Meta Platforms has announced Arun Srinivas as its new India Head, a move expected to strengthen the company’s position in one of its fastest-growing markets. The decision comes amid the surge in digital advertising in India and Meta’s expanding user base across its platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. With a strong background in FMCG, tech, and private equity, Srinivas brings a blend of strategic vision and operational expertise to the

A search is underway on the other side of the world for a man who grew up in Northern California and was reported missing after venturing out alone on a hike in the Himalayas. Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, was last seen on the afternoon of June 6 after setting out on a glacial trek near Mount Triund, close to the town of Dharamsala in northern India. Samuel's family, who reside in California, are grappling with his sudden disappearance and the limited information that has followed.

House Republicans have unveiled a sweeping new tax proposal dubbed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” aligning with President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promises. The bill includes major tax breaks for workers, significant penalties for elite educational institutions, and the introduction of a 5% tax on money transfers sent abroad, a move likely to impact immigrant families across the country. The proposed legislation eliminates federal income taxes on tips and o

A new congressional proposal to reduce Medicaid funding for Washington D.C. is causing concern among officials and health experts, who warn that such cuts would have wide-reaching consequences beyond the program’s low-income beneficiaries. Medicaid is deeply integrated into the region’s health care infrastructure, and any funding reduction could disrupt care for patients across the income spectrum, affecting hospitals, clinics, and community health providers. House Rep

The Income Tax Department has officially released the Income Tax Return (ITR) forms 1 and 4 for the assessment year 2025–26, enabling individual taxpayers, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and firms (excluding LLPs) with total income up to ₹50 lakh to begin filing their income tax returns. This marks the beginning of the tax season for income earned during the financial year April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. Taxpayers must submit their returns by the due date of July 31, 2025, to avoid l

OpenAI on Monday announced a major upgrade to ChatGPT’s capabilities, introducing a new shopping feature integrated within the ChatGPT Search mode. This enhancement allows users to search for products, compare options, and directly buy items using ChatGPT, similar to the experience of shopping through traditional web search engines like Google. The announcement was made through a post on OpenAI’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, reflecting the company's efforts to furthe

 Maryland’s latest budget cycle has ended, but its financial aftershocks are just beginning to ripple through the state's residents and businesses. One of the most significant changes coming into effect is a new 3% tax on information technology and data services, a move intended to help fill a substantial budget deficit left behind by mounting fiscal obligations. Set to begin in July, this new levy is expected to have wide-ranging impacts on both service providers a

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions between the federal government and academic institutions, U.S. President Donald Trump has called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. The move follows ongoing criticism from Trump regarding the Ivy League school’s handling of antisemitism and diversity-related issues, as reported by The Washington Post. Though no final decision has yet been announced, reports suggest that an

Amid rising egg prices, Stop & Shop is launching a promotion to provide some relief to its customers. From April 18 to April 20, 2025, shoppers who spend $100 or more in a single transaction will receive a free dozen large white eggs. This offer is available at all Stop & Shop locations and is redeemable through a digital coupon. To take advantage of this promotion, customers can access the digital coupon in several ways. Shoppers may visit the in-store kiosk and scan thei

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 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

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), securing health and term insurance for themselves and their families back in India is more than just a financial obligation—it is a critical step toward safeguarding their loved ones and managing long-term security. As global citizens, NRIs often weigh the pros and cons of buying insurance in their country of residence versus opting for policies in India. What tips the scale in favor of Indian insurance are three strong reasons: affordability, extensive

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

In a noteworthy development signaling the economic progress of Andhra Pradesh, the state has recorded its highest monthly Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in nearly a year. The GST revenue generated in the state for the month of March 2025 has reached an impressive ₹3116 crore, breaking past the ₹3000 crore milestone for the first time in the last 11 months. This also marks an 8.35 percent year-on-year growth compared to March of the previous year, indicating an upward trend in tax

As the popularity of short-form videos continues to skyrocket on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, a new health concern has emerged—‘reel-induced eye damage’. At the ongoing Joint Meeting of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) and All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), top ophthalmologists have sounded the alarm over what they describe as a silent epidemic affecting eye health across all age groups. The concern is roo

As the new financial year commences on April 1, 2025, several significant income tax changes have officially come into effect, directly impacting salaried individuals, senior citizens, investors, and taxpayers across the country. Announced during Budget 2025, these updates aim to simplify compliance, improve transparency, and provide substantial relief to the middle class. From revised tax slabs to increased deduction limits and changes in TDS thresholds, here’s a complete breakdown of

As the new financial year begins on April 1, 2025, taxpayers, investors, and banking customers in India must prepare for several important changes in financial regulations. These reforms, previously announced by the government and regulatory bodies, are aimed at improving compliance, digital security, and financial transparency. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key changes that come into effect starting April 1.   1. Higher Income Tax Exemption Limit

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

An American woman named Kristen Fischer, who has been living in India for nearly four years, recently shared her insights about things she has experienced in India that she believes would make life easier in the United States. In her now-viral Instagram video, Kristen listed ten things that impressed her about India's lifestyle, infrastructure, and services. From digital convenience to healthcare accessibility, these factors highlight what she considers significant advantages that India o

The first-ever White House crypto summit left some investors disappointed as Bitcoin prices dipped. While the event marked a shift in U.S. policy toward digital assets, the lack of strong commitments led to uncertainty. Crypto Industry Hopes for Stronger Support The White House hosted its first-ever cryptocurrency summit, bringing together top executive