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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

After months out of the spotlight, former President Joe Biden returned to the national stage with a blistering critique of the current administration’s handling of Social Security and the deepening divide in American politics. Addressing a crowd of policy advocates and community leaders, Biden warned of sweeping staff reductions at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and accused the White House of undermining a foundational institution that millions of Americans rely on. Biden&rs

 As spring unfolds in Chicago, the cherry blossoms in Jackson Park have reached their peak, offering a breathtaking display of pink and white hues. Located just south of the Museum of Science and Industry, the approximately 190 cherry trees surrounding the Columbia Basin are in full bloom, attracting visitors from across the region. These trees, planted in 2013 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the World’s Columbian Exposition, have become a seasonal highlight on Chicago's S

Millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies should prepare for an especially difficult spring in 2025, as medical experts warn that this year’s allergy season is shaping up to be one of the worst on record. With pollen counts already registering 10% to 20% higher than average in many regions, doctors are urging allergy sufferers to act early and take proactive steps to manage their symptoms. Climate and environmental changes have been steadily reshaping allergy

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

A controversial proposal by Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism from constitutional scholars, legal analysts, and civil rights advocates after he suggested that U.S. citizens convicted of crimes should be deported to foreign countries, including El Salvador. The idea, mentioned during a recent meeting with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, has been widely condemned as unconstitutional and without legal basis under existing immigration law. Trump, during his remarks, focused

A devastating small aircraft crash in New York state has claimed the lives of a prominent Indian-origin surgeon, her husband who was piloting the aircraft, and four other family members. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday when a Mitsubishi MU2B plane, en route to Columbia County Airport from Westchester Airport, went down during a second landing attempt. The accident occurred approximately 200 kilometers from New York City, close to the Massachusetts border. The deceased have been i

In a significant policy shift, the United States government has implemented a rule mandating that all foreign nationals residing in the country for more than 30 days must register with federal authorities. This measure, rooted in historical legislation, has been revived and is now being enforced with renewed vigor. The rule stipulates that non-citizens aged 14 and above must submit their personal information, including fingerprints and residential addresses, to the U.S. Citizenshi

In a ruling that could significantly influence the tax liabilities of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) investing in Indian mutual funds, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Mumbai bench, has determined that capital gains earned by NRIs on the redemption of mutual fund units are not taxable in India. This decision was delivered in a case involving a Singapore-based NRI who had declared short-term capital gains from mutual fund investments but claimed exemption under the Double Taxation Avoidance

In a tragic discovery over the weekend, the Lewisville Fire Department’s dive team recovered a body from Copperas Branch Lake, located just west of I-35E. According to the Lewisville Police Department, the recovery occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday. The deceased individual is believed to be the driver involved in a single-vehicle crash that happened early Saturday morning. The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m. Saturday near the 2900 block of the northbound lanes of I

A quiet Sunday morning in Northwest Austin turned into chaos and devastation after a powerful house explosion shook the Double Spur Loop neighborhood just before noon on April 13. According to the Austin Fire Department, the two-story home was completely leveled by the blast, and the effects of the explosion were felt and seen miles away. Initial emergency calls came in around 11:30 a.m., with witnesses reporting a massive boom and visible smoke plumes. Emergency crews arr

A devastating helicopter crash that claimed six lives in New York has prompted swift action from federal authorities, with the Federal Aviation Administration announcing the immediate shutdown of the operator, New York Helicopter Tours. The decision came just days after a sightseeing helicopter carrying a pilot and a Spanish family of five broke apart midair and plummeted into the Hudson River, leaving no survivors. The crash occurred Thursday during what was intended to b

Ray Dalio, billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates and one of the world’s most closely followed investors, has issued a stark warning that the United States could be on the verge of something far more severe than a typical recession. His concerns are rooted not in speculation, but in a detailed analysis of macroeconomic trends, fiscal policy decisions, and geopolitical tensions that he believes are combining to create an economic environment that could result in significant long-term

As immigration concerns and political unpredictability in the United States intensify, Britain—particularly London—is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for not only global travellers and academics but also for vibrant artistic talent. Recent trends highlight a noticeable drop in the number of British citizens traveling to the US, while simultaneously showcasing a surge in visibility and success of Indian-origin actors on the West End stage The drop in Briti

In a sweeping change to US immigration enforcement, a new federal mandate now requires all immigrants—including legal visa holders and permanent residents—to carry valid identification at all times while in the United States. This directive, which came into effect on April 11, has sparked significant discussion among immigrant communities and legal experts, particularly those affected, such as H-1B workers, F-1 student visa holders, and Green Card recipients. The polic

Washington, D.C. comes alive each April with a celebration that merges historical reflection and community pride: Emancipation Day. This uniquely local holiday marks the day in 1862 when slavery was officially abolished in the District of Columbia, preceding the national Emancipation Proclamation by nine months. The significance of this day continues to resonate deeply among D.C. residents, who come together to celebrate the progress made since that turning point in history while acknowledgin

 China has indicated a willingness to address India’s rising concerns over a ballooning trade deficit that is projected to touch a record $100 billion in the financial year 2024–25. This development comes as China seeks to offset its economic challenges amid intensifying trade friction with the United States. People familiar with the situation have said that Beijing has informally conveyed its openness to increasing imports from India by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers,

In yet another setback to India’s rapidly growing digital economy, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) services across the country suffered a major disruption on Saturday morning. This marks the third significant outage in less than a month, severely impacting users and businesses who rely on the platform for quick and seamless financial transactions. Saturday’s outage left countless users stranded, unable to send or receive money through popular UPI-enabled apps such