India's foreign exchange reserves saw an increase to $658.1 billion for the week ending November 29, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This rise followed an eight-week decline, with a $1.5 billion increase from the previous week. In comparison, the reserves had dropped by $1.31 billion in the prior week, reaching $656.58 billion. Foreign investors have invested Rs 1.75 lakh crore into India's debt and equity markets in 2024. However, the month of November witness

The Indian rupee ended the trading session stronger after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to keep the benchmark interest rates unchanged, while unveiling measures aimed at improving liquidity in the banking system. The domestic currency gained 3 paise, closing at 84.70 against the US dollar, compared to 84.73 in the previous session. As part of the monetary policy changes, the RBI raised the interest rate ceiling on one-year Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits by 200 basis p

Oil prices have shown remarkable stability, remaining in a narrow range since mid-October, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fluctuating around $70 per barrel. This rangebound trend has been characterized by a significant drop in volatility, with recent levels at their lowest since August. Despite ongoing geopolitical risks, such as the tensions between Iran and Israel and the potential impacts of a second Donald Trump presidency, traders have remained cautious. The market's curren

In response to growing concerns over liquor shops charging more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for bottled liquor, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced strict corrective measures. A new Government Order (G.O.) has been released, which imposes a fine of Rs 5 lakh for the first offense if liquor stores are found violating MRP regulations. The government aims to ensure that consumers are not charged unfair prices and that liquor sales are conducted with transparency. The n

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to maintain the status quo on the benchmark repo rate at 6.5% in its upcoming meeting from December 4 to 6. Despite India's GDP growth slowing to 5.4% in the July-September quarter, economists suggest that inflation concerns will likely take precedence, making a rate cut unlikely in December. Retail inflation rose to 6.2% in October, exceeding the RBI’s target range of 2-6%. Though a repo rate cu

In a recent initiative to transform Andhra Pradesh into a technology hub, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu introduced a comprehensive new IT policy designed to promote Deep-Tech and Artificial Intelligence. During a review meeting, Naidu revealed plans to build an iconic Deep-Technology structure in Amaravati, aimed at harnessing the latest advancements in technology. The state government also announced a seed funding scheme under the Start-Up Policy to support SCs, STs, BCs, minorities, a

A major legal battle is unfolding as Gautam Adani, the Indian business magnate, and several of his associates face a $265 million bribery charge in the United States. This indictment, which also implicates his nephew Sagar Adani and executives from an Indian renewable-energy company, is raising significant questions about the extraterritorial application of US laws, especially since those involved do not reside in the US. Prominent Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra highlighted the

The 1990 Immigration Act brought significant changes to the H-1B visa program and employment-based green cards, imposing caps of 65,000 and 140,000 annually, respectively. These restrictions were implemented without considering the growing demand for skilled labor fueled by technological advancements. The arbitrary cap on H-1B visas quickly became insufficient as more than 70% of graduate students in tech fields at US universities were international students. In response to the escalat

Donald Trump’s presidential appointments of Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz mark a decisive shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to China. Rubio, tapped as Secretary of State, and Waltz, named National Security Advisor, represent a hawkish approach to international relations, one that sharply contrasts with

Donald Trump’s recent vow to stop renewable energy projects, particularly offshore wind farms, on the first day of his potential presidency has raised alarm bells across the clean energy sector. In a statement that shocked industry leaders, Trump promised to “make sure that ends on day one,” referring to the offshore wind farms that are seen as a key component of the Biden administration’s green energy agenda. The pledge sent ripple effects through the stock market, wi

The possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House in 2024 raises important questions about the future of India-US relations. A second Trump presidency could bring significant shifts across several key areas, including trade, immigration, military cooperation, and broader diplomatic engagement. During his first term, Trump’s “America First” agenda and his transactional approach to foreign policy led to major policy changes such as tariffs on foreign goods

In a notable shift in immigration policy, Canada has decided to cut its immigration targets significantly, responding to increasing public concerns regarding the impact of new arrivals on housing and resources. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the government will lower its immigration goals from a planned 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025 to 395,000 for 2025 and 380,000 for 2026. This decision follows a recent survey indicating that a majority of Canadians now believe the co

During a compelling interview at the  World Summit, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar shed light on the deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Canada, which have faced significant strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations regarding India's involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar criticized what he termed "double standards" in diplomatic treatment, noting that while Canadian diplomat

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his displeasure regarding the rising complaints about the implementation of the new sand policy in Andhra Pradesh, particularly concerning the availability of sand and the high transportation charges associated with it. In light of these issues, the Mining Department has made a crucial adjustment to the policy. Effective immediately, citizens are now permitted to collect free sand from their nearest reaches and fulfillment points using

As of October 16, the long-anticipated liquor policy of the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has officially launched, marking a significant shift in how liquor is sold in the state. Under this new policy, all liquor shops have been privatized, ensuring that only quality liquor will be sold, alongside the introduction of digital payment options, replacing the cash-only system that was prevalent under the previous YCP government. In an impressive start, new license holders have contri

The government of Andhra Pradesh has reached a significant milestone in implementing its new liquor policy. The issuance of liquor licenses has been finalized, generating a remarkable ₹1,797.64 crore in revenue for the state. The government invited tenders for the existing 3,396 liquor outlets across AP, resulting in an astonishing 89,882 applications. Each tender application cost ₹2 lakh, with

In a significant move, the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has initiated steps to overturn the controversial liquor policy implemented by former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Under Jagan's regime, all liquor shops were government-run, leading to widespread complaints about poor-quality liquor, inflated prices, and a cash-only payment policy. Starting from October 1 to 9, tenders will be invited for

On Thursday, the government revealed a significant increase in minimum wage rates through the revision of the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), aiming to assist workers in managing the rising cost of living. This adjustment will particularly benefit those in the unorganised sector, including workers involved in construction, loading and unloading, cleaning, housekeeping, mining, and agriculture within central sphere establishments. The revised wage rates will be implemented startin

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced a strategic move to reduce the number of international study permits granted to foreign students, aiming to curb the rising population of temporary residents in the country. As part of this initiative, the government will decrease the number of study permits by 35% this year, with plans for an additional 10% cut next year. This decision underscores the government's intent to crack down on abuses of the immigration system.

Elon Musk's latest generation of Starlink satellites is raising significant concerns among Dutch scientists, who argue that the rapid expansion of these satellites is severely interfering with astronomical research. Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) have reported that thousands of Starlink satellites are "blinding" radio telescopes, complicating the collection of clean data essential for understanding the universe. While Starlink sat