left us with some answers, but also a number of unanswered questions.
“We have always wanted to ensure that what happened to Dawn will not happen to others; that lessons should be learned and that meaningful changes should be made.
“The report contains no recommendations. That is a matter of real concern. There should, there must, be reflection and real change.”
Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper admitted the pain of Ms Sturgess’s family was “compounded by mistakes made” by the force, adding: “For this, I am truly sorry.”
Russia has denied involvement
The Russian Embassy has firmly denied any connection between Russia and the attack on the Skripals.
But the chairman dismissed Russia’s explanation that the Salisbury and Amesbury poisonings were the result of a scheme devised by the UK authorities to blame Russia, and the claims of Petrov and Borisov in a television interview that they were sightseeing.
The inquiry chairman said the evidence of a Russian state attack was “overwhelming” and was designed not only as a revenge attack against Mr Skripal, but amounted to a “public statement” that Russia “will act decisively in its own interests”.
Lord Hughes found “some features of the management” of Mr Skripal “could and should have been improved”, including insufficient regular written risk assessments.
But although there was “inevitably” some risk of harm at Russia’s hands, the analysis that it was not likely was “reasonable”, he said.
“There is no sufficient basis for concluding that there ought to have been assessed to be an enhanced risk to him of lethal attack on British soil, such as to call for security measures,” such as living under a new identity or at a secret address, the chairman said.
He added that CCTV cameras, alarms or hidden bugs inside Mr Skripal’s house might have been possible but wouldn’t have prevented the “professionally mounted attack with a nerve agent”.
Sky News has approached the Russian Embassy for comment on the report.
Israel will be allowed to compete in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, organisers have said – with several broadcasters saying they will now boycott the event.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, Spain’s RTVE, Ireland’s RTE and Slovenia’s RTV immediately issued statements saying they will not participate in the 2026 contest following the European Broadcasting Union’s general assembly meeting on Thursday.
Members were asked to vote in a secret ballot on whether they were happy with tougher new rules announced last month, without going ahead with a vote on participation next year. It followed criticism from some broadcasters of Israel’s role in the contest amid the war in Gaza, and allegations this year’s vote had been manipulated in favour of their contestant.
Image: Spain – represented by Melody earlier this year – is one of the countries that has said it will not take part in 2026. Pic: Reuters
In a statement, the EBU, which organises Eurovision, said members had shown “clear support for reforms to reinforce trust and protect neutrality”.
Golan Yochpaz, chief executive of Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, said during the meeting that attempts to remove them from the contest could “only be understood as a cultural boycott”, according to a statement shared by the organisation.
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog posted on X following the announcement, saying: “Israel deserves to be represented on every stage around the world, a cause to which I am fully and actively committed… I hope that the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations, and cross-border cultural understanding.”
The broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands had all said earlier in the year that they would not participate in 2026 should Israel be allowed to continue in the competition.
Image: Members met at the European Broadcasting Union headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Pic: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
In a statement following the general assembly meeting, RTE confirmed it will not take part and nor will it broadcast the competition.
“RTE feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk,” the broadcaster said.
AVROTROS, broadcaster for the Netherlands, said that “under the current circumstances, participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation”, while Spain’s RTVE highlighted how its board of directors had agreed in September that the country would withdraw “if Israel was part of it”.
This is a big deal for Eurovision, as Spain is one of the “Big Five” broadcasters – a group which also includes France, Germany, Italy and the UK. While the host broadcaster – as last year’s winners this is Austria this year – will often contribute most towards the cost of staging the contest, the Big Five will also make up a significant amount.
Slovenia’s broadcaster RTV said it would not take part “if Israel is included among the participating countries” and that the recent rule changes did not alter its view.
“As a public service broadcaster, RTV Slovenia is committed to upholding ethical principles and expects that equal rules and standards apply to all EBU members and all participating countries.”
But Austria’s broadcaster ORF said it was happy with the decision and is looking forward to hosting next year.
Roland Weissman, ORF director-general, said the contest was a competition for broadcasters, “not governments”, and that he had personally advocated for Israel’s participation.
“In the spirit of fostering cultural dialogue and supporting and strengthening the democratic role of public broadcasters, it was important not to burn any bridges,” he said, adding that concerns raised by some members had been taken seriously.
“Naturally, I would regret it if broadcasters were to decide against participating,” he added. “I see the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna as an opportunity to emphasise what unites us rather than what divides us – United by Music.”
The BBC is yet to comment on today’s developments. Sky News has contacted the broadcaster for comment.
Earlier this year, outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie said the corporation was “aware of the concerns” raised, but the song contest had “never been about politics”.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster sent a similar statement to Sky News at the time, saying: “We are aware of the various views and concerns which have been expressed in recent days in relation to next year’s Eurovision. At this stage, we will continue to be part of the discussions, led by the European Broadcasting Union, with other members and broadcasters.
“Eurovision has never been led by politics, it has been – and is – a celebration of music and culture that brings people together from across the world.”
How have the rules changed?
In November, the EBU announced it was changing its voting system. This followed allegations of “interference” by Israel’s government this year.
The rule changes annnounced in November came after Israeli singer Yuval Raphael received the largest number of votes from the public at this year’s contest, held in Basel, Switzerland, in May – ultimately finishing as runner-up to Austria’s entry after the jury votes were counted.
But a number of broadcasters raised concerns about Israel’s result.
Key changes to next year’s competition include:
• Clearer rules around promotion of artists and their songs • Cap on audience voting halved • The return of professional juries to semi-finals • Enhanced security safeguards
It was these changes members were secretly balloted on at the general assembly. With a “large majority” voting that they were happy with these changes, the EBU said there was no need for a further vote on participation.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
NEW DELHI: Punjab FC lost 3-1 to East Bengal in the first semifinal of the AIFF Super Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Thursday.With this win, East Bengal entered their third AIFF Super Cup final. It is also their second final of the season after losing the IFA Shield to Mohun Bagan SG.East Bengal went ahead in the 12th minute when Mohamad Bashim Rashid scored. Punjab FC equalised in the 34th minute through a Daniel Ramirez penalty.Kevin Sibille restored East Bengal’s lead in first-half stoppage time (45+3), and captain Saul Crespo scored in the 71st minute to secure the result for Oscar Bruzon’s team.Both sides began the match slowly, trying to settle into the game. Punjab had the first clear chance when Pramveer met a cross in the tenth minute, but his header went wide.Punjab were without suspended defender Muhammed Uvais, and the team seemed unsettled in defence. East Bengal took advantage of this when they struck in the 12th minute from a short corner. Miguel Ferreira sent a cross that was only partly cleared. The ball fell to Rashid outside the box, and he sent a low shot that went under goalkeeper Muheet Shabir’s glove. It was Rashid’s first goal for East Bengal.Punjab responded by moving higher up the field. Their equaliser came after an error inside the box. A header from Ricky Shabong struck Bipin Singh’s arm, and the referee awarded a penalty. Ramirez sent the spot kick past goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.East Bengal pushed back soon after. Just before half-time, Ferreira sent in another corner from the left. Sibille jumped higher than his marker and scored with a header. East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon received a second yellow card while celebrating the goal.In the second half, East Bengal controlled more of the play. In the 56th minute, Bipin Singh moved down the left and took a shot that Shabir saved. Hiroshi Ibusuki reached the rebound but headed the ball off target.Punjab attempted to create openings through Suhail and Ramirez but could not break East Bengal’s defence.East Bengal scored again in the 71st minute. Ferreira moved past multiple Punjab players inside the box before passing the ball to Crespo, who sent a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
The Indian rupee’s slide past Rs 90 per US dollar for the first time ever has shifted sentiment in the equity market and raised fresh concerns for investors. The breach of this psychological level has come on the back of weak capital flows, steady demand for dollars from importers, and uncertainty around the India–US trade agreement, reported ET. The currency touched Rs 90.43 on Thursday, marking its fifth straight day of losses despite the Reserve Bank of India’s rreported interventions. Although it appreciated by 26 paise to close at 89.89 on Thursday.
Why the fall beyond 90 matters
Currency traders cited by Reuters said that once the rupee slipped past Rs 88.80—a level the RBI had been defending—the currency became more sensitive to long-standing pressures such as soft capital inflows and a rise in speculative positions. Anindya Banerjee of Kotak Securities was quoted by ET as saying that the move toward Rs 90 was driven by short-covering and importer demand, calling the 90-mark a “major psychological barrier” reinforced by buy-stop orders. “If the pair starts sustaining above this zone, the market could quickly shift into a higher trending phase toward 91.00 or even higher,” he said.Banerjee also pointed to foreign portfolio investor outflows, early signs of unwinding yen carry trades, and the delayed Indo-US trade deal as factors weighing on the rupee. A clear close above 90, he said, could encourage fresh speculative flows.
Investor sentiment takes a hit
The currency’s decline has already begun affecting domestic equities. As per ET, Dr VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments said the Nifty’s roughly 300-point correction from its record high has more to do with technical adjustments, including changes in Bank Nifty weightage, but warned that “continued depreciation in the rupee” is prompting FIIs to sell despite strong fundamentals such as rising corporate earnings and robust GDP growth. He added that the rupee could stabilise once the long-awaited India-US trade deal is sealed, possibly this month.Market watchers say the rupee’s direction will have a direct bearing on import costs, inflation trends, and foreign portfolio flows. Weakness in the currency could push up costs for sectors dependent on imported goods—such as petroleum, electronics, and gems and jewellery—putting pressure on margins. However, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said on Wednesday that the recent fall has not affected inflation or exports, as per PTI.
What lies ahead for the Rupee
The US dollar index eased to 99.22 in Asian trade as expectations built that Kevin Hassett may become the next US Federal Reserve chair.. Emkay Global expects the rupee to trade between Rs 88 and Rs 91 for the rest of FY26, noting that it has been far weaker than its Asian peers this year. The brokerage said currency movements will hinge on the outcomes of the US–India and US–RoW trade deals.On Thursday, the rupee briefly recovered to Rs 89.89, supported by a softer US dollar and possible RBI intervention, PTI reported. Earlier in the day, it had hit another record low of Rs 90.43 amid foreign selling and firm crude oil prices. Analysts say elevated oil prices, fragile investor sentiment and persistent FII outflows may keep the rupee under pressure, although a weaker US dollar and the possibility of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December may offer some relief.With the currency hovering around a level last seen never before in Indian markets, investors remain on edge. Analysts warn that without clear intervention or a breakthrough on the trade front, speculative momentum could push the rupee toward Rs 91, making the coming weeks critical for D-Street.
India’s central bank will allow the rupee to weaken as the country’s external position comes under strain from slowing dollar inflows, widening trade pressures and heavy foreign selling in domestic markets, according to sources cited by news agency Reuters. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which had been actively supporting the currency until last month through sizeable dollar sales, has let the rupee depreciate 1.3% in the last seven trading sessions, taking it to a record Rs 90.42 per dollar. The rupee is now down 5.5% this year, making it Asia’s worst-performing currency.According to three people familiar with the RBI’s thinking, the central bank is no longer inclined to defend any specific exchange-rate level and will focus instead on preventing disorderly movements or speculative pressure. “It doesn’t make sense to spend reserves when fundamentally everything is against the currency,” one of the sources said, as per Reuters. Another source said the RBI “does let the rupee move more than it normally would” whenever the underlying demand for dollars warrants it. The central bank has not commented on the matter.India has witnessed significant portfolio outflows, with foreign investors selling $17 billion worth of equities so far this year, Reuters reported. Foreign direct investment, external trade flows and offshore fundraising have all slowed. While the rupee’s fall below the psychologically sensitive Rs 90 mark has attracted attention, the RBI is prepared to counter attempts at speculative build-ups, a third source said.Market participants remain cautious. A weaker currency gives the RBI more room in policy terms but risks making Indian assets less attractive to overseas investors. “A weakening Indian rupee is definitely a negative when it comes to investing in Indian equities,” said Sam Kongrad of Jupiter Asset Management, adding that his firm remains “neutral weight” on India, as per Reuters.MSCI’s India index has gained 7% this year, but rupee weakness has cut dollar returns to below 2%, far behind South Korea and Hong Kong.Some investors believe the impact could ease if a resolution to trade frictions with the United States emerges and fresh foreign flows come through potential global index inclusion. Others argue India’s strong domestic fundamentals — including 8.2% GDP growth in July–September — may help offset currency weakness over time.“I’m not losing sleep over it,” chief economic adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said on Wednesday. He added that the rupee’s slide has not fed into inflation and said he expects a recovery in 2026.Meanwhile, the rupee staged a brief rebound on Thursday, rising 26 paise to Rs 89.89 on reports of supposed RBI intervention and a softer US dollar, as per PTI. Earlier in the day, it hit another record low of Rs 90.43 amid foreign selling and costlier crude oil. Traders said uncertainty around the India-US trade deal, elevated oil prices and persistent FII outflows continue to weigh on sentiment, though a weaker dollar and expectations of a US rate cut may offer some support.The market is now awaiting the RBI’s monetary policy announcement on Friday, which comes at a time of rising GDP growth, easing inflation and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
A man has been arrested in connection to two pipe bombs placed outside the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national committees on the eve of the 6 January Capitol riot nearly five years ago.
The arrest was confirmed on Thursday by two sources familiar with the case to BBC’s US partner, CBS News. He is expected to face charges in DC federal court later Thursday, though the charges are unclear.
It ends a long-running manhunt in the case, which involved an extensive investigation and a $500,000 (£375,000) reward.
The pipe bombs were safely deactivated and did not explode.
Law enforcement sources told the BBC’s US partner CBS that the suspect is 30-year-old Brian Cole of Woodbridge, Virginia.
Earlier this year, the FBI released CCTV footage of the alleged suspect. It appears to show an individual with a backpack, a light grey hooded sweater, placing something near a bench outside the Democratic National Committee building in Washington. The person is shown later walking to place the second bomb.
Both were placed the night before the 6 January riot, and were only discovered as rioters began to storm the Capitol.
At the time, US senators were meeting there to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Joe Biden had won, defeating Donald Trump.
Trump, who was president at the time, addressed a large crowd of supporters at a rally near the White House, where he urged them to march “peacefully” to the Capitol, but also made unsubstantiated claims of massive voter fraud.
The crowd numbered between 2,000 and 2,500 people, and included members of far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. Many were carrying weapons.
Hundreds then forced their way into the Capitol building through windows and doors, overwhelming police. It took law enforcement almost four hours to restore order.
As the riot began, a passerby discovered the two pipe bombs, police said at the time. The items allegedly left behind included pipes, wires, kitchen timers, and homemade black powder, according to the FBI.
According to a CBS report, the bombs had one method of detonation: a 60-minute kitchen timer. But they ultimately did not explode for unknown reasons.
Police had been searching for a suspect ever since.
Many of those convicted or charged in relation to the riot have since been pardoned by Trump earlier this year, shortly after he took office for his second term in January.
Pardons or commutations were issued for more than 1,500 people. Trump also ordered the US Department of Justice to drop all pending cases against other suspects.
At the time, Trump referred to the accused and convicted as “the hostages”, and said that their lives had been “destroyed”.
“What they’ve done to these people is outrageous. There’s rarely been anything like it in the history of our country,” he had said.
