Sandy Spring Friends School, a long-standing independent Quaker institution in Montgomery County, Maryland, announced on Monday that it will permanently close at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. The school’s leadership, including Board of Trustees members and top administrators, shared the difficult news in a letter addressed to families, faculty, students, and the local community. In the letter, school officials cited an unsustainable financial situation as the drivi

A growing clash between academic independence and federal oversight has erupted into a full-scale standoff after the Trump administration announced a freeze on over $2 billion in federal grants to Harvard University. The decision comes after the Ivy League institution firmly rejected a list of sweeping federal demands, including audits of student viewpoints and the dismantling of diversity and inclusion programs. On Monday night, the administration's Joint Task Force to Combat

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a new initiative to connect more directly with the public by launching an official WhatsApp channel. This development is part of the central bank’s broader commitment to enhancing public awareness and making important financial and banking information accessible to every citizen, particularly those in rural and semi-urban areas who might not have regular access to official websites or traditional media. The initiative falls under the RBI&rs

In a heartfelt effort to ease the burden of rising living costs, a Jersey City gas station will be offering a generous giveaway this weekend that is expected to draw hundreds of locals. Tom Critelli’s Sunoco station, located at 465 Grand Street in Jersey City, is giving away $30 in free gasoline to the first 500 vehicles as part of a special event dubbed “Fueling the Community.” The giveaway will begin promptly at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, and it will operate on a first-come, firs

  After over two decades in the health and wellness industry, Modere has officially announced it is closing its operations. The direct-to-consumer brand, which once had a significant presence in markets across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, shared a heartfelt farewell with its community, expressing gratitude for the support and loyalty of its customer base throughout the years. Founded 23 years ago, Modere built its identity around offering clean-label

Austin Independent School District (AISD) is facing mounting pressure from both performance and leadership crises as parents, students, and community members raise concerns about the future of local campuses. Thursday night’s board meeting revealed deep-seated challenges within the district, including the uncertain status of Dobie Middle School and the sudden resignation of a principal at a renowned all-girls school. One of the most pressing concerns is Dobie Middle School, wh

In a significant show of confidence, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm, has emerged as the biggest investor in the Adani Group’s $750 million private bond issuance, taking on approximately one-third of the allocation. The investment, made through a private placement with a 3–5 year tenure, marks BlackRock’s debut in India's infrastructure-focused private bond space. Sources with direct knowledge revealed that BlackRock’s participation in th

As the holiday season approaches, the traditional hustle and bustle inside China’s Christmas product factories is strikingly absent this year. Long the workshop of the world when it comes to festive goods—from plastic pine trees to twinkling LED lights—these factories now face grim prospects due to the United States’ sudden and steep import tariffs. President Donald Trump’s recent escalation of trade tensions, with a 104% tariff slapped on Chinese imports, has effec

The University of Texas at Austin has announced the immediate termination of its Flags program, a cornerstone of its graduation requirements for the past two decades. The university will replace it with a skills-based educational model designed to better align with workforce demands, student flexibility, and public scrutiny around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Flags program required undergraduates to complete coursework in cultural diversity, global cultures, ethics,

Efforts to halt the long-discussed Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail project have returned to the Texas state legislature, reigniting a decade-long battle over one of the most ambitious transportation proposals in the state’s history. The Texas Central Railway project, which aims to connect Houston and Dallas in under 90 minutes using Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train technology, is once again under scrutiny in Austin, where lawmakers are advancing bills aimed at limiting or complet

A growing wave of visa cancellations is sweeping through international student communities in the United States, raising alarm among students, universities, and civil rights advocates. According to a report by the Associated Press, international students—especially those from India—are facing heightened scrutiny, with some losing their student visas over issues as minor as traffic violations or social media activity. In a troubling shift, several top US universities including Harvard

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu continues to strengthen his reputation as a development-oriented leader by aligning state priorities with national strategic interests. As part of the broader vision of progress and security, Andhra Pradesh is now set to host one of India’s most ambitious defense projects — a new naval base near Visakhapatnam that will house nuclear submarines and advanced warships. This major defense initiative is being developed under Project Varsha and is poi

Amid growing unrest over the Supreme Court’s decision to cancel the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff recruited through the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has publicly pledged her support for the affected individuals. Speaking at Netaji Indoor Stadium to a large gathering of dismissed teachers, Banerjee criticized the judgment, questioned the rationale behind the blanket dismissal, and drew comparisons with

For ambitious students who aspire to work at the world’s top companies, the University of Bath School of Management offers an ideal launchpad. Known for its rigorous academics, global outlook, and real-world learning experience, this prestigious UK business school is helping students transition from the classroom to boardrooms across the globe. Graduates from the School of Management are now working with globally admired companies such as Apple, Deloitte, PwC, Samsung, Amazon, and Goldman

Swiggy, the popular online food and grocery delivery platform, is facing new tax troubles with a total tax demand of over Rs 165 crore for the financial year 2021-22. The first of the two orders was issued by the Profession Tax Officer in Pune, Maharashtra, demanding Rs 7.59 crore. This order alleges that Swiggy failed to properly deduct profession tax from its employees' salaries, which is required under the Maharashtra State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings & Employments Act, 1975.

Bangkok, April 4 — At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled several bold proposals aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, economic integration, and disaster resilience among the seven member nations of BIMSTEC—India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. UPI Integration Across BIMSTEC In a major push toward financial connectivity, PM Modi proposed linking India’s UPI (Unified Pa

Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent remarks questioning the direction of India’s startup ecosystem have sparked a wave of reactions from prominent startup leaders and tech entrepreneurs. While addressing an audience, Goyal questioned whether Indian startups are merely focused on "dukaandari"—running shops—by prioritizing delivery services, fantasy sports, and betting platforms, as opposed to Chinese startups that are innovating in areas like electric vehicle

In a noteworthy development signaling the economic progress of Andhra Pradesh, the state has recorded its highest monthly Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in nearly a year. The GST revenue generated in the state for the month of March 2025 has reached an impressive ₹3116 crore, breaking past the ₹3000 crore milestone for the first time in the last 11 months. This also marks an 8.35 percent year-on-year growth compared to March of the previous year, indicating an upward trend in tax

Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity—but without smart financial planning, it can become overwhelming. Here’s a detailed guide with practical tips to help you manage your money wisely, so you can focus on your education and enjoy your global experience stress-free.   1. Build a Realistic Budget and Track It Religiously Start by listing your monthly income (scholarships, family support, part-time work) and break down your expense

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a financial trail connecting billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros’s Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) to Indian entities operating in the NGO sector, sparking serious questions about potential violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and foreign direct investment (FDI) norms. The revelations, based on detailed investigations, have triggered fresh scrutiny over the methods used to funnel foreign fun