NASA and SpaceX on Wednesday delayed the launch of a replacement crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station that would have set in motion the long-awaited homecoming of U.S. astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.

NASA had been set to launch a SpaceX rocket from Florida carrying a replacement crew for the International Space Station in a mission that would set up the return to Earth of Wilmore and Williams – stuck in space for nine months after a trip on Boeing’s faulty Starliner.

The launch was called off due to a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket, NASA said in a statement.

Launch teams are working to address the issue, it said in another statement.

NASA said it is now targeting a launch no earlier than 7:03 p.m. EDT (2303 GMT) Friday after mission managers put off a launch attempt on Thursday because of high winds and rain forecast in the flight path of Dragon.

Renowned poet and former bureaucrat Ramakanta Rath passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy in Odia literature.

Born on December 30, 1934, in the Puri district, he studied English literature at Ravenshaw College in Cuttack, where he began writing. After completing his MA in 1956, he joined the Indian Administrative Service and held key positions in both the Central and State governments.

Rath’s first poetry collection, Kete Dinara (Of Many Bygone Days), was published in 1962. Filled with soft romantic emotions and reflective meditative tones, this collection marked the beginning of a new poetry movement in Odia literature, introducing a fresh diction and structure. However, he soon moved away from romantic themes and began exploring deeper aspects of human destiny through poetry.

State-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), The New India Assurance Company and General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) have retained the domestic systemically important insurers (D-SIIs) tag.

The three insurers have been identified as D-SIIs for 2024-25, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) said on the decisions and discussions at its 129th meeting on March 12.

Though it did not elaborate, the insurance regulator previously had said the D-SIIs are subjected to enhanced regulatory supervision. D-Slls refer to insurers of such size, market importance and domestic as well as global inter connectedness whose distress or failure would result in a significant dislocation in the domestic financial system, it had said last year.

Ex-central banker Mark Carney was sworn in as prime minister of Canada on Friday and immediately said he could work with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is promising tariffs that could devastate the Canadian economy.

Carney succeeds Justin Trudeau, who had a combative and often cold relationship with Trump. Carney, 59, made clear his approach would be different.

“We respect President Trump – President Trump has put some very important issues at the top of his agenda. We understand his agenda,” he told reporters after being sworn in, noting he had worked with Trump at international meetings.

“In many respects, part of my experience overlaps with that of the President – we’re both looking out for our countries. But he knows, and I know from long experience, that we can find mutual solutions that win for both,” he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced a new initiative aimed at improving efficiencies at the 80-year-old world organisation and making it more cost-effective. The ‘UN80 Initiative’ will come up with proposals in areas of rapidly identifying efficiencies and improvements in the way the UN works. It will also review the implementation of all mandates given to the UN by member states, which have significantly increased in recent years. While announcing the initiative in New York yesterday, Mr. Guterres said that the world is facing challenges on every front. He also voiced concern over shrinking resources and liquidity crisis amid an environment of uncertainty and unpredictability.

Prasar Bharati has been honoured with the Hockey India Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution 2024 in New Delhi, at the Hockey India 7th Annual Awards 2024. The award marks Prasar Bharti’s tireless efforts in promoting and broadcasting hockey across the nation. At the function, Hockey India also felicitated the members of the victorious 1975 World Cup squad, with the Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award along with a cash prize of 50 lakh rupees.

Among the top honours, Savita Punia and Harmanpreet Singh were recognised as the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2024 in the Women’s and Men’s categories. While PR Sreejesh, who retired from international hockey last year, was honoured for clinching the FIH Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. In a nod to grassroots development, eight states were recognised for their contributions to the sport. The Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu took home the Best Member Unit of the Year award for its pioneering Tamil Nadu School Hockey League.

Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has emphasized that government aims to include sports as an integral part of culture and lifestyle. Speaking at the inaugural session of Fit India Carnival in New Delhi today, He stated that a healthy society ensures country’s progress towards becoming a Viksit Bharat. He mentioned that activities such as yoga, aerobics, and Zumba in the carnival will convey a positive message about fitness to the public. He said that the essence of the Fit India Carnival is to encourage youth to incorporate several sporting activities and cycling into their daily routines to enhance their fitness.

Mr Mandaviya also released a booklet about the benefits of Fit India Cycle initiative. During the Event Actor Ayushman Khurana, Wrestler Sangram Singh and Several other sports Personalities were present.

The Fit India Carnival is a three-day fitness and wellness festival which aims to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, aligning with the Fit India Movement’s vision of a fitter, healthier, and obesity-free nation. A host of sports activities including rope skipping, stationary cycling, arm wrestling, cricket bowling, squat and push-up challenges will be the highlight of the three-day carnival.

A set of six properties -- including some considered serially, such as Ashokan Edict Sites and Chausath Yogini Temples spread across multiple states -- have been added to India's tentative list by the UNESCO's World Heritage Centre. These sites were added to the list on March 7, the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO said in a statement.

India at UNESCO shared the statement on microblogging site X, late on Thursday.

Addition to the World Heritage Centre's tentative list is mandatory if a property is to be nominated for inscription to the World Heritage List in future, it said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a 500 crore rupees corpus for Manipur to establish a contingency fund. She told Lok Sabha yesterday that the Centre is providing all possible financial assistance for the faster recovery of Manipur’s economy. The Finance Minister was replying to a discussion on ‘The Manipur Appropriation Bill, 2025’ and ‘The Manipur Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2025’ in the Lok Sabha.

Both Bills were passed by voice vote. Ms Sitharaman asserted that the overall law and order situation has improved in the northeastern state, except for some sporadic incidents. She said 400 crore rupees have been provided for the operation of relief camps in Manipur and under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY) 7,000 houses have been approved to provide housing for those who were displaced.

Manipur is currently under the President’s Rule. Consequent to the proclamation issued under Article 356 of the Constitution last month, the powers of the Legislature of the State are exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. The Finance Minister had tabled the Manipur budget for 2025-26 in the Parliament on Monday envisaging an expenditure of over 35 thousand 103 crore rupees.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Mauritius’ highest civilian honour on Tuesday, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, making him the first Indian recipient of the prestigious accolade. The announcement was made by Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, recognising Modi’s contributions to strengthening India-Mauritius relations.

The award, regarded as Mauritius’ most distinguished recognition, is a testament to the island nation’s deep-rooted historical and strategic ties with India. Modi joins an exclusive list of global leaders who have received the honor.

During the event, Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam said, ‘The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’ is very fitting for you, Prime Minister. Since we became a Republic only five foreign dignitaries have got that title and among them is the Gandhi of Africa, Nelson Mandela who received it in 1998.”