2026 March

• PV Sindhu advanced to the second round of the Indonesia Open 2026 after defeating Thailand's world No. 19 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 25-23, 21-16. • In contrast, Indian players Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth were both knocked out of the BWF Super 1000 tournament in the first round. • The victory is significant for Sindhu, who recently returned to the world top 10 for the first time since October 2023 and extended her head-to-head lead over Busanan to 21-1.

• The US Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed new regulations under ERISA to clarify fiduciary duties of prudence regarding the selection of designated investment alternatives. • The proposal establishes a process-based safe harbor for fiduciaries, specifically those incorporating alternative asset exposure, to prioritize decision-making processes over final investment outcomes. • This shift aims to mitigate litigation risks for fiduciaries and encourage the inclusion of diverse asset classes in retirement portfolios.

• The US Labor Department reported that employers added 178,000 jobs in March 2026, significantly surpassing economists' expectations of 60,000 jobs polled by LSEG. • The unemployment rate declined to 4.3% from 4.4% in February, lower than the projected 4.4%, with January revised up to 160,000 jobs and February down to 133,000. • This rebound follows February's unexpected job losses and signals labor market resilience despite geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

• The Federal Reserve maintained the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.5%–3.75% during its March 2026 meeting, marking the second consecutive session without adjustment. • Policymakers cited solid economic expansion despite subdued job gains and elevated inflation above target levels. • The decision reflects caution amid global volatility, including Middle East conflicts driving oil prices up over 40% and renewed US trade frictions.

• Republican-sponsored Alabama Senate Bill 376 was introduced on March 31, 2026, reaching 25% progression in the regular session. • The partisan bill awaits further action after pending third reading, details focus on state policy adjustments. • Tracks with ongoing 2026 legislative efforts across Southern states.

• Ewan McGregor, Christopher Walken, and Al Gore celebrate birthdays on March 31, 2026. • The annual roundup highlights star power with these icons marking another year.

• Latino-focused neobank DNERO is gearing up for its U.S. market launch, highlighted among March 2026's top five fintech product debuts. • The platform aims to serve underserved Latino communities with tailored digital banking services amid rising demand for inclusive finance. • DNERO's entry reflects surging investment in niche fintech startups targeting demographic-specific needs in the competitive U.S. landscape.

• SpaceX launched 83 Starlink satellites across March 2026, including 29 from Cape Canaveral on March 4, 25 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 8, and 29 from SLC-40 on March 19. • These deployments increased the Starlink constellation to over 6,700 operational satellites, targeting internet access for remote regions, aviation, and maritime sectors. • The expansion bridges the digital divide in underserved areas and enhances U.S. Space Force defense infrastructure amid evolving aerospace demands.

• Celebrated comedian Eric Idle of Monty Python fame turns a year older today, March 29, 2026, joining other stars in Hollywood's birthday spotlight. • Actor Brendan Gleeson, known for roles in In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin, is also marking his birthday alongside comedy icon Amy Sedaris. • Bored Panda highlights 10 familiar faces born on this date, emphasizing their enduring contributions to film, TV, and stage entertainment.

• NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament advances to Elite Eight on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, following Sweet 16 completion on March 27. • Regional games continue at Toyota Center in Houston, SAP Center in San Jose, and United Center in Chicago, hosted by local universities. • Final Four looms on April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with championship on April 6, building excitement for US college hoops climax.

• Asteroid 2026 FA3, approximately 53 feet wide or house-sized, will safely pass Earth on March 27, 2026, at 1.78 million miles away—seven times lunar distance. • NASA’s planetary defense systems monitor the near-Earth object (NEO) using telescopes and radar for precise orbit, trajectory, and speed calculations. • Followed by two more safe flybys the next day; increased detections due to advanced global tracking highlight vigilant space situational awareness.

• Seagate Technology (STX.US) will go ex-dividend on March 25, 2026, with shareholders of record receiving a cash dividend of $0.74 per share payable on April 8, 2026. • The ex-dividend date marks the deadline for investors to hold shares to qualify for the upcoming dividend distribution, a common corporate action in the technology hardware sector. • Cash dividends provide shareholders periodic income distributions, though they may trigger tax consequences and can cause temporary share price adjustments equivalent to the dividend amount.

• U.S. equities showed mixed performance in early trading on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with technology stocks under pressure while energy and financial sectors gained ground. • The mixed market action reflects ongoing uncertainty around Federal Reserve rate policy and its impact on different economic sectors, with tech facing particular headwinds. • Technology stocks continued to face selling pressure as investors reassess valuations amid expectations for interest rate changes and macroeconomic conditions.

• The 2026 March Madness men's tournament Sweet 16 begins Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27, with games at four regional sites: Houston (South), San Jose (West), Chicago (Midwest), and Washington D.C. (East). • The Elite Eight follows Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, setting up the Final Four in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4 and 6, with the championship game on Monday, April 6. • The tournament features 16 teams advancing from the first and second rounds, competing for the right to advance through regionals to the national semifinals and title game.

• The second round of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament wrapped on March 22 across sites including Oklahoma City, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, Portland, and St. Louis. • Notable action included a potential buzzer-beater rimming out in Nebraska-Vanderbilt's frantic finish, heightening bracket drama. • Sweet 16 games begin Thursday, March 26, leading to regionals in Houston, San Jose, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., with Final Four on April 4-6 in Indianapolis.

• The 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament entered its first round on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, with games hosted across multiple venues including Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Portland. • First-round matchups are scheduled for March 19 and 21 in Oklahoma City and Portland, while March 20 and 22 games take place in Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis, with teams competing for advancement to the second round. • The tournament follows Selection Sunday on March 15, with the First Four play-in games held on March 17-18, setting the stage for the 68-team competition.

• Celebrities turning ages today include Bruce Willis, Glenn Close, Theo Von, rapper Bun B at 53, actress Caylee Cowan at 28, and actor Garrett Clayton at 35. • Bun B, half of UGK duo, is a Southern hip-hop icon, Rice University lecturer, and Trill Burgers entrepreneur. • Caylee Cowan starred in Sunrise in Heaven and Willy's Wonderland, overcoming dyslexia and speech impediment before acting.

• House Committee on Appropriations convenes multiple subcommittees on March 26, 2026, covering agriculture, homeland security, financial services, labor, health, and commerce. • Hearings include Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration at 10:00 AM in Rayburn HOB 2362-A. • Sessions address critical budget areas amid ongoing fiscal deliberations for federal agencies.

• 2026 NCAA Men's March Madness First Four games occurred on March 17-18 following team selections on March 15, with first round set for March 19-20. • Regionals include Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, and Philadelphia for early rounds; East Regional in Washington, D.C., Final Four April 4-6 in Indianapolis. • Tournament progresses to championship on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium, drawing massive national attention.

• The EPA issued a final rule on February 27, 2026, adding sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS-Na) to the list of chemicals subject to toxic chemical release reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. • The rule implements a mandate from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 and requires reporting for chemicals subject to the Pollution Prevention Act beginning with reporting year 2026. • The final rule becomes effective March 30, 2026, and the EPA determined notice-and-comment rulemaking was unnecessary as the action conforms regulations to Congressional legislative mandate.

• The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released its March 2026 Report to Congress on March 12, 2026, with primary recommendations focused on home and community-based services (HCBS) workforce challenges. • The report recommends that states be required to report hourly wages paid to HCBS workers to better align payment rates with frontline compensation and enable cross-state wage comparisons. • The report also examines behavioral health in Medicaid, the Medicaid Expansion Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicaid's role for justice-involved youth, and coverage for children in foster care.

• Comtech Telecommunications Corp., a U.S.-based provider of satellite, NG911, and cloud-native tech, will release Q2 fiscal 2026 results after market close on March 16, 2026. • Leadership will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET, with live webcast on comtech.com and dial-in options including (800) 225-9448. • Replay available through March 30 via (800) 839-1198, covering operations, trends in mission-critical communications for government and commercial clients.

• MultiState released its March 15, 2026 chart tracking legislative deadlines, with sessions starting January 6 in Vermont and February 9 in Wyoming. • 23 states allow bill carryover between 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 sessions, while 27 require new introductions each year. • Key deadlines include Florida's January 13 bill filing and California's February 20 cutoff; Virginia ends regular session March 14 with veto session April 22.

• U.S. Treasury issued its March 2026 congressional report under the 2025 GENIUS Act on innovative technologies countering illicit finance in digital assets and stablecoins. • Report addresses mixers, tumblers, and obfuscation services on distributed ledgers, proposing frameworks aligned with administration priorities on privacy and regulatory burden. • Builds on 2021 AML Act and BSA authorities for AML/CFT programs, information sharing among financial institutions, and modernizing rules against money laundering and terrorism financing.

• NCAA Men's Tournament bracket reveal airs March 15 at 6 p.m. CBS, following conference title games. • First Four games begin March 17-18; First Round March 19-20, culminating in Final Four April 4-6 at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium. • 11 automatic bids awarded March 14 via conference tournaments; at-large selections finalize field of 68.

Sports betting on March Madness 2026 games has surged 35% year-over-year, driven by expanded legal markets in 38 states, but experts warn of risks to underage bettors. NCAA reported over $2.5 billion in wagers during opening rounds, with a 25% increase among 18-24-year-olds. 'We're seeing addiction signs in college students,' said researcher Dr. Lia Nower. Regulators urge stricter age verification as tournaments progress to semifinals.

The latest in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time series is out this month, along with a speculative retelling of Moby-Dick and a forgotten classic from 1936

A new book from Rebecca Solnit, promising to bring us hope in these “difficult times”, is among our pick of popular science titles out this month – along with a guide on how to talk to AI, and a look at modern warfare