Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

17 Mar

Auburn Secures Top Seed in NCAA Tournament Bracket

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

SpaceX Capsule Docks with ISS to Retrieve Stranded Astronauts

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), delivering four astronauts as part of NASA's Crew-10 mission. This arrival enables astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been on the ISS for over nine months, to return to Earth. The docking occurred approximately 29 hours after launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The returning astronauts are scheduled to depart the ISS on Wednesday, marking the end of their extended mission.

17 Mar

President Trump Orders Military Action Targeting Houthi Terrorists

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

Seven detainees in Ajnala case to be moved back to Punjab

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Punjab government has decided against extending the detention of seven close aides of jailed Lok Sabha MP and pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh under the National Security Act (NSA). As a result, the detainees, who were lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail for nearly two years, will be transferred back to Punjab, a senior police official confirmed on Sunday. The seven individuals were arrested in connection with the 2023 Ajnala Police Station attack. Those being moved back to Punjab include Basant Singh, Bhagwant Singh Bajekhana, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Sarabjit Kalsi, Ranjeet Kalsi, Gurinder Pal Singh Gurri Aujla, Harjeet Singh (alias Chacha),…

14 Mar

Assam to build 3.80 lakh homes, CM launches geo-tagging

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced the allocation of 3.80 lakh new houses for the state under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The first installment for the construction of these houses will be released on March 19 during a central event in Palashbari. The PMAY scheme has already benefited 22 lakh families across Assam. However, acknowledging that many eligible households are yet to be included, the state government has requested the Centre to conduct another round of geo-tagging to ensure no deserving family is left out. To improve accuracy and efficiency in data collection, the Assam government…

13 Mar

UK’s Care Reit Accepts £448 Million Acquisition Offer from CareTrust

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Care Reit, formerly known as Impact Healthcare, has agreed to a £448 million takeover deal with American care home provider CareTrust. The offer represents a 32.8% premium on Care Reit's share price, leading to a significant surge in its stock value upon the announcement. CareTrust, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, specializes in properties for elderly care and other healthcare facilities. Analysts note that UK-listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) like Care Reit have been undervalued due to investor sentiment and broader economic conditions, making them attractive targets for acquisition. This deal is part of a broader trend of…

13 Mar

Seasalt Announces Job Cuts Amidst High Street Struggles

Sonakshi SarkarUK

Seasalt, a prominent UK fashion brand with over 60 outlets, has announced potential job cuts as part of a strategic move to safeguard its future amidst the challenges facing the UK high street. The Cornwall-based company cited factors such as a changing retail environment, increased tax burdens, declining consumer sentiment, and rising inflation as reasons for the decision. The proposed job reductions aim to optimize efficiency and manage costs, ensuring the company's continued growth and sustainability. Seasalt has committed to supporting affected employees throughout the consultation process. This development reflects broader trends in the retail sector, where financial pressures have…

13 Mar

UK Considers Retaliatory Tariffs in Response to US Metal Levies

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

The United Kingdom is contemplating imposing retaliatory tariffs on the United States following President Trump's recent decision to enforce a 25% levy on steel and aluminum imports. Exchequer Secretary James Murray emphasized a measured approach, stating that while the UK government is disappointed by the US's move, all options, including retaliation, remain under consideration. The European Union has already announced €26 billion in counter-tariffs on US goods, signaling an escalation in global trade tensions. Despite these developments, the UK aims to engage in constructive negotiations with the US to eliminate these additional tariffs, striving for a pragmatic resolution that aligns…

13 Mar

Hostage Situation in Pakistan Train Hijacking Intensifies Amidst Suicide Bomber Threats

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

A train hijacking in Pakistan has escalated as rescue operations face complications due to the presence of suicide bombers among the hijackers. The incident, attributed to separatist militants, has resulted in numerous passengers being held hostage, with security forces working meticulously to defuse the volatile situation. The threat of suicide bombers has necessitated cautious and strategic responses from law enforcement to ensure the safety of the hostages. This event highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the complexities involved in counterterrorism efforts.

13 Mar

Ajanta Neog sets ambitious budget utilization goal for Assam in 2025-26

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog has set an ambitious target of utilizing 90% of the state's budget estimates for the financial year 2025-26, emphasizing the government's commitment to balanced fiscal management and holistic development. During a discussion in the Assam Assembly on Wednesday, Neog assured that the state is adhering to all Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations, including the prescribed debt-to-GDP ratio, to maintain financial stability. "We are targeting 90% budget utilization in the next fiscal year. Our aim is to ensure that every section of society benefits from this allocation," she said. According to the budget presented on…