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28 Feb

Lalduhoma Faces Backlash After Assembly Passes Mizo Marriage and Inheritance (Amendment) Bill Amid Gender Bias Concerns

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

Mizoram’s largest women’s organisation, the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), has urged the state government to withdraw the recently amended marriage and inheritance law, saying the changes are inadequate and could be unsafe for Mizo women.The appeal came on February 27, a few days after the Mizoram Legislative Assembly passed the Mizo Marriage and Inheritance of Property (Amendment) Bill on February 24. In a statement, the MHIP said that under the earlier law, provisions applied uniformly to all Mizo citizens, including those who married outside the community. However, the amended law excludes Mizo women who marry non-tribal men. The organisation…

28 Feb

C Lalsawivunga Tells Assembly 8,966 Families Hit by ASF; Govt Under Lalduhoma Announces Relief Measures

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

Mizoram has suffered an estimated financial loss of Rs 960 crore due to the continued outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), which has killed more than 71,000 pigs in the state since 2021.Informing the Assembly on February 27, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister C Lalsawivunga said the disease has badly affected the livestock sector, especially pig farmers across the state.Speaking in the House in Aizawl, the minister said that since the first outbreak was reported in March 2021, a total of 71,912 pigs have been lost. He said 8,966 families have been affected by the outbreak. Out of the total…

27 Feb

32 Beneficiaries Assessed, Assistive Devices to Be Provided Through Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

A health assessment camp for persons with disabilities was held at Putlungasih village under Lungsen RD Block as part of Project LEAP, an initiative taken up under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Lunglei. Project LEAP, which stands for Lunglei’s Empowerment for Access and Equity for All Persons, aims to improve access to health care, government services and support systems for persons with disabilities in rural areas. The medical camp was conducted by a team led by Senior Specialist (Orthopedician) Dr Joseph Lalrindika Chawngthu. The team included an audiologist, a clinical psychologist, an ophthalmic assistant, members of the NCD…

27 Feb

Mizoram’s Tax Share Rises Under 16th Finance Commission as 2026–27 GSDP Pegged at Rs 43,817 Crore

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who also holds the Finance portfolio presented the State Budget for 2026–27 in the Assembly. After the presentation in the House, he addressed the media at a press conference held at the Assembly Annexe Conference Hall in Aizawl and explained the main points of the Budget. The Chief Minister said Mizoram’s share under Horizontal Devolution has increased to 0.564 per cent as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission. Because of this, the State is expected to receive Rs. 8,608.08 crore as its share of Central Taxes and Duties during 2026–27. This is Rs. 976.80 crore more…

27 Feb

Swiggy Dineout ropes in Bhuvan Bam for GIRF 2026, rolls out ‘Bill Half. Party Full.’ across 60+ cities

Business BureauBusiness

Swiggy Limited, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, has announced the launch of Swiggy Dineout’s Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF) 2026, onboarding Bhuvan Bam as the official ambassador. The two-month festival will go live from February 15, 2026, offering up to 50% off across 40,000 top restaurants in more than 60 cities nationwide. Branded under the theme ‘Bill Half. Party Full.’, GIRF 2026 integrates the popular BB Ki Vines universe into the campaign. Characters such as Babloo, Babli, Sameer and Bhuvan represent relatable diner archetypes, addressing common concerns like discount caps and fine print. The campaign will run across digital, social,…

27 Feb

Sanofi Consumer Healthcare India Limited Q4 net jumps 50% to ₹665 million; FY25 profit rises 33%, ₹75 dividend announced

Business BureauBusiness

Sanofi Consumer Healthcare India Limited (BSE: 544250 | NSE: SANOFICONR) has reported a strong set of numbers for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, driven by robust domestic growth and a sharp rise in exports. The company posted Q4 revenue of ₹2,510 million, up 47% year-on-year. Domestic sales grew 23%, supported by the relaunch of recalled products, while export sales surged 9.3 times on a low base. Profit after tax rose 50% to ₹665 million during the quarter. For the full year FY25, revenue stood at ₹8,784 million, marking a 21% growth over the previous year.…

27 Feb

BHIM launches ‘UPI Circle’ to enable controlled digital payments for families and small businesses

Business BureauBusiness

BHIM Payments App has introduced a new feature called UPI Circle, aimed at making authorised UPI payments simple, structured and secure for shared household use. The feature allows a primary user to extend controlled payment access to trusted individuals such as children, elderly parents or staff, without sharing UPI PINs, passwords or device access. UPI Circle enables a primary user to add up to five secondary users and authorise them to transact from the primary user’s UPI-linked bank account within preset limits. A monthly spending cap of up to ₹15,000 can be set, with validity ranging from one month to…

27 Feb

Leela Targets 35 Hotels as Premium Demand Rises

nanikaBusiness

India’s premium hospitality brand The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts is banking on a shortage of luxury hotel rooms and sustained spending by affluent travelers to power revenue and earnings growth in fiscal 2027, its chief executive, Anuraag Bhatnagar, has said.Backed by global investment firm Brookfield Asset Management, Leela currently operates 23 hotels across India, including properties under development. The company plans to expand its portfolio to at least 35 hotels over the next five to seven years, though it has not fixed a specific launch timeline.Bhatnagar described India’s luxury consumption cycle as being at a “point of inflection,” driven…

27 Feb

AI Push in Tripura as CM Announces New State Policy

riyaTripura

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced the state's plan to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, marking a pioneering initiative in India. The policy will be developed in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission and NITI Aayog, with the aim of enhancing governance and improving technology-driven public service delivery. The implementation of AI-based solutions is expected in Agartala to address various civic challenges, including traffic congestion, parking difficulties, the stability of electricity supply, provision of potable water, flood management, and the handling of solid and liquid waste. Additionally, the state is partnering with the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information…

26 Feb

Deadly Sea Clash: What We Know About Cuba’s Shootout With a U.S. Speedboat

anuprovaInternational

A lethal maritime confrontation between the Cuban Border Guard and a high-speed vessel from Florida has reignited diplomatic tensions and raised urgent questions about security in the Florida Straits. The incident, which took place earlier this week, resulted in a violent shootout that left four armed men aboard the American-registered boat dead. According to official statements from Havana, the vessel was intercepted within Cuban territorial waters after it ignored commands to halt and allegedly initiated an attack against the Cuban patrol. Cuban authorities have framed the event as a necessary act of self-defense against a "mercenary-style" incursion, claiming the boat…