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 National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced major updates to the RuPay Debit Select Card, offering enhanced lifestyle benefits in fitness, travel, wellness, and entertainment. These new features will be effective from April 1, 2025, providing cardholders with complimentary airport lounge access, gym memberships, spa sessions, OTT subscriptions, and accident insurance coverage.RuPay Debit Select was introduced as a premium debit card offering exclusive privileges. In a circ

Technicolor India, a leading visual effects (VFX) and animation studio, has announced the closure of its operations in Bengaluru and Mumbai, affecting 3,200 employees. The decision is part of a global shutdown by its parent company, Technicolor Group, headquartered in Paris.This sudden move has left thousands of employees in distress, particularly in Bengaluru, where nearly 3,000 professionals were employed. The closure marks a significant blow to India's VFX and animation industry, which

The battle between OpenAI and Meta in the artificial intelligence space has intensified with Meta’s announcement of a standalone AI assistant app. Following reports that Meta AI will soon have its own dedicated app, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) to react with a playful yet intriguing response.Altman reshared the CNBC report about Meta AI’s expansion and jokingly wrote, "ok fine maybe we'll do a social app." He later added another remark referenci

Meta is preparing to launch a standalone app for its AI assistant, Meta AI, which will join its existing suite of apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. According to sources familiar with the development, the app is expected to debut in the second quarter of 2024, marking a significant expansion of Meta AI beyond its current integrations.Meta AI was first introduced in September 2023 as a generative AI-powered assistant embedded into Meta’s platforms, enabling users to gener

Google has announced another round of job cuts, this time affecting employees in its People Operations (HR) and Cloud divisions. The move is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations, reallocate resources, and focus more heavily on artificial intelligence development. This restructuring follows Google's commitment to investing heavily in AI infrastructure while simultaneously seeking cost efficiencies across different business units.According to a report by CNBC, Google has laun

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has made headlines with the launch of a bold new feature in its Grok 3 model: an uncensored AI voice interaction mode that allows users to engage in conversations with various personalities, some of which push the boundaries of ethical AI. Unlike other AI companies that impose strict content moderation, xAI is taking an open-ended approach, providing users with an experience that is largely unfiltered. This move has sparked excitement am

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed strong reservations about the claims of normalcy in the Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370. Speaking at a media event in Delhi, Abdullah stated that the current situation in Kashmir is not organic but imposed through fear. He pointed out that while the government insists that peace and stability have improved since the revocation of special status, the actions taken by authorities suggest otherwise.One of

The Indian stock market is going through one of its worst phases in nearly three decades, with the Nifty 50 slipping 15% from its September peak. This marks its longest losing streak in 29 years, causing investor wealth to shrink by more than ₹90 lakh crore. On Friday, Nifty lost over 400 points, and the Sensex plunged by 1,400 points, sending shockwaves through Dalal Street.Investors are increasingly concerned about foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows, small- and mid-cap stock de

A massive avalanche struck Badrinath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, leaving 47 workers trapped near Mana village. The workers, who were engaged in clearing snow for army movement, were caught in the disaster when a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp was hit.Rescue operations are underway, with the Indian Army, ITBP, and Garhwal Scouts actively working to save those trapped under the snow. Ten workers have been rescued and moved to an army camp in Mana for medical attention. Howeve

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the final stages of electing its new national president, with the decision expected to be announced by March 15, 2025. The position became vacant after JP Nadda was elevated to a Union ministerial role, prompting a keenly contested leadership race within the party. The BJP’s national leadership is working towards selecting a strong candidate capable of guiding the party through the next five years, as it prepares for crucial state and national elec

The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has presented a record-breaking budget for the financial year 2025-26. With an overall outlay of ₹3.22 lakh crore, this is the first time in the state's history that the budget has surpassed the ₹3 lakh crore mark. Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav introduced the budget in the Andhra Pradesh assembly, outlining major allocations aimed at boosting welfare programs, infrastructure, agriculture, and social developmen

The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a firm stand against drug peddling by introducing stringent measures under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This move comes after growing concerns regarding unchecked drug trafficking in the state during the previous administration. With the NDA-led government now in power, the authorities have made it a priority to curb the rampant drug menace that had reportedly flourished in recent years. One of the significant steps in this

Hyderabad, February 28, 2025 – Telugu actor and politician Posani Krishna Murali has been arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police following multiple complaints regarding his alleged derogatory remarks against political leaders and communal statements. The arrest took place at his residence in Hyderabad on February 26, 2025, at approximately 8:45 PM. He was subsequently taken to the Obulavaripalli police station in Annamayya district for interrogation.According to reports, Posani made prov

Choosing between a fixed and floating interest rate for a home loan is a crucial financial decision. Both options come with advantages and risks, and selecting the best one depends on your financial goals, market trends, and risk appetite. A fixed rate offers stability, while a floating rate provides flexibility and potential savings. Understanding the differences between these loan types will help you make an informed decision based on your repayment capacity and future market expectations.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the subject-wise schedule for CUET PG 2025, with a record 4,12,024 candidates registered across 157 subjects. This year, the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduates (CUET PG) will be held from March 13 to April 1, 2025, in a computer-based test (CBT) format. The exam will take place across 43 shifts, with each day divided into three different slots.   CUET PG 2025 Exam Timings

The Trump administration has announced a new measure requiring undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to register with the federal government. The mandatory registry, enforced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), applies to all individuals aged 14 and older who do not have legal status in the country. Those who fail to comply could face fines, imprisonment, or deportation.This move is part of the administration’s broader crackd

As an 18-year-old Harvard freshman, Bill Gates had multiple job offers from major tech companies like General Electric, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), and Honeywell. While these offers boosted his confidence, Gates acknowledges that accepting any of them could have altered the course of his life—potentially delaying or even preventing the creation of Microsoft, which is now a $3 trillion tech giant.Gates details this pivotal phase of his life in his new memoir, Source Code, publis

A Forbes report on billionaire immigrants who started their journey in the U.S. on an H-1B visa highlights a few notable Indian entrepreneurs. Among them, Raj Sardana, the founder and CEO of Innova Solutions, stands out for building a $2 billion fortune from scratch.   Early Life and Struggles in India Born in Delhi in 1960 to Punjabi parents, Raj Sardana grew up in a modest household. His family, displaced during the 1947 partition, lived in

Lahore: Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has set his sights on another massive victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as his team prepares to take on world champions Australia in their final group-stage match on Friday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.Coming off a thrilling eight-run victory over England, Afghanistan eliminated the defending champions from the tournament and strengthened their semi-final hopes. A win against Australia would guarantee Afghanistan a historic place i