Author: Supriya Jena

  • Stocks Plummet as Tariff Worries Roil Markets

    Stocks Plummet as Tariff Worries Roil Markets

    U.S. stock markets fell on Tuesday, continuing one of the biggest selloffs in months. Investors were concerned about new tariffs that could hurt the global economy. There was a lot of ups and downs in trading because of mixed news about tariffs, but some hope came when Ukraine and Russia seemed closer to a ceasefire in their conflict.

    The S&P 500 index dipped to 5,528.41 points, marking a 10% drop from its all-time high of 6,144.15 points reached on February 19, which is what we call a market correction. President Donald Trump announced he would double tariffs to 50% on all imported steel and aluminum from Canada, making investors even more nervous. People worried that Trump’s trade policies might lead to an economic slowdown or even a recession.

    On Monday, the S&P 500 had its biggest drop in a day since December, losing over $1.3 trillion in market value and around $4 trillion since reaching its peak. The tech-heavy Nasdaq also fell into a 10% correction late last week. Over the past two days, the S&P 500 dropped more than 3.4%, the largest drop since early August.

    According to Ken Polcari, a market expert, this situation creates worry in the market, leading to quick reactions from investors. There was a bit of recovery when the U.S. decided to continue military aid and support for Ukraine after positive talks with the country about a ceasefire with Russia.

    Additionally, the Premier of Ontario announced he would temporarily lift a tax on electricity exports to several U.S. states, which also helped boost sentiment. Chris Fasciano, another market strategist, explained that it’s hard for investors to make big changes unless they see clear ideas about tariffs or government spending.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 478.23 points, or 1.14%, closing at 41,433.48. The S&P 500 lost 42.49 points, or 0.76%, ending at 5,572.07. The Nasdaq Composite fell by 32.23 points, or 0.18%, to 17,436.10.

    The ongoing trade conflicts started by Trump have caused turmoil in global markets, and new data shows the economy might be slowing down. A report on consumer prices is expected on Wednesday to check on inflation. Meanwhile, a report showed more job openings in January.

    All major S&P sectors ended lower, with technology and consumer goods experiencing smaller losses. The uncertainty from tariffs has affected consumer confidence, and many companies have warned that earnings may drop. Kohl’s warned of a bigger-than-expected sales drop, causing its stock to plummet by 24.1%. Dick’s Sporting Goods shares fell by 5.7% after it announced weak results, while Delta Air Lines dropped 7.3% after cutting its profit estimates, and American Airlines fell 8.3% due to expected losses.

    These declines in airline stocks pushed the Dow transportation index down by 3.1%. Oracle shares also dropped by 3.1% after it missed revenue expectations. Citi, a financial firm, has downgraded its outlook on U.S. stocks to neutral. On the NYSE, more stocks fell than rose by a ratio of 1.6-to-1, and on the Nasdaq, the ratio was 1.1-to-1. The S&P 500 saw four new 52-week highs and 17 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 22 new highs and 352 new lows. Total trading volume was 19.01 billion shares, which is higher than the average of 16.56 billion shares in the past 20 trading days

  • China, Iran, and Russia Conduct Maritime Drills Amid Rising Tensions

    China, Iran, and Russia Conduct Maritime Drills Amid Rising Tensions

    On Tuesday, China, Iran, and Russia held joint naval drills in the Middle East. This show of strength comes at a time when people are worried about Iran’s growing nuclear program and the threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are planning to attack ships. The drills, called the Maritime Security Belt 2025, took place in the Gulf of Oman, close to the important Strait of Hormuz where a lot of the world’s oil passes through.

    This event was the fifth time these three countries worked together in such drills. Just before the drills, the British military warned about GPS problems in the strait, which may have been caused by interference designed to help avoid targeting by drones and missiles. There have been similar reports of GPS issues in the area before, usually when tensions are high.

    Russia sent several naval ships, including the corvettes Rezky and Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and China sent the guided-missile destroyer Baotou and the supply ship Gaoyouhu. These countries do not usually patrol the Middle East waters, which are mainly managed by the US Navy. Other countries like Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Qatar also watched the drills, likely noting the U.S. presence too.

    China is still buying oil from Iran, even though it’s facing Western sanctions, while Russia relies on Iran for drones in its war with Ukraine. The joint drills are significant for Iran as they show strength after an Israeli attack on its military sites. Iran is increasing its stockpile of uranium at levels close to weapons-grade, even though it says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Both the U.S. and Israel have warned Iran against developing a bomb.

    Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels are threatening to attack ships in nearby waters again, citing aid issues in Gaza. They have previously attacked over 100 ships and warned that actual attacks could resume soon if their demands are not met.

  • RRB ALP Exam City Slips Released – Check Yours Today

    RRB ALP Exam City Slips Released – Check Yours Today

    The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released city intimation slips for the second Computer Based Test (CBT 2) for the Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) exam. If you signed up for this exam, make sure to check the regional RRB website where you registered to download your slip.

    To help you, RRB is sending SMS and emails to those candidates whose city slips are ready. You can get your application registration number on the rrbapply.gov.in website. If you forgot your password, use the “Forget Password” link to reset it.

    Always check the official RRB websites for the latest news about the recruitment process. Don’t trust any unofficial sources, as they may spread wrong information. The RRB ALP CBT 2 exams will take place on March 19 and 20.

  • India’s New Strategy for National Security and Police Modernization

    India’s New Strategy for National Security and Police Modernization

    Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai announced a new plan to make India safer and improve law enforcement. In a recent speech to the Lok Sabha, he explained that the government wants to strengthen security measures and ensure safety for everyone.

    Some key points from his speech include:

    – Terrorism and Peace: The government aims to make Jammu and Kashmir free from terrorism by breaking up terror groups and bringing insurgent groups into talks for peace.

    – Fighting Crime: There’s a focus on eliminating Left-Wing Extremism in various areas. The government plans to set up mobile forensic labs in every district to strengthen criminal investigations.

    – Modernized Justice System: The government wants to update criminal laws to create a better justice system. This includes making police, courts, forensics, prisons, and prosecutions work together using technology for faster crime prevention and justice.

    – Better Resources for Police: New tools and technologies will be provided to police forces to improve their work and living conditions, including better housing and healthcare.

    – Cybersecurity Improvements: The plan includes boosting the country’s cybercrime fighting abilities through centers and systems that will help combat online threats.

    – Border Security: To keep our borders safe, the government will use modern technology like drones and surveillance systems.

    Additionally, the government has approved around Rs 4846 crore to help state police forces modernize over five years, from 2021 to 2026. This initiative aims to provide police forces with the tools and infrastructure they need to keep communities safe.

  • Rajasthan Police Won’t Get Weekly Off or Allowance Increase: Minister

    Rajasthan Police Won’t Get Weekly Off or Allowance Increase: Minister

    In Rajasthan, the government is not planning to give police officers a weekly day off, according to Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham. He shared this information in the state assembly during a discussion. The minister also mentioned that there are no plans to increase the money given for food and clothes for police constables. However, police officers can take more days off than regular government workers.

    The state is working hard to stop cybercrime. A special help number, 1930, has been set up to get fast help against online criminals. When a complaint comes in, the police can quickly find out where the criminal is located and take action.

    The minister promised that the government is serious about keeping the state safe and has already given 112 new vehicles with modern tools to police stations. Earlier, when asked by MLA Bhaira Ram Chaudhary, he also said there are no plans to give a risk allowance of Rs 5000 to all police officers in addition to their hard duty pay.

  • Starlink and Airtel Join Forces to Improve Internet Access in India

    Starlink and Airtel Join Forces to Improve Internet Access in India

    New Delhi: Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by SpaceX, has teamed up with Bharti Airtel to bring internet services to customers in India. This is a big step for Starlink as it wants to enter India’s broadband market. However, Starlink still needs to get permission to provide internet services within India.

    Airtel, one of India’s leading telecom companies, is already working with Eutelsat OneWeb on another satellite internet project. They are now excited to work with Starlink too. Starlink has a large fleet of 6,750 satellites operating in low Earth orbit, making it the biggest satellite constellation in the world. In comparison, Eutelsat OneWeb has only 634 satellites.

    Gopal Vittal, the managing director of Airtel, said that this partnership will help deliver high-speed internet even to the most remote areas of India. With Airtel’s help, Starlink will reach homes, businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities.

    Airtel is focusing on providing internet to areas in India that currently have little or no access. They offer various broadband products, including 5G services and fiber internet. The cost of Starlink’s services in the U.S. starts at about $80 a month and offers speeds between 25Mbps and 500Mbps. However, the pricing and details for India are not yet available.

  • CBSE Class 12 English Exam 2025: Student Feedback & Expert Analysis

    CBSE Class 12 English Exam 2025: Student Feedback & Expert Analysis

    On March 11, 2025, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) held the Class 12 English Core and English Elective exams. The test ran from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at different centers. Many students and teachers shared that the questions were a good mix of hard and easy ones. Some found the exam moderately challenging.

    Here’s what students thought about the Class 12 English exam:

    – Anahita Srivastava from Army Public School said, “The questions were easy to solve, and practicing with sample papers helped a lot.”

    – Mishti Gupta from Lucknow Public School shared, “The literature part was a bit tricky. I found the other parts straightforward, but the literature questions needed careful reading.”

    – Aadi Solanki from Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Ghaziabad, mentioned, “I found the paper balanced and mostly on the easier side. The reading section was easy, and time was not a problem.”

    – Manya Singh, also from Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, added, “Overall, the paper was fair, and I could manage my time well.”

    Subject experts also shared their thoughts:

    – Parul Tyagi, Head of English at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, noted, “The paper was moderately easy. The reading passages were clear, and the writing section required some critical thinking. Most students finished on time.”

    – Dr. Ajit Singh, Vice President of Academics at Orchids The International School, said, “This exam was a relief, especially after the difficult Math paper. It helped students regain confidence.”

    – Meenakshi Sharma and Mitu Majumdar, educators at Shiv Nadar School, explained, “The questions were mostly straightforward, and students could understand the reading passages easily. Some tricky questions needed a deeper understanding, but overall, the exam was well balanced.”

    The CBSE Class 12 English exam on March 11 was fair and manageable for most students.

  • Market Update: Sensex Falls Slightly, Nifty Rises Amid Mixed Signals

    Market Update: Sensex Falls Slightly, Nifty Rises Amid Mixed Signals

    On Tuesday, the stock market had a rough day. The Sensex, which is a key measure of stock performance, dropped just a little — by 12.85 points, closing at 74,102.32. However, the Nifty, another important index, rose by 37.60 points to finish at 22,497.90 thanks to some strong performances in the real estate sector.

    The market was cautious because Wall Street had a tough day before, with worries about the U.S. economy slowing down. Even though the banking sector struggled, especially IndusInd Bank, which fell over 27% due to problems with its accounting, other banks like ICICI Bank helped offset some losses.

    Real estate stocks did well, with increases of up to 7% for companies like DLF and Godrej Properties. Meanwhile, oil companies saw their stock prices rise between 1.4% and 3% after some good news about lower crude oil prices.

    On the global stage, markets showed some signs of recovery after a big drop, especially on Wall Street, where the tech-heavy Nasdaq had its worst day in over two years. The Indian rupee also gained slightly, boosted by a weaker U.S. dollar.

    In oil news, prices went up as concerns about a possible U.S. recession kept investors on alert. Meanwhile, foreign investors sold shares worth Rs 485.4 crore, while domestic investors bought shares worth Rs 263.5 crore.

  • Jaipur School’s Holi Ban: Safety or Controversy? Here’s What Happened

    Jaipur School’s Holi Ban: Safety or Controversy? Here’s What Happened

    A private school in Jaipur, St. Angela Sophia School, has sparked controversy for telling students not to bring colors or celebrate Holi at school. Rajasthan’s education minister, Madan Dilawar, criticized this decision and wanted the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to take action. He said Holi is an important festival in India and it’s sad that students were warned they might not be allowed to take exams if they celebrated.

    After receiving backlash, the school’s principal, Sister Cynthia, explained that the rule was meant to protect students from synthetic and chemical colors, which can cause allergies or harm. She assured everyone that Holi would still be celebrated at the school on March 12, after exams, using only natural colors and flowers.

    Sister Cynthia emphasized that the main goal was to keep students safe during exam season. She stated, “We want our students to enjoy Holi without any risks. Our celebration will be safe, using flowers instead of harmful colors.”

    Holi is celebrated in the month of Phalgun, with Choti Holi on March 13 and the main celebration on March 14.

  • Jaipur School’s Holi Ban: Safety or Controversy? Here’s What Happened

    Jaipur School’s Holi Ban: Safety or Controversy? Here’s What Happened

    A private school in Jaipur, St. Angela Sophia School, has sparked controversy for telling students not to bring colors or celebrate Holi at school. Rajasthan’s education minister, Madan Dilawar, criticized this decision and wanted the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to take action. He said Holi is an important festival in India and it’s sad that students were warned they might not be allowed to take exams if they celebrated.

    After receiving backlash, the school’s principal, Sister Cynthia, explained that the rule was meant to protect students from synthetic and chemical colors, which can cause allergies or harm. She assured everyone that Holi would still be celebrated at the school on March 12, after exams, using only natural colors and flowers.

    Sister Cynthia emphasized that the main goal was to keep students safe during exam season. She stated, “We want our students to enjoy Holi without any risks. Our celebration will be safe, using flowers instead of harmful colors.”

    Holi is celebrated in the month of Phalgun, with Choti Holi on March 13 and the main celebration on March 14.