Wales aims to strengthen ties with India in 2024, declaring it the 'Year of Wales in India.' Rooted in cricket connections and cultural affinities, the focus extends to trade and investment. Key sectors for growth include technology, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and tourism. Indian companies like Wockhardt and Airbus are already contributing to Wales' economy. With India's booming market, Welsh businesses are encouraged to tap into the potential, facilitated by India's supportive investment environment. The expansion of Penderyn's distillery into India reflects the growing interest in Welsh products, emphasizing a mutually beneficial partnership.

Researchers in Ecuador's rainforest discovered a new species, the "northern green anaconda," the world's largest snake, split from its relatives 10 million years ago. Thought to be Eunectes murinus, it's now identified as Eunectes akiyama. Dutch biologist Freek Vonk swam with a 20-foot, 441-pound specimen. The finding aids environmental research, linking anacondas to oil spill damage in the Yasuni region. Australian biologist Bryan G. Fry, studying anacondas for two decades, highlighted the 10-million-year split and pollution impact on snakes and arapaima fish, cautioning against their consumption, particularly for pregnant women due to oil spill metal accumulation.

Sikh musician Raj Singh alias Goldy, part of a US kirtan group, was fatally shot outside an Alabama gurdwara on February 23. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, India, Goldy had been in the US for 1.5 years. The sole breadwinner for his family, he leaves behind a mother, two sisters, and a younger brother. After performing kirtan, Goldy was shot by unidentified assailants. His family requests government assistance to repatriate his body for cremation. The tragic incident occurred as he stood outside the gurdwara. Goldy's father had passed away five years earlier.

The Smokehouse Creek fire, now Texas's largest at 1,700 sq miles, is 3% contained, merging with another blaze. Snow briefly aids firefighters in the scorched Texas Panhandle, slowing the fire's growth. Stinnett, a town of 1,600, faces devastation with melted signs and charred vehicles; one home displays an American flag amid ruins. Resident Dylan Phillips describes the brutal scene. The fire, crossing into Oklahoma, threatens rural areas. Firefighters work to prevent reignition as temperatures and winds are expected to rise. The situation remains critical despite the temporary relief provided by the snowfall.

The UK Home Office has eliminated the requirement to renew sponsor licenses every four years for expats and employers. Effective from April 6, sponsor licenses will automatically extend by ten years, simplifying processes for employers and avoiding fees. Valid licenses within this period are automatically covered, requiring no action. The Home Office will refund application fees for ongoing renewals, and sponsors are urged to check their license status online. As part of broader immigration changes, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government plans to increase costs for hiring overseas personnel, including a recent salary requirement hike announced in December.

India, responding to Pakistan's mention of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council, rejected external interference, emphasizing it as an internal matter. First Secretary Anupama Singh also expressed regret over Turkey's comments. India criticized Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism globally, citing its financial challenges and support for UN Security Council-sanctioned terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar. The exchange occurred during the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 28.

A devastating fire swept through a six-story building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing at least 43 people and injuring dozens. The blaze, believed to have started in a restaurant, rapidly spread, leaving 22 critically burned individuals in hospitals. Firefighters from 13 units brought the situation under control after two intense hours. The cause remains uncertain, but authorities suggest a possible gas leak or stove-related origin. Survivors, like Mohammad Altaf, shared harrowing escapes, with two coworkers losing their lives. Rescue efforts involved a crane to retrieve people from the charred structure. Bangladesh mourns the tragic incident as investigations continue.

The Japanese Ambassador, Hiroshi F Suzuki, warmly invites Indian students to explore education in Japan. In an interview, he emphasizes the simplicity of acquiring a student visa—just a student ID is needed. Suzuki highlights streamlined processes, skill development programs, and promising job prospects in Japan. He urges Indian youth to consider studying and working there, assuring them of straightforward visa procedures. Notably, within three years of graduating from Indian universities, students can submit certificates instead of financial documentation for short-term stays. A significant move fostering educational ties between India and the 'land of the rising sun'.

France is on the verge of amending its constitution to explicitly guarantee the right to abortion. The parliamentary congress, scheduled at the Palace of Versailles, is expected to finalize the bill after overcoming hurdles in the Senate. If approved, France will be the only country worldwide with constitutional protection for the right to terminate pregnancies. President Macron's commitment to this constitutional change stems from the 2022 US Supreme Court decision that allowed states to restrict abortion. The move reflects France's resolve to solidify and defend reproductive rights in response to evolving global legal dynamics.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, known for the US free trade deal, has passed away at 84. His legacy includes a historic 1984 election win but was overshadowed by revelations of improper dealings with an arms dealer. Mulroney died peacefully after health challenges, including a heart procedure in August and prostate cancer treatment in 2023. His daughter, Caroline Mulroney, announced his death on social media. The corporate lawyer turned businessman played a significant role in Canadian politics, leading the center-right Progressive Conservatives.