Blog - The Purbottar

08 Sep

Canada Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate

Mohini BarmanInternational

Massive wildfires have forced over 30,000 residents in British Columbia, Canada, to evacuate their homes. Strong winds and dry conditions have fueled the flames, with firefighters struggling to contain the blaze. Provincial authorities have declared a state of emergency, while the federal government has sent military assistance to aid in rescue and relief efforts. Environmental scientists warn that climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense wildfires in Canada. Communities in western provinces remain on high alert as weather forecasts predict little rainfall in the coming days.

08 Sep

Asia Cup hockey: How Harmanpreet Singh’s team conquered disarray and took charge to win the Asian championship again and earn a spot in the 2026 World Cup

editorSports

"Perfect hockey" doesn't exist, according to coach Craig Fulton. But since India won the Asia Cup back, this will be as close to ideal as they can get.In the context of Indian hockey, the following words are rarely used combined in a same sentence: a brutal, unafraid effort in a major championship game. We haven't seen Craig Fulton's side avatar in a long time. It may have been a few years since the Asian Games final when they last delivered this type of faultless performance, or wire-to-wire dominance, as Formula 1 refers to it.India, which stumbled to open their Asia…

08 Sep

US Congress Approves Major Healthcare Bill

Mohini BarmanInternational

The US Congress has passed a sweeping healthcare reform bill that expands Medicare coverage and lowers prescription drug prices for millions of Americans. The law allows the government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies, a move expected to reduce medicine costs significantly. President Joe Biden called the bill “a historic victory for working families,” while critics argued that it could impact drug innovation. The bill also increases subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Healthcare experts say this reform could reshape the American medical system and ease financial burdens on senior citizens.

08 Sep

Hansgrohe launches award-winning Raindance Alive series in India, redefines shower experience

Business BureauBusiness

German premium bathroom solutions brand Hansgrohe has introduced its latest innovation, the Raindance Alive shower series, across India. With displays at over 200 premium retail outlets nationwide, the launch combines architectural design, wellness, and ecological innovation, aiming to transform everyday showers into immersive self-care experiences. The Raindance Alive series features three signature spray modes — Powder Rain, Rain Air, and Massage — alongside a bold mesh-effect cover that conceals spray jets for a seamless, elegant look. The product line has received the 2025 iF Gold Award for design excellence, while the accompanying shower pipe earned an iF Design Award for…

07 Sep

Maruti Suzuki unveils all-new VICTORIS SUV, promises ‘Got It All’ experience for young Indians

Business BureauBusiness

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) on Wednesday launched its highly anticipated SUV, the All-New VICTORIS, designed to deliver an integrated experience of technology, safety, comfort, and performance. The VICTORIS boasts features like a 10.1-inch SmartPlay Pro X touchscreen with in-built apps, Alexa Auto voice assistant, a segment-first 8-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. Its interiors feature 64-colour ambient lighting, smart powered tailgate with gesture control, and ventilated front seats, underscoring Maruti’s focus on luxury and convenience. On safety, the SUV offers Level 2 ADAS, six airbags, 360-degree cameras with 11 views, and Suzuki Connect telematics…

06 Sep

India’s foreign exchange reserves upgrade to US$ 694.23 billion

editorBusiness, News

Mumbai, India's foreign exchange reserves rose by US$ 3.51 billion to US$ 694.23 billion in the week ended August 29, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday. The total reserves had declined by US$ 4.386 billion to US$ 690.72 billion in the previous reporting week. Foreign currency assets, a major component of foreign exchange reserves, rose by US$ 1.686 billion to US$ 583.937 billion in the week ended August 29, according to the latest data. Expressed in dollars, foreign currency assets include the impact of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies such as the euro, pound and yen…

06 Sep

Bangladesh Expands Garment Export to Europe

Mohini BarmanInternational

Bangladesh has signed new trade agreements with the European Union to expand its garment exports. The deal, which ensures duty-free access for several textile products, is expected to create thousands of jobs and strengthen Dhaka’s economy. Industry leaders say Bangladesh is now the second-largest garment exporter in the world, after China. The EU remains a key market, with over 60% of Bangladesh’s clothing exports going to European buyers. For Bangladesh-based readers, this represents a significant economic opportunity; for India and regional outlets, it highlights South Asia’s growing role in the global textile trade.

06 Sep

Hurricane Fiona Hits Florida Coast

Mohini BarmanInternational

The US state of Florida is reeling after Hurricane Fiona made landfall, bringing heavy rainfall and winds exceeding 120 km/h. Authorities confirmed that nearly half a million residents lost electricity, with emergency crews working around the clock to restore power. The National Weather Service has warned of flash floods and issued evacuation orders in low-lying areas. Schools and businesses in coastal cities such as Miami and Tampa remain closed. President Joe Biden has pledged federal assistance, saying the government will prioritize rescue and relief operations. Environmentalists argue that worsening storms like Fiona underscore the urgent need to address climate change.

06 Sep

Vedanta Limited emphasizes its focus on India’s wildlife and biodiversity through its commitment of ₹30 crores under TACO

Business BureauBusiness

Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL), India’s leading critical minerals, energy transition metals, oil & gas, and technology conglomerate, has emphasized its focus on India’s wildlife and biodiversity through its commitment of ₹30 crores over three years under The Animal Care Organisation (TACO). The initiatives are strengthening the country’s wildlife conservation efforts and infrastructure. From tiger reserves in Rajasthan to elephant and rhino landscapes in Assam, the company has significantly enhanced its commitment towards wildlife conservation including the protection of endangered species and restoration of vital habitats. The initiatives reflect a future-forward strategy aimed at expanding conservation corridors, integrating technology in monitoring systems,…

06 Sep

Renault sees strong festive push as GST cuts slash car prices

Business BureauBusiness

The GST Council’s landmark decision to streamline the indirect tax regime into two slabs of 5% and 18% has generated optimism across sectors, with the automobile industry among the biggest beneficiaries. The reform is expected to ease household budgets, spur rural consumption, and strengthen India’s growth momentum. A major highlight is the reduction of GST on entry-level cars from 28% to 18%. The revised rate, applicable to petrol cars under 1200 cc and diesel cars below 1500 cc, is set to make personal mobility more affordable for millions of first-time buyers. “This is a transformative move that makes personal mobility…