Archives 2026

London, Mar 6: In 2025, studying abroad became more uncertain than many students expected. The new rules on Visa policies in the USA and rising financial concerns made thousands rethink their plans to study abroad. Many postponed their applications. Some chose different countries. Others dropped the idea entirely. 

 Harini Shanmugasundaram chose a different path. Today, the young dentist from Chennai is pursuing her master’s degree in Biomedical Science with a concentration in neuroscience at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Just a few years ago, the thought of studying and working in research labs thousands of miles away from home felt like something far beyond her reach.

After completing her dentistry degree in Chennai in 2024, Harini began her career as an intern at a government dental hospital in her hometown;  everything was moving exactly as planned. But somewhere in the background, a different kind of curiosity was taking shape.

Like many people, Harini watched the pandemic unfold in real time. She saw how the world came to a standstill as researchers across countries raced to find answers. The speed, urgency and scale of that global effort stayed with her.

“It was fascinating to see how scientists, governments and pharmaceutical companies came together to solve a real-world problem,” Harini says. “That’s when I realised healthcare is not only about clinical practice. There is a whole world of research that shapes the future of medicine.”

It was at that point she began to explore biomedical research. She researched postgraduate programs in various countries and ultimately chose the US due to its strong research ecosystem and thriving biotechnology industry.

However, the timing was far from ideal. When Harini received her admission offer, visa uncertainty dominated international student discussions. Many applicants reconsidered their decisions. At the same time, universities across the United States were dealing with federal research funding cuts, adding another layer of uncertainty for students planning to pursue research-based programmes.

Still, everything fell into place just in time. Her admission and loan approval came days before a worldwide pause on visa applications. She managed to secure an appointment, attended her interview, and received her visa.

When she arrived on campus, she discovered something unexpected. She was the only Indian student in her program. 

Harini’s biggest challenge was not academic. It was financial. Coming from a modest family background, Harini did not want her parents to carry the burden of funding her international education. “They did offer to support me,” she says. “But I wanted this decision to be completely mine.” Harini chose to take responsibility for her study abroad journey herself. She applied for an international student loan through Prodigy Finance and received approval in just ten days. The quick support allowed her to continue her plans without placing pressure on her parents.

Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, says stories like Harini’s reflect the resilience and ambition of many international students. “At Prodigy Finance, we believe talented students should not have to pause their dreams because of financial barriers,” Kapoor says. Even during a year of visa uncertainties, Harini remained determined. She secured funding based on her future earning potential, making sure her family did not have to carry the financial burden. 

Studying abroad has its own challenges, and Harini felt it hard; her first few months meant adjusting to a new way of studying, learning to live in a different country, experiencing a new culture, and dealing with moments of homesickness. Looking back now, she sees that period as part of her growth. 

Her ambitions now go far beyond earning a degree. Harini hopes to pursue a PhD and eventually start a biotechnology company focused on developing solutions that improve people’s lives, and hopes to bring that innovation back to India in the future. 

This Women’s Day, her story carries a simple message for young women across the country. When Harini first spoke about studying abroad, some people suggested she should think about marriage before her education. She never opposed the idea of marriage. She simply believed building something for herself had to come first. Her journey from Chennai to New Jersey shows what determination and curiosity can achieve. Sometimes the most powerful decision a woman can make is simply choosing her own future.

New Delhi, Mar 6: International Data Corporation (IDC) has reported that India’s wearable device market declined 4.0% YoY in 2025, reaching 114.2 million units, marking its second consecutive annual drop. The decline was largely driven by a 17.6% YoY fall in smartwatch shipments, even as average selling prices (ASPs) rose, reflecting a gradual shift toward premium devices and value-driven consumer preferences.

Despite the overall market contraction, realme emerged as one of the top five wearable brands in India in 2025. realme recorded an impressive 27.8% year-over-year growth compared to 2024 and secured a 6.2% market share in the overall wearable category. This growth underscores the brand’s expanding footprint and strong acceptance among young consumers, even during a challenging market cycle.

In the TWS segment, realme ranked No. 5 in the category, registering a 26.3% growth in 2025 versus 2024 and capturing a 7.3% market share as per IDC. This performance highlights realme’s resilience and its ability to drive demand through innovation-led offerings and competitive positioning in a maturing market.

Since 2025, realme has significantly deepened its commitment to “Make in India” by commencing local manufacturing of its AIoT product portfolio including popular products like the realme Buds Air 8, realme Buds Clip and smartwatches through a strategic partnership with Optiemus Electronics Ltd.. Under this initiative, realme and Optiemus are targeting the production of 5 million AIoT devices annually, while creating over 2,000 new jobs and strengthening the domestic supply chain. Building on this, realme is positioned to scale its manufacturing footprint even further in 2026, reinforcing its role in India’s tech manufacturing ecosystem and accelerating growth in both local and global markets.

According to IDC, while shipment volumes softened, premiumization trends continued across wearable categories, with consumers increasingly prioritizing advanced features, health-centric capabilities, and ecosystem integration. Emerging segments such as smart glasses and over-the-ear audio devices also demonstrated strong momentum, indicating evolving user preferences beyond traditional wearables.

realme remains committed to delivering innovation-driven wearable products tailored for young and tech-savvy consumers, reinforcing its ambition to be a leading technology brand in India’s evolving smart device ecosystem.

Nashik, Mar 3 — The two-day program “Igniting Innovation,” held at Gurudakshina Hall, Gokhale Society, was successfully inaugurated, marking a significant milestone for Nashik’s aspiring entrepreneurs. The event aimed to bridge the gap between students from various academic backgrounds — not only Engineering but other disciplines like Arts, Commerce, Science, Pharmacy, and Architecture — and the startup ecosystem.

On 27th Feb, 2025 the chairperson of event Dr. Deepti Deshpande, Secretary of Gokhale Education Society, and chief guest Mr. Aashish Nahar, President of NIMA, the program saw overwhelming participation. Distinguished guests, including Sanjay Sonawane, Vice President of Maharashtra Chamber, Anisa Talavi, Deputy Commissioner of Skill Development, and Nikhil Tapdia, President of Laghu Udyog Bharti, graced the event.

Over 150 students from 50 colleges across North Maharashtra participated in the Igniting Innovation event, presenting their startup ideas, meeting investors, and gaining insights from industry experts. The event featured a full-day startup exhibition, pitching competitions, and an investor meet, followed by expert sessions on the second day.

On the evening of the 28th, the valedictory function was graced by Hon. Mrs. Ashima Mittal, CEO, ZP Nashik, and Mr. Santosh Mandlech, Founder and Past President of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, as the Guests of Honour. During the event, Shreekant Patil announced the prize distribution for the best student participants, who had showcased their innovative ideas in the exhibition and pitching sessions. The winners were awarded certificates, and Patil committed to nurturing their ideas and offering possible seed funding to help them grow.

This program’s primary objective was to create an inclusive platform that integrates government support, industry associations, and educational institutions to help students become successful entrepreneurs. The event marked the beginning of a new era for Nashik’s startup ecosystem.

“I believe that through initiatives like ‘Igniting Innovation,’ we are sowing the seeds for a strong startup ecosystem in Nashik. We aim to host this event four times a year to provide continuous support to emerging entrepreneurs with seed funding, mentorship, and technology,” said Shreekant Patil, Mentor at Startup India and the driving force behind the initiative.

The event’s success was a result of the collaborative efforts between the government, educational institutions, and industry partners. With strong leadership, the “Igniting Innovation” program promises to inspire the youth of Nashik to pursue entrepreneurship and contribute to the growth of the Indian economy.

BRONX, NY, March 6—A new episode of the WCS Wild Audio podcast examines the challenges facing migratory wildlife worldwide and previews the upcoming 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS CoP15), to be held March 23–29 in Campo Grande, Brazil. WCS scientists and policy experts will be available to journalists covering the meeting.

In the 12-minute episode, Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the CMS Secretariat, describes the state of the world’s migratory species and the urgent conservation issues governments will confront at the global summit.

CMS is the only international treaty focused specifically on animals that regularly cross national borders—from birds and whales to big cats, sharks, and freshwater fish—making international cooperation essential to their survival.

©️Dani Escayola/Ocean Image Bank

The conversation highlights findings from the first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report, which found that nearly half of CMS-listed species are in decline and that overexploitation—including hunting, illegal take, and fisheries bycatch—has become the leading threat to many migratory species globally.

“These species connect ecosystems across continents and oceans,” says Fraenkel. “But the pressures facing them—from overexploitation to habitat fragmentation—are increasing, and addressing them requires coordinated international action.”

The discussion also explores emerging priorities for CMS CoP15, including stronger efforts to address illegal and unsustainable taking of wildlife, protection of ecological connectivity across landscapes and seascapes, and new attention to migratory freshwater fish, which are among the most threatened groups of migratory animals.

The Wildlife Conservation Society will have a strong presence at the meeting (read more here), where its scientists and policy experts will advocate for science-based decisions and stronger international cooperation to conserve migratory species and the ecosystems they depend on.

WCS will focus in particular on proposals to strengthen protections for species such as the striped hyena, giant otter, and several migratory shark species, as well as conservation initiatives addressing freshwater fish in major river basins such as the Amazon.

The organization is also working with partners and governments to advance broader CMS priorities, including tackling illegal and unsustainable wildlife use, reducing fisheries bycatch, and protecting ecological connectivity for species that depend on large, intact landscapes and migratory corridors.

ST. LOUIS — March 6: Taylor Geospatial on Mar 5 announced its launch as a new organization focused on unlocking AI-driven geospatial breakthroughs for global public benefit while strengthening innovation capacity in St. Louis. The organization brings together deep geospatial research expertise and proven pathways to commercialization under a single mission, leadership structure, and brand—positioning it to accelerate the development and real-world use of geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI).

“This new organization brings strategic focus to a fast-moving field at exactly the right time,” said Robert Cardillo, Chair, Taylor Geospatial. “Taylor Geospatial will be a trusted bridge—aligning research with operational needs and converting GeoAI innovation into reliable, scalable capabilities. Uniting our efforts under one organization gives partners a clear front door and strengthens our ability to deliver measurable impact.”

Formed by bringing together the Taylor Geospatial Institute and Taylor Geospatial Engine, both originally launched with support from a philanthropic gift from Andy Taylor, Executive Chairman, of Enterprise Mobility, Taylor Geospatial unifies research and applied innovation under a single organization and brand. The launch contributes to St. Louis’s development as a national center for geospatial innovation while advancing accessible GeoAI tools, datasets, and digital public goods for global use.

“Society has reached an inflection point where the pace of scientific progress is faster than our ability to put it into practice,” said Elliott Kellner, President, Taylor Geospatial. “Taylor Geospatial was built to do the hard work of execution—connecting research to real operational needs, reducing fragmentation across the ecosystem, and turning promising GeoAI advances into tools and capabilities that people can actually use at scale.”

Every day, satellites generate vast volumes of Earth observation data, yet much of its potential remains untapped. Taylor Geospatial works with partners to turn that data into insight for the public good by accelerating the development and commercialization of GeoAI. The non-profit organization focuses on building shared scientific infrastructure—open datasets, benchmarks, models, and tools—that enable researchers, governments, and industry partners to reduce risk, accelerate adoption, and deliver tangible outcomes.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Taylor Geospatial pairs a strong regional commitment to innovation and economic development with a global outlook. Its work supports applications ranging from climate resilience and food security to deforestation monitoring, infrastructure planning, and environmental compliance.

“We are thrilled at the potential with this new organization, which is thoroughly designed for this moment,” said Jennifer Marcus, Vice President of Strategic Innovation Programs, Taylor Geospatial. “By bringing together deep academic research, industry expertise, and entrepreneurial pathways, Taylor Geospatial is uniquely positioned to turn GeoAI breakthroughs into digital public goods. Our focus on applying AI to satellite imagery at scale will help address critical global challenges while building a world-class center for geospatial innovation in St. Louis.”

The launch includes a new visual identity, logo, and redesigned website that reflect Taylor Geospatial’s unified strategy and role within the global GeoAI ecosystem. From this point forward, all programs, partnerships, and initiatives will operate under the Taylor Geospatial name.

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, March 6: Wood Mackenzie analysis indicates the Middle East conflict could disrupt 200 Mtpa of forecast Asian LNG demand growth over the next decade as QatarEnergy’s force majeure removes 20% of global supply. The disruption threatens to raise long-term structural challenges for global gas and LNG markets similar to those seen following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

With QatarEnergy’s declaration of force majeure on LNG shipments from Ras Laffan and European gas prices nearly doubling since Monday, the situation threatens to reshape buyer confidence, supply strategies, and even energy policy worldwide.

“The consequences of the war for gas and LNG are uncertain but could rival those that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022,” said Simon Flowers, Chairman and Chief Analyst at Wood Mackenzie. “Much will depend on whether the disruption is a short-lived blip or is more enduring, and whether gas and LNG infrastructure in the region suffers major damage.”

Key Facts:

• QatarEnergy declaration of force majeure removes 20% of global LNG supply
• Asian LNG demand forecast to grow by 200 Mtpa over next decade
• Qatar and the UAE account for 79 Mtpa and 5.6 Mtpa of LNG capacity respectively
• European gas prices nearly doubled since 3 March 2026
• Nearly 100 Mtpa of US pre-FID LNG projects offer geographic diversification alternatives

Supply diversification imperative

The crisis has exposed the concentration risk for those importing countries which are most dependent on Middle Eastern LNG supply. According to Gavin Thompson, Vice Chairman, Energy for Wood Mackenzie, this will fundamentally alter how buyers approach new long-term supply contracts.

“Assuming no significant damage to existing projects in Qatar and the UAE, the amplified risks associated with these volumes will, in time, dissipate,” Thompson said. “But the crisis will drive home the importance of supply diversification. The raft of US pre-FID projects – almost 100 Mtpa currently – come without a single geographic point-of-failure risk.”

However, US supply is not risk-free, not least from domestic energy policy and cannot be the only solution. Wood Mackenzie analysis indicates that pre-FID projects in Canada, Mozambique and Argentina will look to capitalize on the uncertainty, while projects that have slipped on timeline, such as Abadi in Indonesia and Browse in Australia, could gain fresh impetus. Portfolio suppliers and national oil companies, including QatarEnergy itself, are expected to seek greater diversification of their own supply sources.

Asian demand growth at risk

Asia represents the cornerstone of the bullish outlook for gas and LNG, with Wood Mackenzie forecasting Asian LNG demand to increase by around 200 Mtpa over the coming decade. However, that growth depends on competitive pricing and supply reliability, which are both now in question.

Asian markets could respond to the current loss of supply in several ways, according to Wood Mackenzie analysis. Coal is expected to take market share from gas and LNG in the power sector across Japan, South Korea, China, India and Southeast Asia. Asian governments may accelerate renewables growth plans, though near-term upside will be limited. Additional incentives for domestic gas development could be fast-tracked but will similarly offer little immediate relief.

“Fundamentally, however, Asia needs more energy, while the region’s rising emissions will need to be addressed,” said Thompson. “With limited alternative options, we maintain our long-held view that LNG remains central to meeting future Asian energy demand.”

Confidence crisis for gas and LNG

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, gas and LNG’s reputation as a reliable and affordable fuel was severely tested. While swift action to increase LNG availability helped rebuild confidence, the current crisis has reopened those wounds.

“In the eyes of gas and LNG sceptics, war has once again highlighted how supply disruptions and volatile prices can imperil energy security and affordability,” Massimo Di Odoardo, Vice President, Gas and LNG Research at Wood Mackenzie noted. “A swift restoration of supply and lower prices will allay some concerns among importers in the short term. But beyond the immediate crisis, more work will be required to rebuild confidence.”

Europe remains determined to reduce its dependence on gas and LNG, though the reality is that the region is already moving as fast as realistically possible on decarbonization given budget constraints. With Russia still engaged in war with Ukraine, the chances of the EU lifting its ban on Russian gas and LNG imports remains highly unlikely—leaving Europe facing towering gas prices for the second time this decade.

Building resilience

Wood Mackenzie analysis suggests the gas and LNG industry may need to adopt structural changes similar to the oil market to restore buyer confidence. Building spare capacity and higher levels of storage could help address concerns about reliability and volatility, though this will require significant investment, time and coordinated effort.

“Gas and LNG markets are reeling from the loss of supply,” said Di Odoardo. “The industry has been here before and has proven it can recover. Gas’s primary role in decarbonisation ‒ displacing coal and supporting the expansion of renewables ‒ is clear, but the industry may need to go further this time.”

Looking forward

For now, an end to the conflict remains the priority. Longer term, reinforcing gas and LNG supply reliability and minimizing price volatility will be required to ensure the fuels’ demand trajectory remains intact.

“Gas and LNG have work to do to rebuild confidence,” Flowers said. “Building in spare capacity and higher levels of storage, for example, could help soothe a market anxious about reliability and volatility, just as has been done with oil. But this will be neither quick nor easy, requiring investment, time and coordinated effort.”