Dozens of foreign CEOs are set to attend the China Development Forum in Beijing on March 23-24, aiming to bolster foreign investment amid geopolitical tensions and recent U.S. tariffs. Notable attendees include leaders from FedEx, Siemens, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Qualcomm, AstraZeneca, Nestlé, Saudi Aramco, Citadel, Rio Tinto, Deutsche Bank, McKinsey, Estée Lauder, Standard Chartered, and KPMG. President Xi Jinping is anticipated to meet select executives post-forum to discuss strategies for boosting domestic consumption and achieving China's 5% economic growth target for 2025. The agenda features seminars on medical sector development and enhancing consumption, reflecting China's focus on expanding domestic demand. However, U.S. firms may maintain a low profile due to increased scrutiny from Washington.

India has urged the United States to take decisive action against the banned Khalistani organization, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), citing its anti-India activities on American soil. During a recent meeting in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh discussed these concerns with U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. The talks focused on enhancing defense and security ties, with particular emphasis on the SFJ's activities, which India deems detrimental to its national security. This meeting followed National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's discussions with Gabbard, underscoring the importance of intelligence sharing and security collaboration between the two nations.

Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old Indian PhD student at Columbia University, self-deported after the US revoked their visa over alleged support for Hamas. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Srinivasan a "terrorist sympathizer." Srinivasan, now in Canada, called the ordeal a "dystopian nightmare," saying they only liked or shared posts on Gaza. Fearing arrest, they left the US abruptly. Srinivasan, a Harvard graduate, previously worked on climate advocacy. Columbia University lists them as using "they" pronouns. Their research focused on India’s urbanization and caste politics.

Ukrainian troops have retreated from Russia's Kursk region following intense Russian counterattacks. The withdrawal led to the abandonment of significant Western-supplied military equipment, including M-1 Abrams tanks and M-2 Bradley infantry vehicles. Russian forces, bolstered by North Korean troops, have reclaimed over 40% of the territory Ukraine seized in August. Ukrainian soldiers report exhaustion, disrupted logistics, and constant drone assaults, hindering effective counterattacks or organized retreats. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the strategic importance of their positions. The conflict's escalation underscores the urgency for renewed diplomatic efforts.

In a recent podcast with AI researcher Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns about international organizations like the United Nations, stating they've become "almost irrelevant" due to their failure to adapt and implement meaningful reforms. He emphasized the necessity for these institutions to evolve with changing global dynamics to maintain their relevance. Addressing global conflicts, Modi highlighted the importance of peace and collaboration, noting that India's cultural heritage, rooted in the teachings of Buddha and Gandhi, positions it uniquely to advocate for harmony. He also stressed the interdependence of nations, asserting that no country can thrive in isolation, and underscored the need for synchronized efforts to propel global initiatives forward.

Two days after a grenade attack on Amritsar's Thakurdwara Temple, Punjab Police engaged in a confrontation with the suspects on March 17. The primary accused, Gursidak Singh, was fatally wounded during the encounter and later pronounced dead at a hospital. His accomplice, Vishal, managed to escape and is currently at large. The incident occurred in the Rajasansi area, where the suspects, upon being intercepted by law enforcement, abandoned their motorcycle and opened fire. This led to an exchange in which Head Constable Gurpreet Singh sustained injuries. The initial grenade attack on March 15 caused damage to the temple but resulted in no casualties. Authorities are investigating potential links to cross-border elements.

The United States has intensified its military campaign against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, launching a series of airstrikes targeting key positions, including in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Al Jawf governorate. This escalation aims to counter the Houthis' persistent threats to international shipping lanes, which have disrupted global commerce since late 2023. The initial wave of strikes commenced on Saturday, resulting in at least 53 fatalities, including five children and two women, and injuring 98 others, according to Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anees Alsbahi. U.S. officials indicate that these operations may persist for weeks, underscoring a robust stance against the Houthis' actions and signaling heightened pressure on Iran amid ongoing nuclear negotiations.

The Palestine Football Association (PFA) unveiled its 26-member men's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers through a poignant video filmed in war-torn Gaza. The 3.11-minute video begins with a boy in a Palestinian football jersey juggling a ball by the Gaza seashore. He discovers a portrait of national team defender Musab Battat among the rocks. As he ventures into the devastated city, other children join him, each finding portraits of different players amidst the rubble. The children eventually gather at a dilapidated football field, hanging the portraits on a rusty goalpost before playing together, symbolizing resilience amid adversity. The Palestinian team is scheduled to face Jordan on March 20 and Iraq on March 25. Initially hoping to host these matches at Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium near Jerusalem, the PFA was compelled to relocate the games to Amman International Stadium in Jordan due to security concerns and restrictions imposed by the Asian Football Confederation. Ehab Abu Jazar serves as the head coach of the team.

Renowned Indian scholar and literary critic Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak has been awarded the 2025 Holberg Prize, one of the most prestigious international accolades in the humanities and social sciences. The prize, which includes a monetary award of approximately €515,000, will be presented by Norway's Crown Prince Haakon at a ceremony on June 5. Born in Kolkata in 1942, Spivak is a University Professor at Columbia University and a founding member of its Institute for Comparative Literature and Society. Her seminal 1988 essay, "Can the Subaltern Speak?", has significantly influenced postcolonial studies by highlighting how marginalized voices are often suppressed within global capitalism. Throughout her career, Spivak has received numerous honors, including the Padma Bhushan in 2013 and the Kyoto Prize in Art and Philosophy in 2012.

Abu Qatal, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative and nephew of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Pakistan's Jhelum district. Qatal played a pivotal role in orchestrating attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, notably the 2023 Rajouri and 2024 Reasi incidents. His death is viewed as a significant setback for LeT, potentially disrupting its operational capabilities. Defence experts suggest that this development could signal increased pressure on high-profile terrorists like Saeed. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in counterterrorism efforts and raises questions about the future trajectory of militant activities in the region.