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Economists had expected the February trade deficit to ease to $21.65 billion, according to a Reuters poll. India’s exports last month were affected, with concerns growing about the looming effects of Trump's proposed tariffs, according to government sources cited by Reuters. In addition to this, geopolitical risks, especially concerns over tariffs, will continue to influence trade dynamics, as per a UBI report. The reduction in the merchandise trade deficit was mainly driven by a moderation in the Non-Oil-Non-Gold (NONG) segment, supported by seasonal factors during the quarter, the report added.

Talking to PTI, Clarkson also said that while India has a net-zero target (balancing emissions with removals) for 2070, there is a need for greater ambition. She suggested that India should align with other countries in moving its net-zero goal forward.

US economy. The outlook is bumpier than anticipated, with lower growth rates, greater inflationary pressures, and more complicated international economic and financial interactions.

Donald Trump's approval rating has reached 47%, equaling his best-ever mark as president, according to the latest NBC News poll. However, a 51% majority still disapproves of his performance. Three months after he returned to the Oval Office, Trump hit the highest approval rating he's ever had as commander-in chief. More Americans say the country is on the right track than at any point since 2004, according to a new poll. That’s the good news, according to an NBC News Poll released Sunday. ALSO READ: 'Hell will rain down': Trump launches large-scale strikes on Yemen's Houthis, issues blistering war threat

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. THE BALL, so America’s secretary of state said on March 11th, is back in Vladimir Putin’s court. Ukraine had just agreed at talks in Jeddah to an American plan for a month-long ceasefire, and in return America has already restarted the flow of weapons and information that Donald Trump cut off following his spectacular Oval Office clash with Volodymyr Zelensky 11 days earlier.

CAR T-cell therapy', the treatment involves modifying genes in one's T-cells — a type of immune cells — to help fight cancer. The study looked at patients with leukaemia, which occurs in bone marrow, and lymphoma, which affects the lymphatic system. Researchers, including those from the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay and Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, said in low and middle-income countries, patients in whom 'B-cell' tumours continue to grow following a period of remission (relapse), or do not respond to treatment (refractory), suffer from poor outcomes due to an absence of effective therapies. A type of white blood cell, B-cells are crucial to one's immune system as they produce antibodies to fight infections.

Kripa Upadhyay, a Seattle-based immigration attorney, told TOI's Lubna Kably, “As heartless as this may seem, foreign nationals (especially those needing renewal of H-1B or F-1 visa stamps) really need to think twice about leaving the US right now.” The US Department of State recently changed eligibility requirements for interview waiver or «dropbox» appointments. Earlier, anyone who had been issued a non-immigrant visa (except B visitor visas) could apply for a waiver if their visa expired within 48 months. Now, dropbox is limited only to applicants renewing the same category of visa that expired within the last 12 months.

But while Beijing braces for impact, India’s strategy is more of wait and watch. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently showered warm words for Trump. Speaking on a podcast with Lex Fridman, Modi described Trump as «far more prepared» for his second term, crediting him with a clear roadmap and strategic steps to achieve his goals. However, Modi's praise comes amid looming reciprocal tariff threats and the fact that Trump has time and again called out India to be among the nations that charge the US the highest tariffs. While Trump has praised Modi often, he has called India a tariff abuser. In the February meeting, Trump and Modi discussed trade issues and the nations are working on a trade deal. Trump, nonetheless, wants actions from India that should be beneficial for his land, including India buying more oil from the US. Trump's close ally Elon Musk meanwhile also seems to be getting some advantage in India these days. While Tesla is about to enter India, telecom operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel also signed deals with Starlink.

Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Telangana and palace-fortresses of the Bundelas in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, have been added to India's tentative list by the UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Monday. Other sites included in the list are Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh, Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (multiple states), Chausath Yogini temples (multiple states) and Gupta temples in north India (multiple states), the minister said in the Lok Sabha. Shekhawat said this while replying to a suggestion by BJP MP Sambit Patra to take the initiative to include Puri's Jagannath Rath Yatra in the UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Shekhawat said it was a good suggestion given by Patra. The six new sites were added to the list on March 7, the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO said in a statement. Addition to the World Heritage Centre's tentative list is mandatory if a property is to be nominated for inscription to the World Heritage List in future.

Issues related to bilateral interest will be discussed in the meeting between Yunus and Xi, Alam said. Dhaka wants to take its relations with Beijing to a new height aiming to turn Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub, he said. «They (China) think that this would be the most important visit by the Bangladeshi leader,» Alam added. «On March 27, Yunus will address the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference focusing on the changing role of Asia in the world,» he said.

Kangana Ranaut’s political drama Emergency recently premiered on an OTT platform, igniting discussions across social media. The film, which delves into the controversial 21-month Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, has received a mix of critical acclaim and audience appreciation.

JioStar has integrated all Sports18 channels into the Star Sports Network, effective March 15, marking a significant step in establishing Star Sports as the go-to destination for live sports action. The Sports18 channels were inherited from Viacom18 following its merger with Star India to form JioStar. With this expansion, Star Sports now operates a network of 24 channels, further strengthening its reach and content offerings for sports fans across the country.

Rajnath Singh and the US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard met and held bilateral talks in the national capital on Monday. On Saturday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a meeting with Gabbard, and according to sources, they discussed several facets of the India-US relationship in detail. Gabbard is visiting India as a part of her multi-nation visit. The Asia leg of Gabbard's trip will culminate in an address on March 18 at the Raisina Dialogue, a multinational gathering of security officials in Delhi, to which Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited her. The US intel chief Gabbard will hold bilateral meetings with Indian officials and officials from other countries, The New York Times reported, citing a Trump administration official. Her visit to India follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February this year.

«With GDP growth projections above 6 per cent annually, India's energy demand will continue to soar, and the country will remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels, including oil, to meet its needs,» said the report. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA) India's oil demand is projected to rise by 1.3 million barrels per day (mbpd) by 2030. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) estimates an even higher increase of 1.8 mbpd, bringing India's total oil consumption to 7.1 mbpd, up from 5.3 mbpd in 2023.

work visas give you that freedom—allowing you to stay, work, and even eventually settle in the country where you earned your degree. For many Indian students, this promise is a game-changer. Let’s explore some top destinations that offer extended work visas and see how they can help you launch a global career. The UK Advantage: A Stepping Stone to Global Success The United Kingdom’s Graduate Route Visa allows international graduates to remain in the country for two years after completing their studies—with an extension to three years for PhD holders. This generous timeframe gives you ample opportunity to gain work experience, build professional networks, and transition into a career in one of the world's most dynamic economies. With its renowned research institutions, diverse cultural scene, and world-class companies, the UK remains a highly attractive destination for graduates aiming to make an international impact. Germany: Precision, Innovation, and a Launchpad for Global Careers

State Bank of India, the country's largest lender by assets, is shelving plans to raise funds this fiscal year, discouraged by elevated bond yields despite a policy rate cut and liquidity boost from the central bank, three sources aware of the matter said on Monday. The bank had planned to raise as much as 150 billion rupees (about $1.7 billion) through sale of bonds before the end of March, but will now tap the market in the next financial year that starts in April, the sources said. «The bank has been waiting for an opportune time to enter the market, but yields have stayed high for the last several weeks, and hence the bank is avoiding tapping the market in the near term,» one of the sources said.

Donald Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as he pushes to end the war in Ukraine. The U.S. leader disclosed the upcoming conversation to reporters while flying from Florida to Washington on Air Force One on Sunday evening. «We will see if we have something to announce maybe by Tuesday. I will be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday,» Trump said. «A lot of work's been done over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring that war to an end.» Although Russia failed in its initial goal to topple Ukraine with its invasion three years ago, it still controls large swaths of the country. Trump said land and power plants are part of the conversation around bringing the war to a close.

March Madness 2025 is heating up as the 68-team bracket for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was officially revealed on Selection Sunday, March 16. Fans across the country are gearing up for a thrilling ride as college basketball's biggest tournament kicks off. Here’s a breakdown of the full schedule for the upcoming tournament, including when and where to catch all the live action.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. America’s biggest retailers are deploying every weapon they have to navigate President Trump’s fast-escalating trade war, from leaning on suppliers for discounts to finding alternate product sources. In some cases, that includes price increases for consumers.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designated South Korea as a 'sensitive' country. The U.S. department has not explained why South Korea was added to the list, which can cause curbs on cooperation, though a DOE spokesperson said Seoul faced no new limits on bilateral cooperation in science and technology from the designation. In a statement relayed by the finance ministry after a ministerial meeting, Choi called on South Korean agencies to actively foster understanding with Washington, and for the industry minister to meet with the U.S. Secretary of Energy this week. Despite the DOE assurances over bilateral cooperation not being impacted, politicians in Seoul have traded blame over the sensitive country designation. The main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung on Monday criticised the current South Korean government, calling the U.S. move a «perfect diplomatic failure» which is feared could limit cooperation between the countries in the high-tech field.

Trump administration has transferred hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador even as a federal judge issued an order temporarily barring the deportations under an 18th century wartime declaration targeting Venezuelan gang members, officials said Sunday. Flights were in the air at the time of the ruling. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg issued an order Saturday temporarily blocking the deportations, but lawyers told him there were already two planes with immigrants in the air — one headed for El Salvador, the other for Honduras. Boasberg verbally ordered the planes be turned around, but they apparently were not and he did not include the directive in his written order. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a statement Sunday, responded to speculation about whether the administration was flouting court orders: «The administration did not 'refuse to comply' with a court order. The order, which had no lawful basis, was issued after terrorist TdA aliens had already been removed from U.S. territory.» The acronym refers to the Tren de Aragua gang, which Trump targeted in his unusual proclamation that was released Saturday In a court filing Sunday, the Department of Justice, which has appealed Boasberg's decision, said it would not use the Trump proclamation he blocked for further deportations if his decision is not overturned.