In a bold and unexpected move, the President of the United States has announced a 50 percent tariff on all imports from Brazil. The announcement deviated from usual trade policy rhetoric and was directly linked to the ongoing prosecution of Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro. The President emphasized that the tariff decision was not based on trade deficits or economic concerns but was instead a response to what he termed an unfair legal attack on Bolsonaro, who he described as a person

  Santa Clara County’s expansive public hospital system, the second largest in California, is now facing a financial crisis as sweeping federal budget cuts threaten to erase over $1 billion in vital revenue over the next few years. Just months after the county celebrated the expansion of its health system with the acquisition of Regional Medical Center in East San Jose, leaders now confront a bleak future triggered by President Donald Trump’s recent signing of H.R.

Paying income tax every year can be burdensome for many, but did you know that, under the new tax rules, you may qualify to pay zero tax? The latest updates in India’s tax policies provide an opportunity for taxpayers to reduce their tax liabilities, potentially to zero, with proper planning. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s 2025 Budget announcement revealed a significant change in the tax system that could benefit many taxpayers. Here’s

Central government employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting the official announcement of a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR), which is expected to be implemented from July 2025. While the DA rates are revised twice a year effective from January 1 and July 1 the official announcements usually come months later, typically around the festive season in September or October. Expected

President Donald Trump has triggered a new wave of international trade tension by announcing that the United States will impose steep import tariffs on 14 countries starting August 1. The new tariffs, set at a minimum of 25 percent, will affect both rivals and close allies, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, unless trade agreements are finalized before the deadline. This marks one of the most aggressive trade policy shifts under Trump’s renewed administration and represe

If you're a tenant paying more than ₹50,000 in monthly rent, you could be sitting on a potential tax penalty without realizing it. As per Section 194-IB of the Income Tax Act, even salaried individuals not just business entities are required to deduct 2% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) from the rent and deposit it with the government. This provision applies to anyone paying high-value rent and is often overlooked, leading to costly mistakes.

California families who rely on food assistance and other social safety nets may soon find themselves without critical support as the federal government moves forward with sweeping cuts to key programs. A Senate-backed budget reconciliation bill now under consideration in the House would slash $186 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next ten years, representing the largest funding cut in the history of the program. Know

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on certain items, including cigarettes, carbonated drinks, and luxury cars, may soon see a hike, according to government sources. This change is being considered as part of a proposal to replace the existing compensation cess with a new health and green cess, aimed at promoting sustainability and addressing health concerns. Currently, items like cigarettes, carbonated drinks, an

The US dollar is undergoing an unprecedented decline in 2025, losing its long-held status as the world's most reliable safe-haven currency. The steep fall is being driven by investor panic over erratic and unfunded economic policies, ballooning national debt, and an erosion of confidence in the country's financial institutions. As a result, global markets are experiencing turbulence not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. At the heart of the crisis are a series of unpred

As the July 9 deadline approaches, India and the United States are engaged in crucial extended negotiations to finalize an interim trade agreement. The urgency behind these talks stems from the looming reimplementation of 26% reciprocal tariffs, which were initially imposed several years ago and temporarily suspended for 90 days. Should the two nations fail to reach an agreement by the deadline, these tariffs will automatically return, potentially destabilizing the trade relationship between the

Washington: As the US Senate prepares for a crucial vote on President Donald Trump's ambitious tax and immigration legislation, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has launched a scathing attack on the proposal. Nicknamed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" by Trump, the legislation seeks to extend expiring tax cuts, expand military spending, and fund mass deportation efforts. However, it has sparked fierce criticism for threatening to slash social welfare programs while ballooning the

Starting July 1, 2025, several important changes in the financial sector will come into effect, impacting individual taxpayers, bank customers, and railway travelers. These changes include new regulations for Aadhaar-PAN linking, increased banking fees, and adjustments in railway ticket prices. Below are some of the key updates that individuals should be aware of: Aadhaar-PAN Linking

President Donald Trump has announced that he does not intend to extend the 90-day pause on tariffs beyond July 9, signaling a return to aggressive trade measures that could affect several countries unless individual trade agreements are secured. Speaking in an interview, Trump stated that his administration would begin sending formal notifications to countries soon, warning them of upcoming trade penalties unless they finalize deals with the United States. The president emphasi

Austin is considering a new proposal to introduce a parks maintenance fee that could be added to residents' utility bills. The proposal, introduced by Council Member Paige Ellis of District 8, aims to address the city's growing park maintenance needs as the city expands. Ellis believes this fee will help Austin manage the rising demand for new park facilities, maintain older infrastructure, and fund new land acquisitions. According to the Austin Parks

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) can be a complex task, especially if you're doing it without professional help. For salaried individuals, Form 16 is a crucial document that simplifies the process by providing details of salary earned and the tax deducted at source (TDS). If you've received your Form 16 and are preparing to file your ITR, it's important to first review the form thoroughly to ensure accuracy.

Vacations are meant to refresh and recharge, but for many, they bring a financial hangover that lasts long after the tan fades. It’s not uncommon to feel anxious looking at your bank account or credit card bill once you return. The root of the problem? Most people budget for the vacation itself but forget to account for life after the trip. Chartered Accountant Abhishek Walia highlights that the real mistake is

The United States Supreme Court has handed President Donald Trump a significant legal victory by refusing to expedite a case challenging his broad reciprocal tariffs on imports. The court’s decision, delivered Friday, rejected an urgent scheduling request made by two family-owned companies that aimed to invalidate several of Trump’s import duties. The companies, Learning Resources Inc. and Hand2Mind Inc., had asked the justices to bypass the usual judicial process and conside

Rice prices in Japan have experienced a dramatic surge, more than doubling in May with a year-over-year increase of 101.7%, marking the steepest rise in over 50 years. This significant increase follows a 98.4% spike in April and a 92.1% year-over-year rise recorded in March, underscoring the growing concerns over staple food affordability in the country. The Japanese government has attempted to curb the rapid price rise by releasing emergency rice stockpiles, aiming to stabiliz

Anant and Akash Ambani have emerged as the richest Indians in 2025, commanding a combined net worth of ₹3.59 lakh crore. The sons of Mukesh Ambani have overtaken other corporate heavyweights, securing the top spot on the newly released 360 ONE Wealth Creators List 2025, prepared in collaboration with CRISIL. This inaugural list features a total of 2,013 Indian entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, and heirs, collectively holding ₹100 trillion approximat

Santa Clara County supervisors have taken a major step toward adopting a $14 billion budget that attempts to preserve essential public services amid mounting state and federal funding threats. The unanimous preliminary approval followed weeks of hearings and workshops, with final adoption expected on June 17. However, the mood among county leaders was far from celebratory, as they confronted the reality of declining external support and growing local demand. Supervisors acknowledg