A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck the northeastern state of Assam, leaving residents in its capital city of Guwahati in a state of panic. Despite the strong tremors and shallow depth of 23 km, no casualties or property damage have been reported. This is the second earthquake to hit the Northeastern states today, with Nagaland and Mizoram experiencing mild tremors earlier. The high seismic activity in this region is due to its location in a seismically active zone, with 11% of the country falling in the most active zone, while Guwahati falls in the relatively less affected zone.
Starbucks announces that Chief Executive Officer Laxman Narasimhan will be stepping down and replaced by Chipotle's head, Brian Niccol, following pressure from activist investor Elliott Management. The company's CFO, Rachel Ruggeri, will serve as interim CEO until Niccol takes over on Sept. 9. In addition, Starbucks partners with TECC to establish a Taiwan Education Centre at IIT Guwahati, promoting cultural and educational exchange between India and Taiwan.
During a two-day meeting in Guwahati, the BJP announced its plans to contest and win both vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Assam. State BJP President Bhabesh Kalita expressed confidence in the party's chances and the support from other NDA partners. A crucial meeting is scheduled for tomorrow with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, where strategies for the upcoming panchayat and Rajya Sabha polls will be discussed. Additionally, Kalita raised concerns about the safety of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and criticized the Congress for its silence on the issue.
The highly anticipated Union Budget of 2024-25 has focused heavily on the education sector, with a whopping amount of Rs 1.48 lakh crore being allocated towards this vital area. From increased support for education loans to initiatives for transgender employees, the budget has been lauded for its efforts to promote education and bridge the gap for overseas study. Experts highlight the benefits of these measures for the workforce and job creation in India, while also noting the growth potential of the newly approved IIM near Guwahati and Manipal Group's stake acquisition in Aakash Educational Services.
The Assam Police have confirmed the arrest of nine individuals, including the prime accused, in connection with a marksheet scam at Gauhati University. The crackdown, which has spanned multiple locations including Guwahati, Barpeta, and Dhubri, came to light after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared startling revelations during a press briefing in Barpeta. Sarma noted that the Barpeta police and CID are handling the case with confidentiality, but raised concerns that similar scams could be occurring in other universities. It is important to note that the scam was uncovered after discrepancies were detected in the marks of an undergraduate student at Ganeshlal Choudhary College in Barpeta Road.
The Radisson Blu Guwahati hotel recently organized a bicycle rally to mark World Bicycle Day, with the aim of promoting the benefits of cycling for both personal health and the environment. The event was flagged off by Assam's chief secretary Ravi Kota, and saw enthusiastic participation from both cycling enthusiasts and professional cyclists. Radisson Blu's general manager Ankur Mehrotra shared his excitement for being a part of such an initiative that aligns with the hotel's commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement. World Bicycle Day, observed on June 3, highlights the many advantages of using bicycles for transportation, including improved public health, reduced traffic congestion, and a significant decrease in carbon emissions.
In preparation for the cyclonic storm "Remal" hitting northeast India, the Northeast Frontier Railway has cancelled 44 trains scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. This precautionary measure affects passengers traveling within the northeastern states, West Bengal, and north Bihar. The India Meteorological Department has stated that the storm is weakening and moving towards Assam and Meghalaya, though light to moderate rain is expected in the region. While the cyclone has caused damage to some properties, there have been no major incidents reported so far. Stay informed with the latest updates by signing up for our newsletter.
Rain played spoilsport in the final league stage match of IPL 2024 as KKR and SRH's game in Guwahati had to be called off without a single ball being bowled. This result ensured that SRH secured a top 2 finish, while KKR dropped to third place after their match. Meanwhile, SRH and KKR will face off in the qualifier 1 while Rajasthan Royals will face RCB in the eliminator. The final match of IPL 2024 will be held on 26 May.
The much-awaited match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals was unfortunately abandoned due to persistent rains in Guwahati, leaving both teams with one point each. This result dashed Rajasthan's hopes of finishing among the top two teams in the league, as Sunrisers Hyderabad secured their spot with a better net run rate. As per the new schedule, Kolkata Knight Riders will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 while Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. In other news, PM Modi recently reviewed BJP's poll management in Odisha, with 12 candidates vying for the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat.
In a major disappointment for Rajasthan Royals, their final league match against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 was abandoned due to heavy rain. Despite constant efforts by ground staff and super soppers, the unpredictable weather in Guwahati forced the match to be called off, resulting in both teams receiving a point each. With this result, RR's chances of securing a top-two finish in the points table have been dashed.