India and the United States are preparing to open formal discussions this week on a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement, taking advantage of a 90-day pause in escalating tariffs. The two nations, long-standing economic and strategic partners, are moving to resolve trade tensions and explore deeper commercial engagement at a time when global trade is under pressure from protectionist trends and economic uncertainty. The initial discussions will be conducted virtually, with officials from both

India’s annual retail inflation rate eased to 3.34% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This marks the fifth consecutive month of decline and falls below the 3.61% recorded in February, offering significant relief to policymakers and consumers alike. The main factor contributing to this moderation is the continued softening of food prices, which make up a large portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food inflation dr

The City of Dallas has revealed that a miscalculation in commercial remodel permit fees has resulted in a significant financial shortfall, costing the city approximately $8.6 million. The error was disclosed during a recent Economic Development Committee meeting and has prompted urgent calls for reform to prevent further losses. The issue stems from an internal mistake following the adoption of a new permit fee structure introduced in spring 2024. According to the Planning and Development Dep

Artificial intelligence (AI) is on track to become one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century, with its market value expected to surge to $4.8 trillion by 2033, nearly the size of Germany’s economy. This staggering growth, as outlined by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is set to drive productivity gains and contribute significantly to digital transformation across industries. However, this anticipated boom raises serious concerns, pa

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is at the center of a major political storm as it is set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today amid mounting opposition from the INDIA bloc. The bill, intended to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, is being promoted by the government as a long-overdue reform aimed at improving the administration and efficiency of waqf property management. However, critics argue that several of its provisions threaten the very autonomy of Muslim religious endowments, making it a dee

  In the early months of 2025, U.S. consumer spending on air travel, hotels, and restaurants saw a notable decline, signaling a shift in spending habits amid economic uncertainty. According to data from Bloomberg Second Measure, U.S. consumer spending on air travel dropped by 10% in February 2025, while spending on hotels decreased by 6%, compared to the same time last year. In addition, restaurant spending saw a 3.5% decrease, further highlighting

Google is set to collaborate with Taiwan's MediaTek to develop the next generation of its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which are expected to launch next year. This strategic move signifies a shift in Google’s approach to AI chip development, although the tech giant will continue working with its current chip partner, Broadcom. According to a report by The Information, Google’s partnership with MediaTek is largely driven by cost efficiency and MediaTek’s stron

The Income Tax Department has issued a crucial reminder for taxpayers regarding the final instalment of advance tax for the financial year 2024-25. As per the official directive, taxpayers must clear their advance tax dues by March 15, 2025, to ensure compliance with Indian tax laws. Timely payment of advance tax not only prevents interest penalties but also contributes to the government's efforts towards economic growth, supporting the ‘Viksit Bharat Movement’ aimed at making

In a dramatic turn of events, the Andhra Pradesh MLC election witnessed what is now being described as one of the costliest nomination filings in the state's political history. This extraordinary development unfolded during the nomination process of BJP candidate Somu Veerraju, which involved multiple complications, last-minute approvals, and two special flights to ensure the documentation was completed before the deadline.   The Nomination Crisis

The latest round of tariff hikes by US President Donald Trump has triggered immediate countermeasures from Canada, China, and Mexico, escalating tensions in global trade. Beginning Tuesday, the US is imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada while also raising tariffs on all Chinese imports from 10% to 20%. In response, these nations have announced their own economic retaliations, signaling a sharp rise in trade disputes.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese officia

Nine months after the formation of the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, the state is showing a strong economic turnaround. The latest fiscal survey presented in the Assembly highlights that Andhra Pradesh has recorded a 12.94% growth in fiscal management, a clear indication of recovery from the previous administration’s economic downturn. The progress is primarily driven by agriculture, industrial development, and energy production, reflecting the effectiveness of new policies focused

Apple CEO Tim Cook has sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts with a cryptic teaser hinting at the launch of a new MacBook Air. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Cook shared a short video with the phrase, “There’s something in the air,” along with the caption, “this week.” The phrase echoes Apple’s tagline from the launch of the first MacBook Air in 2008, strongly indicating that a refreshed MacBook Air is on the horizon.  

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump's latest tariffs, calling them “an act of war” and warning about their economic impact. In an interview with CBS on Sunday, Buffett argued that tariffs function as a tax on consumers and ultimately drive up prices.“Tariffs are actually—we've had a lot of experience with them—they're an act of war, to some degree,” Buffett said. He added that consumers, not fore

India and the European Union (EU) have set a year-end deadline to finalize a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA), marking a crucial milestone in their bilateral trade relations. The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in New Delhi to strengthen India-EU economic and strategic ties.The trade agreement, under negotiation for several years, aims to expand economic cooperation, boost trade, and enhance market access b

The World Bank has advised India to lower import tariffs, ease regulatory restrictions, and simplify trade processes to enhance its global trade competitiveness and attract foreign investment. In a report released on Friday titled the Economic Memorandum on India, the World Bank highlighted that high trade costs caused by import tariffs on intermediate and capital goods, as well as non-tariff barriers, are limiting India's participation in global value chains (GVCs).The report emphasized

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its latest bulletin released on February 19, stated that the tax cuts in the Union Budget 2025, along with moderating inflation, are expected to provide financial relief to the middle class and boost overall household spending. This announcement comes after the February Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, where the newly appointed RBI Governor, Sanjay Malhotra, emphasized the positive economic impact of the tax relief measur

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Guntur Mirchi Yard has stirred a political debate, with accusations of violating the election code ahead of the MLC elections. The Election Commission had reportedly denied permission for the interaction, but Jagan and his party leaders proceeded with the visit, drawing attention to what they claim is the AP government’s failure to ensure fair prices for chilli farmers.Jagan, accompanied by a l

On Monday, the Germany Women’s Hockey Team arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, India, for their upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 matches. The team, led by co-captains Linnea Wiedemann and Sarah Strauss, will face Spain on February 15 and 16, followed by a crucial matchup against hosts India on February 21 and 22 at the Kalinga Stadium. After finishing as runners-up in last season’s Pro League behind the Netherlands, Germany has struggled for form th

In February 2025, US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 30-day pause on tariffs against Mexico and Canada brought a brief sense of relief to global markets. The decision helped prevent a potential escalation of a full-blown trade war, with US equity futures and international markets responding positively. However, concerns linger about the long-term effects of tariffs on industries such as automotive, semiconductor, consumer goods, e-commerce, and green energy.  

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's push for a nationwide caste census has sparked mixed reactions, particularly in Telangana and Karnataka, where caste surveys have triggered demands for greater political and social reforms.In Telangana, the results of the state's caste survey revealed that Backward Classes (BCs) make up 46.25% of the population, making them the largest social group. The survey's findings have led to calls for increased reservations for BCs, particularly in the upcomi