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It’s a crucial Tuesday as key events are lined up today.
Top lawmakers in China will gather in Beijing today for the annual ’two sessions’. US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods will go into effect.
Arab League members will meet in Cairo today to counter Trump’s threats to take over Gaza, expelling Palestinians from their land.
In India, Congress will hold agitations on March 4 in municipal areas to draw the government’s attention to public grievances about civic issues.
Here’s how the day will unfold.
Mexico, Canada, China tariffs to come into effect: Trump
US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods will go into effect today.
The proposed tariffs, which were delayed for a month, consisted of a 25 per cent duty on all imports from Mexico and most from Canada (energy products were to have a 10 per cent tariff), along with a new 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods.
China Two Sessions
The top lawmakers in China will gather in Beijing today for the annual “two sessions,” which is the neighbouring country’s biggest political event.
The event involves the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) setting the stage for Beijing’s 2025 policy playbook.
It will focus on how the country will tackle domestic consumption, housing market risks, and tech innovation in the year ahead.
Trump’s speech to US Congress
US President Donald Trump will deliver the first joint congressional address of his second presidency on Tuesday night. It’s not officially called the State of the Union, a title reserved for a president’s annual address to Congress during other years of an administration.
However, it is an opportunity for Trump to lay out his priorities for the year. What he says about Ukraine will be important after his Oval Office spat with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump’s speech will take place in the US House chamber. Members of the US Supreme Court and Trump’s Cabinet will attend.
Emergency Arab summit on Gaza reconstruction
Arab League members will meet in Cairo today to counter Donald Trump’s threats to take over Gaza, expelling Palestinians from their land.
The summit is convened by Egypt and aims to come up with a united Arab response that offers an alternative option that makes Gaza habitable again and respects Palestinians’ rights.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to discuss their return to Earth
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore will discuss their return to Earth today from the International Space Station.
In June 2024, Williams and Wilmore had taken off on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Their estimated duration in space was eight days.
However, after Starliner developed certain errors, Nasa brought back the Boeing spacecraft without its two crew members in September 2024.
EC’s two-day conference with its state poll officers
The Election Commission is holding a two-day conference starting today with its chief electoral officers to brainstorm on various issues, including modern poll management.
This is the first such gathering of poll officials to be held since Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as the CEC on February 19.
Crucial court hearings
Supreme Court order on appeals of ‘Justice and Dignity’ case
Second trial run of Union Carbide waste disposal
Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing
The third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference is set to open at 3 pm on Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and will conclude on the morning of March 10.
During the conference, there will be opening and closing meetings, two plenary sessions, and group meetings.
Congress to hold protests in Maharashtra
Congress will hold agitations on March 4 in municipal areas to draw the government’s attention to public grievances about civic issues.
The protest comes as the budget session of the state legislature is being held from March 3 to 26.
ICC Champions Trophy - Semi-final 1- India v Australia
After defeating New Zealand on Sunday, India is all set to face Australia in the semi-final on March 4 in Dubai.
The Men in Blue were designated to play its last-four match in Dubai today since it refused to travel to Pakistan for security reasons.
Netflix series ‘With Love, Meghan’ airs
Meghan Markle’s lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, will be premiering today on Netflix.
The show features eight episodes and was postponed in January due to the Los Angeles fires.
A day to remember
World Obesity Day
Birth anniversary of tennis player Rohan Bopanna
Birth anniversary of playback singer Saleem Raza
Birth anniversary of writer Phanishwar Nath Renu
Birth anniversary of writer Toru Dutt
Birth anniversary of actor Steven Weber
The First Asian Games were held in Delhi between Mar 4-11, 1951
The FDA approved a blood test for AIDS, used since then for screening all blood donations in US in 1985
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