Blog

17 Mar

March Madness Begins with Auburn as No. 1 Overall Seed

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

The 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket has been unveiled, with Auburn University earning the No. 1 overall seed despite a recent loss in the SEC Tournament final. Auburn leads the South Region, while Duke, Houston, and Florida secure the other No. 1 seeds in the East, Midwest, and West Regions, respectively. The tournament's "First Four" games are set for Tuesday and Wednesday, determining the final entrants for the main bracket. The first round of March Madness kicks off on Thursday and Friday, with 68 teams vying for the national championship.

17 Mar

US Launches Airstrikes Against Houthi Rebels in Yemen

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered decisive airstrikes against Houthi rebel positions in Yemen. In a statement, he described the Houthis as "terrorists" responsible for ongoing acts of piracy and violence against American and allied vessels in strategic waterways. The President emphasized that previous responses had been insufficient, leading to increased aggression from the Houthis. This military action aims to protect international shipping lanes and deter further hostile activities in the region.

17 Mar

CM Lalduhoma urges ‘Peace Bonus’ for Mizoram’s stability

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has urged the Central Government to grant a ‘Peace Bonus’ to the state, citing its sustained efforts in maintaining stability despite various challenges. During a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Lalduhoma highlighted key concerns, including internet connectivity issues, the refugee crisis, and security-related challenges. The Chief Minister stressed that Mizoram’s poor internet infrastructure is a major hindrance, particularly in implementing the newly introduced criminal laws. He requested immediate intervention from the Ministry of Communication and IT to improve digital connectivity in the state. Another pressing issue raised was the humanitarian burden Mizoram is facing.…

17 Mar

Singapore’s February exports inflation 7.6% on year, below forecast

Business CorrespondentBusiness, News

SINGAPORE - Singapore's non-oil domestic exports rose 7.6% in February from the same month last year, government data showed on Monday, boosted by growth in sales of both electronics and non-electronics. The increase was against a Reuters poll forecast of an 8.7% rise and followed a 2.1% decline in January.The statement from Enterprise Singapore did not include details of the month-on-month seasonally adjusted change in exports. Shipments to the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and the European Union rose on a yearly basis in February, while exports to China, Hong Kong and Indonesia declined.

14 Mar

State Biodiversity Strategy unveiled by Arunachal Pradesh to strengthen conservation efforts

Banasree SarkarArunachal PradeshArunachal Pradesh

The "Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Strategy and Action: A People's Plan," which aims to reach national biodiversity targets and fulfill the Pakke Declaration, was formally introduced by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday. With government backing, the plan, which is available in hard copy and digital formats, lays out specific action items to empower indigenous groups, communities, and districts in environmental stewardship. Khandu acknowledged the contribution of the Department of Environment and Forests & Climate Change, the State Biodiversity Board, and the WWF to the document's preparation. He emphasized that the plan aligns with the vision of "sabka saath, sabka…

13 Mar

HCG Cancer Centre Kolkata hosts ‘Pink Feast Challenge’ to promote gender equality and women’s health

Business BureauBusiness

HCG Cancer Centre Kolkata, in collaboration with Sister Nivedita University, organized the “Pink Feast Challenge” to mark International Women’s Day, emphasizing gender equality and proactive women’s healthcare. The event, held under the theme #AccelerateAction, encouraged male participants to prepare pink-themed dishes for female cancer survivors, reinforcing shared responsibilities in everyday life. The competition featured 25 female cancer survivors and over 500 attendees, with participants competing in three categories—Mocktail Drinks, Salad, and Bakery Preparation. A distinguished jury, including Dr. Amarjeet Singh, COO of HCG Cancer Centre Kolkata, and senior officials from Sister Nivedita University, judged the event. Dr. Singh underscored the…

13 Mar

Calls for Monarchy’s Return Emerge in Nepal After 17 Years

Sonakshi SarkarNepal

Nearly 17 years after the abolition of the monarchy, Nepal is witnessing a resurgence of support for the return of former king Gyanendra Shah. Approximately 10,000 supporters recently gathered to welcome Gyanendra, advocating for the restoration of the monarchy. The former king abdicated in 2008 following widespread protests and a parliamentary vote to establish a republic. Current public discontent centers around issues of corruption and the perceived failure of politicians to drive development, leading some citizens to favor the monarchy's return as a symbol of stability and national identity. However, skepticism remains regarding the depth of support for the monarchy,…

13 Mar

Urgent UK-US Trade Talks Seek to Prevent Imminent Tariff Implementation

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

In a bid to circumvent impending 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and potentially other imports, the United Kingdom is expediting trade negotiations with the United States. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent appeal to President Trump for a tariff exemption was unsuccessful, prompting intensified efforts to secure a trade agreement before the month's end. Unlike the European Union, which has opted for retaliatory measures, the UK is focusing on diplomatic negotiations to resolve the issue. The discussions are set to encompass various sectors, including artificial intelligence, where the UK advocates for light regulation. Business Secretary is scheduled to visit Washington for…

13 Mar

Russian Missile Attack in Central Ukraine Results in Casualties

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

A recent Russian missile attack on central Ukraine has led to the death of one individual and injuries to five others, according to local officials. The strike targeted a residential area, causing significant damage and raising concerns about the escalating conflict between the two nations. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing hostilities.

13 Mar

Tripura Assembly budget session to commence from March 21

Sonakshi SarkarTripura

The budget session of the 13th Tripura Legislative Assembly for the financial year 2025-26 is scheduled to commence on March 21 (Friday) and will continue until April 1. The session is expected to witness extensive discussions on the state's budget and key legislative matters. A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) was held on Tuesday at the Tripura Legislative Assembly under the chairmanship of Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen. The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Ram Prasad Paul, ministers from the treasury bench, Chief Whip Kalyani Saha Roy, and opposition MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury. State's…