Japan Slips to Fourth Place in Global Economy Amid Recession

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), representing over eight lakh bank employees in India, called for a two-day strike to demand better working conditions in the banking sector. However, after discussions with the chief labor commissioner, the strike was postponed. The government agreed to consider the employees' demands, which led to the cancellation of the strike scheduled for March 24. Banks are expected to function normally as the unions seek to improve employee lives through these demands. A new date for the strike or further updates from the government are yet to be announced.

JV Joseph's struggle with a gold loan highlights the challenges many borrowers face in India. After taking a loan of Rs 5.3 lakh at a 12% interest rate, he was shocked when the bank demanded full repayment to extend the loan. Unable to pay, he sought to repledge his gold but found himself trapped by new rules requiring total repayment first. This change, introduced after the Reserve Bank of India tightened loan processes, has made life tougher for many, forcing borrowers to take new loans just to extend their existing ones. As gold prices rise, banks are thriving, while borrowers feel increasingly burdened.

Toll plazas across India play a significant role in road revenue collection. The Bharthana toll plaza in Gujarat tops the list, having collected over ₹2,043.81 crore in five years. It saw its highest collection of ₹472.65 crore in 2023-24. Other notable plazas include Jaladhulagori in West Bengal and Barajore in Uttar Pradesh, which also reported impressive toll collections. In total, the top-10 toll plazas gathered ₹13,988.51 crore, contributing over 7% to the national toll revenue of ₹1.93 lakh crore during the last five years. This gives a glimpse into the importance of tolls in India's infrastructure funding.

Ishan Kishan stole the show at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad with an explosive 106 runs off just 47 balls, leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to victory against Rajasthan Royals. After this remarkable performance, Kishan celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony at the team hotel, where he was honored as the man of the match. Formerly a star player for Mumbai Indians, Kishan's move to SRH has sparked excitement among fans. His century not only showcased his talent but also raised hopes for a potential return to the Indian national team, with his coach believing this innings could open new doors for him.

Kunal Kamra, a popular stand-up comedian, has stirred controversy by calling Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a "traitor" during a performance. His comment, made in jest while singing a modified Hindi song, quickly attracted backlash from the Shiv Sena party. They have demanded legal action against Kamra, including an FIR filed by MLA Murji Patel. Patel has insisted that Kamra apologize within two days or face consequences, including being harassed in Mumbai. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Maharashtra politics, especially regarding Shinde's controversial leadership and the division within the Shiv Sena.

On the night of March 23, several trains were delayed at New Delhi Railway Station, leading to a heavy rush of passengers at platforms 12 and 13. Officials quickly assured the public that there were no injuries or stampedes, just a large crowd due to the delays. This situation reminded many of a tragic stampede that occurred during the Mahakumbh festival on February 15, where 18 lives were lost. Despite the chaos, officials managed crowd control effectively, and the situation improved once the delayed trains departed. Authorities emphasized that safety measures were in place to prevent any serious incidents.

Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, has firmly stated that his client had no role in Sushant Singh Rajput's death, which he describes as a clear case of suicide. He expressed gratitude to the CBI for submitting a closure report and mentioned that Sushant's family unfairly involved Rhea in the investigation after a complaint was filed against her. Maneshinde highlighted that Sushant's death was treated as suicide from the beginning and emphasized that Rhea had no connection to it. The CBI's report comes after four and a half years of investigation, reinforcing Maneshinde's long-standing claims about Rhea's innocence.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce has recommended extending the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to more sectors to boost its effectiveness. They believe reducing administrative delays and easing compliance burdens will enhance the scheme's impact. The committee suggests including high-employment sectors like chemicals, leather, and apparel. They also emphasize the need for government support in the pharmaceutical sector to address export challenges. Despite recent reports saying the PLI scheme might lapse, the government remains focused on manufacturing growth with alternative strategies planned.

The much-anticipated film Jolly LLB 3 is set to hit theaters on September 19, 2025. Starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, this courtroom comedy promises to deliver a mix of humor and intense legal drama. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, fans can expect to see beloved characters returning, including Justice Sunderlal Tripathi and Pushpa Pandey Mishra. Since the first Jolly LLB film debuted in 2013, followers of the franchise have eagerly awaited this next installment. The film aims for authenticity in its portrayal of legal proceedings, ensuring an engaging experience for viewers.

The new income tax regime in India will introduce updated tax slabs starting April 1, 2025. If an individual earns up to ₹12 lakh, they won't have to pay any tax if they select this new system. Many taxpayers, however, prefer the old regime due to its various deductions and exemptions. Yet, with the reduced slab rates for incomes up to ₹24 lakh in the new regime, it may be worth considering a switch. The choice between the two tax systems depends on personal income sources and eligibility for deductions, with the new regime offering a simpler approach and possibly greater tax savings for those with fewer deductions.

JV Joseph's struggle with his gold loan highlights the challenges faced by many borrowers in India. He took a loan of Rs 5.3 lakh at 12% interest but found himself unable to repay it on time. The bank insisted he clear the entire loan amount to extend the loan, a change that has frustrated many. The Reserve Bank of India has tightened gold loan rules, requiring borrowers to repay the full principal and interest to repledge their gold. This has made it more difficult for those who rely on gold loans for urgent financial needs. Many borrowers feel trapped, as they now must take out new loans just to keep their existing loans afloat.

SEBI has introduced new rules for intermediaries wishing to advertise on social media platforms like Google and Meta. To combat rising online fraud in the securities market, these intermediaries must now register on these platforms using the contact details they provided to SEBI. With the rise of digital platforms, fraudsters have been misleading people by promoting fake trading courses and guarantees of easy money. This move aims to enhance transparency and protect investors' interests. Intermediaries need to update their details on the SEBI portal by April 30, 2025, to continue advertising on these platforms.

Kush Gupta, Director at SKG Investment & Advisory, predicts that the RBI will cut the repo rate by 25 basis points in April to stimulate economic growth. He believes that the market has absorbed a lot of negativity and that by mid-2025, both market sentiment and fundamentals will improve significantly. Gupta expects corporate earnings to rebound in the last quarter of FY25, with positive trends in GST and rural demand contributing to revenue growth. He suggests that the worst may be behind us and sees potential for a new bull cycle by the end of the year.

Ukraine and Russia have reached a preliminary agreement for a limited ceasefire, following discussions between US President Donald Trump and both nations' leaders. However, the exact start date and specific exclusions from the agreement remain unclear. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shown strong support for Russia during talks with a Russian security official. Meanwhile, Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv, injuring at least seven people. As negotiations continue in Saudi Arabia, both countries hope for progress, with Ukraine seeking a partial ceasefire to protect energy and infrastructure.

The Republican Party is buzzing with talk about the 2028 election, and Vice President JD Vance is emerging as a key player. His recent appointment as the finance chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) gives him a unique edge in shaping the party's future. If Vance effectively raises funds and helps the party succeed in the 2026 midterms, he may solidify his position as a leading candidate to succeed Trump. Influential figures are already backing him, seeing him as the one who can carry on Trump's legacy. Vance's role enhances his connections with major donors, crucial for the upcoming elections.

The excitement is high as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) faces Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2025 today at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. This match marks their 21st encounter, with SRH winning 11 out of 20 previous matches. The teams faced off twice last season, and SRH emerged victorious both times. Predictions suggest a close match, with AI indicating that RR has a strong lineup, but SRH's home advantage and depth in batting could lead them to victory. Cricket fans are eager to see if SRH can continue their winning streak.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has asserted that the US must recognize Canada’s sovereignty and engage in meaningful trade discussions. He warned that the ongoing trade war will ultimately hurt Americans, emphasizing that respect is essential for negotiations to begin. Carney, who recently took office, responded to President Trump’s comments suggesting Canada should become the 51st state of the US. He highlighted that Canada’s leaders are ready to talk whenever the US is prepared to treat them with dignity. As tensions rise, Canadians are increasingly boycotting American products and reconsidering travel to the US.

The IPL 2025 season kicks off today as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champions, face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. With a new captain, Ajinkya Rahane, KKR aims to prove their strength while retaining much of their previous lineup. This match marks the first under new rules set by the BCCI, including the reinstatement of the saliva rule and provisions for a new ball in dewy conditions. While KKR's Varun Chakravarthy expressed doubts about the saliva rule's impact, he welcomed the ball change for spinners. Excitement builds as Chakravarthy prepares to face renowned batter Virat Kohli.